Sirius was sat down in front of on the dining room table, facing the five men who, head down, seemed fascinated by a shirt button or a stain on the wooden table. Any reason was good enough not to meet Sirius' stern gaze. Remus, sitting between them, looked at them simultaneously, waiting for someone to break the silence. After a while, he finally decided to step in.
"I was expecting a more heated meeting. Sirius?" Remus said.
"I do have a lot to say. I just don't know who to begin with...Balasko being the biggest asshole on the planet, I'll save him for last. "Sirius said.
"I would like to remind you that I have not said or done anything to you. "Worple said.
"Me neither. "Belby added. "We've always been decent towards you. "
"Decent? Is that how you define insulting, lying, and continually manipulating someone? "Sirius asked.
"Let's just say we've behaved toward you in a more honourable way than the others," Woprle said, receiving a nasty look from Red and Joan.
"Me neither, you would have noticed that I have been somewhat distant. Anyway, I think the events of last night are enough to forget. "Joan said, clearly referring to Ravenclaw's tomb.
"Very well, so that leaves sir "...where I come from, we tell it like it is..." and "you'll see". "Sirius said, turning his gaze towards where Red sitting.
"I was playing a character, Sirius! It was all a comedy, not serious! Balasko forced us to make you believe that you were still wanted so that you wouldn't leave! Quite the opposite, I admire you! It's all Balasko's fault! "Red said, pointing a finger at Balasko.
"You little piece of shit! "Balasko said in a low voice while looking at Red's accusing finger.
"You're all bastards and hopeless BUT...I am willing to forgive you on one condition. "Sirius said.
"Forgive us for what? We took care of you and didn't hand you over to the Aurors! "Balasko said.
"HAND ME OVER FOR WHAT? I WAS CLEARED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO! "Sirius shouted at Balasko.
"BUT YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN WE TOOK YOU IN! "Balasko shouted.
"THE FACT THAT I DIDN'T KNOW DOESN'T CHANGE THAT I HAD NO REASON TO RUN AWAY, BECAUSE NO ONE WAS CHASING ME! IT JUST PROVES YOUR DISHONESTY!" Sirius shouted again as he got up from his chair.
"Sirius! Sit down! "Remus said sharply. "Ludovik, you accepted the reward and the gold to house and take care of Sirius, according to your twisted logic, that would make you an accomplice. "
"Yes, I know. I just wanted to try something..." Balasko said.
"What gold?" Red asked.
"Nothing," Balasko said.
"What reward? "Joan asked.
"Nothing, mind your own business! "Balasko said sharply.
"Oh! Don't you know? People from all around the world were gathering gold and silver as a reward for whoever would find and bring me back home safe and sound. I guess he kept it all for himself. How much was it Remus? 100k? "Sirius asked.
"Two thousand. "Remus replied, rolling his eyes.
"WHAT?! "Red and Joan exclaimed at the same time. "You charged us ten galleons a week as rent when you were the one who owed us money? You're a scumbag! "
"I want to remind you that I was the one who found Sirius in the forest in the first place. "Belby said
"Business is business; you should read the newspapers instead of listening to those stupid radio shows. Especially you, Sirius, you missed a year of your life..." Balasko said with a shrug.
"I'D LOVE TO, BUT I DON'T READ OR EVEN UNDERSTAND ROMANIAN! "Sirius shouted.
"The daily prophet delivers all over the world, Sirius. "Remus said.
"WHAT?! "Sirius exclaimed, his eyes landing on Belby and Worple, who were laughing.
Sirius let out a long sigh and banged his fist on the table.
"All right, that's in the past we can't change it... But I'm willing to move on with my life under one condition. "Sirius said calmly.
"Hate us if you want. We're not going to suck your dick dude." Red said sharply.
"No one is going to suck my dick, what makes you think I would ask you for that?" Sirius asked.
"Well, you've been in jail for I while so I just assume you must be…" Red answered.
"What are your conditions and why would we bend to your conditions? "Joan asked, interrupting Red.
