A/N thank you for the reviews.
Disclaimer: - I don't own anything (I say that every time!!) actually I do own Delvarney!! =) YAY!
Chapter nine ~ The Debate.
The next day it had a short section in the Daily Prophet about each of the candidates up for the job of temporary minister. There were some high up people in the Ministry applying for the position, it didn't seem Malfoy had a chance, until of course the section about him was read.
There was Georgia Lucas, who had worked for the ministry for thirty years, had worked in every office, and knew about the smooth running of the ministry. Then there was Paul Cyprus who had been one of the Ministers advisors and the knew the ministry like the back of his hand, he was promising an intensive search to Fudge's whereabouts.
Then came Frederic Bunch, who had run for Minister last time but had lost by sixty three votes. He was promising higher wages. But there was no mention of Voldemort, well not until you got down to the section about Lucuis Malfoy.
"I can't believe this!" Hermione exclaimed. "Here read this." she passed them the paper.
LUCIUS MALFOY - OUR NEXT MINISTER FOR MAGIC?
Lucius Malfoy, one of the most charitable men currently working for the ministry has decided to run for Temporary Minister to help us fight. Now that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned, we need all the allies we can get. We need a leader. And now we have one. Lucius Malfoy is the missing link we have been so desperately searching for. Voting for him today, will help us in the fight against Dark Magic, help us regain control of our world.
Harry laughed. "No one will believe that dribble."
"Harry, people believe what they want to believe. They'll think that Malfoy can really help them against Voldemort."
"No one will vote for him."
"We'll see."
At the teachers table there were mixed feelings. Delvarney was laughing her head off at the section of the paper, Snape was silently contemplating life under the rule of Malfoy, and McGonagall was looking on with disgust.
"He won't get voted for." Delvarney told the others.
Snape raised his eyebrows. "You know something we don't? How do you figure that?"
"Because if he does, we're screwed." She said, standing up. "See you at lunch."
As he walked past the Gryfindors Draco stopped and smirked at Harry.
"Looks like my father is in line for the next minister, eh Potter?"
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch Malfoy." Hermione said, standing up beside Harry.
"Well, he doesn't exactly have much competition, does he?" Draco said, with a snigger.
"Why I wonder? Probably because he's bribed and blackmailed them."
Draco's grin disappeared. "You won't dare say that tomorrow, Potter."
"Oh and why is that?"
"I'd be careful if I was you, Potter."
"Thank goodness you're not. It's ironic really, Malfoy. Your father promising to fight against Voldemort. Wait 'til people see him for the impostor he is! He's only just got out of Azkaban on charges of being involved with the Dark Lord, do you really think they'll put him in charge?" Harry demanded, losing his temper slightly.
"You seem to for get one little thing Potter, and that's Not Guilty." Draco said, as he strolled off.
"He's right Harry, Mr Malfoy was found not guilty, cleared of all charges."
"Through lack of evidence.surely that counts for something." Harry said, angrily. "If they elect Lucius Malfoy as the next minister then this whole world has gone insane! I mean there must be something Dumbledore could do, maybe if he stepped in."
"He'd have to leave Hogwarts, and you must remember the disgrace he was thrown last year, that isn't just going to be forgotten. Lucius Malfoy has promised action, and that it what everyone wants above all else."
"But him and Bellatrix.they killed Sirius."
"Harry, please."
"I'll make 'em pay, if it's the last thing I ever do."
"It probably will be." Ron said, glumly.
They walked in silence to the Defence Against the Dark Arts class room,and sat down with the other students.
"Welcome class. I thought for a change today we'd have a debate on the election of Temporary Minister. You're all well ahead with your work, so I thought a break for one lesson might do you good. Also this election is a life changing situation. So would anyone like to start us off?" Professor Delvarney said, as she stood at the front of the class.
Pavati Patil put her hand up. "I think the next minister should be Lucius Malfoy."
Hermione looked at Harry with a look of 'I told you so'.
"And why is that, Patil?" Delvarney was clearly surprised, she too had been as naïve as Harry, expecting everyone to see Malfoy for what he was.
"Well, it's not a normal election like you said, life changing, and that's what he has promised. He's gonna lead us in the fight against You-Know- Who."
"Yeah, lead us.in the wrong direction." Ron muttered.
"Well, thank you Miss Patil, any follow up on that?"
Lavender raised her hand. "I totally agree.I mean Fudge didn't do much did he, I think he's run away 'cause he can't handle being minister."
