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"Ron, it's all settled?" Tom entered to see Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny well prepared.
"Yeah, Percy's cancelled Kingsley's meetings for today so he'll have to see us."
"But Harry wouldn't it be better if we would inform him of our arrival there beforehand?" said Harmione.
"He would allow me to be there then, would he? We've had some pretty bad words. But its time to make things rights. I'll apologize to him if that's the cost but I need his support. Hermione, we need the Ministry by our side." Harry finished and Hermione nodded in approval.
Half an hour later they all stood covered in soot in the office of the Undersecretary to the Minister, percy's office. All of them shook hands with him. So did Tom.
"Tom Riddle, Deputy Head of Hogwarts."
"Percy Weasley." Percy had scheduled Bolt's meeting with Malfoy and Dutchmen earlier this year for a special hiring at Hogwarts. He was finally meeting the individual who had attained a huge favor from his faculty and the board of the school alike but he was rather disappointed at him. He had not expected a guy looking like half a muggle to be Hogwarts' Deputy Head. He was surprised Harry had brought him along to see Bolt.
"Is Kingsley in his office?" Harry asked him.
"Yeah, he calls me in every 15 minutes to know if there's a meeting. Usually he's quite busy and today he doesn't have a single appointment. It's quite unbelievable for him."
A minute later Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Tom all stood facing the Minister's door.
Harry knocked.
"Enter."
He turned over the lock, the door opened and he entered with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Tom all following. Kingsley was lying in his chair quite comfortably when thay entered and he stood up immediately.
"Potter?"
"Good morning, Bolt."
"Good morning, indeed." Kingsley said looking curiously at all of their faces then his eyes fell on Tom and he gave a more curious look than ever.
"Let me introduce you to my staff." Harry said seeing Kingsley staring at Tom. "You, of course know Ron, Hermione and Ginny and this is Tom Riddle, the Deputy Head of Hogwarts."
Kingsley nodded to Tom who nodded back in reply.
"Bolt, you must have gotten my message about the DA meeting?" Harry continued.
"Yeah, it didn't say anything about your visit here?"
"Yeah, it didn't. I thought you'd refuse to meet if you knew I'd be coming here."
"And you know I have reason to do it."
"Yes you do and a good one. Bolt, I am extremely sorry for my words. I did not mean any of them. I was so frustrated. Everything had happened so suddenly. I needed Ron and Hermione with me then. I had to take them off otherwise I would never have taken them. I never meant to bypass your authority or disrespect you. I have always respected you as much as I have respected Dumbledore."
Kingsley who had heard Harry's apology quietly was now boring into his eyes. He got out from behind his desk and hugged him. Harry felt the atmosphere lighten up. Kingsley had accepted his apology. Kingsley let go of him.
"I thought I had lost a good friend forever." He gave a wide smile and conjured up chairs for them.
"Now, what can I do for you?"
"Bolt, you must have wondered why I've called for the DA meeting?"
"Yeah."
"I've some crucial information about what has been happening for the past few months."
"You mean about Neville, Hannah and Mayweather?"
"Yes."
"You know who-?"
"Yes Bolt, It's Voldemort."
"What?!" Kingsley sat at his place blank.
"Voldemort."
"But, Harry he can't be back. We all saw him die. He can't just come back from the dead."
"He hasn't."
"Then what do you mean?"
"It's a new Voldemort."
"A new Voldemort? No one can just become Voldemort? Atleast not without---" A look of comprehension dawned upon Kingley, "Is he related to Voldemort? Anyone who knew him?"
"I don't know if he knows Voldemort but he's definitely related to Voldemort." Harry stopped. He looked at Ron, Ginny, Hermione all looking very serious. Then his eyes fell on Tom who was looking down at his shoes, his brow frowned quite worried. Sensing Harry's eyes on him Tom looked up. He looked at Harry with a pleading look in his eyes.
Harry understood. Tom didn't want anyone to know about Voldemort having sons. Personally Harry thought this was perhaps better because telling Kingsley about Voldemort having a son could lead to the revelation of Tom's relation with Voldemort. Harry looked back at Kingsley. "Because he wants to avenge him."
"Avenge him?"
"This new Voldemort thinks that we killed Voldemort injustly so he wants to kill us.
