Disclaimer: All Harry Potter™ characters and settings are the sole property of JK Rowling. No money is being made with this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended. All that belongs to me is the plot!
Spoilers for all five books. It's rated at PG-13 for now and there are no romantic pairings at the moment, but that is subject to change depending on future plotlines. Comments can be sent to jewel_of_atlantis@yahoo.co.uk
Chapter 6: An Fudge Interlude
Cornelius sat in his office, reading the document initiating and authorising the new Teaching Accreditation Scheme at Hogwarts once more. The Decree was so new that if he were to bring the parchment to his nose, he might have been able to smell the drying ink. However, Cornelius had a much better way to pass his time. He was currently replaying the look on that old fool's, Dumbledore, face when the legislation was passed.
Cornelius still maintained that Dolores place at Hogwarts was indeed necessary. After all, that old fool was starting up an Army, led by that brat, Potter. It was only because of Dolores' position that he had discovered it. He only wished that he could have another loyal employee at Hogwarts, but that old fool managed to meddle once more. Cornelius knew that the old fool and the brat would always be at the heart of the trouble. 'They should be related' he snorted. 'At least I've managed to insure a measure of sanity in that school'
The Accreditation programme was rather extensive. Only certain students who met the entry requirements would gain entry into the programme. Cornelius had also tried to include a clause to ensure those with exceptionally bad disciplinary records would not be eligible to partake but had eventually drop it.
Cornelius knew that it was the right thing to do, especially considering the former wizards Dumbledore had appointed. Who in their right mind would have appointed a werewolf ... a dark creature to that post. Cornelius knew that the old fool was mad, but to display it so brazenly. Unfortunately, he would have to take it one step at a time.
A knock at the door brought him out of his musings. He made sure that his robes were straight, grabbed a parchment, and began to write a few words. Finally, he called out. "Come in"
He continued to scribble a few meaningless words before finally looking up at his visitor. He managed to suppress rolling his eye when he noticed that it was Weasley who had entered.
"Yes Weasley?" he snapped.
"Minister" the younger wizard greeted. "The final group of examination results were sent out this morning and all students at Hogwarts should have received them by now. There is a master list at Hogwarts in addition to the one here for selection into the Accreditation programme. Would you like to look at it Sir or shall I make a list of eligible students?"
"Very well" Fudge replied. He really had little interest in the programme now that it had been initiated, "Anything else?"
"Gringotts have declined to start talks about gaining control of the vaults belonging to Death Eaters and Mrs Malfoy had started legal proceedings to claim guardianship of the Malfoy Estate" Weasley continued.
Cornelius furrowed his brows. "Just the Malfoy Estate? I thought she was trying to claim the Black Estate too?"
"Apparently she can't get a hold of the details about the Black Estate, according to rumours"
"Really?" Cornelius replied. "Weasley, find out what you can about why there's little information on the Black Estate and particularly who is dealing with it" he ordered. Cornelius could not believe the nerve of Lucius Malfoy. To attempt to manipulate him! The Minister of Magic! No, that would not do. Cornelius wanted to make Lucius pay, to make him regret the day he tried to influence me. That wizard ... no, that Death Eater did not deserve that money. With the Black and Malfoy Estates, Cornelius could use the funds to bolster his popularity.
Cornelius knew that the war against Lord Thingy was going to be costly, both in terms of lives and money. He needed the money to train more Aurors. A few donations to St Mungos wouldn't go amiss either. Perhaps the Fudge Wing? Cornelius knew Dumbledore had that secret club. He could let them deal with Voldemort and he would provide the Aurors. It might be advised to increase the security about my home too. A few grants to help rebuild or as compensation ... after all, it is Death Eater money, who cares?
Polite coughing brought Cornelius out of his scattered thoughts. He made a mental note to write down the ideas later and organise them. Perhaps with a few publicity pictures. "Yes Weasley?" he snapped. "Send another owl to Gringotts. Tell them that I demand a meeting"
"Yes Sir" the junior secretary replied dutifully.
"Anything else?"
"You've received several Howlers, only about the normal amount since the Announcement. Actually I think they might be going down in numbers"
Ah. The Announcement. Humble pie. You-Know-Who was back. That hadn't gone down too well, but luckily, the wizarding community was too panicked about the Dark Lord's return and the Dementors to remember that he had denied it for so long. Cornelius thanked Merlin for their stupidity and that it was that which meant he was still Minister. He knew he was on shaky ground within the political circles, but he also knew that it was not good politics to remove a sitting Minister during a State of War. As long as he was seen to be acting and of course Cornelius was. Even he didn't want the Dark Lord to return.
