So Much for No Strings Attached

Chapter 43 Informants

 

‘The Headmaster has claimed that the Minister is in denial, sir,’ Percy said respectfully. ‘I don’t believe that, sir,’ Percy said quickly.

 

‘Yes,’ agreed Fudge. ‘Dumbledore said something of the same affect when he tried to convince me that You Know Who has returned.’

 

Percy feeling relieved that the Minister did not hold Percy accountable for Dumbledore’s beliefs. If Fudge prevented him from progressing due to his family’s association with Dumbledore Percy didn’t know what he would do. Percy wanted to be the Minister of Magic one day so that one day he could have the credit that being a Weasley had always denied him before.

 

‘I asked him what evidence he had,’ Percy admitted. ‘Because I could not believe that you would do nothing if there was any evidence that he’s back!’

 

‘And let me guess,’ Fudge said. ‘He had none but his pet Death Eater’s Dark Mark burned.’

 

Percy nodded, ‘and apparently that’s happened before. Dumbledore also said that when the truth got out you would be booted out of office. The Order seemed to believe that when that happened Dumbledore should take your place.’

 

Fudge scowled, ‘yes I do believe Dumbledore’s warmongering is nothing more than a bid for my job.’

 

Percy was suitably horrified that Professor Dumbledore would be willing to use Voldemort's name in order to get power. That Albus Dumbledore the hero of Berlin and the Wizarding War was willing to sacrifice Harry and his father in order to get into power. However, it made more sense than anything else did at the moment because once Dumbledore had lost control over Harry's seats and popularity he needed an excuse to get away with everything he had done to the last of the Slytherin line.

 

‘Dumbledore sent Hagrid and Headmistress Maxime as envoys to the giants and Professor Lupin to the werewolves to gain their assistance,’ Percy said.

 

‘Giants and werewolves are dangerous creatures on their own but directed by Dumbledore and it could mean the fall of the Ministry as we know it,’ Fudge said darkly. ‘Dumbledore could bring the Ministry to its knees with their aid. Then he would pin the blame on He Who Must Not Be Named and save us from him. Thus, force me out in a vote of non-confidence and get himself elected.’

 

‘He also had Sturgis Podmore request a transfer to Azkaban where he would keep an eye on the Death Eaters and Dementors for any sign of a breakout,’ Percy continued.

 

‘Yes, I’ve got Auror Podmore’s request,’ Madam Bones said grimly. ‘I had very little reason to deny him his request. Few Aurors volunteer for the Azkaban shift.’