A/N: This is a short one, but you'll see why in the next chapter. EDIT: Going to go ahead and spoil the surprise... too short IMO.
Btw, while you're waiting for your fix, go check out Forbidden Fruit and Liquid Fire by Madame Bellamione...
There was a waiting room with scared witches and wizards, all of them filling out scrolls concerning either emigration or confirming their blood status. Why are they here doing paperwork? Don't they know who's running the Ministry now?
The crowded waiting room as the clerk was dealing with paperwork was stuffy and a tension filled the air, particularly once they spotted Lucius' wife among them. As I checked over the stack of forms for marriage registration, Narcissa cut through the crowd lined up to the frazzled clerk at the desk. Doesn't she see there's a queue?
"Hello, I need to register my recent change in marital status." Narcissa said gently, quietly asserting herself for the clerk's attention.
"Lady Malfoy, I'm quite busy at the moment, if you would please wait your turn..." the witch apologized, gesturing to the others who wanted her attention.
The door behind her opened, and a crisp yet flat voice cut through the din. "Evelyn, I'll take care of this case... personally." As his eyes met mine, my right wrist ached with a dull thud. Is he under the
Imperius Curse?
The desk clerk smiled in a happy yet overstressed manner. "Thank you, Minister! I'll get through the rest of these applicants immediately..."
Narcissa bowed her head towards the Minister, a bit more than she should have. This isn't just an Imperius but a full-out possession...
"Minister Thicknese, what a welcome surprise to see you here." She said, extending her hand, beckoning me to join her by her side. I naturally complied, feeling eerie as his eyes met mine.
"Ah, the Grangers are here! I take it you two are here to register your new marriage? Congratulations to you both!" It was definitely The Dark Lord in control of the wizard before us, and gloating about our
situation. "I wish you many powerful children in this marriage."
"Thank you, Minister," I replied, effecting a polite smile. "Is there any paperwork that we must complete here, or simply leave a statement with a witness?"
The Minister looked affronted at the mere fact that I spoke up to him, and Narcissa stepped in, apologizing. "Forgive me, Minister, my wife and I have a busy day ahead of us. We are eager to get through our day's agenda and be back at our home to celebrate our union."
The look on his face was devoid of human emotion. "You have yet to consummate this?" My god, it would look more natural if his pupils were slits!
I shook my head, realizing the reach that this madman had. He could be inside anyone at any time, and virtually undetectable.
"Off you go, then. I shall not stand in the way of... love."
[A/N: Meanwhile with Harry...]
The security of Gringotts was much higher than what Bill had expected; the Goblins seemed upset to have so many armed wizards as if the Ministry was occupying the Goblin stronghold.
Harry was under the cloak with Griphook on his shoulders, while Bill and Fleur asked to see their vault as a regular customer.
At least, it was supposed to look like Bill Weasley and his wife.
The real Bill was disguised as a foreign wizard, having been told to get in through the goblin service entrance only if the plan started to fail. Ron hoped it wouldn't come to that.
"Wands." The guard asked, and the married couple surrendered theirs. Both passed through an archway, yet Harry was stopped by the goblin's whispers.
"It will detect your magic, Mister Potter. Use the Imperious!"
Harry froze at the idea of using an Unforgivable. He didn't want to stoop to the same level as the Death Eaters.
But the plan wouldn't work if they couldn't get past the security here. So Harry prayed for forgiveness as he delved a bit more into the Dark Arts.
None of them realized that all of their planning would be for naught as Ron panicked at the sight of Hermione and Narcissa in an amorous embrace.