(Disclaimer: I own nothing but the mistakes)
Chapter 4: Out Foxed
There is always a moments disorientation when someone wakes up from being stunned. The length of the disorientation depends on the person and method used to wake them. naturally waking up tends to have the worst effect on a person, similar to coming out of a drugged sleep.
Sirius staired up at the Hogwarts hospital wing ceiling, he hadn't seen it in well over a decade so why did he see it now? Memories rushed him, he sat bolt upright. They had arrested harry. A quick glance up and down the room showed there was a large number of people at the far end by the windows all fussing over something.
Since no one had bothered to take his wand Sirius figured they weren't planning to hold him for anything. Judging from the light he'd been out almost two hours. Without bothering to inform anyone that he was leaving, or even awake Sirius left the hospital wing. As soon as he was beyond the schools' wards, he apparated to the British Ministry and began to search for his son.
Two hours later and Sirius was sure he could kill everyone in the building and convince a jury it was justified. It had taken two hours of yelling and raising a fuss before he was able to see someone beyond the level of useless lacky.
Sadly, the Undersecretary for the minister was worse than the useless lackeys. The toad like woman had kept a smile on her face the entire time that Sirius had explained the events to her. When he finished, she continued to smile and just said. "I am well aware of what happened."
"What?"
"Did you really think I had not heard about it?" Umbridge said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "I understand that being away from our wonderful shores for so many years might have caused you to forget some of the finer points of civilization. Allow me to explain things to you.
"Your son broke the law. He was not forced to do so by anyone. No one held a wand to his head and ordered him to use dark magic. No, it was completely voluntary." Umbridge said as if she was talking to a stupid child.
"Dumbledore begged him to! That means he had the old fool's permission, an exemption or whatever it's called." Sirius ranted.
"Hm-hm. Unfortunately, Dumbledore is not able to provide such exemptions from the law. Now if I was to tell you to go kill someone and you did, well I don't have that authority and you would still be the one charged for the murder because I have no authority over you either. I did not force you to commit the murder, that was your choice." Umbridge said.
Sirius hated it, each of the explanations, alone, sounded reasonable. But they weren't! "But Harry didn't kill anyone. He opened those doors so they could try and save a girl. Surely if I killed someone trying to kill you, I wouldn't be charged with murder."
Umbridge frowned as her own game was turned back on her. "If you used dark arts to do so then yes you would be. And that is the heart of the matter. Parseltongue is recognized as dark magic and any use of such dark magic is ten years in Azkaban. I believe your son used it three times?"
"You want to send Harry to that Hell on earth for thirty years!" Sirius almost cursed the woman then and there. "The North American Ministry will never stand for that."
"Oh, they will complain but I doubt they will start a war over this. After all, as I said your son freely chose to use dark magic." Umbridge said.
"It was entrapment! Dumbledore knew it was illegal but still begged Harry to and never told us!" Sirius shouted back.
"Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. The charge of entrapment would never stick anyways. But as your son is a minor and the brother to Daniel Potter, he will be given a choice. The thirty years or rejoining his parents." Umbridge loved the look of despair on Sirius's face. Just being born into an influential family couldn't protect him. It wouldn't protect anyone from her.
Sirius wanted to argue that there had been no trial for Harry, but he knew if there was it would be rigged. He only saw one way to free his son. Once they were safely home, he could figure out the rest. "Can, can I see Harry, explain things to him. He's stubborn, he might pick Azkaban just to spit all of you."
"Very well, I will allow it." Umbridge said. There was nothing he could do after all she reasoned. He had no wand and her guards had been forewarned that he was an animus. Really, they could have pushed that matter as well since he became one in their country but decided not to test their luck beyond the boy. Umbridge smiled as they made their way down to the holding cells. She loved the feeling of despair that was rolling off Black.
