The tenth Remembering Day was going to proceed without any snags, thanks in so small part to Tamis and Alex's detail when it came to security. Despite the tragedy that had occured, there were still a few that would take it upon themselves to cause problems. Children mostly, but it never hurt to be too careful. Tamis was more than willing to go all out with her Aurors, making sure they would look their best and adhere to strict protocols. Alex would oversee all of the Law Enforcement Division in it's progress. They were all-stars at their jobs.

The paperwork for the event was enormous, and one of Marcus' jobs was to keep everything in line. It wasn't enough that the hearing for Theodora Kingstreet was looming, alongside all the other daily rituals and goings-on that Marcus would do everyday. The Remembering Day was a labor of love, and Marcus was happy to do whatever needed to be done to make it a success.

Marcus checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time today. Aurora Le Fey McDonnell was due to arrive any minute now to conduct an interview. It had been far too long since he had spent any time with her, which is most of the reason why he agreed to it unconditionally. They had met when Marcus was an Auror, and became instant friends and rivals. There had been several times where Marcus would hire her services in order to catch a particularly difficult criminal. Over time, Marcus had grown quite fond of her. His job, however, was always a problem when it came to liasons with the opposite sex. As Minister of Magic, and a young one at that, it wasn't difficult for the every odd one-night-stand. Marcus believed Aurora to be the one that got away. Perhaps a little exaggerated, but sometimes that's the name of the game.

Marcus checked the time again.

There was no question that the redhead walking through the Ministry was on a mission. She was delightfully surprised when Marcus agreed to be interviewed by her about the Remembering Day events. She figured that he would be too busy to deal with the press or at least a freelancer. Yet, He agreed with no preconditions on what she could ask. Which odd considering how guarded most Ministry officials usually were about their words unless it was her husband or she made it clear she wasn’t on business. However, Marcus wasn’t a normal minister, just as he wasn’t a normal Auror.

Stopping at the Undersecretary’s desk, Aurora gave them a warm smile, “Good day, I’m here to see Minister Annwyl about an interview.”

As the secretary checked their notes, Aurora straightened her outfit. She wanted to at least look neat when she saw Marcus. After all, they did use to work together on some cases. She didn’t want him to think being married was letting her get sloppy. A woman needs her dignity, after all. Especially when dealing with a man she was once attracted too. Granted it wasn’t as powerful as her love for Jason, but it was an ego thing.

Getting the okay, Aurora walked up to the door and gave a polite knock. It would be good to see her old friend again. Perhaps after the interview portion they could catch up a little bit.  It really been a while since they sat and talked. 

To pass the time, Marcus went over the paperwork involved with the upcoming Hearing of Theodora Kingstreet. There was an appeal for early release from Azkaban, on the grounds that she had served ample time for her actions. She had never actually harmed anyone, but it's not as if she was innocent either. Marcus had been Minister of Magic for four years now, and nothing made him more frustrated than this upcoming Hearing. Especially when it's so close to the tenth Remembering Day. Kingstreet's appeal would hit close to home with many in the Wizarding World, never mind those within the Ministry that had lost loved ones.

It was that fateful day almost ten years ago that Marcus began to realize how truly effective a determined politician could be when thrown into a dire scenario. Perhaps if there had been more mentally strong men in office, maybe things would have been different. Voldemort was powerful, but he still needed people on the inside. How powerful, then, was Voldemort actually?

Marcus heard a soft knock on the door. Marcus checked his watch, and saw that it was time for his interview. "Come in," Marcus said while thumbing through papers and pretending like he was in the middle of something. Aurora entered, looking as strong and gracious as she ever was during her time as a bounty hunter. To Marcus, she looked even better. Time has certainly treated her with care.

"Aurora, you look more beautiful with every visit," Marcus greeted with a smile. "Please, sit down. Thank you for coming."

