Everything I Do, I Do It For You

Chapter 14: Cornelius Fudge’s Deception

Cornelius Fudge was in damage-control mode. He knew Hermione Granger had caught a glimpse of his face when his Death Eater mask had slipped off and that it wouldn’t take long for such a brilliant mind to put two and two together and realize he’d been a traitor. He couldn’t let that information get out. Cornelius Fudge was a man who didn’t like loose ends, especially if he was on the other end of that particular rope.

‘It’s a good thing I placed that anti-location spell on her,’ he thought screwing up his face. She had of course had that damn force field charm blocking the spell, but he saw some of it go through. Apparently it had been enough. When Dumbledore, that sneaky goodie-two-shoes, showed up in his office saying that Miss Granger was missing he could hardly contain his pleasure. However, Fudge’s self-congratulations stopped abruptly when he was told that Severus Snape was on the case. If anyone had the ingenuity to circumvent his spell and find the girl, it was Snape. The Minister wasn’t quite out of the woods yet. Well. He would just have to get to Granger first.

He had played both sides exceptionally, although his only true loyalty was to himself and his needs. His deception had been easier when Voldemort was alive, but he would manage. Voldemort’s Death Eaters had taken Cornelius hostage the summer after the Tri-Wizard Cup and given him the choice of death or joining their ranks. The cowardly Minister chose the latter. Voldemort had then given Cornelius a little bit of himself so that Fudge could master Occlumency and Legilimency. He had picked it up rather quickly and developed an awe of Voldemort’s powers. Fudge knew that the Dark Lord was mad but as long as he had access to power the Minister didn’t care.

He was sure that had Dumbledore been truly looking he would have discovered his little secret but the Headmaster had been preoccupied with the war on his front doorstep. With no reason to think that Cornelius was anything but the fool that he played so well, harmless in every way, Dumbledore and his Order had left Fudge alone. He chuckled. If they only knew how ruthless he truly was, it would make their heads spin.

There were some Aurors within the Ministry that had been loyal to Voldemort, and he was about to find out how loyal they were to Fudge now that Voldemort was out of the picture. His people had to locate Granger and get rid of her, or at least make her unable to talk, before Snape and Dumbledore could get there. If all else failed, he could always blackmail the Aurors with the knowledge of their true loyalties. ‘I didn’t get this far up in the Ministry just to have it all thrown away because of some little scrap of a girl, and damn them all if they think that I will be going to Azkaban.’

He was pacing the room deep in thought, when his attention was diverted to a tapping noise on his window. Looking over he immediately noticed the owl, Fydles, which he had given to his agent at that Muggle hospital Calan Park. Rushing over to the window he opened it up and quickly grabbed the scroll from around the owls’ leg. Fydles flew over to perch on one of Cornelius’ bookshelves picking at his feathers. Unravelling the note, his eyes quickly read its contents before he breathed a sigh of relief. His hands were shaking as he sifted through his desk for a blank bit of parchment and quill with which to make a hasty reply.

Mr. Finn,

Whatever you do don’t let this one go!!! Keep her there as long as possible. I am sending two vials with the owl; give her a drop a night from each with her usual medication. You will be rewarded for your loyalty when an opening comes up within the Ministry.

Minister Cornelius Fudge.

He made his way over to the bookcase. Pulling at the book entitled ‘Potions through the Ages’ and muttering a quick spell revealed a hidden compartment lined with hundreds of small vials. Carefully he searched for the two potions he would need to keep his deception. He located them both, pulled them out, and closed the compartment with a wave of his wand. Cornelius carefully tied up the vials with the scroll, picked up Fydles from the bookcase, and attached his package to the owl’s leg. Opening the window he watched as Fydles flew off until he could no longer see him.

‘Excellent,’ he thought. ‘Now all I have to do is wait.’ Too nervous to do much else, he settled himself behind his desk and commenced going through his paperwork.

