(Arcturus Black - PoV)

It's been two days since I visited Malfoy Manor, and things are going quite well. Dumbledore managed to drag himself out of his funk and wrangled his band of misguided fools together to save their unjustly imprisoned comrade. Lucius has elected the wiser course of not making waves, the Dark remains behind me, and everyone else will follow along rather than risk the ire of both sides. Yes, things are going quite well.

Except for one little hiccup.

Fudge.

Minister Fudge, to be exact.

I am making my way through the Ministry atrium to deal with this little inconvenience even now. I nod to the watch wizard at the desk but do not stop, making my way to the lifts.

Both Lucius and Dumbledore have written to me noting that the normally pliant little imbecile, who only holds his position due to the fact that he generally does whatever one or the other tells him to, is now attempting to ignore the advice of both.

And for such an asinine reason too...really, the man's stupidity is incredible. You would think that after having climbed (or been elevated, really) so high at least some competence would have rubbed off on him, but no, he remains every bit as idiotic as the day we met. Worse, even, as he begins to think he actually got this far on his own merits.

Please, as if we would ever let anyone with talent sit in the Minister's office these days. No, the office has gained far too much power over the years for either side to feel comfortable allowing the other to install one of their own. Instead, it is one of the few things both parties can agree on; nonoffensive nonentities are the only ones allowed to even compete for the job. Anyone else...well. After the last "unfortunate accident" Dumbledore has not tried again, and we would rather not risk his own ultimatum on the matter, though I am rather curious if he would actually follow through.

The lifts chime for the last time, "Level One, Offices of the Minister of Magic," and I exit, along with a handful of memos.

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

My cane announces my presence as I approach the actual Ministers office, rather than that of one of his numerous secretaries or assorted hangers-on. Really, it is amusing how many useless fools attach themselves to the man, thinking it a quick ride to political power. Their expressions once they find out exactly how the Ministry actually works and discover themselves strapped to a dead fish are ever so precious.

"L-Lord Black? How c-can I help you?" the blonde secretary outside the office addresses me.

Hmm, a new one. Young, pretty, inexperienced for her position...Mrs. Fudge will not be happy.

"Indeed I am, young lady. Please, let the Minister know I have arrived, and wish to speak in person."

"I, yes, yes sir!" she exclaims, rising from her seat and rushing into the office behind her, only tripping once in her haste.

Really, Fudge, she may be a pretty little thing, but she is quite the bundle of nerves and inexperience. I do hope the perks are worth it. And that you have a good excuse ready when your wife comes to visit.

She returns shortly.

"Umm, the Minister will see you now, Mr. Black, sir!" she announces, stepping to the side."

"Thank you, my dear. Do not worry, this should not take long."

I step inside and, oh my...I thought Lucius was bad...

I have to blink several times at the dazzling display as I attempt to take in the office. It is...garish, to say the least.

A pair of anatomically correct nymph statues of lapis lazuli are in the far corners, acting as fountains, pouring water into bowls of precious gems. Gold leaves adorn the walls, along with large, overdone paintings with golden frames. Every piece of furniture is adorned with gold, and so overworked that they cannot possibly be comfortable. Above it all hangs a great crystal chandelier, reflecting light everywhere in the least artful way possible.

Exactly how much money is he stealing from the Ministry to afford this? Really, even with the regular bribes from, well, everyone, I am not sure if he can afford this sort of lavishness, not if his home is kept similarly, and I have no reason to believe otherwise.

I expected my opinion of the man to fall from this conversation, it always does, but I did not expect it to plummet from simply entering the room. It really has been entirely too long since I visited last, hasn't it?

"Arcturus! Please, come in, come in! Have a seat!" the idiot calls out, his pudgy bulk resting behind the hideous desk.

"Of course, of course," I reply, slowly making my way through the room.

Once I can find a seat, as I recover from the flash blindness of your display of incompetence, you idiot.

I resist the urge to curse the buffoon as the chair proves every bit as uncomfortable as expected.

Really, he must have spent a fortune on these things, and they are absolutely useless. Almost as useless as his head...

"Tea? Biscuits?" He asks.

"No, no thank you, I ate before I arrived."

I'm also rather afraid those will prove be gilded as well.

"Of course, of course. I must say, I am surprised to see you! You rarely visit me here in the Ministry! It is so hard to get you out of that stuffy old manor!" he says with a smile.

"Oh, you will experience it yourself one day, when you get to my age. These old bones don't like moving so much."

He laughs.

"Of course, of course. So what brings you here this morning?" he asks, knowing full well the answer.

"Come now, Cornelius, don't play coy. You know the answer to that," I reply.

I hope he doesn't notice the slight hesitation before his name, which I honestly forgot for a moment. Lucius would have noticed, but I doubt this idiot will.

He deflates.

"Sirius Black," He admits. "I...I am sorry, Arcturus, but I can't! I, I just can't! The, the scandal it would create! If it was found out that the Ministry sent a man, any man, but much less someone of his caliber to Azkaban for so long...and under such circumstances? I...I can barely imagine it! My career would be done! Finished!" he rants nervously, wringing his hands.

He says all of this to said man's grandfather.

I really do hate this idiot. This absolute waste of air and food, but for now, he may yet be a useful idiot...

"Calm, Cornelius, calm. Just breathe for a minute, yes? Let us think about this rationally, shall we?"

"I...really? Ok...Ok, I can do that." He takes a couple of slow, deep breaths.

"There, see? Now, you are thinking about this all wrong. Yes, the Ministry made a mistake, but the Minister did not, did he? After all, you were not in office at the time, were you?"

"I...no, no I was not...It was Bagnold back then..."