The Aurors were mobilised and the Hit Squad of wizards were recruiting for new members. Cornelius had ensured that safety and protection information had been owled out to all wizarding homes. The new Teaching Accreditation Scheme would accelerate learning in certain subjects and gaining access to additional funds would only help the Ministry.
"The Ministry's lawyers have had to postpone their appointment with you Minister" Weasley spoke on.
"They've what? My time is valuable. I don't have tim to wait around for quill scribbling galleon-grabbers!" he exclaimed, ignoring the small wince from the wizard.
"They send their apologies Minister!" he hurriedly explained. "I noted you had some free time this afternoon and scheduled them in for four pm"
"I'm expected at dinner with the Prichards!"
"The meeting should be finished to give you plenty of time Minister" the young wizard hastened to assure.
Cornelius snorted. "Is that all?"
"Minister?"
"What!"
"Apparently the Potter boy has left his relatives" Weasley replied nervously.
"What do you mean left? Who is he with?"
"We don't know Sir"
"I thought I told you to make sure someone kept an eye on that brat!"
"Sir. The wizard in question was suddenly called back to the Ministry when Potter disappeared"
Cornelius could feel his eye begin to twitch. "Well who is he with? Your family?" he asked, this time noting the obvious wince. "Or is he with Dumbledore? I want to know where that dratted boy is! Find out"
"Y- Yes Minister" Weasley stuttered.
"You better hope that that You-Know-Who or his lot didn't get that boy, otherwise the public will crucify me. Imagine the Boy-Who-Lived kidnapped by Death Eater while the Minister didn't know! Get on it now!"
Cornelius watched as Weasley hurried towards the exit. Just as the young wizard was about to close the door, he called out "Who was on duty when Potter vanished?"
Weasley looked back, his face slightly pale. "Dawlish Sir"
"Right. I want to see him tomorrow"
"Yes Minister" he replied before closing the door.
Cornelius looked around the room. 'Damn it! That dratted infernal boy just can't stop making trouble for me! First with the whole Dark Lord and now he's going missing. The public reaction...' Cornelius stopped his thoughts there on that matter. 'Let's hope that he hasn't been captured. It would give me the satisfaction of claiming the Potter Estate though. Imagine the look on the Old Fool's face, but I wouldn't be able to savour that. No. We shall find the boy first. Once we have him secured, I can leak it to the Prophet that the boy went missing. That's good. A couple of days later I schedule a press conference and present the boy.
'It will take some work, but in those days I can talk some sense into that dratted boy. Make him say a couple of things? That would up my popularity just perfectly. Yes. Then when the Decree regarding the Estates and vaults is passed, I'll have to pop over to Hogwarts just to see Dumbledore and his golden boy's reaction. First, find the damned boy!'
Cornelius let out a satisfied sounding grunt. 'If they could find the boy … then the whole plan would fit together just so'. He leaned down slightly and started to look for a particular piece of parchment. Finally, looking past several colourful peacock quills and bottle of black and red ink, he found the innocent and plain piece of parchment.
Black
Malfoy
Crouch
Prewetts
Lestrange
Crabbe
Goyle
Rookwood
Dolohov
Potter
Bones
Longbottom
Malfoy
Zambini
MacDougal
The first group of names included many of the Estates that were held by convicted Death Eaters. Cornelius sometime would catch himself staring at those names and imagining what he could do with that huge amount of resources. He really did like the idea of a new ward in St Mungos named after him, but with those kind of resources he could certainly go further. Cornelius had heard rumours of the Black wealth and Lucius had never been afraid to show off his rich robes and bulging moneybags.
Of course, Crouch had gone mad and his son a Death Eater and then Kissed. Cornelius held no sympathy for the now defunct family, after all, Crouch had almost got his job. Instead, Cornelius felt a strange feeling on satisfaction that the Crouch Estate could be used to further his own aims, and he spent a pleasant few minutes imagining old Barty turning in his grave.
