Chapter 11- Business as usual

7 am

"Mistress, wake up!" Winky's voice drifted into the dream of Grimald Place, Christine was having.

"Yes, Winky?" she asked groggily.

"Wake up or you will be late for work; here is your breakfast."

Christine sat up and Winky put a tray with a bowl of strawberry oatmeal, buttered toast, and a glass of milk.

"Thank you, it all looks very good," Christine said, picking up the spoon.

"You're welcome, Mistress. It was my poor old mistress's favorite breakfast," Winky replied moving around the room, setting out Christine's work robes and shoes.

"Mmm… this is very good," Christine said as she finished.

Winky took the tray and left the room. Christine got out of the bed and changed into her work roves and shoes. She grabbed her wand and left the room. She was halfway down the stairs when Winky appeared and said, "There is a wizard waiting for you in the parlor, he seemed worried about you. Asked for you by name."

"Thanks, Winky," she replied and picked up speed and half ran to the parlor. She spied Ride looking out the window. "What's wrong?"

"I was worried about you, since I heard that you and Bellatrix had a little spat at Ted's," he replied turning around and hugged her.

"I'm fine; really, I just had to talk to the Dark Lord. I was in poor shape last night, but I'm fine now," she replied.

"I'm not sure what we should do," he confessed.

"One, we will tell the order to go underground and appear like it's disbanded, and we go about our lives and act like it's business as usual. We can't just disappear like others because that would be seen as betrayal, and the Order can't afford us to be in Azkaban or worse. We are going to act like good little ministry officials and do as we are told, and try to take the Dark Lord out from the inside," she explained.

"You've been thinking of possibilities," he stated looking impressed.

"I have been thinking of possibilities ever since Dumbledore's death," she stated. She turned and started walking out of the room. "Shall we go to work?"

"Of course," he replied gravely, following her to the back door.



"Wait, Mistress," Winky yelled from the kitchen.

"What is it, Winky?" she asked impatiently as they paused in the hallway.

"Mistress should not leave without her lunch," Winky said as the house elf appeared with a brown paper bag.

"Er…thanks," she replied taking the bag and walking out of the door.

They turned on the spot and disappeared into the crushing darkness. They appeared in the Atrium of the ministry, and looked around at the unusually deserted Atrium.

"What is going on, Ernie?" Christine asked the security guard by the visitor's entrance.

"I've been told to say, just go to your department and further instructions will be issued. Sorry, I can't be much more help Christine," he replied.

"Thanks anyway," she said, turned and started for the lifts with Ride by her side.

When the doors of the lift closed, Christine turned to Ride and saw that he was worried. He turned and said, "I hope that nobody besides Scrimgeour died in the coup, last night."

"Don't worry, I'm sure everybody is just fine," she replied, as the doors opened.

"Level 9- Department of Mysteries," said the lift voice.

When they walked out of the lift, they saw everybody in their divisions speculating what happened.

"If anybody calls a meeting of the Division Heads, come get me," she said walking towards her office.

"Got it," he replied heading towards his.

When she got to her office, she unlocked the door and went in. she gently closed the mahogany door and looked around the familiar office. There was a huge stack of files waiting on her desk. Those can wait, she thought as she sat in her chair. She put her lunch on her desk, and then noticed something out of the ordinary. There was a piece of parchment folded and addressed to her. She picked up the parchment and realized she knew the handwriting. She read:

August 1,

Dear Miss Black,

Welcome back from your vacation, I just recently put a pile of sixty files on your desk. I hope you had fun at the wedding. I could have made Percy bring the files down but I told him to leave and he really doesn't knowhow to unlock your door. I put the most urgent files on top.

Now get working,



Rufus Scrimgeour

She smiled when she finished, then took a peek through the first couple of files. Then she had a strange feeling that she was being watched. She drew her wand and started looking around for any tell tale signs that there was somebody in the room. Then there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" she asked trying to sound calm.

