Chapter 2: Changes At The Ministry
Albus Dumbledore waited in his office. Along with him were Minerva McGonangall, Severus Snape, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt and a few others. They were awaiting the arrival of Cornelius Fudge, Dolores Umbridge, Percy Weasley and Dawlish. There was a knock on the door and the four wizards came in. They nodded to Dumbledore and sat down looking tense.
'Welcome Cornelius', started Dumbledore, 'It was you who decided to accept our verdict rather than have a hearing in front of the Wizengamot. If you disagree with any of the points we've come up with you are welcome to change your mind'. Fudge nodded.
'I will start with Dolores. She started by sending Dementors after Harry Potter. She indulged in physical torture during detentions, handed out unfair punishments and suspensions, did not fulfill her duty as a teacher despite taking full pay and abused the teaching staff of Hogwarts including the Deputy Headmistress. It has to be noted that Minerva McGonagall nearly died at St. Mungos after ministry officials shot four stunning spells at her. But most seriously she threatened Harry Potter with the Cruciatus Curse, which as all would know is an Unforgivable curse. The order after examining the seriousness of the offences has come up with the punishment. She will spend a five year term at Azkaban. Obviously she would have to quit her position in the ministry'.
Nobody said anything. Dolores tried to defend herself but no words came out of her mouth. She just sat there staring at Dumbledore. After a few moments she nodded and walked out of the room with her face red. Dumbledore looked at Fudge.
'I suppose that means acceptance of her punishment'. Fudge nodded.
'Secondly we come to Dawlish and Weasley. Your charges are not as serious as Dolores. You have supported the actions of Dolores and Cornelius throughout last year. As punishment you will be dismissed from your positions at the Ministry'.
Both nodded and walked out of the room.
'Finally Fudge you have neglected your duty as the Minister of Magic. You have prevented the truth from reaching the people. You have tried to take control of Hogwarts the authority for which you didn't have and also published articles in the Daily Prophet defaming Harry Potter and myself. We have decided that you have to quit your position and leave the ministry forever.'
'But Dumbledore, I..........' started Fudge.
'If you aren't happy we will let the Wizengamot decided. But if you don't want the judgement of the Wizengamot please sign this document confirming the resignation of yourself and your staff', said Dumbledore politely. Fudge sat still for a while before taking a quill, signing the document and walking out of the room.
'Well that went pretty smoothly', said Tonks.
'Yes, didn't expect them to give up so meekly', replied Remus.
'All that remains now is to decide who will take over the positions vacated at the ministry. For that I have already decided the candidates. Charlie Weasley, who has returned from Romania will take over his brother Percy's place. Dawlish's position will be given to Remus Lupin who has been out of work since teaching at Hogwarts three years ago. His excellent reputation among the members of the order should work for him. The new Senior Undersecretary to the Minister will be Kingsley Shacklebolt whose position as an Auror will be taken over by Fleur Delacour'.
Charlie, Remus and Kingsley all nodded. Bill promised to inform Fleur of her appointment and said she would be glad to accept. Dumbledore sipped some pumpkin juice from his goblet and continued.
'Finally for the new Minister of Magic. I had a tough job on deciding this but am very happy with my final choice. He is a man with a lot experience at the ministry. He has worked hard despite his difficult financial situation. He has throughout been a great servant to the Order of Phoenix. Please welcome our new minister of magic Arthur Weasley'.
The office broke into a loud applause. Molly got up and hugged Arthur. Bill and Charlie gave him thumbs up. Arthur looked overcome by emotion and just nodded to confirm his acceptance. Bill wrote a quick report and immediately owled it to the Daily Prophet. Under Dumbledore's orders he had mentioned not to let this news out before a week. Dumbledore smiled at Arthur and said.
'Arthur you need to move into the ministers home now. Don't worry it has been renovated and enlarged to a size where it can easily fit your full family. It is inside ministry of course. It would probably be the safest place in the world except Gringotts and Hogwarts. Be sure to move in within a day or two. All the best for your new job and I hope you do a better job than Fudge'.
Arthur bowed and said, 'I cannot thank you enough Albus. I will put in all my efforts to improve the ministry and make it as good as possible. But I will need the support of all of you as I always have got'.
'For a celebration now', shouted Mundungus.
There were waves of wands everywhere. Butterbear, butterum and pumpkin juice filled the glasses. Stakes, pies, turkeys and chicken filled the plate. A huge cake appeared with the words 'Congratulations Arthur' written on it. Everybody ate, drank and chatted. Bill, Charlie and Mundungus were speaking about the latest inventions of Fred and George. They had started a shop called 'Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes' at Diagon Alley. It had been very successful and generating huge amounts of cash. Molly though reluctant at first had accepted the fact about Fred and George spending the rest of their lives like this. Dumbledore, Minerva, Remus and Snape were discussing the new defence against dark arts teacher.
Soon it was 11:30 pm. The wizards said their goodbyes and apparated to their homes. So the ministry was now completely restructured. The relations between Hogwats and the Ministry were said to reach an all time high.
