The Rise of the God-Emperor

CH 54: The Ministry Arrives

The peaceful buzz of activity in Hogwarts was suddenly disrupted by the arrival of unexpected guests. Ministry officials—four of them, dressed in the deep, somber robes of their rank—stood at the entrance to the Great Hall, their faces a mixture of concern and curiosity. They had heard unsettling rumors about what was happening at Hogwarts, about changes in leadership, and whispers of Harry Potter acting like a king. Such talk had reached the ears of those who preferred things to remain under Ministry control, and they had come seeking answers.

Headmistress McGonagall, always sharp and protective, met them at the doorway. She knew why they were here, though their sudden visit still caught her off guard. The Ministry, ever cautious and often meddlesome, didn't like being left in the dark, and Harry's rise to authority had not gone unnoticed. Without showing her unease, she straightened her glasses and addressed the group.

"What can I do for you, gentlemen?" McGonagall asked, her voice firm but respectful.

One of the officials, a tall man with a stern expression, stepped forward. "Headmistress McGonagall, we've come because we've received several reports of unusual activity at Hogwarts. We've heard rumors that Mr. Potter has been... assuming certain roles that fall outside the usual jurisdiction of this school. We'd like some clarification."

McGonagall, her face unreadable, simply nodded. "Very well. Follow me."

As she turned to lead them toward the throne room, she sent a quick, silver Patronus flying down the corridor to the War Room, where she knew Harry was preparing for another meeting. The Patronus took the form of a sleek cat, and its message was clear and direct: Be in the throne room in ten minutes, and sit on the throne.

The War Room: Harry Receives the Call

Harry had been pouring over maps and notes in the War Room, his focus on fortifying their defenses and planning for the expansion of the subdivision near Hogsmeade, when the Patronus arrived. The message was short, but it was enough to tell him exactly what was happening.

The Ministry had come.

For a moment, Harry stared at the shimmering cat, his mind turning over the implications. He hadn't been surprised that word of his actions would eventually reach the Ministry, but he had hoped for more time before they got involved. He knew the Ministry would view his growing leadership with suspicion, especially after the reports of him assuming control of HMP Shepton Mallet and creating a protected village for the wizarding community. But he was prepared.

He closed the maps and stood, his expression calm. He had faced far worse than Ministry officials in his life.

As he left the War Room and made his way to the throne room, a strange feeling settled over him—a sense of déjà vu, of stepping into a role that had been waiting for him all along. It was the same feeling he had that first night, when the throne room had mysteriously formed during his sleep, and Hogwarts herself had appeared to crown him. No one knew about that moment—no one but him and the castle itself—but every time he sat on that throne, he felt the weight of it.

The Throne Room: Sitting on the Throne

When Harry entered the throne room, he could feel the air shift around him. The room was large, a mixture of Gothic, Romanesque, and Gothic Revival styles, with dark arches and stone pillars that gave the space a commanding presence. At the far end of the room, on a raised dais, the throne stood like a symbol of power and authority, intricately carved from dark wood, its back tall and imposing.