That's why he killed Neville and Hannah. He wanted to kill us too," Harry said including himself along with Ron, Ginny and Hermione "but Tom here saved us."
"Saved you?" Bolt looked astounded. "Have you had an encounter with this Voldemort?"
"Yes, he sneaked inside Hogwarts and tried to kill me. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Tom, all of them were there. We all attacked him but none of our spells worked except for Tom's." Kingsley looked at Tom very curiously, then smiled, "Now I know what Dutchmen meant by extraordinary."
Harry smiled too.
"When he had hired him he came to me personally. Draco was with him. He was enthusiastic about the boy, but I wasn't that sure though now that you've mentioned it I think this boy's trustworthy, eh?" Kingsley said looking at Tom, who looked quite uneasy.
Kingsley looked at Harry and all others, all of them were looking quite uneasy, "What happened?"
"Malfoy's with him." Tom said becoming the target of Kingsley's stare.
"With whom?"
"With Voldemort." Harry supplied.
"What are you talking about?" Kingsley hadn't yet understood.
"Bolt, Draco Malfoy's involved with Voldemort." Ron insisted.
"Infact, he's the one who's told him rubbish about us killing Voldemort injustly." Hermione added seeing Bolt look confused.
"You mean Malfoy's been cheating on us for all these years."
"Well that's what it seems like." Harry said.
"I can't believe it, but I guess I'll have to. By the way, you've fought this Voldemort, haven't you?"
"Yeah."
"What does he look like?"
"He's..." Harry had no idea Bolt would ask him that. "young." He completed after a moment.
"Young?"
"About Tom's age."
"Hmm. So, he wants revenge and he's young. It means he's hardly in a condition to take over."
"Precisely. He's got an inside man in the Ministry but he still needs more."
"That means he'll need forces."
"Yes, and for that he'll need all the help he can get from Malfoy."
"And that's where we come in."
"Of course, Ron and Hermione will be joining at the end of the Christmas holidays. They'll keep an eye on Malfoy and we're gonna know about everything that Malfoy's upto. We find one evidence against him and you can expel him from the Ministry. if it's possible, you should do it now."
Bolt stared at Harry. "You realize what you are saying? Wizengamot will be on top of my head, better yet, Latnok will kill me with questions if I try to expel the Head of the Law Enforcement Department blaming him for bringing a new Voldemort." Bolt stopped then realized he still didn't understand a lot. "How did you find out Malfoy's involvement in all this?"
"Tom followed this new Voldemort to his hiding place and guess what it is. The Malfoy Manor."
Bolt nearly jumped out of his seat. "What?! No one has penetrated it in years!"
"We know. But Malfoy has found a way and the new Voldemort can. A host of about a dozen deatheaters stood inside already." Ron replied.
"And you saw all that yourself?" Bolt suddenly turned to Tom.
"Yes." Tom answered quite aware of himself. The Minister for Magic had addressed him.
"You penetrated it?" Bolt looked astonished.
"Yes."
"How?"
"I don't know." Tom answered as sweat broke on his forehead. Lying never came easy to him.
"He is a gifted boy." Ginny answered for him.
"Indeed." Bolt said. "We can raid it then." He turned to Harry.
"We thought of that too but I think I'll let Tom explain why we can't." Harry turned to Tom who felt Harry's disagreement immediately but answered turning to the Minister.
"It's very well protected. No apparitions, no fly ins, no fly outs. There's only one way in and out. The wrought iron gates that I alone can penetrate. Even if we took a team of aurors and the need to escape were upon us, it would not be an option. It would mean fight and die in all ends."
Bolt looked at him a moment. "Didn't you file an application for internship in the auror department?"
Tom flushed. He nodded silently.
Bolt turned to Harry. "Keep Ron and Hermione. I want this boy on my team. He thinks like an auror." He winked at Ron and Hermione both of whom laughed out. "You are absolutely right." He turned more seriously to Tom. "Escape would not be an option if needed but I don't think my team will raid it with an intention to escape. We will capture this new Voldemort. You saw a dozen deatheaters, we'll take two dozen. Harry Potter will accompany you, you yourself are very gifted. have a little more confidence in yourself, son. You've followed him and returned whole, haven't you?"
