The invisible sword

CHAPTER 2
THE TRIP TO ALBANIA

Next morning Harry was waiting in front of the Minister’s office, waiting to be called for a briefing session with the minister. Mrs Nina was nervously looking at Harry as she wanted to tell him something, but she spoke not at the beginning. Couple of minutes after, Mrs Nina spoke to Harry:

“ Mr Potter, the minister will see you now, please enter his office.
Harry –said Mrs Nina in a gentle voice- be patient please, and don’t jump as you always do. Try to remember that!”

“ Thank you Mrs Nina”- Harry replied politely.

Then he entered the big leather door, with a big sign of the four Hogwart Houses and two ss, is, in the middle of the room on a big wooden, carved desk was sitting a thin, middle age person, medium tall, with very black shining eyes. One was never sure whether the minister would in a second explode or he would compliment you with passion for a well-done job. Mr VANGOR had a reputation of an inaccessible person, unlike Dumbledore, he ruled with his well-known firmness. The staff in the ministry feared him at large, but in the same time he was respected for his braveness and clearness, the man just knew what he wanted, and if you were assigned a task, you better be there before him. Mr VANGOR demanded a lot from people, but unlike others gave a lot , he would be the first one in the ministry in the morning and last one to leave in the evenings.

“ Good morning Mr Potter”

“Good Morning minister”- Harry replied

“ I guess you have already heard that you look like your mother a lot”
-said the minister…but there was an insulting sound in his voice as if he was making fun of him, or Harry was just thinking like that.

.”I also happened to know your father well in my young days, who I respect very much”

“ Thanks minister”- why the hell is he mentioning my parents now- Harry though and felt a bit uncomfortable, he haven’t though of his parents lately.

“ Well back to business Mr Potter “- Now he had the well know clear and firm voice. “ The reason why I called you this morning, as you might assume, is the report that you received from Albania. I need to send someone there for a one-week mission, someone I trust and someone who is not so senior in the ministry, so we can avoid protocols with the Albanian colleagues in the International Wizardpol. The mission will be incognito. The senior staff is divided whether to send you or another person. Some of them think that we should send you Mr Potter because of your courage and ability to properly asses situations, while others think that you –now he made a funny voice- have suffered a lot and you might have become a bit soft. – Here he paused- and too emotional.
“You see Mr Potter I’m in dilemma, I know your past and I don’t want to cause more emotional problems to you, and I also think that others should also receive a chance to prove them selves, you Mr Potter in this sense were fortunate.. BUT! Before taking a decision I would like to hear directly from you, what you think! Why should I send you and not another one! “ – This time there was a strong making-fun elements in the minister’s voice. “ WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER HERO, because we have you” !

Harry was out of his skin with rage… he was barely breathing, he knew that he shouldn’t speak …. He couldn’t … who the hell this idiot though he is… mentioning his parents playing with his feelings, he exploded:

“ MAYBE BECAUSE I GOT RID OF THE DARK LORD FOR YOU! EVER MET VOLDEMOR”!

Harry shouted furious, so the whole floor heard. The minister was not used to such treatment. Harry realized what he just did when he heard moves coming from behind the door, Mrs Nina…

“ Mr Potter mind your voice! “

“Your behavior just strengthens my opinion Potter” – he didn’t said even Mr, what was strange for the minister, what meant that he is also furious-”that you are not the type of person that I would trust such important mission, you over react without thinking”!!!! “Most likely you would go after them , chasing the death eaters just to came back as a HERO!

Harry couldn’t believe … “is this guy provoking me or what???”-Strange feelings overwhelmed Harry’s body, again he felt something strong in his hands, then he said to him self “ You are wrong minister I won’t chase this time, actually I might join them. “Try to catch them this time by your self and see how it is, I’m not doing it again”- idiots!!! He lost his parents for the cause, his spiritual father Dumbledore died for the cause fighting the death eaters, his best friend Sirus also died in the battlefield. Harry was there, shoulder to shoulder, with all those great people… and where the fuck was TRISTAN VANGOR…then, probably hiding!!!

“ As you say minister. Please apologize my behavior. I think that with this the meeting is finished”- in halm alm voice had a certain level of irony, just enough to confuse any person, whether he is making fun or not.

“I’m the one that says when is finished, and it is finished when I say so Mr Potter. Don’t forget that!”-Now the minister was furious…

Harry was glad that he managed to piss off the minister… “ Payback”-he thought
“ Of course minister. I apologize again”.

