Chapter 10
The Ministry of Magic was in an uproar after the news broke of He Who Must Not Be Named return, the battle at the department of mysteries, and Lucius Malfoy's capture and imprisonment in Azkaban. Officials scurried through the hallways, frantically trying to make sense of what had happened.
Amelia Rowle, a high-ranking Ministry official, was no exception. With her sharp wit and quick thinking, she was at the forefront of the Ministry's efforts to manage the crisis.
Amelia Rowle was a tall and thin woman in her early thirties, with sharp features and piercing green eyes. She always wore her auburn hair pulled back in a tight bun, giving her a no-nonsense look. She was often seen wearing deep green robes, adorned with a silver snake pin on her lapel as a nod to her former Hogwarts house. Her voice was low and commanding, and her words were always carefully chosen, reflecting her years of experience in the Ministry. Overall, she exuded an air of confidence and authority, which commanded respect from her colleagues and subordinates alike, this likely helped her rise so high in the wizarding government so quickly.
As the public face of the Ministry, Amelia was tasked with making sense of the chaos that had erupted at the Department of Mysteries. She spent long hours in the Ministry's press room, fielding questions from the media and reassuring the wizarding community that the Ministry had everything under control.
Despite her exhaustion, Amelia never wavered. She knew that her words could make all the difference in a time of crisis, and she was determined to make sure that the wizarding world knew that the Ministry was doing everything in its power to keep them safe.
Amelia had finished recounting the events of the past few days and now that her report had been completed, she was to deliver it to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, in his office.
As Amelia steps into the office, she can't help but feel a sense of awe, ministry workers were rarely invited in. The spacious room is dominated by a large, ornate desk made of gleaming mahogany, which sits at the far end of the room. Behind the desk is a high-backed leather chair, where Minister Fudge himself often sits. On the wall behind him is a portrait of the first Minister of Magic, Ulick Gamp, looking stern and unapproachable.
To the left of the desk is a tall window, which stretches from floor to ceiling, providing a stunning view of the busy streets of London below. The window is framed with thick, luxurious curtains made of deep purple velvet that match the color of the carpet on the floor. The walls are lined with bookshelves, filled with ancient tomes, dusty volumes, and leather-bound records.
The room is adorned with various magical artifacts and trinkets that showcase the power and wealth of the wizarding world. A magnificent crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow throughout the room. A gilded goblin statue, clutching a sword in one hand and a bag of gold in the other, stands on a pedestal in the corner of the room.
Behind the desk is a fireplace, which crackles merrily, providing warmth and comfort during the chilly London winters. Above it hangs a portrait of Minister Fudge's predecessor, Millicent Bagnold, who looks stern and disapproving.
"Ah, Miss Rowle. Come in. I trust you have my incident report," Fudge said from behind his desk.
'Yes, Sir, I have got it all right here," she responded.
"Well don't be shy," Fudge flicked his wand and a chair was pulled from the corner of the room to right behind Amelia. "Have a seat and read it aloud."
"Right, then," Amelia sat down and started. "Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, all fifth year students at Hogwarts arrived at the Ministry of Magic to rescue Sirius Black, who they believed had been captured by He Who Must Not Be Named. They entered the Department of Mysteries and found themselves ambushed by Death Eaters. The students defended themselves valiantly until back up arrived. Members of The Order of the Phoenix arrived and fought, we do not know their identities, although we know there were at least 6 people. The only member confirmed to have been there was Sirius Black, who was killed in the battle.
The following death eaters from the battle have been captured and sent to Azkaban: Lucius Malfoy, Antonin Dolohov, Elgor Jugson, Francis Crabbe, Gasper Avery, and Gregory Goyle Senior.
During the ensuing battle, Harry and his friends discovered the reason why they were lured to the Department of Mysteries: He Who Must Not Be Named was after a prophecy, the contents of which remain unknown.
As the battle rages on, He Who Must Not Be Named himself arrives and engages in a duel with Dumbledore, who arrived at the same time. Their fight was a fierce and intense magical battle, with both wizards displaying incredible skill and power. They hurled spells at each other, causing pillars to crumble and objects to shatter. Dumbledore is able to hold his own against He Who Must Not Be Named and even manages to disarm him.
In a moment of desperation, He Who Must Not Be Named attempts to possess Harry's mind and force him to retrieve the prophecy. However, Harry is able to resist his influence and escapes with his friends," Amelia finished as she cleared her throat.
"I see," Fudge responded, looking white as a ghost. "Well thank you Miss Rowle this has been most helpful. Please leave the written report and see yourself out."
