9:34 am
Thursday the 1st of April
Just over two hours after Dementors were spotted at the Hogwarts Castle Walls[1]

The office of the Minister of Magic had suddenly erupted.  The usual stately and steady stream of memos had become a torrent and they were smashing against door frames as they tried to all get in at once.  The aides, secretaries, and various major domo were in a practiced knit and handling whatever emergency had sprung up with capable mania.

"If someone doesn't brief the Minister immediately...!" shouted one as she shoved papers into another's hand.

"Glass is on his way! Let him do it!" responded another, referring to Edwin Glass, Head of the Department of Magical Accidents & Catastrophes.  If anyone could get the Minister up to speed on what had just happened in Scotland it was the man in charge of calamities. 

"What about Madam Brown! Shouldn't we get Level Two?"

"I think they've got their hands full!"

Then the voice of the Minister herself rang out.  "Holmes!"

She shouted from her office for her right hand wizard,  Maurice Holmes, who would know exactly what she needed by the tone of her voice.  Even in the first few months together, the two had fallen into sync mostly due to his extreme aptitude for his post.

The Minister's office was beginning to look like a war room.  There was a map laid out on the desk, someone was tacking things to the wall, and the room was filling with this clerk and that agent.   The golden clad Minister of Magic Persepolis Zephyr stood at the desk as if at a ship's helm and called again in urgency.

"Dementors...! Merlin's bones, can we get our trousers on, please!"

1.

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"Trousers on, Ma'am." Glass declared, breezing through the outer office and straight towards the Minister.

The room was a hubbub of noise and action. He seized the shoulder of one of his own Department who was plotting out locations of dementors.

"There's been a sighting at Inverness not long ago too - we've obliviated three muggles who were with a witch in the street outside a local pub. She managed a patronus for long enough before we got to her. Two of them at the time - but there's a cluster of them just passed over Drumnadrochit."

With a nod his colleague was released and the Head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes was fully engaged with the Minister across her desk.

"Dementors, at Hogwarts, two hours ago - contained, Minister. Part of a wider attack it seems." He gestured to the map on the desk between them, his wand pointing out various points as he explained the wider picture.

"We've been monitoring their movements with other Departments as they are particularly keen on the Scottish highlands of late. A large cluster has got hungry, split and started to hunt - Inveness was just another half an hour ago. Aviemore's overrunning with them in the Cairngorns locals have noticed they're drawn to the stone circle[1] - which the Muggles have built round these days."

He looked up from the map to meet the Minister's eye.
"Reports from Hogwarts were that some of the staff and students were beyond the boundary and were the main draw."

1.	Aviemore Stone Circle

Zephyr had complete confidence in Glass when he was in his element.  Havoc and mayhem.  She'd been keying into the slighty disturbing reputation of his, that he looked keenly forward to disruption.  But having a squeamish Catastrophe's Head? Well that would be a catastrophe in itself.  Thank Merlin he was before him and getting down to business.

She watched as his hand traced over the map of Scotland pointing out the sightings. She covered her mouth with one hand in thought and worry, concealing unconsciously a worried face, or protecting her soul from a Dementor's Kiss. 

"What's the situation at Hogwarts now?" she asked him.  "There were students?"  In answer to her question, a small note was handed over.  She read it aloud.

3 students, 3 staff.  Safe and well.  Aurors on the scene to interview.  No muggles.

"Well, that's good news at least."  All souls intact.  "I'll need a direct line to McGonagal soon as we can get her," the Minister said, and handed the note back to the agent, likely from Level Two.

"She's not going to allow Ministry security.  Not again.  But then Hogwarts has always been able to handle itself."  As Glass had made it clear, the real panic wasn't situated at the school - it was the outlying towns who didn't have the benefit of an ancient castle to shield them.

"Although, we should send them security recommendations." 

"Yes, students. As to exactly why they were outside of the boundary is to be accurately ascertained, but at the scene my Department found bundles of rowan." He didn't elaborate further, the aurors would report back soon on their findings.

