A/N: Thank you for all the encouraging reviews. I really appreciate them, and they make me want to continue writing. This chapter is filled with more backstory of the parents from the Ministry's perspective. This many contradict Sirius' own views of his friends from chapter 4, however bear in mind that the files were created four years after that point and many of their positions have shifted.
Chapter 10: Operation: Musings of a White Whiskered Wanker
September 12th, 1991 – Charms Classroom
Harry and his friends filed into the classroom, taking their assigned seats before the class began. Professor Flitwick stood on a pile of books in the front of the classroom, waving his wand which caused the chalk to write on the blackboard. Harry smiled at the half-goblin as Draco and James sat down on either side of him. Sirius had told him that Flitwick had been his mother's favorite teacher at Hogwarts, so he hoped that he would like the professor as well.
"Like I was saying, Harry is the youngest seeker in like a century. Crazy." James said as he pulled his book from his satchel, "I just wish I was on the team".
"I thought you were over this after talking to Astoria…" Harry groaned, annoyed at James' near constant complaining about not making the team. After five hours of complaints yesterday, Draco had literally shoved James' mirror in front of him and told him to complain to Astoria. He had stopped complaining after that, but he seemed to have woken up ready to complain today.
"Shut it, LeStrange. I don't want to hear it. Make the team next year…" Daphne huffed, obviously listening in on their conversation. James just turned around and stuck his tongue out at her. As the Slytherins fought, the Gryffindor first years were taking their seats, or at least the ones that hadn't been taken yet.
"Good morning class!" Professor Flitwick said, once again climbing to the top of the book tower he had created to teach, "Today we will again be practicing the Levitation Charm, Wingardium Leviosa. Remember swish and flick. Let's spend *he looked at the clock* 30 minutes practicing this morning. Begin."
Soon enough, there were shouts and whispers of Wingardium Leviosa permeating the classroom. Harry and several of the other Slytherins seemed to lazily cast the charm, each causing their feather to rise into the air. When Flitwick noticed that many Slytherins had already mastered the charm, he clapped and awarded them each ten points. Draco smirked as he cast an Incendio onto his feather, which was some fifteen feet into the air. The feather quickly burned up and Flitwick smiled broadly and awarded him ten more points for a well-cast fire spell.
"WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA," shouted Ronald as he waved his wand in an absurd pattern, causing the several nearby Slytherins to roll their eyes. As the ginger continued his theatrics, Sebastian, who was regrettably sitting next to him seemed to be getting angry.
"Quit it you ginger prat! You are going to take my eye out! Besides you're saying it wrong, idiot. It's Levi-ohhhh-sa not Leviso-sahhhh," Sebastian yelled, demonstrating the swish and flick of his wand.
"Oh yeah, if you're so clever, why don't you do it?" Ronald said frowning at the Slytherin. James and Harry raised their eyebrows at the near argument. Sebastian never yelled.
"Fine. Wingardium Leviosa!" Sebastian practically screamed as he jabbed his wand at the feather in front of him. The feather shot into the air, hovered for a moment, then shot directly into Ronald with as much force as a feather could have.
"Mr. Nott, next time, can you not use your anger to fuel your spell? You will find that your spells are much more precise." Flitwick said as he wordlessly summoned Sebastian's feather back from the ground after it had impacted Ron.
A second later, a feather suddenly exploded in the face of Seamus Finnigan, bringing some much-needed comic relief to the otherwise tense situation.
September 12th, 1991 – Hogwarts Grounds
"Did you hear him? 'It's Levi-ohhhh-sa not Leviso-sahhhh'. What a nightmare. No wonder he spends all his time reading!" Ron laughed as he talked to Dean and Seamus ten feet in front of the Slytherins. Neville used to hang out with the other boys, but he had taken offense when Ron called Daphne names after she had given him his Remembrall back.
Harry noticed Sebastian's fists clinching and his face contorting into a furious glare towards the ginger. Harry grabbed Sebastian and pulled him aside, causing the other Slytherin first years to stop and look at them questioningly. Harry told them to not wait up and they would meet them at Herbology.
"Hey Seb, what's up? You never get this angry…" Harry asked, concerned for his quiet friend.
