The Centaur's Shrine

Chapter 22 - The Wizengamot Gambit

Hogwarts,

Tock! Tock! Tock!

Ginny was woken up by a repetitive knocking noise. She opened her eyes, but a quick glance around the darkened and cold bedroom didn't show anything unusual. It was still before dawn, and the six thirty morning call hadn't sounded yet.

Last day of the week, she thought sleepily. Saturday won't be there fast enough.

The annoying noise had stopped when she moved. She closed her eyes, dropped her head back on the pillow, and pulled the covers up to her chin to recover the warmth of her bed.

Tock! Tock! Tock!

The sound was back. This time, being more or less awake, she identified it as coming from the direction of one the window panes. She fumbled for her wand.

"Lumos!"

The light illuminated the opening, and it showed a small dark owl perched on the outside ledge. It was hitting the glass with his beak, and that was where the sound was coming from.

An owl that can't wait for the morning mail call? That's weird.

The other girls were mumbling for whoever was making that blasted noise to stop it. She stood up and went toward the window. She opened it, receiving an unpleasant blast of cold air which lowered the temperature throughout the room. It was windy outside and she could even feel a few raindrops hit her face.

"Ginny!" protested Cecilia in a sleepy voice. "What in hell are you doing? Close that damn window!"

She let the owl fly in and quickly closed the pane. The bird carried a single envelop of parchment. It made one quick round of the room and settled on her bed table. Apparently the message was for her. She went to detach it and read the addressing.

'Ginevra Weasley and Draco Malfoy', it's for both of us then.

And since the sender was using her official first name, it certainly wasn't someone who knew her very well.

"What is it Ginny?" asked one of the girls. Yawns and other sighing sounds were heard as the rest of the dormitory was waking up.

"Just some early mail," she replied. She was reticent to open it in front of the others.

"A secret admirer?" ventured Cecilia. "Oh my, Draco won't like that." The other girls giggled stupidly.

Ginny knew she had to defuse her curiosity before it got out of hands. The girl was a hopeless gossip. She showed her the address on the envelope.

"Don't start imagining things. It was sent to both of us," she said.

That wasn't enough to shut her up.

"Whoa! Official couple address and all. When's the engagement Ginny?"

Ginny muttered an expletive and took refuge in the bathroom, making a point of storing the letter in a drawer and locking it.

Half an hour later, she was dressed and ready to go and have breakfast. She hoped Draco would be down with the first students as well. If not, then she would not hesitate to open the message and read it before him. She allowed him one cup of tea, and she took pride in not drinking it too fast. As it was he got there just in time.

"Hi sweet," he said. "And I thought I was the early bird."

Not too many people were in the hall, none were seated near them. She fished out the letter and showed it to him.

"Funny you should say that," she said. "An owl brought this at dawn. Woke me up too."

He looked at the envelope. It was made of quality parchment, and unmarked except for their names. Exchanging a puzzled glance, they couldn't find a good reason for not opening it right away. Inside was a short note.

Ginny and Draco, greetings to you both,

Just a few words to add to what you will read in the papers today. There has been a big upheaval here in London. The situation is still confused, but the fact is that the Ministry has announced new restrictions on financial transactions, and the Goblins have reacted by closing up Gringotts. They are basically threatening to rebel. As if that was not bad enough, the Minister of Magic has suffered some kind of seizure, and he will not talk to anybody. You can imagine the panic.

I am telling you this because of a disquieting development. Your Headmaster was in Gringotts this morning, along with Arthur Weasley, just before the Goblins announced their decision, and he was also with the Minister before his 'problem'. I am not implying anything but the coincidences are troubling.

A meeting of the Wizengamot is sure to be organized soon. Many here feel that the Goblins are overreacting. They are holding our entire economy by the ... sensible parts, and they certainly stand to gain the most from this crisis.

Lord Shrummer and I are very worried by all this. Has anything unusual happened at Hogwarts in the past days? If you have any information, then please let me know, but be very discrete. I will keep you abreast of any developments on our end.

Trevor

"This is crazy!" said Ginny as she re-read the letter. "He's practically accusing Dumbledore of fomenting a Goblin revolt!"

"Not really," said Draco pensively. "But you have to admit this is troubling, and something unusual did happen."

She looked back at him with a shocked and unfriendly expression.

"You mean Hermione," she said.

He raised his hands and tried to be as soothing as possible.

"Gin, I'm not saying Hermione has anything to do with it. She's my friend too, and I'm not going to accuse anybody of anything. I'm just trying to understand what's going on."

They stared at each other for a moment. Draco understood how Ginny felt concerning Hermione, and that the younger girl was very unhappy with the current 'cold peace' situation.

"We should talk it out with them," she said, but her voice was hesitant.

"Er, I don't think that would be a very good idea," replied Draco as carefully as he could. He tried to preempt the flash of anger he could see in her eyes. "At least not right now."

She didn't say anything and stared hard at him.

"Gin, what we need is more information," he added, "and we need to think about what all this means."

Her expression softened. The angry scowl was replaced by a mask of unhappiness. She admitted to herself that what he proposed was not unreasonable, and that Hermione had not been especially forthcoming with information either.

"Okay," she finally said in a low voice. "We can keep this to ourselves for now."

He folded the letter and hid it inside his clothes, and then he placed his arm around her waist. She let herself be cuddled, and they held on to each other for a moment.

"I hate what's going on," she murmured. "I think it was better when we knew who the enemy was, and when we stood together against it."

Draco didn't know what to say so he just held her, and played with a lock of hair on her brow. He could understand what she was saying, but his mind was also engaged in the possible power plays which must be preparing in London. He yearned to participate in them. He imagined himself working along with Trevor and Shrummer, unmasking plots and planning strategy. It would be much more interesting than writing essays on Transfiguration techniques, or mixing potions to cure Hippogriff feather rash.

Draco and Ginny were still in each other arms when they heard a familiar voice behind them.

"Look at the two love birds, and how charming they are."

They turned to see Harry approaching, with Alicia Parker right next to him. The girl had a sleepy face and a big happy grin. She had been telling Harry some of what had happened with Remus, the words rushing out of her mouth, as she relived their evening of recollections. She was every bit as excited as a little kid returning from his first Disneyworld. Harry good naturally clapped Draco's shoulder and gave Ginny a quick kiss. Alicia greeted them rapidly, and then she ran off toward the Slytherin Dungeons to check if her friends were coming.

"You don't look so bad yourself," said Draco, taking in his friend's cheerful face. He gestured toward the girl. "What's going on with her?"

"Detention with Remus last night," replied Harry with a grin. "I think it involved a little story telling," he added, winking at Ginny.

"Oh."

Harry started to get the elements of his breakfast together, frowning at the selection of food. He had discovered croissants in France, it was probably the thing he missed the most. Not for the first time, he resolved to ask Dobby if the Elves could make some, but he kept forgetting to do so. The rest of the students were coming in. Hermione joined them, followed by Ron and Luna. Ron made a point of sitting away from Hermione, thus destroying some of Harry's good mood. Ginny noticed it as well. She turned her face away and squeezed Draco tighter, but no one said anything.

They ate silently until the mail flew in. One owl deposited Hermione's edition of the Daily Prophet in front of her, but she wasn't in a hurry to open it. The rolled up magazine lay next to her plate while she was sipping her tea. Draco was aching to read it, but Ginny was still clinging to him, and the unspoken agreement was always to give Hermione first access to her magazine. He didn't have long to wait in any case. Shortly afterwards, a number of exclamations were heard as other subscribers discovered the front page news. One student spoke it out.

"GOBLINS CLOSE GRINGOTTS! PANIC IN DIAGON ALLEY!"

Hermione quickly lowered her cup and jumped to her unopened copy. The others gathered around her, and for a moment all their differences were forgotten as they as they struggled to read the story as one.

... Gringotts, the only banking facility of the wizard world is closed since yesterday morning ...

... an unilateral decision by the Goblins ...

... the Ministry of Magic urges calm ...

... Arthur Weasley, Head of the Goblin liaison office, denies that the new tax law was announced to put pressure on the Goblins ...

There were more details on the general situation. Around the hall, copies of the newspaper were passed from hand to hand and read aloud as everybody was made aware of the circumstances. Another owl flew over them and dropped a letter between Ron and Ginny. This one was from their mother, and it had obviously been scribbled in haste.

Dear both,

I assume you've read the news, if not then do so now. Arthur is all right and so is Percy. For now things are totally ape over at the Ministry. Dumbledore will be giving him a hand and that's the only good news so far. He's going to be awfully busy in the next days and probably nights, but he said not to worry too much.

