Lucius Malfoy and Lord Greengrass

At Malfoy Manor, Lucius Malfoy leaned back in his ornate chair, a rare smile playing on his lips as he addressed Lord Greengrass. The tension that had once characterized their discussions had eased considerably since Lucius had made his decision to support Rufus Scrimgeour.

"It seems, Greengrass, that we’ve both chosen the winning side," Lucius remarked, his voice smooth and confident. "Scrimgeour’s public announcement today was nothing short of masterful. His Animagus form—a lion, no less—will undoubtedly resonate with the masses. It’s a symbol of strength, courage, and leadership."

Lord Greengrass nodded in agreement, his expression one of calm satisfaction. "Indeed, Lucius. Rufus has played his cards well. The goblin deal, combined with his public display of power, has cemented his position. I had little doubt that you would eventually see the merits of aligning with him."

Lucius chuckled softly. "You’ve always had a sharp eye, Greengrass. I admit, there was a time when I hesitated, but now… Now, I see that Rufus is the future of our world. Fudge’s time is over. We need someone with real vision and strength to guide us through the challenges ahead."

Greengrass raised his glass in a toast. "To the future, then, Lucius. And to the power we shall wield alongside Rufus."

Lucius met his toast, the clink of their glasses a quiet affirmation of their shared understanding. "To the future," he echoed. "And to ensuring that our voices are the ones Rufus listens to most closely."

There was a pause as both men sipped their drinks, each reflecting on the journey that had brought them to this point. The rivalry that had once defined their relationship had transformed into a partnership, forged by their mutual recognition of the political tides.

"Scrimgeour is ambitious, no doubt," Greengrass continued, setting his glass down. "But he’s also pragmatic. He knows the value of our support, and he won’t forget the role we’ve played in his rise."

Lucius nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "And we won’t let him forget it. With the goblins, the Animagus announcement, and the growing support from both the purebloods and the commoners, Rufus is on the brink of securing the Ministry. But he’ll need our continued guidance to ensure that his leadership remains strong."

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Greengrass smiled, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. "And we shall provide it, Lucius. Together, we’ll shape the future of our world—one that reflects our values and our vision."

Lucius returned the smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his old friend that had been missing for years. They were both men of influence and power, and with Rufus Scrimgeour in the lead, they were poised to shape the future of the wizarding world.

The Weasleys

At The Burrow, the Weasley family gathered around the radio, listening intently to the broadcast of Rufus’s speech. Arthur Weasley was particularly intrigued by the goblin negotiations.

"This could be a real turning point for us," Arthur said, his voice tinged with hope. "If Rufus can actually redistribute that wealth, it could mean a lot for families like ours."

Molly Weasley, ever the pragmatist, was more cautious. "It sounds promising, Arthur, but let’s not get our hopes up too high. Politics is a tricky business, and we don’t know what kind of strings are attached to this deal."

Bill, who had experience working with goblins, chimed in. "Mum’s right. Goblins don’t make deals unless they stand to gain something. We should be careful, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on."

Andromeda Black

In her quiet home, Andromeda Black sat by the fireplace, contemplating the news she had just heard. Rufus Scrimgeour’s announcement had taken her by surprise, particularly the part about the redistribution of wealth. As a member of the Black family, albeit estranged, she knew that this could potentially affect her as well.

"If Rufus becomes Minister," she mused, "perhaps there’s hope for change, even for those of us who have been cast aside."

She thought of her daughter, Nymphadora, and the world she would inherit. Andromeda had long ago distanced herself from the pureblood elitism that had defined her family, but she couldn’t deny that the idea of reclaiming some of the wealth that had been lost was tempting.

Still, Andromeda was cautious by nature. She knew better than to trust in promises made by politicians. But Rufus was different—he was an Auror, a man of action. Perhaps, just perhaps, he could be the one to bring about real change.

THE PATH FORWARD

Rufus left the podium, his mind buzzing with the success of the day. He had shown his strength, both in revealing his Animagus form and in announcing the goblin deal. The reactions from the crowd had been overwhelmingly positive, and he knew that this moment would resonate with the magical community for weeks to come.

But Rufus was not one to rest on his laurels. He knew that the path to becoming Minister of Magic was fraught with challenges, and today’s victory was just one step in a much larger game. There were still alliances to be forged, enemies to be outmaneuvered, and a campaign to be won.

As he walked away from the crowd, Rufus couldn’t help but feel a surge of confidence. He had played his cards well, and the future was looking brighter than ever. But he also knew that the real battle was just beginning.

And Rufus Scrimgeour was ready for it.