0-Q-0
The cell Harry was in was small, a bit dirty and complete with big iron bars across one wall. There was a cot and a chamber pot stuck to the floor. Neither could be moved. After he had been taken from Hogwarts he'd been tossed into the cell, literally, and left alone. His dad had always taught him to be aware of his surroundings. And while he might not have taken the lesson to heart, he didn't have anything else to do but explore his small cell. He found nothing. Without his wand he couldn't be sure but he didn't think there was even any magic used in the cell beyond the sticking charms. Good news for him.
When someone finally did come to see him, he was thrilled that it was his dad. The talking toad wasn't as amusing as he would have hoped for though. His dad explained everything. "I'm sorry Harry, that old fool out foxed us. I don't see any way out."
Harry reached through the bars, and as best as he was able to hugged his father. "It'll be alright. I'm sure things aren't as grim as they seem."
"Hm-hm. I believe that they are child. I would urge you to consider Mr. Black's words. Azkaban is not a pleasant place. If you submit yourself to the Potters, your birth family. I am sure things will be much more pleasant for you. The minister himself will be along soon to present you with your options." Umbridge nodded to her guards to pull them apart. She then followed a distraught Sirius back to the lobby where he collapsed on the edge of the fountain. Head in hands, the picture of defeat. It was wonderful.
Back in his cell Harry took one last look around to make sure no one was watching. They hadn't even bothered to leave a guard. He had figured they'd be forced to go this way, when his dad used one of their secret words, he was sure, foxed. The word was Harry's instructions. When he had been little eh had thought it sounded like a game of spy's but he had come to realize how serious things would be if his dad ever used it.
He had responded with his own word, grim, so his dad knew he understood.
It only took three slow breaths for Harry to change now. A marked improvement, but still nowhere near as good as his dad's. When Harry opened his eyes again the cell was much larger, and the space between the metal bars much greater. He trotted through the space with no problem.
There was a stack of parchment on a table, Harry grabbed one with his mouth and continued on as though he knew exactly where he was going. It was funny to him. None of the ministry people bothered to give him more than a single look, as if a black fox carrying a role of parchment was a normal occurrence to them. Or maybe it was just that he looked like he belonged so they assumed he did. And his dad said he couldn't bluff.
It was surprisingly easy to reach the lobby of the ministry. As he trotted past Harry dropped the parchment next to the guard then continued on to find his dad sitting by the fountain.
As soon as Sirius saw the black fox, he scooped it up and went to the floos before anyone could think to stop him. The lone guard on duty though was too busy trying to figure out why a fox had just given him a work order to fix the floor on level six.
0-Q-0
Harry hated using the floo network while he was in his animagus form. It was ten time worse. And Sirius had instructed him to keep that form until they were home. As soon as they stepped out of their own fireplace Harry jumped from his dad's arms and changed back. Only to be tackled by two screaming girls.
0-Q-0
After Harry had left Hermione had gone straight to the office to wait for any news. She had paced up and down the hall until she thought she would go crazy. After an hour Hermione convinced the Dean to let her contact her parents and get permission to go home and wait for word of Harry there. She couldn't help but worry, the longer he was gone the worse it became.
As soon as she stepped out of the fire she turned around and called Harry's home incase they'd gotten back already but hadn't returned to Wandwood. He might have been hurt. Instead of Harry or his dad she found Sharra and Violet.
Sirius had contacted them before they had left for England and the two girls were waiting for them to return. Violet understood why Hermione was so worried and invited the Grangers over to wait with them.
Sharra distracted herself by fussing over little Cordelia. After another hour even Violet was worried. She knew Sirius had planned to bring Harry back as soon as they had helped Dumbledore get into the creature's lair.
It was a somber atmosphere that Sirius stepped into hours later. When the black fox he was carrying transformed into Harry nothing could stop Hermione and Shar from rushing him to check for injuries. Each latched onto an arm and refused to let go. Sirius, after a deep kiss with Violet, explained what had happened in England.
When he finished, he almost felt sorry for Dumbledore should he ever run into Hermione.
