Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ministers At Work

When Harry stepped in Alex's office the next morning, he arrived to find her having breakfast with only Wilder and a pair of Agent Owls in attendance.

"So how did it go?" Alex asked without ceremony.

"Oh, the capture went great... but it wasn't him," Harry informed her, and Alex's shoulders slumped. "He turned out to be a common face-changing Metamorphmagus using it for identity theft, grabbing their vault keys out of their houses by getting through the delivery window in owl form and then using the vault keys to cash in. Tonks, Mike, and I had no trouble catching and questioning him."

"An owl again. It's always an owl," Alexandria sighed.

"Of course it's always an owl. It's the easiest way for a shape changer to breach wizard security," Harry said. "In fact, I went over to Hogwarts when we had gotten him through processing, and I suspect that might be how the Dashing Doppler may have gotten into Hogwarts last night."

"What? But Hogwarts has all kinds of security, even against strange owls," Alex flailed. "Ever since Spanx got in, they've been really careful. No familiar can enter the boundary unless it's on Hermione's list. Are you sure it was the Dashing Doppler?"

"Positive. By the time I had gotten there, Thatcher Boltin had just about wrapped things up, but said that he was asking for Jeremy Mills, and no other shape changer would have any reason to do that but the Dashing Doppler," Harry said.

"He must have snuck in as one of the guests, then. Who was at the gate?" Alexandria asked.

"Boulderdash and Aurelius were there until the last of them had arrived, then Aurelius went inside to take over for Jennifer, who had to leave early," Harry explained.

"Still, it's obvious they were watching for it, weren't they?" Alex mused.

"Yes, about that," Harry began, making Alex look up again. "Severus is speculating that the Dashing Doppler may have a way to stop Truth Seekers from detecting him, because Rus couldn't see through the disguise despite the fact that Jennifer and Aurelius have been training him quite rigorously on those skills. He may be using some other visual charm to keep Truth Seekers from seeing through it. Even so, it doesn't seem to stop other forms of detection, because Cecilia Kendrick picked up something was wrong straight away. Do you know her?"

"Of course I know her, Sissy is Rus' best friend. They've been close for years now," Alex said. "What sort of things tipped her off?"

"Accent, word choices, smell, and she said that he just didn't 'feel' right," Harry explained. "Severus concluded that it might be something a ghost would be able to sense and had them searching the castle, as well as the gargoyles. But I think by the time everyone was actually searching for him, he was long gone."

"Of course he was," Alex said with a sigh. "You said mother didn't stay?"

"No, she had obligations at in the States and left halfway through," Harry explained.

"Ugh! Can't she ever stay in one place? She really has no business running back in the forth to Whitebridge all the time. I don't know why she doesn't just give it up and stay here where she belongs," Alex said with exasperation.

"And you were where last night while this was going on?" Harry reminded her.

"I was over there getting a briefing on an international case! That is entirely different," Alex said defensively. Wilder hooted in a way that sounded like an amused chuckle even to Harry. "You stay out of it," she scolded her familiar. "The point is that my Mother's ability is different than Rus, or Quintin's, or even Rel's, because she can read paintings as well as ghosts. She even does better with races that are much harder for Truth Seekers to read, like goblins and centaurs, and has a really deep intuition when it comes to outing people who aren't genuine. Because of that, I think Mother would probably see through it even if none of the other Truth Seekers can... if she actually stuck around once in awhile."

"Has it occurred to you that the Dashing Doppler might be avoiding her on purpose?" Harry pointed out. "It's possible that he's reached the same conclusion you have and is intentionally avoiding her for that very reason. He may have heard she was going to be leaving and waited until she was gone to sneak into the castle," Harry conjectured. Alex pondered it.

"Possibly," Alex replied, then nodded slightly. "Perhaps even likely. And I still don't want to rule out he is somehow sneaking in by posing as a familiar, security or no security. I'm going to request that Hermione and Mum go through the list again just to be safe."

"If you write it out, I'll take it over there since I was heading back anyway to get an update from Severus before the game," Harry said.

