"I wonder if you could tell me, Mister Potter, how it is you came to the conclusion I had Death Eaters on my staff," she said.
"Logic," he smiled and shrugged back. "To me, once we reviewed all the informational evidence we'd gathered, it wasn't difficult to reach the conclusion that the Ministry is riddled with them - if you'll pardon the pun. And, if not actual marked Death Eaters, then sympathisers."
She looked back at him and his wives for a few minutes before she suddenly grunted and asked, "How's your Occlumency?"
"Very strong," said Harry. "For all three of us. It has something to do with the bonds."
"Of course; I remember." She gave another nod of acknowledgement before she said, "What I'm about to tell you is not for other ears."
When the four nodded back, she said, "My senior staff and I have carried out a sweep of the Ministry looking for such people. We found a few in my Department, as you anticipated. And we found quite a few more throughout the other Departments across the Ministry. There was barely a single office within the Ministry where we did not find a marked Death Eater, a witch or wizard who would not hesitate to become a Death Eater if given the opportunity, or a sympathiser; or any combination of the three.
"If anything, almost every office had multiple such people. And that included my own Department... and, apparently, the Department of Mysteries."
Sirius gave a low whistle. "Why've we not read about the Prophet?" asked Daphne.
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Madam Bones gave a little squirm in her seat and replied, "We've kept it under very tight wraps. With the exception of my senior staff, after each interview, the person was Obliviated of the knowledge they'd been questioned on the matter. A false memory was implanted to lead them to believe the DMLE was carrying out a very sensitive investigation into the theft of classified items from a sensitive location; and they were then forbidden from talking about it with anyone else."
"So, I take it, then," said Harry. "That the DEs and their ilk are still at their desks and their jobs? All you wanted to do was identify them, for now?" "Uh-hmm," she replied. "Do you know why?"
"You know that if you pull them out, more will simply take their places," said Hermione. "By leaving them where they are, you know where they are, and can round them all up at a later date when you need to."
"Very good," congratulated Madam Bones. "That's exactly why we've done that."
She then said, "Now, perhaps you could care to explain why you believe I needed to do that work you strongly suggested I do... which I've done, by the way... by June?"
Harry was expecting the question so already had an answer prepared. "I don't consider myself a seer, or anything like that. However, I have... dreams. Dreams, that I remember when I wake up. These dreams pretty much always have to do with Riddle and his lickspittles.
"It's those dreams that lead me to believe that, whatever it is that's going to happen, it has something to do with conclusion of the Tournament. And there's only the third task left, on the 24th of June.
"I was entered into the Tri-Wizard Tournament by someone acting against my own desires. After so long without discovering the identity of that person I believe it's safe to say it wasn't a fan that was looking to do me a 'favour', or the like.
"Instead, I'm left with the belief it was someone intent on doing me harm. It also had to be someone who knew, in advance, how the competitors of the Tournament were going to be selected. That left someone with inside information from high up in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, the Department of Magical Games and Sports, or the Minister's Office being the person who supplied that information.
"With how much I know I am a person of interest for Riddle and his lickspittles, it is not difficult to reach the conclusion it was probably them. And, that means they're out to do me harm.
"Now, they wanted me in the Tournament. Which means, whatever it is they're planning on doing, is directly related to the three tasks. As we've now already completed two of the tasks, it means... whatever it is they're going to try to do... it'll be during the third task. Personally, I think it's going to be a kidnapping attempt.
"So, we know the Dark Mark is getting darker. We know the DEs believe this means Riddle's on his way back. We know that Riddle is currently, or recently was, only a spirit. We know that Riddle has twice already attempted to gain artefacts to enable him to be resurrected into physical form. We know that, whatever it is that's going to happen, it'll have something to do with the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament being held on Thursday, the 24th of June.
"Conclusion based on the known facts: It appears apparent that Riddle has a plan for his resurrection, and it somehow involves me. And that it'll likely occur on the 24th of June. We now know 'who' and 'why' and the likelihood of 'when' and 'what'; however, we don't know 'how' or 'where', if it's not in the middle of the maze."
Madam Bones sat back and was deeply in thought. Eventually she said, "And we can't stop the final task as it would mean the magic being stripped from the four competitors, you included."
"Exactly," replied Harry.
"Well, what I can do is force Dumbledore to allow me to station extra aurors throughout Hogwarts. Especially within, as you surmise, this maze you think will be part of the third task," she said.
"I cannot interfere with the task, itself; as that could also lead to the four of you having your magic stripped. However, I can ensure there are plenty of aurors watching things to make sure you're not kidnapped."
"That would be... comforting," said Harry. 'And perfect,' he thought.
That meant there'd be plenty of aurors around and within the maze who would quickly be able to send out the alert that he'd been kidnapped by the overlaid portkey on the Cup. It also meant there'd be quite a few on hand when he, as planned, used the portkey to return to the school.
With that many, it should mean Crouch Junior would not be immediately kissed... if they didn't 'out' him earlier, as planned... and there'd be plenty of DMLE witnesses there to ensure his message that Riddle was back would be properly heard. The ground work had been laid so well that the Minister could not now claim Harry was being a lying attention-seeking git. Magical Britain would know of Riddle's resurrection, immediately.
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