Amelia left without another word, and within a week's time Fudge had been forced to retire for his longtime denial of the dark lord's return.
As the days passed, the story of the Hogwarts students who had battled the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries became the talk of the wizarding world. And with the death of Sirius Black, the stakes were higher than ever.
But through it all, Amelia remained steadfast. With her unwavering dedication to the Ministry and her unshakable resolve, she was a shining example of the best that the wizarding world had to offer.
Rowle was working long hours to manage the aftermath of the recent events at the Department of Mysteries. As she made public statements about the incident and the capture of prominent Death Eaters, she couldn't help but think about Sirius Black, the innocent man who had been wrongly accused and killed in the chaos.
Although it wasn't her primary focus, Amelia had discovered the truth about Sirius's innocence during her investigation of the incident. She had been shocked to find that he had been caught up in the conflict without any real evidence against him, and she knew that it was her duty to ensure that his name was cleared.
Working tirelessly, Amelia spent long days poring over documents and compiling evidence to prove Sirius's innocence. It was a daunting task, but she was determined to see justice done, and nothing could deter her from her mission.
Despite the overwhelming workload, Amelia found solace in the fact that she was fighting for a noble cause. With every piece of evidence she uncovered, she felt more determined than ever to prove Sirius's innocence and set the record straight.
As Rowle made her way home late one night, she couldn't wait to collapse into her bed and get some much-needed rest. She had spent the entire day working on the Sirius Black case, having finally gotten the word out to the public about his innocence. But when she arrived at her front doorstep, she froze in her tracks.
There, sitting on her stoop, was her former head of house and potions professor, Horace Slughorn. He looked up at her with a pitiful expression, his small eyes glistening in the moonlight. She had never seen him outside of Hogwarts, and certainly not in such an unexpected place.
Amelia had always been fond of Professor Slughorn. When she was a student at Hogwarts, he had invited her to be part of his exclusive Slug Club, a group of high-achieving students he mentored and networked with. She had always enjoyed his company, and he had a way of making her feel special and valued.
But as she looked at him now, sitting on her front stoop, she couldn't help but notice how much he had aged. His hair, once thick and luxurious, was now thinning and graying. His skin, once smooth and rosy, was now lined with wrinkles and age spots. But despite his physical changes, she could still see the twinkle in his eyes that had always charmed her.
She approached him with a warm smile, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over her. She immediately couldn't help but reminisce about her fond memories of being part of the Slug Club. She had learned so much from Slughorn, both academically and socially, and had made some valuable connections through the club. It was because of him that she had landed her job at the Ministry of Magic, and she was grateful for his guidance and support.
Despite his aging appearance, Amelia was still grateful for Slughorn's mentorship and the positive impact he had on her life.
"Professor Slughorn?" Amelia said, her voice laced with surprise and joy. "What are you doing here?"
Slughorn stood up, straightening his robes and adjusting his collar. "Ah, Amelia, my dear," he said, his voice oozing with charm. "I'm sorry to bother you at this late hour, but I had nowhere else to turn. Can we please go inside? I want to get out of public view."
"Of course," she responded with a slightly puzzled tone, "right this way."
As the pair walk into her house, they find themselves in a cozy entryway with warm, golden walls and a plush burgundy rug beneath their feet. The air is scented with lavender and vanilla, a combination that creates a sense of calm and tranquility. The entryway leads into a spacious living room, where a large fireplace crackles and pops, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
The living room is elegantly decorated with comfortable furniture, including a plush leather couch and several armchairs. The walls are adorned with beautiful paintings, some of which depict magical creatures and landscapes, while others feature portraits of famous wizards and witches. A large bookshelf filled with leather-bound tomes and a variety of other texts sits against one of the walls.
As they make their way further into the house, Amelia and Slughorn come across a well-appointed dining room with a long, polished table surrounded by high-backed chairs. The table is set with fine china and silverware, and the room is illuminated by a sparkling chandelier overhead. The aroma of a delicious meal being prepared by her house elf wafts through the air, making their mouths water.
Further on, they pass a small study, complete with a desk and an armchair, with bookshelves lining the walls. A faint light glows from a nearby lamp, casting a warm glow on the books and papers scattered across the desk. It's clear that this is a room where a lot of work is done.
Overall, the house is a welcoming and comfortable haven, with a timeless elegance that suggests a deep appreciation for tradition and the finer things in life, a reflection of Amelia's success and the wealth of her family.
Amelia sat down on the couch, facing Slughorn. "Professor, what's going on? Why are you here?"
