NOVEL WEB Chapter 68: Political Scandals
Nearly a week later Harry and Daphne were making their way to the owlery so that Harry could mail off a response to Sirius's last letter. Harry's godfather had the good sense to stay hidden even though the decree that said he should be given the Dementor's Kiss upon capture had been lifted. Fudge was still the Minister of Magic and even though it appeared he was on his way out there was no telling what kind of damage he could do on his way down. Although Sirius's letters never said exactly where he was Harry got the impression that he had found a safe house to stay in and was probably getting help from someone, probably Remus. Harry just hoped his godfather was happy and recovering from his stay in Azkaban.
"Fudge's hearing is scheduled for June 25, and if that happens we'll have a new Minister by the first week of July." Daphne said confidently. They, like many other wizards and witches in Great Britain, had been discussing the downfall of Minister Fudge. It was the most exciting political scandal in decades.
"Good. Surely his replacement will be an improvement, no matter who it is." Harry responded.
"We can only hope. Sadly, there are worse politicians out there. Fudge, for the most part, was just an idiot and not actively evil."
"Tell Sirius that." Harry answered, to which Daphne shrugged.
"Well I did say 'for the most part'. He definitely could be evil when he wanted to be." Daphne said. "You know, you could always let it slip who you want to see replace Fudge when Skeeter happens to be listening. Take advantage of the fame that comes with being The-Boy-Who-Lived."
"Would it help? I thought everyone hated me and thought I was going to be the next Dark Lord."
"No, that was last week. They like you this week." Daphne answered with a grin.
"Oh, goody." Harry said sarcastically. "I don't even know who I would support anyway. Any suggestions?"
"I'll think about it." Daphne answered. "I'm leaning towards Rufus Scrimgeour or Amelia Bones though, mostly because they both come from the law enforcement side and would probably increase funding for the Aurors. Bones seems pretty honest, but I'm not so sure about Scrimgeour."
"Bones… is she related to Susan Bones from Hufflepuff?" Harry asked.
"It's her aunt, I think." Daphne answered.
"Oh, well she seems nice enough." Harry responded.
"Harry you can't base your decision on that!" Daphne laughed. "We're going to have to teach you this whole politics thing aren't we?"
"I'd rather not be involved in it."
"You don't have a choice, you already are. You are going to have to face the fact that people care what you think. That gives you influence and influence is power. Use it to your advantage." Daphne advised. Harry shrugged, knowing he had been caught in another 'how to act like a Slytherin lesson from his girlfriend. He didn't mind though, in fact it was probably good for him. By this time they had reached the Owlery and upon Harry's entrance Hedwig flew down to meet her owner.
"Hello, girl." Harry said as he stroked the owl's feathers. "Take this to Sirius, ok? Thank you Hedwig." The owl hooted softly at him before flying off carrying Harry's letter. Neither Harry nor Daphne had noticed that they were not alone in the Owlery until after Hedwig was gone.
"So, helping an escaped convict are you?" Draco Malfoy called from the entrance to the Owlery. Harry turned to look at him and frowned, Draco must have gotten there right after he and Daphne did and heard at least part of their conversation.
"He's not a convict, Malfoy." Harry answered. "To be a convict you need to actually be given a trial first." Draco shrugged as if this didn't matter.
"Whatever. It's still a crime to be helping him, perhaps I should turn you into the Aurors." he suggested. Harry frowned angrily but was surprised when Daphne started laughing.
"Draco, haven't you been paying attention?" she asked. "No one would care even if you did tell them. Sirius Black is innocent, and Minister Fudge will soon be forced out because of it. Harry would probably get a medal for helping the poor, innocent, man." Draco scowled at her statement, but suspected she was right.
"What's with you this year, Malfoy?" Harry asked. "You haven't been going out of your way to make my life miserable."
"Maybe I have better things to do. Didn't that ever cross your little mind, Potter?" Draco said angrily, although he was beginning to look uncomfortable.
"Perhaps, but I don't think that's it." Harry responded. "Strange how everything changed after I saved your life, isn't it? Dumbledore told me what Pureblood tradition requires in a situation like that. You're a good Pureblood, aren't you Draco?"
By this point Draco's face had turned red, although Harry could not tell if it was because of embarrassment or anger. Harry was surprised when Daphne put her hand on his arm and gave him a small shake of her head.
"Of course he is, Harry." Daphne said. "What did your father say when he found out you had sworn an oath to support Harry?" Draco flinched a little when she asked that and Daphne assumed that Lucius Malfoy's reaction had not been a happy one. She was absolutely correct. Draco had sworn the traditional oath as his education on pureblooded culture had demanded of him but his father was furious when he found that out. Lucius did not suggest that Draco should not have sworn the oath because his beliefs would have demanded he do the same thing in such a situation, he instead told his son that he should have died instead of accepting help from Harry Potter. Draco suspected that when he went home for the summer he would be receiving some of his father's special brand of punishment in the form of the Cruciatus curse.
"I did what I had to." Draco replied, not really answering the question. "This changes nothing, Potter. I still despise you, and one day I will be free of this silly oath."
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