Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Clueless Ministry
(Monday Dec 2, 1996)
"Cresswell! About time you got back. What did the goblins say?"
Amelia kept her face blank. Fudge often blustered and threw tantrums. This was the first time he'd seen him actually furious.
Dirk Cresswell ignored Fudge's shouting and sat with a thoughtful look. "They said quite a bit minister." He said calmly. "In regards to the budget, which seems our most pressing issue, they said they were legally obligated to limit sales taxes collected to four percent."
"What! There's no such law. Is it in one of those damned treaties they're so hung up on?" Fudge shouted.
"No minister, rather they said it's a proclamation by the ruler of magical Britain as appointed by the crown."
That quieted the minister, who simply stared at the goblin liaison.
If it didn't impact her department Amelia would find this hilarious. The heads-up Tonks had given her had allowed her to get her hands on enough gallons to give her department half pay this month. She would also offer unsecured loans from her own pocket to those who would be most seriously impacted.
"But... but I'm the ruler of magical Britain." The minister said. "A muggle ruler can't change that."
Amelia nearly lost it when she saw Dirk repress a smirk.
"Apparently she can, indirectly at least. The goblin's didn't go into detail, though they did say a magical regent actually created the proclamation. But look at the bright side Minister!" Dirk said with a big fake smile.
"What bright side!"
"The merchants in Diagon were very happy. I was asked to thank you on their behalf. I expect the same will be true in Hogsmeade. In fact Tom at the Leaky said your next drink was on him."
Fudge buried his face in his hands.
Unfortunately, Fudge's silence meant Umbridge had a chance to speak. "We can solve this. We just need to have this muggle queen appoint Cornelius the regent. We know how to deal with muggles."
Fudge looked at her with a look between hope and fear. "You haven't met her Deloris, she's not like other muggles. If we could though, that would solve the problem."
"Let me take care of it." Umbridge said. "In the meantime you can push the release of old lady Pickleduck's vault. That should cover this month."
Not good. She'd have Tonks give the regent a heads up about Deloris.
"Ah." Dirk interrupted. "About seizing vaults, it seems that won't work anymore."
Fudge dropped his head again, banging it repeatedly on his desk.
* * *
(Tuesday Dec 3, 1996)
Hermione was squeezed in between Harry and Neville, not a terrible place to be given how cold the palace could be this time of year.
The meeting room was crowded. Seated around the long table were David, Angie, and Joshua from MI5, Captain Murphy, Sergeant Thomas, and her father from the army, Captain Clarke and Bethany Clarke from the palace, and all of the in-residence magicals, including Mrs. Longbottom who'd asked for the meeting.
She'd also invited Tonks, who was sitting next to Bethany.
Mrs. Longbottom wasted no time getting things started. "There's an emergency meeting of the Wizengamot tomorrow morning. I spent some time at Longbottom Manor and made some floo calls. Based on the rumors it seems news of the reduced revenue came to light though the destruction of the death eaters is still just a rumor. I asked Miss Tonks to help us understand how the DMLE and other parts of the ministry are handling things."
"They should have received copies of the contract transcription and related documents." Neville added. "Tomorrow's Prophet will likely print a story about the copies we sent them, though there's no telling how they'll slant it."
They wasted, in Hermione's opinion, ten minutes going back and forth on how to manage the Prophet and if they should get the Wizarding Wireless or the Quibbler involved as well. She took advantage of a momentary lull to redirect things, asking how Tonks thought the ministry rank and file were reacting.
The young auror shifted uncomfortably. "Not well. The director said she could guarantee all the DMLE people half salaries this month. Even with that I think we've already had two staff quitting and one older auror retire. Head Auror Scrimgeour was so ineffective in handling the complaints that Director Bones put him on administrative leave."
Tonks described the rest of the ministry's reaction as panic and chaos. She knew of several people who simply walked out when their bosses couldn't say for sure they'd be paid, including the some critical people in the floo office.
She also passed on a warning from Amelia Bones that Umbridge said she would 'deal with' the queen.
