Ten Days and Ten Nights

Chapter 1:

Welsh Green and headlines

'Percy, you don't have the authority to override the Minister at this late stage. We're supposed to be announcing this at three o'clock!' Harry Potter said, in his usual calm but authoritative tone, which was extremely effectual when working with other members of the Ministry.

'That's not the point, Harry,' said Percy, pompously and self-importantly. 'You know very well that is I do not intend to override the Minister. I was just bringing up my concerns that the Cloister has an unfortunate tendency for bulldozing their decisions through the Ministry. I know I am not the only department head who feels that the power of the departments has become inferior to the power of the Minister!' He took a deep breath, his face red.

'Well, we can deal with this at a later date,' said Harry. 'I just need an assurance from you that nobody in your department will cause any kind of upset until the law has been fully implemented.'

'Well, I can't speak for everyone in my department...'

'Did you know the Minister is considering reviewing the powers of the departments?' said Harry notably. 'I would strongly urge her to look favourably on this department, considering you didn't cause me any kind of extra work.' He looked at Percy significantly.

'Very well,' said Percy, sighing. 'Just... just make sure the that Matilda knows there's unrest among the senior members.'

'I'll make sure.' Harry stood up from the green leather chair, and so did Percy.

'I'll have someone from Hermione's office drop by with a note about the briefing,' said Harry. 'I want your statements on my desk an hour before we go into the Pressroom.'

'Certainly, Harry,' said Percy, puffing out his chest.

'How are Penelope and the kids?' asked Harry.

'Oh, well, as you would expect,' said Percy. 'All doing fine.'

'And your parents?'

'Oh, well, you know what they're like,' said Percy. 'Mum's taken her Grandma role very seriously. She's forever owling me and Penelope, asking if we want a hand with anything.'

Harry chuckled. 'Some things never change.'

'Have you spoken to Ron, by the way?' asked Percy.

'Not for a while, but I'm meeting him and Hermione for a meal tonight.'

'Really?' asked Percy, interested. 'Where are you going?'

'Fernando's,' said Harry. 'In the Alley.'

'Have the duck,' said Percy. 'Or the nut roast.' Everyone in the Ministry knew that Percy and his wife Penelope were the greatest experts on food and fine wines. 'Tell Fernando I was asking for him.'

'I will,' said Harry. 'Bye.'

***

'Harry!' Linda clipped over to Harry in her ridiculously high heels, as he crossed the black and white tiled reception hall at Ministry Headquarters. This was the central room in the building, where the daily newspapers were stacked on a highly polished mahogany table, free for all, and large plants stretched the fifteen foot distance from floor to ceiling. There were ten doors leading off the hall, each going to a different department. The middle one led to the Cloister, which was where the Minister and her staff worked.

'Harry, the Minister wants to see you, straight away.'

'Thanks,' said Harry, as he and Linda pushed through the doors and into the hallway of the Cloister. Ministerial officials were dashing frantically everywhere. 'Do you know why?'

'Something about Dumbledore,' said Linda shrugging, as she opened the door to her miniscule office.

Harry pushed through the elegant double doors, and into the spacious, grand Ministerial Office, otherwise known as the Cloister, due to it's towering stone columns in each corner.

'Good morning, Minister,' said Harry. Matilda Greymalkin was sitting behind her desk, he short brown hair slightly more frizzed than when Harry had last seen her, with two officials standing around her, holding brown folders with the Ministers Seal emblazoned upon them.

'Harry, what do you know about magical fiche?' she asked, looking at him through her small, oval glasses.

'Um, isn't it a kind of film that projects pictures and stuff?'

'Yes it is,' said Matilda. 'And can you think of any reason why the International Confederation would decide to impose a ban?'

'No, other than sheer spite.'

'My reaction exactly!' she said, slamming her hand down on the table. 'I'm sorry, gentlemen,' she said, addressing the two officials bedecked in identical black and grey robes, 'but no sale. Magic Fiche production and retail are highly rated and important industries in our community, and we will not comply with such a law. You'll have to find your way around that.'

'But Minister, it is made with bundimun...' protested one official, but he was interrupted by Matilda.

'I said No Sale.'

'Good afternoon, minister.' They both left the room, looking disappointed and angry.

'Another problem solved by Matilda Greymalkin,' said Harry.