"That's right, there's a game," Alex replied distractedly. "Rus wrote me about it to find out if I was coming, it's a Slytherin-Dusthorn match. I wasn't going to go because it's my Father's birthday and it's easier just to send him a box of candy. I sent Austere with it this morning."

"I wondered where that lazy Winged Serpent of yours was," Harry said, glancing at his empty bed.

"He's not the fastest when it comes to delivering things, but I didn't get home until after midnight and couldn't use parcel post," Alex admitted. "Besides, he gets along with Father well, and I'd honestly rather have Wilder here if I need a quick message, he's a lot more reliable." Wilder hooted proudly. "Austere is better at internal post and archival work, but I knew I wasn't going to be heavy into that after spending all day and night in the States on that stupid Society case. To be perfectly honest, I really want to set it aside and give all my attention to the Dashing Doppler case until he's caught, because he's obviously making moves over here."

"Then why don't you? Surely you have someone else who can look into the Elderflower case," Harry said.

"No one that I can spare, and it doesn't help that Anna doesn't want BELA involved in it anymore," Alex said with a sigh. "I'll try Grandfather next, maybe he has someone free to look into it. After all, technically it's only a smuggling case on our end. Wilder, can you deliver a note to Grandfather to see if he's free for lunch?" Wilder hooted and watched her write out a note, then took it from her and flew out.

"Once that's done, you should consider coming to the game this afternoon," Harry suggested, ignoring the face she made. "You don't have to sit in the same tower as your parents, you know."

"It's Father's birthday. I'd feel obligated. Besides, it isn't as if Jay even expects me to show up when it's a mid-week game... not that he ever seems to mind when I can't make it. If anything, I don't think he likes it when I do make it," Alex said with a sigh.

"While I personally think you ought to go and support Jay whether he appreciates it or not, there's also a good work-related reason to be there," Harry pointed out. "The Dashing Doppler never got his message to Jeremy last night. Even on a Wednesday game, there's going to be enough of a crowd that he might sneak in again, especially since we don't know where the hole in the security is yet."

"Yes, but can't you handle it, since you're going already?" Alexandria said with exasperation. "Besides, Hermione, and Mum will be a lot less put out if you tell them about going through all of the owls again rather than if I do it. Speaking of which," she said and paused as a large grey owl alighted on the window and then carefully hopped over to the stand, dropping a letter with a Hogwarts wax seal on it.

"From your Father, I take it?" Harry asked as she went over to pick it up.

"Yes, this is Mr. Marley, one of their fleets' faster flyers," Alex introduced, and the owl plumped his feathers up.

"Hello, Mr. Marley. You don't happen to be the Dashing Doppler in disguise, do you?" Harry asked him.

"Who?" hooted the owl.

"He's asking if you're a shape-shifter," Alex told the owl, who screeched in response. "He's insulted."

"Sorry," Harry said, watching as Alex studied the seal before opening it. Sighing in exasperation, she read it out loud.

"'Upon delivering your annual tribute, your familiar has decided that he is far too tired to travel all the way back to London and requests that either you come fetch him or that you order him a coach. Furthermore, Austere has taken up residence in Rasputin's favorite box, who has already threatened him twice over the occurrence. While I have locked him in your mother's sitting room, it would be advisable if you collect him sooner rather than later. Thank you for the tribute, Your Father.' Drat that Serpent!" she added and saw Harry smirk. "Harry, do you think you could..."

"Oh, no. I'm not carrying him back, he doesn't like me even if I can understand him. Typically, he uses that fact against me by telling me just how superior he is to my Phoenix," Harry said. "Now you have to go today."

"Fine," Alexandria said, stomping over to her desk. "But not before I've had a word with Grandfather."

"I'll meet you there," Harry replied, waving at her on his way out of the office.

Alexandria let out a sigh of resignation, writing a quick message to her father. By the time she had put her family signature on the back, Wilder had returned.

"Your grandfather said he's eating at the office today, so be punctual, or else!" Wilder relayed. "What does 'or else' mean?" he wanted to know.