Love. Molly.

Ginny gave a thought for what her father must be going through. His promotion had been the first real break he'd had in his career, and now this had to happen in his department.

Poor Dad. He and Mom were so happy about it.

"What does he mean about Percy?" asked Ron.

"There it is," said Harry who had been continuing the reading of the Prophet. "On page three." It was a minor follow up on the main story.

Violence at the Ministry.

A junior official of the Ministry of Magic was assaulted in his office yesterday. Percival Weasley was found unconscious under his desk. It is not known whether this has anything to do with the events concerning the Goblins. Another official, Dolores Umbridge is declared missing and actively searched for. An inquiry is underway concerning both incidents.

"I'm not worried about Umbridge," said Ron, voicing the general sentiment. "She probably got kidnapped by the Goblins. I can't think of anything more appropriate for her."

Excited discussions broke out around the hall. A number of eyes turned toward the six, acknowledging the fact that big events were their business more than anybody else. Some students looked at the teachers table as well, but it was still mostly empty.

"It's bound to be a catastrophe," said Seamus who had been reading his own edition of the Prophet. "With Gringotts shut down, most of the economy will stop. People will only be able to pay for things with what money they have in their pockets."

"What do you mean most of the economy?" asked Ron. He suddenly had a nasty thought.

"I mean companies and stores selling anything other than food and necessities," explained Seamus. "If you're not sure when you are going to get more money, then you don't spent it on anything you don't really need."

"You mean that for example sellers of Quidditch equipment are going to go out of business?" Ron had a sudden vision of what that could mean for a company like Nimbus Flyware, and by way of consequence, for his own future.

"Yes," said Hermione soberly. "If this lasts for more than a few days, it's going to mean personal ruin for a lot of peoples."

"This is insane," said Luna. "How can something like that happen?"

"The Goblins had been making trouble these past days," said Draco.

"They hadn't been making trouble," countered Hermione. "There were some tense negotiations. That's all." She turned toward Ginny. "Did your father tell you anything about that?"

"No," replied the girl. "His last letter said that it was slow going and often frustrating, but he was confident that they would be able to reach an accord."

"I bet that's it," interjected Ron angrily. "Those critters found out that they couldn't have their way through honest means, so they decided to rebel and blackmail us."

"Don't be ridiculous," replied Hermione. "It was the Ministry who provoked them with this tax. That was a criminal decision if there ever was one."

Harry and Luna were getting ready to forestall another open dispute, but Hermione wasn't really speaking to Ron, and it was Draco who answered.

"The decision was certainly unwise," he conceded. "But the Goblins clearly over reacted," he affirmed.

The two glared at each other. Hermione was torn between a natural desire to argue against the Ministry's decision, and her previous resolution to lie low and observe what the others were doing. Draco was incensed at the Goblins' actions, and a nasty suspicion was forming in his mind as to why she was so keen on defending them. They were both interrupted by the clear voice of professor McGonagall.

"Your attention please!" she called out. Most heads turned toward the teacher's table, but the clamor of discussion barely diminished.

"I said: Your attention please!" She had to repeat the injunction once more until the noise gradually came down. She waited until everyone was silent and attentive before continuing.

"Thank you." The professor surveyed the room. "I assume that all of you are aware of the situation in London. First of all, you should know that it will not concern us immediately, and that in consequence, there will be no change in the daily operations of the school."

"Second, our Headmaster has agreed to assist the Ministry in this emergency. I am fully confident that with his help, the authorities will unravel the problem quickly. During his absence I will assume his functions, with the help of professor Snape."

Head turned to look at the potion professor who was showing the gloomiest face they had ever seen on him. McGonagall continued.

"I am aware that your parents and family will be more directly concerned by these unfortunate events. There is nothing that you can do for them right now, except to let them know that you are all right. Be assured that the Ministry and the Wizengamot are perfectly competent to handle the situation."

Draco saw Harry mutter under his breath. He knew what his friend's opinion of the competence of these organizations was.

"That is all I have to say," finished McGonagall. "And now, I ask you all to prepare for your classes."

It was indeed time for the first lessons of the day. The students reluctantly stood up and dispersed to their assigned classrooms, but not without the renewed background noise of muttered conversations.

- - -

Ministry of magic,

The meeting regrouped all of the Ministry's department heads and a few others. Dumbledore of course. Percy Weasley, both as witness and victim in the previous day's aggression, and Trevor Themis who, in his role as liaison official to the Wizengamot, was technically representing that august body, but of course it didn't make much sense when the Chief Warlock was present as well.

Fudge should have been there, but everyone had agreed that he was too uselessly confused for that. He would be represented by Amelia Bones who was the highest ranking official available. Kingsley Shacklebolt would hold her seat as Head of the Law Enforcement department. Arthur Weasley was still responsible for relations with the Goblins. Dumbledore had encountered no difficulty in convincing him to stay after he had let off enough steam.

"All right everyone," said Bones, starting the meeting. A sheaf of papers was stacked in front of her. "Thank you all for coming. We will start with a review of what has been done since yesterday evening and first a medical update on the Minister." She turned to a white robed witch who was from St Mungo.

"There is no change in his situation," said the woman in a dry voice. "There are no signs of him having been under the Imperius curse, but he is clearly suffering from a dramatic mental breakdown. He also has serious memory problems."

"Would you say that his medical status is not compatible with his duty as Minister?" asked Bones.

It was the obvious question to ask, but it was also a very loaded one. Everybody in the room knew that nothing in the Ministry statutes allowed for Fudge to be relieved of duty because of mere psychological instability. Few wizards and witches were sane by any Muggle standards, as fuzzy as that measure was, and only gross physical incapacitation would be ground for impeachment. Amelia Bones knew it, but she felt that she had to ask anyway.

"No," said the witch. "You know that it isn't."

"Our predicament has no precedent," added Dumbledore. "The only option is to convene a full meeting of the Wizengamot, and to put the matter to a vote. The High Court would revoke him, and then elect a new Minister. Until then Fudge's actions cannot be overruled, and no real decisions can be taken." He turned toward Trevor. "Mister Themis, I believe we have arranged for a session on Saturday night?"

"Yes sir," answered Trevor. "At nine PM. I apologize for the late hour, but it was the shortest possible delay for us to get a quorum."

"I am sure that everyone will understand," said Dumbledore. "Thank you, Mister Themis."

"All right," concluded Bones. "I guess that this takes care of that. Hopefully, a new Minister will be able to act effectively starting Sunday." She sighed and examined the next item on her agenda. "Let's go on with what's been happening with the Goblins." She raised her head toward Arthur Weasley. "Arthur, I am very glad that you've decided to continue with us. Be assured that nobody blames you for what happened. Can you give us your report?"

Arthur gave a wry smile and sat a little straighter in his chair. He looked very tired. He and Dumbledore had been working far into the night.

"The situation is unchanged," he said. "Gringotts is still closed and the Goblins are blocking all money transactions. Professor Dumbledore and I have re-established communications with the bank's authorities, but they refuse to lift their ban until the tax law is repealed." He marked a pause. "They have also indicated that they will want to renegotiate some of their privileges in any case."

There were gasps of outrage at that. Bones rapped her knuckles on the table to stop them.

"Please!" she said to the room. She turned toward Arthur. "Do you think that they could change their position concerning the ban before the meeting?"

"No. They are very stubborn about this," said Arthur, shaking his head.

"I don't understand," asked Mafalda Hopkirk, who was responsible for the Improper Use of Magic department. "The Gringotts franchise is governed by a magical treaty. How can the Goblins break it unilaterally like that?"

Bones looked up at Dumbledore, and all heads followed her gaze.

"The treaty allows temporary suspensions by either party, in cases of grave menace to its interests," he said.

"That sounds like a serious loophole," commented Kingsley. "Who judges what a grave menace is?"

"It's totally subjective, of course," said Dumbledore. "That is why it works so well."

Several frowns appeared on the faces of the less learned participants. Amelia Bones nodded soberly. She was one of those who understood what the old wizard was saying.

"The system is very simple," she explained. "If a party truly feels threatened, then it can invoke that disposition of the treaty." She marked a pause to give them the chance to understand. "All it takes is sincerity."

"But we are threatened as well!" immediately objected Mockridge, the wizard whose department Arthur had taken over. "So we can do the same to them."

Bones raised her eyes to the ceiling. The damn fool still doesn't understand.

"Yes, Cuthbert," said Dumbledore gently. "We too could enforce a ban on trading with the Goblins. The unfortunate difference is that we need them more than they need us."

"Oh." Embarrassment showed on Mockridge's face. He seemed to fall into his seat a few inches.

