(All is JK Rowling, except Lemercier. But if she happens to stumble upon this little story she may email me and I will personally give her my Lemercier.)

9. The Conference

"The Minister of Magic has arrived sir,"

Annouced a house elf, as it puffed up it's chest and held it's nose high in the air. The duty as personal servant for the Minister had made it very pompous, and Harry couldn't help but feel reminded of Percy Weasley. Watching from behind his desk, he glanced over at Ron who was leaning against the bookcase, arms crossed and highly amused, then to the other two older men who sat in the two chairs facing slightly his desk and the door that was situated a few yards on his right. Moody scrowled and muttered something sounding similar to 'a ruddy minger if you ask me', Lupin only smiled and watched the procession of five wizards file into the room, the last was Percy and the minister himself. Getting up and smiling at the men, he waved his hand indicating to look behind them.

"Welcome sirs, I hope your journey to Hogwarts was most desirable. Come let us go to the meeting room," Walking ahead he opened another set of french doors which led into another room similiar to that which they were just in. Except it housed a large table and chairs already the table was set with paper, water, and fruits. Taking a seat on one end of the rectangle table, Ron and Lupin immediately took the closest to him, and Moody preferred to stand beside Harry, his arms crossed over his barren chest surveying the room, his magic eye rolling constantly in it's socket. The minister took the opposite seat of Harry, Percy sat down beside him, placing a stack of parchment in front of him. While the commanders took seats on either side, those loyal to Harry's ideas sat closer and vise versa for the minister.

"This meeting has long been anticipated-" Percy started.

"six years this Friday." Ron put in, giving his younger brother a glowering look, Percy went on with what seems a pre- speech before the minister's. How nicely planned, and annoyingly useless, but Potter smiled and nodded for Percy to go on, even if they were in his domain he must show the respect that the Minister is to get.

"With our meeting together this day, we will seal the last of what is to be called in history 'The Last Battle for the Wizarding World'", sitting down he gave Ron a smug look, who in return mumbled something foul.

"Minister if it is alright with you, I'd rather we do what you've come to do." Ron said passing a few papers down the table, the four men watched as the commanders were used as a message line, the papers slowly making it's way to the Minister who snatched it from Percy and read. Lupin whispered something to Moody who nodded and momentarily left the room, coming back he whispered to Lupin, who nodded and went back to staring down the table. At last the Minister finished, and pushed it away.

"No."

"No?"

"I will not allow you to jepordize our plans to surprise the dark side, when we appear at their doorsteps. No this horcrux can wait the moment we attack. It doesn't sound hard killing a snake." Moody again grumbled something about a minger, while the smile that stayed on Lupin's lip faltered a bit. Remembering the warnings that both Ginny and Hermione gave him about his anger, Harry took a deep breath and again replied to the minister.

"Sir the horcrux is essential, to both our plans. Yours to bring down the army and mine to bring down Voldemort... But I can't do that without dealing with the last Horcrux, and believe me Nagini is a very smart snake. Please sir rethink your statement, because with her alive when we attack... It would be useless for us to even surprise the dark side. The snake has a keen sense and usually prowls the grounds not the manor." He remembered what Cassandra told him years ago, when he asked of Nagini. Cassandra... He had stopped all contact with her soon after the supper conversation a few months ago. She had tried to make contact, but he ignored them. He wasn't ready to see her or talk to her, not after what he learnt of her past, and with Hermione's warnings he couldn't help but feel suspicious of her motives. And this wasn't the only time he had that feelings, but he will have to confront her. He has too before the plans to kill Voldemort would occur.

"How will you kill the snake then? Without giving out our plans of attacking. If it's good enough then I suppose I will consider it." Leaning forward his elbows on the table, Harry went on with his proposal.Ending his proposal he sat back in his chair and awaited the minister's reply. Ron shared a glance with him, and then with Lupin who too had taken a lounging air in his chair.

"I will consider it."

"Thank you," Getting up the minister made his way to the doors, Percy right behind him with the few commanders on his side. Turning around he regarded Harry and spoke out.

"You might die, you know that right?" Harry smiled and at once the minister was vaugely reminded of Dumbledore.

Author's Notes:

I'm very sorry for not writing for a long time. But I am writing a very long chapter in order to compensate for this long delay. The next chapter will be another flashback, the last one too. You can tell the character differences in this next chapter, in both Harry and Cassandra, because they are still trying to get to know each other.

Waaaaaaahhh. No reviews. Runs and cries in the corner