A/N: Here's the new Chapter! Which also means the next FIVE chapters are up on my for early access as well as the chance to vote on the direction of the story!
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Surprise Penny POV
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Penelope Clearwater wasn't stupid. Fleur was doing her best to hide it, but it was rather obvious that the other woman had a certain Wizard Lord's voice in her ear right now. Which meant that Harry Hallows, current Lord of Houses Potter and Black, was probably watching or at least listening to this conversation from afar.
That hadn't stopped Penny from trying to reach out to Fleur anyways, of course. The French Witch was one of hers and Amelia's greatest shames. What had happened to her, the way Gringotts had all but enslaved her… it was unconscionable. Made all the worse by the fact that the Ministry couldn't do anything about it either.
Oh, if they'd been at full strength than maybe they would have raised a stink. Certainly, Fleur's mother Lady Delacour had kicked up enough of a fuss over these past few years that they SHOULD have made a move by now to force Gringotts to release Fleur from her obligation to them.
Unfortunately, the British Wizarding World was on fire. Wizards had dropped dead left and right too fast for them to focus on Fleur's unfortunate situation and by the time the Ministry was stable enough with Amelia Bones at its head, they were too weakened to take the goblins to task.
In fact, for the first time in history, they were so weak that if they provoked the goblins into another rebellion, they couldn't be certain they would win. Needless to say, this was a very, very sore point for the Minister… and it was a sore point for Penny too, given how she was the one who'd had to interact with Fleur directly the most.
Seeing the poor woman in such a situation had made Penny angrier than she'd ever admit. And while she was glad that Fleur had managed to escape Gringotts' clutches, she had to admit… she was afraid that the part veela had jumped out of the frying pan and straight into the fire on this one.
"… Lord Hallows is not looking to travel to the Ministry of Magic at this time."
Straightening up, Penny frowns as Fleur finally answers her query. She opens her mouth to speak, but Fleur cuts her off with a raised hand.
"However. He is more than willing to host the Minister here in his home for dinner later this evening. They can discuss her concerns and matters regarding his safety then, if she wishes to accept this extremely generous invitation."
Oh the ego on this man… except, Penny has to admit that Lord Hallows' arrogance is not entirely undeserved. After all, Penny has already admitted that he's the last Wizard Lord in the British Isles. She's already admitted that he's in danger just by being here in the British Wizarding World.
So by all rights, not only does she not have room to complain, but she knows that when she returns to Amelia with this offer, the Minister will almost certainly accept. After all, what's one dinner if it allows them to get Lord Hallows' measure and potentially save him from the same fate all the other wizards suffered?
"As well, this invitation also extends to you of course, Senior Undersecretary."
What. Penny, jolted out of her thoughts by Fleur's follow up, shoots the other witch a baffled look. Fleur just smiles in response. Seriously? The Lord has to know who and what Penny is by now. She'd assumed that him sending Fleur to meet with her had been meant as a subtle form of disrespect regarding her blood status.
But now he was inviting her to join him and Minister Bones for a private dinner? Why? What game was he playing here?
… In the end, she wasn't going to get answers waffling around here in the foyer of Lord Hallows' mansion. Nostrils flaring, Penny straightens up and squares her shoulders.
"What time?"
Fleur raises her brow in response and its Penny's turn to smirk.
"The Minister will meet with Lord Hallows for dinner. What time should we arrive?"
Unlike Fleur, Penny doesn't have anyone in her ear. Amelia isn't actually here right now, though she fully intends to share the memory of this entire encounter with the Minister by way of pensieve once she returns to her office. However, Penny still has the authority to make decisions on Amelia's behalf. Especially when she knows exactly what the Minister is going to say.
This is too good of an opportunity to pass up, in the end. Fleur, meanwhile, all but gives up the pretense that she's not being told what to say by her watching Lord.
"… My Lord suggests that you and the Minister should arrive at five. Dinner will start at six."
Plenty of time to talk before food then, she supposed. Penny just nods sharply.