Aurora gracefully walked into the office. She heard Marcus call her in on the other side. As she entered the office, Aurora gently shut the door behind her. She gave Marcus the time to finish what he was doing before he acknowledged her.  He fit behind the desk as a Minister of Magic. When they first meet in her old office in Knockturn, Rory had a feeling he was destined for great things.  He had the strength to bear the burden of the office.

"Aurora, you look more beautiful with every visit.  Please, sit down. Thank you for coming."

“Thank you, Marcus.” Aurora stated giving him a friendly smile, “It’s nice to hear after bearing two children.  You look quite well yourself.  How have things been going?”

Aurora settled herself in her chair. Crossing her legs, she opened her pad to a fresh page.  She was slowly getting ready to get down to business. The sooner she got the interview done, the sooner they could talk and get caught up with each other.  Concurring her quill into a ready position to start transcribing, Aurora looked back at Marcus with a smile.

“Are you ready, Marcus? I promise to play nice.” Aurora teased.

“Thank you, Marcus.” Aurora stated giving him a friendly smile, “It’s nice to hear after bearing two children.  You look quite well yourself.  How have things been going?”

Pleasentries were never Marcus' forte. For Aurora it was easy, and he meant every word. There was still an infatuation there, only enhanced in part because she wasn't avaIlable. "Busy, as always," Marcus began, stacking his remaining papers together and putting them in the file storage in his desk. "Never had this problem on the field, but I suppose we'll get to that in due time." Marcus smiled, and leaned back in his chair comfortably.

Aurora got comfortable in her own chair, and flipped her notebook to a page. Marcus watched with an observant eye at her behavior. Was it that she didn't want to do the interview? Was it just a disinterest in formal questions, or was it something more? He would have to find out more during the course of te interview, and observe more. Aurora had the investigative eyes of a pro, something one could only get with her kind of experience. Her seriousness was charming, even cute.

“Are you ready, Marcus? I promise to play nice.”

Marcus grinned, "Do what you want, Aurora. You know I prefer things to be a little rough."

"Never had this problem on the field, but I suppose we'll get to that in due time."

Aurora gave a soft laugh, “That must be an Auror trait. It seems except for Tamis, every Auror or former Auror I know seems to have an evasion to paper work.”

As she got ready, Aurora could feel Marcus’s eyes on her. It was strange in a way. She wasn’t disturbed by it. It was just odd to feel another set of eyes on her. She was so use to Jason watching her work, but he was her husband. Marcus was friend. Glancing up, Aurora caught his eyes on her. What was he up to? Sitting up a little straighter, Aurora prepared to get down to business.

"Do what you want, Aurora. You know I prefer things to be a little rough."

“Oh I remember. Let’s see if I can still deliver.” Aurora smirked as she looked Marcus straight in the eye.

Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she refocused on the purpose of her article. She wanted to see if there was going to be any trouble with the Remembering Day events. It was hard not to be nervous with Kingstreet’s release looming over it. Kingstreet was the woman who wrote Voldemort and his followers their visitor’s passes into the Ministry.  Plus Marcus and Alex were the ones to capture her after the dust settled from the Second War.  It wasn’t too hard to imagine her first question was going to start leading towards.

“What are the Ministry’s exact plans for security on the tenth annual Remembering Day?” Aurora asked, “With Kingstreet’s impending release, how will the Ministry prevent any problems that might arise?”

"Well, for obvious reasons I can't tell you our [/i]exact[/i] plans for security," Marcus began, already feeling like he was dodging the question. "What I can tell you is that the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Head of the Aurors, Alexander Belisario and Tamis Raynor, respectively, are pulling out all the stops to make sure that this milestone goes smoothly."

Marcus grimaced inside his head. That sounded like such a political non-answer. "We've got our Hitwizards working in shifts in order to keep the area consistently safe. Any suspicious reports are taken to Mr. Belisario directly. Ms. Raynor is making sure that the Aurors are keep the city as a whole as clean as possible. The daily reports work their way up the chain-of-command until they arrive at my desk. So far we've been clear of any major wrongdoing."