"With Grandfather, that could mean anything. He's extremely creative and has a very dastardly sense of humor," Alexandria admitted. She stood and cleared her desk, sorting her work into the locked boxes. "After lunch, I'm going to go home to get ready to head to Hogwarts. Jay has a Quidditch game this afternoon, and I also need to touch base with some people about the Magician thing yesterday and to pick up Austere. Feel free to go ahead back to the apartment."

"Can't I go to Hogwarts?" Wilder asked.

"But I already have to deal with Austere! Still... you're a lot more dependable..." Alexandria mused, and Wilder hooted in agreement. "How would you like a mission of your own?"

"A post carrying mission?" Wilder hooted.

"An Agent mission," Alexandria said seriously. "Do you think you could spot a shape-shifter among the owls at Hogwarts if one tried to sneak into the castle that way?"

"I'm sure I could," Wilder agreed.

"Do a good job, and maybe I'll keep giving you more familiar missions," Alex told him, and Wilder hooted with excitement. "Now head home, I'll meet you there."

Wilder flew out and Alex finished securing her office, checking the time before stepping into the foggy corridor. Within a couple of turns, she as back in to corridors of the regular Ministry of Magic, striding through the LE Department and receiving several polite greetings as she glanced at her watch one last time before stepping into her grandfather's office. Delia sat in one of the chairs in front of him with a quill hovering above her head, taking dictation.

"Ah, Alex," Thomas said. "Cheeky, going or staying?"

"Heading to meet Mike in the cafeteria. He's on call today," Delia reminded him, getting up.

"See you in an hour," Thomas said. Delia smiled at Alexandria before making her way out of the room. "I hope you don't mind eating in here, Alex. I have a tight schedule today," he said, grunting at the inconvenience.

"Yes, me too. I'm going to have to head to Hogwarts later," Alexandria admitted.

"Oh, is this about that Dashing Doppler thing? I should have invited Thatcher to lunch too," Thomas said.

"Well, some of it is, but not all of it," Alex admitted, helping him make room on his desk.

"Oh?" Thomas prompted distractedly, grabbing the tray and looking under the hood critically before placing it on the desk.

"Is there any way your department can take over looking into the Elderflower Society's connections to this country for me? Between the fact that Bagman's agents have been more active lately and this Dashing Doppler thing, I have my hands full. Not to mention that I'd really like to have concentrate on getting the Doppler aprehended before Bagman's able to entice him to his side," Alex explained.

"Elderflower Society... oh, you mean how the Americans are complaining about them smuggling potion ingredients from here, right? Why don't you try giving it to the foreign office? They're the ones who are supposed to handle that sort of thing, especially when that's technically an international request," Thomas suggested.

"Because all the foreign office ever does is take my report and file it for six months until their bi-annual audit, where they will unanimously decide that it belongs in someone else's department and send it back to me," Alex complained.

"True, but it would get it off your desk for sixth months," he pointed out. Alex look less than amused. "Alright, fine, send me the file and I'll find someone here to take it over. Shame Corey isn't still in your department, though, he'd have been perfect for this. Wasn't he thinking about coming back when Ryan was old enough?"

"That was before Bagman started getting active again. He's worried about Ryan's safety, and he said that Mum is still against the idea. He always gives into her," Alex said irritably.

"Probably because arguing with your mother is pointless. Even I have no luck getting her to yield when she's gotten her back up about something. She's nearly impossible to out-stubborn when she's dug her heals in," Thomas said. "The only way to win against your mother is to not let her get to that point, shutting it down early before she's made up her mind. The fact that this war between you and your mother been going on for years is proof that it's too late; your only option at this point is to cut your losses and end the war."

"I'm not at war with my mother," Alex immediately snapped. Thomas raised a brow at that. "I just don't understand why everyone lets her dictate their lives so much."

"It's because they signed the tardy slip that said she could," Thomas shrugged. Alex rolled her eyes. "It's alright, Alex, I'm sure I can find time to look into it. I agree that catching that shape-shifter is a much greater priority, especially considering he's crafty enough to infiltrate Hogwarts security as well as the Ministry's. Did you want me to send for Thatcher's report on the Doppler sighting last night?"

"Harry already gave me a briefing. Besides, since I have to go to the castle anyway, I can get more details then. We're going to need to go through those castle owls again," Alex added.

