"Arthur," Amelia Bones said as she walked up to the balding red haired man. "I'm sorry I didn't get back to you earlier, but I've been busy checking into something very serious and it concerns your son."
"What do you mean?"
"You said your son Percy," Bones started "stated that Dolores wanted him to check on security for the Deputy Minister of France right?"
"Yes, well more of him in conjunction with Harry Potter," Arthur replied. "And I appreciate you helping me getting the information for him."
"That's a problem," Amelia said. "I asked Dolores and she denied ever asking Percy to make any inquiries."
"Ma'am, Percy wouldn't lie about something like that."
"But..." Amelia sighed. "Look Arthur, your son made some large leaps in assuming authority last year and now he's again saying his boss is telling him to do things that she's denying, " She shrugged. "I have your son making security inquiries about Harry Potter and a visiting official and no reason for it."
"What are you suggesting?" Arthur asked suddenly wary.
"I can't risk Percy being a threat in the proceedings today," Amelia replied sternly. "Arthur, you're a good man and I know you have a good family, but it's not a risk I can take, especially…especially after last year. In some way your son might hold Mr. Potter responsible for what happened."
"He doesn…"Arthur stopped when he realized how circumstances must look to Amelia. He sighed as he nodded his head slightly in understanding before saying, "Of course. Can I explain it to him?"
"Yes, but if he's seen in the Ministry after two thirty, he will be detained."
"May I ask one other question?"
"Of course Arthur," Amelia replied.
"What if it's the other way around?" Arthur asked.
"What do you mean?"
"What if Dolores used my son to get the information for some reason," Arthur asked, "knowing that if it was questioned, he'd be the one under suspicion."
Amelia Bones looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "It is possible but why would she?"
"You know how much Dolores does not like.." Arthur paused as he searched for a word.
"I'll save you the trouble of trying to find a delicate way to say what you want to say and agree already," Bones said.
"You do know that Minister Delacour's wife and daughters are part Veela? And that Harry himself is dating one of those daughters?"
Amelia Bones again had a thoughtful look upon her face for a few seconds, though to herself she muttered "both of his daughters you mean," She finally looked back to Arthur. "It wouldn't hurt to be prudent and keep an eye on all possible problems, but I can't keep Dolores out of the proceedings based on a possibility. She's a member of the Wizengamut."
"Thank you for at least considering it though," Arthur said.
"I'm just doing my job. Remember to make sure Percy goes home," As Amelia turned to leave an idea came to mind. "Wait," She said as she turned back to Mr. Weasley. "Do you really believe your son Arthur?"
Arthur responded without hesitation. "Yes I do. Though I admit I am biased in this matter, I know my son is a good man Amelia. He can be a bit pompous and sometimes he might not think for himself to well, but he's not a liar."
Amelia could see the honesty in Arthur Weasley's eyes. She nodded. "Bring him by my office then so I can discuss this matter personally with him, say in a half hour?"
Arthur's brow furrowed in question but he knew Amelia Bones was a fair person. "Of course," He replied and left to find Percy.
Harry stared at the large Atrium that he stood in with his mouth open. They were standing in the middle of a long, majestic hall with a dark polished wood floor and a peacock blue ceiling that had inlaid golden symbols that kept changing. All along each side of the hall were ornate fireplaces just like the one they had just come out of. Very near them was a fountain. In the middle of the fountain a group of golden statues caught his attention. He could see they depicted a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf, all spouting water into the fountain. At one end of the long hall was a set of golden gates. As he continued to stare around the Atrium a fireplace flared and what appeared to be a Ministry employee came out and walked toward gates.
Harry looked around. "What about Sir...I mean Padfoot?"
"He's staying at Bathilda's cottage for now," Remus replied. "If he's needed to testify for some reason, we can get to him pretty quickly, but until the Ministry has officially cleared him he'll stay away."
Harry walked over to the fountain and noticed that the bottom had silver Sickles and bronze Knuts scattered on its bottom. There was a small sign that read.
ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF MAGICAL BRETHREN WILL BE GIVEN TO ST MUNGO'S HOSPITAL FOR MAGICAL MALADIES AND INJURIES.
Thinking of his godfather, Harry reached into his pouch and pulled out a golden Galleon and tossed it into the fountain. "For luck," He said as he turned back to the others.
"There are rooms over there to change into robes," Remus said as he pointed to a little hallway. Fleur pulled out the shrunken bag that held their robes and she started to pass them to everyone who then disappeared into the changing rooms.
When they came out of the changing area, there were four blue cloaked Aurors waiting. One of them was Tonks with her pink hair clearly visible. Beside her was a large black gentleman who was bald and wore a single gold earring that glinted in the torchlight. Beside him stood a brown straight haired gentleman and finally a brownish-blonde haired woman with an eye patch over her left eye that came across to Harry as someone that he didn't want to mess with.
"We'll be escorting you down," The man with the earring said in a deep voice as he looked at Harry. "In case this gentleman didn't mention me, my name is Kingsley Shacklebolt. I understand you've met Nymphadora Tonks..."
"Shack..." Tonks growled.
....
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