"Of course Minister," he agreed with her, "it would be foolish for the Ministry to consider that Hogwarts did not need guidance - after all, we are the government, and they are our citizens."

He tugged at his shirt cuffs beneath his suit-robes to straighten them.
"Besides, Minister, to not send them strong advice would be to say that we believe their efforts to date were satisfactory, even if they were attacked." He shook his head, "we can't have the newspapers reporting that. The ministry has to be seen as responding to the unfortunate results of the school electing to allow their numbers outside of the boundary and into risk." He paused, trying to gauge her expression, "That would be my personal recommendation, Ma'am, at very least, though I shall take your lead if you feel otherwise."

Persepolis Zephyr raised an eyebrow in momentary evaluation of Mister Glass's rather staunch line regarding the Ministry's line.  Zephyr's consideration has less to do with what she believed to be the right course of action, but more to do with image.  Because that was exactly the brand of politics Glass was suggesting.  Appearances.

Which were everything.  Confidence in government was absolutely essential to being effective and vice versa.

"Well advised, Glass, but I'd rather take a more cooperative position.  Keep Hogwarts an ally rather than a subject."  She straightened up and moved away from the desk a moment. 

"I'll know more how Minerva's feeling once I can owl her, but I don't want any shadow that the Ministry blames Hogwarts.  It's a beloved institution and the Ministry tearing down Hogwarts' efforts will only cause more panic.  Support and validate.  That's the new line.  Holmes!"

With that bit decided, she wanted to get it down on paper so her press advisors could begin preparing copy.  Holmes sent in a very well-presented middle-aged witch to whom Persepolis began to whisper rapidly to.  Glass could wait a moment.  Zephyr rattled off some quick talking points and turns of phrase that would get them started.  She preferred to set the tone directly from her office than rely on staff once removed from the office. 

"Thank you, Jennipher."

Then the Minister turned back to Glass and the map.  "Where are they headed? Who should be warned? We need to send out preventative squads out as soon as we can.  Cooperative multi-department teams.  Two, three, and four. Do you have enough people in?"

It was a typical Thursday, but with the alarm hopefully the Departments were calling in all available staff to accommodate the greater need.  That was, of course, under the discretion and organization of the Department Heads, and Zephyr could only rely on them to have created proper contingency plans.

Zephyr wanted to co-operate with Hogwarts far more than Glass, which was fine, she was a little more softly-softly with the school than he might be.

He waited patiently while Zephyr briefed her staff on a press release, or something, his eyes running over the map, hands on the edge of her desk, arms braced.

As soon as she was done, she fired three quick questions at Edwin, which was to be expected.

"They're heading out to the coast, Ma'am, Inverness half an hour ago. If they find enough to feast on they may subside." He pointed to Inverness on the map with a thick finger.

"We've had warnings out since Hogwarts, but the teams are tracking them at a half-mile distance on brooms. They keep having to circle, drop back to prevent becoming dinner." He gestured with one hand at the circles over the top of the map.

"We have enough, more on the way to relieve. Brown's lot are on a double shift so need to relieve them as soon as we can. Knight's already gathered the committee to establish Muggle cover - weather, political bad feeling about Scottish parliament and such."

Edwin drew himself up to full heigh again and engaged the Minister in an eye to eye gaze,
"The movement suggests they might be gathering in number with a view to returning to Azkaban, but this is only a theory, Minister, it is a ready supply of our kind, unarmed, unable to conjure happy thoughts… the guards there are on high alert. Should this be the case, Ma'am, some may argue they are valid sacrifice."

Persepolis was pleased that Glass and his fellow department heads were already mobilizing all the pieces she required.  "Do it," she agreed to his suggested (and likely already in motion) plans of action. 

But his final remark, about allowing Dementors to feast in Azkaban, filled her with a nearly violent rage.  She lifted her chin and her eyes widened.  She spoke through grit teeth.

"Some? Should I hear of anyone in my Ministry whisper a word of anything like that, they'll be in front of an ethics review and dishonorable sacking before they can punctuate that sentence."