"There is no alternative," continued Dumbledore in a firmer voice. "We must impeach Fudge and elect a new Minister who will have the power to invalidate his decision."

"And then what?" asked Bones. She had her own idea, but she wanted to know Dumbledore's position.

"And then we negotiate," said Dumbledore simply.

They waited to hear more, but the wizard didn't expand. Bones cleared her throat and took the next page from the pile in front of her.

"How are things working out on the economic front?" she asked, turned toward Dimitry Dalton, a short bald wizard with enormous glasses. He was in charge of the finance department of the Ministry.

"Not well," he said. "We're trying to convince people to keep as many Galleons in circulation as possible, but as you can imagine, it's not easy. Commerce is at a standstill, except for foodstuff where prices have already doubled. We cannot even pass a law to bring in some control. If this lasts even a week more, then the economy may never recover." He looked up at them. "We are facing the risk of a major depression."

Bones turned toward Dumbledore.

"Could something be done to replace Galleons with something equivalent?"

The wizard pursed his lips in concentration. He had been thinking about that for some time, but the problem was not an easy one. He said so.

"It would basically entail duplicating most of Gringotts' functions, and determining with precision how much each person actually has in their vaults. We would also need to create a new coinage which would be proof from forgery by any wizard." He held her gaze. "It is a very tall order."

"How long, Albus," she said firmly.

He held her gaze for a moment.

"At least two weeks," he said. "And if I had to do it, I would need a great deal of help from the Department of Mysteries."

She held his gaze and waited for him to acknowledge the need for doing this. She couldn't give orders to the Chief Warlock, but she trusted the man to do what was needed. He finally nodded to her and she felt a wave of relief. The others around the table immediately showed more confidence. If anybody could break the Goblins' Monopoly, it would be the Hogwarts Headmaster. At the very least they would gain a useful bargaining position with the Goblins. She knew that he understood that as well.

"Next," she said. "Dolores Umbridge." She looked up at Percy. "You are confident in your identification of her as your aggressor?" she asked.

"Yes, Madam," replied Percy. He described how he had been informed of the law proposal.

"I immediately realized it would cause a lot of trouble," he said. "I knew that my father was at the bank at the time. I was going to contact him, when she appeared and stunned me before I could do anything." He gave Arthur a desolate look. The man smiled in reassurance.

"You made a good decision Percy. You couldn't imagine she would do such a thing."

Bones turned toward Kingsley.

"Any news on Umbridge's whereabouts?"

"No, Madam. She wasn't seen since yesterday morning. I have sent someone to her apartment. She was not there, but nothing was amiss, and there were no signs of her having left on a trip."

"You will keep on looking of course?"

"Of course. I'll let you know if we find anything."

- - -

Helen's apartment,

Helen had woken feeling terrible. She rarely phoned in sick, and although the last thing she wanted to do was to go out and interact with other people, she felt that skipping work would only make it worse. She didn't have much left except for her self esteem, and she wasn't one to give up. Just as important, Bones' emissary was going to contact her at the College today.

So she forced herself to go through the routine of washing, dressing and commuting. When she arrived at her office, a closed and sad face was the only indication that everything was not well. Her colleagues noticed it immediately of course. Had Tim or another one of her close friends been there, she would probably have talked with them. Unfortunately, Tim had taken the day off to go on an extended weekend, and the remaining people around her weren't among those in which she would confide.

The morning went by without any visit from the big black man from the Ministry. She went outside to eat a solitary lunch in one the pubs, and came back for the afternoon work. Time passed miserably. She managed to do some work, and to keep from thinking too much about the previous evening. It wasn't easy. She pushed herself to keep going, but at five o'clock, she just couldn't do it any more. She closed up for the day and went home. She looked into her mailbox for a note or a letter, from anyone. There was nothing. The empty apartment was depressing. She toyed briefly with the idea of writing to Severus, but she dismissed it quickly. It was too soon. On an impulse she changed into her sport suit and determined to do some jogging. The proximity to Hyde Park had been a significant argument for the choice of her apartment. It showed in the rent, but she had never regretted it.

The exercise did her good. When she came back, she went into the kitchen to drink some water. The door rang, and she rushed to open it with an irrational hope in her heart.

It was Kingsley, not Severus. I didn't really believe it anyway.

"Sorry for the late hour," he said, "Things are a bit hectic at the moment."

She acknowledged absently, inviting him inside.

"It's all right. I expected you at the College, but this is just as well. Did you come to transport me over there?" she asked.

The big man's expression was much less cheerful than at the last time. He considered her carefully.

"Madam Bones told me to check first for the answer to a question she asked you," he said quizzically. "She added that if that answer was no, then there would be no reason to return with you." He shrugged to show that he didn't know what the question was, or what the answer actually meant, and that he was just a messenger.

"The answer is yes," said Helen without any hesitation. "So I'm going back with you, but I have to take a shower first. I hope we have the time?"

He gestured with a small smile.

"Of course. I'll just wait for you right here."

While she was in the bathroom, he looked around with some curiosity. As an Auror, he had a lot of experience in operating in the Muggle world, but there were always new things that these people kept inventing. Any occasion to keep up with the trends was good to take.

The archery photographs held his interest a moment, and then his eyes fell on a decidedly un-Muggle book lying on the table. A detached piece of paper was partly visible between the front cover and the rest of the pages. He hesitated, but his policeman's curiosity won over his respect for Mrs. Parker's privacy. Opening the book, it only took him a few seconds to understand what it was.

Severus wrote this. A monograph on potion making, with a dedication to Helen Parker. How strange.

The dedication page had been torn and rumpled, and then smoothed over carefully. He replaced the object and thought about what it could mean for a moment. It was a minor puzzle, and he liked those, but after a while he shook his head and gave up. It wasn't really any of his business, and there was too little to go on. He made a note however to ask Severus about it the next time he would see the man.

"I'm ready."

He turned around to see Helen freshly dressed. She had chosen the kind of fancy muggle outfit which wouldn't look too much out of place among wizard folks. He nodded in approbation and handed her the same colored rope he had used for a portkey the last time. A moment later they were inside the Ministry.

Kingsley simply pointed her toward Amelia Bones' office door and left immediately. Helen noticed that there were many more people moving about in the corridors than before, and that they all had tired and harried looks. She wondered what was going on, but there would only be one person who would probably be able to tell her. She knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Amelia Bones looked up from her desk and gestured toward a seat next to a side table.

"Thank you for coming, Mrs. Parker. Please sit down, I will be with you in a minute."

On the table, Helen recognized the statutes for FOM that Hermione must have send her. She had received a copy herself, right after their meeting at the train station, so she was fairly familiar with the subject. She started to browse the material distractedly, while she reviewed the previous discussions they had had, first with Hermione, and then at the beginning of week here.

At the Auror academy, she had seen the same gleam of passion in both witches. It had actually been unsettling to watch. During what little time she had spent with her, Hermione had shown herself to be a determined and very intelligent person. She was almost excessively rational at times, but concerning that particular subject, she had looked ready to sacrifice much more than time and effort to make her project succeed. She could sense a similar zeal in Bones, although it was tempered by the older woman's experience, but it didn't make it appear less frightening.

Helen didn't really want to join in a quest for justice. All she yearned for was to find her place among these people, like she had once. She was willing to pay a price for the chance to share the world of her children, of the wizard she had loved, and of the other one she still loved, or not, she wasn't sure. She was like Ginny Weasley in that for her, ideas and ideals were abstract objects, while only people were real. Without human beings, without emotions, ideas didn't mean anything.

"I am very glad that you decided to come," said Bones when she was finished with her business. "What we aim for has become even more important than it was before."

"What do you mean?" asked Helen.

Bones told her about the trouble with the Goblins, and of the planned Wizengamot meeting. She had to explain a number of details Helen didn't know, or had forgotten, about the relationship between the two species, and how the wizard economy worked. Then she laid out her plan to propose FOM as the basis for a new contract between wizards and their magical partners.

"Do you really believe it will work?" questioned Helen. "You yourself explained how ambitious it was, and we don't have much time until tomorrow night."

"I know," replied Bones. "I will not hide from you that it is a pretty desperate measure, but on the other hand, the situation is very serious. This means that a lot of people will listen. We may not convince enough of them, but we will never get a better chance to do it."

Helen thought about it. She wasn't familiar with politics, not even those of the Muggle world, so she didn't have any idea about what their chances. She would play along, but she would also think about herself.

"What do you want me to do?"

Bones indicated the thick volume of paper on the table.

