I do not own Harry Potter. I do own an English Springer Spaniel. Her name is Trudy

Chapter 27

The Minister of Magic paced his office. He was dressed in the official Dress Robes of the Minister of Magic. A deep, rich purple with a silver trim. The seal of the Ministry on his left breast and a rather tall purple wizards hat. He had Percy Weasley sit outside the International Apparition Point waiting for any signs of the ICW delegation. He had been sat there since six thirty, the earliest the UK allowed international travel.

He had already been there for three hours. The Minister was incensed. He knew that decorum demanded he, as Minister, should extend every diplomatic courtesy to the delegates, but he couldn't help but feel they were coming to end his career.

'Damn Dumbledore!' he thought, 'And damn Potter! This is all their fault!' He moved to sit behind his desk and began to write. Dumbledore was impeachable. There was nothing more Fudge could do to move against Dumbledore. He knew that. But Potter, now there was someone whose life he could make incredibly difficult on his way out. He pulled another sheet of parchment towards him and began to write another letter. 'Potter will rue the day he crossed me.' He thought letting out a slight giggle.

The 0915 Air France flight landed at Heathrow airport right on time. Five people disembarked the plain, all wearing muggle business attire, all dressed smartly if not dated. They all had a small carry-on bag, not unusual for the business traveller, so they avoided baggage claim. They went straight to customs and waved their diplomatic passports and waived right past the officer. They took their carry-on bags to the front of the terminal where a chauffeur waited. He held a placard that red 'Insp LeMarche'

"Bonjour." La March said.

"Inspector LeMarche?" The Chuffer asked.

"Oui." LeMarche nodded.

The chuffer pointed them to a limousine and helped them put their bags in the boot. He held the car door open for them all and took his seat behind the wheel.

"Where to, Governor?" The driver asked.

"White Hall si vous plaise." LeMarche told him then looked out of the window. Thedriver sensing his cockney geezer routine was not necessarily driven on in silence.

The journey was short. The London traffic gods were kind so the drive was a mere thirty minutes. The limousine cruised along the road.

"Stop here si vou plait." LeMarche said. "Just at the telephone box."

"There's no telephone box her' ." The Driver said. "They got rid of em' all after the IRA bombings."

"I think you should know how you say…" LeMarche began, "Be looking again?" The driver looked again at the pavement alongside the Cabinet Office, and low and behold there was a red telephone box.

"Cor blimey!" The driver explained. "I have dropped dozens of your political types off here and I have never noticed that call box."

"It has always been here Monsur." LaManch said getting out of the car. The driver helped them get their bags out of the boot. "Merci." LeMarche thanked the driver and handed him an envelope. "We would appreciate your discretion my friend."

The driver opened the envelope, it was stuffed with one hundred twenty pound notes.

"As far as I'm concerned I took the morning off work to go to the footie." The driver

smiled getting back into the limo.

"Allons-y." LaManch gestured to his team to follow him into the phone box, which surprisingly could accommodate all of the delegates. LeMarche picked up the phone and dialed 62442. The line rang three times before the call connected.

"Ministry of Magic visitors entrance." A disembodied female voice rang out through the phone box. "Please state your name and reason for your visit."

"I am Inspector Maurice LeMarche. I am with the International Confederation of Wizards."

"Please take a visitors badge and pin it to your robes at all times." The Voice said brightly. "And have a pleasant day."

A badge plopped out of the coin return slot of the telephone it said

'Insp M LeMarche

International busy body'

"Bon." LeMarche muttered and handed out the remaining badges to the rest of his team. The Phone Box began to descend underground to the atrium of Ministry of Magic Meanwhile in the cellar of Malfoy Manor Voldemort was sat upon a throne, Niagi at his feet staring at his staff. McNair entered the room and knelt in front of his Lord.

"What are our options McNair?" Voldemort asked.

"I do not believe we have much in the way of options at the moment My Lord." McNair replied. "The Delegation is due to arrive momentarily. They will unearth the truth of your return. The only question remains what they will do about it." He continued.

"So we will be exposed." Voldemort mused. "This changes things."

The Dark Lord stared off into the distance, ignoring McNair. He was deep in thought. McNair tried not to meet his master's eyes.

"Very well." Voldemort whispered. "MacNair, first you will get word to Bellatrix, tell her to advance her plans. I will not have foren meddlers announcing my presence when I can provide a much grander debut."

