Harry Potter: The Golden Viper

0623 Ministry Politics

As Goldstein turned to leave, he paused and glanced back over his shoulder at Percy. "Oh, right, Weasley - before I forget, Cadwell asked me to pass along a message. That whole toilet mishap has been sorted out, so you can go ahead and disregard the note he sent you about it."

With that, he left cheerfully, completely devoid of the aggressive manner he had when he arrived.

Click–

The heavy oak door swung shut behind him with a resounding click.

Percy stood frozen in place, his mind spinning as he struggled to process the bewildering turn of events that had just transpired. Before he could gather his wits, however, Bryan had already guided him back to the sofa beside the coffee table. No sooner had his bottom made contact with the cushion than he sprang up again like a jack-in-the-box, turning to face Bryan with a wild-eyed expression of mingled shock and outrage.

"Mr. Watson, sir - do I understand correctly that you intend to intercede on behalf of this Ali Bashir fellow? Is he perhaps an acquaintance of yours?" Percy demanded, his voice rising an octave in his agitation.

Bryan shook his head, his expression relaxed. "On the contrary, Percy - this is the first I've heard the man's name."

"Then... then why in Merlin's name would you agree to speak to Mr. Crouch on his behalf?" Percy sputtered, flabbergasted. "Surely you must realize that Bashir--"

But Bryan held up a hand, cutting short Percy's rant, and said calmly. "You misunderstand me, Percy. My aim is not to extricate Mr. Bashir from his current predicament, but rather to spare you from becoming embroiled in a political quagmire."

He gestured for the visibly perplexed Percy to retake his seat before continuing in a slow tone. "When I meet with Barty, I have no intention of mentioning the subject of Bashir's case. As for the matter of the illegal flying carpets, my advice to you would be to draft a letter to Barty outlining the situation. If Barty replies to you, then handle it according to his reply. If, however, he doesn't reply, I would recommend you to follow standard Ministry protocol and forward a formal report to the Minister's office, requesting further instructions."

Percy blinked, a frown of concentration crinkling his eyebrows as he tried to parse the logic behind Professor Watson's proposed course of action. It was becoming increasingly apparent that the situation was far more complex than he had initially inferred, but the precise nature of the underlying intrigues was still unclear to him.

Noting his evident confusion, Bryan fell into a contemplative silence for a moment before speaking again.

"Unless I'm very much mistaken, Percy, it seems that this Ali Bashir has the tacit backing of Fudge—"

"WHAT?" Percy gasped, the bombshell revelation jolting him out of his daze like a bucket of ice water to the face. His mind raced as he recalled Goldstein's parting words, and the pieces of the puzzle slowly began to fall into place. "But... but Madam Umbridge --"

"Goldstein mentioned the fact that the Oswald family holds exclusive rights to the sale and distribution of flying carpets within the United Kingdom," Bryan pointed out, his tone calm in the face of Percy's increasing dismay. "I trust you are aware of the connection between this family and the Minister's wife?"

Despite having been told of the details of the Bashir affair few moments ago, Bryan seemed to have an uncannily comprehensive grasp of the intricacies of the situation. He continued his methodical deconstruction.

"Dolores Umbridge's involvement is nothing more than a smokescreen designed to deflect attention away from Cornelius Fudge's own involvement. Consider the timeline, Percy - when exactly was Bashir taken into custody? And when did Barty gave notice of his intention to take a leave of absence from his duties?"

"Bashir was detained in the middle of last month," Percy replied, his voice distant as he struggled to make sense of the implications of Bryan's line of inquiry. "And Mr. Crouch only submitted his request for leave four days ago..."

"And at what point did Goldstein approach you?" Bryan pressed.

"Yesterday... just yesterday," Percy stammered, as a sickening realization began to emerge in his mind.

"Given that nearly a month has passed since Bashir's arrest, during which time Barty was present and accounted for at the Ministry, have you never wondered why Goldstein refrained from bringing the matter to his attention, instead chose to come to you at a time when you were acting in Barty's stead?" Bryan guided him step by step.

As the full implications of Bryan's words sank in, the color drained from Percy's face, leaving him ashen. "He... he was trying to manipulate me, to use me-" he whispered, his voice hoarse with a mixture of shock and self-blame. "But I didn't allow him to succeed."

"The sequence of events suggests the following scenario," Bryan explained, interlocking his fingers and resting his elbows on his knees as he observed Percy with a penetrating gaze.

"The importation and sale of flying carpets in the British Isles has long been under the exclusiveness of the Oswald family - that is to say, the family of the Minister's wife. However, the passage of legislation banning the trade in flying carpets occurred during Cornelius Fudge's tenure as Minister of Magic. Surely you must have some inkling as to who was the driving force behind that particular initiative?"

Percy's eyes widened as the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place, a look of realization appeared across his facial features. After all, he was once the top student at Hogwarts.

"I see you begin to grasp the crux of the matter," Bryan said, a note of approval creeping into his voice. "This is, at its core, a political confrontation struggle between Cornelius Fudge and Barty Crouch. The specifics of how Barty managed to outmaneuver Fudge and secure the passage of the flying carpet ban are unclear, but we can reasonably infer that there was some exchange of interests. Regardless, the fact remains that Barty emerged victorious from that particular skirmish."

Bryan said blandly, "But Cornelius, obviously, was not prepared to accept defeat so easily. And so, he dispatched, this Ali Bashir - almost certainly acting at the command of the Oswald family - to test the limits of Barty's resolve. Whether it was intended as a deliberate provocation or simply a last-ditch effort to clear out inventory and recoup losses before the new law took effect is irrelevant. The important point is that Barty refused to face such a blatant challenge to his authority, and Bashir was arrested."