0-Q-0
Dumbledore could hardly believe how well the plan had worked. They had arrived in time to save Miss Weasley, Harry had been taken into custody and he had finally found confirmation of the method used by Voldemort to prevent his death. He had even managed to spirit away the diary while making those present believe he had destroyed it in an impressive feat of magic.
Now it was time to deal with Harry. The other Potter child had proved a great problem to many of Dumbledore's plans until he had added Harry into the equation from the very beginning. Now he believed that the night Voldemort attack Harry had sacrificed his magic to allow Daniel to defeat him. A sacrifice willingly given was much greater than one taken by force. The thought that Harry had used his own magic to defeat Voldemort never crossed his mind.
He now believed that Daniel had been unable to deal with the weakened Voldemort the previous year because Harry was not there. It was the love between brothers that would push Daniels magic over the edge and allow him to finally win. He also believed that if giving up his magic for Daniel had allowed Voldemort to be banished then it was possible it would require Harry's death to see the end of Voldemort.
"Do you really think you'll be able to help him?" Lily asked as she and James followed Dumbledore down the hall.
"I believe that I will be able to. The first step will be to reintegrate Harry into your family. Your support will be key to helping him. After I have had time to study the method Black used to gift him with magic again, I will know more. I believe that our best option will be to reverse whatever has been done. This will make Harry a squib again but hopefully break the dark magics hold on him." Dumbledore explained. Of course, since he expected Voldemort to make another move within the next two years he would most likely wait and see if Harry was the key to allowing Daniel to defeat Voldemort. Unless Harry proved to problematic.
Umbridge and Minister Fudge were waiting for them outside the holding cells. "Albus, James, Lily. Bad business this is."
Dumbledore nodded somberly. "It is, let us hope we are able to resolve this matter quickly."
The group entered and marched down the hall. They were shocked to find the cell Harry was supposed to be in empty.
The ministry was placed into lockdown but there was no sign of Harry. It was later concluded that he must have escaped and left with Sirius Black. Arrest warrants were issued for both. Despite Dumbledore's protests Umbridge was placed in charge of dealing with the North American Ministry to see them returned to face justice.
0-Q-0
"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were an animagus!" Sharra berated Harry after she had assured herself that he was unhurt.
"Sorry but Sirius made me promise not to tell anyone." Harry explained.
Sirius chuckled as Sharra continued to glare at him. "It's good to have a few tricks. No one would expect Harry to be a full animagus at his age so it was our ace."
"But you're one so why wouldn't they expect Harry to be?" Emma asked.
"Like I said, his age. It can take years just to find out what your inner animal is and a few more to master the transformation, depending on the ritual. As far as most of Europe is concerned you can't achieve the change before you're sixteen. There are a couple Indian tribes though that came up with a ritual that skips the time needed to find your animal. When Harry turned ten, I convinced one of them to help. He mastered the transformation a few months ago." Sirius explained. He knew Harry had been dying to tell Hermione and Sharra.
"Well since we know now can we see you as a fox again?" Sharra asked.
"Fine." Harry centered himself and allowed the change to happen.
Hermione was fascinated as her best friend began to shrink, his clothes darked as the changed into black fur, more sprouted from his skin as his face changed shape. The hair already on his head shorted until it blended into the rest of his fur, then lengthened slightly again.
Once the change had finished Harry sat and grinned at them. Sharra reached out and petted him. "Oh, he's so soft."
Hemione cupped his face with her hand and twitched her finger behind his ear. Harry leaned against her hand. "He is, like a giant teddy bear."
Harry snorted at the comparison but didn't move his head. He was enjoying himself too much. While Hermione and Sharra admired Harry's fox form. And introduced Cordelia to him. Sirius and the other adults discussed what had happened and what Sirius planned to do next.
As it grew later and the Grangers prepared to return home, with Hermione trying to talk them into letting her stay for the night, there was a knock at the door. Sirius motioned for Violet to have her wand ready, Harry remained changed but moved between the girls and the front door. Sirius opened the door and found a man in his mid-fifties on his porch. "Yes?"
