TWO

Harry thought that most of the drama was over for his stay at the Malfoy's and was starting to concentrate on how to deal with Aunt Marge, when mid morning Fudge's head came swirling into the fireplace of Lucius' office, where the boys were playing exploding snap.

It caught Harry completely off guard.

'Malfoy! Malfoy! Oh dear Merlin, Lucius answer your floo!'

Draco stepped up to the hearth.

'Father is outside with mother, would you like me to send an elf to get him.'

'What? Oh, hello Draco. Yes. Erm, it's rather urgent… actually it is tremendously urgent. Excuse me.'

Fudge pulled his head half out of the flames and Harry's already alert sensed were sent into overdrive.

'Carrton! Carrton! Get a boat ready immediately, and an Auror who is competent with a patronus… No I do not think I should cast it myself… exactly my thoughts. Out!... And tell Amelia we'll need all the hitwizards in for a briefing.'

Fudge stuck his head back fully into the Malfoy fire and called for Lucius again. Harry couldn't believe it. He actually couldn't. …Although the real question was why.

Harry got up from where he'd been lounging on the floor and dusted himself off as Lucius' footsteps could be heard rushing down the hall.

'Thanks again for inviting me Draco, and Happy Birthday once more.' Harry offered the confused boys a smile, and stepped into the shadowy recess next to the fireplace where he knew Lucius would apperate from inside the wards.

'Boys, you'll have to get out. Looks like I'm going to work.' Lucius said as he entered the room. He was already changed but had a small elf trailing after him still brushing down the back of his robes. He paid it no mind, and was distracted enough that he didn't notice Harry staying as he watched the rest of the confused boys usher themselves out in a group. Draco made to protest, but this only worked more in Harry's favor as it distracted Lucius just before he was about to turn and spot Harry. Lucius firmly waved his wand and Draco and Blaise (who had been giving Harry a calculating look and stalling silently) were pushed out the door by magic, which closed firmly behind them. Harry promptly cast a disillusionment charm on himself, and he was quite sure that Lucius was distracted enough that he wasn't aware of Harry while he grabbed a few things around his office. In fact, Harry was quite sure that Lucius didn't know Harry was there until a second after he apperated out.

Here Harry took rather a large risk.

After the second war there were more thorough interviews with Deatheaters, and due to Harry's more public vanquishing of Voldemort, said Deatheaters were much more willing to talk as they were this time sure that Voldemort was really gone. Most of these interviews assured Harry's opinion on one matter.

A fact that was barely recognized by most, but strongly believed by Harry, was something he was first told by Olivander. Voldemort was a great wizard (or rather Tom was). Magical discoveries were few and far between in this century, but Tom managed to discover more than thirty major developments, (only some of which were made public). Harry discovered a few more by less public means. Not all of the inventions were negative either. Harry's absolute favorite was the ability to fly. Actually it was the ability to self-propel - As soon as you stopped moving you would fall, but that was a technicality. Second only to that, was the ability to tag apparation. It actually worked on very similar principles, and the first time Harry saw it was during the battle in the Department of Mysteries. He had, naturally, been somewhat distracted at the time, but pensive were wonderful things. It had since become one of Harry's favorite tricks and he was particularly good at it. The only downside (and something Harry could set either way along with his magical aura) was that you arrived in a swirl of smoke in the image of your magical affiliation.

…Well, that, and the fact that in the current timeline the only people who knew how to do it were Deatheaters.

'What the-'

Harry had no doubt that he would have learnt some new and foul words from Lucius had the minister not taken that exact moment to enter his office.

'Lucius. Thank Merlin! You won't believe wh-…'

Fudge trailed off as he saw Harry.

Harry took strong advantage of the fact that he was the only one with his brain not reeling.

'Minister! It's awful. Lucius here guessed from a few bits of your conversation we heard and brought me along. I can only assume he'll be out for my blood?'

Now, for a logical and intelligent man, it would be quite obvious that Fudge hadn't dropped even close to enough hints for Harry to know that Sirius Black had broken out of prison (and assumedly talked in his sleep for the last two weeks about he's at Hogwarts). Thankfully, however, Fudge wasn't the most logical being at the best of times, and his intelligence was completely floored by the sole thought that someone just broke out of their unbreakable prison!