A grin sneaked it's way onto Marcus' face. "This, of course, leads to your next question." She's good. "Theodora Kingstreet has been kept away from the general public at large since her temporary reprieve from Azkaban, only seeing those that are required to spend time with her. Needless to say, we've kept all manner of office supplies and stationary away from her. Wands were our weapons and impliments, the quill and the written word are hers. Deception, and a contract, are some of her best moves."

"To directly answer your question: no one, to my knowledge, has been allowed to be corrupted by Theodora Kingstreet. She will have no influence on the events of Remembering Day."

Marcus felt an overwhelming desire to counter with his own questions, leftover sense memory from his time on the field. Or was it?

"Well, for obvious reasons I can't tell you our exact[/i] plans for security. What I can tell you is that the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Head of the Aurors, Alexander Belisario and Tamis Raynor, respectively, are pulling out all the stops to make sure that this milestone goes smoothly."[/i]

Aurora began to jot it done. That was such a non answer from Marcus, which was extremely odd. He almost never danced around an issue. He was always one for being direct and to the point. Aurora was sure he would get to the meat of the matter quite soon. Perhaps he was just setting the stage.

"We've got our Hitwizards working in shifts in order to keep the area consistently safe. Any suspicious reports are taken to Mr. Belisario directly. Ms. Raynor is making sure that the Aurors are keep the city as a whole as clean as possible. The daily reports work their way up the chain-of-command until they arrive at my desk. So far we've been clear of any major wrongdoing."

“Which will be a great deal of comfort to the residents in both Hogsmeade as well as London.” Aurora commented gently, “However with Kingstreet schedule to be released, there are still some that are worried.”

This, of course, leads to your next question. Theodora Kingstreet has been kept away from the general public at large since her temporary reprieve from Azkaban, only seeing those that are required to spend time with her. Needless to say, we've kept all manner of office supplies and stationary away from her. Wands were our weapons and impliments, the quill and the written word are hers. Deception, and a contract, are some of her best moves."

“An auror’s worst enemy,” Aurora teased, “Paperwork. There has been some question about her release proceedings. Will she still be allowed to represent herself? There have been those concern with her attempting to take another take over of the Ministry like she did before the Second war?”

Aurora put her pen down and look Marcu. He really hadn’t changed much over the years. She considered him a good friend and someone she respected. She didn’t want to see him end up like Rufus or the others who fell during the last time someone took over the Ministry.

“What will you be doing to take care of your own personal safety?” Aurora asked seriously.

“An auror’s worst enemy,” Aurora teased, “Paperwork. There has been some question about her release proceedings. Will she still be allowed to represent herself? There have been those concern with her attempting to take another take over of the Ministry like she did before the Second war?”

Did he really despise paperwork as much as everyone thought he did? Thinking back on it, yeah he did. Though it would have been nice to know he was so transparent back then. He's perhaps just as transparent now, but that effect was done on purpose. Nevertheless, Marcus chuckled at the memory. "Yes, she will be allowed to represent herself," Marcus said, shifting back into seriousness. "Frankly, there isn't anyone serving on the Wizengamot that she would be satisfied to represent her."

"Regardless of whether or not neutrality comes into play, she would prefer to defend herself. If I wanted to, I could appoint someone. However, I'm not in the mod for a back-and-forth between myself and Kingstreet. I surmise that there will be plenty of that during the Hearing."

Apparently, it was Aurora's turn to study Marcus. She began to look intently on Marcus. One would probably say too intently. That is, if one would not want the added attention. What was she searching for? Aurora's gaze turned to that of concern.

“What will you be doing to take care of your own personal safety?”

She was in part referring to Rufus Scrimgeour, the last of the two Ministers that served during Voldemort's second appearance. He was tortured for information, and then finally killed when he refused to cooperate. He was an inspiration for what it meant to sacrifice. It was something that could have been prevented if the one before him, Cornelius Fudge, had just come to terms with what was happening around him.

