Chapter 24

Coup.

The echo of the door slamming onto the stone floor reverberated throughout the courtroom, and up and down the corridor the Aurors were standing in. Harry had wanted to make a shocking entrance so they had the upper hand from the word go. The noise had been so loud that he had been temporally deafened, and he paused in the hole where the door had been. He had a clear view of the Wizengamot, and at the back of his mind he noticed that they had all jumped as one when the door had crashed to the floor, all except for one elderly looking man who he assumed was stone deaf. What the hell he was doing there Harry had no idea.

The door had landed just short of the chair covered in manacles for the more dangerous criminals, which Harry thought was a pity. He would have liked to have seen it smashed to pieces. He stepped around the fallen door as he strode in and stood in front of the chair facing the Wizengamot. They had been shocked into total silence. Harry didn't say anything, it wasn't possible to anyway with the noise of the Aurors metal tipped boots on the stone floor. Umbridge had been addressing the members as he had blasted the door from its hinges, and was standing dumbstruck. Harry ignored her for the time being his eyes scanning the room for the first sign of resistance.

He watched as a dozen Aurors stamped up the central stairway that provided access to the rows of benches, their wands clearly visible. When the first one had reached the top flight all of them stopped. The result was that all of the members of the Wizengamot were now trapped in their seats. No one could leave without passing an Auror, none of whom looked as though that would be a possibility. Harry heard rather than saw the others spreading out around the room behind him. It had all taken just a few seconds, and still Harry said nothing just gazing around the room waiting for a reaction. It came from the last person he imaged.

"What's the meaning of this?" Wriggleswort demanded.

"I'd have thought that was obvious," Harry answered.

"This is outrageous never in the Wizengamot's existence has such behaviour been witnessed."

"Well there's a first time for everything. Now you will all sit quietly, and then I'll explain what's going to happen and if we're lucky nobody needs to get hurt," Harry stated.

It was a mistake no sooner had he finished speaking than all fifty members started to shout at once. Harry noticed out of the corner of his eye that Percy, who had been sitting at his small desk taking the minutes, was now moving to stand beside his father by the door. One of the Aurors made a move to stop him but was prevented from doing so by Arthur.

"QUIET," Harry yelled, with the aid of his wand, but the incoherent shouting continued unabated. No one had drawn a wand yet, but it was only a matter of time before someone on the Wizengamot did. He decided to squash that temptation right away. He pulled his wand out of his jacket and without ceremony flung Umbridge into the front row of benches. She had been shouting just as loudly as anybody else and, as far as he was concerned, was the perfect candidate to be made an example of. The yelling stopped and Harry took the opening.

"That's enough the next person to speak out of turn will be incinerated," and for good measure he let out a burst of flame from his wand above his head. All of them crouched down in panic to avoid the heat. Harry had over egged the spell and the temperature in the room rose. It had the desired effect though and the sea of faces in front of him now looked fearful, rather than just angry.

"It has come to our notice," and Harry indicated with a wide sweep of his arm that he meant all those people he had entered the courtroom with him. "That this room is full of people who have broken the law in one form or other."

"Oh really, and I suppose you exclude yourself from that," Wriggleswort shouted out.

"Oh I do and you'll be pleased to hear Wriggleswort that you're excluded to. You are though very definitely in the minority. I have written proof that forty-two members of this once august body have committed a serious crime." The total silence that greeted this statement was thunderous.

"This is preposterous…"

"Your opinion is no longer important Wriggleswort," Harry snapped. "Unlike most people here you weren't even considered worth bribing. It doesn't say much for you does it?"

"But I…" words failed the man.

"I'll start with the most recent and serious crime shall I?" Harry asked rhetorically. Umbridge was slowly trying to pick herself up wincing in pain as she did so, her normally manicured hair a shattered mess. "Yesterday three Aurors turned up at Hogwarts to escort me to this ridiculous show trial that you were still having for me when we arrived. We were meant to travel here by Portkey, except the Portkey took us elsewhere. The three Aurors and my lawyer were killed without mercy. The records clearly show that Delores Umbridge created and authorised this Portkey. She is therefore guilty of four murders and two attempted murders. Do you have anything sensible to say in your defence?"