"See? Bagnold and Crouch made the decisions that put my Grandson away, and it is on their heads that the axe will fall. Now, the Ministry as a whole will certainly face some blowback, but you? Cornelius Fudge and his administration didn't lock an innocent man away, they freed him. You will be granting justice to an upstanding member of the community!

"Yes...yes I will!" he says, smiling and sitting straighter.

I smile at him.

"Exactly. Not only that, but you will then be able to task the Aurors to hunt down the real traitor. Really now, the entire event will be fantastic for your career. With the right spin, it should be the greatest boon since you first took office."

He is excited now, wiggling in his seat.

"Yes, yes! I can't believe I didn't see it this way before! Thank you, Arcturus!" he exclaims, before frowning slightly.

"Why didn't Dumbledore or Lucius put things so simply?"

I frown as if admitting a sad truth.

"Alas, I am afraid that...well, after so many years, they may have gotten used to..." I trail off, as if hesitant, or reluctant.

"Used to? Used to what Arcturus?"

I sigh.

"I'm sorry to say this Fudge, but I do speak with them on the regular, and...hmm. They may be used to you simply, well, leaping to do their bidding."

His frown deepens.

"When you first took office I am sure they knew exactly what to say, but over the years they got so used to you listening to them and doing as they told you that now they simply take it for granted. They take you for granted, and so when you decided not to listen, when you actually had your own problem to deal with, they no longer knew how to handle it."

"That...but..."

He sputters, but I can see him working over the interactions in his mind, the seed is firmly planted. And considering that no one likes him and that we all only use him as needed? Yes, he will be far more resistant to everyone else soon enough and come running to dear Grandfather Arcturus for advice instead of his old favorites. A little Black gold and his loyalty, such as it is, should be secure.

Sorry Lucius, but I can't risk you and yours deciding to swing against me in the future. Don't worry, I will make good use of him.

"I am sorry my friend, it always hurts, but...well, politics. It makes monsters of the best of us, you understand?"

He nods sadly.

"On a more positive note, I am friends with the owner of the Daily Prophet. I will talk to him, and make sure your essential contributions towards Sirius's release are known, yes?"

He perks up.

"Really? Oh, that does sound perfect indeed!"

"We could slowly move it into an entire series actually. Minister Fudge, the Minister of Justice! Move some funding to the DMLE over the next few years, make sure the Aurors are hunting Pettigrew after the trial, and the Prophet will document and disseminate every bit of it, I am sure Britain will eat it up."

"Yes...yes...Fudge the hero of the people..."

"They could never vote a hero out of office, could they?" I assure him

After a few more condolences and platitudes, and an open offer of support in the coming days, I make my way from the office.

Another success. One that promises more work in the future, but will be well worth it. If Dumbledore is right, and the Dark Lord is not so dead, then the cuts to the DMLE over the years need to be undone, and I may need to be wary of a few of my friends and "friends". This should accomplish both.

And with Fudge no longer in the way, we should be able to get the trial out of the way as soon as tomorrow, when Dumbledore calls an emergency session.

(Arcturus Black - PoV) (Friday)

The antechamber outside the courtroom is crowded with figures in the purple robes of the Wizengamot, chattering away.

I hold court off to the side, giving my thanks to those who approach me. It wouldn't do to appear ungrateful, they are here to free my family member, after all.

Well, to judge him, but everyone here knows what is up by now.

As my latest conversation partner moves away, I take a moment to survey the room. I nod to Augusta Longbottom, who watches me consideringly, before looking away. A pity.

Diggory is more friendly, we spoke earlier. And on the other side, Lucius gives a curt nod. Still upset then. Nott, Avery...

And Parkinson, who looks so unbearably smug. Why, if I didn't know better, it would almost seem as if he had some sort of nasty surprise waiting for me! Almost as if he intended to attempt to sabotage the vote! Intended to attempt to get my grandson killed in a petty power play with little thought as to the consequences.

Consequences like what I am going to do to him for the attempt.

Yes, those letters I had to send out right before meeting with the twins, well. Let's just say I saw his little plan coming, and spoke to his conspirators, giving them the chance to change their minds.

The crystal bell near the door chimes, and we turn to find Dumbledore awaiting us near the door to the courtroom.

"It is time. If everyone will proceed to their seats?"

The trial itself goes as expected, short and to the point. Nothing new of note is brought up, the same old testimonies are recounted.

Sirius himself looks a bit better when he is finally brought in, still wasted away but cleaned up at least. I meet his eyes as he takes his seat, and can see the fire in them.

Good, we are not too late then. I expect better of you this time, grandson. Live up to our name, because I will not be giving you any more chances.

Veritasium is applied, and the whole story comes out, shocking...well, a handful of outsiders allowed in to record the event. Skeeter is the Prophets reporter for the event, I made sure of it. Crouch will dearly regret his actions against my blood.

Soon enough, Dumbledore calls for a vote.

Nearly every hand rises, obviously a supermajority, far more than is needed to free Sirius.

Every hand except Parkinson's, as he instead glares directly at me.

Ah Parkinson, so reliably idiotic...

"And those in favor of conviction?" calls out Dumbledore.

A single hand rises into the air, as the porcine bastard glares at me defiantly. It takes a moment before he notices his is the only hand to rise.

How delightfully wonderful, he was so focused on me he didn't even bother to notice his supposed collaborators vote Innocent.

And such a display of unity amongst the former Death Eaters, not even bothering to inform their partner that they changed their minds.

"Very good then! Sirius Black, I am pleased to announce you are cleared of all charges!" Dumbledore announces happily.

I keep my eyes on Parkinson just long enough to watch his expression change to fear, before looking away.

Really, I should thank the man. A good example needs to be made to bring his people in line with my agenda, and now I have justification. I will send his wife something nice afterward, I think.