As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the Ministry of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour leaned back in his chair, contemplating the conversation with Henry Delacour. The meeting had unfolded in a predictable manner, but beneath the pleasantries, he could sense an undercurrent of tension—an unspoken dance of agendas and intentions.
Rufus had entered this world with unshakeable confidence, armed with ambition and the belief that he could reshape the magical community for the better. However, after the recent events surrounding the Chamber of Secrets—especially the encounter with the Basilisk—his confidence had been tempered by a stark realization: the dangers he faced were not just political but personal. He had witnessed firsthand how quickly life could spiral out of control, and he knew there was a real possibility that he could die.
The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. He couldn’t afford to be naive. If he were to perish, there needed to be contingencies in place—plans that would ensure stability and continuity for the Ministry. He thought of the canon events he had studied, lessons learned from history: leaders had fallen, and their legacies had crumbled without a solid foundation to support them. Rufus knew he needed more than just one ally to safeguard the future.
As he contemplated his next moves, the door to the conference room creaked open. Henry Delacour stepped back inside, his demeanor much more serious than before. Rufus raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift.
“Minister Delacroix,” Rufus said, trying to keep his tone neutral. “Is there something more you’d like to discuss?”
Henry settled back into his chair, folding his hands thoughtfully. “Actually, yes. While I appreciate our discussions on community cooperation, there’s another matter that has been weighing on my mind.”
Rufus felt a pang of unease. “And what might that be?”
Henry leaned forward slightly, his steel-grey eyes locking onto Rufus with an intensity that was hard to ignore. “It concerns Genevieve.”
Rufus blinked, caught off guard. “Gene? What about her?”
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Henry took a breath, his expression shifting from diplomatic to earnest. “As you know, Genevieve is my niece. I’ve been watching her grow, and I believe it’s time for her to settle down. It would be ideal for her to find a suitable partner—someone of strong character and influence.”
Rufus felt his heart race, but he maintained his composure. “I see. And you think I might fit that role?”
Henry nodded, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. “Precisely. I believe that a union between you and Genevieve would not only benefit her but also strengthen our two ministries. It would create a bond that transcends politics and enhances our collaboration.”
Rufus was momentarily speechless, his mind racing to process the implications. He had grown close to Genevieve over the past few months, their friendship blossoming in the shared spaces of the Magical Zoo and the Public Library. But marriage? They had only just begun to explore their connection, and he certainly hadn’t been expecting such a proposal from Henry.
“Minister Delacroix,” Rufus said carefully, “this is quite unexpected. Gene and I… we are still getting to know one another. I wouldn’t say we’re at the point where marriage is feasible.”
Henry waved a hand dismissively, his expression unyielding. “That’s precisely why I’m bringing it up now. It’s important to lay the groundwork early. The world we live in is unpredictable. I want to ensure Genevieve has a stable future—one that can withstand any turmoil.”
“Why bring this up now?” Rufus asked, his curiosity piqued.
Henry's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a depth of thought. “There are extenuating circumstances,” he replied, but he didn’t expand further, leaving Rufus with a lingering sense of intrigue and concern.
Henry's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a depth of thought. “There are extenuating circumstances,” he replied, but he didn’t expand further, leaving Rufus with a lingering sense of intrigue and concern.
“What circumstances?” Rufus pressed, wanting clarity.
Henry sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. “It’s a long story. Do you have any hard drinks?”
Rufus raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. “I can arrange something. It sounds like we’ll need it.”
As Rufus moved to fetch drinks, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this conversation was just the beginning. Whatever Henry had to share would undoubtedly have implications far beyond the personal—potentially affecting the very fabric of their world. He returned to the table with two glasses of a rich, amber liquid, placing one before Henry and keeping the other for himself.
Henry took a sip, his expression contemplative. “Thank you, Rufus. It’s important for me to convey the weight of my concerns. Genevieve’s future, depends on the decisions we make now.”
Rufus nodded, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He knew the path ahead was fraught with challenges, but he was determined to face them head-on, whatever they may be.