'Thank you, thank you,' said Matilda. 'I'm sure you can wangle a photo-op out of that, my dearest Press Secretary.'

'I spoke to Percy.'

'And?' she asked.

'And he's agreed to let it go for now, but he says all the Departmental Heads feel cobbed.'

'Cobbed?'

'Quidditch term- they feel pushed aside and manipulated. They want their power back.'

'Yeah, well, tough shit,' said Matilda dismissively. 'We have more important things to worry about right now. Have you seen the morning edition of the Daily Prophet?'

It was clear from Harry's face that he hadn't, so she handed him a copy that had been laying on her desk.

THE MINISTRY IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO STOP DARK WIZARDS.

Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts and highly respected member of the wizarding community, has made clear his disillusionment with the Minister and her efforts to rid the country of Dark wizards.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Prophet, Professor Dumbledore said, "Although the Greymalkin administration have done much to further the cause against Dark magic since it took up office two years ago, much is left to be done.

"Recent information seems to suggest that the Death Eaters are making an attempt to regroup, and still the Minister takes no action."

Professor Dumbledore's comments articulate the desire of the wizarding community in general to see more done to stop Dark Wizards, as many feel the current Ministerial team have given the issue a back seat.

More to follow in the later edition of today's Daily Prophet.

'What's this about?' asked Harry.

'I don't know,' said Matilda, 'but I don't want this overshadowing the Magic Lamp Ban this afternoon. Kill the story, Harry.'

'Yes, Minister,' said Harry.

'Anything else I need to know about?'

'Not yet,' said Harry. 'I'll speak to Hermione and get her and Olivia Greene to come over and talk to you about the ban.'

'Who's Olivia Greene?' she asked.

'She's the witch from the Department of International Co-operation who's been responsible for the ban. She's the expert in charge of this.'

'Good, I'll be wanting to speak to her.'

'Okay then,' said Harry, and walked out of the Cloister and into his own office.

'Linda?' he called. A few seconds later, he saw the slightly ditzy but professional witch come clopping into the room.

'Yes?'

'Get Albus Dumbledore here in an hour. Also, I want Olivia Greene at the next free half an hour she's got.'

'Sure. By the way, this came for you.' She handed him an envelope with his name on it, and left the room.

Dear Potter, it read

There's trouble brewing in the Creatures Department. Sniff it out, unless you want a catastrophe on your hands

Yours,

Someone Who Knows

Another mysterious note, thought Harry, and he sat down at his desk.

The door opened, and Hermione Granger walked in.

'Well, this is a pleasant surprise,' said Harry smiling. 'To what do I owe this pleasure?'

'Did you speak to Percy,' she said dreamily, looking out the window and onto the green grass and trees outside.

'I did indeed,' said Harry. 'Everything's fine- I sorted it. Have your statements on my desk in forty-five minutes, and also I want the answers to any questions they might ask me.'

'The reporters?' asked Hermione.

'Who else. Matilda wants you and Olivia Greene to give her a briefing. It should only take about ten minutes.'

'Sure, sure,' said Hermione. 'I'll see you later then.'

'Just one thing,' said Harry, as she turned to go. 'Do you know anything that's happening at the Magical Creatures Department?'

'Nope, sorry,' said Hermione. 'See you!'

She walked back out the door and into the corridor, leaving Harry at a loss. As usual, there were ten new problems this morning that he had to solve, as well as the fifty ones there were every morning.

'Ah, dear,' he sighed, sounding like an old man, and unrolled a scroll on his desk.

***

'Florence?' asked Linda, as she walked across the Cloister Pressroom. She stopped beside a tall, dark haired witch with lots of make up and deep red robes. 'Florence, Harry has something he wants to talk to you about.'

The two women walked past the podium where Harry, as the Press Secretary and Chief Aide, gave the Press Briefings every other day, and through a door into the anteroom. The anteroom was a small square waiting room, which connected the Cloister corridor with the pressroom. It was sparsely decorated, with two chairs and a desk.

'Florence, thanks for speaking to me,' said Harry, as Linda shut the door. 'I just have one question for you.'

'Fire away,' said the no-nonsense Ministerial reporter for the Evening Prophet.

'What do you know about something that's happening at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and are you going to run with the story?'

'That's two questions,' she said flatly.

'Just tell me,' pleaded Harry. He didn't have time for begging about silly things.