"Mr. Black?" The man asked.
"I am." Sirius replied, his eyes scanned behind the man for other threats.
"I am inspector Watson. Are you aware that there is an arrest warrant for you and your son in England for multiple crimes?" Watson asked.
"I figured it would take them longer to put something together." Sirius admitted.
"Do you know where your son is?" Watson pressed.
"Are we under arrest?" Sirius asked.
"No. Minister Macdonald has only asked me to investigate at the moment. I would like to get statements from you and your son. We could go to the ministry to do it or we can do it here if you prefer." Watson said.
"Here, I'm not exactly in a trusting mood." Sirius opened the door further and allowed the inspector to step in. "Hermione, could you go get Harry?"
Hermione hesitated a moment before she caught on. Sirius didn't want to give away Harry's form if the inspector didn't already know it. "Sure, come on Nighty."
Harry trotted after Hermione down the hall while Sirius introduced Watson to the others. A few moments later Harry returned, once again human. "Hello."
"Good evening young man. Well, why don't we get to it. I'd like for you both to tell me what exactly happened." Watson said. He didn't feel the need to be to formal, especially after that woman had started yelling at them, demanding they hand over two of their citizens.
Sirius and Harry spent the next hour retelling the story. When it came to how Harry managed to escape, he simply said he managed to wiggle through the bars. Watson stopped the quote quill. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say you didn't just walk out. Well, you did but not as a human. I checked for your name before I came over. You're a fox animagus, I'm guessing the same one I saw when I arrived?"
Harry nodded sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it. The official report will use your story. I just wanted to know for my curiosity. There's no need to give them any advantage." Watson said. He was secretly impressed, even he had never managed to become an animagus.
"So, what will happen now?" Sirius asked.
"I go back and give my report. My recommendation is not to extradite you, not only do I doubt you'd get a fair trial it looks like a clear case on entrapment. I'll recommend to you though not to travel to any country that belongs to the ICW." Watson said as he packed up his quill and notes.
0-Q-0
Watson stood in the office of the North American Minister of Magic. He stifled a yawn, there had barely been enough time after he returned from speaking to the Blacks to write up a report before he'd been summoned to see the Minister. Macdonald didn't look much better despite his family having delt with politics for generations. "So, what did you learn?"
"Well, we'll still need them to come in and give official statements but it looks like a clear case of entrapment. Dumbledore begged Harry Black to come to Hogwarts and speak Parseltongue to gain entrance to some creature's hidey hole. Once they were in Harry was arrested for practicing dark magic, in this case Parseltongue. I have some people checking to see when that got passed into law. I also sent out a warning to everyone we have registered with the ability.
"Mr. Black was stunned shortly after. When he regained consciousness, he was in the school's medical wing. Since he hadn't been arrested, restrained or had his wand removed he just left and went to find Harry. Apparently, he ended up talking to the same woman that showed up here-"
Minister Macdonald shivered. "I don't think that thing was a woman. And I think it was trying to flirt with me too."
"Damn, that's got to count as assault or something. Anyways they refused to release Harry. They were going to offer him a choice. Azkaban for a number of years or being returned to his birth family." Watson said as he went back over his notes.
"And Young Black didn't like that option?" Macdonald asked.
"No sir, they had already given him up when they believed he had lost his magic. The adoption was done nice and legal so they're set on that stage. Harry was addiment that he didn't want anything to do with them. I get the feeling there is more to the story there but I didn't ask since it wasn't relevant to the issue." Watson said. He had been tempted though, he suspected whatever happened involved Miss Granger as Harry looked to her several times.
"And the charge of breaking out of a cell?"
"Meh, iffy at best. Harry didn't break out, walked out maybe but he didn't break anything. Officially my report says he wiggled through the bars. Unofficially he's registered as an animagus." Watson explained.
"Got it. We'll keep that under wraps for now." Macdonald didn't hesitate to withhold information from the British. They hadn't done anything but cause problems in a long time.
