Strings Attached

Chapter 22

Celeste stared at the table before her, finding her situation utterly ridiculous. "So, you mean to tell me you had no idea about your real parents?" Fawley asked for the ninth time that evening. Celeste lifted her fingers and massaged her forehead to give her brain some comfort over the growing frustration.

"For the ninth time, Minister Fawley, I was as clueless about this as you are." Celeste gritted her teeth as she stared at the man. She felt the boiling anger as Fawley let out a chuckle, and looked at a very uncomfortable auror.

"She is a good actress. I would have believed her if I was fond of her. You do not fool me, Celeste. You were always after the power, just like your father. You turned this ministry against me. They will see your true colours soon." Fawley said, leaning back in his chair.

"Ok, I am done. What the hell are you going to do? Incarcerate me? Throw me in some prison because you felt threatened by a woman? By me?" Celeste scoffed, raising her brow. "I don't feel threatened by you. You have absolutely no power here for me to feel threatened." Fawley scoffed, avoiding the woman's gaze.

"How long do you think you will stay in power, Hector?" Celeste asked, tilting her head a little. "What do you mean?" Hector asked, now meeting her gaze. Hector would be lying if he didn't see the same menacing look in Celeste's eyes as he once saw in Grindelwald's eyes.

Celeste let out a loud laugh, throwing her head backward, startling Hector. He looked at the auror in the room, who just shrugged his shoulders in a 'not my problem' manner. "I am sorry, but are we working in the same ministry? Do you not see disdain people hold against you? Do you not see the hanging sword over your head? Or are you just determined to be blind, deaf, and dumb about the fact that people are killed because of Grindelwald and you proved to be an incompetent minister that people can't rely on? What do you think happens to ministers like that?" Celeste questioned, a smirk growing on her face.

Hector's face paled drastically as he shot up from his chair. The chair's legs screeched against the floor and fell down with a loud thud, making Celeste wince. Ouch to my ears. "So you were planning my downfall all along?" Hector asked, his cheeks flushing red.

Celeste's lips thinned and she shook her head, pinching her nose. This man. "You are such a self-centred asshole." Celeste commented, knowing full well that there is no point in arguing with this man.

"Take her to Azkaban. A night there and all her ego will be gone." Hector narrowed his eyes toward Celeste. All blood drained from Celeste's face. "You can't do that. I have done nothing against this ministry." Celeste's voice started to raise up an octave.

"We will see about that tomorrow, Mrs. Scamander. Your trial is tomorrow, I hope you have something to defend yourself with." Fawley simply smiled, turning around. "Prepare for her to be transported to Azkaban for the night." Fawley instructed one of the Aurors. "But she hasn't done anything that warrants to be placed in Azkaban, Minister." The auror in question protested, to which Fawley just scoffed.

"I didn't realise you were allowed to question my judgement?" Fawley asked, tilting his head. "I refuse to commit this injustice, minister." The auror said, looking at Celeste before sadly shaking his head and walking out. "Is there anyone else who wants to walk out?" Fawley asked, but to Celeste's horror, the other three didn't budge.

"You cannot do this Hector. I know you know that I am innocent. Why are you doing this?" Celeste gritted her teeth, tears gathered at the bay of the waterline of her eyes. "Because you are the child of the most hated wizard. They want to pin someone for the crimes, you are closest to punishing him." Fawley said, the venom in his voice was undeniable.

Celeste just chuckled, as one of the Aurors came in front and casted a spell to handcuff her hands. She bit her lip from crying, because she might be strong but dementors were everyone's nightmare.