Hey everyone,
I'm afraid I have to admit that I decided on a little change in schedule. I'm going to divide the Ministerial Chapters up a little. This chapter will be about the meeting at the Minister's office and the next chapter will cover all three trials. Why did I decide on this change? Because the first meeting will cover A LOT!
It won't just cover James teaching Percy that talking bad about the Heir of the Potter House will anger the Lord of the House, Augusta will also inform Fudge about her new appointment as Hogwarts High Inquisitor and I plan to have Amos agree to become the new DADA teacher – with some extra news alongside that.
Hope you enjoy,
Venquine1990
Chapter 33
The Minister's Office
13th of August 1995
The Ministry For Magic
James' POV
"James, I think we may need a bit of a change of strategy." Augusta tells me as we get out of the elevator and move onto the floor that houses the Minister's office. I turn to her and she says: "We should get all of the news out of the way in one go. And for that we need Amos aware of his new role and everything."
This makes me nod in understanding and I ask: "Is there a reason you're telling me now?" To which the woman answers: "Two things. Something you said about you and Percival and what Harry said about me when he explained why I should be the new High Inquisitor. Both of you are right, so we need a better strategy.
And I don't like saying it, James, but if you're the one to start taking down Percy, he won't take the lesson you want to teach him any more seriously than he does his father or anything else important to us." This makes me grimace as I hate having to agree with the woman, yet I know she's right, so instead I ask:
"So, where can I find him?" To which the woman says: "For some reason – and I do have my suspicions, but I'd rather be wrong – he's actually still working his high-up position. And I think that strange, considering he constantly voices silent support to Harry and I know he's been spotted talking confidence to Albus."
This really confuses me and I ask: "Wait, he's trying to play both sides?" But Augusta shakes her head and says: "You know that Cedric, his son, was killed during the Third Task of the Tournament last June, right? He has yet to undo the indefinite postponing of the boy's funeral – and I don't think that's by his own will."
Instantly I feel like seeing red and I hiss: "What is Amelia thinking?" But the woman shakes her head and I glare at the end of the hallway, where the door to Percival – and behind that Fudge's – office is located. "The Ministry, last year, set up a rule that makes it so that Amelia needs the Assistant's permission to release bodies."
"And they're a solid month late." I growl, feeling disgusted that a Weasley would steep this low. "Are we sure this kid knows what the law entails?" I ask, if only to give myself an excuse to calm down and the woman answers: "He does, though it's obvious he doesn't know the extent of his own ego." Which makes me sigh and nod.
"James, go talk with Amos. Offer him the plan we discussed and then pick up Pardeshi and Amelia and take them to meet with the Minister. Prove that the Potter Alliance will back up its Leader if the Heir of the Potter alliance is ever in a situation where another breaks the law to harm, discriminate or slander him."
At this I nod and ask: "Where can I find Pardeshi?" And the woman answers: "He's the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He works there to balance out the crazy bias that Umbridge creates with her laws and to make sure that his workers keep treating Magical Beings with respect."
This makes me smile as I have no doubt that Umbridge would want nothing more than to have it made legal for her to kill off people like Remus and others, but I also remember how Pardeshi was a Ravenclaw that Remus grew close to as friends when they were both Prefects back in our Fifth, though Pardeshi was one year older.
"So Amelia at the DMLE and Pardeshi at the DRCMC. Got it, thanks Augusta. Good luck with that brat. Try and see if you can't just ignore that until I get there. Focus on telling Fudge about your own new role at Hogwarts. Maybe even give him some hints as to the Financial War." I tell the woman and she nods before we part ways.
I then check the doors on both sides of the hallway and find the one I need to have. I knock and a familiar voice I heard quite a few times while being held hostage by Molly gives me permission to enter. Yet Amos still seems shocked to see me when he sees me enter and asks: "James, what brings you to my office?"
Yet looking around makes me raise an eyebrow as his office looks nothing like what someone high in power should be able to expect. The room is just barely big enough to have a desk and a half in yet only has one desk for Amos stationed, the blinds are half-open and the cabinets and bookcases in the room are obviously shrunk.
"I'm going to assume this desk is to emphasize how badly the Financial War has hit you?" I ask the man and he sighs as he says: "That and to prove to those wanting to ask about my son's funeral that I am still in my grieving period – even if my grieving is being made harder to do thanks to the stance of the Minister and his staff."
