The Greatest Minister for Magic in History Part 9

Cornelius Fudge took a deep breath and then plastered on his most welcoming smile.

Some people had to be confronted with a cheerful mien – even when you privately felt that dealing them was rather tedious.

His secretary announced one of the people coming, Sirius Black. The Minister relaxed – Black wasn't that bad. As he walked in, the Minister gave a more real smile. "Welcome, Mr. Black. It is good to see you looking so well."

"Thank you, Minister. Just call me Sirius, please. Formality makes me itch." Sirius had a mischievous smile.

The Minister chuckled even as they both sat down. "Somehow, from what I've heard, that doesn't surprise me."

Looking around, Sirius asked, "Where are the rest of them?"

"Arthur and his deputy are arriving soon. At first I thought the Chief Warlock would be here before you, but apparently he is taking his own time."

Sirius gave a slight grimace before his face returned to a smirk. "Yeah, Dumbledore doesn't seem to notice other people's schedules that much."

The Minister and his visitor gave each other commiserating looks.

The Secretary knocked on the door and the Minister called out, "Yes?"

Her head poked in and said, "Mr. Weasley and Ms. Attaberry have arrived."

"Good. Send them in."

The Minister and Sirius stood. "Arthur, and Ashlee. Welcome. Welcome. I believe, Arthur, you know Sirius Black here?"

Arthur smiled and shook Sirius' hand. "Yes. Hello, Sirius. I was glad to hear that you were innocent and released. I wasn't around during your trial, being on a training holiday, but it was a surprise when I got back."

Sirius nodded. "Thank you, Arthur. It's good to be free. Now I hope to spend time with my godson, which is apparently why you're here."

Arthur nodded. "My assistant is going to make certain we don't run against any Muggle problems."

Sirius turned and greeted Ashlee. "Hello! Aren't you a vision of loveliness? My name is Sirius Black. I look forward to working closely with you." Sirius carefully kissed the knuckles of the hand presented.

Ashlee blushed at the attention. "Hello, Mr. Black. It's nice to meet you."

Suddenly there was a small cough and everyone looked to the Minister. "Sirius? I'll say this once: Ashlee here is a relation of mine. Not as close as it could be, but I insisted she call me Uncle when we're not working. I know your reputation. While her life is her own, if I find you've been continuing your purported antics from when you were younger, we might have to speak about showing the proper respect." The Minister had a predatory smile. "You understand, right?"

Sirius looked a little sheepish, "Er. Yes, Minister. I understand."

Ashlee had a small protest. "Uncle Cornelius! You can't be running off every man who might show an interest." She did have a small smile for her distant cousin.

The Minister gave her an apologetic smile. "I know, I know. But at the same time, I know the man's reputation – I'd prefer making my position known at the outset before he makes any mistakes. Both of you are rather young – I'm just heading off youthful impetuousness."

Arthur Weasley was grinning at the exchange. He was so happy that he had a few years before Ginny would be of an age where he had to deal with such things.

Sirius raised his hands as though to ward off an attack. "I'll be good!"

The room chuckled.

"Now. Sirius, if you're going to visit your godson in the Muggle world, I'm going to insist you consult with Arthur and Ashlee here to make certain you are muggle-friendly in your dress and actions. You're going to have to learn to dress Muggle, travel Muggle and talk Muggle. Any problems with this?"

Sirius replied, "No. I did a pretty good job before … well, back ten years ago."

"That's good. But have Muggle styles changed?" the Minister asked Ashlee.

She nodded. "I'll need to look at what you have."

Sirius sighed but agreed. "Now, can you tell me where he is?"

Cornelius replied, "That's why Dumbledore was invited. He's kept the boy away from those wanting to harm him or trying to idolize him. There isn't even a record in the Accidental Magic office – likely due to whatever wards he set up. We need his input."

Arthur asked, "Can you configure your robes into what you think is proper Muggle attire?"

Sirius shrugged and cast his spell.

Arthur looked at Sirius curiously. Cornelius was reminded of Dumbledore. Ashlee … well she was trying very hard to stifle her sniggers but was not doing a very good job. Finally, she couldn't stop and was laughing very loudly, barely able to keep standing.

Sirius was looking down at his clothes and back to her confused. Finally, she got herself under control. Sirius asked, "What?"

She was grinning as she said, "You could probably have gotten away with that ten years ago. The denim bellbottoms were popular then. The purple shirt with sparkly buttons – that's a bit weird. The red shoes? Muggles will think you sleep with other men. The yellow feather boa? Um. No. No. Not if you don't want to be considered a mental patient."