Once Tonks left, they discussed the situation for hours. Not much came out of it other than Mrs. Longbottom needing to attend the Wizengamot meeting, if for no other reason than to gather information. Neville wasn't too keen on that and eventually made her promise she'd take a calming draught before the meeting.
There was some worry about Umbridge getting through the wards. Intent wards were tricky. If she came to attack the queen in some way she wouldn't get through. If she came as a magical official with complaints then the wards wouldn't stop her.
In the end the decision was to wait and watch. See how the magical population and the ministry reacted to the new situation and do what contingency planning they could.
* * *
(Wednesday Dec 4, 1996)
The Prophet's headline "MoM Defunct?" did not help the chaos at the Ministry for Magic. The above the fold article contained just the basic facts: There was an ancient contract between the magicals and muggles, the muggle monarch had appointed a magical regent as allowed for in the contract. It ended with "See tomorrow's Prophet for more details, initial analysis on page 3."
Page three was a hodgepodge of short articles on specific elements of the contract and declarations with headlines like "Has Fudge Been Replaced?", "Who's In Charge?" and "Maybe A Hoax".
Augusta Longbottom downed a calming draught just before entering to take her Wizengamot seat. She was determined to simply observe and take no action other than voting against whatever stupidity the Wizengamot attempted.
Albus Dumbledore gaveled the Wizengamot into session. "As this is an emergency session, we will immediately move to new business. Minister, as you have called for this you have the floor."
Minister Fudge stood. "Members of the Wizengamot, we are in the midst of the worst political, legal, and financial emergency of our time. The muggle queen has called the legitimacy of our government into doubt and choked off most of our funding. This morning's Prophet has some initial details of the supposed contract used to pull this... ridiculous stunt."
There were sounds of confusion from many of the Wizengamot members. Given the early hour of the meeting not everyone had time to see the morning's Prophet.
Dumbledore asked the minister to summarize the information, which he had Percy Weasley do.
Dumbledore allowed the discussion to rage for an hour before bringing it to a halt by pounding his gavel and asking for order.
"I do have some additional information." The old wizard said. "There were hints that a contract impacting many people had been activated. I had someone I trust approach the palace to see if they could find additional information. With that and a bit of research I discovered the following."
"First there is indeed a contract. The palace was to send the ministry a copy. It's possible it's sitting on a desk in the minister's office as we speak. Perhaps Cornelius could send someone to check."
Dumbledore paused but did not sit while Fudge sent Percy Weasley to search for the documents.
"Second, a regent has been appointed, and while I do not know who that is I believe it must be a member of one of the contract's original signatory families or at least a member of the council they formed."
Behind the calmness encouraged by the potion she'd taken Augusta noted the possible danger in the direction Dumbledore's words were taking.
"Third, it is well known that Harry Potter did not return to Hogwarts this year. Somewhat less known is that his longtime friend Hermione Granger also did not return. Miss Granger was the one who met my agent at the palace. During the meeting she suggested that Mr. Potter was also staying at the palace."
"Damn that man." Augusta murmured, knowing what was coming next.
Dumbledore turned to look direct at her. "Finally, Neville Longbottom, a friend of both Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, has also decided not to continue at Hogwarts. Do you have anything else to add Augusta?"
Thanking the effects of the calming draught Augusta stood but said nothing.
"Well?" Dumbledore said after a few moments of silence.
"Are you yielding the floor Chief Warlock?" August asked, emphasizing his title.
Dumbledore nodded, looking mildly irritated. "My apologies. The chair recognizes Madam Longbottom, you have the floor."
"Better." Madam Longbottom said. "At the next regular session I believe it will be necessary to censor the Chief Warlock for his repeated violation of proper protocol. Again."
There were a few chuckles and murmurs of agreement.
"The Headmaster is correct, my Neville decided not to return to Hogwarts once he heard that his friend Harry Potter would not return. I agreed with his choice as I have much to teach him about the running of the family businesses. He will take his NEWTs at the ministry."