"The initial danger of Voldemort's return had been flat out denied by former Minister Fudge, and when former Minister Scrimgeour took the lead, Voldemort and his Death Eaters already had enough within their ranks to take over the Ministry. Theodora Kingstreet's role in manipulating the Ministry makes her a formidable person. I am very aware of the danger that she presents, and I am taking it every bit as seriously as I can."

"Depending on how her Hearing goes tomorrow, we may need to beef up security around here, as well as making sure she can't manipulate anyone within the Ministry for her benefit. It'd be a shame if I was assassinated while getting my tea, now won't it?" Marcus joked, downplaying the danger that a breach in Ministry affairs might represent. "Speaking as a friend, Aurora, as well as off-record," Marcus leaned forward, matching her attentive gaze, "I'll be fine. Alex and I have a system worked out that, if needed, can be here with wands a-blazing within seconds. And those are just our normal protocols." Marcus winked, hopefully ensuring Aurora that problems would be mitigated should they arise.

Aurora nodded along as Marcus spoke about the impending hearing. She was going to be present if for no other reason than to make sure Jason stayed out of trouble. Not that she didn’t think Jason couldn’t control himself. In fact, he might be a bit too controlled for her liking. When he was wearing what Rory affectionately called his warrior mode, he was a bit more dangerous. He was more likely to hit his target than ever.

“She always was a wordsmith.” Aurora commented off handedly as she jotted things down.

"The initial danger of Voldemort's return had been flat out denied by former Minister Fudge, and when former Minister Scrimgeour took the lead, Voldemort and his Death Eaters already had enough within their ranks to take over the Ministry. Theodora Kingstreet's role in manipulating the Ministry makes her a formidable person. I am very aware of the danger that she presents, and I am taking it every bit as seriously as I can."

Except she did’nt represent a physical danger. She was the type to mastermind an attack, not conduct it. That was what bothered Rory the most. That skill at manipulation. She remembered how good Kingstreet was at moving her underlings around like chess pieces. Even when chaos was erupting around her, Kingstreet could still move things into her favor.

"Depending on how her Hearing goes tomorrow, we may need to beef up security around here, as well as making sure she can't manipulate anyone within the Ministry for her benefit. It'd be a shame if I was assassinated while getting my tea, now won't it? Speaking as a friend, Aurora, as well as off-record, I'll be fine. Alex and I have a system worked out that, if needed, can be here with wands a-blazing within seconds. And those are just our normal protocols.”

Aurora put her pen down at the request that this was off the record. She always respect that request. As Marcus leaned forward and winked, Aurora knew he was trying to waylay her fears. Jason usually pulled the same stunt when he wanted her to not worry about him. It never really worked but Rory learned it was just easier to humor them.

“Then, speaking as a dear old friend, Marcus, you will understand the fear that many in the community have over you becoming another Scrimgeour. Kingstreet’s power isn’t in her wand, dear, it’s in her words.” Aurora responded seriously, “If she chooses to, she can become as influential as Rita Skeeter was once. That’s the part that scares me the most. Especially since a great deal of us can’t manipulate paperwork like she can. She is a wordsmith, Marcus. And a very accomplished one at that.”

Was this still an interview? Marcus wasn't quite sure, though his words seemed to have absolutely no effect on Aurora's demeanor. She was genuinely worried.

“Then, speaking as a dear old friend, Marcus, you will understand the fear that many in the community have over you becoming another Scrimgeour. Kingstreet’s power isn’t in her wand, dear, it’s in her words. If she chooses to, she can become as influential as Rita Skeeter was once. That’s the part that scares me the most. Especially since a great deal of us can’t manipulate paperwork like she can. She is a wordsmith, Marcus. And a very accomplished one at that.”

"I understand your concerns, and they have been addressed tenfold. Not just between Alex and Tamis, but with the Wizengamot as a whole. None of us want a repeat of what happened ten years ago. If Kingstreet is prematurely released, she'll have so many of us law abiding Ministry workers breathing down her neck that she won't even be able to lift a quill without thinking of recapture." Marcus found himself in a near standing position. The very idea of another catastrophe like the one that happened a decade ago made Marcus nervous. Paranoia, in this case, was a very good thing. He sat back down and proceeded.