"Good luck with that," Thomas said dubiously. "It might be a waste of time, you know."

"It's not a waste of time. It's one of the few ways that Hogwarts can still be breached, since every new year brings new familiars and family owls into the castle that weren't there the year before, it has to be checked," Alex said firmly.

"Yes, fine, but you're going to have to go through your mother to do it. You might want to work on your diplomacy skills before you attempt a parlay," he advised, getting an irritated look in response.

"I am not at war with my mother," Alex replied firmly. "I simply don't understand why everyone puts her on a pedestal when she's been nothing but a nuisance. She keeps poking into things when doesn't have the authority to do so and ends up causing my department headaches because of it. And yet every time I complain about it, it only reaches deaf ears. Harry doesn't listen.. you don't listen... even Draco doesn't listen. I don't know how many times I've caught him looking the other way when she does something she really shouldn't be doing. And because of it, she tries to get away with as much as possible. I just don't get it."

"Yes, I can tell," Thomas said evenly, pulling over his plate. "Look, even if you don't feel you're at war her, you do see her as an adversary and I think it is clouding your opinions. If you want to 'get it', as you call it, you're going to have to look at things with an unbiased eye, just as you would if you were gathering information on someone on a particular case."

"I don't see her as an adver-"

"Of course you do," Thomas interrupted impatiently. "Not only is it because is she your mother, which means she's always had an influence in your life, she is also the primary caregiver of your two sons, which challenges your influence as their mother. It's only natural that you'd feel that way... and you do, whether you want to admit it to yourself or not. The fact that she doesn't see you as an adversary in the slightest further complicates matters. In some ways, I think it makes you underestimate her even more than grown children typically underestimate their parents."

"You have no right to criticize my relationship with Mother when the two of you hardly get along any better," Alexandria retorted curtly.

"Oh? Neither of us feels the other is an adversary. We may not often agree, but at least we're on the same side," Thomas pointed out. "And I'm not stupid enough to underestimate her, especially when I know she's the one person who could take me down if she had reason to."

"That's a laugh. I've seen the two of you spar, and she never wins," Alex said. "And she only wins against Father when he lets her."

"Jen-girl only loses when she's not focused. She has a blind spot when it comes to family," Thomas said, then pointed at her. "And apparently so do you."

"I don't-"

"What is going on in here?" Draco demanded critically from the open door, then shut it as he came inside. "I could hear you before I even stepped out of the corridor."

"Then you already know what's going on," Alex retorted.

"What do you need, Draco?" Thomas asked, ignoring her.

"The newest estimates on the Azkaban renovation? You said the Warden sent them to you?" Draco prompted.

"Oh, right," Thomas said, sliding the drawer to his filing cabinet open. "Tell me Draco, in your honest opinion, if I went insane or something and had to be put down, who would win in a wizard's duel? Jennifer or me?"

"Did you really think there'd be a contest?" Draco said with a raised brow.

"What about against Severus?" Thomas asked, taking the file out but not handing it to him right away.

"Motivation?" Draco asked.

"To save the rest of the family," Thomas suggested.

"That's not a contest either," Draco said with a soft snort, taking the file and opening it so he could glance at the numbers.

"There, you see?" Thomas said to Alexandria.

"Wait, he didn't specify who won, only that it wouldn't be a contest," Alexandria pointed out. Draco looked at her with open surprise.

"You mother would win, of course, I thought that part would be obvious," Draco said.

"I don't believe it, especially after all of the close calls she's had after doing something stupid," Alex said. Draco lifted one side of his mouth in confusion, but then shook his head.

"Never mind, I'll let you handle that, Thomas. You may continue to fight after I'm gone," Draco decided.

"Thank you," Thomas said simply.

"Anyway, I need to talk to you about the Azkaban renovations, because I am starting to get some strange inquiries from Solidarity," Draco said, getting both of their attention. "They've suddenly decided they are in favor of government transparency and want to know more about the security measures before they're willing to vote on any additional funding 'to make sure we're not wasting tax funds'," he said, making air quotes.

"I wonder where they could have possibly gotten that idea from?" Alexandria said in an exaggerated tone.

