Disclaimer: I don't own Potter.
The Most Important Negotiations
Katie's stomach lurched violently as she looked at the scrambled eggs she had made for her breakfast. She was too nervous to eat. It felt as though everything was riding on her negotiations with Germany being successful, but she was more concerned about whether or not Stovald really was a deatheater. Fortunately, both sides were sending guards to observe the proceedings.
Shaking, she lifted the fork to her lips. Her stomach did another flip-flop, and she got up so quickly her chair turned over. She sprinted down the hall to the bathroom and fell to the ground in front of the toilet. The contents of her stomach spilled into the white porcelain bowl.
"I thought I would find you here, Miss Bell."
Dumbledore took a washcloth from the towel rack and ran it under cold water from the sink. He gently wiped her forehead and mouth.
"That's because I'm always in here before negotiations," she muttered, standing up on wobbly legs. She leaned on the wizard for support.
"For being one of our best diplomats, you are the most nervous, but then again, you were always nervous about these types of things," he said softly, "If I remember correctly, Professor McGonagall had Madame Pomfrey make you a potion the week before exams every year."
"That was after I threw up all over Snape. It's only because I have a nervous stomach," Katie retorted.
Dumbledore nodded. "Do you feel well enough for me to transport you to Germany?"
'Yes, yes, I'm fine. I just want to get this over with."
"Of course, Miss Bell."
She closed her eyes and waited for the loud popping noise in her ears.
"Miss Bell."
She opened her eyes.
"Good luck."
She closed her eyes once more, and immediately heard the loud popping noise. For a brief moment, her body felt as though it were in a blender, whirling out of control and torn into millions of pieces. Then the feeling stopped. Her body was reassembled, and she was standing in the lobby of the German Ministry of Magic.
"Katherine Bell?" the young blonde lady at the front desk asked.
"Yes?"
"I am under direct orders from Mr. Stovald to take you directly to negotiations."
The girl appeared to be no older than Katie, quite possibly fresh out of school. Katie's stomach turned again, but she forced herself to maintain her calm appearance. Katie followed her up at least five flights of stairs and down a winding hall, her heels clacking rhythmically on the tile floor, to a set of large wooden doors. The girl disappeared inside briefly, then came back out.
"Mr. Stovald is ready."
Katie took a deep breath to calm her nerves and stepped inside. Stovald was sitting at a large wooden table with two large guards standing beside him. He smiled at her, causing her to feel inexplicably cold and shiver. Two other guards that she recognized as British Ministry officials were standing beside an empty chair. The taller one pulled the chair out for her to sit down.
"Welcome, Miss Bell," Stovald said brusquely, "I trust that you had a pleasant trip."
"Yes, thank you," her stomach began to feel queasy at the memory of whirling through space, but she willed it to behave. "Shall we get down to business?"
"Of course, of course. There is much to discuss. Tell me what it is that Mr. Fudge wants?"
"The British Ministry feels that our best chance of withstanding Voldemort's fierce attacks is if we join forces," she stated simply, "Divided there is too much confusion. It is too easy for Voldemort to take us down one by one."
Like ducks in a pond.
"I am disinclined to agree," Stovald countered, "Fudge is the one who so vehemently denied Voldemort's existence. Perhaps if he had acknowledged it sooner, we could have properly prepared our forces. He has set our defenses behind by many years."
Unless you've joined the Dark Lord already.
"It was a mistake," Katie agreed, "but we are trying our hardest to correct it. Do not deny your people proper protection."
Her stomach continued to clench and unclench, making her wish that she had Madame Pomfrey's potion with her.
"How do I know that Mr. Fudge is not already working with Voldemort to bring us down?"
How do I know that you're not working with Voldemort?
"Because Dumbledore believes in Mr. Fudge," she answered.
"Dumbledore is a fool."
She bit the inside of her cheek in anger and frustration.
"Dumbledore is one of the wisest and most respected wizards of his time," she replied coolly.
"Respect does not mean one is not a fool. He believes that a mere child will be able to defeat the Dark Lord."
"That mere child," she said, the anger apparent in her voice, "happens to have defeated Voldemort and his followers on several occasions."
"Not defeated," Stovald answered, "slowed down, delayed. His foolish efforts to be a hero for his own shameless self promotion and not get help from the proper authorities have done nothing to help. And your foolish Dumbledore has done nothing but encourage him."
Katie saw red. She stood up, pushing her chair violently away from the table.
"You, Mr. Stovald, are the fool! You are refusing protection for your country!"
"I think we are better off defending ourselves."
She opened her mouth, but suddenly felt woozy. Her legs began to feel weak and shaky. There were voices, loud shouts in her ear.
"Miss Bell!"
"Miss Bell, are you alright?!"
Then everything faded to black.