"We need to reduce this to a few pages of presentation, and identify the key arguments which will convince the High Court." The witch considered Helen shrewdly. "Your Muggle perspective is not comparable to that of a Goblin or a Centaur, but it should be sufficiently different from a wizard's to make them see how the outsiders feel."

Helen looked back with unfeigned interest. The woman was a politician and that last phrase sounded like it had a double meaning, or maybe it was an opening.

"Speaking of outsiders, there is something you could do for me," she began.

"I know what you want," Bones said, still holding her gaze calmly. Helen stopped moving and waited for her to continue. "You want access to this world." The younger woman's sharp intake of breath told her that she had read her correctly.

"It wasn't very difficult to guess," she continued. "You are not the first, nor the last for that matter."

Helen suddenly knew that she was standing on the threshold, ready to cross a line. If Bones was offering what she craved more than anything, then she would do whatever was asked of her to get it. She didn't dare speak, but she nodded slowly, her eyes not leaving into the older woman's face.

"Give me your best in this," said Bones, stabbing her finger on the FOM statutes, "and I will grant you that wish. There are several permanent portkeys in London, links to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. They are used by Squids and some Muggles whom we have taken into our confidence. Peoples who carry on missions for us. You would be one of them."

Helen couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was what she had hoped for all along.

"Would it be official?"

"Oh yes, and perfectly legal too. You would have to sign an agreement of confidentiality, but we would pay you for any services rendered." She grimaced. "Well, right now payment would be somewhat complicated because of the present situation, but it's all pretty much above board."

"I'll do it," said Helen.

She didn't even have to think about it. She didn't really care how it would turn out. She was confident that she could do a good job. She had proved her value in helping Severus, she would do it again.

"Good." The two women exchanged a look of mutual satisfaction. "I hope you hadn't planned anything for tonight or tomorrow," said Bones.

Helen smiled and shook her head. This was turning into something she was more familiar with. An all out effort on a difficult problem. Bones led her to a private room where she could work without being disturbed. She told her that food and other basics would be provided for, as well as access to specific information she might require.

"I still have some work to finish, but I'll join you in an hour or two. If you need me before that, you can just come to this office. The door will open for you."

Helen sat down and reflected on what they would need to do. The writing material was strange. She was not very good at writing with a quill, and her ballpoint pen only worked intermittently on the parchment. Thankfully she also had a felt pen, and that was okay. A computer would have been useful as well, but from what she understood, it would not work here. And the damn thing crashes often enough without magic interference.

Bones watched her for a few moments, and then she left to go back to her office. Outside her door, she found Dumbledore and Arthur waiting for her.

"Amelia we need to talk," said Dumbledore seriously.

She felt a pang of guilt, and a rush of panic as she imagined that he knew about her plans. She masked her unease and gestured for them to go inside.

Damn good thing that I moved Helen to another room.

It soon became apparent that her fears were unfounded. The two wizards didn't act as if they suspected anything at all. Dumbledore looked thoughtful, and Arthur diffident.

"All right, what is it?" she asked.

Dumbledore considered her carefully.

"Amelia, you know that there are going to be several candidates for the position of Minister of Magic, even if this election was unexpected."

"Of course," she said, shrugging at the obvious comment.

"What we need right now is a strong and pragmatic leader," continued Dumbledore. "Not someone who would push an idealist agenda." He paused. "That will come someday, but not today. For the moment the urgency is to negotiate with the Goblins."

That at least was a common goal. She inclined her head, conceding as much. He toyed with the idea of proposing an explicit alliance. He didn't say anything for two reasons. First of all, she certainly knew what were the conditions of his support, and second, because he wanted her to come forth with her own plans.

"Is there anything you want to tell me, Amelia?" he asked gently.

She looked back, wondering what to say. If he was asking that question, then it meant that he probably had a good idea that she was considering running for the position, but she also knew that the really loaded question was how she wanted to run.

"No, Albus," she said, looking him straight in the eye.

Dumbledore took note of the tight control and the minimal response. He guessed at the reason for it. After all, she couldn't have missed the fact that he had put a stop to Hermione Granger's ambitions. It was natural for Bones to be annoyed with him.

They looked at each other for a moment, she with a hard and severe expression, and he with a slightly sad one.

"You know how to find me, should you change your mind," he finally said. "Come, Arthur."

Bones watched the two wizards go away. She wondered if she was making a serious mistake. She couldn't answer that, but she knew that her choice was the only ethical one.

- - -

Dumbledore followed Arthur to his office. They walked silently along the corridors and got inside.

"What was that all about?" asked Arthur after closing the door.

Dumbledore realized that Arthur was probably not aware of some details concerning Bones' ambition and FOM. He told him the salient points about the association.

"I was counting on her to be our candidate, but now I think I may have to find someone else," he said.

Arthur started to nod in acknowledgement, and then he realized that the Headmaster was looking at him in a most peculiar way.

"Oh no," he said, suddenly alarmed. "Not me. No way!"

Dumbledore couldn't help showing a twinkle of amusement. The situation was anything but funny, but sometimes it was just too difficult to maintain the appropriate decorum.

"I am afraid, my friend, that there are not many alternatives."

- - -

Shrummer's mansion,

It was well past nightfall when Trevor arrived at the manor. Lord Shrummer's dwelling was fully as big as the Parkinsons. It was likewise situated inside a large park, surrounded by high walls and protected by powerful wards, including Muggle repealing ones. It was also defended by Golem sentinels, but the area around the house wasn't a lifeless open space. There was actually a great deal of vegetation, and not just for decoration. An irregular and wide moat circled the main building.

Trevor had been there before, but always for short work meetings during the day. He took the evening invitation as a sign of his growing importance to the man he had decided to serve. As he came to the moat, he stopped before a gargoyle statue. He spoke his name, and a bridge materialized, enabling him to cross over to the front door. The water was murky and its surface was occasionally broken by dark shapes. The bridge disappeared as soon as he crossed the barrier. The front door opened, and an Elf led him to a side drawing room. He expected to see Lord Shrummer of course, but he was surprised to see him in the company of a strikingly good looking witch.

"Trevor my boy, delighted to have you here," said Shrummer who looked in excellent humor. He turned to encompass his companion. "Electra, let me introduce you to Trevor Themis who works at the Ministry with me. Trevor, meet Electra." He didn't say who or what she was.

Trevor's first reaction had been to think she was his mistress. Shrummer was a widower which would explain her presence in his house. However the woman's poise was not that a subservient playmate. It expressed real power, and she stood like someone who was the equal, if not more, of the man at her side. As he came closer he could also see the burning intelligence in her eyes.

This one's a player, and I would bet that she's probably much older than she looks.

He held in check the usual banter he affected in such circumstances. He sensed that her judgment would probably be as important as Shrummer's.

"My Lady, it is an honor to meet you," he said.

He gave a short bow and gently took the hand she held out to him. She was showing a warm smile, but some instinct told him to be very careful. He was right. Instead of surrendering her hand limply; she suddenly grabbed his palm and pulled him forward. He stumbled and only kept his balance by using her grip as support. She was surprisingly strong, and they ended up with their faces only inches apart. Dark eyes examined his face carefully, taking the measure of him by his reaction to this most unusual play.

Trevor was caught by surprise, but he was not one to be intimidated by beautiful women, and he liked them bold and daring. As a Slytherin, he would have approached this unknown witch with prudence, seizing up her strong and weak points before making any move, but if she was taking the initiative, then he could not afford play shy.

He tightened his own grip and gave her a seductive smile.

"And a pleasure as well," he added softly.

Her expression didn't waver, but the eyes narrowed and she nodded ever slightly. Her thumb moved softly over his knuckles and he felt a shiver of excitement run through his body. Desire made his blood boil, and at this instant he knew that he would do just about anything to have her. She was a true enchantress, with everything that word carried in seduction and potency.

She released him gently and turned toward Shrummer who had been watching with amusement. If it had been anybody else but Electra, he would have been jealous or annoyed, but Septimus Shrummer had lived long enough to learn to separate business and pleasure. Electra was a very dangerous woman, and he was careful to partition his involvement with her. He would remain a faithful ally and limit his involvement to the political arena. Besides, giving her Trevor as a toy to play with would ingratiate her with him even more.

The boy is in for a wild ride, but if he survives, he will certainly not regret it.

"Now that you two have met each other, why don't we get on with dinner?" he said. "We have much to talk about."

- - -

Ministry of magic

"I want to speak to a person of authority," affirmed Rita Skeeters in a stubborn voice.

"I am terribly sorry Miss Skeeters," said the clerk, "but everyone is extremely busy right now and it would be much better if -"

The journalist leaned forward over the table and interrupted him with a menacing finger.