"Run away? Why on earth would Fudge run away? He loved being Minister and refused to do anything that could jepodise his popularity. There is no way he'd step down, not willingly." Harry shouted.
"I agree. Anyone who had met Fudge, knew him for what he really was. He was over confident, loved himself, as Potter said, I doubt he would step down of his own accord." Delvarney said, with a smile. "In that case, maybe it is a good thing that someone has forced him out, we need a good strong minister, someone who will guide us, fight for us."
"Have you forgotten that Malfoy has only just been cleared on a charge of supporting Voldemort?" Harry shouted.
The class flinched at the sound of the name.
Delvarney smiled. "Potter I would ask you not to use that name in the classroom, although you and I maybe comfortable using it, there are many who are not."
Pavati raised her hand again. "He was found innocent. And the court is never wrong."
"What about Sirius Black?"
"What about him? He was as guilty as sin." Lavender replied.
"Actually Miss Brown, I believe Sirius was innocent." Delvarney said.
Lavender turned away gob smacked and the class fell silent.
Delvarney cleared her throat. "Well back to the debate then. Miss Granger?"
"Just because he was found innocent doesn't necessarily make him so. I think we forget that."
"Oh yeah, Granger and what about innocent until proven guilty?"
"What about it? It's just a saying!"
"Well, anyone with any other views? Mr Longbottom? Mr Thomas?"
"I don't suppose it really matters who the minister is, as long as it someone of action instead of words." Dean said.
At that moment the bell rang. "Well, it was a different lesson anyway, tomorrow it will be back to hard work. You stayed very quiet today Mr Malfoy, it quite surprised me that you had nothing to say in your father's defence."
"He doesn't need me to defend him, it's clear he's the best person for the job."
"Well, I wish all the candidates good luck." Delvarney said, as the students began to filter out of the classroom.
"I can't believe the ignorance of some people!" Hermione said angrily as they approached the door. they were the last to leave the classroom.
"Well, we must put up with it Miss Granger. Oh and Potter never give up, maybe one day we can clear Sirius's name, hopefully sooner rather then later."
At that moment Snape walked into the classroom.
"So who you voting for?" she asked with a laugh.
A/N please R&R =)
Disclaimer: - I don't own anything (I say that every time!!) actually I do own Delvarney!! =) YAY!
Chapter nine ~ The Debate.
The next day it had a short section in the Daily Prophet about each of the candidates up for the job of temporary minister. There were some high up people in the Ministry applying for the position, it didn't seem Malfoy had a chance, until of course the section about him was read.
There was Georgia Lucas, who had worked for the ministry for thirty years, had worked in every office, and knew about the smooth running of the ministry. Then there was Paul Cyprus who had been one of the Ministers advisors and the knew the ministry like the back of his hand, he was promising an intensive search to Fudge's whereabouts.
Then came Frederic Bunch, who had run for Minister last time but had lost by sixty three votes. He was promising higher wages. But there was no mention of Voldemort, well not until you got down to the section about Lucuis Malfoy.
"I can't believe this!" Hermione exclaimed. "Here read this." she passed them the paper.
LUCIUS MALFOY - OUR NEXT MINISTER FOR MAGIC?
Lucius Malfoy, one of the most charitable men currently working for the ministry has decided to run for Temporary Minister to help us fight. Now that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned, we need all the allies we can get. We need a leader. And now we have one. Lucius Malfoy is the missing link we have been so desperately searching for. Voting for him today, will help us in the fight against Dark Magic, help us regain control of our world.
Harry laughed. "No one will believe that dribble."
"Harry, people believe what they want to believe. They'll think that Malfoy can really help them against Voldemort."
"No one will vote for him."
"We'll see."
At the teachers table there were mixed feelings. Delvarney was laughing her head off at the section of the paper, Snape was silently contemplating life under the rule of Malfoy, and McGonagall was looking on with disgust.
"He won't get voted for." Delvarney told the others.
Snape raised his eyebrows. "You know something we don't? How do you figure that?"
"Because if he does, we're screwed." She said, standing up. "See you at lunch."
As he walked past the Gryfindors Draco stopped and smirked at Harry.
"Looks like my father is in line for the next minister, eh Potter?"
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch Malfoy." Hermione said, standing up beside Harry.
"Well, he doesn't exactly have much competition, does he?" Draco said, with a snigger.