Sirius chuckled before answering. "Because now I'm not Sirius Black, I'm Lord Black, the wealthiest man in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and I swear to you that if you keep on messing around, I'll be happy to ruin your careers," looking at Belby and Worple. "To make sure you never get a job." looking at Joan and Red. "To lobby the international confederation to launch an investigation into a former minister who boozes with muggles, uses magic in front of them, bullies them with no care in the world and all the shenanigans he's soaked up in. "
"I accept all your conditions. "Balasko said hurriedly. "Name them! "
"Each of you will owe me three favours. The moment I come to claim them, you won't refuse. "Sirius said.
"What kind of favours? "Joan asked.
"It could be anything. Take it or leave it. "Sirius said.
"If you're that rich Lord my ass, why would you need broke guys like us? "Red asked.
"Consider it an investment in the future. "Sirius said.
Everyone agreed to his terms, then Sirius sat back with a broad smile on his face. He conjured with Denise's wand a bottle of vodka along with glasses and began to pour.
"Well, now let's celebrate! "Sirius chirped, handing the first glass to Remus. "You must be particularly thrilled, aren't you? Greyback in jail, and you get to reunite with your best friend on the same day. "
"I'm tempted to say yes, but I'm afraid by tomorrow, the version you'll tell would be that I jumped to your neck crying. "Remus said as he accepted the drink.
"Isn't that what happened in the cabin?" Sirius asked. "Where is Denise? She must come celebrate with us! I also have to give her back her wand."
"She's in the basement with the Vampire. He's freaked out and afraid to go upstairs and get burned by the sun. "Balasko said.
"I assured him that he was safe as long as he stayed inside the house or covered himself. "Worple said. "Many Vampires, who were originally Muggles, make the mistake of sleeping during the day and only going out at night, the influence of literature I guess..."
"She's been down there a long time. Shouldn't we go down and see if everything is fine? "Red asked.
"He might have eaten her! "Joan said.
"I'm sure she is doing great; put yourself in his shoes. His life will never be the same again. This kind of tragedy could drive a man into madness. "Remus said.
"You lads should listen to Remus. He knows all about the madness within, wouldn't you agree, Remus? Sirius said.
"Absolutely. "Remus said, kicking him under the table.
Soon Denise joined them in the kitchen, followed closely by Florin, who sat shyly next to Worple, who pulled out a chair for him. Denise stood and waved to her brother, who nodded back before addressing Sirius.
"Sirius, if you don't mind, Denise and I would like to have a word with you in private. "
"Can't it wait? "Sirius asked, his eyes locked on the tray of pastries Denise had just placed on the table.
"No, it can't wait. Follow us outside. "Balasko said as he stood up.
The three of them went outside and sat down on the porch swing in front of the flowers.
"Sirius, I'm not going to beat around the bush. Are you going to go find your godson? "Balasko asked.
"I'd go to the Ministry and Gringotts first to get my books in order and then look for Harry indeed. There's no reason for him to live with his aunt anymore. "
"In that case, I must warn you. You are heading straight towards a direct confrontation with Albus Dumbledore. "Balasko said.
"I am aware of that. Remus warned me that Dumbledore will not let me have Harry's custody easily. "Sirius said.
"Yet you must take the boy with you at all costs. "Balasko said.
"At all costs? "Sirius asked, frowning.
"Ludo, tell him. Denise said to her brother.
Balasko nodded and turned to Sirius.
"It goes back a long time. Denise, Scamander, Abelforth are the only ones besides the two main men involved who know the truth. What do you know about the duel between Dumbledore and Grindelwald? Balasko asked.
"Grindelwald and Dumbledore? That it was the duel of the century. Dumbledore saved the world. "Sirius replied.
"Yes, they both showed that they were on top of the world. However, your opinion may change as to why Dumbledore confronted Grindelwald. "Balasko said.
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"In the late twenties, when I was still an Auror, I was assigned a mission. The task in question was to investigate and dig up Grindelwald's youth and childhood. After New York's events and the near destruction of Paris, Grindelwald had become the public enemy number one. Paradoxically, if he was speaking everywhere in Europe, he was untraceable, unpredictable, and above all, his origins were still a mystery to us. A brilliant student at Durmstrang, he was nevertheless expelled under unknown circumstances, then he disappeared until he reappeared as a dark wizard. From this point on, what I'm about to tell you is classified. "Balasko said as she pulled a folded paper from his pocket.