So if Glass was one of those who'd dare consider such an inhuman disgrace, he knew now that it was off the table and burned in a fire.  Allowing Dementors to feed upon Azkaban prisoners... she could think of no grimmer scenario. 

Without consulting with Glass, she called over an aide as she wrote a note on her personal, official stationary - it was required for what she was about to order. 

"Get this to Admete Brown right away.  I need Level Two on standby to divert as much force as they can muster to Azkaban on the word that the Dementors are heading there.   Anyone with a wand.  Go."  She set the paper in the aide's hand, who hustled out of the room.

And that aide was immediately replaced by another.  "Update on Hogwarts."

Persepolis read it.  Four students, now, and four staff up from previous reports of who'd encountered Dementors. She sighed sharply and handed Glass the note to read.  It was largely irrelevant now that Hogwarts was secure and all were safe.

"How many Dementors do we think are gathering?" she asked with a low tired voice.

Zephyr looked aghast at Edwin's explanation about the dementors and Azkaban and for the moment she retorted, he stared back, lips apart, realising he might have to push this uncomfortable line with a reminder of the dementors' history with Azkaban.

She pushed ahead with alerting Brown to the possibility, and he had to bite back the words that he wanted to speak - to remind the Minister that in the times before Shaklebolt's decree that dementors would never be used by government again[1] - the dementors had been happy to work for them in return for feeding off what little happiness was in Azkaban[2]. For dementors were only obedient to wizard masters who could guarantee dinner. They had to get them under control somehow…

"How many Dementors do we think are gathering?"

Edwin didn't reply immediately, contemplating whether to speak against her or not.

"Too many. Over a hundred. Which suggests they've been feeding somewhere. I have our squib network examining local news reports, and accessing Muggle health statistics to try and note if there have been clusters, increases in reports of depression, loss of life, the sort that dementors can induce on a Muggle population when close by.[3] No notable trend differing from the usual Muggle poverty and strife." He explained, expression grim, one hand running over his thinning hair.

"One theory is that the colder weather over winter has been perfect conditions for their multiplication, in that they do not breed but grow in number like mould. Without enough food, without a continuation of the poor weather, their numbers will decline." The trouble was that those who often studied dementors close-hand ended up leaving their jobs, or suffering unpleasant side effects similar to those observed in the longest term Azkaban prisoners.[4] Dementor contact for a prolonged period without a kiss could reduce a person's magic.[5]

"However, Minister," he looked up to Persepolis firmly, "we must strongly contemplate the possibility that the dementors are not acting of their own free will. They may have base intelligence to understand command and work in our court rooms in years past, and supervise Azkaban, but they do take leadership from our kind who think alike to them."

1.	HP Wiki: After the end of the Second Wizarding War in1998, the Ministry was reformed, and Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt ensured that they were not used by the government again.
2.	HP Wiki: They are also intelligent enough to be greedy: they obeyed the Ministry of Magic for years because, in guarding Azkaban, they were provided with sustenance of any remaining hope or happiness in the prisoners.
3.	HP Wiki: Although Muggles cannot see Dementors, they are affected in a way similar to wizards and witches, becoming depressed when near them.
4.	HP Wiki: Those that are kept in the company of a Dementor for too long tend to become depressed, and are often driven insane, which was the main source of Azkaban's well-deserved horrible reputation when they still guarded its prisoners.
5.	HP Wiki: stated by Remus Lupin that, provided a wizard remains in close contact with Dementors for an extended period of time, a Dementor can drain a wizard of his powers.

Persepolis inhaled and exhaled slowly through her nose, counting the seconds.  Four in, seven out.  Powerful, therapeutic numbers. Part of her felt this Dementor crisis looming closer and she wished to dispel any part of her the creatures might find appetizing. 

She raised her eyes at the reminder that Dementors thrived in the cold.  This was supported by the frequent sightings in the north where winter was lingering.  She wondered hopefully if coming spring would assist them.  But that was just a personal hope, and she quickly put it away.  There was a nation to defend.

