Blinded by Greed

From the office behind the door came Madam Umbridge's shrill cries. The furious, hate-filled shouting ceased when he knocked. Delix hesitated outside, somewhat regretting his impulsiveness, but the Minister's low summons from within left him no room for regret.

"Minister—"

Pushing open the door, Delix found Minister Fudge seated at his desk. The deep furrow between his brows and the gloom radiating from him were enough to make even the paper cranes flying out of the fireplace keep their distance. Madam Umbridge's vicious expression made Delix deeply regret his choice of timing.

Perhaps the news he had brought would please the Ministry's two most powerful figures?

Clinging to that thought, Delix shuffled timidly into the Minister's office.

"I hope you're about to tell me that you've found information on the sender of that damned package, Delix."

Entirely unlike Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts earlier, Fudge's round face was deeply etched with the authority of the Minister for Magic, leaving Delix flustered.

"—S-sorry, Minister, Madam Umbridge. The Aurors are still tracing the package's origins. You... you both know it will take some time."

The oppressive atmosphere in the office was like the stillness before a thunderstorm, making it hard for Delix to breathe. Wizards like Dumbledore and Breen might disregard the authority of Ministry officials, but he had no ability to resist the imposing presence of wizards at the pinnacle of power.

"I came here to report to you... and Madam Umbridge, because of something interesting."

"Interesting?!"

Fudge rudely cut off Delix's halting account. The last shred of ministerial dignity he possessed kept him from roaring at Delix to get out of his office. Did this idiot not understand that nothing was interesting to him right now?

"Oh, it's not an important matter!"

Sweat beaded in Delix's stiff gray hair. Without even