"My investigation led me to Great Britain, to a village that you are probably very familiar with."
"Where?" Sirius asked.
"Godric's Hollow. "Balasko answered.
"Godric's Hollow? What was he doing there? "Sirius asked.
"Visiting his aunt, Bathilda Bagshot. "Balasko answered.
"Professor Bathilda Bagshot? The author?" Sirius asked.
"The same. However, at that time, the village was the residence of another family of wizards. "Balasko said.
"Who?" Sirius asked.
"The Dumbledore family. "Balasko answered.
"I didn't know that…Are you saying that they met for the first time many decades before they fought one against the other?" Sirius asked.
"More than only met. I managed to interview Bathilda Bagshot. I claimed I was a redactor for a history paper abroad. During the interview, I kept trying to get her to talk about the situation in Europe and expose her opinion about Grindelwald. However, she kept diverting to a more professional topic, which I interpreted as suspicious, so I decided to stay a little more time in the village to keep an eye on her. After two days, I got the perfect opportunity to break into her house to search and I have found this. I made a copy. Take a look at it." Balasko said, handing him the paper.
Sirius unfolded the paper and started to read, his eyes opening wide as he read each word.
Gellert,
Your point about Wizard dominance being FOR THE MUGGLES' OWN GOOD, this, I think, is the crucial point. Yes, we have been given power and yes, that power gives us the right to rule, but it also gives us responsibilities over the ruled.
We must stress this point; it will be the foundation stone upon which we build. Where we are opposed, as we surely will be, this must be the basis of all our counterarguments. We seize control FOR THE GREATER GOOD. And from this, it follows that where we meet resistance, we must use only the necessary force and no more. (This was your mistake at Durmstrang! But I do not complain because we would never have met if you had not been expelled.)
Albus.
"Wizard dominance…the right to rule…seize control…use the force?" Sirius read slowly; his eyes locked on the letter.
"I swear on my soul that I am not making this up," Balasko said.
"Merlin! If this is true, then they were plotting together! They were fucking partners!" Sirius said." I don't understand; this letter makes it sound like they were friends. How did they become enemies?"
"I have three theories that could explain why Dumbledore turned on Grindelwald. The first, for vengeance. The second, to prevent him from revealing his past and the third for cupidity." Balasko said.
"Vengeance?" Sirius asked.
"Shortly after this letter was sent, Ariana Dumbledore, Albus little sister, died during an argument that happened in the presence of Gellert at the Dumbledore's house. I am pretty sure that Grindelwald ended up killing her. He disappeared after that event and avoided Dumbledore for years. Dumbledore could have duelled him to avenge his sister's death." Balasko said.
"I didn't know he even had a sister…I met Abelforth once, though," Sirius said.
"He could also have wanted to get rid of him to prevent any blackmailed through their shared past. Dumbledore was already a famous wizard, and many were expecting him to run for the minister of magic office. Grindelwald was a problem he had to care of to clean his path towards his goal. "Balasko said.
"No, that's definitely not Dumbledore! I know he declined the job many times. It doesn't make any sense!" Sirius argued.
"Sirius, Ludovik is exposing the impression he had more than five decades ago, at the time nobody could have anticipated what Albus Dumbledore's true intentions were. We had to stick to the material evidence we had." Denise said.
"But still, it's Dumbledore!" Sirius said.
"And Peter Pettigrew was your one of your best friends," Balasko said calmly.
"It's not the same…." Sirius started to argue, but Denise interrupted him.
"Sirius, we are not saying that Dumbledore is a hidden dark wizard or that he is pulling the string from the backstages but warning you to keep your guard up when you have to deal with him."
"Sirius, did you had the opportunity to talk with Lupin about the night the potter's die and Lord Voldemort disappeared?" Balasko asked.
"It's not something I like to talk about," Sirius said.
"Well, the story that spread worldwide is that Lord Voldemort died after trying to kill Harry Potter. Do you know what that means?" Balasko asked.
"That he screw up?" Sirius asked.
"Lord Voldemort doesn't screw up or miss when he wants to kill. It means that that kid might possess a power that outstrips Voldemort's and that since that day, he is the object of the greed of many." Balasko said.
"He was just a baby!" Sirius said.
