Ch 3: Task

Ministry Of Magic, One Day Ago (Day 2)

As the emerald flames died down, Ron and Hermione stepped out of the fireplace to find themselves at the Minister's private chambers. The couches, coffee tables, flower vases and tapestries which had earlier adorned the room had been replaced by bare beige walls, a rectangular wooden table and a dozen or so chairs arranged around it to accommodate everyone. Apart from them, the gathering comprised of three sinister-looking goblins in formal attire muttering amongst themselves, Vanessa Williams; a petite blonde known for her interest in Muggles which had led to her recent appointment as Head of Department of Muggle Affairs and, much to Ron's annoyance , Draco Malfoy. Standing directly opposite to them, gazing out of the window with his back to them was Kingsley Shacklebolt. Sensing their arrival, he turned to greet them;

"Glad you could join us at such short notice. Please sit down."

He gestured to two vacant chairs before taking a seat at the head of the table himself. As Ron and Hermione sat down, making sure to pick the seat farthest from Draco, the fireplace erupted in emerald flames once again and a lanky man dressed in a black suit stepped out of it. His pale complexion, beady eyes, protruding nose and sharp look gave him the appearance of a vulture stalking its prey. He bowed to the Minister in greeting and took a seat right by the now quiet goblins.

"This is Leonard Harper from the Magical Liaisons' office. He is also an accomplished former Auror. Due to his fair judgment and successful career, our goblin companions have been kind enough to accept him as their representative." Kingsley introduced the man to everyone who nodded curtly in response. Finding everyone's attention to be on him once again, Kingsley cleared his throat and spoke in a low, serious voice;

"As all of you know, an explosion took place at Gringotts Wizarding Bank yesterday afternoon. It was discovered that the event was caused by a Muggle explosive device."

This statement was followed by shocked looks and a gasp from Vanessa. Kingsley then resumed;

"The blast itself and resultant debris has claimed more than a hundred lives, goblin and wizard-kind alike. We are yet to find the culprit. Even though the building can be easily restored, the goblins refuse to send any more of their kind to reopen Gringotts until we resolve the issue. Thus, we are all here today to discuss our best course of action to find the perpetrator."

Here Kingsley stopped for a breath. He looked like he wanted to go on but was interrupted by Harper;

"Apologies Minister, but my goblin companions are getting a little impatient. If it's all right, May I begin?" he raised an eyebrow towards Kingsley who nodded calmly.

The latter began in a cold, emotionless voice;

"Thank you. First, the goblins respectfully disagree with the Minister's views. We do have a highly probable culprit along with evidence to support our suspicions. According to Poppy; a rescued house-elf who witnessed the event yesterday, there was only one wizard inside the bank at the time of the explosion which took place somewhere above the dungeon vaults. He could've died due to debris but the absence of remains suggests otherwise. His connections to the Muggles, with whom he spent his early life, could easily grant him access to a device capable of the destruction at Gringotts."

He paused for dramatic effect. Then stated coolly;

"That wizard was Harry James Potter."

There was an uncomfortable moment of silence in the room. The tension in the air was palpable. While Hermione still had a look of pure disbelief on her face, Ron felt a wave of anger wash over him. Enraged; he glared at Harper and spoke, barely able to conceal his anger;

"So, your theory is that Harry; the man who fought Voldemort and all his lackeys even after losing most of his loved ones to them, even died once to save your ungrateful rear suddenly decided to go blow-up the place where he keeps all his money just because it seemed fun? Are you insane?"

Unfazed, Harper locked his beady eyes with Ron's;

"Would you not attempt to avenge the death of your loved ones? Mr. Potter's battle against the Dark Lord did benefit our society greatly but personal vendettas have nothing to do with the matter at hand. Consequences of one's vengeance do not portray his character. Apart from that fact, he is infamous for rejection of authorities, pride, an obsession with entering into every restricted area ever introduced to him and recklessness beyond regard of consequences. The only other Hogwarts student with a similar record was Tom Marvolo Riddle. They even share the same wand core. Much like his predecessor; I'm sure he wouldn't have any trouble finding friends ready to do his bidding."

Ron felt like punching Harper's teeth down his throat. Clenching his fist to keep himself from reaching for his wand, he growled;

"Are you trying to say that either I or Hermione had a role in the explosion? I would like to see you explain that to me."

Harper was indifferent as he retorted;

"You are smarter than most people give you credit for Mr. Weasley."

"Yes, I was indeed referring to the possibility. If I remember correctly, your father had a job in the Ministry but he was defamed for a while during your fifth academic year, I have been told you had a grudge against his employers at the time. The only family member you have a strained relationship with was Percy, who worked under the late Rufus Scrimgeour. Your spouse has Muggle parents; she could have procured the explosive."

"Furthermore, the only other time Gringotts was broken into was by Harry Potter, aided by yourself and Mrs. Granger-Weasley. During that time, you also developed a sour relationship with Griphook; a goblin who was later found dead. If not for your services to the Ministry as an Auror and the Minister's trust in you; those facts alone would have been enough to grant me authority to interrogate you regarding Mr. Potter's whereabouts using any means possible."

By now, Ron was fuming. His knuckles were white and his face felt red hot. Seeing the situation, the Minister raised both his hands.

"That is enough. I wish to actually accomplish something through this meeting. We already have enough on our plates." Seeing both men go silent, he continued;

"We have used most of our time already so let us meet again for further discussions. For now, there are some announcements. Even though I don't completely agree with him, Mr. Harper made some good points and Harry Potter is missing. Therefore, we will form a team of Aurors to recover him. It has been requested by the goblins that Mr. Harper be a part of that team. In the absence of Harry; the Head of our Aurors Department, Mr. Weasley will lead it. Hermione will also accompany them along with Mr. Malfoy. Today, this team shall investigate the Gringotts premises and report developments, if any, to me. Any personal grievances will be set aside for this task. "

He gave a stern look to Ron, Hermione and then to Draco before resuming;

"No matter what, we need to bring him back. "

"Sir, what if Potter turns out to be the culprit? Is our leader really capable of taking necessary action?" Malfoy spoke for the first time with a smirk.

"What do you mean, you- "Ron began furiously but was interrupted by Kingsley.

"He's right."

"What? Minister, do you really believe that to be true?" Ron had expected Kingsley to dismiss Malfoy's words.

"Mr. Malfoy is right. Are you up to the task?"

"What task are you referring to Minister?" Ron asked, hoping it wasn't what his gut was telling him.

Kingsley took a deep breath.

"I mean, if the need arises, will you be up to the task of incapacitating or even… eliminating Harry James Potter?"