Harry Potter and Future's Past

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

"Minister, Minister...I really must insist that..." Dumbledore was so busy trying to get the Minister's attention he failed to notice the quill in his hand turn blue until he felt a jerk at his navel and ended up in his own office at Hogwarts. When he tried to floo back to the Ministry he discovered the Ministry's floos had been shut down except for official business while the investigation was underway. Looking around his office, his eyes found the perch used by his phoenix.

"Fawkes," He said and an instant later a flash of flame occurred and the phoenix materialized before him. "I need to return to the Ministry," He said to the red and gold plumed bird. He touched a tail feather of the phoenix and in another instant of flames he disappeared only to arrive in the Ministry Atrium. As the fountain materialized in his vision he thought. "Good thing I didn't have to fly here on a broom; that might have taken hours."

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As they walked toward the Minister's office, Harry tried to show a look of tired confidence, but actually he was apprehensive. By turning his back on Dumbledore, he now had to take responsibility for all that had happened. Last time, he and his friends had been mostly left alone. He didn't know exactly what Dumbledore did, but he had done something. This time there was a lot less damage but there were the deaths of the Death Eaters to be explained.

"Better to explain Death Eaters than Sirius," Hermione said as his thoughts had been bleeding over to her.

Harry gave her a quick smile, but her comment did make him start to wonder if Sirius made it out.

This time she didn't need to hear his thoughts. "I'm sure he's fine," She said.

During the walk, Hermione kept reminding Harry. "Remember to be calm and be nice. Fudge needs you, but don't make him defensive. Take the humble approach."

When they arrived in the Minister's office, Fudge took a moment to disappear into a different room and change out of his pajamas. When he returned he took his spot behind his desk and motioned for the teens the take the seats in front of him. Several seconds of silence was broken when Harry finally spoke. "Thank you sir," He said, "for taking the time to talk to me. I know your time is very valuable right now."

"That's quite alright Harry...may I call you Harry?" the Minister questioned.

"Yes sir. That's fine sir."

"Excellent," The Minister said. "Ahh...Amelia," The last was to Madam Bones who finally caught up to them. They all turned to see the gray-haired woman with her customary monocle entering the office. Her hair was astray and her eyes weary but alert. She had a look of someone not in a good mood.

"Thank you Minister. Hopefully this won't take too long. I have a lot to do," She eyed the teenagers wearily. "Starting with these four of course."

"Yes ma'am," Harry said speaking for his group still. "I think this will go a long way to explaining what happened."

"Very well Mr. Potter," She said as she took a seat.

Harry took a deep breath before continuing. "Before I begin my explanation, I should introduce my friends. This is Hermione Granger, my best friend and a lot more. Minister you've met her before, but might not have remembered it," He then nodded to Neville and Luna, "I'm sure you both know Neville Longbottom or at least his Grandmother and this is Luna Lovegood, daughter of the man who owns the Quibbler."

The name of the magazine Luna's father published made Cornelius Fudge pale. The ministry had taken an antagonistic approach toward it ever since the interview by Harry concerning the Dark Lord had appeared in it. That Harry Potter was friends with the daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood was not a good thing. Then of course everyone knew Augusta Longbottom. She was a woman who one dared cross at their own peril. He swallowed before replying, "Very glad to meet all of you," His eyes lingered on the young blonde girl who had her wand behind her ear and was looking around the office like she didn't have a care in the world. He finally turned back to Harry.