"Listen to me carefully, little man. I know there's something fishy going on. I have a story ready, and it's going to make a lot of noise. I'm giving the Ministry a chance to explain some very troubling developments. If they don't get that chance because you will not convey a message, then I really don't want to be in your shoes tomorrow morning when your superiors read the papers."

The wizard paled and balanced his very strict orders against her threat. Prudence won out, and he stood up.

"Please wait here Miss Skeeters. I will see what can be done." He gestured to a guard to keep an eye on the visitor and took the elevator to the executive level. Fifteen minutes later, Rita Skeeters was in Amelia Bones' office, seated across her, with Albus Dumbledore looking in from the side.

"All right Miss Skeeters ," said Bones with a face devoid of any sympathy. "We are listening."

Rita smiled inwardly. This was exactly the kind of situation she craved. A real scoop, on which she was ahead of the competition. She didn't know who her mysterious correspondent was, but it had certainly delivered priceless information. First the news about Fudge's addled mental state, and then the report about that toady witch.

"Dolores Umbridge," she said. "Her body was found last night in, shall we say unusual circumstances? She'd been dead for at least two days, but several witnesses confirm that she talked to the Minister, and attacked Percival Weasley, on Thursday morning. Just before the Goblins rise in revolt. And tonight, the Wizengamot will elect a new Minister." She didn't hide her glee. "One hell of a story, don't you think?"

Bones grimaced and turned toward Dumbledore who was considering the journalist silently.

"You have quite an imagination, Miss Skeeters," said Bones. "I am sure that your readers appreciate the unique manner in which you entertain them."

"Imagination, my bum," retorted Rita. "All of it is true, and you know it." She turned toward Dumbledore. "And don't even think about fiddling with my memories. I know all about your little mind tricks."

The Headmaster half-closed his eyes, pursed his lips and raised a soothing hand.

"I would never dream of doing such an unethical thing, Miss Skeeters," he said calmly. "Besides, I am certain that you have taken every precaution against memory charms," he added in a more serious voice. His gaze was suddenly much less friendly.

Rita felt the unvoiced threat. She had taken a special mental resistance potion which made her mind proof against Obliviates and the like. It was a standard reporter's ploy, but there could be other things he could do, things against which she might not be protected. She felt a touch of fear, but not enough to back down. If anything it only added to the thrill of the game. She was playing very high stakes.

"I hope we are not considering harassment, or actions against the freedom of the press, here," she said. She did her best to show her determination, and she noted with pride that her voice was firm. She was running a bluff here, at least about some things, but she could sense that she was also holding some very good cards.

"What do you want?" said Bones.

"An exclusive," replied Rita. "I keep quiet on the most embarrassing aspects of the case; at least until you have a chance to show that your inquiries can be successful. In exchange, I want in on today's meeting, so that I can write about it for the Sunday edition."

That would definitively put her in the top league. She'd made some mistakes before, sacrificing veracity for sensationalism. It had given her visibility, at the cost of a mixed reputation, but her last pieces had always been spot on. This one would make her the name in investigating journalism.

If I can pull it off.

Bones' face was calculating. She threw a glance at Dumbledore who remained serene.

"I think that would be a little too generous, Miss Skeeters. You get everything, and we only gain a little time. If you want in, then the Ministry is going to ask for a measure of control over what you can publish."

Rita hid a smile of triumph. A deal could be made. They were only haggling over the price. They discussed for a moment and she finally agreed to a veto by the Ministry of any information that she would be privy to, in exchange for exclusive publishing rights. Rita had already started writing a book on the defeat of You-Know-Who. It wasn't finished yet, but was already wondering if she should be planning a sequel.

"What time's the assembly?" she asked.

"Oh," said Dumbledore. "I thought you knew that?" he asked innocently.

She scowled at her for baiting her. She'd been given a general indication Saturday evening.

"Not all the details," she replied with some annoyance. "Just that it's tonight."

He nodded, wondering if anybody would be aware of just that information, but not of the actual timing. There was evidently a mole in the Ministry, and it would be important to find out who it was.

"Nine o'clock," he said.

- - -

Hogsmeade,

Draco and Ginny were just about to enter The Three Broomsticks when they heard a soft whisper behind them.

"Wait!"

They turned as one and came face to face with a tall figure, wrapped in a very large hooded cloak which protected him from prying eyes as well as from the cold. His face wasn't visible, but Ginny thought that the voice was familiar.

"Trevor?" she asked.

"At your service, my young friend," replied Trevor Themis. He gestured toward the inn. "Is somebody waiting for you, or are you just going in for a drink?" he asked mysteriously.

"No one's waiting for us," replied Draco. "Do you want to join us?" Dressed like that, the man was certainly not just strolling along. He had evidently counted on meeting them here. Draco figured he had some further news for them. He smiled in anticipation.

"I'll be glad to, but not here," said Trevor. "Too many curious customers."

"We could go to Hog's Head," proposed Ginny. The man shook his head.

"Actually it's even worse, but I have another idea. Follow me."

He led them to a side street and from there to a place where several piles of shipping crates were lying around. Ginny figured that they were behind the Post Office. Trevor pulled a business card from his pocket and held it out to them.

"Portkey to London," he explained.

Ginny was uneasy at using a Portkey to an unknown destination, it reminded her of an unpleasant memory. London could mean anything, but Trevor's demeanor was relaxed and natural. She didn't need to use Legimency; his mind was sufficiently opened so that she could be sure that he was sincere.

"Where in London?" asked Draco. Trevor chuckled at their precautions. He had privately wondered if they would follow him blindly.

"A pub called The Warlock's Club," he replied. "Maybe you've heard of it? It's very popular with Ministry people."

"I heard of it," said Draco. He didn't add who had told him about it.

They touched the card, and Trevor activated the Portkey. They found themselves inside the lobby, and a few minutes later into one of the private cubicles. Trevor ordered three glasses of grog and made small talk until the waiter brought their drinks.

"Did you recover fully from that Quidditch match?" he asked to Draco, all the while winking at Ginny.

"Yep. Everything's fine," replied Draco. Ginny humphed and took a swallow of grog. It was hot and strong, and she felt the fire of it warm up her stomach.

"That's good, real good," said Trevor. "Sir Comil was kind enough to lend me his Omniculars, so I got to see a little of it." He turned toward Ginny and gave her a charming smile. "You were very good too. It must have been real fun."

Ginny had to agree with that. It had been fun. She smiled back at his cheerful face. He beamed and raised his glass to their health, and they joined in. His easy charm, the drinks and the comfortable surroundings all converged to put them at ease.

"You got my little note yesterday?" he asked, his voice losing some of its lightness.

"Yes," replied Draco. "We were quite stunned."

"You weren't the only one. Things are completely wild at the Ministry." He hesitated and looked embarrassed. "Your Headmaster is still over here. He's, ah, helping restore relations with the Goblins." He barked a laugh. "Right now, it's a real deadlock."

Draco narrowed his eyes.

"You were implying that he might have been mixed up in this," he said coldly. His tone indicated that Trevor had better show some proof before calling out accusations.

"Well, he's part of it now, but," he shrugged and looked down into his glass, "call me paranoid if you like. There are still some very troubling facts."

He looked up at Draco, and then at Ginny.

"And there's been something else. They found Umbridge's body."

Ginny gasped.

"Her body? You mean she's dead?"

"Yes," he said. "She was found in her underwear in a back alley, not far from Gringotts. It seems that she was killed Wednesday." He looked at Ginny. "One full day before she hexed your brother."

Draco and Ginny looked at each other.

"Polyjuice," said Draco. Trevor nodded.

"A lock of hair had clearly been cut recently," he confirmed. He marked a pause and then continued. "She was not killed using magic. Her heart was pierced through with a crossbow bolt, and it also seems that she was the one to bring the law proposal to Fudge for publishing."

Draco's mind was whirling. Who would have motive to do such a thing? Who would use a physical weapon instead of a spell? He reviewed Trevor's logic and it only led to one place.

"You believe the Goblins did it? That they set this all thing up?"

Trevor was very serious.

"It's one explanation. It's certainly true that they have the upper hand because of it." He took another sip of grog and looked around the room, as if to make sure no one else was listening.

"What I'm about to tell you is top secret. The Ministry is keeping all this under wrap, but things are moving fast. Dumbledore has called for a meeting of the Wizengamot tonight." He looked at them with concern. "We didn't have time to prepare for this and we think that somebody is going to make a move."

"Who?" asked Ginny.