"It's Yaxley," came a voice on the other side of the door.

She hurried to her desk and called, "Come in,"

He opened the door and walked in, "Good morning, Christine."

"Good morning, Yaxley."

"How was your night?"

"Just fine, why do you ask?" she replied opening a folder and started to read.

"I heard you had to talk to the Dark Lord last night," he replied sitting down.

"Has Bella been spreading that around already?" she asked looking up.

"Yes, but I also saw Severus escort you off the grounds," he replied cleaning his nails.

"You did, Yaxley? I would love to keep up this charming conversation, but why you are here?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm sure you heard about the events of last night."

"Yes, what about them?"

"Well, if people, who don't need to know what happened, knew; that would cause panic and unrest. We needed to come up with an official story to tell people how Thicknesse became the Minister overnight," he replied.

"So, you do have the official story?"

"Yes, Scrimgeour resigned last night, and Pius Thicknesse has been chosen to replace him," he replied fiddling with his wand.

"And thus hiding the smooth and virtually silent coup," she stated looking impressed.

"And I should let you know, your Head of Department, the mud blood, Nathaniel Smith, resigned this morning and disappeared before our boys could find him,"

"He is probably out of the country by now, so our department is without a head."



"And I need to speak with the Division Heads and fill them in on the situation, and you have the biggest office of the Division Heads, so may I use this office for the meeting?" he asked.

"Sure, Yaxley, but I think I won't need to actually read though half of these folders," she replied pointing at the names on the folders.

"I don't think you have to look at all the Death Eaters' files,"

"That excludes 99 of them, watch your head," she replied as she waved her wand; the files flew across the room, out the door and flew to the Hall of Records.

"Who made you lunch?" he asked seeing the brown bag.

"My house elf," she replied tidying up the office. "When is the meeting?"

"Five minutes, I shall go and gather the other heads. Please, try to make this room more comfortable," he replied getting up.

"Okay, Yaxley, see you in five," she replied as he walked out the door.

She got up, put her lunch into a desk drawer, and summoned some chairs from the break room. She put them in rows and then straightened her desk. She pointed her wand at the ceiling and the room got brighter. She sat down, summoned a mug of coffee, and waited.

One minute later, Yaxley appeared with Ride and the other Division Heads. When they sat down, Yaxley stated, "Division Heads, nothing bad happened last night. Scrimgeour merely resigned and Thicknesse has been chosen to replace him."

"Where's Smith?" asked one of the female heads.

"He resigned form his post this morning," Yaxley answered.

"So, who will be our head?" asked a male head.

"The Head has yet to be…" Yaxley started to explain, but was interrupted by the fireplace glowing green and Umbridge climbing out of the fireplace.

"The Minister has chosen a person to be the head of this department," she announced cheerfully.

Everybody looked at her expectantly and after a minute Yaxley asked impatiently, "Well, who is it?"

"The Minister chose a hard worker, on who he feels he can depend on. . ."

She is just doing that to hear herself talk, Christine thought sipping her coffee.

". . . I quite agree with the Minister's choice and the one her chose is Miss Christine A. Black," Umbridge announced.



Christine snorted into her coffee. "I don't think I heard you right, Delores, I think you said that 'I' was the new head," she stated confused.

"I did say that," replied Umbridge.

"You mean to say that I'm the head," she said showing shock.

"Yes, Christine, she meant that!" shouted Yaxley.

"Ok, Yaxley, this comes as quite a shock, I don't know what to say," she replied clearly trying to find words.

"You don't have to say a thing, Black, I better get back to my office, I will see you when the Heads meet later today," Umbridge stated walking out the door.

I wonder why she is walking, she thought.

"Miss Black, what are your orders?" Ride asked.

"Tell your divisions the official story and then get back to work. I will try to find somebody to replace me as Division head," she replied. "Dismissed."

They all filed out. When every head was gone, Yaxley turned and asked, "Do you want a new office or stay in the one you have now?"

