Manipulating Politics

Harry distinctly heard Hermione mutter something under her breath that sounded a lot like 'cannon fodder' before she agreed that the two Weasleys would not be coming this time.

"But if you think we need six in your planning, I bet we could get the twins to join us. Oh, speaking of the twins, I got some other stuff that might help," Harry said. "Neville and I stopped at their shop today," He reached into the book bag and started pulling stuff out. "I've got some Instant Darkness powder. It creates a cloud of pure black to help you get away. This is a decoy Detonator. It will cause a loud noise away from you to distract someone and this is a shield hat. Fred and George said it'll deflect a few mild to moderate hexes."

Sirius picked up the hat and gave a low whistle. "This will block hexes? I bet the Ministry would like a few of these."

"They're expecting an order from them anytime now," Harry replied and then he reached into the book bag for the last item. "This is a portable swamp. It creates a pretty large area of swamp land. We currently have one in the fifth floor corridor on the east side of Hogwarts. Filch is having to paddle students across it right now."

""That might definitely come in handy. Definitely a way to protect a door area," Sirius looked at his watch and said. "You probably need to get back to Hogwarts."

"Before we go, there was one other thing we were going to ask you," Hermione said. "Presuming Voldemort is found out in a couple of weeks, we expect Fudge to be forced out of office like he was last time, but we want to influence who is selected afterwards."

"I presume you have someone in mind?"

"Bones," Harry replied immediately. "Amelia Bones. She was fair to me at my hearing but…but last time she was killed a couple of weeks after the fight at the Ministry. Everyone thought she was going to be the next Minister and it was suspected Voldemort killed her."

"You said Scrimgeour became the next Minister?" Sirius asked.

"Yes and he kept trying to get me to support him, but he kept locking innocent people away," Harry replied.

"That's something I can relate to not wanting to support," Sirius replied. "I bet that losing both Amelia and Rufus out of the DMLE must have hurt their ability to effectively combat Death Eaters," Sirius sat back in his chair as a thoughtful look came over his face. He suddenly sat back up and said, "Okay, after the war is over I would love to have Amelia as Minister. She's fair and will do the right thing. But during the war I would want her still in charge of the DMLE. Continuity will be crucial in the fight. For the same reason Scrimgeour should stay head the Aurors. Besides we can't afford to have either of those positions fall into Death Eater's hands."

"So who do you think should be Minister?"

A smile crept onto Sirius's face. "I think I'll vote for Fudge. Keep him in office."

"WHAT!" Harry and Hermione yell simultaneously. "You can't be serious?" Hermione asked.

"Actually yes I am, and yes I am," Sirius answered with a wry grin. "Let me explain. IF after Voldemort returns you can save Fudge's political arse Harry with some concocted tale of having been working with him to help lure Voldemort into the open, Fudge will bend over backward to appease you. You can manipulate the bastard for everything he's worth; especially if his buddy Lucius is caught. You'll have the Ministry on your side instead of against you this time. Yes you'll have to play some politics but it will be worth it."

"Wouldn't that make me as bad a Malfoy? Or Dumbledore?"

"Plan on doing anything for personal gain? If not, then no you're not as bad as Malfoy. And as you've pointed out, the real problem with Dumbledore is his inability to share information and trust people. Your whole purpose of manipulation is to effectively give information as quickly as possible. I doubt very seriously once this war is over, you're going to continue trying to manipulate people."

"Okay, I see your point," Harry said and then a thought struck him. "If we have Fudge we can get you a trial?"

"Hell Harry, you could probably just get him to sign a bloody pardon as long as we can make it look good for him. I'd prefer the trial to clear my name but I'll take any way to get my freedom."

"We were thinking about you and your freedom. Has Dumbledore ever tried to find Peter?" Hermione asked. "He has a spy in the ranks of Voldemort. Can't Snape let someone know where Peter is and grab him?"

"Snivellus do something for me? You're dreaming right?" Sirius snarled. "You've seen the way he acts around here, like he's the only person doing anything important, especially when it comes to me."

"Well you did try to get Remus to eat him," Hermione replied. "I can see where someone might hold a grudge for that, but you would think Dumbledore would try to get you freed. I mean you'd have to be a much more valuable asset being able to get out than being stuck around here."

"He's never mentioned it. I guess I presumed there's nothing he could do to help me."

"We were wondering if Dumbledore is purposely not trying for Peter to help you Sirius," Hermione explained. "Peter owes Harry a life debt and we suspect that Dumbledore wants to have Peter near Voldemort just in case Harry needs help."

"He wouldn't do that," Sirius cried out then followed with a much quieter "Would he?"

"As we've said and you just mentioned earlier, Dumbledore thinks he is the sole decider of all things. He can and will throw away lives if it means getting done what he thinks needs doing. He let Draco stay in the castle knowing he was dangerous just so his 'soul' could still be saved. It almost cost two very innocent people their lives not to mention everyone who would have died the night Dumbledore did if Harry hadn't given us his Felix Felicis. The Death Eaters were in the Castle because of Draco and he was there because Dumbledore thought he knew best," Hermione blushed as she finished her rant.

"She's been worked up about Draco all day," Harry explained. "He was playing pompous ass again this morning and it hit Hermione the wrong way," Harry looked over at Hermione's watch. "Ok Sirius, Hermione and I need to head back to Hogwarts. We need to be seen some before tonight when we have a date."

"A date?"

"Dinner and dancing."

"Wher… that room?"

"It's amazing Sirius, it will do anything."

Sirius just got a faraway look as he thought of the women he could have charmed if he had known about that room, but then he wished them a great evening and Harry and Hermione left.

A short time later Harry and Hermione met back up with Neville and Luna in the Room of Requirements.

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