"I don't know," said Trevor with another shrug. "But you should know that not all of the Dark Lord's supporters have been identified. They weren't all death Eaters." His face was grim. "We know he had help from some powerful people. It was not just Fudge's incompetence which allowed him to act freely for more than a year."

Trevor looked at his empty glass and replaced it on the table.

"Lord Shrummer and I think that they will try for a power grab tonight." He paused. "They may well succeed."

A heavy silence followed. Ginny was clearly worried, but most of all she felt very much out of her depth. Draco was thinking that all this was very plausible.

"What can we do to help?" he asked.

Trevor had been leading him toward that question, but even so, it took all his control not to let show any excitement. Lord Shrummer's gambit was daring, but if it worked, the prize would be worth the risks. And he, Trevor, would be the one to bring the most powerful element. Such a feat would give him great prestige, as well as the gratitude of the big man, and of his beautiful lady friend. He expected a lot from both of them.

"There is something which you could do to bolster Lord Shrummer's position," he said, looking at them carefully. "Something to help him block any attack. A written token of support from the two of you would mean a lot."

"The majority of the Wizengamot will be neutral," he explained. "Some will vote to defend us, and some will side with our enemies. You remember that dinner at the Parkinsons? A number of those who were there will sit in the High Court tonight, and others will have been told of your showing. It could make a difference."

He looked at Draco as he said that. His words were carefully crafted to play on the boy's pride and ambition, and on Ginny's Gryffindor readiness to defend her friends. For himself, Draco was gradually aware that this could set him up in a big way. It made him forget about the bigger picture. This was an opportunity to come out as an important player.

"I'll do it," he said.

Trevor could let some of his excitement show, which was a good thing because it would be difficult to hide the elation which filled him.

"Thank you," he said softly. "I knew that I could count on you." He turned toward Ginny. Hesitation was still visible on her face.

"I'm not sure," she began. "I mean I accept everything you said, but I'm wondering about the consequences. I wish we could talk it out with the others."

Trevor held his breath. Lord Shrummer had specifically asked him to avoid that, but he hadn't fully explained why. Of course if all six signed their support, then it would be that much more significant, but the man must have a good reason. Not letting any of this show, he turned a questioning look toward Draco.

"When is the meeting?" asked Draco.

"In one hour,' said Trevor, which was technically a lie, but a trivial one.

"It would take too long, Gin. You know that we'll be arguing for hours. What with Hermione's attitude and everything."

Ginny didn't like it, but she conceded he had a point. She needed some kind of reassurance though. She looked Draco in the eye.

"Are you really sure about this?" she asked, telling him that she would follow his lead if he really didn't have doubts.

"I am," said Draco with confidence.

Ginny nodded to Trevor who produced a piece of paper. They discussed and agreed on a wording which was in effect a blank check for whatever position Lord Shrummer would take. Trevor couldn't believe it was so easy, and then he told himself that brilliant though they were, his young friends were still very much naive and inexperienced. They would learn in time, and even though he was manipulating them, he told himself it was not to their disadvantage. He saw his part as bringing them to the winner's side. They would discover his little deception in time, but they would forgive him.

"That's very good," he said. "I'll let you know how it went."

"All right. We'd better get back to the school."

- - -

Ministry of Magic,

The big circular room was almost filled with purple clothed wizards. There was no chain covered chair in the center this time, and maybe the lighting was a little brighter than for a judicial hearing, but it was still recognizable as the Wizengamot High Court of Justice. Helen had never seen it before, and she was properly impressed. Many aspects of wizard life were funny, but not this room. This room only spoke of implacable power.

She and Bones took their place to the left of the front row, in the area reserved for Ministry officials. There was a high seat across the room for the Chief Warlock, but was still empty, Dumbledore would be the last to enter. Helen was tense. She reached into her pocket to touch the amulet Bones had given her.

"My end of the bargain," the Ministry official had said. "This does not give you any magical power, but it will inhibit Muggle repelling charms, and it will allow you to use the access points between the Muggle and the magical world."

Helen had received the object demurely. It was a visa to a place she had dreamed of. It didn't look like much, a small tab of polished bone with a bizarre symbol carved on it, but holding it in her hand changed everything.

"Thank you," she'd replied. She'd looked up with bright eyes to the other woman's face. Bones had been moved, but she'd made an effort not to show it, preferring instead to prepare herself mentally for what was going to be a difficult session, probably the most important fight of her career.

Even if I have second thoughts, it is too late now. If I pass up this one chance, then I will never be able to look myself in the mirror again.

She truly believed that she was fighting for a good cause. Even Albus Dumbledore would realize that. He would be angry at first, but she gambled that he would support her in the end. He would have to.

A clerk checked out the list of the announced participants, with Trevor Themis standing in attendance. Bones looked at the young man and noted an unusual excitement there. She wondered if it meant anything. All of them were nervous after all. This meeting would decide many things, not only who would be Minister of Magic for the next five years, but also what policy he would follow.

The clerk checked a last name and nodded to another wizard with a tremendous staff. The wizard usher, waited until everyone was seated, and then he lifted it in the air and brought it down with a tremendous booming sound.

"Gentlemages. Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot."

The staff hit the floor again and everyone rose from their seats. Dumbledore entered in from a side door and trotted toward his reserved seat.

"Thank you, thank you", he said. "Please sit down."

He installed himself in the high seat and considered the assembly before him. As Chief Warlock, he would be responsible for conducting the meeting, and acting as an arbiter on occasion. More importantly, he would be setting the pace of the meeting. The mass of wizards and witches were arranged on concentric half circles on the raised levels. Ministry officials were regrouped to the side. He noted Helen Parker's presence next to Amelia Bones and immediately guessed why she was there. His thoughts were interrupted by the booming staff. It was his cue to start the session.

"Gentlemages. I declare this session of the Wizengamot open," he said.

On his left a magic quill started to write on a long scroll of parchment, inscribing the date and hour after the list of all participants.

"The first order of business is a proposal to relieve the present Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, from his duties, on the ground of mental instability and distress."

The members were invited to express themselves and ask questions. The same witch from St Mungo was called to testify as to Fudge's current status. Another clerk from the Ministry read the reports on the events of the past days, for the benefits of those wizards and witches who hadn't followed the news.

In the end Fudge was voted out of office by a 34 to 3 margin, 6 members abstained.

"The position of Minister of Magic is now open," said Dumbledore. "We will now hear proposals from candidates in this assembly." He surveyed the room. For a moment no one moved. Of course the more serious candidates would wait for the crackpots to open the show. One ancient and regal looking witch finally stood up.

"The Court recognizes the honorable Lady Dragonis," announced Dumbledore, bracing himself for the worse. The old hag had presented herself at every election since joining the Wizengamot. She had absolutely no qualifications, except for an unusually long pedigree and remarkable stubbornness.

"Even since the days of Uther Pendragon..." she began in a screechy and boring voice.

Dumbledore shut her out, like the majority of the assistance. Her spiel was always the same, and nobody listened to her anymore. At least some of the crackpots would show imagination. His thoughts returned to Bones and the presence of Helen at her side.

So, preventing Hermione from working with her was not enough. She will try it, even without the girl and the full support of the others.

He knew that Helen had been in contact with the students. He had actually welcomed it since it was a Merlin given opportunity to shake up his dear potion professor. A ploy which had gone on quite well, judging from what reports he had received, but which had apparently resulted in Helen being involved up with FOM as well.

His eyes caught Amelia Bones. The challenge in her stare was proof that she was going to present herself, which he expected and might have been ready to support, but on her terms and not on his. He groaned inwardly as he realized that she didn't stand a chance. If the situation had been a peaceful one, then perhaps it might have worked. But today, because of that confounded fool Fudge and the Goblins' susceptibility, they would all be driven by fear and suspicion, and not by higher ideals.

What can I do? Should I risk proposing my own candidature, or should I let Arthur run with it?

There were many reasons why he didn't want to be Minister. The main one was that he would be tied in with the obligation of office, and then he would have to resign from Hogwarts and from the position of Chief Warlock. It would cost him a lot of influence and freedom of action, and he wouldn't get much in return.

Arthur can run with my support. Everyone will know that I will stand behind him.

Their plan was a responsible one, and it offered the best chance for resolving the issue with the Goblins.

Dragonis finished her presentation. There was some scattered polite applause among bored faces. Dumbledore thanked her, but was obvious that she hadn't elicited much interest, let alone passion. If she had actually proposed a solution to their current problem, certainly no one had heard it.

Two other candidates proposed themselves. Professor Stephen Ticklash was a genuine crackpot. He had been trying for some years to get Hogwarts to teach a new branch of magic which he called Ufology. Most of his living hours were spent trying to track down and analyze flukes of magical activities. He called them Unconscious Fantasmagical Objects, and he believed that they offered the chance to do things which were, even for wizards, impossible.

