Death Whispers

Chapter Nine - Ministry Murder

Ministry of Magic, 15th December 1981

The Ministry room was dimly lit, for there were no windows, merely torches in brackets. There were rows and rows of empty seats facing an empty chair. The chair had chains around it and Severus was glad he wasn't sitting in it. Instead he, Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic sat in the front row.

The Minister was the oldest man Severus had seen. He was a hundred and seventy five and old enough to be Dumbledore's grandfather. In fact, they were old friends. This was some comfort and the two argued while Severus shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"He is already bound by my Sanctuary," said Dumbledore to the Minister in a firm voice.

"But he is a proven Death Eater," the Minister fumbled, coughing and sounding every one of his years. The two older men talked as if Severus were absent.

"Who has served the last year and a half acting for the Ministry at great personal risk, you didn't see him fit to carry off to Azkaban last year when I told you I had sanctioned a Death Eater spy," Dumbledore continued his eyes flashing.

"We can't break a Sanctuary, you know that," the Minister said despondently and turned to look at Dumbledore. "But the children!" he continued pleading, "You can't have him teach. I understand his life is in your hands now Albus and I have been lenient but people won't approve."

"People won't have to know Ramos. Severus has gone to a great deal of hiding both his persona's and you don't have to tell them," Albus said, conspiratorially imploring the Minister for assistance.

The Minister looked at Albus and shook his head, "Oh Albus, I will issue the papers and he will not have to testify on these arrests, your word is enough. Don't let it harm you Albus, I'm an old man now and people look to you to follow after me."

"You a great man Ramos," Albus smiled, "I could never replace you."

"I know," the old man joked, "But better you than that upstart Barty Crouch." He coughed again and his face turned pale as he gasped for air.

"Are you alright?" Dumbledore looked concerned and conjured a glass of water.

"Yes, now the war's over I'm afraid the years are catching up with me," the Minister said and looked to Severus, "come on now boy." The group stood and left the room. The Minister handed Dumbledore the papers that were already signed.

Dumbledore smiled at him, "You already knew," he chuckled.

"Just wanted to make sure," the Minister said, "Now hurry up and file them before Severus has to pass the Dementors."

Dumbledore quickly obeyed the Minister's orders and hurried up ahead. Severus stayed behind and helped the Minister walk back to his office. It was a slow walk as he kept having coughing fits.

As Severus helped the old man into his office chair, he poured him another glass of water and offered a potion from his pocket.

"Endurance Potion," Severus said by way of explanation.

The Minister swallowed it quickly and the coughing desisted. His eyes blazed with the potion's energy. Severus smiled and turned to leave. The old Minister caught Severus' arm on the way out and he whispered threateningly with a voice that sent send shivers down his spine reminding Severus of the Minister's old powers, "Don't you dare let young Albus down now boy, because if you do I'll find you."

****

Minerva McGonagall watched with beady eyes as the Malfoy eagle owl swooped into the staff room at lunchtime the next day. Minerva wasn't thrilled about the bird's arrival as she was aware of the family's reputation in the Dark Arts. She watched Severus keenly, as per usual, his face was masked and offered no response. He read his letter, folded it neatly and tucked it into the folds of his black robes. She was more on edge of late. She had been sure that the Minister would get Severus off the staff; she was annoyed at the man's softness in his old age. After all there was reason enough to believe the man was a Death Eater, but even Dumbledore wouldn't be that stupid.

Severus tossed over the news of his mail at the other end of the room. It was news regarding Death Eater activities. Severus had been seeing Lucius and maintaining old circles trying to get information. It was difficult, but the Malfoys were having him over this weekend to celebrate his Sanctuary at Hogwarts.

He quickly drew out some parchment and a quill. Hastily scribbling a response, he looked up to glare at Minerva who was watching him like a hawk. He got up and left the staff room, sweeping down to the Dungeons

She didn't trust him one bit. And as the young man got up and left the room, a grey tabby cat patted down to the dungeons.

******

The Malfoy Manor was not as elegant as one expected. They were the richest family in the wizarding world and had mountains of breathtaking real estate. The family manor however was old. Originally built during the Dark Ages it had more dungeons than rooms and was drafty. Narcissa's touch was evident. Severus had been here many times before and the place had changed. It was friendlier and open. The sitting room had new furniture and Severus was sure that Malfoy Senior would have rolled over in his grave had he seen it. Lucius however looked relaxed in the new setting.

Lucius was sitting back in the proud red velvet chair nursing his son and laughing with the Lestranges. Severus stood in the doorway observing the scene. It was rather an anti-climax as two years ago in this exact setting they had been torturing Muggles and screams filled the house. Now only Lucius' laughter echoed off the stone walls. The House-Elf made a squeak and left, the group looked up at him.