"I deny it," she gasped finally standing up, "records can be forged."

"Tut, tut, tut, Delores you must not tell lies," Harry said unable to resist fling that right back at her. "Don't worry though we have a large fresh batch of Veritaserum to make sure everybody has a chance to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. You like Veritaserum don't you Delores?" Her face paled at the thought and Harry was glad to see beads of sweat break out on her forehead making her copious makeup run.

"This is outrageous!" Wriggleswort shouted, "Veritaserum is a restricted potion whose use can only be authorised by the Ministry." Harry was impressed that this stooge was finally acting as though he actual was a Minister of Magic, but exasperated that he still didn't realise what was happening.

"I'll explain so even you can understand. We are the Ministry now, and if we want to use Veritaserum we will. I shall also warn everybody that we have a test that will prove if anybody has taken the antidote. Anybody discovered with the antidote will be considered guilty automatically of all charges against them, and will be held under lock and key until it effects have worn off.

"This is outrageous!" Wriggleswort shouted again.

"Yes you've already said that, but this is the way it's going to be." A small burst of flames erupted involuntarily from the end of Harry's wand quelling another round of protest. "All of you will have the chance to confess to your crimes, in front of witnesses, before the administering of Veritaserum, and your sentence will be adjusted in your favour for cooperating willing. There is of course the chance that you are innocent, in which case you'll be free to go."

This had been Ron's idea and had been the subject of much debate. Ginny, Harry and Shacklebolt had all been in favour of proving their guilty and throwing away the key, but had gradually changed their minds when they understood Ron's thinking. The main weakness of using Veritaserum had always been knowing which questions to ask. By using the threat of the truth serum, and the carrot of a reduced sentence, people could well confess to crimes they'd had no knowledge of.

The counter argument ran that you could stab in the dark with questions like have you ever murdered anybody, or taken money as a bribe. However if the person thought it wasn't murder, such as a pureblood bigot killing a muggle, or that the money they had taken was a justifiable payment or commission in their eyes, then it wouldn't help. There was also the problem of there being so many crimes to pick from that it would take far too long to go through them all.

In the end it was Hermione who had come up with the best reason to let people confess willingly, and that was it would give their action more legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

"The people will never stand for this," Umbridge shrieked. "This is treason. This body is the power in this land."

"Well that'll be up to the people to decide, but not you," Harry said in a quiet voice. "Whatever happens in the future you will have no part in it. You have no support out there Umbridge, and with out support you have no power. All you can expect is a lifetime in Azkaban, and I intend to see that you get it."

"I have plenty of support you'll see, the elimination of half br…" A red beam of light flashed across the room and connected with the back of Umbridge's head she collapsed to the floor for the second time that day. Harry turned towards the direction from which the stunning spell had come from to see an unrepentant looking Percy.

"Sorry Harry, but she was getting on my nerves," he said shrugging.

"Me too," Harry replied with a grin, and even as he said it two Aurors were levitating the unconscious body up from the ground and proceeded out the door with her. In some ways Harry hoped that that would be the last time he would ever have set eyes on the evil toad. The thought of personally escorting her to the Centaurs though still had a certain vindictive appeal.

"Now let's get back to more important matters," Harry said turning his attention once again to the seated Wizengamot. "Throughout the Ministry and in one or two other places in the Wizarding World people are being arrested as I speak. In a moment all of you will be escorted from here and put in a cell. There you will be questioned and all interviews will be recorded to be used in the prosecution or defence of your case. Now so far nobody has been hurt today and I'd like to keep it that way, so when an Auror approaches you hand your wand over carefully, no sudden movements please, and then go with them peacefully. Those who show any sort of resistance can expect to meet severe and brutal violence. After yesterday's events, and the deaths they caused tempers are short, so you have been warned."

The casual mention of possible violence stunned those waiting to be arrested, and they all sat there with horrified expressions. This sort of thing just wasn't part of their normal life, and it depressed Harry no end that it had become part of his. Most of them still looked puzzled by his references to whatever had happened yesterday, but there were a few who he suspected had known what was going to happen. It wasn't something he had to worry about now. It would be covered in the long list of question each person was going to be asked.

