Disclaimer: This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy. No ships. Bashing around everyone.
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15 A Letter from Minister FudgeAfter hearing about the Dementors loose in Surrey in the village where Harry Potter lived during the summer, Cornelius Fudge was desperate to communicate with the young wizard. He rushed into the DMLE offices and found Rufus Scrimgeour the Lead Auror.
Cornelius demanded, "Where is Auror Makepeace! I must speak with Makepeace now!"
The Lead Auror blinked and replied, "Senior Auror Horace Makepeace and his coven are on duty in the Atrium, Minister Fudge."
Cornelius ran from the DMLE offices to find an elevator to let him descend six floors to the Atrium. The minister's guard was able to keep up with him, but they dared not interrupt the wizard.
The impatient wizard requestioned an elevator car, forced an elderly witch to step out, slammed the cage door closed, and pressed the button numbered 8. Two of his guards were left on the second floor and they escorted the disgruntled witch into another cage and let her off at floor 4 before continuing down to the Atrium on the eighth level of the underground ministry.
When Cornelius burst from the elevator, he searched the many faces for Senior Auror Horace Makepeace. Finding the regular members of the coven around the floos, Cornelius approached one and learned that Horace had walked over to the check in desk to speak to the Auror manning the desk. Spinning and rushing away, Cornelius hurried across the open space of the Atrium. Several wizards and witches were insulted that the minister was rude and wouldn't speak to him. A few thoughtful ones wandered about the cause of such activity and watched carefully.
"Senior Auror Makepeace! Makepeace! I need your help!" Fudge called out. "It's urgent!"
"Yes, Minister Fudge," the Auror replied. "How can I serve you this morning?"
Glancing around and prompting for a privacy field, Cornelius waited for Makepeace to cast the spell. Then he explained, "It is a matter of utmost urgency! A matter of state! You must place this letter into the hands of Harry Potter as soon as possible."
"Mr Potter?"
"Yes, you met with him at his home yesterday…after the unfortunate events with the dead…the Dementors."
"I was, sir," the Auror confirmed.
"Good. I have a letter that you must take to him now!"
"Sir, I can't," Makepeace replied.
"I'll authorise it," Fudge said. "Bones and Scrimgeour won't yell."
"Minister, Potter left the muggles last night. I was there with Director Bones when Arthur Weasley took the boy to a safe house that Dumbledore arranged. Bones forced Weasley to agree…" Makepeace tried to explain but the minister was already headed back to the elevators.
The two Aurors who had been left behind earlier proved to be smart wizards – they had requisitioned an elevator cage at the Atrium level, prevented anyone from taking it, and waved for Minister Fudge toward them. He leapt into the cage with the two Aurors and said, "DMLE now!"
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The bullpen was still reacting to the earlier visit by the minister for magic and Lead Auror Rufus Scrimgeour wanted to update Director Bones, but he was forced to spend five minutes smacking Aurors about the head and shoulders for standing around and gossiping. When the minister reappeared with only two of his Auror guards instead of four, and moved through the bullpen without stopping, Rufus realised the man was headed toward the offices of the DMLE supporting services – misuse of muggle artefacts, obliviating muggles, and repairing of damaged muggle properties.
'What does that have to do with Lead Auror Makepeace?' Rufus wondered.
Inside the misuse of muggle artefacts office, Arthur Weasley was finishing his report on disenchanting a popcorn machine at a muggle resort along the seashore. A witch thought the machine was enchanted to produce the delicious treat, but she missed the fact that a muggle kept adding more kernels to the heating element to 'pop the corn.'
The door was thrown open and the minister barged inside, slammed the door shut in the face of his Aurors and turned to Arthur. Cornelius was in a lather and after more than twenty years of marriage to Molly Weasley, Arthur was used to taking orders. Fudge asked, "Weasley! Do you have access to Harry Potter today?"
"I can't tell you anything," Arthur said as he shook his head.
Growling, Fudge shouted, "I don't want you to tell me anything or bring him here! Can you take a letter to him and put it in his hands! Tell him it is from his good friend Minister Fudge, and NO ONE is to read it but him."
"Yes, I can do that when I get off work," Arthur replied.
"Go now! This instance!" Cornelius said, pulling out a charmed letter and thrusting it into Arthur's hands. "No one else can read it but Potter and he must have this letter as soon as possible! Don't bother about any report! Take the letter to the floo and go to Potter now!"
Tucking the letter inside his robes, Arthur intended to follow the minster's orders. The door of his office flew open, and a discombobulated Arthur Weasley started forward and was surprised by the escort of Aurors on either side of him through the bullpen and back to the elevators. There they bundled into an elevator and descended to the eighth subfloor where one Auror ran forward to requisition a floo while the other Auror remained next to Weasley to escort him toward the wall of fireplaces.
Stepping toward the floo and grabbing a pinch of powder, Arthur called out his destination that no one else could hear and stepped into the green flames. The wizard vanished to instantly reappear in the kitchen at No. 12 Grimmauld Place.