Just then there was a knock and, without further warning, the Chief Warlock swept into the room, the Fudge's secretary looking annoyed behind him.

Dumbledore looked at Sirius and said, "Very stylish, Sirius."

Cornelius, who was about to remind the Chief Warlock that coming in without being announced was rude, stared at the man in shock. Arthur, Ashlee, and Sirius all started sniggering.

Dumbledore looked at them, confused. It took a minute before things could be settled down.

Finally, everyone was paying attention. The Minister said, "This meeting is about Black here being able to visit his godson. Have you notified his guardians that he would be visiting?"

Dumbledore sighed and nodded. "I sent a letter shortly before September 1st. His Aunt is aware that Sirius, as Harry's godfather, has the right to visit the boy. She is also aware that Harry's continued residence in her home is the only thing that allows to wards to be maintained on her home."

Cornelius nodded. "Reasonable." He paused. "Now, I do agree that the boy's address is best left a secret, even from Ministry files inasmuch as possible. But there is a need for his location among those present, if only to ensure that any undue interest in the area is deflected away."

Dumbledore nodded. "A written agreement should suffice."

Cornelius considered it and then shrugged. "Fine."

Sirius asked, "Where does he live?"

Dumbledore was about to talk and then Cornelius had a random thought. "Hold on."

Everyone looked at the Minister. Cornelius had just realized that one of the most guarded secrets of the Magical world was just about to be spoken about. He quickly wrote a note and passed it to the Headmaster. The Headmaster looked at it and his eyes rose. He then nodded.

Standing gracefully, the others in the room watched as the Headmaster silently performed a number of detection spells. The Minister's fears were realized when a particularly ugly decoration he hadn't noticed before, a bronze kitten, glowed. It contained a listening charm.

The Minister used his hands to regain the others' attention. "I was just thinking. If we're going to be successful, we should have one more person present. And that's Amelia Bones. She would be vital to this. Does everyone agree?"

Sirius, who had an interested look, replied, "Sounds good to me. Headmaster?"

Dumbledore said, "Yes. Yes. That might be advisable. Can she be retrieved?"

"Certainly. I'll write a note and perhaps Arthur can take it to her office?"

Arthur said. "Fine."

The wait was quiet other than the Minister offering refreshments and serving them. After a short time, Amelia Bones entered with Alastair Moody. The Minister pointed to the statue and Moody performed a few spells. Putting a parchment under it, he performed one last one and the charm was dispersed. The parchment, however, contained a record of the residue. "Whoever did this has horrible taste," was the first thing the gruff Auror said.

"Yes. Senior Auror Moody, thank you. Amelia? Can you perhaps see if Mr. Moody can perform an investigation into the other higher offices and find if other spying charms are in place? He's perhaps the most trustworthy Auror in the Ministry and I'd like to be certain whoever did this is caught."

Amelia nodded in agreement. "Okay, Mad Eye." Very few could get away with calling the man this to his face. "I want you to run through the Undersecretary and Directors' offices and see if there are any more of these. We'll then have to put together a reason to inspect every Ministry worker's wand if we can't find out who did this otherwise."

Moody gave a horrible smile. "Just let me loose. I'll figure it out."

Amelia gave a vicious smirk back. "The chains are off, Auror Moody. Have at it."

The glee with which the Senior Auror left was palpable.

The Minister was curious. "Will this be difficult for him?"

Amelia chuckled. "Moody is enthusiastic. Normally, I have to keep an eye out on his as his methods tend to be … enthusiastic. But he's also very sneaky. Giving him leave to act as he wishes will allow him to use every method available – even some I'd rather not know about. He'll find out who set that up."

Cornelius nodded. "Good, good. Well then. Why don't you stay as I DO think your knowledge of what we are discussing is important."

The discussion went on. Dumbledore was not happy, but he agreed that Sirius should be able to visit. Finally, a plan was in place. The Headmaster swept out of the room.

Everyone else suddenly relaxed. When each saw the others relax similarly, they all chuckled. The Minister asked, "Is it just me or is it always a chore to deal with that man?"

The others chuckled. Arthur said, "He can be. He's a great wizard – but sometimes he's a bit cut off from the day to day."

Sirius laughed a short, sharp laugh that almost sounded like a bark. "Yeah. Anyway. Thank you all for helping in this." He paused as he stood. "Hey, Amelia. Any word on Pettigrew?"