"Very good. You may tell your Lord we will be there."
She almost turns on her heel and marches out right then and there. But… she stops herself and takes a step forward instead, looking Fleur in the eye. Even if the Wizard Lord is listening in, Penny doesn't care.
"I am glad to see you free of those goblins, Fleur. The Ministry failed you on that front… I can promise, if you have need of us in the future, we will not fail you a second time."
She means it too. Fleur just smiles in response.
"I appreciate the sentiment, Penny. But don't make promises you can't keep."
Penny flinches, scowling as her hands curl into fists at her sides.
"Fine then. I will not fail you a second time. And THAT is a promise."
Even if she has to be disavowed by the Ministry and Minister Bones, she will stop at nothing to help Fleur Delacour if the other woman needs it.
Fleur looks legitimately taken aback by this, as well as genuinely touched. Finally, she just sighs.
"I will keep that in mind, Penny."
Nodding sharply, Penelope Clearwater finally turns on her heel and leaves the mansion through the door whence she came. She has a report to deliver to the Minister, after all. And a dinner to prepare herself for.
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Hours later, Penny arrives back in front of Lord Hallows' mansion with Amelia Bones at her side. As expected, the Minister of Magic had agreed with every decision she'd made, even approving of Penny's last promise to Fleur in spite of the implications.
The older witch didn't quite know what to make of the entire encounter though just as Penny didn't… especially the part where Lord Hallows invited both of them to dinner and not just the Minister. Still, here they were all the same.
"Well. Here we are. Shall we, Ms. Clearwater?"
"Of course, Minister Bones."
Penny leads the way as they move up the steps. She uses the magical door knocker and then steps back, quietly waiting alongside the Minister. Unlike last time, they aren't made to wait several minutes. Instead, within mere moments, the front doors open up, allowing them to step inside.
Fleur awaits them once more, wearing a brand new dress that hugs her curves perfectly. She looks a little more strained, Penny notices immediately. Like she's stressed about something. And if Penny picks up on it, than she knows Amelia will pick up on it too.
"Minister Bones, Senior Undersecretary Clearwater, welcome."
Amelia doesn't hesitate to stride forward and clasp Fleur's hands, startling the part veela badly.
"Ms. Delacour. On behalf of my office, the entire Ministry, and myself personally… I am sorry about how badly we failed you."
Fleur looks truly taken aback by the Minister's sincerity. Perhaps that's why her guard drops for a moment and she huffs in amused frustration.
"If you really wanted to apologize, you shouldn't have interrupted earlier."
What? Penny's brow furrows in confusion and so do Amelia's, prompting Fleur to blanch a bit as she realizes what she just said. In an instant, she gets herself back under control and smiles.
"Apologies, forget what I just said if you could. Come, right this way."
But Amelia doesn't let go of Fleur's hands, keeping the part veela from turning to guide them deeper into the mansion.
"What did Penelope interrupt, exactly?"
Fleur pauses, glancing between them for a moment before huffing and rolling her eyes.
"Nothing. I have merely been… busy ever since Ms. Clearwater's visit. After all, a dinner for my Lord and two very important guests wasn't going to plan itself on such short notice, now was it?"
Penny frowns.
"… Your Lord was the one to suggest dinner tonight, Fleur."
Fleur just hums and nods.
"Mm. That he did. Do not worry, everything is exactly as it should be. Come, come."
This time, Amelia doesn't stop Fleur from slipping free of her grasp and turning to lead them deeper into the mansion. The Minister does give Penny a glance though, one that she returns with pursed lips and a shrug. Fleur was acting strangely, but she couldn't quite figure out more than that.
Eventually, they arrive at a beautifully appointed sitting room, where Fleur directs them to sit.
"May I get either of you refreshments? Dinner will be ready shortly."
Tilting her head to the side as she sits down, Amelia looks around with a frown.
"No, I'm fine. But I was hoping to converse with Lord Hallows sooner, rather than later."
Fleur just smiles thinly.
