A familiar van was parked in front of the Granger house. "There you are Harry!" Remus called out as he stepped out. "Did something happen?" Harry asked with a hint of worry. Remus shook his head. "No. But we realised we really should plan things out better. Although I suppose that is a task we fail from the start with you involved." he replied with a playful glare.
"You do know I am not trying to make things difficult." Harry deadpanned. The effect was rather ruined by all the shopping bags that somehow ended up in his hands over the course of leaving the shopping street and returning to Hermione's family home.
"Yet somehow things go awry anyways. I am glad it wasn't that bad in the year I taught you." "Only dementors, wrongly accused Azkaban escapees and Snape." Harry summed up. "Oh how I do miss those simpler times." Remus gave a tired sigh. "I am sorry Harry… I didn't…" he was waved off by Harry. "It's alright."
"So I suppose you want us to jump in and head back to Grimmaulds?" he asked. "Yes. I already talked to your parents Hermione and they insist you stay here I am afraid." he made a show of looking at his watch. "I am going to stretch my legs for… let's say five minutes. So drop off those bags and do whatever you need to do within that time. As long you don't stink up the van."
He made a show of marching off. "Sirius is a bad influence on him." Harry blurted out. "Why couldn't it be the other way around." Hermione said in the same despairing tone. "Well, we got five minutes. Let's get your things inside." Harry said in defeat. That took three minutes, the other two were spent on activities Remus had not so subtly alluded towards.
"Stay safe Harry." Hermione murmured as she saw Remus coming from around the corner. "Remember there is a world outside a book Hermione." Harry replied with a grin. "You are impossible." the bushy haired girl replied with a headshake. A final quick peck was exchanged before the pair of worked up teenagers let go with great reluctance.
With a final wave Harry joined Mia and Cressida and Remus sped off. "We'll be going to the ministry first. The prophet hadn't found out yet when they released today's edition. But they do know now and the ministry is in a state of panic as rumors have spread." Remus explained as he drove. "Sirius isn't happy with it but we both agree it is the best idea for you to make an appearance."
He saw Harry scowl. "I know you hate it, but someone needs to remind the headless chickens the problem has already been dealt with." he explained calmly. "The burned field with an overworked Witenagemot group cleaning things up isn't enough proof for that?" Mia asked incredulously. Unlike Cressida she had been part of the overworked group of mostly new knights stuck cleaning up after a magical incident.
"No. Dumbledore is currently helping out to ensure none of the muggle authorities dig too deeply so he is not available." Harry winced slightly that the old wizard was still cleaning up his mess. "Did I really make such a mess of it?" "No." Remus repeated. "Your solution is the best in my opinion. A drawn out battle would have occurred otherwise as these Inferi were old, and thus hard to permanently put down. That would have at least taken until daytime and stretched over a far larger area."
"Curious innocents would have been caught up in it. Or the battlefield would have drawn in their homes." Cressida agreed "Let alone trying to contain the conflict in plain daylight." she paused for a moment. "Have there been any other events?" she asked the werewolf. "No, if it was a distraction it was unneeded as the DMLE only became aware after it was dealt with." Remus answered.
"So what, was it… a temper tantrum?" Harry mused out loud. Remus hummed thoughtfully as he kept his eyes on the road. As they got close to London the traffic became thicker every moment. "It could be, it could be an attack to bolster morale with his followers. He did suffer a lot of setbacks with madam Bones shaking down his followers. With the Wizenagemot still in disarray and no minister to bribe to block her she has only let the rulebook slow her down." Remus explained while maneuvering the van through the traffic the best he could.
"How does the ministry be without a minister for so long anyways?" Harry asked after a moment. "Politics, digging up ancient rules or interpreting them liberally. It won't last much longer now that those opposing madam Bones have stopped contributing as they realise it is working against them. It's no use pushing bribes if you get arrested for it the next day after all." Remus answered, wondering if Harry was going to stick his oar into this as well.
There was some group grumbling about the corruption of the ministry before the conversation shifted to a lighter subject. It took Remus a while to park the van somewhere close to one of the ministry entrances. "Why hasn't anyone wondered why all the robed people seem to disappear into one of those boxes."