Albus Dumbledore waited in his office. Along with him were Minerva McGonangall, Severus Snape, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt and a few others. They were awaiting the arrival of Cornelius Fudge, Dolores Umbridge, Percy Weasley and Dawlish. There was a knock on the door and the four wizards came in. They nodded to Dumbledore and sat down looking tense.
'Welcome Cornelius', started Dumbledore, 'It was you who decided to accept our verdict rather than have a hearing in front of the Wizengamot. If you disagree with any of the points we've come up with you are welcome to change your mind'. Fudge nodded.
'I will start with Dolores. She started by sending Dementors after Harry Potter. She indulged in physical torture during detentions, handed out unfair punishments and suspensions, did not fulfill her duty as a teacher despite taking full pay and abused the teaching staff of Hogwarts including the Deputy Headmistress. It has to be noted that Minerva McGonagall nearly died at St. Mungos after ministry officials shot four stunning spells at her. But most seriously she threatened Harry Potter with the Cruciatus Curse, which as all would know is an Unforgivable curse. The order after examining the seriousness of the offences has come up with the punishment. She will spend a five year term at Azkaban. Obviously she would have to quit her position in the ministry'.
Nobody said anything. Dolores tried to defend herself but no words came out of her mouth. She just sat there staring at Dumbledore. After a few moments she nodded and walked out of the room with her face red. Dumbledore looked at Fudge.
'I suppose that means acceptance of her punishment'. Fudge nodded.
'Secondly we come to Dawlish and Weasley. Your charges are not as serious as Dolores. You have supported the actions of Dolores and Cornelius throughout last year. As punishment you will be dismissed from your positions at the Ministry'.
Both nodded and walked out of the room.
'Finally Fudge you have neglected your duty as the Minister of Magic. You have prevented the truth from reaching the people. You have tried to take control of Hogwarts the authority for which you didn't have and also published articles in the Daily Prophet defaming Harry Potter and myself. We have decided that you have to quit your position and leave the ministry forever.'
'But Dumbledore, I..........' started Fudge.
'If you aren't happy we will let the Wizengamot decided. But if you don't want the judgement of the Wizengamot please sign this document confirming the resignation of yourself and your staff', said Dumbledore politely. Fudge sat still for a while before taking a quill, signing the document and walking out of the room.
'Well that went pretty smoothly', said Tonks.
'Yes, didn't expect them to give up so meekly', replied Remus.
'All that remains now is to decide who will take over the positions vacated at the ministry. For that I have already decided the candidates. Charlie Weasley, who has returned from Romania will take over his brother Percy's place. Dawlish's position will be given to Remus Lupin who has been out of work since teaching at Hogwarts three years ago. His excellent reputation among the members of the order should work for him. The new Senior Undersecretary to the Minister will be Kingsley Shacklebolt whose position as an Auror will be taken over by Fleur Delacour'.
Charlie, Remus and Kingsley all nodded. Bill promised to inform Fleur of her appointment and said she would be glad to accept. Dumbledore sipped some pumpkin juice from his goblet and continued.
'Finally for the new Minister of Magic. I had a tough job on deciding this but am very happy with my final choice. He is a man with a lot experience at the ministry. He has worked hard despite his difficult financial situation. He has throughout been a great servant to the Order of Phoenix. Please welcome our new minister of magic Arthur Weasley'.
The office broke into a loud applause. Molly got up and hugged Arthur. Bill and Charlie gave him thumbs up. Arthur looked overcome by emotion and just nodded to confirm his acceptance. Bill wrote a quick report and immediately owled it to the Daily Prophet. Under Dumbledore's orders he had mentioned not to let this news out before a week. Dumbledore smiled at Arthur and said.
'Arthur you need to move into the ministers home now. Don't worry it has been renovated and enlarged to a size where it can easily fit your full family. It is inside ministry of course. It would probably be the safest place in the world except Gringotts and Hogwarts. Be sure to move in within a day or two. All the best for your new job and I hope you do a better job than Fudge'.
Arthur bowed and said, 'I cannot thank you enough Albus. I will put in all my efforts to improve the ministry and make it as good as possible. But I will need the support of all of you as I always have got'.
'For a celebration now', shouted Mundungus.
There were waves of wands everywhere. Butterbear, butterum and pumpkin juice filled the glasses. Stakes, pies, turkeys and chicken filled the plate. A huge cake appeared with the words 'Congratulations Arthur' written on it. Everybody ate, drank and chatted. Bill, Charlie and Mundungus were speaking about the latest inventions of Fred and George. They had started a shop called 'Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes' at Diagon Alley. It had been very successful and generating huge amounts of cash. Molly though reluctant at first had accepted the fact about Fred and George spending the rest of their lives like this. Dumbledore, Minerva, Remus and Snape were discussing the new defence against dark arts teacher.
Soon it was 11:30 pm. The wizards said their goodbyes and apparated to their homes. So the ministry was now completely restructured. The relations between Hogwats and the Ministry were said to reach an all time high.