"Not like we're hiding it. They looked up the record on Parseltongue so it hardly our fault if they're too lazy to check the one for animagus." Watson reasoned.
"Officially what is you recommendation?" Macdonald asked.
"Next time that woman shows up we arrest her for violating a noise ordinance or something. Dumbledore has got a position in the English Ministry, ICW and is the headmaster of the school. When he asked Black for help, he gave them all the permission they needed. So, there was no reason to arrest him in the first place and the charge of escape is worthless." Watson said. He really hoped the Minister let him arrest that woman. If so, he'd need new magic earplugs.
"I agree, next time she comes by you tell her that." Macdonald said smuggle. He wasn't above throwing Watson to the wolves if he could get a good laugh out of it. Besides, better Watson have to deal with that woman than him.
"What?"
"You deal with her. You know the ICW has that law that all countries not part of it can only have one ambassador to deal with all countries that are. And our ambassador is currently busy with a problem in Germany. I'm not about to waste another diplomate on England after what they just tried. So, you get the job." Macdonald truly hated trying to deal with any country that was a member of the ICW, which was a majority of Europe and the odd country from elsewhere. They made it so difficult to do anything. It was little wonder they were all considered so far behind the times.
"I see." Watson said slowly. "I quiet."
"Can't, we have you under contract."
"Throw me in jail then." Watson offered.
"I'll order you thrown into a room with that woman."
"I've committed treason?"
"Same punishment." Macdonald answered smoothly.
Watson thought about it for a moment before he smiled. "I slept with your wife."
"Well, she is your sister so I imagen you've taken naps together." Macdonald replied.
"I'll tell Marry you're being mean to me." Watson threatened.
"Do it, she'd probably make it worth my wild." Macdonald said with a grin.
"Damn you."
"That is what you said at the wedding." Macdonald leaned back in his chair, satisfied that he'd won.
0-Q-0
Umbridge frowned as she was shown into an office at the North American Ministry. It had been over a day and yet she still hadn't been given those little bastards. What was taking these foreign idiots so long? They should have been jumping to serve her. Well, she'd just have to throw her weight around a bit and get them moving. Not only did she represent the British Ministry but the ICW too. Well unofficially that was.
And why wasn't she meeting with the Minister, who's his name? She'd scare whatever flunky they sent to deal with her then send that little Minister of their running to do her commands. As it should be. Her own ideas put foreign magical users just a few steps above muggles or any other creature. So, her methods of dealing with them were the same, you just needed a strong hand to force them into their place.
Watson took a deep breath and entered the office he'd been given to deal with Umbridge. The office had extensive silencing charms placed on it for everyone else's comfort but he'd be at ground zero. His brother-in-law had better get him one hell of a Christmas gift he decided as he saw the woman already seated. "Madam Umbridge."
"And you are?" Umbridge asked with distain. The man didn't even look fit to be a clerk let alone someone important.
"Name's Watson. I was placed in charge of investigating the matter you brought before us. I am happy to say it has been resolved." Watson said with false cheer. He was a bit upset that the window had been sealed after he'd asked if he could throw the woman out of it.
"Wonderful." Umbridge said in her sickly-sweet voice. "I will take charge of the prisoners and return them to Britain immediately."
"Prisoners?" Watson asked innocently.
"The Blacks." Umbridge grew more irritated. They sent a fool to deal with her!
"Why would the Blacks go with you?" Watson asked.
"You just said you'd arrested them!" Umbridge yelled. What was wrong with this man. Perhaps she'd have him fired.
"Oh, I see now. No no, you're just an idiot who hears what she wants to." Watson said. He could barely keep from laughing at her face. "You see what I said was that the matter had been resolved. I investigated it and found that Harry Black had been asked to speak Parseltongue by Dumbledore, who is the headmaster of the school, in your government and the ICW. Therefor he had permission. So, you had no grounds to arrest him. We won't be giving either of them to you." Watson loved to burst Umbridge's bubble. Maybe he should look into becoming an ambassador, this was actually fun!
