Harry Potter and the Artificer Legacy Chapter 45 (Patreon)

Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of Harry Potter and the Artificer Legacy! Now that the Second Task is completed, Harry and Family have things to plan. What’s this annoyance about from the Ministry of Magic? Can’t they just shut up already?

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So without further delay, please enjoy.

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Chapter 45 – Planning and the Ministry of Magic

-Tuesday, March 1st-

“Okay, this is becoming really annoying now.” Harry held another letter from one Dolores Umbridge in his hand. Every single day, for the last five days, he’d received a letter from the woman. Each letter said the same thing, or some variation of it. ‘Work for the Ministry’ was the overall message in each letter and Harry was sick of it. “She’s not even bothering to be subtle with it.” He shook his head as he read over the letter again. “This basically states that if I don’t work for the Ministry, then I’ll regret it. Who sends a letter like this to a Fourth Year student?”

“I’d be tempted to hex her brains out, but it’s clear she doesn’t have any.” Fleur sniffed disdainfully at the letter in her lover’s hand.

“I might have to pass these off to Nym and let her bring them up to the Aurors.” Harry mentioned with a dark grin. “I’m sure this constitutes harassment of a minor or something.” He stowed the letter away to put it with the others in his hidden workshop.

“I’m sure the Ministry will do an amazing job of handling the case.” Fleur’s tone couldn’t have been more sarcastic if she tried.

“Sarcasm is quite a talent of yours, Love.” Harry chuckled at his girlfriend.

“Thank you, I practice in my spare time.” Fleur giggled lightly along with him.

-Ministry of Magic – Minister’s Office-

“Are you out of your mind, Dolores?!” Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic of the United Kingdom, balked at what his Senior Undersecretary had just suggested. He was a somewhat short man, a bit pudgy around the middle, and with a thinning head of hair that had once been a light-brown color, now going grey in his age. “You want the Ministry to confiscate Artifacts from the only Artificer that our country has had in over a century?! Do you know what the papers would do to us if we tried this?” He wiped at his forehead with a handkerchief as he felt sweat bead on his skin. “That’s not even going into how the various Enchanters Guilds would react! We could see a mass exodus from Britain of all our Magical Craftsmen if they believe we’re just waiting to take their works from them!”

“Minister, I realize this may seem extreme, but I and many others witnessed what Potter’s Artifacts are capable of first hand.” Dolores placated with a tone she’d perfected in her time serving as Cornelius’ Undersecretary. “Those Artifacts are too dangerous to be left in the hands of a child, especially around other children. It is for the safety of everyone that the Ministry should take custody of them, at least until Potter reaches his Majority.”

“Powerful they may be, terrifyingly so even, but I’d rather a professional relationship with Artificer Potter as opposed to an antagonistic one.” Fudge shook his head. “Those Auror Batons he made for the DMLE have increased the approval rating of the Department spectacularly and my Administration by association. I do not want to risk jeopardizing that.”

“Cornelius, you must see reason,” Dolores insisted as she placed down an already filled out form for the confiscation of Dangerous Magical Objects. “This is only temporary, just until Potter reaches his Majority. It’s only a bit over two years. This is merely a safety precaution for the wellbeing of Magical Britain’s children.”

“Has he really rejected the idea of working for the Ministry when he graduates?” Fudge questioned the pink-robed woman. “We could offer him good pay at the very least.”

“He’s not answered a single one of my letters, Minister.” Dolores shook her head with a scowl.

“I still cannot sign the confiscation order in good conscience, Dolores.” Fudge worried as he wiped his forehead again. “Perhaps, if I spoke with him directly, he might reconsider?”

“But Cornelius, he’s not of the same political leanings as yourself and your supporters.” Dolores mentioned with a glint in her eye. “What would your political donators think if they saw you trying to make in-roads with Potter?”

“But, but, he’s still a boy, Dolores, he has no political leanings.” Fudge had gone noticeably pale at the thought of losing the backing of many of the ‘Traditionalists’ of the Wizengamot. The wealthy Pureblood Families had been good to him in his election campaign. He knew he wouldn’t have become Minister without their support.