Without saying another word he nodded towards the nearest Auror who then moved forward and stood in front of the nearest Wizengamot member. Harry had no idea who the wrinkled and balding man was, or cared less. All that mattered was that this was the first real test of his authority. If he refused and decided to put up a fight then things could get messy in a hurry. The outcome wasn't in doubt the Wizengamot would lose, but it would look bad if people were killed or hurt.

The man quickly looked round at his colleagues, but none of them would look him in the eye. Without any support he meekly handed over his wand, stood up and left the courtroom followed by a single Auror. Harry heaved an internal sigh of relief, but maintained his external mask. In just twenty minutes there was only a single member of the Wizengamot left, and Harry had no intention of arresting him.

It had been decided after much arguing that Wriggleswort free was better for their cause, than having him under lock and key. With all that was going to be revealed over the next few weeks about the abuse of power by the old Wizengamot it was going to be up to him to take the flak from the press, and general population. Let the anger and frustration that would inevitable come centre on him, and not Harry and everybody else who was involved in the Coup. Harry almost felt sorry for the man, but he managed to resist the urge.

"Blimey," Ron said as the last Auror left the courtroom, "that was easy." There was only Harry, Hermione, Ron, Percy, Shacklebolt, Remus and a disconsolate looking Wriggleswort left in the room. Arthur seemed to have vanished, and Harry had to admit things had gone very smoothly so far.

"It gets harder from now on," Shacklebolt said.

"Oh come on it's done," Ron said cheerfully. "Harry and Ginny are free, and they're all under lock and key. It's all sorted." Harry looked at Ron and was amazed that he could still be so innocent after all they'd been through. Any moment now somebody was going to bring them some bad news.

"Harry, Kingsley the Chairman of Gringotts is in the Ministry," Arthur suddenly said popping back into the room. "He's in the Minister's office. He has bad news." Harry's shoulders slumped he hated it when he was right.

"But the Chairman never leaves Gringotts," Percy said looking appalled.

"You know him well, don't you Harry?" Kingsley asked.

"We've spoken once or twice, but I wouldn't say I know him well," he answered.

"Oh come on Harry compared to most Wizards you're best friends," Hermione said.

"Yea well but…"

"Right that's settled then," Kingsley said. "Come on then we'd all better go and see what he has to say. Lead the way Harry." Courtroom number ten quickly emptied leaving the pathetic figure of Wriggleswort alone and forgotten about.

The walk back up into the heart of the Ministry was bizarre to say the least. The news of the Coup was now common knowledge, and without exception everybody they met hurried to get out of the way of the small group, with many people flattening themselves against the walls of various corridors in their hurry not to be noticed. The vast majority of the faces, to Harry's relief were friendly, fear and anxiety made up the rest. Harry suspected that was mostly due to worries about whether their jobs were safe.

As Harry entered the conference room that adjoined the Minister's office he could tell that the single Goblin sitting there was nervous and uncomfortable when so many Wizards, and one Witch entered the room. It was unprecedented that any Goblin entered the Ministry of Magic willingly, but Harry wasn't sure what to make of the fact that he had come alone and without support.

"Mr Chairman it's a pleasure to see you again," Harry said as warmly as he could.

"Thank you Mr Potter. I gather you've had a good morning," he replied as the others all found seats round the large table.

"So far so good, now I don't want to appear rude Mr Chairman but what is so important that you've come here on your own?"

"Times are too hazardous to worry about good manners Mr Potter. The first thing I should tell you is that I am no longer the Chairman of Gringotts bank. I resigned this morning, before I was sacked."

"No," Hermione gasped in shock.

"I understand Mr Chairman," Harry said ignoring Hermione. It was hardly a surprise, he had just suffered the worse break in, in modern times, and someone had to take the blame, whether it was fair or otherwise. "What should we call you now?"

"My name is Slipknot," he answered. "Before I resigned I persuaded the board to make me the liaison between our two worlds."

"Excellent I was concerned that your resignation would complicate things," Kingsley said.

"What I have to tell you next though should not leave this room," Slipknot said. "So if you think that there is anybody here who shouldn't be then I'd suggest you ask them to leave."

