Changes

Ever since Lindsey took office as Minister of Magic, she had been uncovering corruption within the Ministry that was far worse than she had anticipated. After taking Cornelius Fudge into custody, she initiated a thorough investigation alongside Amelia Bones, the one person she trusted to be incorruptible.

The investigation revealed shocking truths. Barty Crouch Sr. had secretly broken his son, a devoted Death Eater, out of Azkaban and had been hiding him for years. Both were promptly arrested and awaited sentencing in Azkaban. Lindsey and Amelia decided to keep this information quiet for the time being, fearing the public outcry it might cause.

Fudge, under interrogation, admitted to taking bribes from Lucius Malfoy, a suspected Death Eater. Like many others, he claimed he had not been in his right mind. Fortunately, Sal had provided Lindsey with a detailed paper explaining the magical mechanics of the Dark Mark, proving that its creation required the bearer to give willing consent. Despite this evidence, Malfoy's considerable influence allowed him to avoid Azkaban. However, his political position was severely weakened after Crabbe and Goyle, under pressure, confessed to their crimes. Both were sentenced to receive the Dementor's Kiss.

One morning, Lindsey summoned Arthur Weasley to her office. He arrived promptly, looking curious and slightly nervous.

"Madam Minister, you wished to see me?" Arthur said, stepping inside.

Lindsey gestured for him to sit. "Tell me, Arthur, are you happy where you are?"

Arthur blinked, unsure how to respond. "Of course I am. But… may I ask where this is going?"

"What if I told you that I wanted to offer you a new position?" Lindsey began. "I'd like you to act as an arbiter between the Ministry and the Muggle world."

Arthur's eyes widened. "A liaison to the Muggles?"

"Yes. It would come with a better salary, but it would also be more time-consuming," Lindsey explained. "Your responsibilities would include traveling, building rapport with influential Muggle figures, and addressing issues that arise from accidental magic or breaches in secrecy. I have no intention of overburdening the Aurors, and I believe you're the right person for this job."

Arthur sat in stunned silence for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. "I'd be honored, Minister. Thank you for considering me for such an important role."

Lindsey nodded, a rare smile crossing her face. "You're welcome, Arthur. I'll have the official documentation prepared. You're dismissed for now."

Arthur stood, bowing slightly. "Thank you again, Madam Minister."

As he left the office, Arthur's mind raced with excitement. That evening, he sat down to write a letter to his wife, Molly Weasley, eager to share the good news.

Dearest Molly,

I hope this letter finds you and the children well. I have some extraordinary news to share—I've been offered a new position at the Ministry! Madam Minister Lindsey Slytherin herself has asked me to act as a liaison between the wizarding and Muggle worlds. It's a great honor and comes with a better salary, though it will require more travel and longer hours.

Please give the children my love, and let's celebrate properly when I return home. I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Yours always, Arthur

Molly sat at the kitchen table, reading Arthur's letter while the smell of dinner wafted through the Burrow. She reread it twice, her emotions swinging between pride and concern.

"Arthur's got a promotion," she said aloud, her voice carrying over the clatter of the kitchen. Ginny, who had been setting the table, paused and looked up.

"That's great, isn't it?" Ginny asked, sensing her mother's mixed expression.

"Yes, it is," Molly said, smiling. "It's a wonderful opportunity, and I'm so proud of him. But it will mean more time away from home."

Ron wandered in, catching the tail end of the conversation. "What's this about Dad?"

"He's been promoted," Ginny explained. "He's going to be a liaison between the Ministry and Muggles."

"That sounds important," Ron said, a hint of awe in his voice.

Molly sighed. "It is important, Ron. Your father deserves every bit of this recognition. And when he comes home for a visit, we'll celebrate properly."

That evening, as the family sat down for dinner, the mood was lighter than it had been in weeks. Molly, though still worried about the demands of Arthur's new role, couldn't help but feel immense pride in her husband. She silently resolved to support him in every way she could, knowing how much the new position meant to him.

Lindsey was in her office when Amelia Bones entered, a solemn expression on her face.

"I just got word that Crabbe and Goyle received the Dementor's Kiss," Amelia announced. Lindsey, who had asked to be notified when it happened, nodded grimly.

"Good riddance," Lindsey said. "They made their choices, and they paid the price."

"I also looked into the other members of the Wizengamot," Amelia continued. "Despite their anti-Muggle sentiments, their records are clean."

Lindsey leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing. "For now. Keep an eye on them, Amelia. If there's even a hint of corruption, I want to know about it immediately."

"Of course," Amelia replied. "But there is one more thing. Lucius Malfoy has been working behind the scenes to rebuild his alliances. He's hosting private gatherings at Malfoy Manor under the guise of social events."

Lindsey's lips pressed into a thin line. "He's testing the waters. Probably trying to gauge who's still loyal to him."

"And who might be bought," Amelia added. "He may not have been convicted, but his influence is far from gone."

Lindsey tapped her fingers against her desk. "We need someone on the inside. Someone who can keep us informed about his movements and his allies."

"That's risky," Amelia said. "If he suspects a spy, it could end badly."

"That's why it has to be someone he wouldn't suspect," Lindsey replied. "We'll keep this discreet, but I won't allow Malfoy to slither his way back into power."

Meanwhile, in his office at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore was reading a report on the execution of Crabbe, Goyle, and Barty Crouch Jr. As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, he had been kept apprised of the situation, including the current state of Lucius Malfoy's political career.