'I can't tell you myself, but speak to John Peasegood, Arnold's brother. He knows everything that goes on in that department.

'And no, I am not going to run with the story until tomorrow night, mainly because I want to give you time to sort it out. It's fairer that way.'

'Thanks, Florence.'

'Do I get first question this afternoon?' she asked.

'Sure,' said Harry. 'Whatever. Thanks a lot.'

***

'John?' asked Harry, as he rapped on the door of the tiny office in the Ministry basement. There were pipes running up the walls, and the room was dark and damp.

'Mr Potter!' said John Peasegood, jumping out of his seat and sending a pile of parchment flying. 'Mr Potter! What an honour? What can I do for you? Please sit down!'

'John, what do you know about some trouble brewing down here?' he asked.

'Ah, you got my note,' said John. 'Good, good. Yes, there is trouble down here in the murky depths of our department. It seems that Claudius Hemile and Juliana Fenetico at the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau offices in Wales are selling Welsh Green eggs illegally on the black market.'

'Oh, god,' said Harry, running a hand through his hair. 'That's bad.'

'Yes, that's very bad. Very bad indeed,' agreed John Peasegood. 'I took the liberty of researching this, and the last case of such a magnitude was in 1988, when Lucinda Leone was found with three broken eggs in the boot of her Muggle car. She went to Azkaban for twelve years. Went mad, I think, and now she's in St. Mungo's.'

'Okay,' said Harry. 'Thanks, John.'

'Any time, Mr Potter! Have a nice day now!'

***

Harry apparated into the middle of a large field surrounded by lush, green mountains. The grass was abundantly green and reflected in the midday sun. A light breeze whipped through his air, very refreshing. About three hundred yards ways was a log cabin, with two small windows.

'Hello, how can I help you?' said the small wizard working at the reception desk.

'I'd like to speak with Claudius Hemile and Juliana Fenetico please,' said Harry.

'I'm afraid they're up mountains just now working. They should be back in two hours if you'd like to call back.'

'I'm sorry to trouble you,' said Harry leaning forward, 'but this is very important. I need them to come with me back to Ministry Headquarters in London. You see, the Minister has something very important to discuss with them.'

'My eye,' said the small man. 'You're Harry Potter, aren't you? I'll have them straight away, Mr. Potter, just a moment!' He Disapperated away with a soft pop.

A few moments later he reappeared, with a tall, good looking black haired man and a woman with large hazel eyes and red hair.

'Hi,' said Harry. 'I'm Harry Potter, Chief Aide to the Minister for Magic. You two are going to have to come back to London with me.'

The woman looked a bit unsettled, but the man maintained his composure.

'Of course.' He said. 'We'll Apparate down with you.'

'Okay, just into the reception hall,' said Harry.

A few seconds later, all three were standing in the Ministry Reception Hall. Unbeknown to the two employees in question, Harry had placed a Tracker Charm on them both, in case they should Apparate somewhere else and escape.

'If you'll just go into my office,' he said, leading them through.

'First of all, I have the evidence to prove that you two have both been selling dragon eggs illegally for your own profit,' Harry lied, as he spoke to Claudius Hemile and Juliana Fentico in his office. 'Also, you both know that this is punishable by a minimum of ten years in Azkaban.

'But we'll cut you a deal.' He leaned across his desk towards them. 'Either we hand you over to the Council of Magical Law, or we remand you in the Cloister Penitentiary, for less time, and you give us the name of everyone in the business you know about.'

Harry looked stonily across the table at the two ministry employees, called into the big guy's office after having been caught.

'No?' said Harry, after they had remained silent for over two minutes. 'Okay then. I'll send you off to Azkaban on the evening boat- you'll give me the information I need about your contacts through Veritaserum.'

'You can't do that!' shouted the male. 'That's wrong!'

'So is smuggling dragon eggs,' said Harry, as Ministry security burst through the door, having been summoned by the summoner under Harry's desk.

'Take them to the Council of Magical Law,' said Harry, as they were huckled out the door by six tall, burly hit wizards.

'Yes, sir,' replied one. 'Yes, Mr Potter.'

***

'Who's put there?' Harry asked Linda, as he, Hermione and Olivia Greene waited in the anteroom, preparing to make the statement that would ban magic lamps in Britain.