"Not exactly." Before Harry could stop him Tom had stood up. He didn't know what would be the consequences of what he was about to do but Harry had allowed him to explain his perspective and he would make sure the Minister got it right. He pulled open his shirt for Kingsley to see the scar across his ribs below his heart. "I did not esacpe whole." He started buttoning up to see Bolt's alarmed expression. "He overpowered me too. With all due respect Minister, I do not find myself competent enough to sit among a circle like yours but my experience with this new Voldemort is more than anyone in this room. If it were not upto me to lead a team inside perhaps I would not even have spoken but since such a burden is laid on me, I shall not risk everyone's lives for the sake of a stand. Before you compel me to lead a team in there, you should know that I can be overpowered, and Harry Potter can be overpowered by him and in such a case, the option of escaping ought to be considered a little more seriously."
Bolt was speechless for a moment. "Do you have any other proposals?"
"I think we should try to draw them out." Tom replied.
Bolt nodded. "I understand your concern but your proposal will take time. How do you suggest we do it?"
Tom realized he was being listened to seriously for the first time. "It's like Harry said. He's gathering forces. He has a host of deatheaters, he'll need more than that. He could be recruiting Goblins, Giants, for all we know. If we get most of them on our side, may be someone could lead them out of their safety for us."
"Have you inducted him into the Army yet?" Bolt asked turning back to Harry.
"Not yet, but I'll do it in the upcoming meeting." Harry replied rather surprised by Bolt's question.
"He's talking like he's already a part of it." Bolt replied. He was impressed by Tom. He spoke fearlessly honestly. He turned back to Tom. "The Ministry is a jungle of bureaucrats, son. Turning to magical creatures even in this time of need is not the fashion of the Ministry. The Army, however, was built for the unconventional. If you wish to proceed with this plan, the Army is your best hope." Bolt turned back to Harry.
"I will take Ron and Hermione back. Keeping an eye on Maloy is all we can do. Gathering evidence about his infiltration is essential before I can expel him."
Harry nodded. He understood. "The Army will be better put to this anyways." He smiled.
"Very well then, I guess I won't have to attend the Army's meeting?"
"Why?"
"Well today is to be compensated, isn't it?" Bolt said standing up, smiling widely, winking at Harry as all of them stood up too. He had understood Percy had kept his schedule clean on purpose.
"Yeah, Percy's cancelled Kingsley's meetings for today so he'll have to see us."
"But Harry wouldn't it be better if we would inform him of our arrival there beforehand?" said Harmione.
"He would allow me to be there then, would he? We've had some pretty bad words. But its time to make things rights. I'll apologize to him if that's the cost but I need his support. Hermione, we need the Ministry by our side." Harry finished and Hermione nodded in approval.
Half an hour later they all stood covered in soot in the office of the Undersecretary to the Minister, percy's office. All of them shook hands with him. So did Tom.
"Tom Riddle, Deputy Head of Hogwarts."
"Percy Weasley." Percy had scheduled Bolt's meeting with Malfoy and Dutchmen earlier this year for a special hiring at Hogwarts. He was finally meeting the individual who had attained a huge favor from his faculty and the board of the school alike but he was rather disappointed at him. He had not expected a guy looking like half a muggle to be Hogwarts' Deputy Head. He was surprised Harry had brought him along to see Bolt.
"Is Kingsley in his office?" Harry asked him.
"Yeah, he calls me in every 15 minutes to know if there's a meeting. Usually he's quite busy and today he doesn't have a single appointment. It's quite unbelievable for him."
A minute later Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Tom all stood facing the Minister's door.
Harry knocked.
"Enter."
He turned over the lock, the door opened and he entered with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Tom all following. Kingsley was lying in his chair quite comfortably when thay entered and he stood up immediately.
"Potter?"
"Good morning, Bolt."
"Good morning, indeed." Kingsley said looking curiously at all of their faces then his eyes fell on Tom and he gave a more curious look than ever.
"Let me introduce you to my staff." Harry said seeing Kingsley staring at Tom. "You, of course know Ron, Hermione and Ginny and this is Tom Riddle, the Deputy Head of Hogwarts."
Kingsley nodded to Tom who nodded back in reply.
"Bolt, you must have gotten my message about the DA meeting?" Harry continued.
"Yeah, it didn't say anything about your visit here?"
"Yeah, it didn't. I thought you'd refuse to meet if you knew I'd be coming here."
"And you know I have reason to do it."