Bryan leaned back in his seat; his posture relaxed but his gaze still focused intently on Percy's face. "As for Goldstein, I suspect he is very much in Fudge's pocket. His actions bear the stamp of someone operating with some approval and tacit support of the Minister's office.

It just so happens that you are handling daily affairs for Barty during this time, so he came to try his luck with you. This is also why he never mentioned Umbridge and Oswald in front of you. If successful, Goldstein will undoubtedly gain face in front of Cornelius and get a promotion. And you will take the blame because the person who ultimately signs the release order on behalf of Barty is you."

As the true nature of the cunning web in which he had become entangled began to reveal itself in all its blunt, factual ugliness, Percy felt his heart hammering against his ribs like a caged bird desperate for release. A sheen of cold sweat had broken out on his eyebrow, and his hands trembled where they gripped the armrests of the sofa.

"I didn't... I didn't ruin Mr. Crouch's plan," he stammered, his voice sounding barely above a whisper. "Thank Merlin I didn't sign that..."

Bryan gave him with a thin smile, but there was no warmth in it. "Ah, but have you considered the consequences of your refusal, Percy? In rejecting Goldstein's proposition, you have all but guaranteed that you will incur the ire of the Minister. Such an act, however principled, may well prove to be the death knell for your career prospects within the Ministry."

At these words, what little color remained in Percy's cheeks drained away, leaving him as pale as a ghost. His mouth worked soundlessly for a moment, as though he desperately wished to beg Bryan for help, but could not quite bring himself to give voice to the plea. The memory of his earlier haughtiness and the selfish motives that had driven his interactions thus far lodged in his throat like a bone, choking off his words.

"In the course of your conversation with Goldstein, he made a rather telling remark," Bryan continued, seemingly oblivious to Percy's inner turmoil. "He wanted to take this case directly to Barty. This suggests two things: first, that he has come to the realization that you are not so easily manipulated as he had hoped. And second, that he remains committed to achieving his objective, even if it means circumventing your authority and appealing to your superior."

Bryan's expression turned pensive, his fingers drumming a carving on the surface of the coffee table. "Given Goldstein's determination, it seems likely that he will attempt to contact Barty independently, perhaps offering some manner of inducement in exchange for his cooperation."

"But... but Professor," Percy didn't realize that his attitude had completely changed. He now looked a bit like before graduation, when he and Penelope asked Professor Watson to help him write a letter of Recommendation at the Three Broomsticks pub. "If that is indeed the case, then why are you still advising me to--"

"By refusing to grant Goldstein an audience with Barty, and by consistently declining to give your own signature to the order for Bashir's release, you have made it clear that you are willing to bear Fudge's displeasure on Barty's behalf," Bryan said, cutting across Percy's stammered objection. "But are you truly prepared to bring the full weight of the Weasley family's influence to bear in this matter?"

Bryan looked at the stammering Percy calmly. "Have you given any thought to the fact that, when Goldstein makes his report to Fudge, he will undoubtedly push all the responsibility for the failed task on you?"@@novelbin@@

"Why, that conniving little worm!" Percy exploded, his face contorting with rage as the full extent of Goldstein's treachery became clear. "I'll... I'll challenge him to a duel! I'll --"

Percy cursed and swore, viciously cursing Goldstein. Seeing him like this, Bryan couldn't help but sigh. Arthur had been in the Ministry of Magic for most of his life, with connections in various departments. Didn't he usually give pointers to his son?

"You must understand, Percy, that this is not a decision you can make on your own," Bryan continued, his tone serious but not unkind. After all, he was his own student. He didn't want to see him being used by others. With the mentality of guiding him to the end, Bryan said earnestly:

"The course of action I have laid out for you is— writing a letter to Barty explaining him of the situation and requesting his guidance - which is as much for your own protection as it is for the sake of resolving this matter in a manner that is both ethical and politically convenient."

Bryan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Consider this: if Barty responds to your letter with instructions to maintain the status quo and keep Bashir in custody, then the burden of responsibility for the decision will rest with him, rather than with you.

If the matter is resolved in a manner that pleases Fudge, he will be grateful to you for bringing it to Barty's attention. On the contrary, if Barty chose to maintain his uncompromising stance, Fudge will have no justifiable reason to have any ill will towards you, as you will have done your duty to the best of your ability."

Bryan paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "There is, however, another possibility that we must consider. Writing a letter is also to guard against Barty. For example, Barty tells you that Bashir cannot be released but upon receiving your letter, he might present a different version of events when he meets with Cornelius to discuss the matter. He could, for example, claim that you misinterpreted his instructions, or that you failed to convey the full details of the situation."

"By the time such a scenario comes, Bashir will have been in Azkaban for quite some time," Bryan pointed out. "If he is released then, it would give the Minister the opportunity to save face, while simultaneously allowing Barty to maintain the appearance of strength and resolve. The only one left to take the fall, I'm afraid, would be you."

"Mr. Crouch won't do that, Professor!" Percy almost squeezed these words out through gritted teeth, but from his expression, it seemed that he didn't quite believe it himself.

"Politics is so dirty, Percy. Since you are in it, you shouldn't have illusions about others." Bryan said solemnly.

"Now, as to the matter of how to continue, if Barty doesn't respond to your letter - in such case, you must follow established protocol and submit a formal request to the Minister's office for guidance on how best to handle the Bashir situation.

You will have settled your duty to notify Barty of the developments in his absence, so no one can accuse you of going over his head. Even if Barty were to return and take issue with your course of action, you would be on unquestionable grounds, having followed procedure to the letter. Do you understand?"

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