Chapter 24
Celebrating at the Burrow, surrounded by most of their friends, was like going back to their early school years where the only good thing in their lives were those few days spent with the Weasleys.
Their lives were fuller now but every time they set foot in the Burrow again they could not help but feel like those two 11-year-old children who discovered magic again. Two little kids who were seeing for the first time what a healthy home life should be like...full of joy, affection and shouting.
Of course, every family has its quarrels but no one would have imagined that Percy would turn away from the family, treating them like complete idiots for the mere purpose of becoming someone in the ministry. Daisy understood the ambition of wanting to do something important but she didn't share treating their loved ones badly.
So when Percy showed up that Christmas, stiffly giving greetings only to his mother and ignoring the rest of those present, Daisy knew something was up. Of course, she found out she was right because moments later Rufus Scrimgeour, the new minister of magic, crossed the threshold.
As soon as the man asked Harry to show him around the garden, even pretending not to know who he was, everyone understood why he was there.
" I think someone who lives in this beautiful house can do a better job of showing you the garden. " Sirius said, causing everyone to freeze because of the freezing tone of voice he was using. He looked at the man as if he were a bug to be squashed under the ground of his shoes. Like he was nothing. " Or would the minister like to talk to Harry for some other reason? "
" The boy seemed to have finished eating.... " the minister tried to justify himself , ignoring the fact that half the people had empty plates.
Hermione seemed to have given Daisy an excellent gift that came in very handy that evening. She set off the gadget and, without anyone but her brother realizing it, slipped it into his pants pocket.
" I'll come. " Harry said, following him outside without giving anyone time to intrude. When they were outside and the minister began to talk about the beauty of the garden, Harry coldly asked him to get to the point.
" You are a symbol of hope for many people, Harry. The idea that there is someone who might succeed, who might even be destined to destroy the One-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named ... there, it's obvious that it gives people some relief. And I can't help but think that when you realize that, you can consider it, you know, almost a duty to side with the ministry and give moral support to everybody. " said the minister.
" Would you like to give the impression that I approve of what the ministry is doing? Acting out a script like a puppet while you pull the strings? " Harry asked, in an amiable tone. " But to do so would be lying because there are several things wrong. Incarcerating innocent people, for example. "
Scrimgeour was silent for a moment, but his expression hardened suddenly. " I don't expect you to understand. "
" Just as I do not expect you to understand the mistake you are making, like all your predecessors on the other hand. " hummed Harry, thoughtfully. " Do I give the impression that I want to be used? "
" Some would say it is your duty to be used by the Ministry! " retorted the man, furious.
" Yes, and there are those who would say it is your duty to check that people are really Death Eaters before putting them in jail. " Harry replied, looking at the minister with disgust. " Do you realize you are making the same mistake that brought Barty Crouch down? You people in the ministry will never understand what it's like to struggle with the fear of not seeing your loved ones again because you hide behind your desks, pretending that the world is all peachy. First Fudge, pretending that all is well while people are being murdered under his nose, then you banging up the wrong ones and wanting to make a show of having enlisted the Chosen One! "
" So you are not the Chosen One? " Scrimgeour asked, making Harry laugh coldly.
" You don't care whether I live or die, you only care that I help you convince everyone that you are winning the war against Voldemort. I have not forgotten what a ministry employee, still employed I dare add, did to me and many students on behalf of the ministry.... " He raised his right fist, showing the scars left by Umbridge.
" What is on Dumbledore's mind? " Scrimgeour asked in a brusque tone. He was finally laying his cards on the table, showing Harry why he was making that visit. In the end it all came down to Dumbledore. " Where does he go during his absences from Hogwarts? "
" I have no idea. " Harry replied, carelessly. " And even if I did know, I wouldn't say anything. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to go back and celebrate with my family. "
There was a long pause. << Well, it seems clear to me that he did a very good job with you. >> Scrimgeour resumed, his eyes cold and hard behind metal rimmed lenses. " You're Dumbledore's man, no matter what, aren't you, Potter? "
" That's where you're all wrong. " Harry said, returning the gaze and speaking for the first time in a tone that made the minister's back flinch. " I am my own person and I make my decisions as such. I am a human being, not a weapon that anyone can use and command at will. Unlike many others, I use my brain to make decisions and I don't let anyone boss me around as if I were nothing more than an expendable soldier. "
The minister didn't respond, seeming to see the real Harry Potter for the first time in his life. Harry then added, " I'm glad we got that cleared up, Merry Christmas. " then he turned his back on the Minister of Magic and strided back toward the house.