“ You are excused I haven’t made up my mind yet, you will be informed accordingly. And I assume you can find your way out by your self”…

“As If I care”-Harry said to him self- Harry became aware of what just happened when the gentle voice of Mrs Nina came to him:

“ Why Harry? .Why.. I warned you , didn’t I”.

“I know Mrs Nina. You did. I’m so sorry, but you know that he provoked me, why he had to mention my parents and make fun of my mother”- always when Harry thought of his mother like in the case of Dumbledore his eyes were full withrs. rs.

“Mr Potter!!!”
-Now Mrs Nina had a serious voice-

“You are imagining things Mr Potter, Mr VANGOR would never do such thing. For your sake I would advise you to apologize to him at the first opportunity”. – Or is Harry speaking the truth, Mrs Nina has so far seen many people coming out from his office crying, many of them have complained that Tristan was using personal affairs to insult people when he was in bad mood or when he wanted to provoke and see where does their courage stop. Nothing he appreciated then braveness, but in the same time he couldn’t stand arrogant people, as he was one of them.

“I just did that”!

“I meant properly Mr Potter not formally and sarcastically “.

“ Ok. I will do that”- how about just now Harry thought , how about just now?”.

“You know what Mr Potter , you will never grow”- said Mrs Nina in a cold loud voice
“But I like you that way”- she whispered. “ Have a good day Mr Potter, and don’t forget , the dateline for the report on the annual progress of the cultural exchanges is approaching”.

“Good day to you too Mrs Nina”- Harry left even more confused, what did she meant by saying “I like you that way”. Harry was even more confused by the latest, “ but who cares. I hope I will not see Luna today, I might just explode to her instead”.


Mrs Nina was alone “ What a boy a? No one so far yelled to Tristan and saw the ministry the day after, but I guess he needed a lesson… be careful VANGOR this is not just anyone, this is Lily”s son. I see that he is just like her, even worst, once you almost lost your head for her, be careful. I have to speak with him; he will get him self in to a lot of problems if he continues like this. But… Tristan can not possibly fire him!!-Nina thought- Some good friend of Lily and James were holding senior position in the ministry they would help Harry, they have to. After all thanks to Lily and James and to the young Potter they are all alive today”.
Mrs Nina immediately paid a visit Lupin, the head of the Department for Magical Planning ….

****

One hour later, the cabinet of the minister was full with people, seating around a big wooden circled meeting table, there were 11 members, each one had the reputation senior staff or key staff. Among the others, two of them were specially respected for their contribution to the downfall of Voldremort; the head of the department for International Magical Protection- Mrs McGonagall and the head of department for Magical Planning-Mr Lupin, thus they occupied honorable places, right after the assistant and the deputy minister, on the left and right side.

“ Ladies and Gentlemen! All of you have received the report from the Branch Office of the Wizardpol in Albania, and you might assume that’s why I called this meeting for. If you think so then you are Right! – When the minister Tristan was speaking everyone kept quite-I called this meeting for the sole purpose to decide who would we send on a mission to Albania, at this stage we have 4 candidates :

[u]” Mr Engelard proposed by the head of the Auror”s department, Mr Grifon Just,

- Mrs Ingretta Emayn proposed by Rodolph Talon, deputy commissioner for public order,

- Mr Neal Nygell proposed by Mr Juel Geruntius,, undersecretary in the muggle affairs unit
-and Mr Harry Potter proposed by Minerva McGonagall, head of the department for International Magical Protection”. Then he paused. [/u]

“ Well since all of you have elaborated very well the reasons for proposing the particular candidate, we are not going to invent the wheel again”. Mr Tristant spoke fast, clearly and sharp, his words echoed like sword.
“ If any one has any question, not mentioned in the reports, please raised it now before we go to voting”.

It was silence for couple of moments then Mrs Umbridge , spoke:

“ Sine being oldest one among all of us, and I happened to know all the candidates, I would call upon the assembly to consider the importance of the mission and to sent someone who has proven to be able to manage potential dangerous situation without jeopardizing the mission and exposing the ministry to public criticism. All I can say is that the “ Daily Prophet” will have a fest, if things go out of control and h thh the media. You all remember the articles in the times of Courneliouse Fudge and Dumbledore”.

McGonagall jumped at the mentioning of Dumbledore! “ This Woman never understands, does she”-Minerva thought.

“ Sorry minister”. Mrs Umbridge would perhaps like to clarify in what context you mentioned Dumbledore because you just confused me”.

