Mockridge's Plan

 "Firewhiskey and Butterbeer." Cuthbert reiterated.

Tom acknowledged the order from the bar and in a short moment the Ministry official had a tot of the strong drink and Harry had a bottle of Butterbeer. The Firewhiskey was promptly thrown down Mockridge's throat as if it was water.

"Why did you want to meet?" Harry inquired.

"All hell has broken loose in the Ministry." Mockridge informed Harry nervously. "We need to rearrange our plans and move forward quickly if we're going to be able to get through this and end with me as Minister of Magic."

"What has happened?" Harry asked, suddenly worried that perhaps their scheme had been discovered though he knew the incredible odds that stood against such an event.

Mockridge stared longingly at his empty glass of Firewhiskey before answering. "You know Hermione Granger, don't you?"

"Yes."

"You also know that she was kidnapped and that you were accused of it, right?"

"Someone mentioned something about it."

"More like screamed it." Mockridge muttered, referring to the Ministry Chronicle. "Anyway, they found her locked in a coffin yesterday or the day before and since it was a criminal case, Madam Bones who heads up the Law Enforcement department was there. Granger told this story about how she had planned to see if she could run into you by going to various villages."

Harry looked at Mockridge with raised eyebrows, though Mockridge couldn't see them through the hood of the cloak. "I don't see how that would cause an uproar at the Ministry."

"It wasn't that specifically. It was how she managed to get to said villages. Then there's also the issue that if some sixth-year Hogwarts student can come up with a plan on how to predict which villages will be attacked, then why can't anyone else?" Mockridge explained.

"They actually realize that Fudge is incompetent after all this time?"

"Somewhat." Mockridge admitted dryly, still eyeing his empty glass. "The issue is that Minister Fudge gave Granger the Portkey that got her to the village where she was kidnapped from. Not only did said Portkey take her to said village, it had the capability to be reused multiple times."

Finally, Harry caught on and grinned. "I take it that giving Hermione the Portkey was slightly unethical and perhaps illegal."

"Mostly. Madam Bones thinks that Fudge made a lot of noise about how you supposedly killed Granger. She has let it be known that she suspects Fudge of deliberately placing Granger in danger so that he could point the finger at you."

Harry took a long swig from his Butterbeer bottle. "Well, that takes care of giving Fudge the bad reputation. Now we just need an agreement with the goblins as of last week. Is the Winzengamot going to do anything and is there any person that looks like they may be Minister soon?"

"I think that Dumbledore is going to convene the Wizengamot soon." Mockridge said carefully. "Maybe tomorrow. Fudge's authority is all but gone at this point. Not only are people at the Ministry angry about the Granger episode, they're also complaining about the Gringotts problem."

"Good," Harry responded, "that means that an agreement with the goblins could still put you in a favorable light. Now, what about Dumbledore? I'm sure that he's going to try and manipulate the outcome of any action taken. Is there someone that looks like they're going for the job who might have his support?"

Mockridge thought for several moments. "Bones or Weasley. Amelia Bones is certainly high ranking enough and is the one actually making some of the accusations. Arthur Weasley is a very respected person around the Ministry despite his low rank. One of Fudges lackeys could go for it, and then there's always the rare possibility of an outsider coming in. Dumbledore could have been Minister after the First War."

"What about you? Do you have any respect or power?"

"I'm just sort of 'there.'" Mockridge said. "The Gringotts thing could really throw me into the spotlight though."

Harry finished off his Butterbeer with a big gulp, enjoying the sensation of the liquid going down his throat. "Gringotts has to happen now. How are you here? Have you left the Ministry for the day or are you on break?"

"I didn't really say when I exited." Mockridge admitted. "Things were to busy for anyone to really notice though."

"Good." Harry mumbled as his thoughts raced. He needed to throw the Head of the Goblin Liaison Office into the spotlight immediately which would mean dodging the hustle and bustle and getting attention. "Has the Ministry communicated with the goblins since the closure? Petitions for re-opening perhaps?"

"Not lately."

"Blast."

"I could back-date some sort of routine letter maybe." Mockridge said nervously, trying to please Harry.

"No. Absolutely not." Harry declared as he tried to think up a new idea. "If you were to go to a meeting with the goblins, are there papers in your office that you would bring along with you?"

"Of course."

"Good." Harry said as he pulled out his Black ash wand and used it to conjure a piece of parchment and some necessary writing utensils. "Write a formal letter to Gringotts asking for an audience with Lord Gold to discuss options for perhaps opening the bank again."

Wasting not time, Mockridge grabbed the quill that Harry had conjured and began to write a neat and official letter to Gringotts. As the quill made scratching noises on the parchment, Harry scanned the room, observing the various patrons. None of them seemed to be particularly interested in what the two men in the corner were doing. That was definitely good.

...

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