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Catherine or Cate
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What Should Have Been
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Results
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Narcissa Malfoy looked up from her new desk to the Heads of Department before her.
They were a couple weeks ahead of schedule - somehow the story had leaked that the champions were to face nesting dragons in the first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. She suspected that Marty Moneypenny deserved her thanks, as did the Wizengamot who practically rioted after Fudge confirmed the story.
Nonetheless now she had the position of Minister and she could make sweeping changes to help Draco and Harry.
Standing she walked around her desk and leant against the front removing the barrier between herself and her colleagues.
"As you may have noticed I am not Cornelius Fudge. My agenda is very different to his. My vision for Magical Britain is very different. I want this country to be better than it ever has been," Narcissa said looking to the staff. "There are expenditures that the previous government has approved that will be cut. Someone also needs to tell maintenance that they will be made redundant unless those blasted thunderstorms cease immediately!"
When no one spoke up Narcissa stood and walked back around her desk to take her seat.
"We begin with the reassessment of every single expenditure that this government has; starting with Azkaban prison. I want to know how much it costs to keep a prisoner there. I want to know about our other prison systems and why Azkaban is apparently so important. I want to know what our public thinks of bringing back capital punishment to deal with the perpetrators of truly heinous crimes versus giving them to the dementors."
"What of Bellatrix Lestrange?" a voice piped up.
"She," Narcissa exclaimed, "is the most relevant example of why, like the French and Germans, we must return to the use of Execution Veils! The moment that Voldemort returns the Lestranges will not hesitate to return to his side."
"That he returns?" a wizard in unspeakable robes asked.
"Ask Dumbledore," Narcissa retorted. "A horcrux was destroyed at Hogwarts. Voldemort was insane! Who says he only made one? And that is your first duty; to find out if he did. I'm sure Amelia and her team can work out the pros and cons of our little Azkaban dilemma while you do that, Mr Unspeakable."
"Of course," Amelia Bones agreed.
"By Friday," Narcissa returned looking at the other woman. Amelia smirked and nodded.
"Of course, Minister."
"Someone also needs to brief me on our treaties with all magical creatures starting with werewolves, centaurs and dementors," Narcissa continued. "And a memo needs to be sent out; He-Who- Must- Not- Be- Named will be called Voldemort, or by his birth name, Tom Riddle, in my presence, with no exceptions. I will not allow this overwhelming fear continue."
"Here, here," Arthur Weasley agreed.
"Tell me what you need for your department," Narcissa declared pulling a large folder towards her. "I'm seeing a lot of unanswered requests in my predecessor's files, Arthur."
"Ideally, our office needs a task force comprised of those with some notoriety in order to enforce the laws," the red headed man declared. "Ninety percent of crimes committed against muggles that pass through my department breach the secrecy act. There needs to be a crackdown, greater penalties to ensure that it stops."
"What does the task force require?" Narcissa asked.
"An obliviator, an auror, an investigator in the three man team format..."
"Heads of the obliviator squads and auror department need to set up a rotating roster where their staff serve a three months stint in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office. Two teams need to be available and operational at all times with more wands at the ready for large raids," Narcissa declared.
"Thank you, Minister," Arthur Weasley said softly.
"We need more aurors, and the ones we have need more funding, Minister," Amelia Bones declared speaking up.
Narcissa turned to the woman and smiled. "Why do you think I'm closing Azkaban? The money we save can be funnelled back into your department, your staff no longer have to serve on that godforsaken island and they can also be redistributed."
"Excellent," Amelia Bones replied.
"And I'm sure that such a heavily warded location can be used as something far more useful. A shopping mall or kindergarten could go there allowing magical children more socialisation."
"But it's a prison, Minister..."
"It used to be a castle," Narcissa shot back. "It used to belong to the White family. Diagon Alley used to be a Muggle Street. What is your point? We have magic. We can create something old into something new!"
"On a technicality, Minister," a wizard from the legal department began, "We don't even own Azkaban for the reason you just stated. It still belongs to the White family.
Narcissa looked to the man in astonishment.
"We tried to tell Minister Fudge..." he continued softly.
