Rufus Scrimgeour’s eyes widened in surprise as he approached the bound figure on the ground. The sight before him was unexpected—an exceptionally beautiful witch, tied with the ropes of his Incarcerous spell. Her striking features and composed demeanor contrasted sharply with the precarious situation she found herself in.
For a moment, Rufus felt a pang of guilt. He had intended only to silence a potential spy, but now he faced a complex situation. Adjusting his stance and lowering his wand, he addressed her with a forced calmness. “I apologize for the aggressive approach,” he said, trying to smooth over the incident. “I had no intention of causing you distress.”
Geneviève Delacroix, rubbing her wrists and brushing dirt off her elegant robes, met his gaze with a mixture of irritation and grace. “I appreciate your apology. I was merely seeking some solitude, and your... performance was an unexpected intrusion into my retreat.”
Rufus regarded her thoughtfully, noting the calmness in her voice despite the unusual circumstances. “It seems we’ve both found ourselves in an unusual situation,” he said, taking a measured breath. “Perhaps we should discuss this further. I’m sure you have questions, and I certainly have my share of curiosities.”
Geneviève’s expression held a touch of defiance. “You don’t want to hurt me,” she said calmly. “My uncle is the Minister of Magic.”
Rufus’s expression shifted from stern to puzzled. He snorted in disbelief. “The Minister of Magic?” he echoed, his confusion evident. “When did I get such a beautiful niece?”
Geneviève’s eyes widened slightly, flattered yet surprised by his response. “You’re the British Minister of Magic?” she asked, her tone reflecting genuine surprise.
“Yes,” Rufus confirmed, his voice steady but guarded.
Geneviève’s lips curled into a wry smile. “You’re mistaken. I was talking about the French Minister of Magic.”
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Rufus’s brow furrowed as he processed her words. “Oh, the French Minister?” he said, his tone reflecting a mix of surprise and understanding. “That makes more sense.”
Despite his attempts to appear reassured, Rufus remained cautious. His paranoia and distrust made him wary of her claims. He decided not to take her word at face value and resolved to verify her identity through the Ministry's security measures.
Rufus’s eyes remained narrowed, his suspicion still palpable despite the calming of the situation. “We’ll need to confirm your identity,” he said, his tone edged with determination. “If what you say is true, you wouldn’t mind coming back to the Ministry to verify your identity.
Geneviève raised an eyebrow at his demand but nodded in understanding. “Very well. If it will clear up this misunderstanding, I’ll accompany you.”
We’ll Apparate to the Ministry, Rufus said, his tone slightly less tense. He held out his hand, and Geneviève hesitated only for a moment before taking it. A subtle blush spread across both their faces as they prepared to Apparate together.
With a sharp crack, they reappeared near the Ministry of Magic. Rufus guided Geneviève through the bustling entrance hall and into the Ministry proper. He paused for a moment, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity.
Rufus led Geneviève through the protective enchantments with a careful eye, ensuring she passed through without incident. The wards confirmed that she was not a threat. At the Ministry's entrance, Rufus guided her through the Infiltrators’ Doom, an advanced security measure that scanned for hidden infiltrators. She passed through without triggering any alarms, confirming her statements.
Please wait here,” he said, motioning to an assistant. “Keep Ms. Delacroix company until I return.”
Geneviève nodded politely, settling into a nearby seating area as Rufus made his way to his office. Once inside, he closed the door and immediately turned his attention to the Map of Vigilance—a secret tool known only to a select few.
He unrolled the parchment, focusing on the entry for Geneviève Delacroix. Her name appeared with a green dot next to it, indicating that she was indeed an ally. This confirmation eased some of the tension he had been feeling, though Rufus remained wary of the implications of their encounter.
With this new information, he prepared to return to Geneviève, ready to engage in a more detailed conversation about her unexpected intrusion and their future interactions