With the Ministry official's arrival, "Hmm," Cuffe hmphed to himself as his eyes narrowed at the Ministry of Magic members. The Auror's seemed awfully pleased with themselves and the Minister of Magic seemed extraordinarily confident. His heart began to sink in his chest. It would seem that the Minister of Magic had gotten it right yet again.
Mrs. Prim, the undersecretary steps forward to the pulpit as the photographers are roused away and begin to automatically photograph the pulpit. "The Minister of Magic will address the public and deliver excellent news. The Ministry requests that there be no interruptions until the Minister of Magic has finished delivering the pressing information."
Cuffe lets out a moan of disappointment at the undersecretary's words. He had so been looking forward to scandal. Still, he mustn't give up. Surely there must be some juicy tidbit to chew on! He wasn't the only one as Skeeter's face grows more determined to find a clever weakness to exploit.
Minister of Magic Eugenia Jenkins solemnly steps up to the pulpit. The stout witch with thickly bobbed hair addresses the flashing cameras. "My dear citizens of the Wizarding world," she earnestly began as Skeeter's quill and the rest of the journalists scribble away as they intently crane their ears and necks to listen.
"It is with great pride that I describe the events that transpired tonight," Minister Jenkins continued in a slow manner to the great impatience of those listening. "I am proud to announce the dismantling of the criminal organization and members of the underworld! In an unprecedented raid led by Senior Auror Moody, not a single life was lost during the raid. There were minor injuries on both sides, but we were successful in capturing every single wanted criminal alive. As we speak, these criminals are all being interrogated and will be tried in the upcoming days!"
A barrage of whispers erupts, but Minister Jenkins does not address them. "In addition, I am pleased to announce the innovative creation of the Automatic Data Processing, Auto-Database via an instrument called the Magical Brain, M.B. Investigation files, and countless other departmental reports. The Auto-Database will house all Ministry Information will be secure and accessed only by those with sufficient clearance. Further detailed information will be released in the upcoming days and months as the finalization of the project is completed."
The journalists fiercely scribble not allowing a single word to escape them. This was great news that could not only potentially impact the wizarding world as a whole, but the other wizarding nations as well. They were not the only ones as the few ambassadors present intently listened via translation spells and others used live translators to understand.
"I am also pleased to announce the future creation of the Wizarding Link, Wiz Link. With the creation of the Magical Brain, an alternative network will be hosted via mirrors with the capabilities of sounds being hosted through a sound trumpet. A variety of programs from art, theatre, opera, will be available to the public much like the current Witching Wireless Network. Bidding for the program will be available soon enough with more information forthcoming."
There is a loud gasp from the press, who understands the implications including Barnabas Cuffe. "We must acquire an hour slot!" He urgently murmured to himself. They would no longer be limited to reporting once a day in a paper, but daily as well on a visual network!
"Furthermore, the application of the Magical Brain via the Wiz Link will permit for visual communication via mirrors and sound trumpets connecting in and outgoing sounds. Ladies and gentlemen, I announce the age of a new era where artifacts will become commonplace and aid in the preservation of all that we hold dear!" Minister Jenkins confidently said as the reporters excitedly listen to her every single word.
"Clever," Cuffe sighed giving up in defeat of finding any traces of scandal. The purebloods would certainly follow with those words and if said programming appealed to the purebloods tastes there would not be a single protest. It was a clever manner for the Minister of Magic to gain the adoration of the masses and appease the purebloods all the while using the momentum of the current victory. It was a solid checkmate.
Turning to the side, Minister of Jenkins gestures to the crisply dressed figure of Elphinstone Urquart. Gesturing for him to come up to the pulpit, she turns and faces the crowd again. "Now I will not take any more of your time and permit with the utmost of honor, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Elphinstone Urquart to speak on the triumphant raid that took place this evening."
Cuffe sighs again and turns to look to Skeeter, who is unhappily pursing her lips. "It would seem, sir, that we were once again outmaneuvered, sir."
"I suspect that it was largely Urquart's doing," Cuffe bitterly said. "He's far to Slytherin to be easily caught. It was probably the best decision the Minister of Magic ever made in appointing that man as Head of Magical Law Enforcement."
Skeeter refrains from snorting, before unhappily dictating to her acid green Quick-Quotes Quill. She still had her pride as a reporter to think of. And she would make the best of the situation.
The questions from the press continued for some time, but none of the reporters were able to gain the upper hand against the slippery, Elphinstone Urquart. Though it did escape most of the reports notice that Mulciber Sr. was admitted to the permanent curse ward at St. Mungos. And those that did notice the news set it aside as there was nothing of importance to be found there. Purebloods are poisoned every now and again. These things simply happened.
The morning edition of the Daily Prophet went out early that day including to every single wizarding embassy in London. Needless to say, there were plenty of owls flying about to the great displeasure of the Ministry of Magic in broad daylight! It was an unbelievable spectacle!
(On the other hand, muggles were suspecting something was up as this was the second occurrence of such strange animal movements in recent months. Scientists said it was merely a natural, but rare occurring phenomenon. The more paranoid populace believed it was a sign of the end of the world, others suspected it was the work of aliens, and the rest suspected it was work of the government or some other government agency. Either way, none were convinced by the scientific explanations.)
The minute that the Ministry of Magic officially opened it was packed with ambassadors from every nation trying to learn more about the A.D.P, Magical Brain., and Wiz Link. The era of artifacts had arrived and soon every wizarding ministry would send members to the British Wizarding Ministry to learn the knowledge to implement in their own nations even if it might make take a few years since the final projects had yet to be completed. Still, it was the dawn of a new technological era, the era of artifact's had arrived.