Rufus Scrimgeour sat on the chair as the Wizengamot gazed at him. The chains hadn't bound him the way they did for some prisoners, but they rattled and clinked menacingly on occasion. He had given his evidence and, much to his gratification, others had spoken on his behalf—Head Auror Shacklebolt, Madame Bones and Albus Dumbledore. The toad Umbridge was pushing really hard for a prosecution however.
"I think the evidence goes strongly against Mr. Scrimgeour. He was caught red-handed in the presence of one of You-Know-Who's most feared Death Eaters. A man who was once friends with Mr. Scrimgeour and once served as You-Know-Who's spy!" said Umbridge.
"Scrimgeour explained that—he thought Rookwood was there to surrender," rumbled Shacklebolt.
"And yet, he went alone—rather than with a team of Aurors as per regulation," Umbridge turned her large face towards him. "Most suspicious."
"I wanted to bring him in myself," Scrimgeour said, quickly. He had explained all this already. "I thought it would help my campaign. It was foolish."
"Hmmm, so you say," Umbridge said, very doubtfully.
"We can argue about this all night!" Dumbledore said, getting to his feet. "We've heard the evidence and the statements in support and against Rufus. I say we vote."
"Seconded," said Madame Bones.
"I … alright, let's get this over with," said Minister Lockhart.
Scrimgeour glared at him. The Minister too was clearly pushing for an arrest. No doubt so that he could chalk it up as another victory and play it up to his little mouthpiece, the Daily Prophet. How that idiot had become Minister, Scrimgeour didn't know. It was only a matter of time before the idiot made a catastrophic mistake.
"All those who find Rufus Scrimgeour innocent!" said Umbridge.
A lot of hands shot up—more than half. Scrimgeour felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"Those who find him guilty!" Almost 20 raised their hands, including Yaxley, Runcorn, Umbridge and Minister Lockhart.
"Not guilty," said Umbridge, in disgust. "But … there is still the matter of your behavior."
"What do you mean, Madame Umbridge?" Shacklebolt said.
"I mean, the fact Mr. Scrimgeour broke regulations by attempting to capture Augustus Rookwood, alone," Umbridge said, sweetly.
"That is an Auror matter. It will be dealt with," said Shacklebolt.
"I think not," Umbridge said, sweetly. "As you recall, I am the Head of Detention and Punishment," she said. "Minister Lockhart saw fit to extend my role to that of administering punishments for inappropriate behavior by all Minister of Magic employees."
"You can't be serious!" Shacklebolt growled.
"Deadly serious, Kingsley," said Umbridge. "Because of fears of Death Eater infiltration, the Minister decided that I should take charge of punishments, to ensure fairness, of course. It wouldn't do for Death Eaters who have infiltrated the Ministry to let their colleagues get away with crimes and incompetence that undermines the Ministry would it?"
"What are you suggesting?" Shacklebolt demanded.
"Nothing, Kinsley. Nothing," Umbridge said, smiling again. "But that means, I can choose the disciplinary action for Scrimgeour's breech of regulations."
Rufus felt her gaze fix on him, and he could see that mouth widening in a smile. She was loving this, holding power over somebody.
"I recommend three months suspension—unpaid," Umbridge said.
"Scrimgeour is one of our top Aurors!" Shacklbolt shouted. "We need every wand we can get—especially one as powerful as he is."
"Scrimgeour broke the law!" Umbridge snapped back.
"Regulations, not the law," Shacklebolt retorted. "There's a difference!"
"Enough!" Lockhart got to his feet now. "Scrimgeour broke regulations. Going after Rookwood himself was foolish. Why, even I took backup when I went to apprehend Nott and Avery II. Of course, I could easily have beat them by myself, but that's besides the point! You should always take backup, just in case—Scrimgeour didn't."
"True, but …" Shacklebolt began.
Lockhart spoke over him. "But, he is one of our top Aurors. I don't want to see him out of action for three months, Dolores, we need him."
Shacklebolt nodded in approval while Dolores Umbridge's smile faded. She stared stony faced at Minister Lockhart."
"Head Auror Shacklebolt, what punishment do you recommend?"
"In peace time, it would be a month's suspension," he said. "In war time—it would be grunt work, sorry Minister—extra duties. Menial tasks."
"Very good," said Lockhart. "Then …"
"Hem hem,"
They all looked at Madame Umbridge. She had pulled a piece of parchment out of the pocket of her robes.
"I have your order here, Minister," she said. "It clearly states that … and I quote … 'disciplinary action of all Ministry of Magic personnel, if a transgression is proved, shall be left entirely to the Head of Detention and Punishments rather than department heads. He/She will decided on the disciplinary action as required and listen to any appeals from the accused."
"What does that mean?" Lockhart asked, tilting his head to the side.
"It means, Minister—in this case, my word is law, you can, of course, alter the wording of the role, Minister. But it will need to go through the proper channels for approval. As of now, the punishment of Rufus Scrimgeour is my decision."
"Come on, Dolores. I'm the Minister!" Lockhart looked outraged.
"Yes, but you are still bound by the laws of contract. However, I am willing to reduce Rufus Scrimgeour's unpaid suspension to just one month, out of respect for yourself, Minister."
"I … Madame Bones, is …" Lockhart glanced at Madame Bones.
"If that is what the official paperwork says, there is no avoiding it," Madame Bones said, a little stiffly. "It is down to Madame Umbridge to decide Scrimgeour's punishment. I recommend, Minister, that you alter the description of her job so that disciplinary decisions can be overruled by the current Minister."
"How long will that take?" asked Lockhart.
"Two or three days," said Madame Bones. "Too late for Rufus Scrimgeour, but I suggest you make that a priority, Minister."