"No one needs to leave," Harry said looking round at everybody in the room. Only Ron and Remus looked as though they didn't think they should be there, but both settled back down when Harry caught their eyes.

"There no way to sugar coat this," the Goblin continued, "Gringotts is broke, and so is the Ministry." The silence that greeted this statement was deafening and Harry was forced to ignore the sickly feeling growing in his stomach.

"They took that much," Harry eventually said.

"The last total I know about was over a hundred and ninety million galleons. We expect that to rise further over the next couple of days." Goblin faces were hard to read at the best of times, but Harry was sure that he was horribly embarrassed. "I'm afraid Mr Potter that there is worse to come."

"Ok," he said cautiously. He wasn't sure how it could get worse as without money the coup would fail and everybody around this table could expect, at best a lifetime in Azkaban, at worse the Veil. It wouldn't matter that they weren't responsible. In the coming meltdown that would be forgotten and unless the gold was recovered they were toast.

"They entered your vaults first Mr Potter and they've been emptied." The Goblin was unable to look Harry in the eye when he said this, but Harry found that he wasn't really all that surprised, or surprisingly bothered by the revelation. Ron though was.

"That's outrageous you're responsible for Harry's gold you're the ones who should take the loss. Not Harry." Harry appreciated Ron's defence of his wealth, but it clearly wasn't helpful to the discussion.

"Ron just let it go for now, ok," Harry said. He wanted to spare the Goblin the further embarrassment by having to respond to Ron. "How did they enter my vault?"

"They were Polyjuiced as you and Mrs Potter. They had your key and sufficient blood to enable them to open your vaults. They also had …" The Goblin paused spluttering, and for a moment Harry thought he was going to cough himself to death. "They also had help from a number of Gringotts employees." All those around the table that had been Wizard born let out a cry of shock.

"They had my key!" Harry said surprised as far as he was concerned it was still in his safe.

"It might have been a replica. We don't know yet."

"Ok I'll go along with that for the moment. How did they manage to get into all the other vaults then?"

"Through a great oversight of Gringotts and the reason I resigned." Slipknot was now looking down at the floor in shame and was unable to look anyone in the eye. "Two hundred years ago all new vaults were individually warded, but the older vaults never were. The thieves tunnelled from your vault through to a large number of the older vaults, stealing every galleon as they went."

"Which vaults were broken into, and how did they get the gold out?" Shacklebolt asked.

"All Gringott's reserves are gone, and most of the Ministry vaults as well. The apparition wards were partly bypassed, again with Goblin help, and portkeyed out."

"Where are these Goblins now? We need to speak to them."

"They are all dead. They were killed by the Wizards." Slipknot said in a tone of voice that suggested he blamed all wizards for their deaths, not just those that did the actual deed.

"What about individual vaults," Hermione asked.

"Many of the older vaults were empty and unassigned. Since the fall of Voldemort many of the older families had everything confiscated. Nearly all the gold taken were from Ministry and Goblin accounts, only a very few individuals lost anything."

"Do you have a list of names?" Hermione asked her hand already out stretched.

"Yes." It was a sign of how far the Goblin had fallen that he didn't react to Hermione's rudeness when she snatched the parchment he offered right out of his hand. Harry could see the brain working at high speed behind the eyes that flittered across the page. A half smile began to form on her face the nearer she got to the end of the page.

"I take it that most of the members of the Wizengamot opened new vaults in the past year," Hermione said her eyes still on the parchment, "as very few of them seem to be old Wizarding names."

"You are correct," Slipknot replied. "They found that the standard Vaults weren't large enough… for their new wealth."

"You mean bribes," Ron snapped.

"Could you tell us the good news Hermione?" Harry asked as her face broke into a wide smile.

"Oh it's just perfect Harry, just perfect."

"What is?"

"The Santangelo brothers have stolen back all the galleons that they used to bribe the Wizengamot."

"You mean Umbridge and the others are broke," Harry said unable to resist the grin spreading across his face at this unexpected news when she nodded her head in agreement.

"Well at least there's some justice," Remus added. Apart from the Goblin everybody else's mood had lightened at the news.