At this I nod, hating how Fudge is so blind to his own actions that he doesn't realize that he is discriminating more than one family with them and then ask: "I heard about your trouble with arranging the funeral for your Heir. It's not true, is it?" And the man sighs as he says: "It is, James. I hate it, but it is."
This again makes me glare at the hallway and the door at the end of it before I ask: "Augusta told you of our plan in regards to House Potter and the Financial War, right?" The man nods and I say: "We picked you. Or better said, Harry picked you." This shocks the man and he asks: "Did he tell you how I treated him?"
Which confuses me and I shake my head, which confuses the man and he says: "I've been gloating about Cedric, even at his expense, every time we met. I even vocally attacked him before the Third Task. How could he possibly –?" To which I ask: "Do you really think any of that matters to Harry? In light of the bigger picture?"
At this the man smiles at me and I say: "He still has nightmares, you know? About Cedric dying. I guess it's thanks to his heritage. Blacks know how to hold onto their darker emotions and Potters have caring hearts. Go figure that makes a son born of both Houses to feel guilty over what happened, don't you think?"
Yet this shocks the man and he asks: "Wait, he blames himself? But Cedric was older. He was the one responsible. And Amelia told me that it was a Killing Curse that took Ced's life. There is no way –." "Amos, I don't really know the full story, but something about the situation is what makes Harry feel guilty. I just don't know what."
This makes the man sigh and then he looks down before, after a few seconds of silence, he looks up determined and says: "Then it's only better he chose me as the new DADA teacher. What better chance to get him past that guilt than to teach him why he's not responsible in the first place?" Which makes me smile at him.
The man stands up and asks: "Want to come with me? I'm going to tell Fudge of my resignation – and then demand that brat of an assistant of his to release my son." Yet at this I lie a hand on his shoulder to stop him and say: "In a minute. Let's go and get Amelia and Pardeshi first. Strength in numbers and all that, you get me?"
The man nods and smirks and about ten minutes later we are passing his now old office, the whole room back to what it once was, gigantic, with a gorgeous floor and expensive paint showing on the walls and even with the windows wide open – only to shine a really bright light on how empty and vacant it now looks.
We pass a few other offices and several doors as well and a few doors open as people somehow realize that something is happening. And to my amusement does it seem as if Augusta left the door ajar when she walked in. Yet because I am planning to approach this as Head of the Potter Alliance, do I halt and knock on the open door.
And Percival himself proves that Augusta is indeed right about him not realizing the fault in his ego as he opens the door only far enough to see me, before slamming it closed in my face. This makes me share a look with the three members of the Alliance and then I open the door myself, walking in and sternly saying:
"You know, slamming the door in the face of one Head of a Most Noble and Most Ancient House is one thing. Slamming it in the face of three heads and a Regent? That is giving Amelia here permission to arrest you for contempt against Nobility. And yes, Weasley, that is indeed a law. Look it up, if you must, but an apology is expected here."
The boy glares at me, but then Amelia walks over and says: "The worst of it all, Percival, is that I expected you to do this and then not believe Lord Potter. So, I took the liberty of taking the document proving the existence of this law with me. And before you say anything, Percival, I do this because I am Head of DMLE, understand?"
And she emphasizes the end of her sentence with slamming said document on the table, startling Percival. She then turns to Fudge, who is actually standing in his assistant's office with Dolores and Umbridge and says: "And for the record, Cornelius, I call him Percival because I find it a disgrace to Arthur to call him Weasley."
This shocks both the Minister and Percival and he asks: "Wait what?" To which Amelia glares at him and says: "Let's just say, young man, that you are not half as popular as you think you are." To which Amos steps forward and says: "Allow me, Amelia." And Amelia steps back from the desk as Amos walks over to Fudge.
The Diggory Lord then strongly pushes a roll of parchment in the man's chest, causing Fudge to let out a gust of breath before Amos takes a step back and crosses his arms in angered pride. Fudge looks down, undoes the seal on the roll and opens it to read it. And his eyes widen before he looks up and actually screeches:
"RESIGNMENT? WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO RESIGN? WHAT BROUGHT THIS ON?" And Amos glares at the man as he says: "What brought this on, Fudge, is your blindness to the consequences of your actions. You're slandering Harry, but the topic you're slandering him on – concern my dead son as well."