"Someone clever has put a wider charm on the area to divert thought of those without magic away from that." Remus answered as he led the group into one of the telephone booths and dialed the number. The floor soon sank into the bowels of the earth. "I must say. A Campione's magical resistance is rather troublesome."
"... I feel like I am being treated like a piece of luggage." Harry deadpanned as the elevator arrived at the entrance into the main hall. There was an agitated crowd whirling about as ministry workers tried to find their way through. "A well behaved one." Cressida agreed. "I pity those who need to lug the likes of Salvatore around."
Harry once again wondered what kind of battle happy man the Italian Campione had to be to garner such a reputation. He knew from his own experience that he was far more happy to get into the action sword or wand point first. 'Maybe he already liked fighting and it got worse?' he wondered.
It became clear that it would be hard to work their way through the crowd. "Maybe I should try the sonorous spell and shout that everything is fine?" Harry suggested. "I do not think that is the best idea." Remus murmured as he decided to use a bit more force and start muscling his way through, clearing a path for the rest.
"Mister Potter?!" Someone exclaimed surprised and Harry knew it was taken out of his hands. The blatant hope he could see in the eyes nearest to him unsettled him. "Sonorus." He muttered as he drew his wand. He put it to his throat. "Good morning everyone." he thundered loudly, making those closest to him flinch away.
He took a moment to compose what he wanted to say in his head so he wouldn't stumble halfway through. "I already fought and defeated the dark wizard responsible. Everything is fine." he knew the end was a bit lame. He considered telling the people to go home or be productive but thought better of it.
There was an awkward silence as everyone waited for more. "Hah, I told you we'd be fine. We have Dumbledore and Potter!" someone exclaimed proudly. More murmurs of 'How they knew all along' started to flow from the crowd and Harry could see the edges of it already starting to make their exit.
"That went better than expected." Remus said as he watched the crowd calm down and pat themselves on the back. "Mister Potter!" a reporter called out as he all but bludgeoned his way through the people. "Who was the dark wizard, how did you defeat him and his horde of monsters?!"
"I have no idea who he or she was." Harry lied easily. He didn't know for sure, he just strongly suspected. "As for how? I turned him, his horde of inferi and a farm field to ash with my authority." He considered a moment for saying he used magic but decided it would be of no use.
The reporter was silent for a moment. "That is it?" the reporter asked in a disappointed voice. "That's it. I thought I was about to fight a heretic god so I went all out." the young Campione replied. 'Not entirely true, but that should save accusations that I went too far… I hope.' Harry thought as he saw the man rally himself. "Now if you excuse me. I have things to do."
"But…" he tried to object but Remus was already making a path for Harry to follow. They arrived at the elevators and he promptly sent them to the floor holding the DMLE. "Sir, if you wish to ask for information on…" one of the aurors droned. It seemed like he had been turning around people all morning.
"We are here on Campione business." Remus cut him off and the auror and his partner blinked in surprise before finally noticing Harry. They both paled slightly. "Kindly guide us to the office of the head of the department." Cressida requested. Although her tone made it clear it was not a request to be denied lightly.
"Please follow me." the first auror said. He swiftly brought them to the office door and made himself scarce. Remus opened the door. "Unless it is urgent…" a female voice called out immediately. She sounded highly irritated. She paused when she saw Harry step in. "Campione Potter." The greeting Madam Bones gave was flat.
"Madam Bones?" Harry guessed, he wondered if that meant the woman was pulling double duty. He knew that there was a Hufflepuff related to the woman in his current year. Although he couldn't see the family resemblance. Her lips thinned. "Is there more trouble on the way?" Harry paused as he realised that the woman was not in the know. Cressida smoothly stepped into the conversation. "Not directly. We are however wondering if the DMLE has any other reported crimes during the altercation."
"Are you claiming that a horde of inferi was a distraction?" The woman put together the clues instantly. Her expression was one of utter disbelief. "With the information we have that seems to be the most likely reason." "I see. Is Dumbledore calling for my help now?" Amelia asked calmly. "No. We are still looking after…" Remus paused and winced slightly.
The head of the DMLE looked surprised. "He actually has people helping him?" she blurted out, baffled that the headmaster was out and about on his plots with companions. "He has. Please don't ask any further." Remus pleaded before the woman could interrogate him. He didn't fancy his chances keeping everything a secret. Madam Bones took a moment to compose herself.
