Chapter 3
Both Kingsley and Effie looked at Dumbledore quizzically.
"The muggle world, Albus?" asked Kingsley, his eyes scanning the older wizard's face. "Why?"
"There has been an attempt on the life of the muggle prime minister and his home secretary."
"But, who…?"
"A junior minister was placed under the imperious curse by someone close to the prime minister. He was about to destroy the cabinet office with an exploding device that muggles call a grenade, but the curse seemed to do something odd to him and he was convinced that he had turned into a duck. Ministry wizards managed to find him and disapparate him out."
"Where is he now?" asked Effie.
"He's in St Mungo's Hospital, receiving treatment. Unfortunately, it doesn't look particularly good – he's already tried to strangle three healers."
"That poor man."
"The muggle prime minister has been told that Mr Chorley, the young minister, had a nervous breakdown and has gone to a hospital to help his mental state. We've made sure the man's wife is safe and their little girl."
"But why the muggle prime minister and the home secretary?" asked Kingsley.
"To destabilise and panic. Voldemort wants to subjugate the muggles and ensure that they are servile. Killing their leaders is the first step. I have been told by my friends in MACUSA that a similar attempt was made on the life of the President of the United States. He's safe as he can be, but we need to do what we can to secure the prime minister here. I've been given permission by Cornelius Fudge to place two members of the Order in the offices of the prime minister and home secretary to ensure their safety."
"I thought Cornelius was on his way out," said Effie, thoughtfully.
"He is. There's another man – Rufus Scrimgeour who will take his place. He's tougher than Fudge, but I can't help feeling he won't succeed. He agrees though, that the security around the prime minister should be increased. So that is where you come in."
"I can't help thinking that the muggle prime minister might not like the idea of a witch and wizard in his office," said Kingsley.
"He won't be told – to begin with. Scrimgeour may tell him later, but I doubt he will dismiss you once you are in, as it were."
"So, what do you want us to do?" asked Effie.
"Oddly enough," said Dumbledore, a quick smile appearing behind his beard, "both the prime minister's secretary and the home secretary's personal assistant have decided to take jobs in Canada and New Zealand respectively. So, there are two openings. Kingsley, you will be working as the prime minister's aide, and Effie as the home secretary's personal assistant. Your job is to keep them safe, make sure that they are always protected and not to let any Death Eaters get too close to them. What do you think?"
"Is there a reason you've chosen us, Albus?" asked Kingsley.
"You are both exemplary magic users with experience of working in difficult places. I also thought that you are the most likely to be accepted as muggles. Both of you have muggles in your families. You are both adjustable and careful. You're not going to get caught using magic and we won't have to obliviate anyone, which is always a bit messy."
"And when do you want us to start?"
"As soon as you can. I've procured you a couple of muggle apartments as well as some instructions about the work you will be doing. No one can know what is happening here – the secrecy of the magical world is still extremely important, even with the risks from the Death Eaters. Work quietly, keep an eye out for dark wizards and keep them safe."
"Alright," said Kingsley.
"Yeah… fine," added Effie.
"Good. Here are some keys to your new apartments. You'll find muggle clothes and other bits and pieces there. In case you have to socialise with muggles I've taken the liberty of adding some belongings which might suit each of you, as well as enchantments which will make the inside of the apartments look different to muggle eyes. Good luck, both of you."