Whispers of a Raven by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 32

It was a rather subdued Millicent Bagnold that was seated in her office with Albus and Barty having joined her at her request. The latter of the pair was his usual self, his demeanour giving nothing away as to what he felt and the former, though grim did not appear to be any more disturbed by what had transpired in Cornwall.

For the headmaster, she suspected this was nothing new. He had been there for the conclusion of the Grindelwald era, had lived through the horror of the 1940s and ultimately put an end to the infamous Dark Lord.

For Millicent, however, the fighting was still something she was becoming accustomed to, and she doubted it was something she would ever be comfortable with.

The violence had escalated and would continue doing so, this very fear the reason for the meeting she was hosting.

"Thank you for joining me," she offered politely. "I apologise that this has taken several days to arrange but I wanted the facts to be established before we discussed them."

Dumbledore gave her an encouraging smile, and though it didn't settle her, she appreciated the gesture.

"Barty?" she urged.

"There's not much to say," the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement shrugged. "The Death Eaters attacked, and they ended up much worse off. We lost three aurors, only one of our own and they lost fourteen, including the Lestranges."

Millicent released a deep breath.

"Any word from Corvus?"

Barty shook his head.

"What would he have to complain about?" he asked. "His sons were killed in what I would deem to be a bid to overthrow the Ministry. He will get no sympathy or support from the Wizengamot were he to take issue with what happened to them."

Millicent nodded her agreement.

"No, he would not," she agreed. "Already I have received and influx of missives from several lords and ladies warning me against attempting to bring Peverell to justice for his actions. To most, the man is a hero and is the one leading the charge against the Dark Lord."

"And his actions are justifiable," Crouch added. "It was Bellatrix Lestrange that murdered his wife. Him seeking recompense through her husband and brother-in-law will be frowned upon by few."

"Indeed," Dumbledore broke in. "Although I do not agree with Lord Peverell's actions, Barty is right. If any attempt was made to vilify him, it would cause an uproar. Legally speaking, he was within rights to do what he did and that would be made known to everyone."

"I was not suggesting such action should be taken," Millicent explained. "I myself find it difficult to sympathise with any of them that have aligned themselves with the Dark Lord. If anything, I am grateful for what Peverell has done, but we cannot be seen to support his actions."

Barty snorted.

"Speak for yourself. I have a team of aurors down there singing his praises, as am I for that matter. Those bastards out there deserve no sympathy and everything they get coming to them. Did you know that Rabastan Lestrange strangled two babies before Peverell caught up with him?"

Millicent swallowed deeply and shook her head.

"I have a mind to make sure The Prophet learns of that and anything else I can dig up on the bastards," Barty declared. "We are at war, Minister. I'd prefer to have the Dark Lord and his followers rounded up and brought before the Wizengamot, but that isn't going to happen. They have already proven their willingness and preference to die than be brought in. I say we give them what they want. The longer this continues, the more innocents will die. If there is no deterrence in place to stop them joining him, if they are not stopped by any means necessary, we may lose this conflict."