“I meant when Rita Skeeter eats our heads again, just as at the time when Dumbledore managed Hogwarts!”

“ Please! You should show some respect when you speak of Albus! He is the best thing that ever happene Hog Hogwarts!

ENOUGH! – Tristan”s voice echoed.

“Minerva you should control your self better, an you Dolores try to restrain from distracting our attention from the subject”!

“Sorry minister”. I just want to say that I would propose Mrs Ingretta Emayn”.

“ Ok then lets vote then “ – everyone took out their wands and pointed at the big red blue board on the wall, immediately a green light came out of everyone’s wand
.
“ So Mrs Nina please provide us with the results”.

Mrs Nina spoke:

“Mr Engelard – One vote !”

“Mrs Ingretta Emayn –Four Votes !”

-Umbridge was sure that she managed to convince the others… -

Mr Neal Nygell – One vote

Mr Harry Potter Potter-3 votes!

“ Dear colleagues, we made a very good choice, I can assure you that Mrs Ingretta will perform the task on time and properly!”

“Not so fast dear Dolores “- the calm voice of McGonagall and returned everyone to their seats, as they were getting ready to leave the room.

“ What now !???!”- Doleres disturbed voice came as if from a cannon

“ Well as much as I can see thee are only 9 votes on the board, and since without the minister we are 10, that means that some one among us here has not voted”!

(“ Minerva you still think Mr Potter stands a chance after what he did today to Tristan”- telepathically Doleres communicated to McGonagall. )

(“ We shall see about that Dolores” , as Albus, I always win in the end”).

Tristan was confused; he was not used and hated such complicated situations…
“Ok who has not voted ! Please vote! and lets finish with this” Tristan was getting nervous and had a feeling that this is not going to finish so easy.

“I vote for Harry Potter “- With unusual strong voice Mrs Nina voted !

“What”!- Tristan and Dolores replied

(“I don’t believe this – Dolores though “)…
(“I knew it would come back to me –the minister thought “)

Then with a very sharp voice that made even the fearless Tristan shake, McGonagall tiered a part the confusion:

“ WELL Tristan , I think in such situations your vote is required”!

The minister calmed down for a second then he said:

“ Ok then, McGonagall and you Umbridge , you have a chance now to present your candidate again, and then I will decide to whom to give my vote”.

“Please Dolores”- and the minister smiled.

“ Ingretta is a calm young lady, with proven analytic capabilities, and more important she is some one who can exercise self control. Something that our young Mr Potter is lacking at a large extend ”!

(“Bitch”.. Minverva thought, “ this was very low, someone must have told her about the clash between Harry and Tristan”).

“Since this is very important mission- Dolores continued- we should send someone who is not going to compromise the mission. Someone who is not going to put in danger the Green family and him self. That some one is no one else then Mrs Ingretta!
I’m afraid that the past of Mr Potter speaks the opposite. I cannot remember how many times he caused problems only when I was the headmistress in Hogwarts, and not to speak when Albus administered the school. I remember the amount of time and resources we spent to protect Mr Potter and the others from his temper. I’m sure that he has not learned the lessons so far. Albus spoiled him much by not punishing him for anything. If I was a Headmistress of Hogwarts for another months we would have had more wizards like Mr Inretta”.

“Old wounds don’t heal easy! Do they Dolores?”. “ But, Fortunately for the young wizards and witches Dumbledore was back on time”!

“MINERVA”!- The minister yelled

“ All right. I see your point and most likely you are right Dolores, especially when you say that Harry was irresponsible and eruptive, and maybe he could compromise the mission. – Minerva sounded very broken , after saying this she went silent .

Dolores couldn’t believe her ears, so did the others , Lupin was astonished and Mrs. Nina almost yelled at Minerva ….

“ IF you are finished Minerva, then I would vote for…”

“ NOT so fast TRISTAN! Unlike others, I’m not going to criticize Mrs Ingretta. And
“for the record I’m not done yet”-Mrs McGonagall interrupted him- everyone looked at Minerva.

“However, I would just add couple of things”:
“First of all, Mr Potter was only eleven when he met what ever remained from Voldemort, at that times even grown up wizards with big powers like ourselves feared to pronounced his name! Some still do and keep saying –YOU-Know-Who-, when ever they refer to VOLDREMORT”- Everyone knew the role that Minerva had in the Order while fighting the Dark Lord, she was even given an Orden of Merlin for her courage shown in those days.
She looked at Dolores. “While the young Mr Potter fought him at the age of 11!. – Then she went silent for couple of moments

“ Another point is that we should not forget that on age of 18 Mr Potter eliminated Voldemort and thanks to that we have our community a life, we have a ministry today and the wizarding community can continue cultivating our life style and values”.