"If we ever allow her to lift a quill again, that is," Marcus added. It was true that Kingstreet was lethal with the written word, as both of them had semantically pointed out mere moments ago. "Rufus was a good man that didn't get the end he deserved, but it might have been avoided if the Death Eaters had not infiltrated the Ministry in the first place. I'm not so naive to think that it could never happen, nor do I believe that I am unattainable. My end will come, what matters is what I can leave behind for the next generation."

"Aurora, I don't mean to upset you," Marcus said softly. "There are a lot of things happening all at once, and it can get a little bit weird. This isn't the first problem I've encountered as Minister, and it damn sure won't be the last. What message would it send to the public if I started letting the fear get to me?" Fear was a very real thing for Marcus, and it always has been. Fear is necessary. "It's the actions that I take in spite of that fear that breed courage and hope. Not just in me, but in everybody. You can quote me on that."

Aurora listened as Marcus continued to reassure her that he would be fine. It wasn't much comfort but she was putting her trust in them to take care of themselves. Perhaps it was because she wasn't as active in the fighting as she use to be. However, she was needed at home to protect her children and home from any danger. She wasn't sure what danger Kingstreet would pose to her family and friend, but something inside her just knew there was a danger with that woman. Yet, if Marcus was certain he could handle it, then perhaps she should back off a bit.

"There are a lot of things happening all at once, and it can get a little bit weird. This isn't the first problem I've encountered as Minister, and it damn sure won't be the last. What message would it send to the public if I started letting the fear get to me? It's the actions that I take in spite of that fear that breed courage and hope. Not just in me, but in everybody. You can quote me on that."

"Oh don't worry, I will. And I hold you to that Marcus." Aurora promised as she jotted that down, "I'm not saying it's your first problem. After four years, I'm sure you faced a lot. But This is the maybe the first one that will be very personal. I don't want you to flinch at all when you face her."

Aurora paused wondering just how much to say. She trusted Marcus. They worked together enough to have that kind of bond. In some ways, he showed her that not all Aurors were so bad. It's just with everything going on between the Remembering Day and Kingstreet, she was feeling edgier than usual. Maybe she just needed to be sure that everyone was safe.

"I'm sorry if I sound like a worry wart. My instinct have just been on guard lately. Jason been in clicking back into warrior mode when ever we discuss the case. He wishes he could curse her into oblivion and I think he hoping to at the trial if she tries anything. I'm worried about him and all of you guys. I know that you, Alex and Jason worked pretty closely with her." Aurora admitted softly, " I also know that you three felt that sting of betrayal the hardest. Especially when the fighting broke out in the Ministry after Scrimgeour died. I don't want to lose anyone else to her manipulations."

"The betrayal at the hands of that woman isn't even one of the first hundred stories that deserves to be told. So many people lost loved ones because of their machinations and lies. So many were labelled useless titles like 'mudblood' and 'blood traitor', and thrown in Azkaban for no reason." Marcus paused to reflect on the previous statement, and it made him think of something specific regarding the tomorrow's trial. "People also throw around the word 'neutral' and have it thrust upon people, and that title is just as equally useless. It's not about bias and neutraility. It's about working with the laws that were created by this country and community. She'll get a fair Hearing, mark my words."

Marcus knew that she had not actually asked a question, but he decided to answer one anyway. He was betting that was one of the topics written in her notepad. "Rufus was a good friend, and a hell of an Auror, but he was an even better politician. He knew that sometimes sacrifices had to be made, but never ideals for the sake of safety. That is why I won't flinch when Kingstreet is presented to the Wizengamot. To do so would sully the good men that preceeded myself in this Office."

The two shared a retrospective pause in the interview, if it could even still be considered one. Marcus pondered Aurora's conundrum, and couldn't help but think of how it would be if Marcus were with her, and not Jason.