"... my dear colleagues. The time has come for this new science to prove itself and help us all..."

Dumbledore listened to his rambling, if only for the sake of keeping an open mind. The man wasn't a complete fool, even if he was one of the Quibbler's most recurrent contributors. Unconscious spell casting existed, and often played a part in wandless juvenile magic, but everyone agreed that it was a kind of random background activity to be reduced by concentration and mental techniques, and not a new resource to tame. Ticklash proposed the creation of an Institute of Ufology, and the financing of a crash project to create a new monetary system.

"... and since this new money will be a magical creation fully in tune with our mental processes, and our unconscious, we can expect to add undreamed of features. For example we could make it impossible to use money for unlawful purposes ..."

The quill at Dumbledore's side scribbled furiously. The paper jerking up and down, and falling on the floor in an untidy heap. More parchment was conjured automatically as was needed. Bones sighed and wondered how much time would pass before they could get down to serious things. The man was insane. Even it there was anything behind his exotic ideas, it would take years to have something practical come out of it, and they needed a solution now. Dumbledore took advantage of a lull in the speech to cut it short.

"Thank very much professor," he said. "This was quite fascinating, but we do have to give everyone a chance to express themselves." The enchanted quill inclined toward him as if giving thanks.

"But I was not finished," lamented the old wizard.

"That is understandable, considering the immense scope of your subject," said Dumbledore soothingly, "I am convinced however that, after the other presentations, many of us will be anxious to ask you additional questions. Once again, thank you."

He invited the professor to return to his seat, which the man did with visible disappointment. The next candidate was so confused that it was impossible to understand more than a few isolated phrases. The scripting quill was making intense use of ellipses and question marks. Several older members, seated in badly lit emplacements, promptly fell asleep, and not a few eyes became glazed. Dumbledore cut him short as well. He gestured to the usher to wake everybody up with a resounding boom of his staff, and gave a sign toward Arthur to announce himself before they all nodded off.

"My dear colleagues," Dumbledore said in a brisk voice. "All this is well and truly fascinating. I am indeed filled with pride at the remarkable diversity of talents present in this very room, but many another candidates are anxious to present themselves. I now call on Arthur Weasley of the Ministry."

Arthur stood up and walked to the center of the room. He was extremely tense, and only the Headmaster's prolonged insistence had convinced him to enter this fray. He heartily wished that he had never accepted Fudge's promotion, but he had a duty to perform and he would not back down. He looked at Dumbledore and took strength from the man's calm face.

"Esteemed colleagues," he started. His voice was croaky and he made an effort to correct it. "We have a crisis to deal with, and we cannot afford to hope for untried methods to solve it. This situation started as one man's folly, but it is now a political problem, and it will be solved by political means. My proposal is to place the revocation of the tax law on the negotiation table with the Goblins, and to draw up a new treaty with them."

Once started, his voice became firmer. He and Dumbledore had carefully prepared his speech and it helped a lot. He went on to describe the points of contention between the two species and how they could be addressed. It was a factual and well documented presentation. It had only one drawback in that it was a purely technocratic platform, a construction of the voice of reason, and as such it didn't address the political and irrational issues of face saving and fear.

But it was the first valid proposal nonetheless, and Dumbledore was happy to see signs of positive reactions among several faces. Many members applauded and the Headmaster joined them with a significant emphasis.

"Thank you very much, Mister Weasley," he said warmly. "My heartfelt congratulations for a superb presentation which was clear and to the point." He nodded to Arthur who hurried back to his seat in relief. "Do we have another proposal?" he asked the assembly.

There was a significant silence, and then Amelia Bones raised her hand. Dumbledore was resigned, but also relieved that no one else was standing for the position. He had expected a conservative candidate to come out and defend a radical agenda, but now it seemed that there wasn't any.

Surely they would have shown themselves before that. Perhaps they aren't ready.

It was just as well then. If it came down to Bones versus Weasley, then he could work with either outcome. He might even get back on speaking terms with Hermione Granger if FOM ever became Ministry policy, although he didn't give it much of a chance.

Given a choice between Bones and FOM, or Arthur and me, I do not think the majority will hesitate long.

He interrupted his thoughts to listen to what Amelia Bones was saying.

"... My colleague and friend Arthur Weasley has just said it, we have a crisis. I agree on that but I differ strongly both on the cause and on the remedy." She marked a pause and let her gaze explore the entire assembly. Most of them, and all the 'serious' members were listening with great attention.

"The immediate cause of our present situation is anecdotic. An irresponsible decision was made, but the consequences are so great that we must ask ourselves whether it was a simple reaction, or the inevitable bursting of a dam under too much pressure." She paused again for dramatic effect. "Within my heart, I fully believe that it is the latter."

She continued speaking, using all the arguments Hermione and Helen had compiled to make their case. Dumbledore recognized some which he had made himself. It was a very provocative speech and the assembly wasn't taking it quietly. Several murmurs could be heard, some for her but most were against her.

Dumbledore caught Helen's eyes and sighed inwardly. In his heart he was with them, but they didn't understand that they were addressing an abstract issue, not to mention trying to convince the very people who had sanctioned the existing order which they attacked. It would not work. Bones asked Helen to testify, and she too made a passionate plea, explaining that it would be in the interest of all to work together for the common good, and that even the Goblins would see it. Bones gave the final address.

"In this Ministry's entrance hall," she said, "we have a fountain depicting the future I am proposing tonight. How many of you walk past it and know, deep inside your heart, that it is a lie? How many of you would wince in shame if a child asked you where the smiling Centaurs are? The trustful Goblins? And the happy House Elves?" She looked at the mass of faces, searching for those whose reactions showed the sympathy she was trying to elicit. She was glad to see that there were a few.

"You may think that this is a dream. That it is naive, or even dangerous, to seek such a future. But I believe that the real danger is to let the hatred and the fear grow and destroy us. I hope that some of you will help me to replace the lie with truth, and make the dream a reality."

"This is not something that I dreamed up by myself. Some of you have heard these ideas before. They were conceived by those same heroes who delivered us from a reign of terror. The very ones to which we all owe the greatest of all wizard's debt. They are not here to present it, and it is a shame." She turned toward Dumbledore who sat with a closed face. "Because they are still students, we refuse to grant them wisdom. And yet they have proved themselves, and we were glad to have them save us. They dared and won in a deadly battle again evil. Their ideas are just as daring, and I call on you to join us and fight this other battle."

She stopped talking and not everyone realized immediately that she was finished. When they did the contrast among the assistance was dramatic. A dozen wizards and witches were applauding enthusiastically, some were even standing up. The majority were clapping hands politely, hesitation and misgivings plainly visible among them, and a solid minority was looking at her with distaste. Exclamations and boos reached across the room, and several headed arguments were already starting.

Dumbledore was doing the sums in his head, and he was getting ready to end the presentations and start the debates, when Lord Shrummer stood up and raised his hand. With a sinking feeling, the Headmaster gave him the floor. The discussions stopped as every head turned toward the portly wizard who slowly descended to steps and marched to the center of the arena. He stood there for a moment, his eyes moving as he considered the now silent assembly.

"Gentlemages, I am speechless," started Shrummer with the face of one contemplating an overwhelming disaster.

"Would that you were," muttered Bones in a voice too low to hear.

"What has happened to us," he continued, "that we respond to aggression and blackmail with words of appeasement and friendship? I value my friends, indeed I do. I expect them to stand by me, as I stand by them, to defend ourselves from our enemies."

He turned toward the bench where Bones and Arthur were seated among the Ministry officials.

"Yes. Enemies. I will use that word when I describe those who, not content to live off our industry and work, after centuries of warfare against us, are now seeking to strangle our economy."

He turned around and gestured to the rest of the assembly.

"And so we should negotiate? Make friends? What madness is this!" His voice was booming across the open space. The scribing quill was writing down his words with a strong and bold script, adding exclamation points between most phrases.

Lord Shrummer paused and composed himself an attitude of stubborn and confident strength.

"I say that we must show our power, display our resolve, and make it plain that we do not accept extortion, and that we are not the decadent and weak race that other would have us be. We are wizards! We are those who hold and control the true power of this world, and who assume the responsibility which comes with this. The strong needs not cower to the weak."

There was a thunder of applause from more than third of the room, and a great deal of interrogation on a majority of faces. Dumbledore watched in despair as he could only measure the success of the man's aggressive presentation. He had the usher hit his staff again to restore some order.