"A baby who not only survived to the death curse but destroyed the one who cast it at him! Don't you think that's study material for the department of mysteries or st mungo? How much do you think human traffickers could get from selling him for a dark magic ritual or worse?" Balasko.
"So, Dumbledore is protecting him!" Sirius said.
"For now," Denise said, tapping her index on the letter still between Sirius's hands, directing his attention on a drawn symbol under Dumbledore's signature.
A vertical line and circle enclosed by a triangle.
"I've seen this somewhere…." Sirius said, trying to remember where.
"Take your time," Denise said gently.
The memory struck him when he touched the symbol with his finger.
"I remember! It was during the summer after our second year at Hogwarts. I spent a few days at James. We snuck in his father's office; this symbol was engraved in the wall above the fireplace!" Sirius said.
Balasko and his sister looked at each other in concern.
"What's the problem?" Sirius asked them.
"The Potter's are descendent of Ignotus Peverell," Denise said.
"Who?" Sirius asked.
"One of the three brothers that created the deathly hallows," Balasko said.
"Wait! The children story?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, only it's not just a story, the Peverell brothers never met death, but they were brilliant wizards that succeeded in creating three extremely dangerous and powerful artefacts. The elder wand, the resurrection stone and the Cloak of invisibility." Balasko said.
"The elder wand passed from wizard to wizard, each time after blood was spilt. The resurrection stone has been lost shortly after its creator's suicide, and the Cloak of invisibility travelled through time until a Peverell girl married a Stinchcombe, who later became known as Potter." Denise said.
"The Cloak? James had a cloak! You're saying it's the Cloak from the hallows?" Sirius asked.
"Where did he get it from?" Balasko asked.
"From his father who himself go it from his father, he was very proud the day he received it. He said it was a family thing." Sirius said.
"And you never investigated on how it kept working after all those years? You know that the best cloaks on the market lose their powers after a few years, right?" Balasko asked.
"We were twelve years old with a cloak that allowed us to go wherever we wanted in the castle; we didn't care about the details!" Sirius said. "The stone is lost; how about the wand? What makes that wand special?"
"It's the most powerful wand ever made, but to win its allegiance, you have to kill its previous owner. At least according to the legend, but I think that's an exaggeration." Balasko said.
"Who has it now?" Sirius asked.
"For years, Gregorovitch, the wandmaker, claimed to have it. Nobody really believed him, even if the quality of his work was and still is excellent. I started to believe him when he admitted to me during a wedding after-party when he exceeded his alcohol tolerance…He told me that the wand was stolen from him by an anonymous young thief. Well, shortly after, Grindelwald started to rise in power. Then, for years nobody could stop him until…."
"Dumbledore defeated him. Dumbledore has the wand!" Sirius said. "Dumbledore has both the wand and the cloak!"
"What?" Balasko asked.
"James let Dumbledore borrow the Cloak. He never had the chance to get it back." Sirius said.
"You must be fucking kidding me!" Balasko said in disbelieve.
"Why would that be a problem? Listen, Dumbledore has been offered many times the job of minister of magic. He is Hogwarts headmaster and the supreme Mugwump. Name one time he abused his power." Sirius said.
"Sirius, something has remained constant through history. Countless wizards and witches, good and bad, tried to reunite the three objects and become the master of death, all failed and left a blood bath behind them. They all believed they could defy death using the deathly hallows power, but they were all wrong, it's the artefacts that get to control you not the opposite." Denise said. "Dumbledore has in his possession two of them and the custody of the boy who didn't die. "
"You think he wants to use Harry in some way?" Sirius asked.
"We might be wrong, but it's a possibility that you should consider," Denise said.
"I'm not going to let him," Sirius said.
"And how are you going to that? Threaten him the way you did with us earlier in the kitchen?" Balasko asked.
"Well, if it works, I'll reveal his past with Grindelwald," Sirius said.
"A very ancient past that we only assume and that we can consider he has already repented from by defeating Grindelwald and well served the world's wizarding community for forty years," Balasko said.
"Do you really want to put Harry in the middle of a brawl between the two of you? Remember that sooner or later, he is also going to be his headmaster." Denise said.
"What should I do then?" Sirius asked.
Balasko smiled at him." What did you learn from the weeks you stayed here with us?"
