Chapter 20
"More sugar, more sugar," the Exact Gender of My Italian recipebook shouted as Susan Bones hurriedly put the Infinite Sugar Dispenser back in the shelf. It was already half past four. Her aunt would be apparating in at any moment. They both worked in the Ministry of Magic, but Susan, being the lower ranked Auror, got off early. If she didn't have dinner ready by the time her aunt got home, she would have to hear a lecture about marrying by 20.
POP! A deafening sound broke the evening chill, and a great clamour rose from the apparition point. Spells of fiery intensity settled all around her, and suddenly her aunt was rushing in, panic evident on her face.
"Susan! Hurry!" she bellowed. "There's someone following me. Here, quick! Hold this!" She said, thrusting a Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans box in her hands. She felt a sudden pull in her stomach, then she was flying across space and time. Within moments she was landing in a bright room, lit with glowing lamps and a threadbare carpet.
A second later, her aunt popped in beside her, before cursing furiously.
"Our portkey was rigged," she said, "We're trapped."
Neville Longbottom looked around him curiously as he glanced at the cooling dish of tiramisu on the kitchen counter. He didn't know Susan Bones could cook. Beside him, Lord Potter pottered around the fireplace, jutting his wand here and there, before he straightened up, proclaiming, "Our work is done here, Neville. Let's go."
They both appeared in the Catchment Ward, which was a long hall in Marauder's Den, lined with wooden doors. They stopped before a door which read, "XXX:77", before Lord Potter ushered him forward.
Neville stepped in nervously. As soon as he opened the door, he was faced with the glare of two furious redheads. He gulped under his breath.
"Mrs. Bones and Miss Bones," he said courteously, his voice coming out brash and strong, "I hope we didn't inconvenience you by attacking at an inopportune moment. Here, we have dinner for you."
He clapped his hands and two plates of neatly wrapped sushi appeared.
"Duh, raw fish! Why don't you just serve us a minotaur's liver instead?" Mrs. Bones said.
"It never hurt to try something new, Head Auror," Lord Potter interjected. "Just give it a try. You'll love it."
Mrs. Bones shook her head like a headstrong bloodhound, before she focused her eyes on Lord Potter.
"I would be a better Minister than Miss Granger. She's doesn't know a quill about politics!"
"I don't want a politician for a Minister, Mrs. Bones. I want a progressive citizen running the country." Lord Potter said.
"I want something in return."
"Sorry, Mrs. Bones. You'll get nothing. We're not offering you, we're ordering."
Mrs. Bones' hairs stood up as she puffed out a huge cloud of smoke from her giant chest. "Do I have to sign a blood parchment?"
"No, no. We'll take you at your word."
"Then you have my word that my block will vote for Miss Granger."
A strange fleeting smile grew on her face after saying that, and she almost looked friendly.
"I had been hoping to be Minister for a long time. All of our ministers have been so corrupt. It was my dream to fix the Ministry. But I guess I'll thank you later for the paperwork and meetings you've saved me. But tell me, Lord Potter, will you release us now?"
"Ah, you see. The way out is through sushi."
He cackled while saying that, then he and his minion swished their black cloaks around and disappeared through the ancient doorway, their silver masks leaving a trail of silver stars behind them.