“I dare say he does, Minister.” Dolores pressed onwards. “He’s involved with that foreign Veela girl from Beauxbatons, from what I saw at the Second Task. That already puts him at odds with your political supporters! Can you imagine what sorts of ideas she’s put into his head? We all know Magical France is far too lenient in their laws about non-humans.”

“Oh dear…” Fudge wiped at his face with his handkerchief. How could he maintain an amicable relationship with Potter and not lose his political support? He was already fending off a lawsuit from Sirius Black about endangering his Godson, the very same boy he wanted to have work for the Ministry in the future. He felt his options narrowing, like doors closing all around him. He needed to keep at least one door open between himself and Harry Potter!

“Minister, the form?” Dolores pushed the confiscation order towards Fudge.

“Before anything like that, I’ll have Artificer Potter show me this dangerous Artifact personally!” Fudge stood to his feet as he felt the proverbial Lumos Charm light up in his mind. This was a solid plan! He wasn’t trying to make political ties or anything, merely checking on the safety of Hogwarts and its students. The public would encourage that. Even better, it would look good on him! At the same time, it didn’t infringe upon Potter’s rights in any way for a mere inspection, especially in comparison to a confiscation. It was the best of both options, he was sure of it!

“As you say, Minister.” Dolores nodded and as she took the filled out confiscation form back. She turned away to hide the ugly scowl on her face.

-Saturday, March 5th-

“You’ve got to be joking…” Harry wasn’t amused in the slightest and it showed on his face.

“I’m afraid not, Mr. Potter,” Dumbledore gave him a polite smile, even though it was clear the old man didn’t like the situation any more than the young man did. “Minister Fudge has requested an inspection of your Artifact Sword for safety considerations.”

“What a waste of time,” Harry leaned back in the chair across from Dumbledore’s deck. “When is he going to arrive, exactly?”

“This afternoon; just after lunch.” Dumbledore informed his student with an understanding nod.

“Fine, I have a complaint to bring up to him anyway.” Harry scoffed as he thought about the five letters in his possession still.

“Might I ask what that complaint is, Mr. Potter?” Dumbledore questioned with his normal grandfatherly tone and demeanor.

“Don’t worry about it,” Harry waved off with a huff. “Just one of his employees being a bit too pushy.”

“I’m here to help if you need me, Mr. Potter.” Dumbledore offered with a calm look. “As a student of Hogwarts, your safety and care is my responsibility while you are within the castle.”

“I appreciate it, Headmaster, but I don’t believe this matter will require your considerable influence.” Harry chuckled and the old Wizard cracked a smile too.

-Afternoon-

“Artificer Potter, wonderful to finally meet you.” Fudge greeted the teenager with a smile. He was wearing his bottle-green pinstripe suit, his well-known green bowler hat, and a travelling cloak thrown over his shoulders, behind him stood two red-robed Aurors. A toad-like woman in ugly pink robes was standing just behind and to the left of the Minister for Magic. Harry had no idea who she might be.

The Auror on the right -Auror Dawlish according to the badge over his left breast- looked like he’d simply resigned himself to his task for the day. Harry didn’t think the middle-aged looking Wizard actually cared about being there. That was still better than the Auror on the left -Shacklebolt going by the badge- who seemed to be a single faux pas or mistake by the Minister away from outright face-palming. Harry wondered how often the tall, black Wizard had to cater to the Minister, and his well-spoken of incompetence, to already look like that upon arrival.

“Minister Fudge,” Harry gave a polite nod to the man. “I’m told you have concerns about an Artifact of mine?” Dumbledore was standing behind him and to the right as chaperone for this meeting.

Any meeting like this would normally be held within the Headmaster’s Office. But, seeing as Harry’s Artifact Sword was involved, Dumbledore had thought it best to use the largest room in the castle. If need be they could also exit the castle entirely just through the large doors and a quick walk down the corridor.

“Yes, probably nothing, but with the safety of the students in mind I thought it might be for the best, you see?” Fudge spoke what sounded like a rehearsed line and Harry had to stop himself from cocking an eyebrow.

