Chapter 1: The Ministry's secrets

Cornelius Fudge was a man of his fifties. His shoes squeaked when he walked across the floor, and his trousers were high in the front with some sagginess in the back with what was called, "A sliming cut", whatever that had meant. His collared shirt was a shade of light blue that day, perfectly pressed as every morning. And he made sure that his vest covered the correct amount of shirt, and trouser. His tie was more like an abstract are piece that one would find in a modern museum, but defiantly not on a tie rack. There was a slight glisten of gold from his pocket watch as the chain shifted from side to side with his steps. His robe matched perfectly with the rest of his clothing, aside from his shoes. Fudge waddled down the corridor to the set of elegant double doors that led into his office. The reports tightly tucked under his arm as he hummed a tune. "What a wonderful day." He said to himself twisting the doorknob, not aware of who was waiting for him.

Fudge closed the door and turned snapped his fingers. From all directions candles flickered on, illuminating the room. The paintings all awoke with quite a stir, but soon settled down as Fudge placed his robe on the coat rack and looked carelessly at his watch. As if it was solely something for him to do. His large desk was placed before a set of windows that were overlooking a park. The rest of the walls were covered in shelves of books of old and new records, and also his favorite novels. Such as the Catcher and the Rye, and See Spot run, but still he was oblivious to his surroundings, as always.

Fudge placed the reports on his desk and began to turn his large, red, leather chair around, and place his saggy bottom in it before he heard, "Hello, Minister." from his chair. Fudge lost his footing and fell to the ground.

Scarlet uncrossed her legs, "Right where you should be." She said with humor in her voice.

She rested her elbows on the worn brown trousers she had on. Her collared shirt, unlike the light blue one Fudge had on, was wrinkled and looked as though it needed a good washing with a machine other than a stone. Her auburn hair was still long and eyes deep green as she stared down at him with a slight smirk on her face. Some kind of leather strap was around her body, but since her jacket was still on her, Fudge couldn't understand what it was. He got up from his seat on the floor.

"Hullo, Ms. Orion. H-how nice to see you again." Fudge choked backing up, trying to get to the door.

"Is that why you greeted me with such enthusiasm?" Scarlet sarcastically remarked as Fudge's hand reached for the knob. "Leaving so soon?"

"I'm afraid I must. You see its Wednesday and I always do my laundry on Wednesday." Fudge rattled as Scarlet walked around his desk and leaned on the front, smiling. Fudge shook the knob of the doors. What was going on? The doors never locked him in before! This was an outrage!

"Miss placed your key have you?" Scarlet whispered in his ear. Fudge made an odd sound, facing her with wide eyes. Scarlet's smile was gone. She took him by his black vest and threw him from the door. Fudge scrambled to get back up but Scarlet stood at his feet, "As long as you're just lying there, listen up. Are you willing to accept that Voldemort has risen once more and you're just giving him more opportunity to strike more violently without warning because of your ignorance?"

"He's not being very violent if he has." Fudge said sitting up. Scarlet was silent for a moment. She merely looked at the Minister of Magic with curiosity.

"How stupid are you really? In the past years almost seventy wizards and witches have died because of Voldemort." Scarlet said sharply.

"I was not so informed." Fudge stated checking his watch nervously.

Scarlet scoffed, "I read that on a report in your desk, although I'm not surprised you don't know of it." Scarlet kneeled, "Between you and me, the majority of the Wizarding world thinks you're a failure to them and the rest of society."

"How do you know that?!" Fudge barked.

"Let me put it this way. I didn't have to read that from a report." Scarlet said, "I'm giving you two weeks to resign and grant me the position of Mistress of Magic." She stood, straightening her shirt. Fudge gazed at her baffled, his mouth moving and eyes darting. Scarlet went to the doors, "Oh and by the way, the tie looks like the cat threw it up. Have a good day." She let herself out and slammed the door behind her.

Fudge ran his hands through his thin grey hair. Resign and make her Mistress of Magic?! She was out of her mind! Fudge began pacing his office as the doors opened for a second time, but Lucius Malfoy stepped through. "Cornelius, we have matters to discuss."

Fudge waved him away, "Not now, Lucius." He stopped dead realizing what he had done. Lucius glided across the floor at him, "Lord Voldemort is not pleased with your work. The people are following that Orion girl into the Rebellion."

"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding." Fudge stuttered with a nervous smile

"Lord Voldemort doesn't think so and frantically neither do I." Lucius retrieved his wand from his cane and pointed it at Fudge. "Just when I was beginning to like you."