Chapter 2 Investigation
Percy returned from the press conference emotionally exhausted. Normally the Daily Prophet softballed its questions to officials from the Ministry of Magic, but this time the news of the return of Voldemort and the errors of Fudge were too hot a story to resist.
"I came off looking like an idiot," thought Percy. "I should have been much better briefed. Why wasn't I called in last night? Dawlish and Williamson were pulled in a the first hint of trouble."
When he arrived at his desk, another URGENT memo from Fudge dived down and hit him on the head.
"Even though he was right about Voldemort, there's no reason to trust Dumbledore's intentions with regards to power for himself," said the memo. "It's possible that Lord Thingy and Dumbledore conspired together to raid the MOM in order to destabilize the government. Once the government collapsed, the two factions would divide up control between themselves, or fight over it. I expect you to make a complete independent investigation by next week to determine what happened here and why. Signed, Cornelius Fudge"
Percy was filled with doubts about the validity of this new idea. But it wouldn't do to contradict the boss. He tried to ask himself what Balthus Oselmo would do. (Balthus was a historical example in his favorite book, "Prefects who Gained Power." As the book would have it, his constant following of the rules and devotion to authority had enabled him to rise to the top of the wizarding world in 1896.)
Still, it was possible Fudge was correct to some extent. Percy had gathered from his environment at the Ministry that there were at least a few grounds to suspect Dumbledore. The reports from Dolores Umbridge, his open admission of forming a student army, and now this spectacular midnight adventure into classified parts of the Ministry...
Percy had suffered a great deal from following Fudge, especially in the loss of a good relationship with his family. This setback, far from making him change his attitude, confirmed his resolve. Somehow, he would show them they were wrong. Somehow, he would prove he could make it on his own. He pushed aside his doubts.
To begin the investigation he had been ordered to make, he decided to interview people who had been on the scene. Dawlish would be a good start. Dawlish was also ambitious, but he was on a slightly lower rung than Percy.
"I heard you arrived with Minister Fudge and saw everything, Dawlish," said Percy.
"Yes, I was," said Dawlish, and stopped short. Was there a hint of a sneer in his voice?
"Well, tell me about it," said Percy with a bit of pique.
"I saw He Who Must Not Be Named disapperate out. There was a woman with him who fit the description of the Azkaban escapee Bellatrix Lestrange." Again he stopped.
"Why are you being so uncooperative?" asked Percy.
"Why should I co-operate with you? I think you're going to be finished around here soon," said Dawlish. "You're doubly contaminated."
"What do you mean?" demanded Percy.
"First off, you worked for Crouch, who broke his crazy Death Eater son out of Azkaban. When Crouch was behaving strangely, you covered for him," said Dawlish.
"That's all past. I was checked, cleared, and promoted," said Percy.
"Just don't be surprised if they re-open all that," said Dawlish. "It's a whole new Quiddich game now that we know Potter was telling the truth about Crouch Jr. working as an agent for You Know Who at Hogwarts. That means you're tied in with Him by association."
"That's nonsense! What's the second 'contamination'?"
"You're a Weasley, aren't you? Some think all Weasleys are members of the Dumbledore faction," said Dawlish.
"I practically disowned my family to stay loyal to the Ministry!" said Percy indignantly.
"I'm not saying you're a spy, but there are definitely suspicions and rumors around," said Dawlish. "I'd be really careful who you're seen associating with. And vice-versa, I'm going to be careful about associating with you. This interview is over. Bye, now."
Percy left Dawlish's office angry and a bit afraid. For Dawlish to dare to speak to him like that meant he was really in trouble. He had to complete this investigation successfully or he would be finished in government. Or worse, he could be made a scapegoat for everything and sent to prison. He had to figure this out...
Percy returned from the press conference emotionally exhausted. Normally the Daily Prophet softballed its questions to officials from the Ministry of Magic, but this time the news of the return of Voldemort and the errors of Fudge were too hot a story to resist.
"I came off looking like an idiot," thought Percy. "I should have been much better briefed. Why wasn't I called in last night? Dawlish and Williamson were pulled in a the first hint of trouble."
When he arrived at his desk, another URGENT memo from Fudge dived down and hit him on the head.
"Even though he was right about Voldemort, there's no reason to trust Dumbledore's intentions with regards to power for himself," said the memo. "It's possible that Lord Thingy and Dumbledore conspired together to raid the MOM in order to destabilize the government. Once the government collapsed, the two factions would divide up control between themselves, or fight over it. I expect you to make a complete independent investigation by next week to determine what happened here and why. Signed, Cornelius Fudge"
Percy was filled with doubts about the validity of this new idea. But it wouldn't do to contradict the boss. He tried to ask himself what Balthus Oselmo would do. (Balthus was a historical example in his favorite book, "Prefects who Gained Power." As the book would have it, his constant following of the rules and devotion to authority had enabled him to rise to the top of the wizarding world in 1896.)
Still, it was possible Fudge was correct to some extent. Percy had gathered from his environment at the Ministry that there were at least a few grounds to suspect Dumbledore. The reports from Dolores Umbridge, his open admission of forming a student army, and now this spectacular midnight adventure into classified parts of the Ministry...
Percy had suffered a great deal from following Fudge, especially in the loss of a good relationship with his family. This setback, far from making him change his attitude, confirmed his resolve. Somehow, he would show them they were wrong. Somehow, he would prove he could make it on his own. He pushed aside his doubts.
To begin the investigation he had been ordered to make, he decided to interview people who had been on the scene. Dawlish would be a good start. Dawlish was also ambitious, but he was on a slightly lower rung than Percy.
"I heard you arrived with Minister Fudge and saw everything, Dawlish," said Percy.
"Yes, I was," said Dawlish, and stopped short. Was there a hint of a sneer in his voice?
"Well, tell me about it," said Percy with a bit of pique.
"I saw He Who Must Not Be Named disapperate out. There was a woman with him who fit the description of the Azkaban escapee Bellatrix Lestrange." Again he stopped.
"Why are you being so uncooperative?" asked Percy.
"Why should I co-operate with you? I think you're going to be finished around here soon," said Dawlish. "You're doubly contaminated."
"What do you mean?" demanded Percy.
"First off, you worked for Crouch, who broke his crazy Death Eater son out of Azkaban. When Crouch was behaving strangely, you covered for him," said Dawlish.
"That's all past. I was checked, cleared, and promoted," said Percy.
"Just don't be surprised if they re-open all that," said Dawlish. "It's a whole new Quiddich game now that we know Potter was telling the truth about Crouch Jr. working as an agent for You Know Who at Hogwarts. That means you're tied in with Him by association."
"That's nonsense! What's the second 'contamination'?"
"You're a Weasley, aren't you? Some think all Weasleys are members of the Dumbledore faction," said Dawlish.
"I practically disowned my family to stay loyal to the Ministry!" said Percy indignantly.
"I'm not saying you're a spy, but there are definitely suspicions and rumors around," said Dawlish. "I'd be really careful who you're seen associating with. And vice-versa, I'm going to be careful about associating with you. This interview is over. Bye, now."
Percy left Dawlish's office angry and a bit afraid. For Dawlish to dare to speak to him like that meant he was really in trouble. He had to complete this investigation successfully or he would be finished in government. Or worse, he could be made a scapegoat for everything and sent to prison. He had to figure this out...