“What concerns might you have, Minister?” Harry asked the man. “I’m told it has to do with my Artifact Sword, correct?”

“Ah, yes, indeed it does, Artificer Potter.” Fudge nodded while maintaining a respectful tone. It almost seemed as if the Minister was trying to avoid directly offending him. “Would you be able to retrieve it, perchance?”

“That’s not necessary, Minister,” Harry flicked his Storage Cloak upwards and pulled the sheathed Aethereum from within it in a smooth motion. To the observers it merely looked as if Harry pulled the sword off his waist from underneath the cloak. “I have it here with me.”

“Very good, then I hope this will be quick, I wouldn’t want to take up too much of your Saturday, of course.” Fudge assured with what was clearly a politician’s smile.

“I believe I can assuage all of your worries in short order, Minister Fudge.” Harry spoke placidly to the man. He handed the sheathed Artifact Sword to Fudge, his left hand gripping the scabbard as he handed it over. When Fudge took it into his hands after a few seconds of staring at it blankly, Harry continued. “Aethereum is an Artifact Sword of the Greater Grade. It’s powerful and because of that I’ve taken precautions against it being misused.”

“Precautions?” Fudge looked the, rather plain-looking, sword and scabbard over.

“Yes,” Harry nodded languidly. “For example, try drawing the sword first.”

“Um, well, alright then, Artificer Potter.” Fudge looked like this was the last thing he’d been expecting to do today. The Minister took the scabbard into his left hand and the handle of Aethereum into his right. With a slow draw, he pulled the sword free and held it pointing towards the ground.

“As you can see, it has no automatic ability to conjure anything at all, much less something harmful.” Harry pointed out of his sword. “If you’d like, feel free to try and cast with it.”

“Cast?” Fudge blinked at the teen. “Like a wand?”

“Exactly, Minister, Aethereum is a Focus as well.” Harry confirmed for the man.

“What should I try and cast?” Fudge asked Harry blankly.

“Whatever you’d like, Minister.” Harry replied, even though on the inside he was already sick of dealing with the slow-witted politician.

“O-okay then, L-Lumos!” Fudge held the sword aloft and treated it as if it was a large, metal wand. “Nothing happened…” He looked at Harry dumbly when his spell didn’t work.

“Exactly, Minister Fudge, because you’re not me or a descendant of mine.” Harry grinned at the flummoxed look on the man’s face. “Aethereum is bound to my Bloodline; it can’t be used as a Focus by anyone else.” He explained and caught the sour look that the toad-like woman shot at him.

“I see…” Fudge blinked at the Artifact for a few seconds.

“That precludes it from being much of a threat to anyone, wouldn’t you say?” Harry raised an eyebrow at the Minister. He took Aethereum and its scabbard back from Fudge and sheathed the sword again.

“Hem hem,” The pink-clad toad woman fake coughed and Harry felt a disgusted chill run up his spine. “Wouldn’t that make your weapon something of a threat to other people that aren’t your family? Don’t you think it’s inappropriate to have such a powerful weapon able to be used against anyone that your family deems an enemy or obstacle?”

“Considering that I apparently have some kind of undead Dark Lord coming after me? No.” Harry answered bluntly and was somewhat amused by the way that Fudge’s skin paled to a chalky white while the toad woman’s face puffed up and became bright red.

“There is no Dark Lord, undead or otherwise!” Dolores stated firmly. “The Ministry investigated the World Cup incident and found no proof of any such Dark Lord.” She glared at the teen and then at Dumbledore for a brief instant. “No matter what lies or fanciful tales you spin, no one will believe that a Dark Lord has risen from the grave!”

“Be that as it may, it’s a good segue into the next precaution I’ve taken with Aethereum.” Harry turned the sheathed sword around until the handle was within the pink-robed woman’s reach. “Try and draw the sword, I’m thinking you’ll end up unable to.”

“What?” Dolores looked at the offered sword suspiciously.

