Chapter Four: The Minister of Magic

Harry's jaw dropped, "Why, how could this happen?" he asked Sturgis Podmore.

"Malfoy was right you know," Sturgis answered, "there was no proof, but your word. If Remus hadn't, well, you know, done that, then he'd be off to Azkaban."

"I need to see Professor Dumbledore!" Harry screamed. They hurried outside and waited in the Atrium. Dumbledore strode out talking with Cornelius Fudge. Dumbledore walked over to Harry and bid the minister goodbye.

As Harry left, he saw Remus Lupin come over and ask to talk with Mr. Fudge. They walked faster, and past him; Harry distinctly heard the words, "Half-breeds, Umbridge," and "jobs," as they passed.

"Professor!" Harry yelled, "Come here!"

Dumbledore strode over; in a hushed whisper he said, "Harry, the minister has allowed us to use his office; we must talk immediately."

Upon arrival, Harry burst into an explanation. "Professor, it's not right. Remus cannot have been present at the time of the attack, because he would transform tonight. When we were ambushed as we flew to headquarters, Bellatrix Lestrange took hair. Someone is using the Polyjuice Potion!"

Dumbledore looked at Harry with more twinkle in his eye than he had in a long time. He smiled and calmly said, "Would I have the reputation that I have if I could not realize the true Professor Lupin's absence. Currently, he and Kreacher are in hiding. I must admit that was an interesting way of ridding Kreacher from us."

Harry gawked at Dumbledore. He had not been so angry in a long time. Trying to restrain his voice, he pressed, "Why would you let one of Lord Voldemort's most influential Death Eaters escape justice?"

Dumbledore bowed his head, replying, "Alas, Harry, I cannot answer you. Soon enough, however, you will know. Soon enough, Harry."

Harry rose in his anger. He burst, "Do you remember the last time that you kept a secret from me; do you remember what happened?"

Dumbledore responded, "Harry, Professor Snape has told you this before, although he has been wrong several times. This truly does not concern you, yet."

Harry realized that his argument was hopeless. As they neared the exit, Dumbledore turned in a half circle and roared, "Leglimens!"

Harry gazed at Lupin in order to see why he freed Lucius Malfoy. Harry stared in awe when the blast of light did not hit Remus Lupin, rather Cornelius Fudge. Dumbledore lost the twinkle in his eye as he kept the powerful spell on Fudge. Harry realized that he had merely experienced a short blast of Dumbledore's capability. After several more minutes, Harry distinctly saw Lupin glaring at him with an expression of pure hatred. Harry realized that the order definitely had a plan. Finally, Dumbledore's ten to fifteen minute spell ceased.

Dumbledore muttered, "Portus," and told Harry that he clutch a sock. He told Harry to say any last remarks to Fudge. Harry declined, and grabbed the sock. Within seconds they landed at the steps of Headquarters, and they both hustled inside. Dumbledore looked guiltily happy. He immediately called for an emergency meeting.

Seconds later, the door bustled and many people jostled inside Harry's house. Winky took Harry upstairs and told him that he needed to explain what had happened to Ron and Hermione.

As he approached Hermione's bedroom he heard her lecture Ron, "Now, don't interrupt or else he will falter. Promise me?"

Harry felt more exhausted as he explained the day's events. Hermione gasped when he discussed Lupin's peculiar behavior. Both Ron and Hermione showed their anger concerning the release of Lucius Malfoy. When he discussed Dumbledore's attack on Fudge, Ron listened closely and enthusiastically. As Harry's story came to a close, he noticed Hermione was trying to comprehend everything.

Ron roared, "How can Dumbledore allow Malfoy to get off?"

Hermione reasoned, "Ron, you know Dumbledore, there is definitely a reason."

Harry countered, "Hermione, if you saw his face, you would feel differently."

Hermione laughed, "Of course, do you think that he could have acted happy about it in front of the Daily Prophet, a Death Eater, or two, the Ministry, and need I go on?"

Harry disagreed, "Dumbledore said it didn't concern me; that means that IT has to mean something."

Hermione smiled at him, "Something is definitely up; Fred and George will probably tell us anyways."

Ron said, "Fred and George love keeping us in the dark, Harry." He mimicked, "When we weren't of age, nobody told us. Why should we tell you? Honestly, how much would they love holding this on us?"

