The Disgraced of the House of Black - A Multi-Character Fanfiction - Part One

7. The Minister of Magic

"Sit down, Harry," Cornelius Fudge prompted, gesturing to a chair by the fire.

Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage had been brought in by Tom, the landlord, while Harry gently set Amara on the ground. She stayed exactly where she had been placed, staring up at the pair as the aching in her wing became almost blinding.

Tossing aside his cloak, Fudge sat down opposite Harry as he said, "I am Cornelius Fudge, Harry. The Minister of Magic."

Before either he or Harry could speak, Tom the landlord appeared again, carrying with him a large tray of tea and crumpets. Amara felt her stomach twist at the sight. She hadn't eaten since that morning, but even still, her heart was pounding in her chest. What if Fudge realized she wasn't a real bird? What if he forced her to reveal herself? With this in mind, she tried to act as uninterested and distinctly birdlike as she could, settling down as though to sleep.

"Well, Harry," Fudge began as Tom left and he poured them both out tea. "You've had us all in a right flap, I don't mind telling you. Running away from your aunt and uncle's house like that! I'd started to think...but you're safe, and that's what matters."

Buttering himself a crumpet, Fudge pushed the plate toward Harry as he said, "Eat, Harry. You look dead on your feet. Now then...You will be pleased to hear that we have dealt with the unfortunate blowing-up of Miss Marjorie Dursley. Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Department were dispatched to Privet Drive a few hours ago. Miss Dursley has been punctured and her memory has been modified. She has no recollection of the incident at all. So that's that, and no harm done."

Harry, unsure what to say, took a crumpet into his hands, giving Fudge an incredulous look.

"Ah, you're worrying about the reaction of your aunt and uncle? Well, I won't deny that they are extremely angry, Harry, but they are prepared to take you back next summer as long as you stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays."

"I always stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays," Harry said finally. "And I don't ever want to go back to Privet Drive."

Amara instantly tensed.

"Now, now," Fudge said in a worried tone. "I'm sure you'll feel differently once you've calmed down. They are your family, after all, and I'm sure you are fond of each other...er...very deep down." There was a short silence before Fudge began to speak again. "So all that remains is to decide where you're going to spend the last two weeks of your vacation. I suggest you take a room here at the Leaky Cauldron and-"

"Hang on," Harry interrupted. "What about my punishment?"

"Punishment?" Fudge said in surprise.

"I broke the law!" Harry exclaimed. "The Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry!"

"Oh, my dear boy, we're not going to punish you for a little thing like that!" Fudge insisted with a small laugh. "It was an accident! We don't send people to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts!"

"Last year, I got an official warning just because a house-elf smashed pudding in my uncle's house," Harry retorted in confusion. "The Ministry of Magic said I'd be expelled from Hogwarts if there was any more magic there!"

"Circumstances change, Harry," Fudge began awkwardly. "We have to take into account...in present climate...Surely you don't want to be expelled?"

"Of course, I don't," Harry said in surprise.

"Well then, what's all the fuss about?" laughed Fudge. "Now, have a crumpet, Harry, while I go and see if Tom's got a room for you."

As Fudge left, Amara hesitantly raised her head, looking up to see Harry with an extremely confused expression. Shaking himself, he took up a crumpet and held it out to her. Taking the largest bites she could manage, Amara worked at the crumpet as Harry watched, his brows furrowed in thought. He was obviously still very confused as to why Fudge would just let him go.

A few moments later, Fudge returned with Tom.

"Room eleven's free, Harry," Fudge said. "I think you'll be very comfortable. Just one thing, and I'm sure you'll understand...I don't want you wandering off into Muggle London, all right? Keep to Diagon Alley. And you're to be back here before dark each night. Sure you'll understand. Tom will be keeping an eye on you for me."

"Okay," Harry said. "But why-"

"Don't want to lose you again, do we?" Fudge said with a smile. "No, no...best we know where you are...I mean..."

Taking up his cloak, he turned to leave before Harry suddenly said, "Wait." Picking up Amara gently, he said, "Minister, I don't know if...this bird hurt her wing. I think it might be broken."

The Minister stepped forward, a look of concern on his face as Amara felt her heartrate skyrocket. Instinctively, she flapped her wings as though to get away, but once again, she let out a squawk of pain and fell still.

"I can try," Fudge said with a sympathetic smile at Harry.

Drawing out his wand, he muttered a spell, tapping his wand to the hurt wing. Instantly, the pain eased. Gently, Harry held her up. Standing, Amara held out her wings, testing them. Then, with nothing more than a twitter of thanks, she took off into the air, leaving the room through the open door before taking off through the first open window.