Even before the war, the atrium for the British Ministry of Magic was always slammed with both its citizens and employee's walking around the place as if it was Black Friday. And after the war, it did not get much better. In fact, on some days, it looked worse than Black Friday.
On this particular day, the day that Colton Burnthal shocked the wizarding world by bringing in a zombie like Fenrir Greyback in chains, the halls stood still. People kept their distance, but whether it was out of respect for Colton, a fear of Greyback, or a combination of the two for both men, Colton didn't know. But with Darin backing him up as his parents were treated for their own respective injuries, the ministry wasn't prepared for what they found.
"You won't believe what everyone is panicking about," Hermoine Granger said, her folders held tightly against her hip. The Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, however, kept his calm demeanor, even as he neared the center of the Atrium where the crowd had formed.
"At this point, I doubt anything would surprise me," Kingsley said with a sigh. Hermoine shook her head as Harry spoke up.
"To tell you the truth, Minister, even this was way above what I was predicting for a Tuesday," he said. Ron on the other hand, had a rebuttal.
"Think I've had enough of the bloody surprises. What could possibly…." he was cut off, and rightfully so as his mouth fell open at the sight of what was in the middle of the massive crowd.
Colton Burnthal was standing there, with Fenrir Greyback on his knees in chains, Darin Lannister not far to his right, his arms crossed with a firm expression on his face.
"Oh bloody hell," Ron groaned. Colton smirked.
"Hello, Minister," Colton said politely. Shacklebolt stood there, his eyes agape for the first time in what looked like, to many, an eternity since he broke his calm demeanor.
"Mr. Burnthal….what on earth is the meaning of this?" The minister asked, a hint of both confusion and disgust in voice.
"What?" Colt said smugly. "I brought you choom's a present in the form of this dickhead," he tapped his wand on Greyback's head, who did not break his blank stare forward.
"What the hell is a 'choom'?" Ron said, but Colton paid him no mind as he eyed his prisoner
"Stand," he ordered, and Greyback listened to his command, still staring blankly forward.
Waves of shrieks and yelps rippled through the crowd in the atrium. Many knew right then and there that Colton had placed Greyback under the Imperius Curse. Some started whispering about how severe the curse was on the wolf man. Darin forced the other two prisoners forward.
"Another three death eaters to send to Azkaban," he said firmly. "Nathan and Leane are being treated for their injuries…but they will be fine. Him on the other hand-" his head gestured over to Colton, "- he's not hurt. But I'm sure you will want to have a word with him," he finished.
Kingsley folded his hands together, and then facepalmed.
"Mr. Potter, have the Auoror's place the prisoners in holding cells before they are sentenced to Azkaban. Ms. Granger, see to it that Mr. Burnthal and Mr. Lannister are in my office in 10 minutes. I need a minute. The rest of you, back to your duties," Kingsley said firmly. Within seconds, Harry was summoning his Auror's to take away the prisoners, Ron grabbed another one of his papers and ran off in search of his dad, while Hermoine walked up to both Colton and Darin.
She looked just as she did when she graduated Hogwarts, but there was an air of authority, and swift beauty about her in the way that she carried herself. If she wasn't engaged to Ron, Colton would have tried asking her out, but he knew that Darin would punch him in the face if he did for such a horrible idea.
"You have a great deal of guts, Colton," Hermoine said, giving him an amused smile.
"I meant to do that," he replied, crossing his arms. Of course, as usual, the minute he opened his mouth, Hermoine's grin quickly faded. Darin groaned.
"But you also did something both incredibly dangerous, and unbelievably stupid," she said firmly. Colt scratched his head nervously, his face turning a deep shade of red as Ron returned. Darin started snickering.
"Granger just made Colt look like a putz," he laughed. Ron chuckled.
"She's got a tendency to do that, being the assistant of course. Sometimes, her authority scares even me!" Ron joked as he shook Darin's hand before he turned to Colton. "In your defense, you did a good thing bringing him in. I didn't think he'd survived the battle, much less see the bastard again."
Colton meekly shrugged.
"It probably wasn't one of my best decisions. But the more I think about it, I feel grateful I was able to put him outta commission without having to kill him," Colton said. Ron gave Colton a light pat on his shoulder.
"Ya done good kid," he assured him.
"Thanks, Mr. Weasly," Colton said. Ron scoffed at the mention.
"I keep telling you, that's what you call my old man. Just call me Ron, mate," he said. Colton nodded as Hermoine traded him a look.