"Yes you do and a good one. Bolt, I am extremely sorry for my words. I did not mean any of them. I was so frustrated. Everything had happened so suddenly. I needed Ron and Hermione with me then. I had to take them off otherwise I would never have taken them. I never meant to bypass your authority or disrespect you. I have always respected you as much as I have respected Dumbledore."
Kingsley who had heard Harry's apology quietly was now boring into his eyes. He got out from behind his desk and hugged him. Harry felt the atmosphere lighten up. Kingsley had accepted his apology. Kingsley let go of him.
"I thought I had lost a good friend forever." He gave a wide smile and conjured up chairs for them.
"Now, what can I do for you?"
"Bolt, you must have wondered why I've called for the DA meeting?"
"Yeah."
"I've some crucial information about what has been happening for the past few months."
"You mean about Neville, Hannah and Mayweather?"
"Yes."
"You know who-?"
"Yes Bolt, It's Voldemort."
"What?!" Kingsley sat at his place blank.
"Voldemort."
"But, Harry he can't be back. We all saw him die. He can't just come back from the dead."
"He hasn't."
"Then what do you mean?"
"It's a new Voldemort."
"A new Voldemort? No one can just become Voldemort? Atleast not without---" A look of comprehension dawned upon Kingley, "Is he related to Voldemort? Anyone who knew him?"
"I don't know if he knows Voldemort but he's definitely related to Voldemort." Harry stopped. He looked at Ron, Ginny, Hermione all looking very serious. Then his eyes fell on Tom who was looking down at his shoes, his brow frowned quite worried. Sensing Harry's eyes on him Tom looked up. He looked at Harry with a pleading look in his eyes.
Harry understood. Tom didn't want anyone to know about Voldemort having sons. Personally Harry thought this was perhaps better because telling Kingsley about Voldemort having a son could lead to the revelation of Tom's relation with Voldemort. Harry looked back at Kingsley. "Because he wants to avenge him."
"Avenge him?"
"This new Voldemort thinks that we killed Voldemort injustly so he wants to kill us.
That's why he killed Neville and Hannah. He wanted to kill us too," Harry said including himself along with Ron, Ginny and Hermione "but Tom here saved us."
"Saved you?" Bolt looked astounded. "Have you had an encounter with this Voldemort?"
"Yes, he sneaked inside Hogwarts and tried to kill me. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Tom, all of them were there. We all attacked him but none of our spells worked except for Tom's." Kingsley looked at Tom very curiously, then smiled, "Now I know what Dutchmen meant by extraordinary."
Harry smiled too.
"When he had hired him he came to me personally. Draco was with him. He was enthusiastic about the boy, but I wasn't that sure though now that you've mentioned it I think this boy's trustworthy, eh?" Kingsley said looking at Tom, who looked quite uneasy.
Kingsley looked at Harry and all others, all of them were looking quite uneasy, "What happened?"
"Malfoy's with him." Tom said becoming the target of Kingsley's stare.
"With whom?"
"With Voldemort." Harry supplied.
"What are you talking about?" Kingsley hadn't yet understood.
"Bolt, Draco Malfoy's involved with Voldemort." Ron insisted.
"Infact, he's the one who's told him rubbish about us killing Voldemort injustly." Hermione added seeing Bolt look confused.
"You mean Malfoy's been cheating on us for all these years."
"Well that's what it seems like." Harry said.
"I can't believe it, but I guess I'll have to. By the way, you've fought this Voldemort, haven't you?"
"Yeah."
"What does he look like?"
"He's..." Harry had no idea Bolt would ask him that. "young." He completed after a moment.
"Young?"
"About Tom's age."
"Hmm. So, he wants revenge and he's young. It means he's hardly in a condition to take over."
"Precisely. He's got an inside man in the Ministry but he still needs more."
"That means he'll need forces."
"Yes, and for that he'll need all the help he can get from Malfoy."
"And that's where we come in."
"Of course, Ron and Hermione will be joining at the end of the Christmas holidays. They'll keep an eye on Malfoy and we're gonna know about everything that Malfoy's upto. We find one evidence against him and you can expel him from the Ministry. if it's possible, you should do it now."