"We may still be able to keep the break in a secret," Hermione said. "Or at least the scale of it," she added when she saw Harry raise his eyebrows.

"Why does that matter?" Ron asked.

"Because Ron if people lose confidence in Gringotts they'll remove their money. If they remove their money Gringotts will fail and along with them Wizarding economics. It'll be a disaster worthy of Voldemort winning." Harry could tell that Ron didn't believe Hermione, but he held his tongue for the moment. It was a common prejudice among Wizards to belittle the Goblins, and the importance they held in the Wizarding World. It wasn't going to change overnight.

"It can't just be mine and the Wizengamot vaults that were broken into, how many others are there?" Harry asked. Hermione quickly scanned the parchment again her lips counting as she went.

"About twenty or so," she answered handing the parchment over to Shacklebolt when he beckoned to see it.

"That's still twenty too many," Ron said. "The minute one of them wants to visit their vaults the secrets out. Unless you arrest them or something." Harry knew he meant that as a joke, but it was an indication of how serious he took this problem that he thought about doing just that for thirty seconds.

"I'm sure the Goblins can come up with a good enough reason why they can't go in person," Hermione said.

"What like a rampaging dragon," Ron suggested.

"Excellent idea Ron," Harry said meaning it.

"I was joking!"

"A good joke, and a good excuse," Slipknot said writing something down. Ron looked startled at the praise from the goblin.

"Slipknot just how much gold do we have left," the deep voice of Shacklebolt asked.

"At last years spending and income levels the Ministry has enough reserves left for a little over a month. After that spending will exceed income."

"In that case we have less than a month to recover the gold or we all go under," Harry said.

"This is hardly our fault," Ron said. "We should just own up to it, and blame the Wizengamot."

"Your mother would be very proud of your honesty Ron," Arthur said, "unfortunately I agree with Hermione. This would be a disaster if it got out."

"Harry this isn't right, you shouldn't start with a lie."

"I'm sorry Ron this must be kept quiet. Even if they didn't blame us for the robbery they'd blame us for the chaos that would follow."

"Does everybody else agree with this?" Ron asked. He was met with a series of nodding heads. "Alright I'm wrong. I usually am."

"It's not a question of being right or wrong Mr Weasley," Shacklebolt said, it's trying to do what's best. In a month's time coming clean maybe the only thing we can do."

"It'll be too late then."

"In which case the priority is to track the thieves down and find the gold," Harry said. "Everything else is secondary. Now if there isn't anything else we'd better be getting back to Hogwarts."

"You just can't leave Mr Potter," Shacklebolt said raising an eyebrow.

"Why not?"

"You're the Minister."

"Just a minute I never agreed to that," Harry said.

"Yes you did."

"All I agreed to was leading the coup, and nothing more."

"The coup isn't over yet. The public needs to know someone's in charge."

"And that someone is you Harry," Arthur said. Harry didn't know whether to scream out in anger and frustration, laugh, or just slide under the table and hope it all went away.

"I'm a student about to take his Newts. What do I know about running a government?"

"So who would you have heading the Ministry instead?" Hermione asked.

"Oh come on Hermione, I'd have thought you would understand," Harry said. "How am I meant to decide that?"

"The Ministry needs a figurehead Harry, and it's quite obvious you're the best person for that," she answered.

"I don't want to be the Minister."

"I'm not sure what you want matters Harry," Remus said quietly. "Whether you like it or not the public are going to be looking to you for leadership." Harry looked around the table trying to find a face that agreed with him, he failed.

"Mr Potter I must agree," Slipknot said. "The Goblin nation would find it … difficult to deal with anybody else but you at the moment."

"Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them," Hermione said.

"William Shakespeare," Arthur said.

"You know him!"

"Of course I know him, although I'm not too keen on Macbeth. I found it a little… prejudiced against our kind," Hermione laughed. Harry found nothing to laugh at. He was being pressured into becoming something he didn't want to be, and he was struggling to find a way out.

"So Harry what are your orders?" Shacklebolt asked.

"I don't have any. Look Kingsley you'd be much better at this than me, you take charge."

"I'm sorry Harry I can't."