Shaking her head Narcissa help up her hand.
"Everyone who has important information that the previous five ministers should have acted upon make an appointment. That will be my first order of business."
Narcissa watched in amazement as for the next five minutes as every department head squabbled over meeting times.
III
It had taken a few weeks but it finally felt like she was getting on top of everything at the Ministry. Narcissa was shocked that the Ministry of Magic had actually run for the past fifteen years with all of the things that Fudge and to a lesser extent Bagnold had overlooked. She was still doing her best to find her way out of several situations without having to back pay millions of galleons to the unknowing owners.
But she wasn't at Hogwarts in the middle of the night for nothing.
"Mother!" Draco squawked as she got past the portrait and into the wing the four champions and their companions were using while they stayed at Hogwarts.
"Madame Minister," Harry said also standing.
"I'm not here as the Minister of Magic, Harry, dear," she said softening her posture as she walked in, with Moneypenny on her heels, and kissed Hermione on the brow. "I'm here as a co-conspiritor."
"How so?" Draco asked. "For what?" he then added belatedly.
"Well, over the Yule Season there are plenty of parties but this year I have accepted some invitations to some abroad in the interested of firming up our international friendships, as this very competition is meant to be doing," Narcissa declared. "I have made sure we will all be in Paris for the New Years Eve Ball."
There was some giggling from the two French girls on the settee.
"All of you expect invitations."
There was a moment of celebration which Harry and Moneypenny then used to hold a quick conversation. Narcissa knew he had been told from the look of shock he was giving her.
She simple nodded.
"Right. We need to talk," he said pointing to the tiny balcony the group had. "Minister Malfoy. Mr Moneypenny."
Narcissa smiled as the stepped onto the outdoor area which was only a touch cooler than an autumn day.
"What is this about the White Family?"
"It's you," Marty declared. "Through your mother's line. It will activate upon your sixteenth birthday as the direct male heir, so we can keep this quiet for a little while. But it will help."
"Help what?" Narcissa asked looking keenly between the two young men.
"I am very short on liquid assets," Harry said softly. "The Potter's have plenty of land and properties but most are run down and I've fixed up a couple and rented them but I'm also trying to rebuild the Manor for when I'm Lord Potter but I have no cash to pay."
"You need money to make money," Narcissa agreed. "Alright. I would suggest turning Azkaban into a shopping centre or apartments or something."
"A university," Harry replied.
"Or a university," Narcissa agreed. "I'm told the American one in Salem works extremely well. But the point is we need to use the area well, or even just better. It is the ideal location for a magical outpost."
"A university that gets a government grant and accommodation fees?" Marty asked looking at Narcissa.
"We need more masters in every field in this country, so I'm sure I could invent something," Narcissa said.
"Let me plot and plan a little and I will need a map of the building on the island."
"It's a prison," Harry said.
"A prison that the ministry stopped pay a rental fee to your family on," Marty told Harry causing the young man's jaw to drop in surprise.
"Say what?"
"The White's own the island Azkaban Castle, now prison sits on," Narcissa said. "Did we neglect to mention that?"
Harry nodded slowly and Narcissa watched as his eyes glazed over as his brain raced forward.
"There is a vault somewhere, right?" he asked.
"I'll pen a note to the goblins," Marty declared. "We will get it all checked out."
"That money could get us out of trouble for a while."
"As could a bribe from the Ministry," Narcissa declared.
"I want every single penny owed," Harry shot back.
"I can negotiate with that," Narcissa agreed.
Harry shook his head and she could help but pull him in close and hug him. He acted so much like her Draco when he did that.
"My mum wasn't a muggleborn."
"Most aren't," Marty declared. "They just aren't recognised as witches or wizards after a certain number of generations."
"But I am automatically the head of the White family because I am male and magical," Harry asked.
"Correct," Narcissa confirmed.
"That's messed up," Harry whispered.
"But you're doing something to fix it," Narcissa reminded him. "And that is what counts. We will aim for a university shall we. I will work out all the details on my end and Marty can start looking into it for you, Harry. Alright?"