Sebastian was still furious, his breathing short and forced, "Why does that ginger prat have to be so ungrateful? He is lucky to be a wizard and have magic! But he doesn't care about learning, bothers others when they are trying to do their work, and constantly is saying mean things to others if they show any sort of intelligence."
"I understand. It's hard when wizards or witches are apathetic towards their magic, not wanting to expand their knowledge or anything…" Harry said, as he pulled him along towards Herbology, not wanting to be late. As they entered the greenhouse, Draco sighed loudly.
"So, if Professor Sprout isn't here within ten minutes, I say we leave," Draco said as he spun his want through his fingers, already looking bored.
"We can't just leave. What if she shows up after eleven minutes?" Tracey questioned, not wanting to lose their house a bunch of points for skipping their class.
"Maybe we should study what was supposed to be taught today?" Hermione said, as she bit her lip nervously.
"Ehhhh. I say we just leave," James retorted, staring at the plants before him. They looked kind of dangerous to him. It seems that the plant had teeth which scared him. He was brought of his musings when the portly Herbology professor arrived.
"Good morning children! Sorry I was late, I had a meeting with Professor Dumbledore this morning and it ran long!" Professor Sprout said as she bustled through the door in the greenhouse, "Shall we begin?"
"Dang", Harry said under his breath as his hopes for leaving early were dashed.
September 15th, 1991 – The 'Greengrass' Private Study Room (Library)
*Knock* *Knock*
James slightly jumped at the knocks on the door to the Slytherin study room. Slytherin's could just touch the handle and the lock would unlock, so obviously it wasn't a Slytherin at the door. He spun around in his swivel chair and pulled the door open, revealing a nervous looking Ravenclaw.
"Uh… Hi. Sebastian said I should come here to study?" Hermione said, once again anxiously biting her bottom lip. James looked to Sebastian for confirmation before motioning for her to enter the spacious room.
"Woah," she said, surprised by how big the inside was compared to what it looked like on the outside. The room was probably barely the size of a coat closet before the expansion charms and protective wards had been installed, "I didn't realize Slytherin had this room. I just thought it was a closet."
"Yeah, Lord Greengrass paid for it to be expanded when our parents renovated the Slytherin living quarters…" Draco replied, look even looking up from his essay, "You can only enter if you are Slytherin or invited by a Slytherin in the room. Not many Slytherins use it though, most prefer to study in the common room or their own rooms."
Hermione softly smiled at the blonde, surprised that he didn't say anything mean to her. She made her way to sit by Sebastian, who was surrounded by Daphne, Tracey, and Draco. He pulled a chair between himself and Daphne and motioned for her to sit. She gladly accepted as Draco rolled his eyes at how nice Sebastian was being. Nott had to stop himself from saying mudblood every time he spoke about Hermione, but suddenly he is the most chivalrous boy at Hogwarts.
"So, Hermione, how are you adapting to the Wizarding World?" Daphne asked, trying to break some of the tension that had been strangling the room since Hermione had arrived, "Are you enjoying your classes?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I know your name?" Hermione responded as she pulled out her study materials from her bag.
"Greengrass, Daphne Greengrass," Daphne retorted, "The other girl is Tracy Davis. We rode together in the boat before our sorting the first night we were here…" She pointed to the dark-haired girl who was scribbling away on her parchment, which seemed to be a small essay about Transfiguration. She had drawn a matchstick with an arrow pointing to a needle, showing the transfiguration which, they had been discussing in class.
"Ohhhh. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to those around me that night. I was more taking in the sight of Hogwarts," she said, almost forgetting about the questions Daphne had asked, "Oh yeah, I love being at Hogwarts! It's such a different experience than I was expecting. Mostly good, although there are some that probably don't want me here." Her eye flicked to Draco, "There's a red-headed Gryffindor who is very mean to me. Which reminds me, why are you all being so nice to me? Usually I don't last one minute before there is an unkind joke about my blood…"
"Sebastian said we have to be nicer because you are trying to learn more about wizarding culture and our traditions… Also, he said he would kick me in the crotch if I said anything mean." James said from down the table, obviously listening in on their conversation.
"Of course! I want to learn everything about Magic. I read all the course books before the term even began." Hermione said as she pulled out several books from her bag, enthusiastically discussing the History of Hogwarts and what she had learned about the Wizarding World. Daphne and Sebastian were listening politely as they worked on her their own homework, offering information if Hermione had any questions about their world.