"If there are no further candidates, we will now proceed to the debates," he said.

The rules were to allow any members to ask questions, and then vote on the declared candidates, eliminating the weakest one and those with less than a minimal threshold of votes. This would continue until one contestant received an absolute majority or only two remained, in which case there would be a debate and the one with the most votes would win.

The first questions were mostly precisions on the candidates' programs, which could be mixed with obvious show of support. It was accepted that the real debate would begin when all of the 'false' candidates would have been eliminated. Dumbledore made sure to display his support for Arthur, and his distrust of Shrummer.

"We will now proceed to the first round of voting," he announced.

He took out his wand and listed the names of the declared candidates. As he pronounced their name, an appropriate portrait was also displayed on one wall, visible by all. The images were animated and acted in character like other wizard pictures. When he was finished, Dumbledore conjured enchanted ballots in front of all voting members. Opaque bubbles enclosed each of them, until they had made their choice and folded the sheet. Inside his own bubble, he checked Arthur's name and looked at the assembly. Bubbles were busting all over the room. The last ones took longer to disappear, but when they were all gone, he took out his wand again and tallied the result.

Each candidate's score was visible under its picture on the wall. The first tally was:

Sylvia Dragonis 2

Stephen Ticklash 4

Maximilian Fuzz 3

Arthur Weasley 8

Amelia Bones 12

Septimus Shrummer 14

abstained 0

Shrummer's portrait expressed a proud satisfaction. Bones was determined and Arthur horrified. The other pictures' expressions ranged from disappointment to dejection. Dumbledore was thankful for the fact that Shrummer didn't have an absolute majority, and he was surprised by Bones' strong showing. With a pang of guilt, he realized that if it hadn't been for his decision to block FOM, she might well have secured the first place.

It is not over yet.

The three minority candidates were eliminated. Arthur Weasley threw a questioning glance at the Headmaster. Dumbledore knew what the man wanted to do. Renounce his candidacy and join forces with Bones. This would precipitate the debate and the final vote, which might not be a bad tactic. He nodded imperceptibly, and Arthur asked for the floor.

"Gentlemages," he said. "In view of your vote, and for the best interest of our community, I wish to remove my candidacy and declare my support for Amelia Bones. I have worked with her for many years, and I know that she is a fair and competent person. Our positions are not that different, and it would be an honor to assist in her uplifting project. If I may add, I feel that Septimus Shrummer's proposed strategy would be the gravest folly."

Several expressions of surprise were heard from the more naive parts of the assembly. Arthur's portrait snapped a military salute and exited from the picture frame. Shrummer's jaw clenched in anger and he threw a dark look at the man. Privately, he was thrilled at the way the Weasley clan was playing right into his hand. Arthur sat down, relief and determination showed on his face. He looked at Bones and she nodded gratefully toward him, allowing herself a small smile of satisfaction.

Dumbledore announced the start of the debates. Shrummer was given the right of first speech. He repeated his position. His portrait echoing every gesture. Bones spoke next.

"Lord Shrummer," she began, "you call for nothing less than war against the Goblins. Need I remind you of the cost of the last conflict we fought against them? A cost which will be compounded by the certain ruin of our economy." She looked up to the assistance. "I wonder how many of those who would vote for you realize that in that case, they can kiss the content of their Gringotts vaults goodbye?"

There were gasps of horror at her words. Dumbledore judged it to be a low blow, but an effective one. He wondered how Shrummer would counter it. The man didn't look fazed and waited calmly until the hubbub ceased. He looked at Bones and smiled confidently.

"Madam Bones, you are trying to scare this assembly into voting for a disgraceful surrender. This is dishonorable, and I am ashamed for you." It was his turn to take the assembly as witness. "If we show weakness, the Goblins will know that they can in fact take our possessions away. They will have proof that they have nothing to fear from us."

His face changed to take on hard and determined expression.

"But if we show them that we are prepared to fight, then it is they who will feel fear. Gringotts is only one place. We can take it by storm. Do you think then that they will exchange their lives for our gold? Bah! They will not. They are cowards and they will yield to our demands."

Bones was taken aback. She could sense that he had made a strong impression, and that she was back on the defensive once more. She had to find another argument against him.

"How remarkable to hear you speak of war and fighting, my Lord," she said. "But where were you when You-Know-You was menacing our very lives? Need I remind you who finally made a stand against him?" She looked up with defiance in her eyes. "Who better than me and my friends know what a war is?" She gestured toward Arthur. "Arthur Weasley was at Hogwarts that day, Albus Dumbledore was there, and so were the six valiant youths who saved the day, and who stand with us today!"

The assistance was murmuring furiously. She too had made her impression and Dumbledore knew that the time had come to call for a vote. It would probably be a close thing, but they clearly had the advantage for the moment. He raised his hand to call for the end of the debate but Shrummer spoke first.

"Chief Warlock, I ask for a right of answer to that last statement. Madam Bones makes a serious accusation, and I deserve the right to have it answered."

"Very well my lord, I will only ask you to make it quick, or else I will have to give Madam Bones the floor again."

"I will not be long", said Shrummer. He patted his robes as if search for a misplaced item. Bones raised her eyes in exasperation at his theatrics. "It is a just a short letter which I wish to share with you. Not even my own words - Ah there it is!"

He produced a folder piece of parchment and gestured to the usher to come and get it.

"I think that it would be more appropriate if a third person read it aloud," he said. He turned toward the Headmaster's seat. "And afterwards, we can go straight to the vote, yes?"

Dumbledore knew there was a trick, but the rules of the High Court didn't give him any leeway to refuse. Shrummer had just managed to get the last word in, and there was not a thing he could do about it.

"Very well my lord." He turned toward the usher. "Will you please read us the letter?"

The usher cleared his throat and opened the folded paper

"Hum. We the undersigned, declare our unrestricted support to Lord Septimus Shrummer, whom we trust to carry on his responsibilities for the best interest of the wizard community."

The man showed surprise as he got to the last part of the note. He looked up with a frightened face and finished reading. "It is signed. Ginevra Weasley and Draco Malfoy."

Dumbledore was thunderstruck and speechless. Arthur looked as if someone had just planted a knife through his heart. Throughout the room, gasps of surprise and outrage were heard, along with exclamations of indignation.

"... fraud. How dared she presume deserving ..."

"... Shrummer is right. We cannot trust ..."

"... vote now. An inquiry ..."

Bones was looking alternatively at Shrummer and at Dumbledore with a cold rage which turned into loathing. She was sure that a trap had been set for her by both wizards. Helen was confused. The only thing she could understand was that they had probably lost. It would have distressed her, but she felt strangely detached. It was only when she gave a thought to Hermione that she began to realize how hard it was going to be for her friend.

A stunned Dumbledore called the vote in a mechanical voice. There was nothing else he could do. Something terrible had happened, and he knew that it was mostly because of his negligence.

I should have checked what the others were doing. Draco made a terrible mistake, at least I hope it was a mistake, but I should have been there, or Severus.

It was then that he realized that he had done everything to prevent Severus from keeping an eye on Draco. He had distracted the man at precisely the worst possible moment.

This is all my fault.

The guilt was devastating. He would have to deal with it later, if that was ever possible, but now he had a duty to perform. The votes were tallied once more, and the results were clear.

Amelia Bones 14

Septimus Shrummer 23

abstained 3

"Lord Septimus Shrummer is pronounced Minister of Magic," he said in an empty voice. "The session is closed." The Wizard's picture exulted in victory.

The room slowly emptied. He looked at Arthur and saw the pain of betrayal on his face. The man remained seated as Dumbledore came down and walked toward him, ignoring Bones' cold glare.

"It is not her fault, Arthur," he said softly. "Blame me, but do not blame her."

"Albus, What? I- I don't understand ..."

The man looked ready to break down. Dumbledore forced himself to act, to go on a little longer, if only for his friend's sake.

"Let me take you home, my friend. We will talk about this later."

Above them, in her observation booth, Rita Skeeters was hurriedly writing up the last of her notes. She had just gotten the scoop of her life and nothing mattered in the rest of the universe. Good or bad, what she had just witnessed would make her career.

Only if those two don't forbid me to use it.

She reluctantly left the booth to wait for them outside the courtroom's door, but Bones and Dumbledore passed her by without a glance, both of them too immersed in their misery to care about a mere reporter. She decided that she could take it as a permission to use everything she had. It was long past the Prophet's closing time, but with a story like that, she felt justified in waking up every last worker of the newspaper, from the chief editor to the lowest paper boy, and having the whole edition rewritten.

History didn't happen every day.

The Wizengamot Gambit Ch22 - 29