Lucius, yet again (much to Harry's amusement) would be forced to go along with Harry's story. The only other option was to try and convince Fudge that the-boy-who-lived was stealing Voldemort's tricks at the same time Fudge was trying to deal with Sirius' stunt. Both men didn't look happy about it, but didn't say anything. Although Lucius probably just didn't want to admit to being the only person who didn't know what was going on.

'I just can't believe it!' Fudge moaned, 'and in election year! Of course.'

It took a great amount of self-restraint on Harry's part from slapping Fudge out of it. If Sirius had been a crazy murderer who didn't mind blowing up a few stray muggles to get to his target then the elections should have been the last thing on Fudge's mind. Throwing away some of his dignity, Harry mentally cringed as he reached out and patted Fudge on the shoulder.

'Actually minister, I had a bit of a thought on that.'

'What?' Fudge asked. He was already perking up at the possibility of someone else dealing with his problems.

Meanwhile Harry caught Lucius muttering 'Of course you did' under his breath. More worrying however, was the slightly softer comment a little later, of 'Perhaps Severus isn't so wrong about him.' Harry stored it away for later thought, but had more pressing issues.

'Well Black was after revenge initially.' Harry started, Lucius made a startled noise as he came across the paperwork from Azkaban. Harry smirked a little, 'And while he assumedly still is, at least this time we know who he's after. Me.'

A completely false statement, but whatever.

Fudge started to turn towards Lucius, obviously unimpressed. Surprisingly Lucius didn't try and take control of the situation straight away. He was giving Harry one of the most calculating looks Harry had ever seen, but for some unknown reason seemed to be content to let Harry maintain control. Not understanding in the least, but also not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Harry continued on, steering Fudge back to facing him with the hand still patting his shoulder.

'This is a decided advantage, as Black will want to remain low-key until he finds me.'

'He will?'

Harry was disgusted by how easy Fudge was.

'The public don't know too much about him either, and we want it to stay that way!'

'We do?'

'Oh yes. Consider this,' Harry said calmly, 'the public are, to an extent, just an extension of their government. They will follow who they voted in for as long as possible despite all rationality, and will for the time that you are in, react as if they were you. If you panic, they will panic. If you increase defences, they will increase defences.' Harry was glad, if a little surprised to see recognition of the plan in Fudge's eyes before he had to announce it. He did anyway. 'And if you remain calm, they will remain calm.'

'Do you think that will work?' It was natural that Fudge remained addicted to Lucius' opinion, but that didn't stop it from frustrating Harry.

Harry balanced on a knife-edge as Lucius seemed to consider not only the idea, but Harry as well. It wasn't the politician the public would follow, but certainly the media. Lucius would no doubt be aware of this, and could ruin it all by mentioning that to Fudge who would only run if it were about him. It was one slight loophole that Lucius could exploit if he so chose.

'…It will.'

Harry let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding and smirked just a little. He didn't know why Lucius was on his side, but it seemed he was.

'How about we let them think that he isn't that much of a threat. Downplay it. Meanwhile I'll be on high alert, we can let Dumbledore increase security on the castle on his own,' Harry was seriously hoping for no dementors, but wouldn't hold his breath, 'and focus on the last administration causing a problem and you fixing it.'

'Can we do that?' Gods how Harry despised Fudge.

'Of course minister.' Harry said cheerfully.

'It is actually a relatively brilliant plan.' Lucius nodded, although Harry noted he looked rather like he was swallowing soap. Thankfully Fudge was only hearing what he wanted to hear however.

'What's more, when Sirius is brought in, wouldn't it be better to question him first? We definitely need to know how he broke out of Azkaban, as there might still be a way out for the remaining prisoners.' Harry couldn't believe this was working, but Fudge (and Lucius!) was now nodding along.

'We'll need to know why Black chose now to break out.' Harry added. It would be no good if they questioned Sirius without finding out about Peter. 'I mean, why in the last few weeks has he suddenly got enough motivation to leave? What set him off? Or has it taken him this long to make his way out? Assure the public that you are going to get to the bottom of this. Focus on any irregularities and instead of seeing this as a security flaw in your administration, they will see it as a fault which you inherited, but are doing your best to fix.'

