Chapter 13:

I was now optimistic about my operations in Albania. I had convinced the Prime Minister to stay out of the war in Yugoslavia for now. The organized crime organizations were now being hired by me to be a much more effective law enforcement to protect tourists and business. They were already convinced that a peaceful home base can make for a much more effective world-wide organization. They were further convinced by me that extending that concept from the village to the national level has real advantages, especially while there were still money making opportunities in their home country.

A little persuasion, some sharing of the revenue, and wiping out an entire extended clan, all were parts in turning the situation around.

Britain now became the problem area requiring my attention.

I was meeting with Minister Fudge.

Fudge asked, "You seem to getting on well with Dumbledore?"

I could see where this was going and answered, "We each lead a faction, and some cooperation and some trading can get majority votes to get things I want passed, while accepting some compromises."

Fudge replied, "This last one makes each of you look good in the eyes of the public. It might make it possible for either of you to become minister with the support of the other. We will talk about this more later, I have another meeting."

I was blindsided with this, so had my spy network get to the bottom of it, and other networks ready for responses. It was quickly determined that Dolores Umbridge was advising him that Dumbledore and I were working together to overthrow him.

My options for responses were not great. I did not want a Dumbledore loyalist as Minister, nor an honest one like Amelia Bones. Candidates clearly associated with me, or myself for that matter, would not likely win the election. The immediate problem was Umbridge. Suspicion would too much on me if something happened to her. But what if something happened to her that was not an attack, but simply revealing of truth? People might still assume I was behind it, but also not guilty of a crime. Fudge would also know that there are truths that could end his role of Minister and be a little more wary of crossing me, even if he thought he had good personal security.

Howlers were letters that shouted an angry message. Similar magic was for sale, to present a video and audio repeating program. It used copies of memories and had a narrating voice over that went through voice changing spells. I had it untraceably sent to some prominent locations, including three locations in Diagon Alley, one in Knockturn Alley, the main atrium of the Ministry, and Hogsmeade. One was addressed to Amelia Bones, the head of law enforcement, and another to the Daily Prophet.

The message had memories of Umbridge declaring the superiority of purebloods. Then pictures of her muggle mother, details of her mother's name, what she looks like now. Then evidence of her taking credit for other people's work in the Improper Use of Magic Office. Then evidence of her threatening her father to retire due to her being ashamed of his low rank. Then her false and arbitrary prosecutions of those she did not like. Then her false statements that her father had been a member of the Wizengamot. Then fairly extreme anti-muggle and muggle-born statements she made at social gatherings, immediately followed by images of her family.

The montage ended with her torturing an enemy, and warning the victim not to tell anyone, and saying "What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him."

This victim was named. A lawyer who we hired, but could not be tied to myself, had an agreement that the victim would press charges if it was sure that Umbridge would be arrested. The lawyer said that extended security was going to provided after the trial. Amelia Bones agreed and had the victim protected before the trial.

There were unsuccessful attempts made to determine the source of these advanced video howlers. At the same time, Amelia Bones had Dolores Umbridge arrested for the use of the forbidden torture spell, cruciatus, on a known victim who testified in court. Fudge decided not to interfere in this trial, since the facts were so publicized. It would not look good to defend Umbridge, and he himself had nothing to do with her crimes.

The trial was in Courtroom Ten.

The victim was asked, "Tell us what happened at the day and time in question."

She answered, "Delores Umbridge was the head of the Improper Use of Magic Office, and my boss. She told me to come to her office at the end of the workday. We were alone in her office, and I heard some sounds, and found my wand ripped out of my pocket. She said, "The doors are locked and office silenced so we can have some privacy, which I am sure you would prefer.

I heard a most unbelievable story, one that you repeated to others, saying that I was a half-blood and that my father was a janitor. Telling lies is behavior that must be corrected."

She then sent the cruciatus curse against me for several seconds. She then said,

"Are we both clear that these are lies never to be repeated again?"

I said, "Yes."

She then continued, "I wouldn't worry about cruciatius. What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him. You'll never say anything, will you?"

I hesitated a second, and she hit me with cruciatus again for a second, and said "Will you?"

I answered, "No."

She then said, "I am glad we cleared up that misunderstanding. You do know bad things happen to people that lie about me. Besides noone would believe lies about someone of my position. If for some reason, you said lies that were believed, I have ways to make you regret that even if I were indisposed.

If anyone tells you lies about me, or things that make you uncomfortable, I expect you to report them to me. Enjoy your evening."

At that point she gave me back my wand and opened the door. I think she was seeing if I would try to attack her, so I didn't consider it or turning against her again."

Umbridge was given veritaserum. Before that she objected, "You cannot give someone of my rank veritaserum. It is simply unacceptable. You will be in Azkaban, not I."

She was given it anyway, and asked, "Was the victim's testimony correct?"

Umbridge said, "Not completely."

"Was the part of you casting a cruciatus curse against her correct?"

Umbridge paused and then involuntarily said, "Yes."

Were you under any kind of mind control when you cast cruciatus?"

"No".

"Why did you cast it?"

Umbridge said angrily, "That witch said things about me that were …", she struggled with the words, wanted to say lies, but instead said, "unpleasant rumors. The smooth running of my department required proper discipline in its ranks. A little lesson in pain can do wonders for good morale."

"Was what she said true?"

"Yes."

With the proven use of the cruciatus spell and not being under mind control when doing so, resulted in an automatic life sentence in Azkaban.

I met with Cornelius Fudge immediately afterwards, who looked shaken, "Minister, there are several things you need to understand. First, I want you to remain as minister, and you have my, and my faction's support. I am willing to offer my guidance to you to keep you from wrong associations such as with Umbridge.

Second, my cooperation with Dumbledore is not an alliance, is not an endorsement of any political ambitions of his. For that matter, as best as I can tell, he has no ambitions of being minister. He prefers his three roles he has now, and his behind the scenes influence to that of being minister.

Third, look at my perspective, I would not be in as favorable position if there were to be another minister. In addition, I too prefer to work with ministries rather than run them. Further, you surely realize that my background more or less precludes my being elected as minister. Many might cooperate with me, but few would want me to have official power.

What I want from you is continued mutual cooperation and friendship. Do we have an agreement?"

Fudge said, "Of course, of course."

I replied, "I am glad for both of our sakes. Are you familiar with a concept called a dead man's switch?"

Fudge said, "I do not think so."

I replied, "It is concept that a series of unfortunate events can be set in motion, but constantly held back by one's continued intention to do so. It can be quite ingenious, where even various means of mind control cannot be used to hold back certain actions, but only one's willing effort. Just something I read about and found interesting. Have a wonderful day Minister."

After this I kept up my level of donations, that were actually bribes to Fudge, but didn't increase them as my income increased. He didn't press the issue, and we seemed to have arrived at a mutual understanding.