Rufus Scrimgeour sat in his office, his thoughts still on Geneviève Delacroix. Despite his best efforts, her presence lingered in his mind. He ignored the teasing comments from the portraits around him, their voices mocking him about his recent interaction.

"Beautiful, isn't she? That's what men like you fall for," one of the older witches chided. "You’re smitten, Minister. Admit it!"

Rufus frowned but said nothing, trying to focus on the documents before him. His mind refused to cooperate. Just as his thoughts began to wander back to the mysterious woman, a sharp knock on the door interrupted him.

“Enter,” he called, thankful for the distraction.

His assistant, Clara, stepped into the room, holding a thick envelope in her hand. “Minister,” she said, her tone clipped as always, “a letter has just arrived from Romania.”

The words “from Romania” immediately cut through Rufus’s preoccupied thoughts. His demeanor changed in an instant. Though he usually kept his emotions in check, a flicker of excitement sparked in his eyes. He could barely suppress his joy.

Clara handed him the letter, her brow arching slightly at her boss’s uncharacteristic reaction. "Men and their fascination with dragons," she muttered under her breath before excusing herself. As usual, she respected his privacy and left without further comment.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Rufus wasted no time in tearing open the envelope. Inside was a parchment stamped with the seal of the Romanian Dragon Conservatory. His heart raced as he unfolded it, his eyes scanning the neatly written lines. The letter was from Charlie Weasley, one of the lead handlers at the conservatory.

It read:

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Dear Minister Scrimgeour,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I was pleased to receive your inquiry about acquiring a dragon for the Ministry’s special program. After careful consideration and consultation with the conservatory board, I am delighted to inform you that we are prepared to move forward with your request.

As you know, working with dragons requires precise handling and discretion, but with the Ministry’s current standing and resources, we are confident in your ability to manage this venture successfully. We will be sending a team to your office next week to finalize the details, and I look forward to working with you personally on this exciting project.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Please note that while there will be some logistical challenges, the current political climate has made this an opportune time. Dragons have been long considered too dangerous for mainstream use, but with your influence and the public’s trust in the Ministry following the recent high-profile trials, now is the perfect time to pursue this endeavor.

I await your response.

Regards, Charlie Weasley Romanian Dragon Conservatory

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Rufus leaned back in his chair, feeling a rare thrill of satisfaction. His plan to acquire a dragon was coming to fruition, and the timing could not have been better. He had been working on this for months, ever since the public trials had cemented his standing as a decisive leader in the wizarding world.

The trials—dubbed "The Trials of the Century"—had put the Ministry in the spotlight, rooting out dark forces that had long plagued the wizarding community. The public had responded with overwhelming trust in the Ministry, and Scrimgeour was basking in the glow of their support. With his influence at an all-time high, nothing seemed impossible now. Not even acquiring a dragon.

No one would stop him this time.

He thought back to his previous attempts at broaching the subject of using dragons within the Ministry. At every turn, there had been resistance. Too dangerous, they said. Too unpredictable. But now, with the right people in the right places, and with the public’s trust, there would be no more obstacles.

"Power," he whispered to himself, allowing the word to roll off his tongue. "The key to achieving anything is power."

He couldn’t help but smile. The Romanian Dragon Conservatory had been hesitant at first, but Charlie Weasley, with his love for the creatures and his reputation for taming the most volatile dragons, had been the perfect liaison. Now, thanks to Charlie’s efforts, Rufus's ambition to bring a dragon into Ministry operations would soon become a reality.

As he rolled up the letter and tucked it away, his thoughts briefly flickered back to Geneviève. Was it fate that she had crossed his path just as his plans were reaching their pinnacle? He quickly pushed the thought aside. There was no time for distractions. The Ministry’s future—and his—were far too important.

Yet, even as he refocused his mind on the dragon, he couldn’t help but wonder about the days to come. With dragons under his control, his power would only grow. The wizarding world would have to reckon with a Ministry unlike any before—strong, capable, and always one step ahead.

Rufus stood up, his hand still resting on the desk where the Romanian letter lay. He had achieved much, but this... this would be his legacy. As the dragon handlers arrived and the plan moved forward, Scrimgeour knew he was shaping the future in ways few could imagine.

Just then, the voice of the portrait that had teased him earlier called out again.

"Dragons now, is it? First a beautiful witch, now a beast. You are an ambitious one, Minister."

Rufus chuckled softly but did not respond. He knew exactly what he was doing. And soon, so would the world.