Slughorn took a deep breath, then jumped right into it. "I've been on the run, Amelia. Yaxley and the other Death Eaters are after me." He decided full transparency was necessary with his former student. He hated being out in the open like this but he knew that members of his Slug Club were sure to be helpful.
Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh my.I had heard that you left Hogwarts, but I had no idea it was because of that. I just assumed you were ready to retire."
Slughorn shook his head. "No, I wish it were that simple. I had to leave to keep myself safe. But now I need your help. You have information that could be helpful to me."
Amelia leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of information?"
Slughorn hesitated for a moment before answering. The silence was deafening, but broken quickly as the door to the living room creaked open, and a small house elf with large, floppy ears and bright, eager eyes appeared in the doorway, balancing a tray with two steaming cups of tea. The elf shuffled over to the low table in front of Amelia and Slughorn and carefully placed the tray down, before holding out the cups to each of them with a deep bow.
"Thank you, Beezus," said Amelia with a kind smile, "but please do not bother us for a while."
Beezus nodded obediently, her large ears flopping with each movement, before scurrying out of the room with a quick snap of her fingers, leaving the two wizards alone once again.
"Amelia, I need to know if Corban Yaxley was one of the unnamed death eaters arrested and sent to Azkaban," Slughorn said urgently. "If he was, then I would no longer need to run."
Amelia hesitated for a moment, considering her answer. Slughorn saw the reluctance to speak on her face, and before she could say anything, he continued. "Please, my dear," he said, placing a hand on her arm. "I came all this way to see you, a former student I could trust and rely on. Do you have any information that could be of help to me? I realize this would be considered classified but I am living like a stray dog. I need to know if I am safe"
A sense of pity washed over Amelia. "You are right, that is classified. I could not tell you who was taken during the battle at the department of mysteries. However, I will say this. If it is Corban Yaxley you are hiding from, I would not recommend you come out of hiding."
Sadness and despair melt over Slughorn's expression. His shoulders slump down, this is what he was worried she would say.
"I'm sorry Professor, I wish I had better news."
Amelia could see the worry and exhaustion in Slughorn's eyes, and she felt a pang of sympathy for him. "Why don't you hide out at my place for a little bit," she said.
Slughorn was not expecting this offer, "I… I could not impose on you like that."
"Please, Professor, don't worry about imposing. I insist. It's the least I could do for my favorite teacher after everything you've done for me."
Slughorn looked hesitant, but Amelia could see the relief in his face. "Thank you, my dear. I truly appreciate it, it will only be for a few days, then I must continue on" he said.
Amelia smiled. "Of course. My house has strong wards around it, which would make it very safe for you to be here. You can rest easy knowing that no one will find you."
Slughorn looked at her with gratitude. "You are a kind and generous woman, Amelia. I don't know what I would do without you."
Amelia waved his words away. "It's nothing. Now, let me show you to your room. You must be tired from all that traveling."
"Now I must write a few letters but Beezus will show you to your room. You look exhausted, why don't you get some rest." She snapped her fingers and the floppy eared elf appeared.
Beezus led Slughorn through the grand foyer, its high ceilings adorned with glittering chandeliers that cast a warm and welcoming light on the marble floors below. They passed through an archway into the spacious living room where plush sofas and armchairs were arranged around a crackling fireplace. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and bookshelves lined the perimeter of the room. Slughorn couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in the cozy surroundings.
Beezus led him down a long corridor with richly-hued tapestries hanging on the walls. They turned a corner and passed through a doorway into the dining room, its long table surrounded by high-backed chairs. The table was set for a formal meal, complete with polished silverware and sparkling crystal glasses.
Continuing down the hallway, they eventually arrived at the guest room. The door was a rich mahogany with a brass handle. Beezus opened it to reveal a spacious and cozy room with a large four-poster bed draped in luxurious silk. The walls were painted a warm shade of cream, and a thick, plush rug covered the floor. The windows overlooked a garden with a tranquil fountain at its center.
"Here we is. Master Professor. Call Beezus if Master Professor needs anything more, goodnight," she said and with a crack she disapperated.
Slughorn, feeling depressed from the bad news yet grateful for the room to stay in, climbed into the soft, freshly made bed and fell asleep in minutes, still wearing his robes.
A/N
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. As you can see, Amelia Rowle is a character that I came up with (although the Rowle family is a canon pure blood family), but the report she gave to Fudge was all canon. This shows what happened from the perspective of ministry workers, rather than from the protagonists in the canon stories, hence, there are some things left out or slightly incorrect due to them not having the full story. Despite this the story was the same. Hope you found this perspective as enjoyable to read as I did to write!