my inheritance (g.w x o.c)

chapter thirty-seven: becoming the minister

The next few weeks were full of intense planning for the takedown of the Ministry. Believe it or not, the plan was to put me on the pedestal as the Minister of Magic, which was absolutely insane, but enough of the voting committee was either confunded, imperiused, or simply too fearful not to vote for me. However, the idea was that I'd be able to control everything best that way without the need for anyone to control the person in charge. Despite my opposition to this, Voldemort told me there was no other choice, and that I was the only one he trusted

It was August 20th, which I remember George saying was the new date for the wedding of Bill and Fleur. I hated that they didn't make it any sooner because today was the day the Ministry would be taken down. I got ready, barely fitting into my regular black pants. I sighed, looking in the mirror. A small bump could be seen, but honestly, it just looked like I had eaten too much the night before. Especially when I put on my shirt and jacket. You could barely tell even though I felt like a bloated elephant. I went downstairs, taking my regular seat at the table.

"We cannot mess this up," Voldemort demanded, slowly circling the table. "Does everyone know their positions?" There were varying levels of agreement surrounding the table. "Then everyone head out. If you're a part of the Minister's team, stay here." Soon, everyone had gone out the door except for Draco, Narcissa, the Carrows, and Rowle. "I've left you with the most important task. As soon as we are given the clear, you will all apparate in. The anti-apparation shields should be disabled so you should have no problem. Then, Draco, you will notify me, and I will come take care of Scrimgeour."

"Sounds good," I nodded, standing up. "How long should it take before we need to head in?"

"You'll know. In the meantime, I'm heading over to observe. Do not let me down," he glared at each one of us before disappearing. A wave of relaxation flooded the room though no one mentioned it.

"Narcissa, you'll remain here, correct?"

"Yes," she nodded, glancing at Draco. The Carrows were talking between each other and Rowle was talking to Draco.

"Don't worry about him," I spoke quietly, stepping closer to her. "He'll be fine."

"I'm worried about both of you," she whispered, crossing her arms. "Too much has changed since you first came here."

"Yeah, I've stopped wearing diapers." She didn't smile. "We'll be okay, Narcissa. We always are."

"You've never faced things like this," she snapped, though her anger wasn't at me. "He's putting Draco up to kill others and setting you up as the main target for the other side. He's using you two as pawns to be thrown out, and it isn't right."

"What part of this is?" I asked. She met my eyes, shock clear in hers. I didn't say anything further. I couldn't without risking it all. I set a reassuring hand on her arm before walking away. We were waiting around for maybe thirty minutes before the Dark Mark heated up. I spent most of that time hoping the wedding was going well, and that they could at least finish the ceremony before all hell broke loose.

"It's time," Amycus called, holding his left forearm.

Everyone looked at me as I sat in the windowsill. I hopped off. "Let's go." I gave Narcissa one last look before we all walked outside. We apparated straight into the Ministry. I put on a smirk, immediately drawing in a fake sense of smugness. "Beautiful." I looked around to see dead bodies and utter chaos. I balled up my fist, digging my nails into my palm. I saw Dolohov as I started walking. "Walk and talk. Give me a report."

"We've cleared every floor and room except for Level 1, which is where Scrimgeour is holed up. We have people all around it, we were just waiting for your go ahead then we'll call him."

"Perfect, let's go." We apparated up to the top floor, and everyone parted as I walked up. "I want everyone ready to fire as soon as this door opens, but you don't shoot to kill. You shoot to disarm and impede. Leave Scrimgeour to me." Everyone nodded. I brushed my hair behind my shoulder before firing a couple spells at the door. It cracked before my final spell blew it open. Immediately, a mixture of green and red flew through the room. As the dust settled, I fired directly at Scrimgeour. "Incarcerous." With the other spells he had to block, he didn't see mine coming. I smirked, walking up to him. He struggled against the ropes before looking up at me. "No, please, keep struggling. Perhaps my magic is weakening and you'll be able to break the bonds," I taunted. He glared at me as I held my wand to his face. I was able to meet his eyes for a moment before I had to look away. I looked back at the group of death eaters. "Call him."

"You'll never get away with this. The people, they'll know, and-"

I cut off his screaming. "They may know, but they'll never say anything. And please, have more respect. You truly shouldn't yell at your new Minister." Confusion filled his face. He didn't even have time to say anything before a loud crack could be heard behind us.

"Well done," Voldemort beamed, walking up. He put a hand on my shoulder. "Well done indeed." I stepped aside. Scrimgeour continued to stare at me. I looked away. "Now, Scrimgeour, it isn't polite to stare. Plus, if you're going to stare at someone, stare at me. Because I'll be the last one you see." I got the courage to meet Scrimgeour's gaze again. His confusion was still evident. I suppose he'd never connected me to Voldemort even though I didn't know when we'd ever met. "Look at me, you coward." For a moment, I thought he was talking to me so I glanced up at him at the same time Scrimgeour did. He smiled, holding out his wand. "Thank you for your time, Scrimgeour, but a new Minister has been appointed."

I looked away as the familiar green flash filled the room. Everyone held their breath as Scrimgeour's body fell to the floor. For a moment, it was silent. Then immediately everyone started rushing around. Reports were filled out for the Daily Prophet, an impromptu voting was held for my position where, of course, everyone voted in favor of my election, pictures were taken for the front page, and things continued to buzz. Once I was told to sit in the chair that Scrimgeour had just been forced out of, I couldn't think straight. I felt numb all over. I don't think I actually said a word of my own accord until I got back to the Malfoy Manor. Every word I said felt bland and political, which I suppose is what he wanted. Once we got back to the Manor, I sat in the windowsill of my room with a blanket wrapped around me as I looked out into the night sky. I studied the constellations, recalling all the times I'd looked at them with George. There was a knock at my door.

"Caput draconis," came a soft whisper. I grabbed my wand, opening the door without looking. He shut the door behind himself before walking over to me. "I thought you might like some tea." I gave him a weak smile as I took the mug. He sat across from me so he could lean against the other side of the window. We were quiet for a while. "Say something. It's scary when you're quiet."

I looked over at him before looking down at my mug and shrugging. "I've dreamed of being the Minister of Magic since I was a little kid. I liked the idea of being in charge and communicating between us and the Muggles and just having a sense of my own bearings." I laughed a bitter, painful laugh, meeting his gaze again. "Not once did that dream ever involve the Dark Lord, or a green flash, or any of what happened today. I just, I don't think I have any dream left. They're all gone."

"You have to have other dreams," he insisted, leaning forward.

"Like what?" I asked, voice cracking. "I used to want a family, but I can't have that. I used to want to be Minister, here I am. I used to want to have a life after he died, but now..." I shook my head, taking a sip of my tea. "Now, I'd like to just die in this war because I don't think anything will be waiting for me afterwards besides a life in Azkaban." I shrugged, wiping at a tear on my cheek. "So nope. Nothing left."

"What about-"

But with one look from me, he stopped. Because we both knew what he was going to say, and we both knew I couldn't handle it right now.