"Wait, so House Elves are basically slaves?" Hermione asked after James explained that House Elves made the food served at the meals in Hogwarts and weren't paid, "That's awful!"
All the Slytherins were surprised by her anger, having grown up with the elves. They sat silently, thinking about how to respond until Harry spoke up, "I'm not sure that slavery is the right word…" Hermione was about to start her rant, but Sabastian told her to wait, "I mean, I don't know too much about elven magic, I do know that they need to be bonded to a wizard or witch in order to live, although there are exceptions." Harry said as the thought out loud.
"That's right! I know that House Elves can bond to some magically powerful locations, like the ministry or Hogwarts," James responded, having finished his homework a while ago.
"But do the elves have to do what you say?" Hermione asked, still angry about this almost-slavery.
"Yeah…" Harry said, seeing Hermione's point, but they will die if they don't bond with us!"
"But that doesn't make it right! You should pay them!" Hermione responded hotly, obviously getting irritated with the Slytherins.
"Well, my family bought them so they we don't have to pay them," Draco retorted as he sneered at the Ravenclaw.
"You bought them! That IS slavery!" Hermione yelled.
"Can we just agree to disagree?" Harry said sheepishly,
The children spent the next three hours writing papers and taking gossip breaks. Daphne seemed to know everything that was going on in the castle, much like her own father. Hermione had more or less been accepted by the group of Slytherins, even though several of them still believed that she was below them.
"So, Granger, why does Weasel hate you so much?" Draco asked, as he picked up his things off the table and placed them into his bag. It was getting close to dinner and he wanted to goof around with his friends before bed.
"He says that I have big teeth and I'm a know-it-all, but it's not my fault he doesn't study and gets poor grades. The nerve of that boy! He asked me to do his potions essay for him! I'm not even in his class!" Hermione said, obviously annoyed with that red-headed menace.
A muttered, "But you are a know-it-all" was heard from Harry in the background but was soon shushed by James before Hermione or Sebastian could hear.
"Well, if you hit him with a good curse, maybe he will leave you alone? Daphne cursed him and now he just glares at her…" Harry said, basically encouraging violence which surprised Hermione. That was supposed to be the Boy-Who-Lived not some violent child!
"I'll take it under advisement, thanks." Hermione responded, disapprovingly.
"I guess it's time for us to go. Goodbye, mudblood." Draco said as he darted off before Sebastian could hex him. The rest of the Slytherins just laughed at his antics when Hermione nervously joined in.
"Let me give you some advice, Hermione." Sebastian said as he stopped her outside the Library, allowing the rest of the Slytherin first-years to get a few yards ahead of them, "Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not. Wear the title 'Mudblood' like armor and it can never be used to hurt you."
September 15th, 1991 – Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts
Headmaster Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, quietly humming to himself a tune he couldn't place, as an owl flew into his office with a large package hanging by its talons. He smiled at the Ministry Owl and handed it a piece of bacon as he untired the package. Once the owl had taken its leave, Dumbledore ripped the packaging to reveal a Department of Magical Law Enforcement seal and letter.
Dear Chief Wizard,
Attached are the files you requested in regards to the Pureblood Coalition's members. Please be aware that as Chief Wizard, while you have the authority to request any file in the Ministry's archives, it is highly unusual to request dossiers on political opponents. I have reported your actions to the Minister and will make the Wizengamot aware of them at the next meeting.
Good Day, Amelia Bones – Director of the DMLE
Albus rolled his eyes at the audacity of the newly appointed Director. Maybe he shouldn't have recommended her to Cornelius? Perhaps, but the past is in the past.
He shuffled through the files, looking for several specifically: Sirius Black, Cygnus Greengrass, and Alexander LeStrange. All of whom, he believed, could be used to break the party apart in some way. He finally found the file on Sirius, which had the big bold statement of "Top Secret – Classified as Political Target" on the front. This classification was reserved for political members of the Wizengamot and was only accessible to be viewed by the Chief Wizard and the Department Head of the DMLE, which was nice for Dumbledore.
File Compiled by Amelia Bones, Senior Auror - 1990
Name: Sirius Orion Black
Parents: Orion Arcturus Black, Walburga Black
Grandparents: Arcturus Black III, Melania Black, Pollux Black, Irma Black
Siblings: Regulus Arcturus Black (Imprisoned)
Blood Status: Pureblood
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor
Wizengamot Allegiance: Pureblood Coalition
Wand Composition: Unknown at this time.