The Minister made very certain he wasn't overtly reacting.

The Undersecretary for Magical Law and Enforcement sighed. "I'm sorry, Sirius. The odds of finding the man after all this time …."

Sirius nodded. "I'd just like to see the rat get his for what he did."

Arthur was curious. "What is this about Pettigrew?"

Sirius looked at Arthur. "Did you see my trial?"

"No. I was off training to deal with muggles and found out later."

Sirius nodded. "I was framed by Peter Pettigrew. The rat got one over on me and I've been hoping he'd be caught."

"How did it happen?" Arthur asked curiously.

Amelia explained what she knew. "… and Sirius was testifying under Veritaserum so he had to be telling the truth."

Sirius growled out, "The first time that rat got the best of me. And it will be the last."

Arthur had grown still. "You say he escaped by cutting off his finger and transforming into his animagus form?"

Sirius nodded.

"And that he's a rat?"

Sirius nodded again. Arthur, now very pale, sat down.

Cornelius asked, "Arthur? Are you all right?"

Arthur put his face in his hands for a moment and then dropped them. "I think I know where he is right now."

Everyone in the room was suddenly very much watching the red-headed wizard.

Sirius asked, "Where?"

With some heat, Arthur replied, "In the bedroom of my youngest son, Ron. With my increase in pay, I allowed Percy the pet of his choice and therefore he gave the rat he found 8 years ago over to my youngest children to take care of. I think I have a mass murderer under my roof."

Sirius had grown very agitated and looked like he wanted to bolt out immediately. Cornelius shook his head and stunned Sirius from behind. Everyone looked at him. "I don't think allowing a very upset Sirius Black to deal with this is the best choice. I'll apologize after – but we need a plan now."

Amelia nodded. "I can bring a whole Auror squad."

Cornelius shook his head. "No. No, no, no. That would spook him." He looked at Arthur. "Arthur, do you ever feed this rat yourself?"

Arthur nodded. "Sometimes, when I visit my sons, I occasionally give over some cheese I've saved from dinner or some other tidbit."

"Good." He turned to Amelia. "Can we get some cheese season with a sleeping potion?"

Amelia's eyes brightened. "I'm sure we can. I'm sure the infirmary has some sleeping drought."

"Good." HE looked at Sirius, who was laid out on the floor. The Minister locked the door with a locking spell and said, "Take his wand. We need to calm him down before he goes off on a crusade again."

Amelia chuckled as she retrieved Sirius' wand. She then cast the Rennervate spell. Sirius came out of his stunning slightly groggy. "What happened?"

Cornelius replied, "I stunned you before you could go and do something stupid. Again. Are you calmed down now? Can you listen like a logical man and not a grief-stricken victim?"

Sirius took a deep breath and nodded. He felt around and asked, "Where's my wand?"

Amelia said, "I have it until you listen. You ready to listen?"

Sirius sighed and nodded again. "Yeah. I'll listen."

Amelia said, "Arthur is going to feed the rat some cheese with sleeping drought on it. If we go with a squad of Aurors or, especially if YOU show up, he's going to panic and we have a hostage situation. Can you let us take care of this?"

Sirius looked mulish for a moment and then finally resigned. "Alright, alright."

Cornelius looked at the man. "How about you and I go and have a bite to eat. You stay with me and I know you aren't doing anything … inadvisable." He looeked at Amelia. "We'll be at the Leaky Cauldron, in a private eating area or possibly at the bar. When you've got him, you come and let us know.?"

Amelia grinned and nodded. "I'll be waiting here. Arthur will stun him after he's asleep and bring him back."

Sirius nodded. He looked at Arthur. "You get this guy, I'll buy your kids new pets –whatever they want. Hell, I'll buy them new brooms!"

Arthur looked annoyed. "I don't need any incentive to get a mass-murderer away from my family."

Sirius looked sheepish. "I know, I know. I'm sorry. But this … the rat cost me almost nine years in Azkaban – nine years of time with my godson Harry. The rat being caught is important to me."

Arthur nodded. "We can talk about it later."

Cornelius said, "Alright. Sirius, you stay here. Arthur, what time do you normally go home?"

Looking at his watch, Arthur said, "About an hour."

Amelia said, "That should give us time to get the cheese ready. Arthur can put it in his pocket."

Arthur and Ashlee left with Amelia.

Sirius sat down. "What now?"

Cornelius leaned back. "Let's talk. How has it been since you've been released?"