The second group of names were those who were heirs to large family Estates. Cornelius recalled how Percy had noticed that they were all names of students in Potter's year. Cornelius had not noticed but had pushed the thought aside, after all, who cared that they were all in the same year. Of those, the Potter Estate was the most attractive. Cornelius had sometimes wondered in the past, had he a daughter Potter's age, he would have encouraged her to date that Potter boy. If only for the inheritance, but he hadn't, so he pushed that dream away.
Cornelius knew that although those Estates had heirs, they would become future leaders in the Wizarding community. Unfortunately, Cornelius had no influence over them, only that Old Fool ... Dumbledore. Cornelius had realised the potential in those, for the most part, impressionable young witches and wizards. He only had to cultivate it and create a bond of trust. Unfortunately, Malfoy's traitor of a father was in Azkaban and from all he had heard, the Malfoy heir was a younger copy of his arrogant father.
The Bones heir, however, could be a good candidate, he had believed. Amelia was a decent, if sometimes rather strict and fair, member of the Ministry, but she understood the need for Ministry guidance. Well that was until the details of his latest proposals had been discussed. He had expected more of Amelia, had Cornelius. However, Cornelius felt it was rather unfortunate that the Bones Estate had been split.
Potter, well the less said about the brat the better. Cornelius knew all too well about that boy's disregard for rules and regulations. Dolores had been utterly thorough in keeping him informed. He was too shielded by Dumbledore ... too protected in Cornelius' opinion. 'However, if I do manage to pass my proposals, I shall have no problems there. Potter won't be able to do anything except listen to me and do what I say. Longbottom too.' In his opinion and from the various rumours that he had heard, the Longbottom boy was easily led and with very little talent. Cornelius often wondered whether he could get the Longbottom boy to persuade the Potter brat to see things his way. 'Something to consider later' Cornelius thought to himself.
Cornelius was interrupted from his musings by the sudden appearance of a phoenix and he jumped in his seat. He looked around the room before remembering that he was alone. He silently thanked Merlin that no one had seen him jump scared of a silly looking bird. Cornelius narrowed his eyes at the phoenix as the sudden realisation that it belonged to Dumbledore crossed his mind. 'Damn' he thought. 'What does that Old Fool want now?'
Fawkes seemed to stare at him with those black eyes and Cornelius had the impression that the bird had known exactly what he had been thinking. He glared at the red and gold bird, who then dropped a bulky envelope, before disappearing in the same manner that it had appeared in his office.
He grabbed the package and read the address. He could feel the blood drain from his face.
To whom it may concern regarding the Estate of the Black Family
A cold chill encompassed Cornelius and his heart beat faster and louder in his ears. He almost tore the documents inside in his haste to discover what had happened. Cornelius knew, though he could not explain how, that the letter only contained bad news. His plans to acquire the wealthy and influential Black Estate were about to vanish.
With trembling hands, he shuffled the papers, wrinkling several in the process. "Dear Merlin!" he gasped.
He reread the document twice. Three times. The words did not change.
Cornelius knew there was no justice in this world.
Four words stood out.
Harry James Black Potter
The brat had done it again. He had once more foiled Cornelius' plans. 'How did that boy do it?' A thought crossed Cornelius' mind. 'Could he stop this? Surely, Potter can't obtain the Black Estate? Black was a Death Eater ... his Will is null and void. The document can be nullified ... perhaps it's forged?'
"WEASLEY!" he roared, his pale face rapidly turning puce.
The terrified Ministry worker appeared at his door. "Yes Minister" he squeaked upon seeing the Minister.
"GET THOSE LAWYERS HERE NOW!" he demanded. He didn't wait for Weasley to leave before hurrying to his desk for the bottle of Firewhisky he kept there. 'Damn that Potter brat!'
~~~~~~~~~~
Many thanks to AJake, captuniv, Black Vengeance, sean, gaul1, Raphaelle, riantlykalopsic, DMP, and wadeki.
AJake - I hope not to make it similar to that story, but it is one of my favourites too. This will start in on school eventually ... at Hogwarts.
captuniv - The Daily Prophet hmm? Well I don't know about that, but there are a couple of more inheritances to deal with first, primarily the Potter Estate, and a surprise one. From what I remember reading, I think there are several but I think I'll only deal with the ones in canon. I could change my mind though.
Black Vengeance - It confuses me too. I'm going to look for a beta for this since it's going to get much more complicated before it gets better. Anyone you'd recommend?
Raphaelle - Fudge bashing will happen eventually. Waiting makes it much more sweeter! *snigger*