The Ministry of Magic was already alive with murmurs and movement when Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the golden fireplace into the Atrium. His presence had an almost physical weight to it—bringing a momentary hush to the bustling morning.
Two Aurors moved quickly to his side.
"Chief Warlock Dumbledore," one said formally. "You are expected. Mr. Cassian Blake has arranged for your meeting in the Department of International Magical Affairs."
Dumbledore thanked them, his sapphire gaze calm but purposeful. He did not come for niceties.
Cassian Blake's Office – Department of International Magical Affairs
The office was clinical and immaculate. Diplomatic papers, magical treaties, and arcane texts lined the tall bookshelves. Cassian Blake stood by the window in silence, dressed in steel-grey robes that made him appear more statue than man.
"Albus," Cassian said coolly. "I must admit, I didn't expect you to come in person."
"I prefer conversation to parchment threats," Dumbledore replied with a small, tight smile.
Cassian gestured to the seat across his desk. "You've read the letters. You know why I'm concerned. My son should be in Slytherin. His placement in Gryffindor… it's unfit."
Dumbledore sat, steepling his fingers. "It's not your place to dictate that. The Sorting Hat does not make its choices lightly."
"My family legacy is not to be cast aside," Cassian said, voice sharpening. "Elias must be realigned. You know it can be done. There are precedents."
Dumbledore's tone darkened slightly. "And there are reasons those precedents were never invoked except in dire circumstances. I will not make Elias a pawn in your ideology."
Cassian leaned forward. "You're enabling him to defy me."
"No," Dumbledore replied, voice low and even. "I am enabling him to become who he is—something you seem unwilling to see."
For a moment, the air in the room felt charged.
"You're protecting him," Cassian said, his expression unreadable.
"I am guiding him. As I would any student. But yes, I will protect him—especially from those who would see him shackled to the past."
Minister's Office – Later That Morning
Cornelius Fudge, short, balding, and perpetually nervous-looking, adjusted his lime green bowler hat as Dumbledore entered.
"Albus!" Fudge said, rising a little too quickly. "Always a pleasure, of course, yes, very much so. Though—ha—letters from Cassian Blake do have a way of stirring things up."
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied, his expression unreadable. "I assume he's come to you with demands."
Fudge gave a flustered chuckle. "Well, not demands, exactly—more like strong recommendations. Very strong. Wants Elias re-sorted into Slytherin, you see. Says it's in the boy's best interest. Family pride and all that."
Dumbledore's eyes lost their twinkle. "Cornelius, Hogwarts is not governed by family pride. We do not reshape a child's path to suit a father's ambitions."
"Of course, of course," Fudge said quickly, waving his hands. "I said as much—well, in softer words. Still, Cassian Blake has influence. Knows half the diplomatic envoys. Would hate to upset him too much."
"That is precisely what I fear," Dumbledore said softly. "That your ministry is more concerned with upsetting influential men than safeguarding the independence of education."
Fudge squirmed. "Now, Albus, that's not entirely fair. But I do understand your point. Just… keep the boy quiet, will you? No duels. No headlines."
Dumbledore rose. "I never ask a student to be silent when their voice matters. Especially not one who is, perhaps, more watched than he deserves to be."
A Moment with Arthur Weasley – Department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts
In a cluttered office packed with toaster parts and enchanted screwdrivers, Arthur Weasley offered Dumbledore a chair and a steaming cup of tea.
"You're braver than I am," Arthur said with a grin. "Having tea after visiting Fudge."
Dumbledore smiled. "Your optimism is always refreshing, Arthur."
Arthur's expression sobered. "Cassian Blake was here recently. Quiet, serious. The kind of quiet that makes your wand hand twitch. He's not pleased about Elias."
"No, he isn't," Dumbledore said. "But Elias is holding his ground. A rare quality."
Arthur hesitated, then said, "Molly heard from Percy that the boy's sharp. Polite. Withdrawn, but not unfriendly. The twins even like him."
Dumbledore nodded. "He's navigating a complicated path. But I believe he knows the way."
Later That Night – Gryffindor Common Room
Elias sat alone in the corner of the common room. The firelight flickered over the unopened letter in his hand. His father's seal was intact. A second letter in a week. Harsher, no doubt. Full of veiled threats and disappointment.
He didn't open it.
Instead, he opened his System.
+20 Fate Points — For resisting paternal influence
+15 Fate Points — For political ripple caused in Ministry
Current Balance: 65 Fate Points
He scanned the shop.
[Available Upgrade] – Mental Clarity (Improved Potion Focus) – 35 Points
[Unlocked] – Intermediate Occlumency (Memory Threading I) – 60 Points
He purchased both.
As knowledge surged into his mind, he leaned back and stared into the fire. Let his father write a hundred letters.
He wasn't leaving Gryffindor.