"But, but Black is a dark wizard! He can speak to serpents!" Umbridge shouted in disbelief.
"Maybe on the backwards island you call home and those other places that belong to the freaky little club you call the ICW, it's seen as dark. To the rest of the world, it is a valuable skill that is highly undemand. Now since you won't be getting any of our citizens shoo." Watson made a motion with his hands to show that she was dismissed.
"You, you can't do that! I am the Under secretary to the minister!" Umbridge slammed her hands onto the desk. She was shaking in rage.
"Not my Minister." Watson said calmly.
"You will turn them over to me now! Or you will face the combined might of the British Ministry and the ICW!" Umbridge was sure this was a bluff and she had called it. No one would stand a chance against them and this fool would back down.
"Magical England is a joke. We aren't members of the ICW so what can they do? Do you think even Dumbledore could convince them to go to war over a father and son?" Watson asked. Actually, he thought Dumbledore might be able to do just that, but he also thought the old guy wasn't stupid enough to try. Hmm, now what would his brother-in-law say if he accidently got them into a war. After all that was one of the few things he'd asked Watson not to do.
"You ask if the ICW would go to war to stop Dark Lords, let me ask you will your little Ministry go to war to defend them?" Umbridge said as she tried to turn his words around. It was a tactic that had served her well before.
"Well, no, we wouldn't go to war to save some Dark Lord. But the Blacks aren't Dark Lords so it's a mote point. To save two of our citizens who you are trying to kidnap, sure we would. But it wouldn't be a war, it would be a slaughter." Watson answered.
"How could you possibly believe that?" Umbridge asked in disbelief.
"Well…" Watson considered his response for a moment. "Lots of reasons. England has about 350 Auroras and another 150 hit wizards. We have over ten times that number. Not to mention a few thousand is assorted personnel who could be called upon. The ICW only controls about thirty percent of the magical population of the world, the North American Ministry alone controls over half as many. We're also a part of the Pacific Peace Treaty. Fight us and you have to deal with the Asian Alliance as well. Pretty sure something like that happened back in WW2," A flat out lie, not that the talking toad seemed to know that. "Didn't work out well for you guys. You're out numbered, out gunned and out smarted. You should go home and tell your boss to drop this."
Watson wanted to make sure Umbridge understood just how foolish acting against them would be. Technically the Pacific Peace treaty didn't assure that the other countries would help them but he was willing to bet Umbridge didn't know that.
"Impossible! The ICW is the strongest collection of countries in the world and Britain sits in its rightful place at the head. Next, you'll be telling me you would have goblins fighting for you, or werewolves." Umbridge scoffed at the idea. She, like many others had been told of the power of the ICW for so long it was as natural as breathing to believe they were unbeatable. Even with no proof to back up such a claim.
"Well, I can't speak for the goblins but we could probably hire some out if we wanted. As for the wolves, well we do have a special unit made up of only werewolves." Watson said. Again, not strictly true. Dark Moon was a private security firm and not under the control of the Ministry. But again, Umbridge didn't know that.
"What?" Umbridge actually jumped out of her seat and edged towards the door. "You're, you're in league with dark creatures. No wonder you won't turn those criminals over to us!"
Watson watched as Umbridge found the door and dashed out. He followed at a more leisurely pace and wondered if it would be appropriate to make wolf sounds. He didn't get the chance as she made it to international departures well ahead of him.
Once Watson was sure Umbridge had left he walked back to the minister's office. His secretary looked up apprehensively. "We aren't at war, are we?"
"Nah, I mean probably not. There has to be something official for that right, some fancy paper or something?" Watson asked.
The secretary slumped down in her seat. "Just go in."
"Geez, really feel the trust there." Watson rolled his eyes but walked into the Minister's office. He provided the memory for Macdonald to view. "You know that was actually kind of fun, how would I go about switching over to being an ambassador?"
"If I let you do that not only, would we be at war with every country in a matter of days but I'd be committed to a nuthouse." Macdonald replied wearily. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea.