Titles: Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Regent of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Residency: Current residency is unknown; however, Ministry correspondence is conducted through 12 Grimmauld Place.
Spouse: None.
History in Wizengamot and in general: Believed to have been a moderate before his ascension to Lord Black, Sirius Black has seemed to have changed his opinions on many issues following his joining of the Pureblood Coalition in 1986. While Lord Black was best friends with Lily and James Potter, even going as far as the blood adopt their only son after their deaths, Lord Black has pushed for more ministry control over Muggleborns and what positions they may hold in the Ministry. He seems to have adopted his Grandfather's view that Muggleborns often attempt to reshape our world into the muggle world and believes that neither world is compatible with the other. He has voted in favor on several bills restricting muggleborns to lower level ministry jobs for that reason. Overall assessment: Blood Purist Sympathizer
His closer ties to the Dark elements of the Wizengamot following the Blood War have also brought up questions about his loyalties during the war. In the aftermath and trials of suspected Death Eaters, the Black family name was brought up several times. While most comments made by convicted Death Eaters were unable to be corroborated, many members of the public now believe that even though Lord Black was a member of the DLME at the time of the war, he was complacent in the Dark Lord's reign of terror. This seems to be a contradiction, considering that his best friends, James and Lily Potter, were killed by Lord Voldemort at the end of the war. In regards to Harry Potter, Lord Black said that following the perceived betrayal of his friend, Peter Pettigrew, he took the young Potter into hiding to raise him 'the right way'. When asked to elaborate, Lord Black refused, citing Wizengamot Member privilege to not answer.
Lord Black, like all of age members of Pureblood families, was interviewed (as mandated by Wizengamot decree that all wizards or witches with a convicted Death Eater in their family tree must be interviewed) following his reappearance from hiding with Harry Potter. The interview did not involve the truth serum or any compulsion charms for him to tell the truth, but the Aurors who conducted the interview felt that he was being truthful. He revealed that Peter Pettigrew (missing) was the secret keeper to James and Lily Potter's Fidelius charm. Lord Black believes that that Dark Lord Voldemort was forced to pry the secret out of the mind of Mr. Pettigrew as he believed that he would have never betrayed his friends willingly and was not a Death Eater. He said that after thinking about the events of that night for many years, 'Peter didn't 'fit the build' of a Death Eater'. It is unknown whether Peter Pettigrew was in fact a Death Eater or not as he has been missing since the end of the war.
Lord Black was also asked about his relationship with his cousin, Bellatrix LeStrange nee Black, and his brother-in-law Rodolphus LeStrange. While he said that he had not seen or spoken to them since they were imprisoned in Azkaban, he did defend his communication with Bellatrix as he stated that, "She was still my cousin, even though she made poor choices…" This is a curious statement coming from Lord Black, however I believe that he is being genuine when he says that family is important to him, especially after his Grandfather's death.
The last questions revolved around his relationship with his brother, Regulus Black. Regulus was captured following the attack on Longbottom Manor by Bellatrix LeStrange, Rodolphus LeStrange, Rabastian LeStrange, and himself. Convicted for the use of the Unforgivable Cruciatus Curse on Alice and Frank Longbottom, which drove them both into insanity, Regulus has spent the last nine years in Azkaban Prison. Sirius admitted to visiting him once or twice over the previous years, however he cited that the Ministry has no restrictions on visiting Azkaban, just not many people with the Dementors being present.
His close relationships with Alexander LeStrange, Timothy Nott, and Cygnus Greengrass are also of concern. With the inclusion of Lucius Malfoy, this block within the Pureblood Coalition seems to control the votes of most of the other Purebloods, may that be through agreement in policies or intimidation. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement also believes that many department heads and ministry officials are bribed to look the other way in regards to many situations that affect the Pureblood Lords, however these claims cannot be proven at this time.
