Rufus Scrimgeour stood in his dimly lit office, the flickering light from the fireplace casting long shadows across the room. The meeting with Slughorn had gone as expected. The former Potions Master had agreed to assist in the Greyback operation, provided his involvement remained strictly confidential. Rufus knew Slughorn's fear of being too close to danger was just a facade—the man preferred the comfort of the back seat. But even so, his expertise in potion-making and transfiguration was invaluable to Rufus's plan.
Sitting at his desk, Rufus unrolled a parchment and began outlining the final details of the operation. His quill moved swiftly, each stroke of ink a calculated move in the larger game. This operation was not immediate; it would take a few days to gather all the necessary intelligence and ensure that every piece of the plan was perfectly aligned.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Rufus looked up as his assistant, Evelyn Foxley, entered the room. “Sir, the Aurors have begun gathering intelligence on Greyback's movements. However, there are already whispers in the Ministry about a possible operation. The exact details haven’t leaked, but people are talking.”
Rufus’s expression hardened. “Rumors are inevitable, but our precautions will ensure that nothing substantial gets out. The key is to keep everything under wraps until we’re ready to act. Have the team continue gathering intelligence, but tighten security around the information. Only those directly involved should know the details.”
Evelyn nodded. “Understood, sir. Is there anything else you need?”
Rufus moved to his desk and began writing a letter himself. It was addressed to Lord Greengrass. The alliance he intended to form needed to be kept secret; even Evelyn wasn’t to know. He carefully penned the message, laying out his intentions in carefully chosen words.
After finishing the letter, Rufus tied it to the leg of his owl, a magnificent creature with dark feathers speckled with silver. The owl hooted softly as it took the letter. In his previous life, Rufus had always wanted an owl as a pet, admiring their grace and intelligence. Now, it was both a companion and a tool—a symbol of the magical world he now navigated with purpose.
As the owl flew off into the night, Rufus turned his attention to his next task. The operation was still days away, but preparations were already underway. He knew that capturing Greyback would be a pivotal moment—not just in weakening Voldemort's future forces, but also in solidifying Rufus's own standing.
Just as Rufus was about to settle back into his work, he heard the persistent chatter of reporters waiting outside. It was clear that they had somehow caught wind of a potential operation. Rufus scowled. It was highly unusual for reporters to be so intrusive; they usually didn't get close to the Head of the British Auror Office.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Sir, the reporters are getting a bit pushy,” Evelyn said, stepping into the room again. “They’re waiting outside, and they’re quite persistent. They’ve been asking about recent rumors.”
Rufus grimaced. “I’ll handle it. Let’s avoid giving them any more information. They’re just fishing for details they won’t get.”
Leaving his office, Rufus made his way to the Ministry’s dining area. As he walked, he noticed several reporters clustered near the entrance, their eyes lighting up as they saw him approach.
“Mr. Scrimgeour! Any comment on the rumored operation?” one of the reporters called out.
Rufus maintained a stoic expression. “No comments at this time. The Ministry will release information when it’s appropriate.”
Despite their persistent questions, Rufus managed to navigate through the crowd and enter the dining area. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and enjoy a brief respite from the pressures of his role. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment.
As he enjoyed his lunch, Rufus’s mind wandered back to the werewolves he was working with. Remus Lupin was one of them, providing crucial information on Greyback’s movements. They had yet to meet, but Lupin’s insights were proving invaluable. Rufus silently admired Lupin’s cleverness, although he was certain that Lupin was not aware of how much he was being relied upon.
Rufus couldn't help but compare his own effectiveness to that of Albus Dumbledore. The old goat had never effectively dealt with Greyback, even with Lupin’s help. If Dumbledore had acted more decisively and collaborated more closely, Greyback might have been captured long ago. In Rufus's view, this was another sign of Dumbledore’s failures—failures that Rufus intended to rectify.
The operation against Greyback was not just about capturing a dangerous criminal. It was a strategic move to chip away at Voldemort’s future forces and to demonstrate Rufus’s effectiveness. He planned to be on the front lines of the operation, ensuring he received the credit for Greyback's capture.
Back in his office, Rufus prepared for his next steps. He was set to meet with Lord Greengrass soon, an alliance that needed to be kept secret. The preparations for the operation were progressing, and he was determined to see it through. The upcoming days would be crucial, and Rufus was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.