"As for this contract, I think Neville and I should visit the palace. The queen and I are of an age and met when we were young, as my father knew her father. Perhaps that and Neville's connection to Mr. Potter will allow me to discover what is happening."
Dumbledore was giving her a hard look. He suspected something but wasn't sure or he'd have brought it up.
Fortunately Percy Weasley returned at that moment with a thick stack of documents, which were quickly duplicated so each member could have a copy.
There was a bit more discussion but no one wanted to continue without understanding the contract. The meeting was recessed until the next morning.
Several members headed for her as soon as the recess began. Amelia Bones was closest and asked to speak with her before the others. The aurors managed to subtly block Dumbledore from interrupting which allowing them to escape.
* * *
Amelia told her secretary she wasn't to be interrupted by anyone, including Dumbledore or Fudge and put up the security wards as soon as she and Augusta entered her office. Her old friend was acting odd, Amelia was pretty sure she knew more than she let on.
Augusta dropped into the guest chair. "Thanks for the save Amelia, I didn't want to deal with that old goat."
"No problem. Now spill Gussy, you know more than you let on, and that bull about being a childhood friend of the queen was pretty thin."
The older woman smiled. "That's actually true Amelia. My father was involved in negotiating food supplies with the muggles between the two great wars. He and King George got along quite well and I joined him on several official events. Elizabeth and I got into a bit of mischief together a few times."
Amelia starred at the woman. Then leaned forward when she saw something different in her eyes. "You're on a calming draught."
"You always were a sharp one. Neville made me promise to take one." Augusta stopped there and waited.
Amelia sat back and watched her old friend. This guessing game was old one between them. "He's involved with this like Potter and Granger. You...you've already met with the queen, haven't you?"
"For now I'm acting as the royal wizard."
That shocked Amelia. "You're insane."
Augusta frowned. "No I'm not Amelia. Read those documents, you'll see what's really happening."
Amelia shook her head. "Sorry Gussy, I meant you were insane for coming to the Wizengamot meeting when you were this involved. Do you have any idea what they'd do to you if they found out?"
August sighed. "Maybe, but we needed to know how the ministry and 'gamot were reacting."
Amelia nodded. "Okay, I can see that. Look, I need to read these but I promise I'll have Tonks in the meeting tomorrow and let her tell you what happened. Don't show up. In fact you'd best leave directly from my floo as soon as I let down the security ward."
"We should meet after the Wizengamot tomorrow. Don't go to Longbottom Manor, the war wards are up."
Amelia was about to suggest possible meeting places when the wards pinged her. "Someone is hitting the wards. Probably Dumbledore, get ready by the fireplace. I'll tell them you left so you can see about getting information from the palace."
They got into position, and Amelia brought down her hand to let her know the floo was open. She had just disappeared into the fireplace when Dumbledore and Fudge barged into her office.
She looked up, not trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. "And what can I do for the two of you?"
* * *
(Thursday Dec 5, 1996)
Sirius pulled the coat tighter around him. "Damn, it's cold."
Remus leaned against the rail next to his friend and looked over the waves. They were taking a ferry to England. Slower and definitely colder than magical means. Worth it though, as it meant the ministry wouldn't know they were back until they had a chance to find out what was going on.
"It was warmer in Italy, you should have stayed. The therapist thought this was too soon."
Sirius shrugged. "I wanted to spend the holidays with Harry." He paused for a moment. "Besides Sophie was visiting family in Romania."
Remus managed not to roll his eyes again. Sophie was an attractive young lady. She was also a professional and he had little doubt the flirting was to help her patient.
"From what you told me he might be too busy to spend much time with you."
"Then I'll help. I don't trust Albus or the Ministry not to mess things up."
Remus shrugged. "Maybe. I think Albus really does have the best intentions, though I admit he's not above sacrificing others for his greater good. The ministry is just a cesspool."
They stood staring at the water for a few more minutes before Remus straightened up. "Come on, let's go inside and get something hot to drink. It'll be an hour before we reach Dover."