***

Orderly Robert Finn was down in the boiler room when his owl Fydles flew in and settled itself onto one of the heaters. Robert looked up, surprised and grateful that the Minister had given him such a quick reply. He undid the bits of twine that held the parchment in place and almost dropped the two vials that came with it. Robert quickly scanned the scroll and a wide grin played on his face. ‘She must be worth a lot of trouble if the Minister is this involved,’ he thought. He rolled up the scroll and grabbed both vials, examining them each in turn. They were neatly labelled with what was presumably the Minister’s handwriting. One was labelled ‘Magic Inhibitor’ and the other, ‘Mind Inhibitor’. He had used both potions before and therefore knew that while the ‘Magic Inhibitor’ would work instantaneously, the ‘Mind Inhibitor’s’ effects would take a little longer to show. The potion would eat away at the patients’ minds until they could remember nothing of their past lives.

Although Robert was just a squib he knew that the Minister was a very busy man who wouldn’t be so bothered with just anyone. Over the years he had given the Minister loads of information on the various colourful characters that came into Calan Park. Some of them were true wizards that the Minister had sent to him for safekeeping. He had dealt with those by playing with their minds and dosing them with the potions to keep them in the asylum as long as possible. Finn often picked fights with these patients when no one else was around so he could lock them in padded rooms with straitjackets on. This, in addition to being amusing for him, ensured that they would not be released until it pleased Finn and the Minister to do so. Many of these unfortunates were still around, either incarcerated by the Minister’s will or driven truly insane by Finn’s attentions. He couldn’t care less about them as long as he got his post in the Ministry. Other patients were just Muggles with grand and foolish ideas in their heads. Contemptible creatures, but at least they kept his cover well in place.

Never in all the years he had been the Minister’s agent had he received such a quick response to one of his letters. Pocketing both vials Finn made his way up the long and narrow stairs to the main part of the Hospital.

Yes, this girl was very important. Robert was going to find out everything he could about her.

***

Cornelius Fudge called each of the Aurors who had been loyal to Voldemort into his office and spoke with them individually. Of the five Aurors who had sworn undying devotion to Voldemort, only three were still willing to carry out the Minister’s plans. He had sounded them out with a couple of well-asked questions, and determined that the other two could no longer be trusted. He was no fool, though, and didn’t let the remaining three in on his entire plan. ‘The best lies are the ones that hold elements of truth.’ Fudge knew that maxim very well.

Having dispatched the Aurors to various locations around the globe to keep up his façade, it was now time for Fudge to speak with Dumbledore about calling off Severus Snape. Cornelius never really liked Snape. What was there to like about him? The Potions Master was sarcastic and had no people skills. Fudge especially despised the other man for his treachery and double-dealings though he played both sides as well, but at least he had people skills. This is what Cornelius told himself anyway.

He walked over to the door and turning around to face the desk he lifted up his wand, making sure that his Occlumency wards were in place. Anyone now trying to perform Legilimency on the Minister would only discover that he was a fool. This was not particularly what Fudge wanted to be remembered as but as long as it kept him safe it didn’t really matter. With the wards in place he placed his wand back up his sleeve and strolled over to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of Floo powder he threw it on the now dying embers and when they turned the required shade of green he said, "Hogwarts, Headmasters Office." He knelt down and stuck his head in the fire. When the Minister opened his eyes he saw the Headmaster deep in thought sitting at his desk. Cornelius cleared his throat and coughed loudly.

"Headmaster I would like a word with you in my office." Fudge said and disappeared.

‘What now.’ Albus thought as he made his way from his desk to the still green flames.

"Well it had better be some good news." He said as he popped a sherbet into his mouth and climbed into the fire.

***

A/N: Another chapter, hmmm the plot thickens… Don't you just hate Finn??? He is so easy to write as he is an OC and I can make him how I please!!!

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Thanks to everyone who has reviewed my work so far and once again I thank my BETA Eclipse for her wonderful work and although I know she is busy not only at home but with her studies she still finds the time to help keep this story alive.

Disclaimer: Not mine JK's... I am not making a cent from this work but I sure as hell hope you are enjoying reading it!!!