Biweekly reponse: Handling with care.
Who? The Ministry of Magic
What? Damage Control and waking the dead
When? Very early Thursday morning in grownhp6words
Why? Because the government is running scared. To ensure and comfort the public. And you can always trust the government.
Author's Note: mun information only for now. Response to: "A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct." -Frank Herbert, Dune
It takes ten minutes for the House Elves to let Charlie Prince into Malfoy Manor.
It takes five more minutes for Charlie to convince Narcissa to let him into Lucius’ bedroom.
And twenty minutes later, Lucius Malfoy is dressed hastily and pushed into a briefing room that contained several very sleep-deprived, disheveled Department heads, and their Auror bodyguards. Auror bodyguards…so plain in sight. That was enough to get Lucius to sit up and pay attention. At the head of the table the Minister sat, talking rapidly with the Head of Sports and Games whose collar still carried the pink lipstick stain from what must have been what he was doing before this meeting was called.
Aurors kept running in and out of the office, aides are tripping over bedroom robes, and in slippers (literally) to push files and folders to and from the hands of Ministers and Secretaries who are lighting entirely too many cigarettes one after another, and downing glass after glass of coffee or booze or both.
“…Charles, what are you getting me into?” Lucius demanded in a harsh whisper as his former aide handed him a folder before sliding into a chair behind him. His head was spinning, and he could barely breath in his button-up. “I haven’t been in the office in weeks, and need I remind you- I was replaced.”
“You’re better then nothing.” Charles whispered right back. “Now pay attention.”
Lucius gave him one more glare before trying to turn his attention to various voices that were shouting above his head.
The fever made it hard to concentrate to the voices. They blurred around him. He pushed open the folder and tried to make out what the print said, listening to the chorus of voices, waiting for the keywords.
“…We are getting false alarms from around the country…”
“But still nothing from Hogwarts?”
“No. As far as we can tell, there were no attacks there…”
“And Heim?”
“In shock mostly.”
“But not bitten?”
“But not bitten. No…he’s…being treated from some mauling, and a pretty nasty head injury. We’re expecting him to be released in the morning. Does anyone have information on his grandson?”
“We’re getting conflicting reports. Heim said earlier tonight that he’s dead. But St. Mungo’s says they’re treating him…any word on the press? Do they know yet?”
“Prophet hasn’t contacted us. We’re thinking no, as it is. Too busy with the tournament, I imagine…”
“Don’t imagine, find out the truth!”
“On it, Minister, I’m already on it.”
“…does anyone know what the hell is going on?” The Minister demanded suddenly. In unison, cigarettes were put to lips and drinks taken. Lucius realized the file in his hand was a list of names.
Remus J. Lupin. Ellen Houis. Dominic Gaiman. Scorpius Malfoy. Maisie McIntyre…
Werewolves.
Lucius pulled away from the file and looked over at Charlie expectantly. The aide’s eyes met his, darkly. “Matthias Heim was attacked earlier tonight. We’re certain it’s a werewolf.” Lucius felt his throat tightened. He didn’t reach out and take a drink. He couldn’t trust his hands to keep from shaking. “What else do we know?”
“Like the Auror head said, they’re are investigating a couple of incidents. The only one that looks real now is in a park. Teddy Lupin and Proudfoot are researching that one. No word back from them.”
“Damage control?”
Charlie looked at his old boss, smirking. “Non-existent.” He motioned back to the table. “Look at them clucking. No one knows what to do…”
Lucius ran a fevered hand over his face, forcing air into his lungs. He could feel his consciousness slipping. He was tired. He gave two short nods before speaking again. “The papers don’t know?”
“No. But you know as soon as Heim is released he’ll be screaming bloody…”
“…he’s in shock. Where’s Simon?”
“At St. Mungo’s, of course. You’d want us where the action is, Chief.”
“…I want Heim given a sleeping potion.”
“With a head injury?”
“He’s in shock. He should rest.” Lucius favored his aide with a withering glare. “I want him sleeping. Heaviest thing you got without killing him.”
