Гарри Поттер и Принц-полукровка
The Other Minister
Despitehisindignationatthepositionintowhichhehadbeenplaced,hestillratherfeltfortheshrunken-lookingmansittingoppositehim.
"I’mverysorry,"hesaidfinally."Ifthere’sanythingIcando?"
"It’sverykindofyou,PrimeMinister,butthereisnothing.Iwassentheretonighttobringyouuptodateonrecenteventsandtointroduceyoutomysuccessor.Iratherthoughthe’dbeherebynow,butofcourse,he’sverybusyatthemoment,withsomuchgoingon."
Fudgelookedaroundattheportraitoftheuglylittlemanwearingthelongcurlysilverwig,whowasdigginginhisearwiththepointofaquill.CatchingFudge’seye,theportraitsaid,"He’llbehereinamoment,he’sjustfinishingalettertoDumbledore."
"Iwishhimluck,"saidFudge,soundingbitterforthefirsttime."I’vebeenwritingtoDumbledoretwiceadayforthepastfortnight,buthewon’tbudge.Ifhe’djustbeenpreparedtopersuadetheboy,Imightstillbe...well,maybeScrimgeourwillhavemoresuccess."
Fudgesubsidedintowhatwasclearlyanaggrievedsilence,butitwasbrokenalmostimmediatelybytheportrait,whichsuddenlyspokeinitscrisp,officialvoice.
"TothePrimeMinisterofMuggles.Requestingameeting.Urgent.Kindlyrespondimmediately.RufusScrimgeour,MinisterofMagic."
"Yes,yes,fine,"saidthePrimeMinisterdistractedly,andhebarelyflinchedastheflamesinthegrateturnedemeraldgreenagain,roseup,andrevealedasecondspinningwizardintheirheart,disgorginghimmomentslaterontotheantiquerug.
