"It's not my toy any longer, I gave it to you guys," Harry stated. He wanted nothing to do with any of that. It would be up to the adults to figure it out. "Fine, yeah, go with Madam Bones. I'm sure I'll be okay. I'll meet you in, say, an hour," he said, looking at his watch.
"Are you sure?" Remus asked one more time.
Meanwhile, Harry's entire crew was going over the pros and cons of talking with Fudge, and he wasn't coming up with no reason to say no. So, he looked at the waiting man, and said, "Yeah, okay, sure, let's see if we can't get Sirius back his life. I'll see you later, Remus."
"Wonderful," Fudge said, clapping his hand on the boy's shoulder, and leading the way. "We'll write up a press release for when Black receives a full pardon. Why, I'll even throw in some gold for compensation. Think of the headlines." The jovial man continued as he led the boy down the hall.
Harry was getting excited at the picture the man was painting. Visions of Sirius living his life filled the teen's head. He was glad his godfather would be able to walk free, as himself.
"Harry, met me by the fountain in an hour," Remus call after them as he joined Bones on her journey to her office.
Harry stopped, and hollered back, "Alright, Remus, don't be late."
"Yes, well then, come, Harry, let's go to my office," Fudge said lightheartedly. Once more taking Harry's shoulder and leading him away. He was still spouting how he was going to help Black when they came to the office in question. Cornelius waved the teen to sit and took the chair opposite. "Tea, Harry?" he asked casually, picking up the waiting pot.
"Sure, thanks," Harry said, taking a seat, and looking around the tacky office. He wondered how the man got any work done with all the gaudy statues, and noisy painting. A teacup came to view. It tipped precariously, making him grab it. He nodded his head in thanks at the Minister and took a sip. He wrinkled his nose at the bitter taste, and then his eyes rolled back. The crew in his mind-spaceship called out a warning, but it was too late— he blacked out.
The Minister quickly waddled to the wall and opened another secret passageway. He then went back to the fallen boy. He rubbed the top of his head and wondered if it was worth the money.
It was all arranged; the robed man, who had dropped Lucius' name, had laid it all out. They were to take the boy to the entrance of this tunnel, which opened in the alley behind the building. Then they were to hand him over and get paid. Then the robed man was to take the child to evaluate him. If he was deemed a threat, then Potter's magic would be bound, and he would no longer pose any danger to society. They really didn't need a glory hound, that could turn Dark, running around. It was bad enough that Dumbledore kept spouting that the Dark Lord would be back. Rubbish, the man was dead. And if Fudge had anything to do about it, there would be no Dark Lords while he was in office.
However, his thoughts were conflicting. Would he be caught? That would be bad, if he were implicated in the harming of the Boy-Who-Lived. Though, the money was really good. That and, the hooded man had promised that the boy would survive, with his memory modified. On the other hand, if he did get implicated, he'd go to prison. Then again, if this went off without a hitch, then he'd be rich, and no one would be the wiser. Over, and over his thoughts see-sawed. He was still debating it, when his door opened.
"I knew rumors were false. There is no way this child is all powerful. Look how easily he was taken down. Though, I never doubted you for a minute, Cornelius," came the simpering voice of Dolores Umbridge, who had been waiting outside the office. Her job had been keeping everyone away. She had had to chase off quite a few people who wanted to meet the boy hero. But with her book of blackmail, it was easy to dissuade them. She only entered once she heard the body fall.
She was a vile looking woman who was a cross between a bullfrog and puking pink pony. Her beady eyes took in the teen on the floor, and she giggled, and gave Cornelius a proud look. She entered the room completely, and then locked the door behind her. She waddled up to the Potter boy, and almost gave into desire to kick him in the head. She was not a nice woman. The only thing that held her back was her crush standing by her side. Dear Cornelius was such a kind man, in her eyes.
"Ah, Dolores, just in time. Help me get him in the tunnel. We must make haste," the Minister said, taking Harry's legs, and nodding to his shoulders. He finally decided that the money was just too good to pass up. So, he was going to do this without leaving a magical signature. Which meant they were going to have do this the hard way. At least until they got in the tunnels.
The squat woman did as bid, and the two overweight, unfit adults huffed and puffed as they attempted to pick up the skinny teen. After a few minutes of futile effort, Dolores snarled, took out her wand, did a levitation charm, and guided the boy into the tunnels. Making sure to bump him into the wall a few times, while her sweetie wasn't looking.
"That could be dangerous," warned Fudge as he followed her with his back turned. He was waving his own wand in an attempt to erase his undersecretary's signature. "If Bones comes in she'll know it was us," he whined pitifully. Not that Amelia scared him, but if this got out he'd be ruined. So, the last thing he wanted was the Head of the DMLE on his case.
"Don't worry, Cornelius, she is not a smart as you," the fat toad simpered, playing on the man's ego. She always knew that if she followed this simple man, he'd lead her to riches. It was too easy to pander to him. A few kind words, and he preened like a peacock. Too bad he was married, still she was working on that as well.
"Too right," the stout man agreed, pushing a part of the panel inside the tunnel and closing the wall behind him. He marveled about these secret passageways that he didn't even know about until a week ago. The hooded man had come to him, offered him more gold than Malfoy, and showed him all these wonderful tunnels. All he had to do was set up some supplies, wait until the Boy-Who-Lived came to the Ministry and then snag him.
"Now, where were we supposed to meet our contact?" he asked, forgetting for the moment due to overwhelming stress he had just put himself under. He never could handle pressure, thank Merlin he had Dolores. He was glad he had sent the owl the minute Potter stepped foot in the building, convinced that he would get the boy. Now, all he had to do was follow the plan, if he could remember it.
"At the end of this tunnel. We have to keep him unconscious until then," Dolores said, still guiding the boy hero down the passage.
.....
Can't wait to read more exciting chapters then what are you waiting for Join my p*atreon right now.
Get 60+ Premium chapters.
Link: p*atreon.com/Earthly_Writer (Remove the *)
2 Chapters for all free members.