“Ya sure?” Another glare, and Charlie nodded. “It’s already done.”
“Good. After that, I want Simon to find out whatever he can on the kid.” Lucius said louder, turning back to the table. The Department heads were already looking at him. Half of them looked surprised he was still alive. To tell the truth, so was Lucius. “…No one breaks the details until we know which of the reports are fake and which aren’t. Care of Magical Creatures will work with the Aurors, conducting interviews of the registered werewolves.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Malfoy, my Aurors do not need your help.”
“I’ve been on the receiving end of your investigations several times, I won’t have you treating innocent people like criminals.”
“You weren’t innocent.”
Underneath the table, Charlie moved Lucius’ cane out of reach. “…Without my help will take longer. The werewolves are suspicious of the government with good reason, they won’t trust me but they know I’m going to protect my grandson’s best interests. Which, coincidentally, coincides with theirs.”
“What should Hogwarts know, we have the tournament…and tensions have already been strained over this to begin with.”
“Sports and Games will go to the school. Tell Snape nothing concerning the details of either Heim’s attack, or this incident in the park, but maintain a presence there. If we’re sure this is what we think it is…then we’ll alert the other schools. Not a moment before. The extra Aurors remain at the school however.”
The Minister was watching Lucius with leveled eyes. Lucius looked down, waiting. But the Minister shook his head and looked away. “The Aurors will go with Magical Creatures and conduct private interviews of the registered werewolves. When Secretary Heim is released he will make any further decisions concerning his department.” The Minister consulted a pocket watched. “… the sun came up about half an hour ago. We’ll meet again before dinner and have a statement made for the tomorrow’s papers. Once again, no one leaks anything to the school or the public. Get to it.”
Lucius rose from his chair, waited till most of the people had milled out before getting up and leaning on Charles for support. Prince was watching him. “Going to St. Mungo’s?”
“Not yet.” Lucius drawled. “Finding Scorpius first, then I’ll go check on Heim.”
What? Damage Control and waking the dead
When? Very early Thursday morning in grownhp6words
Why? Because the government is running scared. To ensure and comfort the public. And you can always trust the government.
Author's Note: mun information only for now. Response to: "A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct." -Frank Herbert, Dune
It takes ten minutes for the House Elves to let Charlie Prince into Malfoy Manor.
It takes five more minutes for Charlie to convince Narcissa to let him into Lucius’ bedroom.
And twenty minutes later, Lucius Malfoy is dressed hastily and pushed into a briefing room that contained several very sleep-deprived, disheveled Department heads, and their Auror bodyguards. Auror bodyguards…so plain in sight. That was enough to get Lucius to sit up and pay attention. At the head of the table the Minister sat, talking rapidly with the Head of Sports and Games whose collar still carried the pink lipstick stain from what must have been what he was doing before this meeting was called.
Aurors kept running in and out of the office, aides are tripping over bedroom robes, and in slippers (literally) to push files and folders to and from the hands of Ministers and Secretaries who are lighting entirely too many cigarettes one after another, and downing glass after glass of coffee or booze or both.
“…Charles, what are you getting me into?” Lucius demanded in a harsh whisper as his former aide handed him a folder before sliding into a chair behind him. His head was spinning, and he could barely breath in his button-up. “I haven’t been in the office in weeks, and need I remind you- I was replaced.”
“You’re better then nothing.” Charles whispered right back. “Now pay attention.”
Lucius gave him one more glare before trying to turn his attention to various voices that were shouting above his head.
The fever made it hard to concentrate to the voices. They blurred around him. He pushed open the folder and tried to make out what the print said, listening to the chorus of voices, waiting for the keywords.
“…We are getting false alarms from around the country…”
“But still nothing from Hogwarts?”
“No. As far as we can tell, there were no attacks there…”
“And Heim?”
“In shock mostly.”
“But not bitten?”