Finally, Lord Black is the adopted father and guardian of Harry James Potter, the last scion of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, which grants him access to both the Black Family vaults and the Potter Family vaults, making him one of the richest men in Wizarding Britain. This also gives the man two votes in the Wizengamot as compared to one vote that most other members hold. Since he was named Regent Potter, he has pulled the Potter vote over to the Pureblood Coalition, an area that the Potter's haven't been a part of in many generations. It is unclear if Harry Potter will have the same views as his father, however it is believed that Harry Potter is friends with many of the children from the Pureblood Coalition, so it is likely that he will.
My overall assessment is that Lord Sirius Black has more secrets than many of the public believe. While he was awarded the Order of Merlin, Third Class for his actions in saving Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived from Death Eaters, he seems to have ulterior motives for his actions.
Professor Dumbledore already knew most of what he had read about Lord Black, even though he was surprised by the fact that the Ministry believed he was a blood purist sympathizer. While he had known Sirius before and during the Blood War, Albus didn't believe that Sirius would cast aside his progressive views about muggleborns or anything. However, it would not be the first time he was wrong.
He thumbed through the rest of the Pureblood files until he landed Alexander LeStrange, another Gryffindor from Sirius' class. He untied the bindings on the file and began to peruse it as well.
File Compiled by Amelia Bones, Senior Auror - 1990
Name: Alexander Corvus LeStrange
Parents: Radolphus LeStrange II (father), Evelyn Selwyn (mother)
Grandparents: Radolphus LeStrange I (paternal grandfather), Liliana Yaxley (paternal grandmother), maternal grandparents deceased.
Siblings: Rodolphus LeStrange, Rabastian LeStrange
Blood Status: Pureblood
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor
Wizengamot Allegiance: Pureblood Coalition
Wand Composition: Unknown at this time.
Titles: Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of LeStrange
Residency: LeStrange Manor
Spouse: Isabelle LeStrange
History in Wizengamot and in general (Contains Speculation):
Not much is known about Lord Alexander LeStrange's childhood, however judging by his affiliation and last name, it is not a stretch that he may retain some of his family's blood purist views. The research on him and his voting history shows that his views are similar to that of his late father. While he spent most of the Blood War either in Hogwarts or overseas in France as an emissary to French Ministry of Magic, Lord LeStrange seemed to be deeply knowledgeable about the war effort even while overseas. This could have been related to the fact that he was sent by Caldwell Yaxley (known Death Eater, deceased) who was the Director of International Magical Cooperation at that time to spy on the French for the Dark Lord. However, this is uncorroborated and speculation. Overall assessment: Suspected Blood Purist, Possible Former-Death Eater
Following the death of Radolphus LeStrange II and the conviction of his brothers, Alexander LeStrange rose to the rank of Lord of his House. This seems to have caused him to shift from his more progressive views that were present while he was at Hogwarts to more conservative and hardline views. However, Lord LeStrange is very progressive in regards to his views on 'Beings', meaning any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws, because his wife, Isabelle LeStrange is classified as a 'Being' as she is a Veela. His wife's status is an open secret, not acknowledged by the LeStrange family or any of the Pureblood Coalition. There have been several questions raised internally by members of the Coalition if any LeStrange children can be members of the Coalition, however it seems to have been accepted that the LeStrange family will still be classified as a Pureblood House. The reason for this is unknown at this time.
Lord LeStrange seems to have a major contradiction between his policies and his wife's background. In one breath, he may say that muggleborns must integrate more with Wizarding culture before we allow them more positions in government while also advocating for the easing of restrictions on beings. However, there are several members of his Wizengamot staff that are muggleborn, so there is a possibility that his positions may change in the future.
Lord LeStrange, like all of age members of Pureblood families, was interviewed (as mandated by Wizengamot decree that all wizards or witches with a convicted Death Eater in their family tree must be interviewed) following defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort and the beginning of the search for Harry Potter. His interview did not involve the use of the truth potion or compulsion charms, however the Aurors that interviewed him felt that he was dodging questions and bending the truth. He also refused to answer several questions regarding his time in France, citing that his time there was not relevant to his lack of affiliation with Lord Voldemort. Alexander LeStrange denied being associated with the Dark Lord but did not deny that he was in contact with his brothers and father during the war. He stated that while they were Death Eaters, they were still family. Currently, Lord LeStrange has not disowned either brother from the LeStrange family, giving credence to the speculation that he sympathizes with the Dark Lord.