"Hardly a surprise at all. The Warden himself said that he was worried that Ludo was going to do something to try to get more insight in what tricks we were putting into the Fourth Quarter," Thomas said.

"Any more detail than what we've already cleared for Council debate would definitely give him more insight," Alex argued in frustration. "Even pairing 'wall restructuring' with a fortitude number may give him some idea what materials we're using based on the cost."

"I know, so I told them where to shove their recommendation," Draco said.

"It's likely going to keep coming up," Alexandria said. "I don't see how we have much choice but to retract what little we've given them and file it with my department. We can't risk Ludo getting any more information of what changes we're putting in, it's just too dangerous."

"It'd be even more dangerous if they start asking enough questions that people start wondering who the current Warden of Azkaban is," Thomas added. "He is the only person I know who can possibly keep Ludo in that prison if he's caught again, no matter how much we spend on security. That said, if we start retracting that information and hiding it in the Mysteries budget, those Solidarity wizards are really going to start calling for more transparency."

"It's better than Ludo getting a hold of those plans, though, isn't it?" Alexandria pointed out.

"And what about the rogue spy, the one who may have already seen some of our budgeting plans? Have you gotten any leads on that Metamophmagus yet?" Draco asked Alexandria.

"Getting ready to head to Hogwarts to find out more now," Alexandria explained quickly.

"I just took a minor case off her plate so that she'd have more time to dedicate to the Doppler case," Thomas added in support.

"Yes, I'm on it," Alexandria agreed.

"Good, because as brilliant and devious as Ludo is, we can at least predict what he's going to do and what his objectives are," Draco said. "That shape-shifter is stealing information left and right and we don't know where it's going or what his motives are... he's still an unknown, and I don't like unknown factors. And it's your job to make sure things don't stay unknown unless we want them to!" he told Alexandria sternly.

"Other than the teams I got keeping tabs on Ludo's men, I have every intention of focusing more of my personal attention of the Dashing Doppler," Alexandria assured him.

"Preferably before he breaches any more sensitive areas!" the Minister added, and Alex nodded firmly. Draco held out the renovations folder for her to take.

"Here, file that. I'll take the heat for the prison getting further classified, while you lose this thing in paperwork so deep that no spy can find it," Draco said.

"No problem," Alex agreed, taking the folder and watching as Draco walked to the door, pausing before opening it.

"By the way, Alex, for the record, you wouldn't have been my first pick for Minister of Mysteries when Sal Ricks died. I would have asked your mother if I had thought for a moment she'd have taken it," Draco admitted. "She's a lot more reliable when it comes to nosing in. In fact, she would have caught that shape-shifter by now. Maybe you should ask for her help," he added for good measure as he left.

"Salt in the wound," Thomas said in such an amused tone that Alex felt her temper rise.

"He is simply pulling my chain because he's not happy with my progress. You know as well as I do that he'd never have put my mother in this role. Besides, I understand all languages, which gives me an edge."

"And your mother isn't only a Truth Seeker, but she can read the minds of paintings, which would give her an edge in that job," Thomas pointed out. "He wasn't pulling your chain, Alex, he was being quite sincere. It is simply that you have trouble seeing past her flaws. Draco, on the other hand, accepts that everyone has flaws, and knows how to weigh a person's strengths on balance. If he didn't, he never would have hired me to be the Enforcement Minister," he admitted with a shrug. "Aren't you going to eat, Alex?"

Alex sat down in resignation, grumpily pulling her plate over.

"Alexandria, you are the best Minister of Mysteries that the Ministry has ever had, but you would be a much better one if you didn't let your biases get in the way of doing your job," Thomas said. "Now that your ego's bruised, maybe you're ready to listen to some grandfatherly advice. When you head to the castle today, see if you can set aside your prejudgment against your family members and attempt to view them with an unbiased but critical eye. You may learn something about them you didn't know before."

Alex ate in silence, and Thomas chose to ignore it, despite knowing that silence was Alex's ultimate show of disapproval. He almost wished he had time to go to that game to see what came of it, he mused, but he had a lot to do, especially now that Solidarity was preparing to give the Ministry some extra headaches.