Revealing the Plan
Minister Hall was sitting in her office, going over yet another complaint from Fudge, when Fawkes showed up with Alyssa's letter.
"My, what a magnificent bird you are," the minister said, cautiously extending her hand to stroke his feathers. "You're Alyssa Lupin's phoenix, correct?"
Fawkes trilled happily, dropping the letter that was in his beak onto the desk. The Minister opened it, wondering what had happened with the Lupins now. By the time she finished the letter, she was laughing.
"Oh Esmeralda, that witch and her family are too much," Minister Hall murmured to herself, her emerald eyes gleaming. "This is the perfect way to get that racist Fudge evicted from office, along with his toady. Oh Merlin, I can't wait to see how this plays out."
Still chuckling, the minister sat down at her desk, writing her reply to Alyssa, telling her that the visit was planned for the following Wednesday, at noon. Sealing it with her official seal, she gave the letter back to Fawkes, who trilled softly for a moment before flying out the window. Esmeralda Hall sat back in her chair, embracing the relaxation the phoenix's song caused. If all trials were as promising as this one, more people would become lawyers and judges. It sounds like this Sirius Black has missed his calling, if Mrs. Lupin isn't exaggerating. Maybe I should hire him to advise me on how to deal with that puppet of a minister, Fudge.
Grimclaw was sitting in his office, going over some paperwork for one of his clients, when Sirius Black's note came through the Floo. Picking up the letter, he was intrigued as he spotted the signature. Black was one of their newer clients, only opening an account two years ago. Nonetheless, the man had a good head for finance, and managed to keep his accounts balanced with an ease that many wizards would envy. I know his family must be thanking their deities, the goblin smirked as he opened the letter, as without him, their accounts wouldn't prosper half as fast.
All trace of mirth vanished as he read the letter, however. Snarling obscenities in Goblin tongue, he began to draft out a plan of action. Those British wizards think they can bypass our system, so they? Oh, they will regret the day they ever thought of cheating the goblins of Gringotts.
The furious goblin worked eagerly, revenge curling his lips into a feral smile. The plan of attack would have to be approved by the head goblins of the bank, and possibly would require assistance from their sister bank in Britain, but he would do all he could to bring justice to the ones who dared to attempt to break familial bonds for material gain. Such was a sin to goblins, and was the one that carried the most severe penalties.
Oh, those humans will regret crossing us, the furious goblin thought. I will have their innards for a necklace. Trying to remove a youngling from a loving family for money? And here I thought that a minister would have a hint of honor? Even pixies have more sense. They will pay, I will assure Mr. Black of that, or else my name isn't Grimclaw.
Lucius Malfoy paced in his little cell in Azkaban. Curse that witch and her family, he snarled, furious that the half-blood woman had beaten him, trampling his pride to dust and stealing his son away. Draco had the chance to be a respectable Malfoy heir, until Alyssa decided to stick her nose where it didn't belong. He shuddered as a dementor drifted closer, attracted by his dark thoughts. As the Dark creature began to feed, Lucius Malfoy's eyes lost focus. He wasn't being Kissed, as that would go against the Wizengamot's orders, but the dementors could still feed off of his rage. Currently, rage was the only thing occupying his mind, drawing more dementors to him each time.
After a time, the Dark creatures drifted to different parts of the prison, spreading fear and despair wherever they went. As Lucius regained his senses, he began to curse anew, blaming Alyssa for all of his problems. One day, wench, one day you will pay.
Draco lay in bed, sleepily listening to his mother sing him to sleep. Draco sighed; he'd never get used to this. Narcissa had never been the maternal sort, and had ordered the house elves to perform every aspect of his care, except for discipline. When others were around, she would play the concerned and doting mother, but after they left she went back to ignoring him. Draco preferred this to having her yell at him, but it also made the differences between her and Alyssa more evident. He was happy living with Alyssa and Remus, even if he got in trouble sometimes. The letter his parents were talking about frightened him. Why did those people want to take him away? Maybe…maybe they're going to send me to jail with Mother & Father. The official people don't like Mama or Papa very much, but would they make me go back with them? Mama and Papa will never let that happen. With that comforting thought, Draco fell asleep, secure in the knowledge that his parents loved him and would fight for him.