He was also called to testify at the trials of both Rabastian and Rodolphus, however he said that he could not offer any defense for their actions and believed that they deserved prison. Many felt that this will put a target on his back if his brother's ever escape from Azkaban, but it seems that they have mended their issues following his many visits to the prison. The Aurors who accompanied him on those visits stated that the imprisoned brothers admitted that it wasn't Lord LeStrange's testimony that sent them to prison, but their actions and the fact that they were caught.
My overall assessment is that Lord Alexander LeStrange has adopted many of his late father's beliefs about magical elitism and would agree with many policies against muggleborns. While he was friends with the Potters during Hogwarts, it seems that the last ten years has made him cynical towards muggleborns. The DMLE should be careful interacting with the LeStrange family as they have power friends and allies, both in the Wizengamot and in the Ministry itself.
Dumbledore set down the file, pensively looking out the window towards the towers of Hogwarts and the Black Lake. How could he have let so many of the children he educated turn out so cynical and Dark? Perhaps if he had spent less time… Fawkes trilled at his thinking, bringing him out of his pessimistic musings. "You're right Fawkes, I can't control what other wizards do, only what I am doing…" He set several more files on his desk, finally finding the last file he wanted to read – Cygnus Greengrass. As he opened the file, Dumbledore noticed a few dozen photographs in one of the side pockets, which he vowed to look at later.
File Updated by Amelia Bones, Senior Auror - 1990
Name: Cygnus Paul Greengrass II
Parents: Cygnus Paul Greengrass I (deceased), Elizabeth Travers
Grandparents: Maternal and Paternal Grandparents - deceased
Siblings: None
Blood Status: Pureblood
Hogwarts House: Slytherin
Wizengamot Allegiance: Pureblood Coalition
Wand Composition: Unknown at this time.
Titles: Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass
Residency: Greengrass Manor, Northern Scotland
Spouse: Annabelle Greengrass
History in Wizengamot and in general: This file has been updated to include information from 1981-1990: Following the defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort, Lord Greengrass was charged with terrorism and murder as he was believed to have been a Death Eater. During his trial, he plead that he was placed under the Imperious Curse by the Dark Lord himself and was unable to shake the curse. The Wizengamot ruled that he was indeed held under the Imperious curse during the war and would not be responsible for the acts that he was charged with. Although there was evidence to support that the Dark Mark must be taken under your own free will, Lord Greengrass argued that he had taken it willingly at the beginning, however when the Dark Lord began murdering people, Lord Greengrass attempted to leave which made the Dark Lord put him under that curse. For this trial, the truth potion was not administered as the Law states that veritaserum cannot be used on Lords or Ladies of the Wizengamot without their consent, and thus Lord Greengrass did not consent.
However, if Lord Greengrass' voting history is any indication of his personal views, then it would not be a stretch to assume that his ideals would line up very similarly with the Dark Lord Voldemort's views. Overall Assessment: Blood Purist, Acquitted Death Eater
Not much information is known about Lord Greengrass previous to his arrest beyond being a Slytherin at Hogwarts and his family owning many different shops in Diagon Alley. However, it is known that after his trial and acquittal, Lord Greengrass pursued a Mastery in Transfiguration and Potions, becoming one of the few under thirty-five-year-old Wizards in Britain to have a double Mastery. Many believe that he has been applying at Hogwarts, so he could teach Transfiguration there, however he seems to be using his Potions Mastery quite effectively, having invented several potions.
In the Wizengamot, Lord Greengrass seems to hold a lot of sway over many of the Pureblood and Half-blood Lords, which is surprising as many believe he is quite introverted and reserved. However, it seems he uses his voice to sway Wizengamot members or ministry officials themselves in certain directions outside of the meeting room. This is shown by the photographs included in this file, each of Lord Greengrass meeting with some Wizengamot member or an official. While not illegal to have friends and get favors, the DMLE is convinced that there is something sinister going on.
Dumbledore sat quietly as he thumbed through the pictures of Lord Greengrass meeting with different officials over the years. Fudge was a consistent one, along with Lord Malfoy and several of the other Dark Houses, but the most curious photos were of him meeting with Bartemius Crouch Jr. and Quirinus Quirrell. "Why would Lord Greengrass need to meet with either of those men?" Dumbledore thought aloud, "Bartemius Jr. is more understandable, being the son of Barty Crouch Sr, but why Professor Quirrell?"