NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: The Story Spin
Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, sat comfortably in his lavish office, savoring a cup of tea. The position of Minister had brought him immense satisfaction—power, prestige, and a steady stream of benefits. He had taken office after his predecessor, Millicent Bagnold, retired due to old age, and he fully intended to serve for a very long time. Life was good.
Or so he thought.
The peace of his afternoon was shattered when the door to his office was flung open with such force that it nearly came off its hinges. Cornelius jumped, spilling tea on his robes, and looked up to see Lucius Malfoy storming in, his face a mask of barely contained fury.
Cornelius frowned, his initial shock giving way to irritation. He didn't particularly like Lucius Malfoy, but he respected the man's influence and deep pockets. Lucius's generous donations to the Ministry had earned him a certain level of indulgence, but this intrusion was beyond the pale.
"Lucius," Cornelius began, his tone strained, "what is the meaning of this?"
Lucius didn't bother with pleasantries. "Why," he demanded, his voice cold and sharp, "did a group of Aurors, led by Arthur Weasley, suddenly show up at my door and search my manor as if I were some common thief?"
Cornelius blinked, taken aback by the accusation. "I… I wasn't informed of any such operation," he stammered. "But, as you know, law enforcement matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They don't require my direct approval for every operation."
Lucius's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "During their so-called operation, they used excessive force, destroying months of my son's research and work. Do you understand how much work he lost?"
Cornelius's mind raced. He remembered Dante Malfoy—the potion prodigy, the creator of Magic Circuits, the boy whose brilliance was matched only by his detachment from the world around him. "How bad is it?" he asked cautiously.
Lucius's voice was icy. "The research was to create 'Reparo Maxima' using a Magic Circuit. Dante had a working prototype. But thanks to the Aurors' recklessness, everything was destroyed. The raw materials alone—dragon blood and basilisk skin—are not only expensive but also difficult to acquire. It will take weeks, if not months, to gather them again."
Cornelius pursed his lips, his mind working furiously. The creation of such a Magic Circuit was no small feat, and the fact that it had been destroyed due to the Ministry's actions could spell disaster for his reputation.
"I'll look into this," Cornelius said quickly, trying to sound authoritative. "Those responsible for the excessive force will be punished."
Lucius snorted, his disdain evident. "No need. My son was… displeased by what happened. He dealt with them himself. You'll find Arthur Weasley and the two Aurors in St. Mungo's Hospital."
Cornelius's eyes widened in shock. "A child did that?"
Lucius ignored the question. "I'll act as if this never happened," he continued, his tone firm. "It will save both of us unnecessary headaches. But let me make one thing clear: I expect no such incident to occur again."
Without waiting for a response, Lucius turned on his heel and strode out of the office, leaving Cornelius sitting in a stunned state.
As the door closed behind Lucius, Cornelius leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The search team had not only destroyed a significant research project but had also been beaten by a boy of barely 14 years. The implications to the public are how incompetent the ministry has become and that worried him, it will be a direct hit to his reputation.
Cornelius realized the true purpose of Lucius's visit. It wasn't just to complain—it was to prevent further trouble for his son and to save the Ministry's face. If word got out that Aurors had destroyed groundbreaking research and been humiliated by a child, it would be a scandal of epic proportions.
His eyes narrowed as he reached for a piece of parchment. He had work to do. First, he needed to deal with Arthur Weasley. How could the man be so reckless as to pull such a stunt? Second, he needed to clear the Malfoys' name ahead of time to avoid any damaging rumors.
Cornelius sighed, rubbing his temples. Being Minister of Magic in time of peace was supposed to be enjoyable, not a headache. He began drafting a memo to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, followed by a letter to The Daily Prophet.
___________
Two days later, the Malfoy family gathered in the dining room for breakfast. Lucius sat at the head of the table, a copy of The Daily Prophet in his hands. The headline on the front page caught the attention of everyone immediately:
'The Minister Punishes Arthur Weasley and Other Aurors for Unauthorized Operation.'
Lucius's lips curled into a satisfied smile as he began reading the article aloud for his family to hear.
"The article says," Lucius began, his tone dripping with amusement, "that Minister Cornelius Fudge acted swiftly upon learning of an unauthorized search and investigation at Malfoy Manor. It claims that Arthur Weasley, driven by a personal grudge against me, organized a rogue operation to search our home for dark artifacts purely out of spite."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild surprise. Draco, seated beside her, leaned forward, eager to hear more.
Lucius continued, "According to the Prophet, I was fully cooperative with the Aurors, but Arthur Weasley used excessive force to break open a door where Dante was working. The sudden intrusion prompted Dante to defend himself, resulting in an accident that sent Arthur to St. Mungo's Hospital. Thankfully, the article emphasizes, the brilliant child remained safe and sound."
Dante, who had been quietly reading a recently published paper on Magic Circuits, glanced up briefly at the mention of his name but said nothing. His expression remained neutral, as if the entire affair was of little consequence to him.
Lucius read on, "The Aurors, realizing the situation had spiraled out of control due to Arthur's recklessness, immediately halted the operation and reported to the Minister. Fudge, in his wisdom, swiftly reprimanded them. The Aurors are now undergoing additional training to prevent such incidents in the future. As for Arthur Weasley, he has been demoted from his position as a senior officer in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. The Minister decided to reduce his punishment, citing his injuries as part of his penalty."
Narcissa shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "The Prophet certainly knows how to spin a story," she remarked.
Lucius chuckled, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. "Indeed. They've painted Arthur as the villain and us as the upstanding citizens while hiding the Aurors loss. It's almost poetic."
Draco grinned, clearly enjoying the outcome. "Serves him right," he said, his voice tinged with satisfaction.
Dante, however, remained focused on his reading, seemingly uninterested in the drama. His attention was fixed on the latest developments in Magic Circuits.
Narcissa clapped her hands lightly, drawing everyone's attention. "Well, now that that's settled, it's about time we go and buy supplies for Hogwarts. Children, you'll need new robes, books, and everything else for the upcoming term."
Dante looked up briefly. "The three of you can handle that," he said, his tone casual. "I'll stay here and continue reading. You can buy whatever I need."
Narcissa sighed, though her expression was fond. "Very well," she said. "We'll handle it. But don't spend the entire day buried in your readings, Dante. You need fresh air too."
Dante nodded absently, already turning his attention back to his papers.
As Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco prepared to leave for Diagon Alley, the atmosphere in the manor was light and cheerful. The Weasleys' humiliation had been a satisfying turn of events, and the Malfoys were more than happy to enjoy their victory.
Meanwhile, Dante remained in the dining room, his mind already far away from the morning's drama. For him, the world of Magic Circuits and magical innovation was far more compelling than the petty squabbles of wizards.