Harry smiled, "They would not have had the chance to become wealthy if it weren't for me. I think I'll be able to swindle a couple of answers."

Ron and Hermione beamed at him, yet he continued, "The only question is whether or not I'll share it with you."

Ron punched him in mock outrage, and they started laughing. Soon, however, an eagle owl swooped onto the door step. Ron pulled out a red pen which was buzzing; Harry thought that it looked vaguely familiar.

Before long, Sturgis Podmore came into plain view. "Harry, Ron, Hermione," he stuttered, "Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you."

They looked at each other while hustling out of the room. Each of them could tell that the situation was urgent, by looking at Podmore's face.

In the kitchen, Dumbledore sat, waiting for them. He stood tall and spoke, "The following information likely shall shock you quite powerfully, especially you, Ronald."

The trio looked at each other furtively. Ron looked quite grim. Dumbledore continued, "I would ask that you please not interrupt me and save all questions until the end." Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded clearly. Dumbledore began the important story, "A few weeks ago, as you are doubtlessly aware, Minister Cornelius Fudge witnessed Voldemort and his new body. He tried to avoid the inevitable, but it was to no avail. Since then Cornelius has tried merely to do what is easiest rather than what is necessary. The Dementors are inches away from turning completely to Voldemort. We lost the Giants as you are well aware. Slowly and surely, we are losing crucial forces that would be helpful in Voldemort's defeat."

Rounding on Hermione, Dumbledore continued, "I am sure that Harry has told both you and Ron that Lupin was acting oddly. That however, was not Professor Lupin. Voldemort instructed a Death Eater to use the Polyjuice Potion so that they could free as many Death Eaters as possible. I gradually became aware, but I had a much more pressing issue to handle than Lucius Malfoy. Cornelius Fudge has not acted nearly stable enough for us to stand a chance."

His concentration fading, Harry saw a look of dawning comprehension on Hermione's face. He noticed that Ron looked completely confused and unaware of Hermione. Harry tried to piece Dumbledore's speech together. Could Fudge be a Death Eater? He turned and listened to Dumbledore once more, "With those Ministry workers, Lord Voldemort could gain far more supporters. And this is why I allowed the day's events to happen."

"I had never expected nor hoped that this day would come," Dumbledore calmly spoke. "Noticing the horrendous interrogation skills of Fudge, I allowed Lupin's impersonator to see Fudge alone. By now Fudge should be dead, the first non Death Eater that I have allowed to be killed in almost twenty-five years. We will have a new Minister and Ron; this is why today affected you greatly. The four prime candidates likely shall be Amelia Bones, Lucius Malfoy, Percy Weasley, and Arthur Weasley."

The teenagers looked at each other with wide-eyed surprise. Malfoy was running for Minister. Father vs. Son! They eagerly looked at Dumbledore, waiting for him to continue.

Dumbledore watched them with amusement as he continued, "I am guessing that the polls will show that Arthur is in front, closely followed by Amelia and Percy who are neck and neck. Malfoy will have some job convincing all of Wizarding England that he is not in fact a Death Eater, although the pure blood fanatics shall certainly vote for him."

Harry doubted that he would be able to bear Draco Malfoy's glee that his father had been elected Minister of Magic. Ron's shuddering indicated that he had similar thoughts. However, Harry thought as he forced a smile, Dumbledore had listed two Weasleys in front of Lucius Malfoy. It seemed far more likely that Ron would have the honor of gloating rather than Malfoy. Dumbledore closed his captivating speech and told his students to get some sleep because the Daily Prophet would be more than likely to discuss these events as August began.

The following morning, Harry sprung out of bed. He hustled downstairs to find Ginny Weasley reading the Daily Prophet. He hurriedly asked Ginny to give it to him and she obliged. Harry looked at the cover which read in bold letters, "Minister Cornelius Fudge Presumed Dead." Furiously turning the pages he saw a quick poll of the four candidates that Dumbledore had listed. A quick poll showed Arthur Weasley with 28%, Amelia Bones with 25%, Percy Weasley with 24%, and Lucius Malfoy with 19%. An election would be scheduled for September 1st in case Fudge had not showed up previously. Meanwhile, Percy Weasley would act as Temporary Minister.

Harry looked up and saw Ginny gazing at him with a deep look in her eyes. She laughed, "Can you believe it?"