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Delivery by Arthur August 9In the middle of afternoon, Arthur Weasley appeared through the flames in the Grimmauld Place kitchen. The wizard moved quickly through the house until he found Harry coming out of the lounge with Sirius Black.
"Harry – forgive me – Mr Potter, Minister Fudge appeared in my office not five minutes ago with this letter," Arthur explained. "He insisted that I bring it to you without delay. I have no idea what the letter contains but I agreed to come to the house and deliver it.
Taking the letter, Harry said, "Thank you Mr Weasley. If the minister asks, please assure him that I was glad to receive his communication."
"What do you think this is, Arthur?" asked Sirius.
Weasley shrugged and replied, "I have no idea, but Minister Fudge was insistent."
"Harry, what does the letter say?" asked Sirius, as he looked around. But his godson had disappeared. "Harry? Hey, Harry! Where are you?"
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Cornelius Yells at Dolores after Dementors"Are you well, Minister?"
After Arthur ran from the office. Cornelius had dropped into a chair to rest. Now he heard a voice addressing him and looked up. Lead Auror Scrimgeour stood in the doorway and watched the minister.
"I honestly do not know, Lead Auror. I hope that I have averted a disaster," the minister replied. "But it is not something I can discuss with you or anyone."
"Very good sir," replied the politically ambitious man.
"Scrimgeour, is there anything to report on the investigation into the Dementors and deaths of the two purebloods last night?"
"There is nothing I can tell you, Minister Fudge."
Frowning at the answer, Fudge looked up again but remained silent when Lead Auror shook his head from side to side slowly as he repeated, "There is nothing I can tell you."
Fudge huffed, "So the evidence has disappeared."
Cornelius was conflicted by that news – glad there was nothing to tie the presence of two Dementors and deaths of the witch and wizard (and a squib?) to his office, but also disappointed that Dolores would escape punishment.
Making his way back to the elevators once again, Cornelius took time to meet and greet curious citizens.
The platitudes he shared included: "Just an important matter I had to handle as minister."
"And I have terrible help! I must find new support staff in my office."
"Nothing of concern."
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Dolores Umbridge became concerned for her survival when Minister Fudge stopped at her office and hissed, "My office! Now!"
As she rose to follow the minister, she heard him ordered his Aurors, "Take her wand! Make certain there are no charms or cantrips on her person, clothing, shoes, or the ridiculous bows in her hair! Check her eyebrows and spots!"
'Spots?' Dolores asked. 'My beauty spot? He noticed my beauty spot!'
But when they stepped inside the minister's office, Dolores discovered that Cornelius was furious with her over the unfortunate incident with the Dementors.
"You are an idiot! You're as bad as a muggleborn!"
Insulted Dolores almost spoke up, but she possessed a bit of self-preservation and remained silent.
Cornelius raved, "Dementors! What were you thinking?"
The man swept the papers from his desk and shouted, "But you don't know how to think, do you? Two purebloods were kissed! An Auror and drunk are dead today!"
"I was only trying to help you, Cornelius," she argued.
"How is driving me to the Janus Thackery Ward for the insane helping me!"
"The Potter boy is a liar!"
"I told you! I reached an agreement with Mr Potter, and you banished it with a flick of your wand! Let me tell you something 'Madam Umbridge' and hear me well; if my understanding with Mr Potter is destroyed and my career is destroyed, I shall take you with me! The Aurors shall have a standing order to escort you to the Dementors in the ministry for the kiss!"
Dolores was shocked and refused to accept the wizard's declaration.
He laughed and added, "I suppose you don't have a soul that a demon would wish to taste at that. Tell you what; I'll let you choose – the kiss or I release the information about your squib father and the disappearance of your muggle mother and squib brother five years ago. Which will it be Dolores?"
"Minister Fudge, the Potter boy is a liar."
"Find a new spell to cast, Dolores! If the boy is a liar, then he'll have a future as a politician. You haven't spoken the truth in the many years that I've known you."
Dropping into a chair, Dolores attempted to cry to garner Fudge's sympathy, but he dismissed her crocodile tears. "Clean out your desk and go home. As of five minutes ago, the only job you have is as the High Inquisitor at Hogwarts beginning the first day of September."
Looking up with some hope on her face, Dolores asked, "High Inquisitor at Hogwarts? What shall I do there?"
"As High Inquisitor, you will evaluate each professor's classes with every age group. I demand detailed reports on the suitability of the instruction in every class. You may harass every adult in the castle, pester Professor Biggs so he understands what it means to be haunted, and nitpick every report that Albus Dumbledore submits to the ministry. And here's a hint, Dolores, you can make Dumbledore's life unbearable if you disallow any report written by McGonagall that is supposed to be written by the headmaster!"
Nodding her head in understanding, Dolores was caught off guard by Cornelius moving closer and getting directly in her face, "But you are NEVER to interfere with any child in the castle –bow to the purebloods, simply nod to the half-bloods, and ignore the muddy ones, but DO NOTHING that interferes with their education, studies, games, conversations, or any detention assigned by the professors!"
