Cornelius Fudge sat in his office fuming. He'd had an awful few days, whenever he was anywhere but the Ministry or his home he was struck with the most oppressive headaches, heard loud high pitched noises, almost hearing faint voices screaming at him, pleading with him, but he had no idea why and nor could he make out what they were saying.

It would pass the moment he entered either his home or the Ministry, he had therefore been merely Floo'ing through from one location to the other the last few days.

Not only that, but that damn Skeeter woman had been running a smear campaign since the hearing against him and for.... FOR that L/N monster.

Somehow she had gotten the idea that L/N had only assaulted Yaxley to cause a spectacle, that he was trying to draw Black towards him. Cornelius's blood pressure soared as he read the latest article. When he got to the last paragraph he choked on his Pumpkin Juice:

Noble Sacrifice by a Noble born? Y/N L/N knew what he was doing!

Explosive claims have emerged from insiders within the Ministry for Magic that call into question the sentence handed to the youngest heir of the Ancient and Noble House of L/N.

Two days ago the youngest son, Y/N, aged 13, was sentenced to spend a fortnight in Azkaban after striking Ministry employee Corban Yaxley.

The exact reason why Mr L/N struck Mr Yaxley has been sealed from publication by the Minister but our insider, under the condition of complete anonymity, said the following:

"Y/N did what he did to protect those he loves, it's as simple as that. Sirius Black is hunting Y/N and Y/N's actions were beyond brave, attempting to draw Sirius to him, sacrificing himself in order to protect those he loves who are of a different blood status. Protection of people of that status isn't a priority of this Minister, or this Ministry to be honest. Fudge has been obsessed with this boy, no one can figure out why."

It is indeed strange that the Minister of Magic would be so obsessed with the youngest heir of the most powerful family in Britain. The interim Lord of the house, the eldest brother Jacob, has not yet officially claimed the title of Archduke of Magic Britain, it's unknown why he has yet to do so but it is believed that the Minister for Magic is targeting an innocent boy in order to send a message to interim Lord L/N.

- Rita Skeeter

—~—

The response to that day's story was unprecedented. The amount of hate mail that had flooded into his office was not seen since the darkest days of the Wizarding War. Three owls had died from exhaustion and the DMLE had doubled Fudge's personal security, just in case.

Cornelius was sat at his desk when suddenly a thump in front of him caused him to jump. Albus Dumbledore has appeared suddenly in his office and slammed a copy of the Daily Prophet down.

"You are a fool Cornelius, meddling with outcomes and pathways you can't begin to imagine."

Fudge stared in shock. He was the Minister for Magic being spoken to like that. He stammered in reply:

"I-I b-beg your p-pardon!"

Albus growled:

"The boy only did what he did out of concern for his loved ones. He wanted Sirius Black to know where he was, so Black wouldn't look at his girlfriend's home, his sister in law's home.

You could have kept him here, remanded him here but instead out of foolish pride you sent him to hell on earth. A thirteen year old boy!"

Albus composed himself, glaring at the Minister, before turning and walking towards the office door. He stopped to speak before leaving but did not turn around.

"You feared a boy, Cornelius, and instead you may have created a monster!"

Dumbledore left and Cornelius Fudge felt a very cold chill run up his spine. He looked down again before feeling a hand placed on his shoulder, he heard the voice of an angel:

"What has you so upset, my Fudgy-Wudgy?"

Cornelius looked up into the eyes of his guardian angel, his Lilith, and smiled sadly.

"The whole country thinks I'm attacking a boy. I don't know how to show them he's a monster, that I needed him sent to Azkaban for their own protection."

He sighed again before Lilith said with a smile.

"I think I can help you. I just discovered something, some intelligence from one of my agents at Hogwarts."

Cornelius looked up puzzled, he didn't know Lilith had 'agents' at Hogwarts.

"What did you discover my dear?" Cornelius asked with baited breath. Lilith smiled:

"Apparently, Y/N discovered something about his family lineage recently. Something disturbing. Apparently, the youngest Weasley boy was going around discussing the L/N boys' maternal Grandfather. It wasn't Orion Black..."

Lilith trailed off with a smirk which only grew at Fudge's excitement asking:

"Well? Who was it?"

Lilith chuckled and answered:

"Gellert Grindelwald."

Fudge sat in shock before a huge smile grew on his face. He instantly picked up the two way communicator and bellowed to his secretary.

"Judith, set up a 9am with the Skeeter woman. Tell her I've the scoop of the century for her!"