Little Magic

In the middle of the Ministry of Magic's main hall, glittering streams of water splashed noisily down into the fountain. Allen, who had just come up by lift from the Department of Mysteries, spotted Goyle Gregory at once as he came out through the row of golden doors at the far end of the hall. His hair was short and bristly, his arms as long as an ape's, and unlike the arrogant way he had once strutted behind Malfoy, he now looked dispirited and dejected.

Lenn, who had come out of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to meet Allen, followed his younger brother's gaze and saw Goyle too. "As long as Gregory was willing to accept our offer of surrender, he could have been the first to regain his freedom, but he refused." Lenn shrugged. "I know through Legilimency that he has misgivings. He's afraid that if he accepts the Harris Family's goodwill and gets released so quickly and safely, his master will become suspicious of him. So he intends to just stay in prison. It's safer for him that way. The conditions here are much better than Azkaban."

Allen nodded. He could fully understand Goyle's choice. The Death Eaters' fear and reverence toward Voldemort were beyond question. When one could not be sure which way the scales of victory would tip, spending these turbulent days in prison was indeed a wise choice.

"Father still isn't done talking? Daisy hasn't come out either?" Seeing that only he and Lenn were here, Allen questioned his elder brother.

"That African is rather difficult to deal with. Let's go to the Minister's office and see what's going on," Lenn suggested, not knowing the details either.

Allen and Lenn passed through the ceaselessly darting paper airplanes. When they arrived near the Minister for