" Potter, how dare you speak to me like that? " shouted the minister, following him inside. << We have not concluded any talk. "
" Minister, you should leave my house. " said Arthur Weasley, rising from his chair and glaring at Percy, who was in the process of defending his boss. " Soon, son, you will find out that to become someone you must not put your head down but stand up for yourself. "
" Like you? " blurted out the boy, ignoring his mother's gasp.
" I have a family and friends who love me, a job I like and I'm fine with that. You might make it to the top, but what will you have left? " Mr. Weasley said calmly, looking softly at his son in the hope that he would understand his mistakes.
" Minister, may I escort you to the door? " Sirius asked, smiling at the scene.
" Black, I will make your life a living hell. " promised the minister, threatening to cancel the adoption paperwork and have him locked up again. Everyone was concerned to stop Remus from killing the man on the spot for even daring to talk about doing such a vile thing. While Bill and Sirius tried to get him to step back, putting themselves between Remus and the minister who seemed to be enjoying the scene far too much, Daisy lost the fight against his bad temper.
Taking advantage of the distraction of everyone present, she sneaked up on the minister and it was too late when the man finally realized what was happening. That miserable, worthless being had a stiff posture and wide eyes while looking at her circumspectly. He seemed amused rather than threatened by her presence but Daisy planned to change the man's opinion as soon as possible. If there was one thing she hated, it was being underestimated.
While she pointed her wand at the minister's face, she thought that Theo was beginning to influence her in the worst way. " I would advise you to behave like a decent human being if you want to keep your position and face. "
" You will end up in Azkaban for threatening the Minister of Magic. " sneered the man, not taking the little girl in front of him seriously. The room suddenly became silent.
When Percy tried to make a move to help his boss, the twins promptly stopped him. They were too happy to give his older brother a run for his money.
" Stop moving, we won't let you off the hook easily. " huffed Fred, rolling his eyes as he held Percy in place with the help of his twin.
" And try to be quiet, you might learn a few things from watching our dear Daisy. " George added, giving him a look full of contempt.
The others merely observed, unsure of how to deal with the sudden situation.
" Harry, show the minister what you are hiding in your pocket. " Daisy smiled sweetly while they all listened to their conversation through the tape recorder given to her by Hermione. Her friend had thought it was a nice way for her to record songs, not imagining that she would use it in that way. Watching the man whiten, she added, " Of course if he even does anything that we'll think is horrible, we'll make sure that the whole magical world learns how corrupt he is. What do you think minister? Do you still want to threaten my family? "
" Great. I will go with pleasure. " said the man, admitting defeat. There was no point in continuing to talk to him, Daisy knew she had him in her grasp. She just had to find a way to make more copies, magical and otherwise, of that conversation so she would have a guarantee.
" And happy vacations! " shouted Fred and George, snickering.
Harry high-fived his sister, and when they turned around, they noticed everyone's reactions to their little show.
Mrs. Weasley was babbling, shocked at what she had witnessed while Mr. Weasley looked at her respectfully. The twins obviously complimented them, which was promptly returned. Bill and Fleur had small smiles plastered on their faces as they nodded to them in appreciation.
Their three closest friends were the ones who were not at all shocked by their little trick, knowing that it was something they did often. Then there were Sirius and Remus who seemed to struggle between being furious and amused.
" I'd say that went very well. " nodded Ron, wrapping an arm around each of the two Potter siblings. " Daisy you have a worse temper than I do. "
" She was quite lucid. " commented Hermione, adding that otherwise she would have hit the minister without a second thought.
" What's going on? " Molly asked, trying to understand how the two frightened kids who entered her house for the first time had turned into completely different people.
" What's happening is that I didn't put my head down for the first time in my life. " Harry said, proud of himself. It was impossible not to notice the confidence radiating from him for doing what he thought was right. " Most importantly, I stood up for my family. "
" That was all me, don't take credit. " Daisy stuck her tongue out at him, receiving an elbow to the side from her brother that led them into a mini-fight that ended only when Remus stopped them by holding them by the back of their Christmas sweaters. Mrs. Weasley had really outdone herself this year, and they looked even softer and warmer than usual.
" However proud we are of you, Harry. " Remus said, smiling sweetly at him. " I'd say Daisy is grounded. "
" Good. " crossed Daisy's arms, ignoring Sirius's snort at the not-at-all upset reaction. " It was worth it. "
" I would like a pensieve just so I could witness again the minister's face when he realized that a 16-year-old girl put him in his place. " snorted a laugh Ginny, high-fiving her as she proclaimed that women held the power.
" Can we resume eating now? We were down to the cake. " complained Ron, making everyone laugh.