"Did you hear?" Tracey asked. "Apparently, the Minister's coming to visit tomorrow. Checking on defenses."
Blake snorted. He doubted whether Fudge even knew a single defence spell. But more importantly, he thought, looking at the teacher's table, where's Dumbledore and Umbridge? Fighting already?
But just as soon as he had asked, he was answered. Dumbledore, Umbridge and a broad, square-jawed witch who Blake immediately recognised.
"That's Amelia Bones," Charlotte said, confused, "but why is she here now, and not tomorrow?"
The hall broke out into whispers as she walked up to the teacher's table and Dumbledore conjured up a chair for her to sit too.
Blake realised quickly what the true purpose of her visit was, and immediately after the lunch had ended and the majority of the students and teachers - but mainly Dumbledore and the Golden Trio - had left, he made sure to linger around the Great Hall.
"Blake Renshaw," a voice from behind him said. Blake whipped around, startled. He had silently cast both Homenum Revelio and the Homonculous Charm - potent magic that even most advanced wizards would have trouble hiding from, if they even managed to realise that it had been cast in the first place.
This woman, he thought, seeing the stern faced woman in front of him, is strong.
"Madam Bones," he said, smiling. "You surprised me."
"Not used to that, are you?" she responded, looking at him carefully. "We need to have a discussion, boy. Do you have a place in mind?"
"Yeah, I do," he said, slightly miffed about being called 'boy. "Follow me." As the woman cast a Disillusionment Charm over herself, Blake began walking up the stairs, towards the Room of Requirement.
/
"During all my time at Hogwarts, I never knew of this room," she said, frowning as she looked around. "The Room of Requirement, you say?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She sat down on one of the chairs, and Blake did the same opposite her.
"I'm sure you're aware of recent events," she began directly.
"I am," Blake responded. Harry had been attacked by Dementors near his home in Little Whinging, and soon after was detained by the Ministry. Of course, this majorly backfired, considering that this was the Chosen One, who had already survived a second encounter with Voldemort, and there was a public outcry, forcing the Ministry to issue a public apology to Harry, and also fire an employee for 'misconduct'.
Not only that, but on the same day, Sturgis Podmore had been arrested for trespassing in the Department of Mysteries. The Ministry (Fudge) had tried to make a fuss over the Order's espionage of the Ministry, but ultimately it was fruitless, considering a lack of evidence, and the fact that Podmore didn't say a word at his trial.
"The Minister is growing increasingly anxious. He thinks - well, he knows - that he's probably not got much time left in office, all things considered, and Dumbledore isn't making things any easier for him. What's your opinion on all of this?"
Talk about directness.
"I'm not sure it's appropriate for me to-"
"Please, child," Bones said, rolling her eyes. "I am not here to play games. I'm here for one reason: so that Voldemort is put six foot under, once and for all. I won't have the egos of old men get in the way of that. Besides, Fudge is incompetent, and given what happened at Little Hangleton, you know that too. What I really want to know is, what do you think of Dumbledore?"
Blake looked at the Head of Magical Law Enforcement carefully. Fine.
"I think he has good intentions," he said shortly. Bones waited for him to continue, but Blake remained silent, and a small smile formed on her lips.
"I see," she said. "Then it seems that we are in agreement. I've heard rumours from many about things that have happened in this school, ever since you and Harry Potter joined. I want to know exactly what happened."
"And why's that?" Blake asked.
"I have a suspicion that he's involved with it."
"I want an Unbreakable Vow that you won't disclose any of this information without my explicit permission beforehand."
Bones stared him down.
"I am the Head of-"
"I appreciate that, ma'am. But it wouldn't be you that would face the consequences if this information got to the wrong people."
Bones stared at him some more.
"Who would your-"
"He's waiting outside. Zabini?"
The door opened, and the half-blooded boy walked in, eyes immediately on the woman.
"This was meant to be a confidential meeting," Bones said, eyes narrowed.
"He's been involved in a lot of the stuff I'm about to tell you about," Blake said. "And if you can't trust him, then you can't trust me."
"You're not an easy person to work with, Blake Renshaw," she said finally, sticking her hand out. Blake smiled slightly as he mirrored her actions, clasping her hand as Zabini made the Vow.
"I'm leaving," he said to Blake after it was done. "You owe me five Galleons for this. Madam Bones," he said, inclining his head towards her as he left.
"He seems… dependable," Bones said after the door shut. Blake shrugged.
"Let me start from first year," he said. "But this might take a while."
/
By the time he was finished, Amelia Bones was less than content.
"And Dumbledore did almost nothing to intervene? Even in second year?" she fumed. "My niece goes to this school!"
"Susan, right?" Blake said, remembering the blonde girl's face.
"So Voldemort never truly died," she murmured. "How were we not made aware of this?"
"To be fair," Blake said, "if Dumbledore went to Fudge saying this, I doubt he would be the most receptive."
"Fudge isn't the only person in the Ministry," she replied. "Either way, it's clear that I was right - Dumbledore can't be fully trusted - but he's far better than Cornelius."
"He is," Blake agreed.
"But we have a major problem," she said, brows furrowed deeply. "This means that Harry Potter wasn't the only one to survive the Killing Curse - technically, he did too. How can we kill him if even the Killing Curse couldn't?"
Blake had conveniently left out the part about Horcruxes to Bones.
"I'm not sure," he replied. "But I know Harry has something to do with it. Him and Voldemort have a connection - whenever he's nearby, Harry's scar flares up in pain. Apparently, their wands are twin cores too - it's like it's fated to be them."
Bones's eyes narrowed. "That sounds suspiciously like a prophecy."
"Prophecy?"
"It would explain why members of the Order of the Phoenix like Podmore have been sighted around the Department of Mysteries, where all the prophecies are kept," Bones replied. "If there is a prophecy, it stands to reason that the Dark Lord wants it, and Dumbledore's trying to prevent that."
"So it's probably true then," Blake realised, disappointment sinking into his heart. Does that mean, no matter how hard I try, I can never kill Voldemort?
"So, essentially, keeping Harry Potter alive is of the utmost importance," Bones said. "But technically, he should've killed him that night in Godric's Hollow. Why didn't Voldemort die?"
"I don't know," Blake grimaced, trying to divert. "But for now, Harry's our best - and only - bet. The fact that the Ministry's at odds-"
"I agree," Bones interrupted. "Morale is decreasing by the day, and so is public support. As long as Fudge is in office, it will only continue."
Blake's eyes widened. "Are you saying-"
"Yes," Bones said, sitting up tall. "Soon, I'll be making a bid for Minister of Magic."
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