“But not bitten. No…he’s…being treated from some mauling, and a pretty nasty head injury. We’re expecting him to be released in the morning. Does anyone have information on his grandson?”
“We’re getting conflicting reports. Heim said earlier tonight that he’s dead. But St. Mungo’s says they’re treating him…any word on the press? Do they know yet?”
“Prophet hasn’t contacted us. We’re thinking no, as it is. Too busy with the tournament, I imagine…”
“Don’t imagine, find out the truth!”
“On it, Minister, I’m already on it.”
“…does anyone know what the hell is going on?” The Minister demanded suddenly. In unison, cigarettes were put to lips and drinks taken. Lucius realized the file in his hand was a list of names.
Remus J. Lupin. Ellen Houis. Dominic Gaiman. Scorpius Malfoy. Maisie McIntyre…
Werewolves.
Lucius pulled away from the file and looked over at Charlie expectantly. The aide’s eyes met his, darkly. “Matthias Heim was attacked earlier tonight. We’re certain it’s a werewolf.” Lucius felt his throat tightened. He didn’t reach out and take a drink. He couldn’t trust his hands to keep from shaking. “What else do we know?”
“Like the Auror head said, they’re are investigating a couple of incidents. The only one that looks real now is in a park. Teddy Lupin and Proudfoot are researching that one. No word back from them.”
“Damage control?”
Charlie looked at his old boss, smirking. “Non-existent.” He motioned back to the table. “Look at them clucking. No one knows what to do…”
Lucius ran a fevered hand over his face, forcing air into his lungs. He could feel his consciousness slipping. He was tired. He gave two short nods before speaking again. “The papers don’t know?”
“No. But you know as soon as Heim is released he’ll be screaming bloody…”
“…he’s in shock. Where’s Simon?”
“At St. Mungo’s, of course. You’d want us where the action is, Chief.”
“…I want Heim given a sleeping potion.”
“With a head injury?”
“He’s in shock. He should rest.” Lucius favored his aide with a withering glare. “I want him sleeping. Heaviest thing you got without killing him.”
“Ya sure?” Another glare, and Charlie nodded. “It’s already done.”
“Good. After that, I want Simon to find out whatever he can on the kid.” Lucius said louder, turning back to the table. The Department heads were already looking at him. Half of them looked surprised he was still alive. To tell the truth, so was Lucius. “…No one breaks the details until we know which of the reports are fake and which aren’t. Care of Magical Creatures will work with the Aurors, conducting interviews of the registered werewolves.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Malfoy, my Aurors do not need your help.”
“I’ve been on the receiving end of your investigations several times, I won’t have you treating innocent people like criminals.”
“You weren’t innocent.”
Underneath the table, Charlie moved Lucius’ cane out of reach. “…Without my help will take longer. The werewolves are suspicious of the government with good reason, they won’t trust me but they know I’m going to protect my grandson’s best interests. Which, coincidentally, coincides with theirs.”
“What should Hogwarts know, we have the tournament…and tensions have already been strained over this to begin with.”
“Sports and Games will go to the school. Tell Snape nothing concerning the details of either Heim’s attack, or this incident in the park, but maintain a presence there. If we’re sure this is what we think it is…then we’ll alert the other schools. Not a moment before. The extra Aurors remain at the school however.”
The Minister was watching Lucius with leveled eyes. Lucius looked down, waiting. But the Minister shook his head and looked away. “The Aurors will go with Magical Creatures and conduct private interviews of the registered werewolves. When Secretary Heim is released he will make any further decisions concerning his department.” The Minister consulted a pocket watched. “… the sun came up about half an hour ago. We’ll meet again before dinner and have a statement made for the tomorrow’s papers. Once again, no one leaks anything to the school or the public. Get to it.”
Lucius rose from his chair, waited till most of the people had milled out before getting up and leaning on Charles for support. Prince was watching him. “Going to St. Mungo’s?”
“Not yet.” Lucius drawled. “Finding Scorpius first, then I’ll go check on Heim.”