"That you are fucking asshole, a crook, a liar, a…." Sirius said before understanding what Balasko wanted him to." A very clever man that knows how to achieve his goals without drawing his wand."
"That's me!" Balasko said. "Anyway, Dumbledore is not going to be as easy to fool as you, that is why starting tomorrow we are going start working on occlumency, I guess that you won't mind delaying your return to England for a week or two? Just the time to go through the basics."
"Works for me!" Sirius said.
"And it only going to cost you two hundred galleons a week!" Balasko said, making Denise roll her eyes.
"How about my fist violently connecting with your teeth?" Sirius asked.
"Such violence won't be tolerated in my house! And I'm your teacher now. You owe me some respect." Balasko said.
"It's my house, not yours; you are just a permanent squatter here…." Denise said, standing up, as screams echoes from the house, followed by Remus coming out from the door." What are they doing again?"
"Denise! You should come back inside. Red lost a bet; Worple and Belby tied him to a chair and are trying to make Florin bite him.
Azkaban, 10 pm.
Along the hallways of the wizard's prison, the dementors hatched to clear the way for a sluggishly marching silhouette, face concealed behind a gold mask featuring arabesque patterns. His path came to its end when he reached the door of a cell. The door opened before him. As soon as he crossed the threshold, his boot's sole barely touched the cell's stone floor when the inmate who occupied it threw himself on the floor in front of him to kiss his feet.
"I beg you, your excellence! Free me from this hell! " the man begged him in tears.
"Already? Have the dementors already broken you, Fenrir? After only two days? "The man asked.
"Give me a second chance! I won't let you down! "Fenrir begged.
"Be quiet." The man said calmly.
"I beg you..." were the only words Fenrir managed to utter before he began to writhe in pain on the cold floor of his cell.
"PUNISH THAT VERMIN YOUR EXCELLENCE! "A woman's voice shouted from a cell further down the corridor.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP BELLA! OR WE'LL BE NEXT," scolded a man's voice.
"I told you to be quiet, Fenrir" Said the man, ignoring them, his wand aimed at Fenrir. He lifted the spell and let the werewolf catch his breath.
"We assigned you a straightforward task, we set you on the path to acquiring a new power and gathered all the elements for you to succeed, yet you failed. Why?"
"My plan was working perfectly, I had the upper hand, but I couldn't hold the form long enough. Black took advantage of a moment of weakness to get me. I didn't expect him to be so clever. "Fenrir said.
"Considering that you were informed by me, are you implying that I misled you? "The man asked.
"NO! I would never dare..." Fenrir tried to catch himself before he started screaming in pain again.
"Choose your words carefully Fenrir, I have not yet decided if I shall kill you or not. "The man said.
"He was not alone! Ludovik Balasko was there! Remus Lupin turned out to be a traitor and arrived as a backup! It was a three-man team against me! "Fenrir said.
" You just said is only half true, but I'll overlook it... Wasn't Remus Lupin supposed to be under your command? " the man asked.
"He's a traitor! "Fenrir said.
"You're definitely racking up mistakes. That's why you're just a beast, Fenrir, unable to reason..." The man said before turning on his heels and heading for the exit.
"Thank you, your excellence. "Fenrir said, following him.
With a slight twist of his hand, the man turned around and sent Fenrir crashing loudly against the wall.
"Where do you think you are going, Fenrir? I'm letting you live; you should be grateful… Or not; the dark Lord will decide your fate when he returns. Who knows, maybe on that day, you'll curse me for not killing you tonight. Until then, rot in this cell. This is the punishment we have chosen for you and the other idiots who were caught. "said the man before leaving, allowing the dementors to retake their domain.
The BBC Studios, London. 10:45 pm
With the audience seated, the make-up artists hastily finished the last touch-ups on the host and his guests before leaving the set just as the countdown to the imminent beginning of the show began.
"Good evening, I am David Dimbleby and welcome to "Question time", tonight as every Thursday we are broadcasting live from the BBC Studios in London. Our host tonight is our secretary of state for work and pensions, Gordon Cowan. Good evening and allow me first of all to greet you and to express my admiration to you since you know that we do not hold back our punches in this program. "
"It is I who thank you for inviting me. I find your show very bold, even if you have slight favouritism for our friends on the left." Cowan said.