Obviously not wanting to hurt her feelings because her Headmaster had not shared Fudge's death with her, Harry shook his head as Hermione and Ron jostled their way downstairs. They shared a look at the cover and flipped to the poll page.

Ron muttered, "Dumbledore was right on the money."

"What money?" Ginny interrupted.

Harry violently motioned for Ron to keep it a secret.

Hermione saved them by saying, "Professor Dumbledore told Harry at the end of last year that Fudge would not likely be Minister by the time we graduated." Seeing Ginny's curiosity she continued, "I suppose he really is dead. What do you all think?"

Ron swept his hand across his neck indicating he believed Fudge to be deceased. Harry nodded his head, but Ginny slowly countered, "There is no proof. I doubt that he is dead."

Ron belligerently yelled, "Read the article! He met with a Death Eater alone!"

Harry listened to the other three argue. His memory was bolstered when he heard Ron admire, "Dumbledore is such a great wizard. How could he have known?"

Harry remembered Dumbledore's powerful Leglimancy the previous day. How could he have forgotten? He hastily excused himself and hurried upstairs, crashing into Bill Weasley on the stairs.

"Hey Harry!" Bill greeted Harry warmly.

"How are you, Bill?" Harry replied quickly.

"Fine thanks, I'm just going to make some eggs. Conjuring them just isn't the same as the real thing."

Harry asked him in return, "What did Professor Dumbledore tell you all yesterday about Cornelius Fudge's thoughts?"

Bill looked uncomfortable. He thought for a while and said, "Ask Professor Dumbledore, himself, my father, or your new godfather."

Harry sent a pleading look to Bill, "Can't you tell me?"

Bill sighed, "I am afraid not Harry. If I let something slip, Mum would never let me forget it." He gulped uncertainly.

Harry shrugged. He quickly thanked Bill for trying, before hustling upstairs.

Slowing down, Harry heard low voices. Catching several words coming closer, he dove behind a chest of drawers.

Clearly not wanting to be heard, a voice was muttering, "He's up to something. Yes, he is up to something."

Fear flooded through Harry's veins. Had a member of the Order turned traitor? He listened to another voice. This time, it high pitched.

"Dobby will not spy on Master Harry Potter. Dobby is a good elf and has great master."

"Why has Harry Potter not noticed that you have been away from him, Dobby?"

"Dobby does not know!"

Harry crept closer to the door with his wand outstretched. He briefly considered alerting somebody, but he worried that either there were more spies against the order or that the traitor would escape. He knew that somebody plotting against him would be bad, far worse if they resided at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Harry opened the door and saw Dobby looking straight at the wall in front of him.

"Dobby!" Harry called out, "Who are you talking to? Sorry, with whom are you speaking?"

Dobby cheerfully replied, "Nobody, Harry Potter, Sir!"

Harry kept his wand raised, creeping towards the wall. He saw water dripping down, onto the floor. Inspecting the water, Harry noticed a small mirror. The water below dripped faster, and he soon saw letters forming. The words, "Ereh raeft sekra druo ye esuoy" were appearing.

Harry did not know what to make of this mirror; he whispered to Dobby, "Dobby, get Bill Weasley, Lupin, and Moody here immediately."

Without reply, Dobby snapped his fingers and disappeared. Harry surveyed the puddles, which were growing carefully. He lifted his head and his eyes met the mirror.

"Potter!" Mad-Eye Moody burst through the door. "Get away from there!"

George Weasley apparated behind him, closely followed by Bill.

Being a curse-breaker from Gringotts, Bill darted forwards to see what was happening. Through the excitement, Harry remembered an inscription from his first year. "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi." The Mirror of Erised, ignoring the spaces, spelling that backwards, it read, "I show not your face but your hearts desire."

"Bill," Harry choked, but Bill didn't seem to hear him. "Bill!" Harry spoke louder.

Bill turned around and surveyed Harry's face. Harry continued, "May I have a look again?"

Bill shrugged and allowed Harry to step forward. George stepped forward next to him. Harry asked George to copy the puddles into letters and reverse those letters. Waving his wand, George obliged.

Harry looked closely. He made out, "You see," at the beginning.

Harry muttered, "You, no your. You see your darkest, umm," He suddenly yelled, "I got it! You see your darkest fear here!"