"I'd rather stay in this office," she stated.

"Makes it easy on all of us, I'll just get maintenance to change and update your name plate."

"See you later," she said.

"You too," he replied, he paused at the door. "And Congratulations on your promotion."

"Thanks."

Over the next couple of weeks, Christine tried to get used to being the Head of the Department of Mysteries. The Department was one of the biggest staffed departments of the Ministry, but not one of the most important ones. Her job was to take orders from the Minister and relay them to the proper division. One order was to finish the study on how magic was passed down. At least it isn't from my former division, she thought as she relayed that order.

Two days after the assignment, the report pleased those in charge of the Ministry. Then had it printed in the Daily Prophet.

The next morning after that, the security policy changed. Only high up Ministry officials could use the Floo Network from their houses. Unfortunately, Christine didn't have the rank of high up official because of the rank of her Department. So she had to use the old official entrance to the Ministry of Magic, since 

they couldn't Apparate into the Atrium anymore. They had to Apparate in some alley, walk to a certain underground bathroom, and then flush themselves into the Ministry.

The third week after the coup, she met Ride at the Apparation point and they walked to the official entrance. "I can't believe they won't let us Apparate directly to the Atrium," she complained.

"I know, I mean do they honestly think that Potter would try to break into the Ministry?" he asked.

"I would, if I was him. And I would try to take out Umbridge," she joked.

"Is she really that annoying?" he asked.

"No, not really until she does that really annoying giggle, or when she thinks she has purer blood then you," she replied as they split up. "See you in a few,"

When she appeared in the Atrium, Ride walked right up to her side. They were about to enter the lift when they heard, "Black, wait."

She turned toward the voice; it was Albert Runcorn.

"What is it, Albert?" she asked impatiently.

"Yaxley and I were sent to find you. The Minister wants to see you ASAP," he said.

"Tell the Minister that I'll be up as soon as possible," she replied.

"I will, and then I'll find Yaxley."

She got on the lift with Ride and sighed when the doors closed.

"I wonder why the Minister requested your presence," Ride said.

"He probably wants my expertise in some thing," she joked.

They both laughed as they let the lift.

"See you later, Ride," she said and walked to her office.

She entered her office and set her lunch, which consisted of a roast beef sandwich, chips and yogurt, on her desk. Then there was a knock on the door. She opened it and saw Yaxley.

"Yaxley, I already got the message, I was just heading up," she said.

He moved to allow her to leave and fell instep as she returned to the loft.

"Do you know what the Minister wants?" she asked.

"No, surprisingly I don't," he replied.



When the lift reached level two, Yaxley left the lift. "Level one- Minister for Magic and support staff," the lift's voice said.

She left the lift and walked into the waiting area.

"Christine, what brings you up here?" asked Umbridge.

"The Minister requested my immediate presence, and congrats on your promotion," she replied.

"Thanks, he is in the big conference room," Umbridge said gesturing to the room on the left.

Christine walked over to the door and knocked. The door opened and Thicknesses' head stuck out.

"Minister," she said in a respectful tone.

"Christine, come in," he said standing back to allow her into the room.

She stepped in the room and looked around. There was one other person in the room, who was seated with her back to her.

"What is it you wanted to talk about, sir?" she asked.

"I will tell you, now sit next to the new headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," he commanded.

She complied and gracefully sat down next to the person, and she noticed that the person's hood was up.

"Miss Black," said the figure in the seat next to her. "Minister, there is no doubt about her bloodline. Her grace gives it away, Pure blood, isn't it?"

I know that oily voice, she thought.

Thicknesse was about to answer, but she replied, "Pure back to the first Black and Crouch, but surely you knew that, Severus."

"So, you really can figure out who people are by their voices," Severus stated as he lowered his hood.

"Yes, I suppose I can, but I also knew by your mannerisms," she replied. "Minister Can we get this meeting underway?"