"Why the hell not! You're a leader of men, and you mostly organised the coup in the first place."

"Because I want to be the first Minister to be elected by the popular vote, and not have it handed to me on a plate."

"Oh come on that's just stupid. Nobody's going to care once you've been elected."

"I'll care," he replied. "Besides I'll be busy trying to track down the Santangelo brothers."

"That is the most important thing," Hermione said. "You said so yourself. Harry hated it when someone quoted his own words back at him.

"I know, I know," Harry said. "Ok Kingsley the whole law enforcement thing is your responsibility. Do what you think best, and use any means you deem …appropriate. Take the gloves off, and if it all comes apart blame me." Shacklebolt just nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"What would you like me to do then," Arthur said. Harry thought for a moment. The best way not to get dragged into this was to delegate as much as possible.

"I want you to tell the Prime Minister what's been happening," Arthur's jaw dropped. "Anything to do with Muggles is your responsibility, and on top of that organising the election is up to as well."

"But, but… I can't do all that. I mean where do I start."

"Why do you think I know what to do?" Harry answered rather enjoying turning the tables. "Find some one who does, and delegate it to them, like I'm delegating it to you. In fact ask the Prime Minister he's bound to have lots of ideas."

"Oh right, that's a good idea, maybe you should come with me."

"I'm not getting involved," Harry said firmly. "I'll tell you what take Percy with you." Percy's back straightened at this.

"And what would the Minister like me to do," Remus said with a big grin.

"The first thing is not call me Minister," Harry growled knowing full well that he only called him that to get a rise out of him, but he needed to say it. He didn't want to be called that by anybody. It sent a shudder down his spine.

"Sorry Mini… sorry Harry," Remus said still with a large smile.

"Very funny, Sirius and dad would be very proud, but one good joke deserves another. You Mister Remus Lupin are going to be responsible for the welfare of all magical creatures. Werewolves, House Elves, Centaurs and all the rest it's all down to you now."

"That's not funny Harry," Remus said without a trace of a smile. "No one will take me seriously. I'm a dark creature remember."

"You're only classed as a dark creature, so change the law and bring yourself into the light, and if someone doesn't take you seriously sack 'em."

"It won't make any difference Harry. The next government will only change the law back."

"They might, but they may discover that between now and then that the world doesn't end if Werewolves are treated as proper human beings. I assume you agree that they are human beings?"

"Of course we are, or at least most of the time."

"I'm not sure what your pay will be, but I'm sure the three of you can work that out between you. In fact the three of you can do that for anything else that comes up."

"I don't think that's quite true Harry," Shacklebolt said. "We need someone we can trust to handle our dwindling cash reserves. No one in this room is qualified for that."

"That's not quite true," Hermione said and Harry saw which way her eyes were looking.

"Slipknot what plans do you have." The goblin gazed at Harry so hard that he thought the beady little eyes would pierce his skull.

"I was intending to retire in ignominy," he replied after a long pause and as much dignity as he could manage.

"Harry you can't be serious," Ron said before he could make the actual offer.

"Deadly."

"People will react to this Harry. I know you were raised by muggles, but the Wizarding World has a lot of history …"

"Good I hope it does. Things need to change, so Slipknot would you be up to running the Ministries accounts."

"I don't know Mr Potter your friend has a valid point, my appointment would not be welcome."

"They'll get over it."

"I'm not sure I have your faith," Slipknot answered.

"If we tell them in the right way, we could get away with it," Hermione said and when no one interrupted her she continued. "We announce that after the previous regime we decided that we needed a totally independent outside source to thoroughly vet and overhaul the Ministry accounts, because of all the corruption we have discovered." The table went silent as they digested what Hermione had said.

"Do you know that may just work," Shacklebolt said, "and it would certainly help in trying to keep the robbery quiet."

"Good that's settled then," Harry said. "Come on you two it's time to get back to Hogwarts."

"I have not accepted the position yet Mr Potter," Slipknot said.

"My apologies, do you accept the position of Ministry Treasurer." Slipknot paused for what Harry was sure was dramatic effect as he'd seen the interest the goblin had shown earlier.

"I accept the position Mr Potter."