Bolt stared at Harry. "You realize what you are saying? Wizengamot will be on top of my head, better yet, Latnok will kill me with questions if I try to expel the Head of the Law Enforcement Department blaming him for bringing a new Voldemort." Bolt stopped then realized he still didn't understand a lot. "How did you find out Malfoy's involvement in all this?"
"Tom followed this new Voldemort to his hiding place and guess what it is. The Malfoy Manor."
Bolt nearly jumped out of his seat. "What?! No one has penetrated it in years!"
"We know. But Malfoy has found a way and the new Voldemort can. A host of about a dozen deatheaters stood inside already." Ron replied.
"And you saw all that yourself?" Bolt suddenly turned to Tom.
"Yes." Tom answered quite aware of himself. The Minister for Magic had addressed him.
"You penetrated it?" Bolt looked astonished.
"Yes."
"How?"
"I don't know." Tom answered as sweat broke on his forehead. Lying never came easy to him.
"He is a gifted boy." Ginny answered for him.
"Indeed." Bolt said. "We can raid it then." He turned to Harry.
"We thought of that too but I think I'll let Tom explain why we can't." Harry turned to Tom who felt Harry's disagreement immediately but answered turning to the Minister.
"It's very well protected. No apparitions, no fly ins, no fly outs. There's only one way in and out. The wrought iron gates that I alone can penetrate. Even if we took a team of aurors and the need to escape were upon us, it would not be an option. It would mean fight and die in all ends."
Bolt looked at him a moment. "Didn't you file an application for internship in the auror department?"
Tom flushed. He nodded silently.
Bolt turned to Harry. "Keep Ron and Hermione. I want this boy on my team. He thinks like an auror." He winked at Ron and Hermione both of whom laughed out. "You are absolutely right." He turned more seriously to Tom. "Escape would not be an option if needed but I don't think my team will raid it with an intention to escape. We will capture this new Voldemort. You saw a dozen deatheaters, we'll take two dozen. Harry Potter will accompany you, you yourself are very gifted. have a little more confidence in yourself, son. You've followed him and returned whole, haven't you?"
"Not exactly." Before Harry could stop him Tom had stood up. He didn't know what would be the consequences of what he was about to do but Harry had allowed him to explain his perspective and he would make sure the Minister got it right. He pulled open his shirt for Kingsley to see the scar across his ribs below his heart. "I did not esacpe whole." He started buttoning up to see Bolt's alarmed expression. "He overpowered me too. With all due respect Minister, I do not find myself competent enough to sit among a circle like yours but my experience with this new Voldemort is more than anyone in this room. If it were not upto me to lead a team inside perhaps I would not even have spoken but since such a burden is laid on me, I shall not risk everyone's lives for the sake of a stand. Before you compel me to lead a team in there, you should know that I can be overpowered, and Harry Potter can be overpowered by him and in such a case, the option of escaping ought to be considered a little more seriously."
Bolt was speechless for a moment. "Do you have any other proposals?"
"I think we should try to draw them out." Tom replied.
Bolt nodded. "I understand your concern but your proposal will take time. How do you suggest we do it?"
Tom realized he was being listened to seriously for the first time. "It's like Harry said. He's gathering forces. He has a host of deatheaters, he'll need more than that. He could be recruiting Goblins, Giants, for all we know. If we get most of them on our side, may be someone could lead them out of their safety for us."
"Have you inducted him into the Army yet?" Bolt asked turning back to Harry.
"Not yet, but I'll do it in the upcoming meeting." Harry replied rather surprised by Bolt's question.
"He's talking like he's already a part of it." Bolt replied. He was impressed by Tom. He spoke fearlessly honestly. He turned back to Tom. "The Ministry is a jungle of bureaucrats, son. Turning to magical creatures even in this time of need is not the fashion of the Ministry. The Army, however, was built for the unconventional. If you wish to proceed with this plan, the Army is your best hope." Bolt turned back to Harry.
"I will take Ron and Hermione back. Keeping an eye on Maloy is all we can do. Gathering evidence about his infiltration is essential before I can expel him."
Harry nodded. He understood. "The Army will be better put to this anyways." He smiled.
"Very well then, I guess I won't have to attend the Army's meeting?"
"Why?"
"Well today is to be compensated, isn't it?" Bolt said standing up, smiling widely, winking at Harry as all of them stood up too. He had understood Percy had kept his schedule clean on purpose.
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