"My apologies. The headmaster tends to keep things very closely to his chest." The woman noted. None in the room disputed that. "Nothing comes to mind. But I will find an auror to confirm everything. Is there anything in particular you need to be aware of?" She inquired. Harry sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I doubt he'd do that just to rob some abandoned house."
"I think that is the closest we can get with any specifications I am afraid." Cressida apologized as she knew that she was adding a bit to the workload. "Anything that involves the disappearance of a single item, most likely cursed in some manner. The only other option is that Harry disrupted his plans before he could enact them."
"I will have everything in the past twenty four hours checked." Amelia assured the group. "Unless there is anything else?" Madam Bones asked leadingly. She received a negative reply. "In that case I have a request before you go. Do you consent that I use your name to assure everyone that the situation is under control?"
"I already did that upstairs." Harry replied with a nod that he did. "I told them I defeated the dark wizard." Amelia returned the nod. "Thank you. That should free up my people to actually do their work." Harry wished the woman a good day and led the way out. "Well that didn't go to plan, but still had the same result." Remus said to the group as they threaded their way back to the elevator.
Two floors up they were back at the main hall when they saw a familiar redhead. "Arthur!" Remus called out as the harried man was rushing his way to the elevators. "Remus, Harry." he greeted. "I am afraid I do not have much time, muggle baiting you see with this curious yellow duck thing."
He held up a squeaky bath duck. He squeezed it and it let out a horrible squeak. "I am afraid it is supposed to do that Arthur." Remus commented dryly. "It is? How does it do it then? The muggles seem to be making curious new inventions every year." Arthur noted, amazed as he looked at the rubber duck in fascination. Harry couldn't help but grin amused at the supposed expert's cluenessless. "It's the hole at the bottom I think."
Arthur blinked while Mia pinched her nose while Cressida seemed to besiege a higher entity. The pureblood wizard squeezed it again and this time put his finger over the hole with the trepidation it would bite him. Nothing happened. "By Merlin, you are right Harry."
"You are welcome Arthur" Harry said with a strained smile. "You'll be the next minister with your dedication." He intended it as a joke but Arthur had a full body shudder. "Please don't say you recommended me. I am completely happy where I am." Four people blinked at him. None willing to actually insult the man by stating their thoughts.
"Would my recommendation be worth that much?" Harry cautiously asked while Arthur was thankfully distracted by stowing away the rubber duck into an evidence bag and thus missed the blinking. "Considering I hear my name bandied around as a 'compromise' candidate I am afraid so. Your word holds a lot of sway Harry."
The man paused for a moment. "I frankly find it a bit disturbing how Madam Bones and Dumbledore managed to get a lot of work done by invoking your name. All for the good cause mind you. We'd never get a raid on the Malfoy's or get Sirius's case handled fairly without it." He quickly defended. "I just worry what would happen if more people could do so."
"Well… I am not really planning to do much more at the moment." He assured the Weasley patriarch. "That is good to hear." Arthur said relieved. "Please don't let my worries stop me from doing what you believe is right Harry. You got a good moral compass." "Thank you sir." Harry said a bit shyly. Arthur smiled. "Well I'd best get back to work. Enjoy your vacation Harry and please don't be shy to visit."
Harry returned the sentiment and watched the man leave. "Right. Wizarding politics is a bigger mess than I thought." Harry grumbled once Arthur was out of earshot. "I suppose it does explain how Fudge managed to end up as minister."
"I think mister Weasley was exaggerating Harry." Cressida said as they started to make their way through the thinned crowd.
Harry ignored everyone until they were into the elevator back to the surface. "I am not sure I am Cressida. What if I walked up to the Prophet today and proclaimed that Arthur was the only one with the administrative girth to run the ministry? Since I am currently not hated by them I think he'll be in the top seat in no time."
"Please don't, Harry. Arthur is a good man but…" Remus started to say. "Still better than Fudge." Harry cut Remus off and the man had to give a conceding nod. "I do not think Fudge should be the bar to pass." Mia said dryly as she remembered the information she had on the man. "That is true." Harry agreed with a grin.
"Well, let's go home." Remus suggested before Harry could get any ideas.