"You should watch our show more often than, sir. We remind you of the golden rule of our show, double-speaking is proscribed! However, you have the right to two jokers to use when you want and.." Dimbleby said.
"Allow me to interrupt. I want to say that I would do without any Jokers because, in my opinion, nothing beats courage and honesty. " Cowan said.
"Wonderfull. Mr Minister. So according to a recent poll, you're only at 15 per cent on voting intentions. " Dimbleby said.
"I have to admit, it's not much. " Cowan said.
"Indeed, only the election is only 8 months away. However, to convince the people of England, you will answer their phone calls live. " Dimbleby said.
"I can't wait to get started. " Cowan said.
"That's the spirit! Without further delay, I'll call Richard Harthlock, journalist at the Guardian." Dimbleby said, making the audience clapped to welcome a man around the table who, before taking his seat, greeted the audience and shook hands with the Minister and the presenter.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, good evening sir! First of all, let me give a brief background for everyone who is watching..." Harthlock said.
"Please. " Cowan said.
"Thank you, you were first secretary of state for business and industrial energy, secretary of state for public health, a short stint at the Ministry of transport and then agriculture..." Harthlock said
" Minister of Culture if I may correct you. " Cowan said.
"No, no, Minister of Agriculture, Sir. " Harthlock said.
"Really? Well, it's possible. " Cowan said.
"Then, finally Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the UN. " Harthlock said.
"You failed to mention my short stint at the Ministry of education. " Cowan said.
"Uh, are you sure? Because..."
"With all due respect, I benefit from a lifetime pension, so I'm in an excellent position to know that. " Cowan said.
"My first question will be simple and will concern the sudden disappearance of the high court judge Frank Hewinson. As the farewell letter found in his office, where he mentions retiring in a distant country and not wanting to be found remains unclear to the public opinion and the prosecutor of his majesty as well. What really happened? " Harthlock.
"Who?" Cowan asked.
"Fran Hewinson, I remind you that he was the judge who was in charge of investigating the suspicions of some unclear financing of your party and the foreign funding that you supposedly benefited from. " Dimbleby said.
"Oh yes, a sad and delicate matter..." Cowan said.
"Last week, in the very chair where you are sitting right now, your colleague from the state affairs was also very evasive. "
"Oh yes, I remember being accused without any evidence of having abused of my position, for I don't know what inventions, a story which might be funny if it was not defamation. " Cowan said.
"So, the truth is? " Harthlock asked.
"About the judge? " Cowan asked.
"Yes, of course. " Harthlock answered.
"Well, I can guarantee that at that time, I used all my power to guarantee to the justice system all the conditions..." Cowan said, before being interrupted sharply by Dimbleby.
"No sir! should we remind you of our only rule?"
"No need to… if you insist, I can confirm that it was indeed a retirement to the extent that the choice was not left to him... onboard a plane with a hole in the tank. " Cowan said, lowering his voice at the last part.
"Then…We wish him a peaceful retirement wherever he is. The case is now prescribed, following the amendment you pushed for a few years ago, but still... Were the accusations against you founded? " Harthlock asked.
"Well, let's say I was responsible but not guilty. " Cowan said.
"Naturally, I take this opportunity to ask you a question that might be a bit daring. Several fellow journalists accuse you of looking the other way on illegal weapon and drug trade, some of them going so far as to show a photo of you in Bogota with some people I won't name on this show " Dimbleby.
"The idea that I could be associated with any illegal weapon trade makes me furious! I'll tell you straight to your face, I have never been complacent with any illegal business involving any kind of weapon. We do sell some to warlords and dictators around the world but always following a democratic process that included the approval of the house of lords or commons. Drug trafficking, perhaps, but never weapons! It's a matter of integrity, sir! Can I ask the names of the journalists?" Cowan said angrily.
"I afraid no, sorry to rush you, Mr Minister, but I am being told that there is a lady on the phone. We will listen to her right away. Go ahead, ma'am. " Dimbleby said.
"Good evening Gordon, I don't know if you remember me, my name is Abigail, and we met after a meeting at Leeds back in 1979. I've been trying to get in touch with you ever since. " a woman voice said on the phone.
"I am quite sure I have never been to Leeds," Cowan said.