"Great then it's time to go. I've got homework for McGonagall to finish," and before anyone could stop him Harry was half way to the door. He had moved so fast that he was in the corridor before Ron and Hermione had even stood up, so he was forced to wait for them to catch up. He was taking by surprise when Percy was the first through the door followed by Ron and Hermione.

"Harry wait, please," the usual uptight Weasley said.

"I'm not going back in Percy." Harry began to walk down the corridor heading towards the lifts.

"But there's many more heads of departments to organise, and …"

"I don't care Percy. They're the adults it's up to them to sort it out."

"But …"

"How many people do you think I know who work in this building Percy?"

"Well I don't know."

"I can count them on one hand. I'm not qualified." By now the three of them were in a lift with Percy keeping the door open. "If I was you I'd get back in there. You never know what job might be available."

"Oh right, yes, of course," Percy's eyes lit up as he let go of the lift door and began to turn away. Harry though caught the door before it shut.

"Percy."

"Yes Harry."

"Keep a close eye on your dad with the Prime Minister. I wouldn't want to hear that he'd lost all his plugs or had his office dismantled." Harry then closed the door before Percy could respond.

"It still surprises me how well you know my family sometimes," Ron said once the lift started to move.

"It's my family too Ron."

"Yea of course it is Hermione's too."

"Not yet its not," she said primly stepping out of the lift ahead of the two boys. Harry gave Ron an evil grin, and received the bright red flush he was hoping for. Blocking their route to the Atrium was Wriggleswort.

"Mr Potter… sorry I mean Minister, can I have a quick word?" Harry groaned internally it was too much to hope that they could have reached the Atrium and escape without someone stopping them. He wasn't happy about being called Minister either.

"Mr Potter's just fine," he replied through clenched teeth.

"Oh right… um I wanted to know what I should say to the press."

"Whatever you like," Harry answered.

"Really."

"Yes really, now is there anything else?"

"Well… yes just a small matter really probably not worth your time." Harry didn't say anything, but stood there waiting for the idiot to say something. "I was wondering if I was going to be receiving my ministerial pension." Harry was nearly dumfounded when he heard that, and he didn't know whether to laugh out loud or hex the man into a glutinous blob. Unfortunately there was now a small crowd watching the exchange, several Harry recognised as reporters.

"That'll be up to the new elected government to decide," he said watching a trickle of sweat run down the ex-minister's cheek. He had obviously noticed that they were being watched.

"I …I thought you were the government," he stammered.

"If it can be organised in time every member of the magical community will get the chance to vote, unless you're insane or a convicted criminal. Now I need to get going." Harry made to barge pass the man, but was stopped when an out of breath voice shouted behind him.

"Minister, Minister…" Wearily he turned round to face whoever it was. An Auror was running along in full robes. He was young and Harry suspected he had only just qualified.

"What!" Harry had meant to snap but being called Minister was really starting to annoy him.

"A prisoner is threatening to cause mayhem if she doesn't get to see you."

"She's a prisoner, what mayhem can she cause."

"Err… well," it was clear to Harry that the Auror had been intimated by the prisoner and he had a good idea who it was.

"It's Umbridge, isn't it?"

"Yes minister… I'm sorry, but she was so…"

"Yes well never mind. Tell the bitch I have no intention of seeing her, and if she causes any more trouble I'll arrange a visit to the Centaurs for her." The young Auror's face looked confused at the Centaur reference but he didn't ask about it.

"Yes sir." Harry turned to leave until an idea struck him. Five minutes later the four of them entered Umbridge's office and Harry spotted what he was looking for on a back shelf. A feral grin formed on his face as he picked up one of the quills from its stand.

"Here you go give this to her and some parchment and tell her to put her complaints in writing."

"I'll need some ink as well sir."

"Oh she won't need any ink. This is a very special quill. Be sure to tell her to write everything in triplicate, and if by chance she does, burn all three copies in front of her."

"You don't want to know what she's written."

"I never want to hear from her ever again."

In the next chapter Harry is embarrassed beyond belief, thanks to an idea from reviewer Lilyflower. However I can't say when that'll be as things are getting busy for me.