It seemed that Malfoy's influence had been significantly diminished. Many were now hesitant to associate with him, fearing the taint of being affiliated with a known Death Eater. Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. Unlike Fudge, Lindsey was thorough and relentless. It was clear she would be looking for any excuse to send Malfoy to Azkaban.

But Dumbledore also knew that Lindsey's approach would provoke resistance. The old families, even those without ties to Voldemort, would see her actions as a threat to their power. He sighed, setting the parchment down.

"The tide is turning," Dumbledore murmured to himself. "But it will take more than vigilance to ensure the future remains bright."

Later that evening, Lindsey met with her most trusted advisors in a private meeting room at the Ministry. The agenda was clear: addressing the brewing discontent among the old families.

"We've already received complaints from the House of Nott," said one advisor. "They're claiming the Ministry is targeting pure-blood families unfairly."

"Nonsense," Lindsey replied sharply. "If they're innocent, they have nothing to fear. But I won't turn a blind eye to their activities just because they don't like being scrutinized."

"And what of the Daily Prophet?" another advisor asked. "They've been publishing op-eds questioning your priorities, claiming you're neglecting international relations in favor of domestic purges."

"Let them print their nonsense," Lindsey said. "Our actions will speak louder than their words. But I want someone monitoring their editorials. If there's a pattern, I want to know who's influencing them."

The meeting continued late into the night, with Lindsey outlining a careful strategy to maintain the balance of power while continuing to root out corruption. As the room emptied, Amelia lingered.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Lindsey," she said quietly.

"I know," Lindsey replied. "But if we don't take risks now, we'll lose everything we've worked for."

At Hogwarts, Sal was in his room writing a letter to his mother.

Mom,

I hope the paper I gave you about the Dark Mark was helpful. I have a pretty good idea of what you're trying to do, but as Julius always says, it's all about balance. The Founders were strong because they had each other. Be careful that in your attempt to weed out corruption, you don't isolate potential allies. On that note, did you know that Tonks' mom is Malfoy's wife's sister? Also, the Headmaster is a very strong political ally if you can gain his trust.

Love, Sal

Sal sealed his letter and took it to his owl. As Lindsey read her son's letter later that evening, she marveled at his insight. She had nearly forgotten how astute he was when it came to these matters. "That boy," she muttered to herself, smiling. "He should be playing pranks, not doing politics."

Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore decided to seek out Professor Flitwick. He found Filius in his office, meticulously grading essays.

"Albus, you wanted to see me?" Filius asked, looking up from his work.

"Yes," Albus said, settling into a nearby chair. "You have an uncle that works at Gringotts, don't you?"

Filius raised an eyebrow. "Yes, but we don't talk much. Why do you ask?"

"The fact that the Ministry is corrupt is the worst-kept secret in Britain," Albus said, his tone grave. "But until now, no one has ever been able to get proof. If bribes have changed hands, Gringotts would know about it. Fortunately, they don't take sides."

Filius nodded. "That's true. But what would it take for them to change that?"

"Mrs. Slytherin, as a new minister, represents a unique opportunity that the goblins wouldn't be able to pass up," Albus said.

"So, it's a simple exchange? Proof for a sympathetic minister?" Filius asked.

"I don't think it's that simple," Filius replied, after a moment's thought. "They would be thinking long-term. A minister's tenure is fleeting by their standards. They'd want a more permanent investment."

"Like Sal," Albus said, nodding. "Lindsey holds two seats—Slytherin and Ravenclaw. When Sal comes of age, he will hold all four Founders' seats. That would be an asset for Gringotts to consider."

Filius leaned back in his chair, an amused expression on his face. "Clever. She really is a Slytherin."

Albus's eyes twinkled. "Don't forget, Sal has yet to fully reveal his political views. He's still young."

"Really? Who do you think wrote that paper about the Dark Mark?" Filius asked, curious.

Albus's smile widened. "You thought that was me, didn't you?"

"I did," Filius admitted.

"While I provided some information, the majority of it came from Sal," Albus said.

Filius shook his head, chuckling. "Well, it seems the boy is as formidable as his mother. Perhaps even more so."

Lindsey folded Sal's letter and set it on her desk, deep in thought. His mention of Dumbledore lingered in her mind. If anyone could sway the older families without raising suspicion, it was the Hogwarts headmaster. She decided to send an invitation for tea, under the guise of discussing education policy. If her son was right, she would need Dumbledore's wisdom and influence in the months ahead.

Elsewhere, Sal continued his studies in the Room of Requirement. He was perfecting a spell matrix for his enchanted cloak while reading a book on political alliances. The more he learned, the more he realized how much strategy went into every decision his mother made.

Tonks and Tulip found him there later that evening.

"Sal, you've been cooped up here all day. Don't you ever take a break?" Tonks asked, plopping onto a cushion beside him.

"Not when there's so much to do," Sal replied with a grin. "But since you're here, what do you think about this?" He gestured to the intricate runes he'd sketched on parchment.

Tulip leaned over to examine them. "Are these for your dueling cloak? They're brilliant, but you've got to let your brain rest sometime. Even geniuses need breaks."

"Fine," Sal relented, setting the parchment aside. "What's on your minds?"

"We were thinking of pranking Fred and George. They've been getting cocky lately," Tonks said with a mischievous grin.

Sal laughed. "I'll help you plan it, but I'm not taking the blame if they retaliate."

The three of them spent the next hour brainstorming, the room filling with laughter. Despite the weight of his responsibilities, moments like this reminded Sal of the balance his mother and Julius always spoke of. Leadership might demand focus, but friendship kept him grounded.

The events of the first book will start in chapter 18.