"NO, IT DOESN'T!" Percival actually angers me as he shouts, but Amos seems done with the brat and glares down at him as he snarls: "The topic is the Third Task, where my son was murdered, therefore, the way my son was murdered is being slandered in the process. Don't talk of things you don't understand, Percival."
These facts and the way they are shot at him seem to shock Percival enough he slumps down in his seat and Fudge stutters as he says: "Amos, I – I never – I would never – I didn't – I'm so sorry. I – I will –." But then Amos says: "Order your assistant to finally allow Amelia to release my son, so I can have his funeral? About time, Cornelius."
And Fudge takes a shocked step back, before Percy whimpers: "The – the Ministry is – is allowed to –." But then Amelia slams another roll on his desk and snarls: "The maximum allotted time to hold a body, Percival Ignatius, is three weeks. Which means I should have been given permission by no later than the 13th of July – 1 month ago."
This makes Percy look between the woman and the new roll of parchment in shock and makes Fudge cringe, proving he knows this himself and I glare at the man as I say: "Fudge, let me tell you this. Slandering a minor that has had no one stand up for him for years is one thing. Going against members of the Potter Alliance – is a whole other."
But then Percy snarls: "Potter got everything he deserves, being the attention seeking brat that he is." But he gets pushed back in his seat by the combined glares of Augusta, Amelia, Amos and myself and I growl: "Answer me this, Percival. Who created the Boy-Who-Lived title? My infant son or the Wizarding World?"
The lad grimaces and Augusta goes on: "Who kept the fame going even years after? A growing boy living in the Muggle world or Wizarding England?" By now the boy really looks uncomfortable and then Amelia hits the nail on the head as she asks: "Who ignored laws on fame and slander? A teenager – or the Ministry and the public?"
And at this one Percy actually reels back as if hit in the face and Amos growls: "The time that we blame a teenager for our own faults is over, Percival Ignatius. So you better stop believing those you know nothing about and start remembering the boy you shared a House and school with for three years straight. You got that?"
But then I remember something that happened just before I headed here, but after we heard Harry roaring along with Beast and Simba and I mutter: "That won't make a difference. Not anymore." And everyone looks at me as I say: "I had a talk with Arthur before I came here. He knew I was planning on this and asked me something."
Here I turn to Percy and the boy, as arrogant and angered as he seems to feel every time I speak, actually seems smart enough to realize that I am speaking as a Lord of my Family and in name of the Lord of his own as he turns slightly white with concern and while I remember Arthur's resigned tone, do I say:
"Ever since your fight with him has Arthur been losing and procrastinating jobs in his Department in order to keep an eye on the Ministry and to keep the more powerful, experienced and well-respected members – from picking you apart for how high and mighty you think you can behave when treating them with your orders.
You may be the Minister's assistant, but they have been working here much longer than you ever could and the way you talk down on them annoys them to no end. And trust me, I've heard quite a few of those similar whispers on my way here, so I know Arthur is telling the truth here, regardless of how low you think of him."
This makes Percy cringe, in both a hint of guilt but also in fear and I go on as I say: "However, he also told me that he has been doing this the entire time – because Molly told him to. However, after your meeting with him and your brothers and after he constantly sees evidence of the aftereffects of that meeting, did he make a decision."
And with that do I walk over and put down a roll of parchment that has a seal wrapped around it with – to the shock of many – a Lordship ring wrapped around the seal. Percy looks from the ring to me and I say: "When your parents married, your father became Lord Prewett by Bond. However, that is your mother's family, not his.
And now – by his decree – it's yours. And yes, Percival, that roll of parchment is indeed a document officially disowning you from the Weasley Line. You are, from now on, known as Percival Ignatius Prewett, son of Molly Prewett, the criminal who cast a Heartstamp spell on the Heir of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter."
And I make sure to look directly at Umbridge as I mention the spell, the woman's eyes widening and her face turning white as she must realize that I know about the book she ordered for my son. I give her the slightest of nods, confirming this belief of her before Percival screams: "HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO ME!"
Yet this is the last straw to me and I furiously aim my wand at him as I snarl: "You did this to yourself! You ruined every chance you had of getting back in touch with your brothers at the last meeting and forced your father to choose between them and you. And considering your arrogance, he chose just fine to me."