"Yes … yes, right away," Lockhart said. He looked angry at his authority being overruled by the word of law.
He was a complete idiot, Scrimgeour thought. Couldn't he see that Umbridge was dangerous and was manipulating him? As for himself, suspended without pay. It was an insult. He had served the Ministry loyally for years.
"So," said Umbridge. "As of this moment, Rufus Scrimgeour is suspended without pay."
Gilderoy Lockhart
Gilderoy Lockhart was annoyed at being overruled. He was in charge of the Ministry, not Dolores Umbridge. She had embarrassed him in front of the Wizengamot by using the law against him. He could almost hear them now, snickering and laughing and mocking him behind his back. He had never liked her, even though she had had some good ideas in the past. He needed a way to strike back, to regain the respect of his peers-but what?
Rufus Scrimgeour
Rufus Scrimgeour sat in a quiet bar, The Prancing Unicorn in Diagon Alley. He was nursing a beer. He felt slighted by the decision to suspend him without pay. He was one of the top Aurors, and Minister Lockhart and Dolores Umbridge had treated him like that.
"I knew you'd be here, Rufus," a voice said.
Scrimgeour glanced around, his hand reaching for his wand, but he relaxed when he saw who it was. Augusta Longbottom, they were related slightly, many of the wizarding families were. They were second cousins, or third cousins, something like that. They had met on occasion but had never been close.
"Augusta," he said, giving a small nod and turning back to his drink.
"I heard what happened," Augusta said, sitting next to him. "It was all over the Wizarding Wireless Network. Very disrespectful to an Auror of your experience. And very foolish to lose an Auror of your skills during the middle of a war."
Rufus grunted noncommittally. He just wanted to drink his beer in peace.
"It was clearly a frame job, any idiot could see that," Augusta continued.
"Yeah, well—Umbridge just wanted to show off her power," Scrimgeour said, wisely. "And Lockhart just wants another arrest to his name."
"True," said Augusta nodding. "It's clear they don't respect you or your talents."
"Maybe," said Scrimgeour.
"Then why not join with someone who does?" Augusta said.
Scrimgeour stared at her for a few seconds. "You're talking about Dumbledore's Order?" he said. "No. Arthur Weasley tried to get me to join. I said no then, I'm saying no now."
"Why?" Augusta raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Don't trust him," said Scrimgeour and took a sip of his beer. "Dumbledore serves Dumbledore. And, we never found out what exactly happened to that brother of his, Aberforth."
"It's a good thing I'm not asking you to join Dumbledore," said Augusta.
Scrimgeour stared at her in surprise. "Then who?"
"Me," Augusta said, simply.
Lord Voldemort
"Good work in finding this out," said Voldemort, giving a small nod to the man bowing before him. "Rise, Severus."
Severus Snape got to his feet.
"I'll be honest, Severus. I had my doubts about your loyalty … and my doubts about whether you are suitable to be in my ranks, given your condition …"
"Yes, my lord," Severus said.
"But you have done well to bring me this information. Return to Dumbledore's side immediately. Keep with what you are doing."
Voldemort smiled once Snape had left. So, only the person who the prophecy was about could retrieve it. He hadn't known that. He now know how to get what he wanted, but what he now needed to know was to find out how the Department of Mysteries was defended and how best to break in.
Severus had told him that Dumbledore had Order of the Phoenix members on guard duty. He would time it when Barty Crouch Jr, his servant disguised as Alastor Moody, was there. That was the best plan. But still, he didn't know what defences or enchantments may be inside. He would need to do more research. He would use the serpent, Nagini, Voldemort decided. She would be ideal. He could enter her mind and explore the Ministry at leisure, finding the weak points, where the guards were and any other defences.
"Good work in finding this out," said Voldemort, giving a small nod to the man bowing before him. "Rise, Severus."
Severus Snape got to his feet.
"I'll be honest, Severus. I had my doubts about your loyalty … and my doubts about whether you are suitable to be in my ranks, given your condition …"
"Yes, my lord," Severus said.
"But you have done well to bring me this information. Return to Dumbledore's side immediately. Keep with what you are doing."
Voldemort smiled once Snape had left. So, only the person who the prophecy was about could retrieve it. He hadn't known that. He now know how to get what he wanted, but what he now needed to know was to find out how the Department of Mysteries was defended and how best to break in.
Severus had told him that Dumbledore had Order of the Phoenix members on guard duty. He would time it when Barty Crouch Jr, his servant disguised as Alastor Moody, was there. That was the best plan. But still, he didn't know what defences or enchantments may be inside. He would need to do more research. He would use the serpent, Nagini, Voldemort decided. She would be ideal. He could enter her mind and explore the Ministry at leisure, finding the weak points, where the guards were and any other defences.
For now, he had issues to take care of. Macnair and Travers were still trying to make contact with the giants. He had received a report saying that Rubeus Hagrid and Olympe Maxine were already there, making offers to the current Gurg, Karkus. He had instructed them to contact some of the giants and cause trouble. If Karkus could be overthrown and a more sympathetic giant put in charge, that would add the giants to his army.
He also needed to make another move against the Ministry. Gilderoy Lockhart had dealt him two major blows—the arrest of Greyback's werewolf pack had foiled his plans and he had also lost 20 Dementors. That wasn't too bad, he had plenty more on his side. But he couldn't stand the thought of Lockhart crowing over his victories. The man wouldn't be laughing for long.
He laughed suddenly, having an idea that might solve a number of problems at once. Dolores Umbridge had shown that Lockhart could be manipulated, Yaxley had reported that she had his ear and that some of his recent policies had been her suggestion. If he could get Yaxley to make a suggestion and persuade Lockhart to take action. Yes … he was certain he could get the Minister to make a giant mistake.