"Of course, Christine, as you know Severus is the new headmaster of Hogwarts and he agrees that the Ministry should have somewhat of a presence at the school, and since Umbridge can't go back, we figured that we make you go back to Hogwarts as a teacher's aid and detention coordinator."

"Minister, I am honored, but I am the Head of my Department and the Keeper of the Hall of Prophesy, and I don't think my department would take too kindly if there is another replacement in that position," she replied.



"You will keep your position and add the Hogwarts job to it," Thicknesse stated.

"Okay, but who will be acting as Head in my stead when I am at Hogwarts?" she asked.

"Warvold Ride," he replied.

"Should I go and fill him in?" she asked as there was a knock on the door.

"That wouldn't be necessary, stay seated, I'll get the door," Thicknesse said walking to the door.

He opened it and ushered Ride into the room. Ride sat next to Christine looking extremely confused.

"What's going on?" he whispered.

"You'll see," she replied.

"Ride, Christine has had another job added to her position, which involves her not being her but once a month at least. So, we decided that you will be acting as Head in her stead."

"Oh, okay, Minister," he said looking from Christine to Snape and the Minister.

Christine shot him a look that said 'later.' He figured not to push it because he learned if she wanted to fill him in, she would.

Ten minutes later

"That just about wraps it up on the matter, Christine, go pack for September 1st," Thicknesse said.

"I'll get my house elf right on it, sir," she replied.

"Yes of course, I forgot you have a house elf," he replied.

"Courtesy of Professor McGonagall, I believe," Snape stated.

"Yes, it was and I was related to its former masters, Minister is this meeting over?"

"Yes, it is and have a good day," Thicknesse stated.

Christine rose and along with Ride and Snape left the room and entered the lift. When they reached the Atrium, she noticed that Snape did not leave. She looked at him quizzically. When Snape noticed her look, he said, "We need to talk,"

"Oh, I guess my office would be best. Ride, come to my office about lunch, okay," she replied as the lift stopped.

"See you then," Ride said as they separated to go to their different offices.

When Christine and Snape entered her office, she shut and used the Impertauable charm on the door.



"Snape was having me stationed in Hogwarts your idea?" she asked heading towards her desk.

"Yes, I need to keep you nearby to prevent you from making a slip up and betraying all the Order's efforts," he said.

"So, that's why you haven't told the Dark Lord the truth about me, you really haven't betrayed the Order," she said sarcastically.

"Yes, you will see who I really take orders from soon. But that isn't what I wanted to talk about. Do you want to come early like the night before or on the Hogwarts Express?" he asked.

"When are the Carrows arriving?" she questioned.

"August 31st," he replied.

"Then I'm riding the train, like the old days, but I am sending most of my stuff with Winky. You know that I can barely stand the Carrows; they just get on my nerves. Have you heard anything about Ted Tonks or Dirk Cresswell, or have they been captured already?"

"They're still on the run. I've got to go. See you on the first," he said walking to the door.

She undid the spell on the door and said, "Winky."

Pop! The house elf appeared and bowed. "Yes, mistress?"

"I am being stationed at Hogwarts, so pack a lot of my clothing and personal items. Got that?"

"Yes, mistress,"

"Well, get to it," Christine commanded.

The house elf disappeared.

At lunch, she explained everything to Ride. Then after work she went and checked on Andromeda Tonks.

"How are you doing?"

"I am just fine, but I am worried about Ted, 'Dora, and Harry," Andromeda said.

"'Dromeda, don't worry Ted is still on the run, 'Dora is protected by your bloodline and still at work, and it is impossible for the Ministry and Death Eaters to even find Harry. I am going to be at Hogwarts to protect the students so send an owl, if you need anything."

"I will, thanks, Chrissy," Andromeda answered, "Did you know that 'Dora is pregnant?"

"No, tell her congratulations for me. I have to get going, Bye. And remember anything you need me for just send an owl," she replied heading towards the door.

"I will," Andromeda said, watching Christine disapparate.