BEGIN BEFORE THE END | WTM | R.A.B

48

"Cathy! Professor Dumbledore, sir!" Hagrid greeted.

"Good evening, Hagrid." Professor Dumbledore's voice came in from behind Hagrid who was standing below the doorframe. "I wonder, could we...?"

"What are they doing in his hut?" Frank enquired.

"Of course! Come in! Come in." Hagrid moved aside and let in Cathy, Dumbledore and a small round man with a hat into his hut.

"That’s Dad’s boss! Cornelius Fudge." Ron whispered. "Minister of Magic!"

"The what?" Amelia Bones looked from the screen to Minister Minchum.

"Cornelius Fudge?" Minchum pondered on the name. "Does anyone know who that is?"

The Aurors present all shook their heads and said no.

As soon as Cathy stepped into the hut, her eyes zeroed in to where the boys were standing. Their eyes widened and they grew fearful as Cathy began walking toward them.

"She can't see them, right?" Peter asked.

Harry and the boys all slowly and quietly walked backward until they hit the wall. Cathy raised her hand and reached for the cloak.

"I think she can." Fleamont answered.

Ron let out a small whimper as Cathy gripped the invisible material of the cloak.

But instead of pulling the cloak off, Cathy yanked it downward. Harry and Ryan, who were in front of Neville and Ron looked down and saw that Cathy had simply made sure that the cloak covered what was previously their exposed feet.

"Amateurs." they heard Cathy whisper to them.

"Oh!" A lot of people said in realization.

Cathy turned around and walked closer and stand beside Dumbledore.

"Bad business, Hagrid. Very bad business." Cornelius Fudge said with a dark expression. "Had to come-- three attacks on Muggle-borns. Things have gone far enough. The Ministry’s got to act."

Hagrid's face turned white. "Oh, but I never...you know I never...Professor!" Hagrid stammered and seemed lost for words to defend himself.

"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence." Dumbledore assured the Minister.
Cathy placed her hand into Hagrid's and despite the size difference she managed to close their hands and gave him a squeeze.

"And mine as well." Cathy said.

"Albus, Catherine, look, Hagrid’s record is against him. I’ve got to take him." Fudge insisted.

"Take me?" Hagrid repeated. "Take me where? Not Azkaban Prison?"

Several people in the audience gasped at the idea of sending their gentle half-giant to the Dementor infested prison.

Fudge looked quite distressed at the whole situation.

"I’m afraid we have no choice, Hagrid."
"Already here, Fudge?" A voice came from the outside of the hut. Lucius Malfoy's head poked in before he walked in. When he saw that the Minister was already there, he smiled coldly. "Good..."

"Oh great, it's this fucker." Sirius said gaining a glare from Lucius.

"What’re you doin’ here? Get outta my house!" Hagrid demanded.

"Believe me, I take absolutely no pleasure being inside your--" Luicus gave his surroundings a dirty look. "--you call this a house?"

"Why are you here, Lucy?" Cathy questioned.