Chapter 864 - Giant’s Rampage Ⅷ (1/2)

Back at the Ministry of Magic, the tawny lion-like figure of Rufus Scrimgeour can be seen ordering the second group of reinforcements to depart. ”I want the A.P.D. ready in animagus form to attack and scout. We need to collect our wounded as fast as possible and finish evacuations. St. Mungo's is on standby and one of our newly trained A.P.D. medical team will be accompanying you lot! I want every single Auror to travel in pairs, these are giants, we are dealing with and they are not to be underestimated!”

The second group of reinforcements is a mixed group of A.P.D. and Auror's escorting the medical team. The group briskly nods their head in understanding. ”Aye, sir!” They chorused together.

”Well, what are you waiting around for? Hop to it!” Rufus loudly growled as the second wave of reinforcements depart for Mould-on-the-Would.

Suppressing a worried frown, Rufus presses lips into a thin line causing the furrow on his forehead to only deepen. He had the sinking feeling that their worst losses would be at Mould-on-the-Would. The Auror that had apparated to headquarters had been severely wounded having lost a limb. The Auror through a haze of agony reported that the Auror's had been ambushed as predicted, but more importantly, they had been forced to hold their ground rather than retreat to evacuate the civilian population.

Rufus's yellow-brown eyes flicker over the Auror cubicles. Those remaining behind were on office duty mostly fledging's. In total, he had less than a third of veteran, and senior Auror's remaining. If a third giant attack should occur, there would not be enough Auror's nor A.P.D. officers to send out to contain the attack. They would have to wait until Moody returned or worse, completely right off the attack. However, in the worst-case scenario, the Ministry of Magic would be attacked, and based on the current staff, Rufus was confident that they would not be able to hold the Ministry of Magic for long.

Rufus's lion-like eyes flicker to the figures of Auror Shacklebolt, Podmore, and Stein. The three Auror's had successfully sent out Ministry missives to any Auror or A.P.D. officer's that were thought to still be residing within the Isles. One or two Auror's and A.P.D. members had begun to apparate to the Ministry of Magic, but more were coming. Even more importantly, the trio had at long last found the ambassador of Lithuania, who was recuperating from Dragon Pox and had elected not to attend the Presentation Ball.

In an excellent turn of news, the ambassador of Lithuania had an active invitation and could relay the message to the Minister of Magic and all other officials at the Presentation Ball. The only complication is that the ambassador of Lithuania would have to procure an international portkey. The three of them were currently working on finding a member from the division of the Department of Magical Transportation specifically from the Portkey Office to issue an international portkey.

Rufus turns his attention away only for his eyes to be unconsciously drawn to the petite, lovely figure of Auror Dorcas Meadows. The tanned witch had warm eyes and full lips. Her curly hair was playfully arranged around her face as she completed her tasks. It was strange to say, but Rufus always felt unsettled around the petite Auror. Moody at times secretly teased him about Auror Meadows, but Rufus had always plainly replied that there was something off about that witch. She was just too perky and nice, clearly, there was something more going on. Ironically, Moody had further teased him that he was now the more paranoid one out of the two of them!

Rufus drags his attention away from Auror Meadows before she can meet his eyes. Everything would be fine as Rufus had sent a pair of Auror's to summon Moody if possible. He tries to convince himself of that, but still, he wouldn't bet all his chips on one poker hand.

Rufus's body turns towards the door and strides out with purposefulness. He arrives at the lift, before stepping inside and pushing the number 4. The lift begins to whirl away towards level four that housed the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The lift is rather quiet and quick as the Ministry of Magic is all but empty.

The lift comes to a rumbling stop before the doors slide open. The corridors are long full of various plants and other day-to-day objects. Past the Beast Division is the Being Division corridor. He stops at the corridor and turns right rather than heading further down towards the Spirit Division, Pest Advisory Board, and Office of Misinformation. Housed in the Being Division corridor are the Goblin and Centaur Liaison offices along with other similar liaison offices including one for the Merfolk.

The head of the Goblin Liaison office is Cuthbert Mockridge, a fair-haired wizard with a bright smile. Unlike his predecessors, Mockridge actively hired goblins to act as the in-betweens for the wizards and goblins relations. He was rather well-liked by the staff and even the goblins couldn't find anything to fault or repute the wizard for. Ironically, the relationship between goblin and wizardkind was the best it had ever been. Then again, the bar was set rather low…

Despite the late hour, there is a flicker of light glimpsed around the crevices of the door. Raising his hand, Rufus knocks once, before his audacity fades away. Faint quick footsteps can be heard, before the door swings open to reveal the wrinkled face of an elderly goblin wearing a pointed little hat. The goblin had a matching pointed white beard with a very pointed nose. The goblin narrowed his dark, slanted eyes at the Auror in recognition.

”Auror Scrimgeour to what do I owe the dubious honor at this late hour?” The elderly goblin grumbled. ”I haven't committed any wrongdoing and I was left on duty by the Head of the Department, Mr. Mockridge might I remind you.”