Chapter 368 (1/2)
The Minister of Magic's, Eugenia Jenkins office is still simply decorated. Her office is filled with even more bookshelves that are filled with even more neatly shelved books. Beyond that, there are only a few feminine traces found with her office still ringing true to her Ravenclaw roots.
The stout witch with thick bobbed hair reviews the set of laws and reforms, before her one last time. Minister Eugenia Jenkins knew that this was her last opportunity to revise before standing in front of the assembled Wizengamot. It would be an all or nothing gamble, there would be no middle ground.
A knock at her door caused Minister Jenkins to glance up. ”Yes?” She inquired.
The door opens to reveal her newly appointed undersecretary Mrs. Prim, a very proper, stern witch. ”It's time, Minister,” Mrs. Prim promptly said.
Twitching her lips in a frown, Mrs. Prim unhappily adds, ”And the Head of the Auror Department, Ogden, wishes to have a private word, before the Minister heads down to the assembly, Minister Jenkins.”
”Thank you, Prim,” Minister Jenkins replied. ”But a short conversation with Ogden won't make me late. Allow him to enter my office.”
”Yes, Minister,” Mrs. Prim replied, before shooting Ogden a glare for daring to throw the Minister of Magic off schedule and stomping past him.
The short, plumb wizard with enormous thick glasses hurriedly entered her office and shut the door behind him. Bob Ogden's eyes look intently worried as he says, ”Minister Jenkins, please cease to consider this. I understand your desire to pass a law to correct the errors of the past, but not with elections nearly upon us. There is no guarantee that the reforms and laws will even pass! We will not only lose, but the pureblood vote will surely swing will in Harold Minchum's favor!”
”Have faith in me, Ogden,” Minister Jenkins steadily replied as she shrunk her notes and placed them into her robes. ”My ally won't fail me.”
”Ally?” Ogden stammered. ”Who?”
He didn't mean to pry, but with elections only a few days away on December 1st the position of Minister of Magic hung in the balance. The vote count would take place the next day, and with the results to be announced on December 3rd! If Minister Jenkins won, she'd continue her post as before, however, if she lost, the New Minister of Magic Harold Minchum would be sworn in on January 1st to take the Minister of Magic post.
Minister Jenkins ignores the inquiring gaze of Ogden and faintly smiles in reply, keeping her closely guarded secret to her chest. She believed that Reginald Prince would come through for her to win the upcoming election, and she trusted in his promise. And though Prince had promised to aide her with her law reforms, but only for would a price. She just didn't know what that was yet.
Seeing that it was futile in attempting to change the Minister of Magic's mind, Ogden says, ”In that case, please allow me to escort you down, Minister Jenkins.”
”Thank you, Ogden,” Minister Jenkins said. ”You're a loyal friend, and though I appreciate your sincere concern, I really must go.”