"Yes, my Lord." McNair nodded.

"Then you will return to the Ministry of Magic, have your pet keep a close eye on what is occurring with the ICW delegation."

"As you command, Master." McNair said bowing deeply and backing out of the room.

The ICW delegation were shown to the Ministers office. Fudge and Umbridge stood behind the desk.

"Ah, Misure LeMarche I presume." Fudge said, smiling.

"That is Inspector LeMarche." The Frenchman replied. "And this is Dolf Engelbert from the German Department for Muggle Liaison"

Dolf Engelbert was every inch a German. Six feet tall, strikingly handsome blond man. His nondescript muggle black suit clung tightly to his frame.

"Guten Morgen" Engelbert nodded his greeting

"Dolf will liaise with your muggle government if it is deemed appropriate for our investigation. Next to him we have Mamusel Raisa Demidova from Russa's departmentof Inter-Government Investigations. Raisa will be leading the investigation into the British Ministerys handling of the current crises."

Raisa Demidova was a short and dumpy looking woman. She wore a head scarf and a simple yet well-made dress. She seemed to be seizing everyone in the room up.

"Dobryy den'" she said, her face set in a wooden expression.

"Next," LeMarche continued "We have monsieur Fujita Fujioka from Japans Imperial Council of Magic's Samurai Section."

Fujita was a short balding man. He wore a simple black suit, but the suit barely concealed sizable muscles and on his back hidden by notice-me-not charms was a samurai sword.

"Konnichiwa daijin" Fujita said, taking a deep bow. LeMarche did not need to explain this man was essentially the muscle for the delegation.

"And finally representing the Magical Congress of the United States of America's Aurorus we have Sergeant at arms Darline Pritchard."

Darline was a woman of medium height and build. She wore her long red hair in a top knot, she wore a pair of black pants and wite dress shirt displaying sergeant chevrons. Strapped at her hip was a muggle handgun.

"Howdy y'all" she said, spitting a wad of chewing tobacco into the waste paper bin fifty yards away. "I have heard you've been having yourself a problem with dark magic."

"Yes quite." Fudge said staring at the gun on her hip. "I am afraid it is inappropriate for you to carry that 'gone' in here."

"I am afraid it is standard procedure for all MACUSA Auorors to carry a muggle side arm when we are in a hostile environment. And it is pronounced 'gun' "

"Come now Miss Pritchard the United Kingdom is hardy hostile." Fudge protested.

"With all due respect Minister," Pritchard replied "That remains to be seen, and if you please address me as Sargent. I have worked hard to attain my rank."

"Minister, if you would be so kind as to have someone show us to the ICW Office we have had a long journey and would like to prepare for our investigation"

"Of course. Weatherby!" Fudge snapped. "Take the Delegation down to the ICW office See to their comfort."

"Yes Minister." Percy nodded. "If you would be so kind as to follow me."

He led the delegates from the Ministers office and to the lifts. They rode the lift down to the very bottom floor of the Ministry. He then showed them a battered wooden door which led to an old rickety staircase.

"I'm afraid the ICW office is somewhat out of the way." Percy said, leading them down the stairs. "This is the records department the office is just along here."

They continue down the corridor to a small office. It is the size of a small broom cupboard. There was barely enough room for the small rickety desk. Behind the desk sat Albus Dumbledore.

"Ah, greetings my friends." The Supreme Mugwump smiled. "Thank you, Mister Weasley, that will be all."

Percy nodded to Dumbeldore and quickly left.

"I thought his name was Weatherby?" Fujita asked, confused.

Dumbeldore held a finger to his lips. "I am afraid the ICW office in the Ministry is lacking amenities you need." Dumbledore said, shaking his head sadly. "Their fore in my capacity as Headmaster of Hogwarts School I have taken the liberty of setting you up an office on the Hogwarts grounds."

"Merci," LeMarche said. "That would perhaps be wise. We would require the ability to come and go as we see fit."

"And permission to invite people to meet with us." Pritchard added.

"Of course." Dumbledore agreed. "I would not dream of doing anything to hinder your investigation."

"Very well." LeMarche smiled. "That would be preferable to this… how do you say…"

"Shit hole!" Pritchard finished.

"Exactomont." LeMarche nodded.