The boy looks at me shocked and I snarl: "Not to mention, I have a right to aim my wand at you, young man. After all, you are insulting the father of my sons-by-bond, the twin boys my son is bonded to through his Veela heritage and who have been recognized by the Wizengamot magic as his betrothed, remember?"
At this the boy cringes and I slowly put my wand back before I say: "You know what's worst? Arthur did put one clause in that document. If you ever, for an entire year, manage to prove that you can take as much responsibility for your faults as you do your accomplishments, you will get a chance to change your parentage.
No, I don't mean that you will again be recognized as his son, Percival, Arthur has completely given up on that. I meant that you can become known as the son of either Fabian or Gideon Prewett, war heroes of the last war. And personally, I still think Arthur went easy on you with that clause, cause I don't believe you deserve that.
And yes, Percy, as the mother of the boy you betrayed four years of friendship with, I do say that with parental bias. Are you going to tell me I don't deserve to be biased in favor of my own flesh and blood?" This makes Prewett glare at me, but I decide to ignore him and turn to Fudge as I ask: "Did Augusta tell you the news yet?"
And while Fudge had been looking at us with wide eyes and his mouth slightly slack-jawed, does he shake his head and Augusta sighs: "Unfortunately I didn't get much chance, James. Prewett and Umbridge here both kept interrupting me with baseless accusations and biased beliefs that kept me from forming full sentences."
"Further proof of too big an ego." I think to myself, but I don't voice this and then Amos says: "Cornelius, you and Albus have been disgracing my son's memory with your constant squabbling long enough. But apparently, while all that happened, no one stopped an innocent teen from feeling guilty over something he didn't do.
Because of that, did I decide to not just stop working here, I will be forcing Albus to hire me as the new DADA teacher. Not because I support him, Dolores, I just claimed him equally guilty of all this, but because I am not going to let this battle between the two of you affect the students. Consider me their new guardian angel.
If only in name of my fallen son, may he rest in peace." The man mumbles in the end and I smile at him as Fudge asks: "You – you really think you can – can force him?" To which I answer: "If he can't, the Potter Alliance will. Yes Cornelius, the full Alliance wants this, if only to keep this battle away from other innocent teens."
Fudge nods at this, looking slightly put off, but also accepting of our words and then Augusta says: "Now for my news. Cornelius, I will say this. Yes, things at Hogwarts have been strange and even going wrong for quite some time. However, while not all of it is Albus' fault, some things do need to change at the school.
And now that my grandson has returned and he and Sora Arturo Black have accepted to join my other grandson and Heir Potter at Hogwarts, do I feel that these changes, for their sake and none other, need to happen. Because of that, will I force Albus to create a new position at Hogwarts. One that will make me the first High Inquisitor ever."
"BUT THAT WAS MY IDEA!" Umbridge snarls and I growl: "And the fact that you are under contract with my mother, the late Dorea Potter, and the Board of Governors to accept Acceptable for NEWTs in return for never entering the Hogwarts premises means – what exactly, Dolores?" And the woman fumes at me.
"Wait, you're under contract never to return to Hogwarts? Why didn't you tell me this? Do you have any idea what it will mean if that comes out? What message that will send to the public?" Fudge rambles and I growl: "That the Ministry puts their own agenda above the Honor of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter."
"Exactly!" Fudge screeches, Umbridge glaring at us both and Prewett cringing as she asks: "Didn't you just admit that Hogwarts needs to change?" But to this Augusta snaps back: "Yes, by someone who cares no more for Dumbledore than they do the Ministry. By someone who understands what Hogwarts exists out of."
"Reputation!" The woman snaps, but Augusta strongly retorts: "Magical students. Teenagers who are easily swayed by popular beliefs and who deserve to be defended if those come from two powerful, yet contradicting sources, such as the Minister for Magic and the Headmaster of the school." Augusta then smirks and asks:
"After all, what else are these same, malleable, innocent beings – but the future of the Wizarding World? Who deserve to be taught by the best, realize that they are being given quite the privilege in where they are being taught and who can use their teenage years to decide where they want to spend their future?
And if a teacher, who is biased to the Ministry, but doesn't have the capabilities to be a proper educator, comes to Hogwarts, how many of them will want to choose the Ministry as their future career, you think? And how many, do you think, will consider this inappropriate tutor a bad motivation to pursue said career?"