"Why I wonder? Probably because he's bribed and blackmailed them."
Draco's grin disappeared. "You won't dare say that tomorrow, Potter."
"Oh and why is that?"
"I'd be careful if I was you, Potter."
"Thank goodness you're not. It's ironic really, Malfoy. Your father promising to fight against Voldemort. Wait 'til people see him for the impostor he is! He's only just got out of Azkaban on charges of being involved with the Dark Lord, do you really think they'll put him in charge?" Harry demanded, losing his temper slightly.
"You seem to for get one little thing Potter, and that's Not Guilty." Draco said, as he strolled off.
"He's right Harry, Mr Malfoy was found not guilty, cleared of all charges."
"Through lack of evidence.surely that counts for something." Harry said, angrily. "If they elect Lucius Malfoy as the next minister then this whole world has gone insane! I mean there must be something Dumbledore could do, maybe if he stepped in."
"He'd have to leave Hogwarts, and you must remember the disgrace he was thrown last year, that isn't just going to be forgotten. Lucius Malfoy has promised action, and that it what everyone wants above all else."
"But him and Bellatrix.they killed Sirius."
"Harry, please."
"I'll make 'em pay, if it's the last thing I ever do."
"It probably will be." Ron said, glumly.
They walked in silence to the Defence Against the Dark Arts class room,and sat down with the other students.
"Welcome class. I thought for a change today we'd have a debate on the election of Temporary Minister. You're all well ahead with your work, so I thought a break for one lesson might do you good. Also this election is a life changing situation. So would anyone like to start us off?" Professor Delvarney said, as she stood at the front of the class.
Pavati Patil put her hand up. "I think the next minister should be Lucius Malfoy."
Hermione looked at Harry with a look of 'I told you so'.
"And why is that, Patil?" Delvarney was clearly surprised, she too had been as naïve as Harry, expecting everyone to see Malfoy for what he was.
"Well, it's not a normal election like you said, life changing, and that's what he has promised. He's gonna lead us in the fight against You-Know- Who."
"Yeah, lead us.in the wrong direction." Ron muttered.
"Well, thank you Miss Patil, any follow up on that?"
Lavender raised her hand. "I totally agree.I mean Fudge didn't do much did he, I think he's run away 'cause he can't handle being minister."
"Run away? Why on earth would Fudge run away? He loved being Minister and refused to do anything that could jepodise his popularity. There is no way he'd step down, not willingly." Harry shouted.
"I agree. Anyone who had met Fudge, knew him for what he really was. He was over confident, loved himself, as Potter said, I doubt he would step down of his own accord." Delvarney said, with a smile. "In that case, maybe it is a good thing that someone has forced him out, we need a good strong minister, someone who will guide us, fight for us."
"Have you forgotten that Malfoy has only just been cleared on a charge of supporting Voldemort?" Harry shouted.
The class flinched at the sound of the name.
Delvarney smiled. "Potter I would ask you not to use that name in the classroom, although you and I maybe comfortable using it, there are many who are not."
Pavati raised her hand again. "He was found innocent. And the court is never wrong."
"What about Sirius Black?"
"What about him? He was as guilty as sin." Lavender replied.
"Actually Miss Brown, I believe Sirius was innocent." Delvarney said.
Lavender turned away gob smacked and the class fell silent.
Delvarney cleared her throat. "Well back to the debate then. Miss Granger?"
"Just because he was found innocent doesn't necessarily make him so. I think we forget that."
"Oh yeah, Granger and what about innocent until proven guilty?"
"What about it? It's just a saying!"
"Well, anyone with any other views? Mr Longbottom? Mr Thomas?"
"I don't suppose it really matters who the minister is, as long as it someone of action instead of words." Dean said.
At that moment the bell rang. "Well, it was a different lesson anyway, tomorrow it will be back to hard work. You stayed very quiet today Mr Malfoy, it quite surprised me that you had nothing to say in your father's defence."
"He doesn't need me to defend him, it's clear he's the best person for the job."
"Well, I wish all the candidates good luck." Delvarney said, as the students began to filter out of the classroom.
"I can't believe the ignorance of some people!" Hermione said angrily as they approached the door. they were the last to leave the classroom.
"Well, we must put up with it Miss Granger. Oh and Potter never give up, maybe one day we can clear Sirius's name, hopefully sooner rather then later."
At that moment Snape walked into the classroom.
"So who you voting for?" she asked with a laugh.
A/N please R&R =)