Secrets, Lies and the Daily Prophet (Alt. Fifth Year Fic)

Chapter Four: Arabella's Distrust of Cornelius Fudge

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Over dinner Sirius told Arabella about the fateful evening of the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament, all the terrible events that transpired, and all the planning by Voldemort that had led up to it. When Sirius told her how the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge allowed a dementor to administer a Kiss to Crouch, Jr. and how he then refused to believe Harry's testimony about Voldemort's return, Arabella became angry.

"I don't trust Fudge. Never have," she spat bitterly. "When I was still at the Ministry and we were both in the Magical Law Enforcement Squad, he always seemed to bungle cases that he should have been able to handle. Somehow or other there would always be an excuse such as insufficient evidence, especially when it was people like Lucius Malfoy under suspicion. Other cases would seem to just fall completely solved into his lap without any apparent effort on his part. His ascent in the Ministry seemed to be on an accelerated course, even when others with better records should have been promoted before him. I found it very curious at the time."

"Do you think he's a Death Eater?" asked Sirius.

"No. I don't think he cavorts around in costume wearing a mask," replied Arabella. "But I do think he's corrupt. I think he was a collaborator and probably a spy for them. I think Voldemort used Fudge to put away those who betrayed him and to send a message to those who were wavering in their support. I think Fudge has skeletons buried in his backyard and had Crouch eliminated before someone decided to start digging in sensitive areas."

She looked Sirius straight in the eye. "You represent a very real threat to him. In order to clear your name we will need to capture Pettigrew and the political fallout of his actions in your case will cost Fudge his job. He'll do anything to prevent that from happening." She shook her head. "Damn! I should have questioned the story more closely about your guilt since it was Fudge handling the case. I should have..."

Sirius took one of her hands and held it in his. "You've tortured yourself enough with the past. Let's just concentrate on how best to deal with the challenges that are before us. And there are many of those."

"You're right," she sighed. "Who else did Dumbledore ask you to notify about this news?"

"I've told Remus Lupin and now you. I'm supposed to contact Mundungus Fletcher next."

"Good. We can take care of that tomorrow," she said smiling. "Fletcher relieves me periodically when I have to leave my post for any extended period of time. He can't communicate with the Kneazles, but he can at least respond and cast spells if the monitors show dangerous activity in the neighbourhood. Tomorrow, I'll need to show you around Little Whinging, get you some coloured contact lenses, pick up some supplies, and so forth. I'll also have to set up an appointment to meet with Dumbledore to find out what he expects of me as an instructor, like required textbooks, areas to cover for the different years, that type of thing. We will also one day need to go to Diagon Alley to pick up Harry's supplies for next year and...get you a new wand."

"You think of everything, don't you?" said Sirius. "Have you thought of how I'm going to fool Mr. Ollivander and get a new wand?"

"We'll have to make sure he's away from his store at the time. I'll see if Dumbledore can help arrange that." She started to drum her fingers on the table. "I also want to ask him about this summer and Harry. I think he should spend as much time with us as possible. He needs guidance, support and any tutoring we can give him."