'I don't know…' Fudge said, looking between Harry and Lucius.

'The muggles have the saying: no publicity is bad publicity. Use this as an opportunity for the upcoming election. Make announcements every day on the progress or status. People will appreciate being in on the gossip, and it means your face will be on the front page of the paper more often than not.'

'Well, I suppose it might-'

A sharp knock on Fudge's door interrupted the conversation. Harry all but growled in frustration.

'Yes?!' Fudge didn't sound too pleased either.

While Fudge and Lucius both turned to face the door, Harry swiftly changed his body language from confident ideas man, to shy student, stepping back a little into Lucius' shadow. As soon as Lucius recognized who was at the door he turned back, but only a half-raised eyebrow indicated to Harry that he had recognized the shift.

At least it wasn't Dumbledore, however Amelia Bones wasn't a great replacement. Harry all but sighed, she was open to most ideas, and while she was Light, she didn't class everything Dark as bad on default, nor oppose regular political manipulation. She was a danger to Harry's takeover however. While Harry had sadly never got to meet Amelia as she had been killed early into the second war, he had a fair estimation of her character. Neither talking over her, nor backing her into a corner would work.

'Cornelius, what is the matter with everyone here? I had three people on the way to your office demand proof that I am who I say I am, and have nothing more than a half-written memo calling me out with too little information. You should fire your receptionist.' Bones announced as she entered the room. She was still an Auror at heart and scanned the room before stepping entirely in. She didn't falter at all from seeing Lucius and Harry, however her shock did show on her face.

'Lucy! Must you always beat me?'

Harry, despite his annoyance at the situation, almost burst into laughter. Lucy! Ha. Harry caught Lucius visibly cringing in the corner of his eye, but he didn't seem to be angry. Harry could only assume this was a regular nick-name.

'Miss Bones, a pleasure, as always.' Lucius' reply and subtle taunt confirmed it. Harry hadn't been aware of that.

'Excellent. And do excuse me Lucy, but didn't your brat have blond hair?'

Harry only just managed to stop laughter again, but Fudge wasn't faring so well maintaining indifference. It seems he didn't like being ignored.

'That's Harry Potter. I am sure you can understand why he is here.' Fudge brushed off, 'Did you get my message about the hitwizards? We shall have to pay them overtime I suppose, however it can't be-'

Amelia had been gazing at Harry curiously, however that seemed to catch her thoughts.

'Wait. What? You can not be serious!' She interrupted Fudge. 'I assumed the memo was a dud! Have you actually been to Azkaban?! Maybe the guards just didn't check Black's cell properly? I mean… it's Azkaban!'

'No I haven't yet, but I sent three of your Aurors out as soon as I heard and they reported back that he's definitely gone. Apparently there isn't a sign of how he did it either. Bars and wards are all still in place. He must have had a wand.'

'Who did you send? I'll probably have to re-send some higher-ups, but most of my team should know how to recognize damaged wards.' Amelia sunk slowly into a chair Lucius conjured up underneath her. Her mind didn't appear idle long however.

'We'll need to interview the guards, and perhaps the prisoners either side. Why on earth did he pick now? And how… sorry, I'll get a team on it... A few teams. We'll have to make an announcement. I suppose Skeeter will turn up. Gods but I hate- oh don't give me that look Lucy. She likes you.'

'Actually, Amelia, I think you will like the idea we have brainstormed.' Lucius drawled. Harry looked at him sharply, it had been his idea, but Lucius had made it sound like his own and Fudge's, giving it far more credibility.

'If this is that hair-brained kiss-on-sight nonsense that Harbell was raving on about in the lift I can, and will, ensure you don't last until next vote.'

'Well actually-' Fudge started, but Bones was on a roll.

'No, you listen here! We need to know how he got out. Not only because it's a disaster, but it hurts the prison's credibility. Edgar always used to say that Gringotts got by more on name, than actual security. People would be breaking in next!'