"He'll be right with us."
Then, as if summoned by her words, the door at the other end of the sitting room opposite to where they came in swings open… and a man who can only be Harry Hallows himself strides in. Penny can't help the way her breath hitches as she lays eyes on him.
First of all, he appears young. Easily only nineteen or twenty at best as far as she can tell. Tousled black hair frames a youngish, narrow face and he looks reedy even as he strides into the room wearing a muggle suit of all things rather than wizard's robes.
His eyes though… his eyes are what really catch Penny's attention. Bright green, simmering with a gentle glow of power. They draw her in and leave her speechless. So speechless that she just sits there like a dumbass with her mouth slightly open while the Minister rises to her feet and extends a hand.
"Lord Hallows, I presume."
The Wizard Lord smirks and Penny's heart flutters in her chest as he takes Amelia Bones' hand in his own and kisses her knuckles rather than going for an ordinary handshake.
"That's right. And you must be Lady Amelia Bones, Minister of Magic. A pleasure, madam."
And then his eyes turn towards her and Penny realizes how ridiculous she's being. All but jumping up from her seat, Penny clears her throat and bows respectfully.
"Lord Hallows."
She expects distaste or disgust. Penny is ready to stomach it of course, no matter what Amelia has said. But instead of a derisive tone and a sneer, she gets something stranger… she gets a chuckle.
"Senior Undersecretary Clearwater. A pleasure to meet you in the flesh as well. You comported yourself well earlier today."
Inwardly, Penny frowns. If this were any other Magical Noble, she would think that last comment to be a veiled barb of sorts. 'Oh, you comported yourself well earlier today, as opposed to how you're doing right now'. But… somehow, she doesn't get the impression that that's how Harry Hallows means it.
"T-Thank you, Lord Hallows."
In the end, she can't quite keep the stutter out of her voice… how mortifying. Penny doesn't dare to meet Amelia's eyes, assuming that at this point the Minister is giving her a look of disappointment. They'll talk about it later, when they aren't in what could still turn out to be 'enemy territory'.
"No need to thank me, merely an observation. Come, let us all sit. Ah, but we need refreshments ahead of dinner."
Unlike Fleur, Lord Harry doesn't bother asking. He just snaps his fingers and silver trays filled to the brim with all sorts of options hit the tables in the center of the sitting room. As the Wizard Lord takes a seat, Fleur moves to stand to the right and slightly behind his chair, as would be her place as his servant. Only, the moment she does so…
"You sit with us and partake as well, Fleur. After all, if I'm not mistaken the Minister will have questions regarding your circumstances too. It's only right you not be parched when you have to answer her."
Fleur hesitates for a moment… before doing as she's told. Penny can tell that Amelia is as nonplused by this behavior as she is, even as they both retake their own seats. And of course, now that everything is front of them, they can no longer politely decline. No, now it would be rude.
Penny pours herself a cup of pumpkin juice and takes a single finger sandwich to nibble on. At the same time, she watches as Lord Harry pours himself a cup of wine, sitting back in his chair and taking a sip while looking between her and Amelia.
"Well? Where would you two like to start?"
… He's already made it difficult to talk about Fleur's situation by getting out in front like that and all but calling Amelia out for having questions regarding her circumstances. Was that on purpose, a preemptive measure of sorts?
Well, in the end it's out of Penny's hands. Even if the Wizard Lord says something like 'where would you two like to start', Penny is very much Amelia's subordinate here. The Minister of Magic has to be the one to take center stage or she'll look weak… and given this is the first living noble wizard that Magical Britain has seen in years, Minister Bones can't afford to look weak here.
With that in mind, Penny takes a sip of her pumpkin juices, nibbles at her finger sandwich, and waits to see what Amelia will do next.
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The Vote:
[X] Amelia does indeed question Harry about Fleur first - 70%
[ ] Amelia moves to questioning Harry about his origins - 15%
[ ] Amelia jumps straight to questioning Harry about his intentions - 14%
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