"You actually did, we have you on video sir," Dimbleby said.
"Ah, that completely slipped from my mind, go on Ms Alberta. " Cowan said.
"It's Abigail. I just wanted to try my luck on TV because it's impossible to get in touch with you without going through your lawyers. Still, I'm not asking for any money or any material goods, our story was short, but I got pregnant, Lavender is now 5 years old, and she's a lovely little girl, I just want her to have a chance to know her father, she is starting to ask questions. " Abigail said, her voice betraying her hesitation.
"As long as you can prove that she is my daughter, as adorable as she may be. " Cowan said, looking bordered by Abigail intervention.
"Oh well, Mr Minister, it happens that earlier today, we received a picture of little Lavender that we will display on the screen, and you must admit that the resemblance is striking. " Dimbleby said.
"Yes...Well, you know today the photos are very easy to alter...However, madam, I refuse to doubt your words, and you see me deeply sad for you and your little girl. I commit myself before you, taking as witness the millions of viewers watching us right, first to have a discussion this very evening with my legal team and second that from tomorrow until her eighteenth birthday, Lavender will receive a pension of one thousand pounds...Per year. " Cowan said.
"No, I'm not asking for money! She can do things I can't explain..." said Abigail into the phone, her voice muffled by the audience's clapping.
London, Ministry of Magic, Aurors Office. 11 pm.
Sitting in his box at the Aurors' office, Kinglsey, on duty for the night same every night for the last two weeks, dropped the Daily Prophet's evening issue on his desk. Since the trial of Peter Pettigrew, the Aurors had not made a single arrest of any dead mange. The Voldemort page seemed to have been turned, and he wasn't complaining. Five years earlier, the press had still been reporting on the most gruesome news and events in the magical world and was now back to writing on miscellaneous events and Quidditch. Even the Ministry had visibly slackened since the election of Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic. The latest reshuffle, at least, pointed in that direction. Bartelemius Crouch had been transferred to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, several department heads had been pushed into retirement and replaced by technocrats from the new minister's entourage. There was even a rumour at the office that the next departure would be that of Alastor Moody, who would leave the Aurors' office's leadership.
Yet Kingsley was convinced that the war was far from over. Great Britain was not at peace but in a truce. The other side had taken a heavy blow and temporarily lost its leader. After all, Lord Voldemort's remains had never been found. If Pettigrew's Veritaserum testimony was to be believed, it would not be the first time that Voldemort had disappeared without giving instructions to his followers. Or at least to all of his death eaters. Kingsley seemed to be the only one to remember from Pettigrew's trial that there was a hierarchy among death-eaters when the master was indisposed. The first seven death eaters were in charge. Who were they? Were they the first seven to agree to join him or the seven most powerful? Were they among those who died during the war or imprisoned? If they are free, are they at this very moment looking for him, planning his return or reorganizing his army?
Every request Kingsley made to Fudge's office to interview prisoners or open an investigation has been denied. However, since his first request, he was continually assigned to escort VIPs, when honestly the presence of an Auror was unnecessary, or arrest low-level thugs that Weasley and Perkins were reporting and working night shifts. He was forced to let it go. After all, given the number of people who swore they were forced to obey Voldemort or claimed acting under the effects of the Imperius to avoid Azkaban, they were the ones who had the most to lose if he ever returned. It wouldn't be a good idea to go looking for him, but still.
His mind couldn't wander any further. Someone knocked politely on the wood of his desk, startling him. In front of him stood Alastor Moody, giving him a severe look.
"Constant vigilance, kid, even in the Ministry, it's in the places you don't expect to be tackled that you are most vulnerable. "
"Sorry, boss, I thought you'd already gone home. "Kinglsey said, retrieving his bag from a chair in front of his desk, clearing the seat so Moody could sit.
"I was about to leave, but I saw light..." Moody said as he replaced his magic eye.
"Do you have any work for me? Something other than escorting a foreign emissary? "Kingsley asked, making Moody chuckle.
"No... So I'm not the only one who picked up some exciting stuff from Pettigrew's trial. "Moody asked.
"You...I don't know what you're talking about. "Kingsley said.
"Really? "Moody said as he laid a sheaf of open envelopes on the desk before him.