'Wizarding News, WWTV Nightly, ScottishMagicTelevision and about ten newspapers, plus the correspondents from the Wizarding Wireless' said Linda.

'Is it Ron?' asked Hermione.

'Yes, Ron Weasley is the reporter for Wizarding News,' said Linda.

'You ready?' asked Harry. Hermione and Olivia nodded, looking scared. Harry was used to this now, though. He had been doing it for two and a half years.

'Good Luck!' said Linda, and she opened the door for them.

Harry, Hermione and Olivia walked out onto the platform, and Harry stood at the podium.

'Good afternoon everyone,' he said. 'The Minister of Magic would like to make the following announcement. The Ministry of Magic has hereby imposed a ban on Magic Lamps in Britain. This ban has been introduced for several reasons...'

'So therefore it would be impractical to have any magic lamps within the range of Muggles, which is everywhere.' Harry concluded his Press briefing half an hour later. Hermione and Olivia had already answered the more specialised questions- Harry was there to answer any questions relating to the Cloister.

'That's all we have for you on that today, folks,' he said, flipping through his brown folder. 'A few little things- there has been an amendment to the Advanced Charms Facility Staff in Norway, also, the Village School in Hogsmeade is holding it's three hundredth annual witch-burning memorial tomorrow at lunchtime, and finally, Claudius Hemile and Juliana Fentico have both left the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau offices in Wales. Any more questions?' No one said anything. 'Then that's all! Have a nice night folks!'

He walked off the platform and into the antechamber.

'Excellently done!' commended Linda. 'No one will be suspicious about that!'

'Is Dumbledore waiting in my office?' asked Harry.

'Er, no. He had a Board of Governors Meeting this afternoon that he couldn't get out of, so instead he'll see you first thing tomorrow morning.'

Harry sighed. He knew very well that nobody at the Ministry could dictate to Dumbledore. 'Okay, thanks Linda.'

'Harry!' The door from the pressroom opened, and Ron walked through.

'Hi there,' said Hermione and Harry.

In the past five years after the Weasley family had introduced the first magical television, and set up the first network, Ron and his family had become extremely rich, and Ron himself, as the face of their hourly 'Wizarding News,' had become extremely famous. These developments had pleased Harry immensely- there was no family in the world that so richly deserved such good luck. Of course, everyone out of the Weasley Family had done well for themselves- Ron, Bill and Arthur had gone into work with the Network, Fred and George had set up Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, a thriving multi-national business, Percy had rose steadily throughout the Ministry, and Charlie was still working with dragons, in all the corners of the world. Often, Harry received letters from Hagrid, who spent his retirement traveling the world on a sightseeing tour of all the horrific and monstrous beasts known to man. The only Weasley who hadn't thrown herself into a prosperous job was Ginny. Instead, she had went to work for Josiah Jacobs, as a secretary, despite her many talents and excellent qualifications.

'You two still on for tonight?' asked Ron, beaming at them.

'Sure, eight o'clock, right?' asked Hermione.

'Yup, eight o'clock.' Ron agreed. He checked his watch. 'Listen, I've got to run back to the studio, but I'll see you both later!'

'Bye,' Harry and Hermione called, and Ron dashed back through the door.

***

The rain pelted down on Harry's head as he hurried up Diagon Alley, which was currently soaking wet. Harry had a copy of the Evening Prophet pulled over his head- thankfully, the ban on magic lamps had made the front page, and Dumbledore's protests were pushed to the middle pages. Harry had spent all day sorting that out, along with about thirty other things.

He pushed open the door of Fernando's, and was greeted with a warm, yellow glow created by dimly lit lamps and candles. The air was filled with the lovely scent of well cooked food, and Harry hurried over to the table where Hermione and Ron sat.

'Sorry, sorry,' said Harry, walking up and taking off his cloak. 'I got held up at the office.'

'I thought you would have been,' said Hermione. 'Hold still.' She withdrew her wand, and pointed it at Harry. 'Desiccato!' Harry felt the moisture evaporate out his clothes and he sat down, feeling suitably dry.

'So what are we having?' asked Harry, looking across the table at his two best friends. It was funny that they had all remained so close after so many years- they had all matured, Ron had married, had kids, settled down, while Harry and Hermione threw themselves into their work. It was funny, he thought, how some things never change.

Thank You