Disclaimer: You know the routine by now. I'm not J.K Rowling. All the characters (except for Celia) are hers

Chapter 3: The woes of the minister

Time flew rapidly by at the ministry. My workload had grown considerably since my strange visit to Oswald manner. The minister had not spoken of the incident since giving me the address. Granted he had quite a bit more to be getting on with.

What some might see as a sort of chaos had erupted at Hogwarts School. The head master, Dumbledore had apparently been secretly organizing his students to lead a revolution against the ministry.

I had been there the evening he had escaped arrest by confounding two aurors, the minister, Professor Umbridge and myself with some sort of spell. I had to admit that the effect was extraordinary. Even now, I am not quite certain how he accomplished it.

Professor Umbridge had taken charge of the school. While I saw this as a welcomed improvement, it did not help the fact that the minister was now dealing with twelve fugitives, as well as the usual Wizengamot bills which were being proposed almost daily

Apparently some members of the Wizengamot thought it necessary to prove to a wary public that, the ministry was trying to keep the government working as normally as possible despite the recent events at Hogwarts. Because of this thought process, bills and legislation were being passed and rejected so quickly that even I, try as I might had trouble keeping track of them.

Naturally, for the minister of magic, all this proved much more important than a vague promise to some old colleague. I did not expect to have to enter Charad Street again. I was grateful for the most part. After all, I was not exactly keen to walk down the dark, mysterious street, particularly not during the day. Thus, I tried as best as I could to put thoughts of Oswald Manner out of my mind. That is, until one day in mid may.

I had taken my seat in the meeting room for what was promising to be another mundane Monday. Continuing from the previous day, the first was proposition 133, sponsored by Emma Ducarless. I strained to keep my eyes open as my hand instinctively drilled across my parchment taking in every possible word being spoken. This particular bill dealt with Werewolf regulations. This in itself was not extraordinary, Werewolf legislation was drafted at least twice a week. This particular bill, however, was slightly more controversial than the others.

Ms. Ducarless proposed than since Werewolves were officially classified as beasts, they should be prosecuted as beasts. This meant that Warewolves could be executed if they failed to register themselves with the ministry of magic.

"I must say, these measures seem exceptionally harsh." Fudge said milling over the several paged document in front of him.

"Minister, if I may, these are very harsh circumstances." Answered Ms. Ducarless. She was a short and rather stout witch with shoulder length brown hair that always had a slight friz to it. She also seemed to constantly wear a slight smile, no matter what the circumstances, so that one was rarely sure what she was thinking.

" Within this year alone, nearly 200 people have been subject to werewolf bites in the United Kingdom. Unregistered werewolves who remain at large infected over half of the victims. Obviously current legislation dealing with these issues is ill equipped to handle the growing problem."

At this a rather young witch with curled black hair stood up from the back row. "The Chair recognizes Jane Brightman" Fudge said automatically.

"Thank you minister. I have only one question concerning the proposal. What about the innocent? I believe we all are in agreement that a Werewolf cannot help being such, it hardly seems humane to prosecute them with such harsh measures." A murmur of agreement spread through the room. Emma Ducarless however, remained smiling, apparently un phased.

"Ms. Brightman, protection is what this bill is about. While, a werewolf can hardly help being such, it is the duty of the ministry to see that more are not produced by simple carelessness on our part. Werewolves who have properly registered themselves as such with the ministry of magic have nothing to fear." She answered.

"I would also like to draw attention to the fact that many prominent members of the community are in support of this bill. Including Delores Umbridge." Ms. Ducarless's smile broadened into a sort of smug as another mummer was ushered around the court room. There were very few members of the Wizengammot who would dare argue with Delores Umbridge. Even though she had left the organization to teach at hogwarts, her presence was still very real, as was her influence.

"If there are no more objections." Fudge looked around the room. A few members of the court shook their heads, but many were still busy muttering to each other. Satisfied with this Fudge continued. " On the matter of proposition 113, all in favor." About half of the Wizengamot raised their hands.

"All opposed." The rest of the room raised their hands, including the black haired witch on the back row. I knew what was happening before Fudge said the words confirming the situation. It was a split decision.

"Since no conclusive decision can be made, the bill will be tabled until further notice. When will the next hearing for prosition #133 take place Weasly?" The minister asked as I consulted the calendar directly in front of me.

"June 13th sir" I answered.

"Thank you. We will meet back here on June 13th for further discussion." With this he set aside the papers containing the bill, to his right hand side.

"Court will recess for 15 minuets before reviewing proposition #134"

I set down my quill and stretched out my right hand, which had become cramped from furious note taking. Once my hand had been thoroughly nursed back to it's proper state, I began to follow the rest of the Wizengamot out into the corridor. But, as I began to rise from my seat, the minister called to me.

"Weasly, I'd like a word."

"Yes sir." I answered as briskly as I could, walking to the middle of the room.

As I came closer to Fudge I began to realize that he seemed a bit more frazzled than usual. The little hair that remained on his head seemed to be sticking out in places, and he was running his hand over his forehead continually. I surmised that this change was due to his overextended workload.

"Yes. yes." He muttered to me as I arrived. "Of course you recall the favor I asked of you last month?"

"Yes sir." I answered, trying not to appear hesitant. I didn't at all like the course this conversation was taking. I thought that I was through with going to Charad Street.

"If I could ask the same favor of you tonight. It would be most helpful, considering." Fudge ran his hand across his brow once more, where I noticed that small pockets of sweat had broken out, despite the slight chill in the court room.

I was again placed against a wall. If I refused the minister of magic, it would mean the end of my career, and concurrently, my life. So I took a deep breath and answered

"Of course sir." Trying not to remember the sounds of human bones being gnawed in the trees covering the abandoned street.

Fudge gave an almost relieved smile as he said

"Well then, my office door will be open again this evening. The medication will be on my desk." And with this he dismissed me. I walked out of the courtroom with an apprehensive knot in the pit of my stomach. The sounds of the street, the scream at #13 and the horror of waiting on the steps, listening to the sounds came flooding back to me in one horrible moment.

The only good memory I had of my trip to Charad Street was meeting Celia. It was true that I would not object to seeing her again. Of course this was a very small, and dim light next to the horror of the darkly mysterious street. Still, it was something.