He leaned even closer and growled, "And if I hear the name Harry Potter or Boy-Who-Lived from your lips or read those words in any report, I shall appoint you the under-undersecretary to the Goblin Liaison and make it a life-long position!"
Her eyes wide open with honest horror, Dolores tried to reply but could not form words. She tried to nod her head, but the minister said, "I require a verbal acknowledgement!"
Finally, Dolores was able to croak while nodding.
"Good, now pack your baubles and get the hell out of the ministry. Report to Albus Dumbledore and find out when you need to be at the castle," Fudge said, dismissing the witch.
Grabbing a tumbler and the open bottle of fire whiskey, Cornelius could only wait until Potter replied to know if his life was over.
It took two tries for Dolores to rise from the chair and she staggered from the minister's office and back to her own. Aurors from Cornelius's guards stood around her door while she tried to pack. One of the wizards cast the packing charm for Dolores's personal belongings and once a large box was full, two of the men led her to the floo where she departed for home.
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Harry Reads the LetterAlone in the library, Harry touched the wards to lock the door to even Sirius for the next few minutes. Dobby and Kreacher both popped into the room to protect their wizard if necessary. After verifying there weren't any hexes or jinxes embedded in the letter, Harry opened the letter delivered by Arthur Weasley and purportedly from Minister Cornelius Fudge.
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Mr Potter
I was relieved to learn that you and your relatives did not come to any harm because of the attack by 'rogue' Dementors. The deaths of the wizard and witch are regrettable but in the past and must not wear us down today. I want to assure you that the ministry employee responsible for this debacle has been disciplined. If the DMLE can locate the signed work order that dispatched the Dementors to muggle land, she will be a resident in Azkaban for the rest of her life.
Again, I hope our agreement can remain in place and that your good health continues.
Sincerely
Cornelius R. Fudge, Minister for Magic
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After reading the letter twice, Harry paused to allow the family magics to help him evaluate the information – the ministry employee who attempted to assassinate him had enough pull with the minister to avoid Azkaban unless the DMLE could locate the work order that had must have been signed to activate the magic.
He had at least one active adversary – enemy – in the minister's staff.
Another more urgent problem rose in his consciousness – everyone in Grimmauld Place was aware that Harry Potter (student) had received a letter from Cornelius Fudge (Minister for Magic). Without doubt, someone would inform Headmaster Dumbledore about the letter, and the headmaster would insist on seeing (reading) the letter and questioning 'Harry' about why a wizard of such importance would send a letter to the Boy-Who-Lived.
Harry grinned when he thought of a prank to play on Dumbledore – a prank that would require the assistance of Cornelius Fudge. Locating parchment, ink, and quill in the library, Harry drafted, revised and wrote a letter to the Minister. He called Dobby about a quick elf delivery of the letter to the minister and elf popped away with the letter in less than two minutes.
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Minister Fudge – I appreciate your letter and good wishes of this afternoon. Be assured that my wishes are for our understanding to remain in place. I can already tell a difference in public opinion since the Daily Prophet made Mr Dumbledore the sole subject of their articles. However, I have a problem – a small problem – that you can assist me with. In this safe house, there are many followers of Mr Dumbledore, and I believe that tonight or tomorrow he will appear here and ask (demand) to read your letter and question me vigorously about why you and I have reached our agreement.
Could you please pen and send me another letter about some innocuous matter that I can present to Mr Dumbledore after adequate protests that will deflect his attention away from me? My elf will wait for your response.
Sincerely, Harry James Potter, Student
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Only ten minutes later, Dobby returned with the second letter to support the feint.
Mr Potter
I was relieved to learn that you and your relatives did not come to any harm because of the attack by 'rogue' Dementors. For you to be subjected to such an occurrence in your vicinity while still recovering from Acromantula poisoning cannot be good for your full recovery before starting your fifth year at Hogwarts.
Speaking of Hogwarts, I have decided to send a member of my staff to act as High Inquisitor. Madam Dolores Umbridge will study and evaluate each professor's classes and instruction style for with each age. She will even evaluate Professor Biggs in the history class. As my representative, the High Inquisitor will review each standard report created by Headmaster Dumbledore that will come to the Ministry for Magic.
And be assured, the High Inquisitor will have no authority to interfere with the students in the castle. For your preparations for the OWLS next June, you and the other students will have ample time and quiet for your studies, games, and conversations.
Sincerely
Cornelius R. Fudge, Minister for Magic
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Harry grinned after reading this second letter. Once the headmaster forced him to share it this evening, he'd make certain that everyone read it and the news about the High Inquisitor would spread to other students.
The young wizard folded the letter and stored it in secure pocket in his robes. The first letter he placed in the secure bag that belonged to his mother when she was Lily Evans at Hogwarts.
Staring at the book bag for a moment, Harry hoped to return to his studies of his mother's theories and spells about Magical Null Space.
'Two days at Grimmauld Place and I'm willing to return to Privet Drive.'
He smirked as he decided, 'I'll call this house Grim-old Place from now on…Grim-old Place.'
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