"Ah, Severus," Lucius greeted, "come sit down, Narcissa was just getting some tea."

"Lucius," he nodded, "Rodolpus, Bellatrix," he greeted the Lestranges.

"I believe congratulations are in order," Rodolpus said, standing up to shake hands with Severus. Bellatrix too stood and kissed Severus on the mouth, he drew back quickly in shock. She smiled and Severus moved back to sit in the tall chair closest to the door, all the while Bellatrix appraised him in a way that made Severus uneasy.

Narcissa entered the room with the tea things. Lucius stood to help her and handed Severus the baby.

"This is young Draco," Lucius said, handing over the chubby baby pompously. Severus looked at him disdainfully, he hated children, and held the boy away from him. They handed out the tea.

"He showed yesterday," Lucius said proudly, "Floated after I dropped him from the second floor." Severus wondered how many times that Lucius had dropped his baby.

"A product of pure breeding I say," voiced Bellatrix.

"I quite agree," Rodolpus said.

"Hmm," murmured Severus with a look of pain on his face. Narcissa laughed at him as she took the baby to his relief.

"At times I think that Azkaban would be preferable to that old fool's school," Severus said. The group laughed kindly.

"So what is news?" Severus asked. Bellatrix shot him a dark look.

"Karkaroff was captured yesterday," Rodolpus said, shaking his head. "Of course he would be one of the first, stupid man, you worked with him didn't you?"

"Yes," nodded Severus, "Not so much of a loss."

"My lawyers tended to Avery, Nott and Goyle; their families have been cleared," Lucius smiled. It paid to be his ally.

"Any news where Rosier and Wilkes are hiding?" asked Severus.

"They were your school friends right?" Bellatrix mocked, "I expected you to know, after all they were visiting some of your family last week," she grinned knowingly.

"In Europe?" Severus guessed right, "I don't talk to family there." He was however genuinely surprised.

"They are all getting together for the common goal, Severus," she replied, "Rumors are our master is there."

"He's not," Severus retorted. "My family and I might not be on speaking terms, but they are unlikely choices for the Dark Lord."

"I agree," said Narcissa, surprising everyone, "The Dark Lord won't approach any of the powerful families. Mother Black has seen to that, he simply can't trust them to not take his powers, wherever he is, he is alone."

"He can trust me! We have to find him!" Bellatrix burst angrily at her sister.

"Who will do that?" asked Severus sarcastically, "I'm working at Hogwarts for heaven's sake, it was difficult enough to get here, the Malfoys have the baby to watch and trying to keep as many possible out of Azkaban."

"I have some friends who are willing to search," Rodolpus said and Severus began to worry. He didn't let it show as Bellatrix was still watching him.

"I can give you money but I'm still working at the Ministry," Lucius said, "I can't leave it would look suspicious."

Rodolpus smiled gratefully but Bellatrix looked livid. She was obviously angry that they weren't all leaving now to search for the Dark Lord.

"We should take care not to be in correspondence," Severus interrupted before the Lestranges could say anything, "Teachers noticed the Malfoy Eagle Owl."

Lucius nodded, "We'll use postal owls then."

"I think it is time we took leave," said Bellatrix and she stood hastily. Rodolpus hurried to follow her as she left the room.

"Thank you for your hospitality," he called as he left the room.

Lucius pinched his brow.

"I hope they find him," he said finally.

"Me too," agreed Severus, "Any idea who they are working with?"

Lucius shook his head, "Must be new recruits. You could ask Rabastan, he and Rodolpus used to be close."

Severus nodded, "I had better get back to Hogwarts."

"You're a smart man Severus," Lucius grinned, "use your new position wisely."

The men shook hands and Severus thanked Narcissa and left. The walk back to the school from the Dark Forest was chilling. Severus picked up his pace as he marched across the grounds, above the castle looked overwhelming espically at night when light flickered across the lawns. Severus quick breaths were fogging before him, for a moment he paused - he thought he was being watched - turning back to check, he saw nothing but a lone cat run across the field.

****

The Daily Prophet, Special Bulletin Addition

The Minister of Magic was murdered today. The incident took place in the Ministers office where he was found slumped over his desk. The cause of death is yet to be determined but the Aurors suspect it was posioning. A potion bottle was identified next to the Minister but tests have yet to proove any evidence. The Minister was age one hundred and seventy five. He leaves four children, seventeen grandchildren, thirty-six great grandchildren, sixty-four great great grandchildren and his beloved toad......more on page two.

****

In that same issue it was reported that Barty Crouch had ordered the Aurors to kill instead of capture suspected Death Eaters.

Sirius Black was thrown to the Dementors without trial.

In short, the wizarding world and Ministry were in chaos.