'What if we-'

'And another thing,' Bones started again. 'Don't think the public will let this die either. They are going to panic, and they-'

'No they will not!' Fudge blustered.

'Yes they will. No, don't interrupt me. They are going to need to see that you are doing something. He's a psychopath!'

Harry was highly amused to see that he wasn't the only one who took advantage of how easy Fudge was to talk over, however he suspected they needed to act fast, if the escape was being talked about in the elevator.

'Sirius Black escaped during a routine overhaul of the security measures on the west wing of Azkaban.' Harry announced loudly over Fudge and Bones' bickering. Loud enough that Fudge jumped, as Harry was directly behind him.

'What?' They said in unison.

'There isn't a west wing in Azkaban, there are levels.' Lucius drawled, but his eyes were glinting.

'Excellent, then he escaped during an overhaul of the third leve-'

'Sixth.' Lucius interrupted again. Harry rolled his eyes.

'Sixth level. It is an unfortunate event, however he will soon be recaptured and the Azkaban guards will not allow this flaw to repeat.'

'…There aren't any routine overhauls.' Bones sounded half unsure, and half annoyed at being talked over by a twelve year old.

'But does the public know that?' Lucius smirked.

'You,' Amelia drawled, 'are just as slippery as your father.'

'If you make one more comment about dragon pox I swear…'

'Dragon pox, however embarrassing a way to go, will not help us deal with Black.' Fudge spoke up over them, for once the voice of reason. Harry got the feeling Lucius and Bones did this a fair bit. It probably came about from sheer frustration from dealing with Fudge all the time.

'Our plan,' Lucius interrupted before either Amelia or Fudge from starting up again, 'was to imply to the public that this is a small issue that we have under control.'

'I don't like it.' Bones frowned. 'We'd be lying. This is huge.'

'Will a panicked public aid in the resolution?' Harry asked. Bones' frown increased, but she didn't argue it. When she eventually settled on a question it wasn't to Harry's liking, but was expected.

'Why are you here? Not, that it isn't a pleasure to meet you, but this isn't really the place… Actually, how did you even get past all the security measures? I had to stun three of my own Aurors just to get to this level.'

'You what?!' Fudge asked, startled.

'Details.' Bones brushed off. 'Besides, it's good for their egos.' Despite ruining his plans quite a bit, Harry couldn't help but like her. He sent a glance as Lucius.

'Mr. Potter came with me.' Harry was quite sure it cost Lucius to say that aloud, and if the wince were anything to go by hurt a bit too.

'Reeeally? Well I'm sorry, but this is a state security matter and he really shouldn't be here. I can see how he would have to be briefed, however why you brought him now I don't know. If we are trying not to panic the public, avoiding panicking the boy-who-lived is probably a good start.'

She said most of that in one breath, and before Lucius could reply, turned to Harry with an apologetic look.

'I am sorry that Black has escaped, but really you have nothing to worry about, we will get him before he gets anywhere close to you.'

Harry knew when to push, and when to give. 'I have utter faith in the wizarding law enforcement.'

'Excellent. And it really is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Potter.'

'And yourself, Ms Bones.' Harry would one day find out about the naming of Lucy. 'Do you mind keying me back into your manor floo Lucius? I forgot I have one more thing to do before heading home.'

'Are you sure you can't just apperate?' Lucius drawled.

'Not without a license!' Bones instructed.

'Of course not.' Harry replied cheerfully. He had a license… in the original future.

Harry would much rather have stayed and got the occasional input in, however he was really just lucky that Amelia Bones had arrived so late, and that for whatever reason Lucius seemed to be content allowing him to run the show. That bore looking in to, as Harry found it very suspicious, however for the moment he'd thought of a new task.

Making his way through Malfoy manor as quietly as possible (not wanting to attract companionship), he followed the path that he'd walked previously with Narcissa on the 'tour'. Managing to get to the second floor past only six helpful elves who had to be shooed away, Harry finally found himself in the portrait gallery again. He walked along until he came across a surprisingly small painting, still lavishly trimmed, but quite modest in comparison to the surrounding monstrosities that were the Malfoy family.

'Good Afternoon, my name is Harry Potter. I was wondering if I might have a word?'