0-Q-0
Ever since Sirius had meet the Grangers, they had gotten together a few times a month to talk. Originally it was so Sirius could answer their questions about the magic world and had quickly grown to a friendship between the families. That was why when Sirius arrived late for brunch Dan was immediately able to spot the gleam in his eye.
"Sorry, I had to finish some stuff at the bank." Sirius apologized as he sat down at the table.
"I know that look, what have you done? And against who? Please tell me it those idiots in Britain." Dan asked. It had been two days since Sirius and Harry had gotten back from England. The first night after Watson had left Hermione had managed to convince them to let her stay at the Black's home.
The next morning Sirius had shown them pictures of a sleeping Hermione and Sharra curled around a large black fox. A non-magical copy had gone straight into the family photo album.
"Yes, not as much as I wish I could do but I'm happy with the bit of chaos I'll have caused." Sirius said proudly.
"Well, what did you do?" Emma asked. She knew given the chance Sirius would manage to brag about what he did without actually telling them what he did.
"First, I withdrew all of the remaining Black money from Gringotts, not that that did anything really. The English branch is basically just a storage facility for the pureblood's gold. Their whole economy is basically a closed system, the only interaction it has with the muggle side is the exchange for muggleborns. New money mostly comes from outside investments.
"What will get them is that I sold off a bunch of business interests that my family had acquired over the years. I figure their ministry will probably try to strip them from me anyways so I sold them well below market value to some foreign parties that aren't exactly fans of them right now. My family was rich but not so rich that I could just crash their economy. As fun as that sounds. This will definitely slow them down and hurt the purebloods though." Sirius explained.
"So, what? Things will cost more?" Dan asked, a bit disappointed.
"Yes. It will also hurt their pride that large percentages of some of their most famous companies are now owned by people outside their country. Plus, I've restricted some trade to them as well." Sirius took a sip of his coffee to see if they had caught on yet.
"How can you restrict trade to them?" Emma was surprised that he hadn't led off with that. In her opinion it was a much better punishment then some of their business being sold off.
"I happen to own one of the largest potion supply companies in the world. And it is a chief exporter to England. With a number of ingredients restricted they'll have a good deal of trouble. Mostly because they are too lazy to try and farm the ingredients themselves." Sirius had been amazed when he realized just how much sway his little company had gained.
Using muggle methods, a number of potion ingredients could easily be farmed year around. A bit of extra magic was all it took. He'd been lucky enough to also get in on a trade company that had quickly grown to fill the space left when ICW countries began to export less in '88. Most of the money he had made from selling off the bits of businesses he owned in England would go into a few of the other major shipping companies.
He also got a kick out of most of those businesses now belonging in part to an Indian business partner he'd meet while helping Harry learn about Parseltongue magic. Over there the gift was almost revered and anyone with it was basically set for life. The idea crossed Sirius's mind to make an offer to any parselmouth in England, if there were any in hiding, of gainful employment for their gift.
0-Q-0
Fudge was upset, not as upset as his undersecretary who had spent the last half hour ranting in his office but still upset. They had disrespected his authority, snubbed their noses at him. How dare they do such a thing. He was the Minister! "We need to do something to show that we aren't messing around."
"Strip Black of his money and land!" Umbridge snapped at once. He shouldn't have it anyways.
"The Blacks are an old family. It won't be easy to convince the Wizengamot to do that." Fudge mumbled. He agreed whole heartedly that they should takes Blacks money. He could line his pockets with a bit to before it was turned over. But how to get everyone to agree to it. Well Dumbledore and his group wouldn't be a problem; they'd of course want a cut of the money for some greater good project. Lucius would be the same, if a bit greedier. It was the old hardliners who he'd need to win over. Perhaps by decreeing a portion of the money would… no no that would complicate things too much. Well, no matter someone would have the idea he needed before the emergency meeting he was about to call for that afternoon.