George slowly acknowledged his understanding. Moody looked clueless, but Bill chuckled merrily.

At Harry's look of bewilderment, Bill said, "We found out what the mirror shows. That House-Elf looked terrified."

Harry's eyes lifted near the mirror. George turned and saw him. With a yell, George knocked Harry to the ground. "Did you see anything?" George asked.

Harry shook his head angrily. Why couldn't he see what his darkest fear was? Did Dobby fear that Harry would kill him, as he did Kreacher?

Moody spoke now. "Potter, if You-Know-Who could find out what you feared. He would have a significant advantage. Please excuse us now, go see your friends or something."

Harry reluctantly left, and relayed the story to Ginny, Ron, and Hermione.

Over the next week, it seemed more and more likely that Fudge had died. The two obscure candidates had dropped out of the race. Arthur Weasley was still leading with roughly 28% of the popular vote, Amelia Bones had approximately 26% of the vote, and Percy Weasley tied Lucius Malfoy with 23% each.

Harry repeatedly made to ask Lupin about Dumbledore's Leglimens curse, but it slipped his mind whenever he saw Lupin. Dobby had been spending gradually more time than Winky. On the 8th of August, Dumbledore, himself, visited the Order claiming to wish to speak with Harry alone.

Finally, Harry remembered Dumbledore's Leglimancy. Approaching the staircase, Harry tripped over the umbrella stand. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement as they reached the top of the steps. They continued to Harry's room, Sirius's old room, when Dumbledore suddenly cried out, "Leglimens!"

The same brick wall came which surrounded the pool of water. As the vision faded, Dumbledore beamed at Harry. "Harry," he began. "I am the second most powerful Leglimens in the world. That situation could be the hardest to react, because you could not have been less aware. You performed amazingly!"

Dumbledore bowed his head and looked as if he had aged twenty years in thirty seconds. "Harry, you nearly broke my memory restriction charm. I tried to make you forget what happened. You have stronger will power than almost any wizard in the world. Never-the-less, you will not benefit from the information. Please trust me on this decision, when you join the Order, I will gladly share my information with you."

The familiar finality in Dumbledore's tone told him that he would not see Fudge's thoughts. Disappointed as he was, Harry respectfully left. Harry was beginning to lose his great respect for Dumbledore. His headmaster had admitted a mistake barely a month ago, yet he was continuing still.

Harry walked downstairs, into Ron's room. Interrupting a game of Exploding Snap between Ron and Fred, Harry watched the conclusion of the game. He then asked Ron to talk with him for a while.

Ron and Harry walked downstairs into the kitchen. They heard a voice inside the kitchen when they arrived.

"But Winky," Hermione moaned, "You don't have to work for Harry if you would rather not."

"Dobby and Young Master Harry needs Winky. We are happy here."

"All we need is one free elf in SPEW; we could then try to place an elf in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"Winky would never, could never, work with humans, instead of for humans."

Harry walked in, "What if your master ordered you to try to work in the Ministry."

Winky shuddered at the idea. Winky finally spoke, "Winky shall think about it Masters and Miss." She left with a pop.

Ron looked angrily at Hermione, "SPEW!"

Hermione sighed exasperatedly; Ron continued, "Harry has two great House-Elves, and you have to keep going on about SPEW! Honestly, just leave them be, please."

Realizing the absurdity of the argument, Hermione left the table, leaving Harry and a belligerent Ron behind her.

"Ron," Harry began, "I think you are overreacting. Think about it from a different point of view. If Winky could find a spot in the Ministry, especially if the leader of the polls becomes Minister, how many House- Elves would listen to her, allowing a new army of creatures against Voldemort?"

Ron turned furiously, "Please stop saying the name."

Harry countered, "I will not stop saying, Voldemort. Professors Dumbledore and Lupin say it. Sirius said it. I say it. Hermione says it now. Anyways, what do you think about what I just said?"

Ron replied, "Professors McGonagall, Hagrid, Flitwick, and Snape don't say it."

"Snape!" Harry yelled. "You will follow his example over Sirius, Lupin, and Dumbledore!"

Ron ignored him. "Dad doesn't say it. Barely anyone in our world says it Harry. If Dad becomes Minister, then he'll lead enough wizards."

Harry interrupted, "Will it hurt or help?"

"You Win."