"You may use the floo in the atrium to get to Hogwarts and I will have a portkey made for you so that you may come and go as the need arises. I will also arrange for suitable accommodations. I will see you later this afternoon"

The delegation quickly and quietly returned to the atrium and clambered into a large fireplace, threw some floo powder down and disappeared from view.

There was only one thing on the minds of Gryffindor students that fine, autumnal Saturday morning and that was Quiddich! The house team was in disarray. Their former captain Oliver Wood graduated Hogwarts two years ago, and because of the Triwizard tournament the last year meant that Quidditch was cancelled the team was in need of restructuring. Harry had opened up the door to the head suite so he could meet with the remaining members of the team, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnit and Katie Bell, the Chasers and the Weasley Twins, the Beaters. They were trying to come up with a strategy going forward.

"First things first we need a keeper." Angelina announced.

"First things first we need a bloody captain." Katie protested.

"How do we get a captain?" asked Harry.

"Well when Charlie left he nominated Wood and McGonigal confirmed him." Fred explained.

"The problem is Wood forgot to nominate any one before hr left." George told them.

"Which leaves us to sort it amongst ourselves." Alicia complained. "You know Harry…"

"Nope!" Harry quickly interrupted.

"But your Triwizard champion." Angelina insisted. "And Lord of your house."

"And the youngest seeker in a century." Katie added.

"Not to mention the boy who lived." Fred persisted.

"Listen Harry," George continued, "you have to understand you have clout. Your very name makes us a force to be reckoned with."

"My name means trouble." Harry snapped. "Make me captain and it will look like you're only doing it because I'm Lord Potter. That makes us look weak. Like we need my name to dazzle other people." He continued. "I know nothing about quidditch really. All I know is Seeking. I don't know strategy or how to design plays. Shit, I don't even understand all of the rules. I say the best player on the pitch should be the team captain and if you want my opinion that player is Alicia."

"Well Mister Potter," Professor McGonigal said from the doorway, "I was inclined to agree with your teammates and offer you the captaincy, but if you don't want it, I will agree with your recommendation." The head of house turned and offered the captains badge to Alicia. "Congratulations Miss Spinet."

Alicia looked to the rest of the team. "Are you all agreed?" she asked. The others nodded. "Thank you, professor." She smiled as she took the badge.

"Now I expect you all to put in the maximum amount of effort." McGonigal ordered. "I have grown somewhat accustomed to seeing the Quidditch Cup in my office. Now how do you intend to go about recruiting a new keeper?"

"Open try-outs next week." Alicia replied. "I would also like to start training a reserve team."

"Good plan." Katie agreed. "A few of us are due to leave school in the next couple of years. We wouldn't want to leave Harry without a team."

"Or the professor without her cup." George smiled.

"You had better not!" McGonigal said with a smile. They continued to talk strategy for a while longer.

The ICW delegation arrived at Hogwarts and were immediately shown by a very courteous elf outside to the grounds. The elf, named Flossy, led the delegation outside to the grounds of Hogwarts. Flossy showed them to a small building. It looked as though from the outside, that is, that it could be a barn. The elf led them inside the two-story building.

The ground floor was open plan. There were desks along one wall, each with a comfortable chair. There was a fireplace set into the back wall with arm chairs and sofas around the hearth. There was a series of bookshelves and a staircase leading to

the upper floor. In the centre of the room was a large conference table. Upstairs was a bathroom and each of the members of the delegation had a spacious bedroom.

"Professor Beardy has been telling Flossy to tell you that your chairs all be swivelling, but Flossy does not be understanding his meaning." The little elf told them. "The fireplace does be linking to the Great Hall and can be used to floo call outside the castle, but you's may not travel outside of Hoggy Warts in it. You will be able to use the fire place in the staff room if yous be needing to floo away." She continued. "Youse will be most welcome to dine with the staff in the Great Hall, but if youse be wishing to eats here then you can use the fireplace to call the kitchens and an elf will be popping in to deliver you your foods."

"Merci Flossy." LeMarche smiled. "Professor Dumbledore dose know how much I enjoy a swivel chair."

"If youse be needing anything else, please do be calling for Flossy." The elf said. "Flossy will be happy to be looking after yous while youre staying here."

The delegation retired to their rooms to freshen up and unpack. They reconvened at the conference table a few hours later.

"There is something strange going on within the Ministry." LeMarche said. "I believe it is going to be extremely important that we try and get to the bottom of this."