He respected Jason, but at the same time resented him. In Marcus' life he has had many one night stands, some of which were heavily, and voluntarily, publicized. As far as Marcus was concerned, Aurora was the one that got away. The only one that he ever had respect for. Here she is now after all these years, just as worried about Marcus' well-being as she was back then. The moment in the office was still a somber one, and a new unrelated thought crept up in his mind.

"Could things ever have been different between us?" Marcus asked with only a slight hesitation.

"People also throw around the word 'neutral' and have it thrust upon people, and that title is just as equally useless. It's not about bias and neutraility. It's about working with the laws that were created by this country and community. She'll get a fair Hearing, mark my words."

“I never doubted that she would get a fair hearing.” Aurora stated carefully as she tapped her pen on the pad in her lap, “She’ll probably get a fairer hearing then those who were sent to Azkaban thanks to her machinations. I would like to know if she even understand all the damage she helped cause or if she realizes that many in this community consider to be worse than a Death Eater.  Too bad those questions can’t come out tomorrow. She’ll have some legality for why she can’t answer though questions.”

"Rufus was a good friend, and a hell of an Auror, but he was an even better politician. He knew that sometimes sacrifices had to be made, but never ideals for the sake of safety. That is why I won't flinch when Kingstreet is presented to the Wizengamot. To do so would sully the good men that preceeded myself in this Office."

Aurora nodded. There wasn’t much she could say to that other than give her agreement to that statement. Scrimgeour was a good man who stepped into a very troubling time. They could rehash the if onlys for so long. The end result wouldn’t change.

Giving a mental sigh, Aurora looked back at her notes. This interview was getting away from her. She was getting too easily distracted by her own emotions. It was time to return to the job on hand and then they could talk more personally. Just as she was about to ask her next question, Marcus spoke up first.

"Could things ever have been different between us?"

Aurora gave a startled look at the question. He didn’t really just ask that. She searched his face for any sign that he was teasing her. However, he looked absolutely serious.  That gave her another pause as her mind began to ponder the point. Sure, when they had first met Rory had an attraction to Marcus and at times she felt it back. However, he never really acted on it. Rory figured he had other girlfriends or just wasn’t that interested. Besides it was before she had Jason reentered her life. Everything else had faded in comparison. But what if Marcus had acted. Would things have been different?

“I…don’t know, Marcus.” Aurora admitted gently, “I honestly don’t know. But we’ll never really know. After all you had your cases and career back then. I had mine.  Bounty Hunters and Aurors back then just didn’t mix. Why are you asking now of all times?”

"Honestly, I don't know why." Marcus was telling the truth. Seeing Aurora again after so long stirred up some feelings that had grown stagnant over time. "If I had to make an educated guess, I'd say it has something to do with the upcoming events, Remembering Day and the Hearing to a lesser extent. I look back on the infiltration of the Ministry and the fight on the grounds of Hogwarts and I can't help but think that we could have done better. What I could have done better."

Aurora was correct about one thing, Marcus did have his career. It was also true that bounty hunters and Aurors didn't get along. What she didn't mention was the well-reputed fact that Marcus was known for his short-term sexual liasons. It was common place to see Marcus spending what free time he had with his Girl of the Week. The truth of it was that they were just easier women to obtain. They were just a guilty pleasure, a distraction from what Marcus really wanted. It's sort of what Marcus still wants, the one woman that is absolutely unobtainable.

And he knows it.

"You knew that my cases didn't take up enough of my time to keep me from maintaining some semblance of a social life. We've talked about it several times." Marcus was aware that there was still an interview to finish, but it appeared that the cat was let out of the bag. It would be next to impossible to bring up this subject again, so Marcus would have to make the most of it. "I didn't work twenty four hours a day," Marcus justified. He paused, almost hesitating to continue for fear of ruining the moment. "Though sometimes it seemed like you did."

For the second time during this interview, Marcus grimaced internally. So much for maintaining the moment. What a shining example of a drama-free Minister of Magic you turned ut to be.