Chapter 107: The Minister's Concerns
A few days later Harry and the Tonks family arrived in the leaky cauldron, they had only just got in when they were greeted by Tom, the owner and barman.
"Ah hello," Tom smiled. "how are you all today?"
"Doing just fine, Tom." Ted replied. "We're just taking Harry to buy his school supplies for the year."
"Ah, that's nice have fun." Tom called as the family left. It was roughly an hour later when the family came back in. "Ah, all done?" Tom asked.
"Yep." Ted nodded. "We'll be off now, Tom."
"Wait," Tom said quickly. "before you do go, there's somebody who wants to talk to you all, he's been waiting upstairs for you all." Tom said before he gestured to come closer. "It's the Minister of Magic." Tom whispered.
"What does he want with us?" Jet asked from his position on Harry's shoulders.
"Probably to talk to us about Black." Harry hissed just before he and the family followed Tom into a private room, Tom left them just before they entered the room. Once they were inside they found the Minister of Magic sitting in a chair behind a desk with an auror standing on either side of him.
"Ah Harry," Fudge spoke as if he had just spotted his favorite nephew, he got up and began walking to him. "it's good to see you, I..." Fudge was about to reach out to shake his hand but faltered upon seeing Jet on Harry's shoulder's, it didn't help that Jet was looking at Fudge like he was a giant mouse. "Um...take a seat." He said before he gestured to the sole seat opposite where Fudge was sat. "I hope the rest of you don't mind but I would like to talk to Mr Potter in private." He said to to the Tonk's family.
"They stay." Harry said before he began walked past him without a backward glance and stopped at the seat, Fudge looked like he wanted to argue but seemed to think better of it and walked over to his seat. The Tonks family shared a look, all of them knew that Harry could act like Arcturus when it suited him, this would probably be one of those moments.
"Please sit down." Fudge said to the Tonks family as he stood in front of the desk and looked at them, or more specifically Harry. Ted waved his wand a couple of times and summoned three more seats from across the room for them to sit in. Ted sat at the end with Andromeda sat on Harry's left and Tonks sat on Harry's right. "Now, how are you all?"
"Just dandy, now may I ask what you want?" Harry asked in a blunt manner.
"Well Mr Potter, we have a killer on the loose." Fudge replied.
"Sirius Black, I'm aware." Harry nodded before he gestured for Fudge to continue.
"You are aware of Black's history?" Fudge asked.
"I'm aware that he is a evil bastard, yes." Harry nodded.
"Harry, language." Andromeda said with a small sigh, did he really have to speak like that in front of the Minister of Magic of all people?
"Sorry." Harry said, not sounding very sorry.
"Now, I assure you that we are all doing our best to capture Black and he should hopefully be captured soon." Fudge said with a small smile. "But with that being said, there are concerns about your safety."
"I can handle myself." Harry replied.
"Perhaps Harry but Sirius Black is a mass murderer, a dangerous one, we don't want anything to happen to you." Fudge said, and it was true. It would be absolutely horrible for his career if he was unable to stop the boy-who-lived from getting murdered.
"Who is 'we'?" Harry asked in a suspicious voice.
"Myself and the people of the wizarding world," Fudge spoke as if it was glaringly obvious. "now there have been some concerns raised about your guardianship."
"I beg your pardon?" Harry and the Tonks family said at the exact same time, causing Fudge to blink before he was able to continue.
"There is no offence intended, of course, but your guardians are related to Sirius Black and while I do not intend to accuse them of anything, many are worried about their connection with Black."
"I knew they were related to him for ages." Harry pointed out.
"That may be true but it is safer if you are moved, I'm sure you understand. You'd be safer away from them." Fudge smiled as he ignored the offended looks from the family, he was about to say that Harry should move in with the Malfoy family this summer, just like Lucius had suggested to him. But before he could do so, he was interrupted by Harry.
"Say that again." Harry said in a cold and low voice.
"I beg your pardon?" Fudge asked just as Harry stood up.
"Say that again." Harry repeated as he walked towards Fudge.
"Now Mr Potter, I..." Fudge stopped talking just as Harry stopped in front of him, the aurors drew their wands but did not do anything beyond that.
"Say that...again." Harry said as he was now about an inch away from Fudge, Fudge couldn't help but gulp as he looked into Harry's green eyes, he could see the power in them, just like when he looked into Dumbledore's. That was just not fair! No thirteen year old had the right to be intimidating. If that wasn't bad enough then add in the snake who looked like he was one command away from attacking.
"Mr Potter...I meant no offence." Fudge said in a quiet voice.
"I'm sure you didn't," Harry replied as he took a step back. "I will be staying with the Tonks family, that is not up for debate."
"Mr Potter, please, this is a serious matter. Are you really willing to risk your life?"
"Seeing as that is what is at stake, yes. The Tonks family is my family, end of discussion." Harry said, if he looked back then he would see smiles on each member of the Tonks family.
"But...but would you at least consider staying in the leaky cauldron so we can have some aurors look after you all?" Fudge asked in a hopeful, Harry frowned as he remembered the potion he needed to take and the fact that the lightning storm would be happening tomorrow. Plus the house had a good amount of wards on it, including the ones that Harry had paid for and had fixed by the goblins, so Harry was fairly certain that Black wouldn't be able to get in.
And even if he somehow managed to do that then Harry doubted the guy who spent years in Azkaban would be in any state to fight off Tonks, Ted and Andromeda, three people who were more than good with a wand. Those three would be a challenge on their own, but add them in along with the wards, Black's physical health plus Harry and Jet and it was near impossible for Black to get in. Honestly Harry felt it was more likely for Black to sneak into the leaky cauldron where he could hide amongst the greater number of people.
"No, we have a prior engagement tomorrow. Goodbye Minister." Harry said before he turned and calmly walked out without a single backwards glance. Harry waited outside until the Tonks family exited the room.
"Blimey Harry, that was the Minister of Magic and you looked at him like he was a little first year." Tonks whispered in amazement as they began walking away. "Guess your inner animal is likely one that takes no bullshit from others."
"I would hope so." Harry laughed just before the group turned the corner and headed down, once they were downstairs they were about to walk to the floo when they were spotted by none other than the Weasley family.
"Harry, I think they are calling you over." Andromeda pointed out with a frown as she gestured to Mrs Weasley who was waving at Harry, gesturing him to come over.
"Damn it!" Jet hissed.
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