"You go too easy on him sometimes," she chided. Ron shrugged.
"What? I respect powerful wizards!" Ron said. Hermoine chuckled as both Darin and Colt traded looks.
"Anyway, I gotta go check in on mum. Don't be too hard on him," Ron reminded as he walked away. Hermoine shook her head with another amused grin as she turned back to the duo.
"He really does like giving you two a break," she said. Colt shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Gives me some peace of mind to know at least one of the big three respects me…somewhat…." Colt said shyly. Though he was extremely boastful and had a devil may care attitude, Colton suffered from painful insecurity. Darin shook his head again.
"You don't give yourself enough credit then," he teased. Hermoine raised an eyebrow.
"What, you think I don't respect you?" She asked Colton. The young wizard looked up in shock, slightly hurt. This time, Hermoine laughed.
"I'm messing with you. Smile a little bit, Burnthal. Follow me," she said as she turned around towards the minister's office. Like clockwork, Colt and Darin followed her.
"You really gonna let yourself get roasted by Hermoine Granger like that?" Darin teased. Colton shot him a look.
"Piss off," he snarled, though he secretly wasn't complaining. Any time he was messed with, or even associated with one of the heroes of the second war, he took it, praying that even though they often disliked his methods, or his temper, he held out some hope that they respected him as much as they respected his family.
Sitting in the minister's office made Colton feel uncomfortable. Darin on the other stand, stood next to his friend, while Hermione remained behind Shacklebolt's desk as he pondered his thoughts.
"Under normal circumstances, I would thank you a great deal for bringing in a dangerous death eater such as Greyback," Kingsley said. Colton scratched his head, almost as if he knew he was in trouble.
"But these aren't normal circumstances…." Colton said. Hermione gave him a puzzled look.
"Granted, no, considering many death eaters are still at large," she said.
"But you used an unforgivable curse to bring him in," the minister said. Colt had no response, until Darin spoke up for him.
"In his defense minister, if Colt had not placed the Imperius Curse on Fenrir, his father, and possibly many others would have gotten killed," Darin noted. The minister said nothing, before calmly exchanging a look with Hermione, and then back at Darin.
"Let me ask you something, Colton. I'm sure you are aware of the strength it takes to Imperius someone of strong will. Someone of course….like Fenrir Greyback," Kingsley said. The young man nodded.
"Yes sir," he said.
"Then that in turn proves to me that you are a powerful wizard for someone as young as you are," he leaned back in his chair and turned towards the wall for a second before looking back at him. "I might not agree with your methods sometimes, as using an unforgivable curse usually results in a life sentence in Azkaban." Colton stated at the ground in shame.
"But…." Kingsley said, his calm tone changing to a little more amused, "- I'll be lenient on you this time. After all, you brought down Fenrir Greyback. That alone is respectable," he said. Colton exchanged looks with Darin, his face flushed with a combination of shock and excitement.
"So you're telling me I'm not in the doghouse?" Colton asked. This time, the minister laughed.
"No son, you're fine. But I will tell you to never use such a curse again, understand?"
"Yes sir," Colton said again.
"Very well. In the meantime, Mr. Potter actually has an assignment for you both. Hermione will lead you both to his office," Kingsley said. Colton stood up as Darin shook the minister's hand.
"Thanks, Shacklebolt. We owe you one. Hell, he owes you big time!" Darin said. The former Auror simply smiled.
"Ah, don't mention it. I'm normally never this lenient, but I see potential in him. And besides, Colton, you seem like a good young man. You would never do such a thing if you had a good reasoning behind it."
Colton felt honored that the minister was praising him, but it still didn't excuse what he did. At this rate, he knew to just roll with it.
"I do what I can….ya know?" Colton said with a shrug. Kingsley patted him on the shoulder.
"Fair enough. Go to Potter. And gentleman…." He said as they turned around before Hermione led them out of the office.
"Good luck gentleman," Shacklebolt said proudly. Both Colton and Darin nodded in unison.
"Thanks boss," Colt said. Hermione then smiled as she led the two out.
"That went better than I expected. Even before for you, Colt," she said. Darin gave an amused laugh as Colton looked at her shocked.
"Calling me by my nickname now?" He joked. Hermione only chuckled in response.
"Just don't get ahead of yourself, Colton Burnthal," she reminded. For the first time in a while, Colton then laughed. Hermione always found a way to keep people humble.