"Perfect," he said with a distracted nod.
"What?" she then asked with a small giggle.
"I'll have to have at least three children to distribute all my titles," Harry said. "Most witches would not do that."
"Your witch is not like most witches," she replied. "Come, now. Marty and I still need to sneak out of here."
Harry smiled and led the way back into the small common area.
"Thank you," he whispered as they passed out the portrait hole.
Narcissa nodded and looked down at the directions in her hand.
"Are you sure?" she asked hesitantly.
"How do you think I get in and out so often?" Harry asked. "Once you start to rise up again you are past the wards and can apparate out. I promise."
"I wonder how much stock Honeydukes has lost over the years," Marty asked.
All they heard in reply was Harry's laugh.
III
As it happened they were all invited to the Winter Solstice celebrations in Bulgaria first, then returned to Hogwarts for the Yule Ball on Christmas. But this was the party Narcissa had wanted to attend since she was a little girl. The Versailles New Years Eve Gala.
As anything French it was as extravagant as it was elegantly understated. The ballroom was as extravagant as Louis could have ever made it and it was filled to the brim with politicians and celebrities.
It was her Christmas gift to some of Draco's friends to make sure they were appropriately attired for the evening. Jemima and Hermione both received dresses for the night and Augusta Longbottom had loaned them some jewels. Harry and Neville had received a pair of wizarding dress shoes from a leather worker in Rome known as the best in the world. Her Draco got new more modern robes for the occasion.
And Narcissa had also bought herself a new dress.
It was working well for her as she had received many compliments and the evening was still young. At that moment she was in one corner of the ballroom pretending to chat with the French and German Presidents. Really they had thrown up an excellent illusion and were resting before the next round of schmoozing.
"We must expand ze Tri- Wizard Tournament to include all ze European schools," Audrey, the French President, declared. "My darling Daphne suggested it. It's so sad she goes to school at Hogwarts but Astoria is still close."
"My youngest son would love it too," Cilia agreed. "His brothers would wish they were back at school..." All three of them laughed. "What about you, Narcissa?"
"I just want Harry out in one piece. He and my son Draco are such good friends. If something happened... He's is the kind of boy who just worms his way into your heart."
"Exactly!" Audrey agreed. "Daphne would die should somezing 'appen to 'arry! Cilia! Go and get your sons. Zey must meet 'arry, Daphne, Draco and all zeir friends! If zey don't want to come tell zem 'arry is friends wit Victor Krum."
"That will do it!" Cilia joked before moving away to get her sons.
At a nod from Audrey, Narcissa went to quickly assemble the Hogwarts group including the other Tri-Wizard champions.
"Listen! Listen!" she said straightening ties and patting down shoulders. "The German President is bringing her sons over to meet you. These are the people you need to know to get what you want done."
"I have a better idea," Harry declared as the German President arrived. "Let's start the dancing off with a bang. May I have the honour, Madame President?"
Narcissa let loose a giggle at one of the most powerful women in Germany dancing with a British teenaged saviour in one of the most beautiful buildings in all France.
"Do not think you have escaped, Minister Malfoy," Victor Krum declared leading her to the floor and beginning to lead. "Your son tells me you are quite the quidditch fan."
III
Narcissa froze as Ludo continued speaking.
"Stop!" she declared. "They want to put the Lady Greengrass in a lake in the dead of winter? No! No, that's actually not important! They want to put a Veela in a lake in the dead of winter? Are you insane, Bagman?"
The former quidditch star looked at her in surprise.
"We are trying to solidify international relationships! Not destroy them! Get out of my office! Get out!"
Running her fingers through her hair, Narcissa closed her eyes. It wasn't meant to happen like this. They were children. They were meant to be safe.
Grabbing her bag she gathered her personal items.
"Trish, I'm leaving for the evening," she told her secretary.
Walking down the hall to her personal apparition zone she squared her shoulders. Breaking into Hogwarts almost undetected was becoming almost second nature to her. But out and out bending of the rules – she was Slytherin and young lives were at stake.
"Golden Eggs," she huffed taking a moment to calm herself. "Those children will know what they are up against."
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