“The last point among the millions that one can make, is that, if the mission is sabotaged, if they are caught, only Mr Potter! and I repeat Mr Potter alone will have the courage not to disclose any information despite what the death eaters do to him!!!” – Now Minerva was shouting , she was shaking with anger:

“ And you KNOW WHY is that so???? Do YOU KNOW WHY! I WILL TELL YOU NOW! Because they took everything from him! They his his childhood, James, LILY, Dumbledore and Sirius!, yes SIRIUS read my lips SIRIUS BLACK his God Father and best friend !!!! HE would never surround to them , he would rather die than allow them to WIN”. Then she turned to Tristan:

“ YES MINISTER!!!!” Until when we are going to pretend that we don’t know that Black was not a Death Eater, that he was sent by mistake to Azkaban. If I were you, YES YOU! HEAR ME WELL TRISTAN!. IF I WERE YOU, minister! I would rehabilitate SIRIUS soon! Sirius had a lot of enemies, but also a lot of Friends , it is a matter of time when some of them will decide to speak loudly to the press that we all fear so much”!

Everyone was silent and looked at Minerva, Nina was crying and Lupin”s eyes were full with tears- “ I would definitely speak with Mrs Skeeter Minerva. Good lesson you gave them now, If only Albus could see you –Lupin thought..

“ Minister if you would allow me.”.-Dolers started

“ Not now Dolores, you had your chance”!

“ I made up my mind”- Said the minister angrily looking at Mrs McGonagall who unlikm wam was very clamed and smiled gently. Mrs Umbridge was happy, she knew that expression, “Harry is history. I really don’t know what they see in that unaccountable idiot” –she thought

“ As you can expect, and I guess you all heard about the pleasant meeting I had with Mr Potter this morning”. Minerva was shaking from inside while smiling from outside. (“What did I do, I just wanted Harry to leave London for a while, he is very absent lately, with this, she thought he would need a change. “I ruined his chances with yelling at Tristan. That Idiot! .” –what Minerva didn’t know that like Harry she was also poisoned with the disrespect that the wizards were showing nowadays for the sacrifices that were made for their future and was annoyed by the fact that everything was so easily forgotten, for a moment she thought that she is fighting for the honor of Albus, just like in old times, but Albus was not there anymore to solve the things when they were caused by good intention. Yes that was Albus”s last line, good intention. “ How little I leaned from Dumbledore, he would have been so calm in this situation”-Minerva thought.

“Minerva! like Potter you should also control your emotions. –then silence….
“Where was I.. so yes.. My vote goes for Mr Harry Potter “
“Everyone was silent, no one dare to speak. They could believed what they just heard. “ “Yes as you heard, HARRY POTTER-now the minister was yelling-, “I happened to see his courage this morning! Imagine he didn’t fear me , ME , the minister-Now Tristan was laughing, more of bitterness then happiness.

“ He didn’t fear Voldermort” – Minerva said more for her self.
“So I know that NO Death Eater will ever scare that boy”!
….SILENCE…
“The meeting is finished! Mrs Nina show the way out to our guests” !



Later in the after noon Minerva received an owl, the letter was stamped by the minister:
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[u]Dear Minerva,[u]

[i] would like to bring to your attention the dissatisfaction that I ,and the majority members of the magic council have with your behavior during our last meeting. As you might know such behaviors traditionally are dealt with disciplinary measures. However, this time you are going to be pardoned, because your punishment, as Mr Lupin and Moody have rightfully concluded will result with further unrests with the ministry and many people threatened to offer their resignation if something like that is imposed on you. As a minister, my primary responsibility is to look after the order and peace in our community, which is why I will withdraw my proposal although I still consider it valid. Thus, these are the only reasons for pardoning you this time. I can assure you that nothing in future would restrain me to exercise such measures on you or on your protégé, Mr Potter, if similar behaviors occur. [i]
With respect,
T.

[i]PS. The rule No. 1.2, line 17 regarding the voting techniques in the ministry, adopted by wizgamond on the 17, Februay 2003, says that a proposal is accepted by a majority votes. Thus, not everyone is required to vote, even more wizard have the right to abstain from voting.[/u]
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