"Department of Mysteries has some preliminary findings about the heat of bonfires aiding as a deterrent - I'll summon a current report on the viability of this as a stopgap for the public."  She nodded to an aide who was standing by waiting for just such a command, and the aide rushed off. 

"Yes, indeed."  Glass had brought up something in a preliminary report from Level Two's highest offices.  That there could be foul play here, and not simply peculiar natural circumstances.  "I've been counselled as much and have been waiting for corroboration of this claim.  It seems to fit as we're coming up with little else."

She sat down now, back into her large chair and put a hand to her mouth in thought.  She raised an eyebrow a moment later and narrowed her gaze on Glass.  She was contemplating a schrewd idea. 

"Hypothetically, do you reckon we have any contacts with ... the sort of experiences and ... traits that could make them more amenable hosts to a Dementor's allegiances?"

On the surface, and indeed, at some substantial depth, Persepolis was clean as a whistle.  But further below that she harbored a philosophy that would conflict with her public and professional image.  A sliver of Ends Justifying The Means.  Anyone who pinned down Mihai Zamperia at his worst, or found out where a substantial bit of her funding had come from would know that Persepolis Zephyr had mingled with well, criminals.  Criminals who could support her in a greater good.

Perhaps this was the time to take advantage of those who might dally in the Dark Arts.  For the greater good.

The Minister took her seat and Edwin shifted his feet a little wider, his hands clasped politely behind his back, the other side of the ministerial desk.

"Hypothetically, do you reckon we have any contacts with … the sort of experiences and … traits that could make them more amenable hosts to a Dementor's allegiances?"

"A deal with the devil?" Edwin asked, raising an eyebrow. He was both surprised and delighted to hear her ask. She didn't seem the sort to consider such when you heard her in meetings. Unless this was a test…

"I am not in the habit of keeping such staff in my Department, Minister, for obvious reasons." He gave the hint of a proud smile, "However if I were to consider, I would consult the likes of Lucius Malfoy, though last I heard he was offended by the suggestion." Edwin gestured off with his left hand to dismiss things. Any suggestion of going back to the old days made Malfoy bury his head, the whole family wanted to forget that and be accepted for their more recent actions.

"If Mortimer isn't hoarding some dabblers in dark magic on level nine, then Brown and Raynor may have better suggestions from their parole list. All reformed character as ever there." He slid his hand back and smiled smugly.

"Hypothetically speaking of course Minister, a trusted an talented member of our Ministry might acquire the skills, with consent, as per the old days."

Zephyr's eyes darted up when Glass caught on to her implication too quickly and too gleefully.  But she would have needed him to come around eventually, so why not now.  They had the same little secret apparently and now each saw it in the other.  At least they were in agreement.

She calmed her countenance and leaned forward to speak with him.  Her tension was easing as a plan of action was forming. 

"Good. Good," she said, the wheels turning.  Malfoy could be motivated if she insisted it was for service and that he'd earn accolades as giving a great sacrifice.  He could be trusted.  But he was also perhaps too famous.  Glass was certainly right that Mysteries and Law Enforcement were better connected.  But the notion of training a wizard or witch with feet firmly in the good and on Ministry salary?

"Though I'd hate to sully the good soul of any of our personnel.  That settles it.  I'll move Brown and Gamp in this direction straight away.  Expect their cooperation."

She didn't have to tell him to exercise discretion.  Level Three knew more about discretion than Level Nine. 

Zephyr took a slow deep breath and then nodded to Glass.  "If there's nothing else?"

"… I'll move Brown and Gamp in this direction straight away. Expect their cooperation."

Edwin nodded primly, glad to be included in this suggestion formally.

"If there's nothing else?"

"We will continue to keep you abreast of the developments, Minister. Thank you for your counsel." He gave a thankful bow of the shoulders, glanced about the room for who remained, and then retreated. He'd have someone drag up the old records of dementor use for his inspection, and ask Brown for her Department's assistance on reviewing all the laws and regulations surrounding control and use of dementors, find a loophole.

Anything to further whip up this situation, he thought to himself, rubbing his hands with glee.

End