By now I have to hold onto my role as Head of the Potter line to hold back on snorting in laughter as I utterly enjoy the way that Augusta is using Dolores' own contract and magical abilities and even her love for reputation against her before Fudge mumbles: "That – that is a – a very good point. And – and you – you promise –."
But then Augusta says: "Currently, I would rather discourage them from working here, but that is because of how you lead this Ministry and because of how he treats those below him. It is not the Ministry I am against, Cornelius, it's the way it's being run. If not for that, I would have no problem encouraging such career choices.
You're just lucky that encouraging students to make such career choices – befalls the Heads of House and not me. I can influence their decision, not make it for them or help them decide. I can, however, curb Minerva if she tries to speak up against the Ministry, just because of how you rule it – though I don't think she will.
Yes, Minerva is loyal to Dumbledore, but she is also a smart woman and she probably believes the same thing. After all, the core of Transfigurations is to change something into something else, so I have no doubt that Minerva is a stoutly devoted believer of change." At this Fudge nods, his face looking quite contemplative.
Augusta and Amelia then come back to stand by my side while Amos had already moved back there after slamming his form of resignation into Fudge's chest and I say: "Now to wrap things up, Fudge. The time that the public can run over the reputation and being that is my Heir – is officially over and done with, starting today.
Augusta cares only for the students and to protect them in case those high in power clash against each other, so she will make the changes that are necessary to happen at Hogwarts, regardless of whether or not either you or Albus agree with them. And Amos will make sure no one blames Harry for Cedric's death as he teaches DADA properly."
At this everyone nods, Prewett looking a little mind-boggled and Umbridge furious at the fact that we took her every attempt at gaining more power than she deserves before Amos turns to me and asks: "So James, who of the Potter Alliance can now quit their job and expect official Potter financial back-up? I won't need it, after all."
And the three in front of me look flabbergasted with shock as I say: "That depends, Amos. I'll have to head to Gringotts and see which family of either the Light or the Alliance got hurt by the financial war of the Eighties the worst.""Wait, what financial war?" Fudge asks shocked, yet Umbridge actually turns white here.
This makes me want to glare at her suspiciously, but I catch myself before I do and say: "Check your laws, Cornelius. The ones on Vaults, income, Ministerial payment, inheritance and the works. Then check how these laws were changed in between the years of 1985 to 1987 and then answer me this; is that justice?"
The man seems genuinely confused and befuddled and yet, while Dolores turns even worse in her shade of anger, do I notice Prewett wanting to open his mouth and I say: "Before you even think of it, Augusta told me these laws never affected House Potter or Longbottom. I do my research before I bring things like this up, Prewett."
And the boy reels back, whether by the way that I call him out or the fact that I destroy his argument before he can even voice it unknown to me, yet I don't care for this either. Instead, I turn to Fudge and say: "This is not a threat, a warning or anything of the like. It's just a statement. House Potter is back, Cornelius, and with vengeance.
Familia Super Omnia. It is the Potter Motto and to me, the Alliance is family as much as my son and my mate. And while I will try not to ever do anything immoral, will I not be against going as far as either of you three were willing to go for the sake of that motto." This makes the three grimace and I turn around, ready to leave.
Yet as I open the door, do I turn around and say: "Oh and Cornelius, to prove I am not a heartless man, do I want to offer you a special little something. The privilege to be the first to hear the united Family Motto. Our Heirs will still be Heirs to House Potter, Black, Longbottom, etcetera, but after everything, we felt like truly uniting our lives."
This intrigues and amazes the man and I happily say: "Pura Fides Fervet In Genere. Pure Faith Burns Diverse Within Family. A perfect combination of the words that can be found in the mottos of Houses Black, Longbottom, Flare, Weasley and Potter." And as I leave the room, do I hear Amos mutter: "Wow." Making me smirk.
That was great.
Though I will be honest, it took me a while to write that last little bit. For the sake of the family Motto, I practically reread the whole story, found a few things I need to edit out of the story or change of it – damn, that happens a lot lately, doesn't it? – but when I found it, did I also get inspired to that united motto.
And let me tell you, that united family motto gave me bloody goosebumps and made me anxious to write this the entire time I was at work. That's just my luck that I get to come up with the united family motto just five minutes before I leave for work, right? Hey, did any of you ever have such a thing happen to you?
Let me know,
Venquine1990