“Minister Fudge could draw the sword because he didn’t fit into the two criteria that would negate him from doing so.” Harry informed the woman that he was fairly certain was Dolores Umbridge based solely on her demeanor. “You, however, probably fall into both categories from what I’ve observed.”

“How dare you!” Dolores nearly spat as she reached for the handle of the sword. “Huh?” She stared dumbly as her hand stopped a few centimeters away from the handle. “What’s going on?” She demanded as she tried to force her hand closer and take the handle.

“You seek to take Aethereum for its power, that’s the first prohibition of the intent-based ward.” Harry spoke up with a noticeable, little smirk. “Even my own children couldn’t touch this sword if they desired its power for negative reasons.” He was clearly implying that Dolores wanted to misuse the sword’s power.

“Are you accusing me of something?!” Dolores nearly spit at the teenager, only to shriek and reel her hand backwards as the handle she’d attempted to grab sparked with what appeared to be yellow lightning.

“That would be the second prohibition you just activated,” Harry glared at the woman. “You sought to harm me or my family. Anyone that attempts such a thing will find Aethereum not only impossible to hold, but will be harmed by the ward as well.” He pulled the sheathed Artifact Sword away from the toad woman with a scowl.

“Dolores!” Fudge turn to stare at the woman incredulously. “What were you thinking?!”

“I’m innocent, Minister!” Dolores denied the accusation. “Potter is clearly lying and has just attacked me!”

“You would accuse an Artificer of lying about his creation just because you don’t like the outcome, Madam Umbridge?” Dumbledore questioned the woman as he stepped forward.

Harry had to suppress a snicker as Fudge looked between Dumbledore and Dolores. The man looked a few seconds away from panicking. As much as he wouldn’t mind seeing the man stumble over whatever excuse he’d come up with; really Harry just wanted this whole meeting to be done.

“I hope that I’ve put your worries to rest, Minister Fudge?” Harry spoke up over the squabbling between the three adults. Well, it was more like Umbridge playing the victim, Fudge making excuses, and Dumbledore looking at both of them like an adult waiting for toddlers to stop arguing. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to get back to the plans I had for the rest of the day?”

“Oh!” Fudge looked as if he’d almost forgotten that Harry was still there. “Y-Yes, Artificer Potter, I’m terribly sorry to have kept you so long! You seem to have the safety of others well in mind when it comes to your Artifact. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!” He gave a nod to the teen with a strained smile.

“Good day, Minister.” Harry nodded back as he turned and walked towards the doors of the Great Hall. He stored Aethereum back into his Storage Cloak safely and shook his head at the waste of time. He’d go with his original plan of turning over Umbridge’s letters to Tonks directly. No telling what would happen to them otherwise.

Dumbledore was polite, but firm, as he ushered Fudge, Umbridge and their Auror escort towards the nearest Floo. Dolores was still muttering about what had happened, but Cornelius was all apologies and platitudes towards the old Wizard. Seeing them through the green flames of the Floo, Dumbledore let out a sigh. It would seem that convincing Cornelius of Voldemort’s return would be an uphill battle with people like Dolores around him.

Unbeknownst to Harry or Dumbledore, Dolores Umbridge had mentally declared Harry Potter her enemy this day. The conniving woman was already formulating ideas and plans in her head to make Harry suffer. She would not be denied and the uppity Half Blood would learn his place! She’d see his creations confiscated and destroyed! His Veela whore barred from Magical Britain! Or maybe they could both have an accident?

The vile woman would be a thorn in Harry and Family’s side for the foreseeable future.

-End Chapter-

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Harry and Fleur enjoy a nice, private bath together. In the rather nice Prefect’s Bath to boot!

Can’t be helped that it would become steamy with teenagers involved, right?

Libido is strong in them!

Now we see what protections Aethereum has to prevent its misuse in the future!

Umbridge has a vendetta against Harry now! How will that play out?

As we get closer to the end of Fourth Year and the Third Task, what else will change? What is Voldemort doing and researching in the shadows?

Keep reading to find out!

Current Mana Levels

Harry – 19,152

Tonks – 14,018

Penelope – 12,214

Fleur – 13,306

Until I get your reviews, later!