0-Q-0
Umbridge knew the biggest obstacle she and Cornelius would have were the old hardliners who would never consent to the ministry taking the gold and property of a pureblood family, let alone one that was considered ancient and noble. She also thought she knew just how to get by them.
Smithtin was their leader, if she could sway him, he could force the others inline. Unfortunately, she didn't have any blackmail on him so her normal methods wouldn't work. Umbridge believed her best method would be to bribe him, though she knew from experience that Smithtin didn't come cheap.
Two hours later and the price had been agreed upon, 20,000 galleons for the hardline support. An outlandish amount for a bribe on a single vote, but the ministry would make that a dozen times over once Black's money was seized and his properties had been sold, or gifted. Umbridge had heard about the lavish house Black owned in London. Perhaps she'd lose the paper work for it and move in herself. Yes, she deserved it.
0-Q-0
Fudge was exhausted. Dumbledore hadn't been very difficult. Seemed rightly pleased to cut Black off at the ankles. Of course, the Potters were on board as well. As he had thought though Dumbledore had asked for a bit of the seized money for his own projects. The odd request had been all property at any of the Black homes. He said it was to destroy anything dark but Fudge thought there might be more to it. Not that he really cared, he'd managed to talk Dumbledore into agreeing to a smaller cut of the money in exchange for the items. After all, not all would be dark and some could then be sold off.
Lucius was all on board as well, provided the Black seat in the Wizengamot went to him. As well as the title. Fudge had explained there was no way to swing the title to Malfoy because his wife had been disinherited but he had compromised on the seat. The paper work for that was easy enough to tinker with. And it would have to go to someone after all. Then he had had the gall to demanded twenty percent of the Black wealth. Well Fudge really didn't have a choice. The Ministry would still make a tidy sum.
A few of the smaller voting blocs had agreed with the proper motivation, a bit of blackmail or some bribes. Still, he was out almost ten thousand galleons from his own pocket for his troubles. He knew he'd have it back by the end of the day but still, using so much of his retirement fund made him feel nervous.
0-Q-0
Dumbledore looked at the gathered Wizengamot, he was surprised that Fudge had come up with a good idea such as striping Black of his money and property. He was a bit embarrassed that the thought hadn't crossed his mind sooner. But before now there had been no case that he could have used without revealing too much. Now Fudge would do the dirty work for him, it would help cripple Sirius and Harry, hopefully setting them back a number of years. He would also finally get his hands on one of the largest collections of dark magic in Britain. Hopefully he would be able to figure out the method Sirius had used to restore Harry's magic and how to counteract it.
He only half listened to Fudge go on about how Sirius and Harry had broken a number of laws, practiced dark magic, broken out of a ministry cell with ever more dark magic. That they had done it freely and of their own will. Then how the North American Ministry had refused to turn them over.
There were outcries, called for embargos, to take the matter to the ICW, to cancel any number of treaties. Fudge wisely let them build themselves up and then pointed out that all they could reasonably do was confiscate all of Blacks wealth and property. The vote passed with little opposition.
Dumbledore had to admit the Fudge had played the crowd well. After the meeting he offered to accompany Fudge and Umbridge to Gringotts to ensure the order was followed. They were also accompanied by a guard as they walked down Diagon Alley. the group stepped into Gringotts and immediately commanded the full attention of nearly everyone.
Umbridge stepped forward and unrolled a parchment. "By decree of the Ministry we are here to seize the vault of a traitor and practitioner of dark magic. Someone fetch us the manager or whatever you call him here."
Several minutes later a number of goblins wearing tarnished metal armor marched into the lobby. Several more in the goblin version of a suit followed them. One who held a crudely made spear stepped forward. "I am the Head of Accounts-"
"Finally. We are here to seize all accounts belonging to the family of Black." Umbridge said.
"I see, come, we shall move to my office to discuss this." The goblin said. He was a bit annoyed that they had not even allowed him to properly introduce himself but since he knew what was about to happen, he decided to play nice. Oh yes, this would be fun.
(A/N: Hello everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. As always thank you for reading.)