More Questions…and More Allies
Ministry of Magic, Holding Cells, Monday, 2:00 PM
Just as (Morning Shift) Head Guard Cooper prepared to formally take custody of confessed Death Eater and Unregistered Animagus Dolores Umbridge, she and Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt heard—then spotted—the rapidly approaching Junior Auror Tonks. Realizing that his partner had something important on her mind, Kingsley held up his hand. “Hang on a minute,” he said. “We may not be done yet.” His authoritative tone belied the butterflies in his belly.
Cooper had already stopped in her tracks, before turning to grab yet another vial of Veritaserum. As before, she showed to Kingsley, then to Tonks; they both nodded. “Will I need to use this?” she asked Tonks.
Tonks chuckled a little, as she replied, “For this…probably so.”
The uncooperative Umbridge had to be Stunned before her third dose of Veritaserum. After being Revived, Shacklebolt motioned for Tonks to begin the next round of questioning, little suspecting what the young Witch had learned.
”Madam Umbridge,” began the No-nonsense Tonks, “what did you intend to do with all of the anti-Muggle and anti-Muggleborn materials that have been found in your office?”
”I was going to distribute them among the Pureblood students—at least the ones I found to be sympathetic to the Cause…but not Blood Traitors like the Longbottoms, Weasleys or the Boneses*—for them to send home. That way, their parents would be better able to fight against the likes of Dumbledore and Potter, when the Dark Lord was reincarnated,” came the reluctant reply. The Death Eater was still trying to fight the Truth Potion.
The two Aurors could practically see the Muggleborn’s hackles rise; however, Tonks knew her next bombshell was likely to rattle even her superior.
”Tell us about the 500 Blood Quills that were also found in your office,” Tonks commanded, crossing her arms. As Cooper Summoned additional forms, for the new charges against the use of these prohibited artifacts, a strained, audible gasp was indeed heard from Kingsley. The Senior Auror stumbled, as he moved even closer to the Holding Cell.
After a brief hesitation, the prisoner, now sweating profusely, confessed, “They were going to be used on anyone who tried to claim the Dark Lord was back.”
At Cooper’s upraised eyebrows—although the next word was already leaving her lips—Tonks asked, “Why?”
This time, Dolores Umbridge’s answer was immediate…and defiant. “Because the Dark Lord knew he’d need to gather an army to attack Hogwarts and the Ministry.”
~~~~~
”Who and what were the targets here at the Ministry?” Cooper now asked.
”First, Minister Fudge, if he ever started showing signs of believing The Dark Lord was back. More importantly, the Dark Lord was told of a Prophecy that could ultimately cause his downfall; he seemed to believe it would be by the hand of Harry Potter. He wanted to have, and hear, the entire Prophecy, so he could protect himself, in case his Horcruxes were all destroyed….”
The word “Horcruxes” caused all three interrogators to recoil in disgust. The thought that parts of You-Know-Who’s soul were scattered around who-knew-where was almost too much to fathom.
Upon further questioning, Umbridge listed the Horcruxes she knew of: a locket, and the (already-destroyed) diary of Tom Riddle. The mention of even two left the others reeling.
”I think we’ve heard enough for now,” Kingsley finally stated, knowing that Albus Dumbledore would need to be advised of the Horcruxes. “We’ll get a trial date set—as soon as the Wizengamot has been thoroughly checked out—and let them handle the rest of this. She’s all yours,” he told Cooper. She watched the Aurors leave for their overdue lunch…as her own stomach rumbled in protest.
~~~~~
Ministry of Magic Commissary, 2:30 PM
”She was so twisted!” Fudge angrily remarked, after the Aurors had related the highest points—or in this case, the lowest points—of their interrogation of Umbridge.
”So where do we go from here, Sir?” Arthur asked.
”Well, we’ll need to make sure Harry Potter is protected, because of this prophecy…,” began Fudge, “…and because You-Know-Who seems to think that Potter would be the reason for his demise…hopefully as soon as possible. Also we’ll need that big batch of Veritaserum for the Wizengamot and Board of Directors.” He sighed. “I feel betrayed that I believed Lucius Malfoy was ever on the up-and-up!” he berated himself.
As the Minister of Magic pondered how best to protect Harry, Rita Skeeter spoke up. Isn’t Malfoy’s son also a Year-mate of Potter’s?”
”That would be Draco Malfoy,” Arthur supplied. “Maybe we should get the full list of Fourth Years, since we may need to keep an eye on students like Hermione Granger, Susan Bones, Neville Longbottom….” As he began listing names, his voice trailed off, but everyone at the Commissary table knew he was mentally adding his children’s names to the list, Fourth Years or not.
Knowing his partner was wanting to volunteer for Protection Duty, Kingsley Shacklebolt said, “On behalf of Madam Bones, may I offer the services of the Auror Office? In fact, I—for one—would be willing to prove I’m not a Death Eater…,” he rolled up his sleeve, as did Tonks, before the Senior Auror promised, “We can help keep an eye on Harry and his classmates….”