Kingsley rested his eyes on the letters he had sent and then held Moody's gaze.
"What proves to me that you are really Alastor Moody?" Kingsley asked as he reached for his wand in a snap and pointed it at Moody's forehead, who, for the first time since the day he had met him, burst out laughing.
"Put your wand down kid, before I dust you, but by the way, that's good! You can never be entirely sure who you're talking to. "Moody said. Seeing that Kingsley didn't flinch, he snapped his fingers and Kingsley's wand slipped out of his hand and landed in Moody's hand, which placed it on the desk.
"Well, I'm not planning to spend the night here...You have to be careful. "Moody said.
"Be careful; why? I just want to do my job. "Kingsley said.
"If after five years you still haven't figured out that your job is to obey the orders of your superiors, then you're an idiot, boy. "Moody said.
"I became an Auror because..." Kingsley said.
"I know what you're going to say, but no one cares as times have changed. No, the Ministry is about to change forever. "Moody said.
"What do you mean? "Kingsley asked.
"You may have noticed that recently all the departments have a new director, what do you deduce from that? "Moody asked.
"That the new minister wants to leave behind the war. "Kingsley said.
"Almost...Fudge is incompetent. He doesn't want to be challenged by anyone or contradicted. After the arrest of Crouch's kid, he went out of his way to have him transferred to the most boring department in the Ministry. He even recruited Ludo Verpey for the department of magical games and sports, even though he just retired and has no experience." Moody said.
"Why is he enlisting people who aren't up to the task? Wouldn't he benefit from surrounding himself with competent people to face the next elections in a positive light? "Kingsley asked.
"Ask yourself instead if he chose them himself. "Moody said.
"What do you mean? "Kingsley asked.
"Who funded his campaign? And especially how was his candidacy approved by the wizengamot considering that he never really mattered around here when he was head of the department of magical disasters. "Moody said.
"At the beginning of this conversation, you mentioned Pettigrew's trial. "Kingsley said.
"You finally catch my drift..." Moody said.
"But then, if the minister is under the influence or if we suspect he is being bribed, shouldn't we be launching an investigation? "Kingsley asked.
"If you want to throw away your job, go ahead! "Moody said, resting his index finger on the letters on the desk. "Your first letter arrived at Fudge's office, but one of my lads who was there reporting, stole it and Fudge never read it. Since then, I've intercepted all your requests. "Moody said.
"Is it that serious? "Kingsley asked.
"Enough to make Dumbledore agree to be Fudge's advisor, as you and I, he also have connected the dots between the information we have retained from the trial and the recent government shake-up. This way, he plans to counterbalance whoever is lurking in the shadows and limit the damage that Fudge's bullshit would cause. "Moody said.
"And what are we going to do? "Kingsley asked.
"Me? Nothing, as of tomorrow I'll be retired. "Moody said.
"Are you kidding me? "Kingsley exclaimed.
"No, I think my cycle here is over. I lost a leg, an eye, and I refuse to work for Fudge. Anyway, I have a job for you. "Moody said.
"A job? What do you want me to do? "Kingsley asked.
"Keep your head down and play along. Build yourself a successful career, work your way up to become the head of the Auror's Office because, believe me, sooner or later, there's going to be plenty of action, and when that day comes, you'll be a great asset. "Moody said.
"For the day when Voldemort returns. "Kingsley said.
"Exactly, Dumbledore is sure that his pawns are already placing themselves in crucial spots to strike hard and precisely when the time comes, or at least push his agenda forward meanwhile. We need to do just the same. So do yourself and us a favour by learning how to navigate around politics. "Moody said.
"I will. "Kingsley said firmly.
"Great. take this as a last push. "Moody told him, tossing him a silver badge.
"You're giving me a promotion? "Kingsley asked as he took his new badge in hand.
"Yes, I had it approved and signed by Amelia Bones this afternoon, probably the only new department head with a working brain. Anyway, starting tomorrow, you will have five Aurors under your command. "Moody said as he stood up, handing him back his wand before walking towards the entrance of the Aurors office and stopping on the frame. "And remember... Constant Vigilance! "
Does anyone know how can I insert an image? Each time I add one to the word doc it disappears when I submit the file to the website. thanks.
Thank you for reading!