"I agree." Fujita nodded. "I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the Minister called the red headed boy Weatherby and Albus called him Weasley."

"Da." The Russian replied. "That was strange. Could Dumbledore have been mistaken?"

"Nine." Engelpert shook his head. "I have known Albus Dumbeldore for fifty years and he has never once forgotten the name of a student. If he is working in the British Ministry then it is a fair bet that Albus taught him and their fore knew him."

"Agreed." LeMarche said. "Madamusell Pritchard, do you have anything to add?"

"That Fudge guy is nuts." Pritchard declared. "I can sense memory charms, behaviour charms on him. I don't think the poor bastard knows which way is up, let alone what bloody day it is. We need to ascertain who put the charms on the man and we can assume that there may be others in the upper echelons of this Ministry."

"We must now turn our attention to the possibility of a Dark Lord loose in the British Isles and what the implications are for the rest of the world." LaMach declared.

"I believe I may be of some assistance in that regard." Dumbledore declared stepping from the fireplace. "Forgive my intrusion friends. I do not wish to interfere."

"The Supreme Mugwump always has a seat around this table." LeMarche said conjuring the Professor a chair. "Asai avou. Please. We need to hear from your point of view what is the status of the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters."

Dumbeldore gladly took a seat at the table and explained everything that had happened in the last year. Harry being entered into the Triwizard Tournament, the events after the third task and his suspicions of a covered up break out from Azkaban.

"I would suggest you speak to Amelia Bones as a matter of urgency and tell her I have said you should look at the case she is currently investigating with regards to Lord Potter."

"I would quite like to shoot the shit with Lord Potter myself." Pritchard announced. "I have never met a real-life hero before."

"As this is not a school matter, I cannot force him to speak to you, and as he is a Lord of a Most Noble and Ancient House you would be hard pressed to legally course him, but I will, of course put your request to Lord Potter when next we meet."

"Thank you, Professor." Pritchard nodded. "This is a bit different over here. Back home when the FBA comes knocking you don't have no choice but to answer our questions?"

"What is the FBA?" Dumbledore asked.

"Why is it the Federal Bureau of Aurors." Prittchard replied. "The highest form of Law enforcement in the country."

"You have more than one form of Law enforcement?" Engelbert asked shocked.

"Absolutely." Pritchard replied. "You have local Law enforcement. Your basic thief takers, then theres the State Burros, they look after serious crime in a particular state, but then theres us, the Federalists. We manage and investigate all serious crimes that cross state lines or crimes the lesser agency's just aren't equipped to deal with."

"I see." Dumbeldore said nodding. "I suppose in a country the size of the United States, and the population of magicals out there it makes sense to have different types of investigative agencies. Sadly that is not what we find with our own humble Department of Magical Law Enforcement, although I would hasten to point out, Amelia does the best she can with what she has available to her."

"Oie." LeMarche agreed. "I have had some dealings with the Director. I have always found her to be amenable."

"Alrighty then." Pritchard decided. "I will make a formal request to interview Lord Potter and I think we should work on Bones and see where she can lead us within the Ministry itself."

This was agreed to be the best cause of action. They listed whom within the Ministry they would like to speak to, Obviously they would want to speak to the Minister, but it was decided that they would not formally interview him until later on. Allow him to sweat and wonder how the investigation was preceding. They broke apart to plan their individual lines of enquiry.

AUTHERS NOTES:

Once again it is time for the Authers Notes. Thank you one and all for the faverits and reviews for the last chapter.

I appologise for the delay in posting this chapter I have had a lot on this last week and have found it a bit difficult to find time to sit down and write for long periods at a time. Their may be a bit of a delay in posting the next chapter as well because we are about to decorate our living room, and with 4 kids the best time to do that is, unfortunitly an evening is the best time to get the work done.

Now review time:
jkarr: Thanks for the review. it's always nice to see your name in my inbox.
Happylady: Thank you for the review. I don't forsee any unspeakables being killed of just let.
pteaset: Thank you as ever.
mwinter1: Thanks for waiting. Sorry for the delay.
fraewyn: Thanks. I'm loving it too.

This is a repost of Chapter 27 as i have found a new Beta. ladys and gentelmen say hello to VAspera. Thank you for agreeing to beta for me.

Thats it for this chapter. please keep your likes and faverites comeing in and please please please leave me a review! untill next time please stay safe!