'Harry, mate, what are you doing out here on your own – you know that you are not allowed!'

'I'm not allowed to do what, Ron?'

Hermione elbowed Ron hard and smiling she replied 'nothing, Harry – just ignore him. The wedding is all packed up and the majority of the guests have gone – the headmaster wants a word before he goes.'

'Alright let's go – after you two.'

Harry waited for the 'tweedles' to turn around and start back before taking a last drag on his cigarette and flicking it over the wall. Harry followed slowly behind them as they walked quickly towards the house. He resolutely ignored the 'hurry up's' and the 'come on Harry's.'

When they finally reached the house the headmaster was waiting for them all to arrive.

'What kept you,' he snarled at the 'tweedles' as he pushed past them.

'Ah, Harry, my boy, you really shouldn't walk off like that, who knows what could have happened to you. I'm just of to an important meeting at the Ministry, but before I go I have some forms that need to be signed. If you could just sign them quickly then I can get the filed at the Ministry before my meeting.'

Harry held out his hands for the forms, his mind racing for a reason not to sign them.

'That's alright, headmaster,' he said at last. 'I'll owl them to you after I have read them – after all I mustn't hold you up as you have a meeting.'

Harry quickly snatched the forms out from Dumb as a doors hand and went into the house. Mrs. Weasley came rushing over to speak to him, but Harry quickly said that he was going for a lie down. A short while later he was called down to dinner.

'Have you signed those forms yet, Harry,' said Ron as soon as he saw him coming down the stairs.

'No, Ron, I haven't – I was asleep.'

'Well you really should, Mate, the headmaster said that he needed them as soon as possible, maybe you should just sign them and if you really want to you can always request a copy afterwards.'

'No, Ron I think that I will read them through after dinner – thanks all the same.'

The 'tweedles' shared a look and scowled. A look that Harry caught and pondered on.

Just as every one was sitting at the table there was a brisk knock at the door, in walked Percy and the new Minister.

'Mother, Father and of course Family – how wonderful to see you all again. I trust that William received a good send off.' Percy drawled.

It was quite clear to every one that he didn't want to be there.

'Quite so, quite so young Percy,' said the Minister as he looked around the room.

'Ah, Mr. Potter, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time in private.'

Harry thought for a moment and nodded in agreement, he decided that it might be worth listening to what the man had to say. As he stood to leave so did the 'tweedles', he shook his head in disbelief – they really were amazing and not in a good way.

'The Minister said in private – that means just the two of us.'

'But, Harry the headmaster said…'

Harry cut her off. 'The headmaster's thoughts are not mine, Hermione. Shall we take a walk around the garden?'

When they reached the flower beds the Minister started. 'Well, Mr. Potter, I thought that it was time that we got together and did what was right for our world. I have been trying to get hold of you for quite some time – were you playing hard to get.'

Harry finally looked at him and answered, 'I was unaware that you had been trying to contact me.'

'Oh,' said the Minister. 'I will need to look into that.'

Harry smiled and said 'that might be a good thing Minister – I never get mail that isn't from Hogwarts or my 'friends'. What was it that you wanted to speak to me about?'

'Well you see with the support that you have I thought that you would like to back the new measures that I am trying to put before the Wizengamot.'

'What are the measures and what is in it for me?'

'What do you mean what is in it for you?'

'Exactly as I said Minister, if I do this for you, essentially use my support to support you – what do I get out of it? Tell me about your measures?'

'I want to put a couple of bills through the first is about magical creatures – it gives them more rights, the second admits that he is back and gets war measures but in place, the third is to provide support for the families that have been effected because of this war.'

'They sound reasonable; can you let me read them through?' Harry paused. 'Are you expecting me to finish the war?'

'Of cause,' the Minister laughed. 'You are the chosen one.'

'How are you expecting me to do this?' at the silence he continued. 'Which curses do you think that I will have to use to finish the war.'

'Well Avada Kedavra I suppose.'

'And what will happen after that – will I be arrested and shipped of to Azkaban or labeled the next Dark Lord?'

'Oh, I see what you mean - well I give you my word…'

Harry laughed.

'I'm sorry that you don't think that my word is enough,' said the Minister huffed.

Harry interrupted. 'Minister, off the top of your head how many children have broken the statue for under age magic this summer?'

'There are 7 so far there will probably be another couple by the time the train leaves.'

'I see, what were their punishments?'

'Well the younger ones got a warning and a good talking to, the older ones I believe have community service. It really depends on what the magic was – the reason behind it and of course who saw it happen.'

'I see, I take it that all of the incidents were investigated?'

'Of cause they were - where is this leading.'

'So none of them ended up being tried before a full Wizengamot in court room 10?'

'Goodness that would never happen. The Wizengamot has better things to do with it's time and court room 10 is generally used for the worst of offenders and Death Eaters.'

'Really – could any recourse be taken against the ministry or any individuals if someone found themselves in that situation.'

'Well possibly,' the Minister paused. 'You don't mean to tell me that you….when?'

'Two years ago - court room 10.'

'I can see why you don't trust the Ministry.'

Looking across the gardens he saw the hurrying form of the headmaster. Harry turned away.

Speaking quickly he said, 'we don't have much time, what I want from you is a written and approved carte blanche saying that I have the confidence of the Ministry and the full support of the Wizengamot to do what ever it takes to stop this war. It must be legal and can not be withdrawn and I need it soon. By the way the headmaster is here.'

The Minister turned quickly and just before the Headmaster joined them he whispered, 'I will have it done by Monday morning 10 am, can you come to the Ministry?'

'No, not yet - can you have it taken to Gringotts. I can pick it up from there.'

'Alright I will do that – if you feel you can trust me I will also look into the other issues that have been raised. Please keep in touch – I will leave my details with the carte blanche.'

'Thanks.'

'Oh hello, Headmaster, I was just leaving – I will no doubt see you soon.'

'Minister,' the headmaster spluttered out of breath.

As the Minister walked away Harry turned to the headmaster as he said, 'Now, Harry, you really shouldn't be out here talking to the Minister….'

'What possible reason could you have for me not speaking to the Minster, headmaster? What are you doing here – I thought that you had a very important meeting. Please don't let me keep you.'

With that he turned and hastily made his way back to the house and dinner, snapping another thread in the Burrows defenses in his anger as he did so. He carefully pulled the loose end of his magic back to him. There was still much more to go – but every little bit helped him.