Deliberations Upon von Heaps (Ministry Officials)

[John Dawlish]

::Dawlish leaned into the table looking at each member who was there in the eye.::

::Pounding his fist onto the table in excitement, not frustration::

I stand by my word. Let us contact the German Ministry of Magic and its Minister himself. I think the question of Deportment versus jailing him will be determined by this point. Surely there is some sort of paperwork?

[Griselda Marchbanks]

*A folded pink memo flyer soars over the heads of the wizards and lands in front of Mrs Marchbanks.*

Ah, good, I have been waiting for this! I have taken already the liberty to contact an acquaintance in Germany, a Mr Ömer Schmitz I met at several European conferences over the past years. Some of you might know him, although he works ... ahem.. more in the background.

*She unfolds the paper and starts reading it, frowning several times at the content.*

This is interesting, very interesting. Indeed, Mr von Heap was working in the German Ministry. However, he seems to have messed up many important tasks due to his overzealous ways and the inability to follow instructions.

*She sighs unhappily*

Mr Schmitz informs me it was very difficult to do anything about the matter, van Heap's family is rather influential in the economical sector of the country. Only recently suspicions have been confirmed that he forged some of his credentials.

[Gawain Robards]

Forged credentials?

*He puffed up his chest a little and shuffled in his seat.*

Sounds about right. You seen those phony laws he's been passing around?

[Baron Papanoida]

You're right Pius. Seeing as his excuse relies on us believing that he had been Imperiused, we need to prove that that is a lie.

*He opened his copy of the case file and began scanning it. He could barely remember what he wrote in it.*

I don't think that'll be too hard.

[John Dawlish]

::Looking at Griselda, Gawain, and Baron::

Could we possibly try him for fraud as well? I certainly believe its worth a shot.

[Gawain Robards]

Get him on every charge you've got old boy!

*He had a personal score to settle, and it was extremely difficult to remain professional.*

What else you got? Hahaha!

[Elric Marwood]

*He made a conscious effort to control his accent, though among friends, he allowed it slip through a little.*

I don't know much about what he was up to before he came to England, but since he arrived, he's been going 'round chattin' to all sorts. Askin' questions he shouldn't be. Seemed very keen on getting in touch with the Barons department too.

[Pius Thicknesse]

*listened quietly to each auror and ministry official in turn, examining the parchments before him when Baron did*

Thank you Griselda. So, according to our German Ministry contacts, Mr. von Heaps was acting upon his own accord. We do not have to proceed with deportation if that is true. I think it would be best that we press for him to receive an extended sentence in Azkaban for the charges of espionage and use of Unforgiveables. With our knowledge of Unforgiveables and those who have used them, I feel our best set of questions will be those concerning specific details about the battle. Mr. von Heaps has voluntarily confessed that he knew what was going on during the battle. Questions that can provide us with setting the stage of the battle, which would be confirmed by our multiple aurors can show that he was fully under his own facilities and not under any sort of curse.

[/b]

*Looks at the aurors*

We need specifics gentlemen, hard facts that we know about and then ask Mr. von Heaps to lay out the same for us. If we can do that before the Minister we are guaranteed to prove that he was no cursed.[/blockquote]

[Venus Tamwell]

~Venus had kept quiet through all the talk, smiling when she heard Thickness ask for the "hard facts".~

You want hard facts. That's my area of expertise. You didn't think I was just a pretty face did you.

~She stands and starts to walk around the table looking at each person in turn.~

I was there the day Mr. Von Heap met with a certain death eater. For...fortunatly I was there waiting for the same one. After waiting for what seemed like hours, Heap walked in to the Silver Serpent, seated himself at a table close to me, and preceeded to wait for someone. Little did I know he was also waiting for Rowle. Just as Rowle walked in and approached me Heap interupted him. He, didn't feel the need to keep his voice hushed so I heard every word they exchanged.

~She stopped again, walked around the table some more and then continued.~

Heap was far too eager to speak to He-who-must-not-be-named. Asked Rowle to take him before the Dark Lord. There was some more to their conversation but it may not be of great importance. But, If your under the impression that Heap was imperiused...I'd think again.

~Venus returned to her seat, folding her hands on the table in front of her and fell silent once more.~

[Baron Papanoida]

*He listened while still checking the notes. Pius suggested they push for an extended prison sentence. He supposed that that was there only option. Azkaban and Dementors under Voldemorts control left them few options. They had no death penalty and deportation seemed to only pass the problem on to Germany. Best thing to do was to get on with figuring out how to find him guilty.*

*Venus stood and spoke her part. He was pleased that a member of his department had done well and managed to gain some useful insight. It was her job after all and at least she was doing it well.*

I am unclear about his reason for being anywhere near the battle. He says he just happened to be nearby and saw the Dark Mark. I find it preposterous that he was there by chance. As well as that, he just so happened to be carrying a black cloak to disguise himself!

[Dempster Wiggleswade]

~Dempster had been sitting quietly in his chair, jotting down notes on his little pad of paper. Occasionally he would nod off into sleep but would wake up with a loud grunt. He looked around the room, paying close attention now. He waited for a moment then spoke up.~

A likely story. No one just goes around carrying black cloaks in the hind sight that they will run into a bunch of death eaters. It's preposterous.

[Gawain Robards]

Too right my old boy! Every bally thing the bastard said is twoddle!

*He gave a firm nod.*

So we've got our main focus point. But our witnesses at the battle are limited. I didn't see anyone lose a leg myself. I don't think anyone here did.

*He tried putting his mind back to the battle. All he really could remember were his own actions, dodging the curses which he supposed were coming from Heap.*

Lupin was there. We could ask him a few questions if we can get hold of him. Just to see if he saw anything.

[Cornelius Fudge]

*Shuffles through some notes*

According to the paperwork, Heap's admission to Saint Mungo's was practically immediately after the battle at the Burrow. That qualifies as circumstantial evidence.

Perhaps we could ask any of the other prisoners down in the cells if he's said anything during his time there? They could provide us with witness testimonies if he's said anything incriminating.

*Frowns a little*

I believe he's more than a little troublesome down in the cells, anyway.

[Pius Thicknesse]

*Pius pointed at Baron, his eyes lightning up*

And yet he said he was under the Imperius Curse and forced to attack Gawain. So, we have two possible stories from him. The first is that he happened to find the battle and began attacking Gawain. The second is that he was involved with the Death Eaters and attacked Gawain during the battle. Neither seems to honestly show a shred of proof that he was under any control of an Imperius and both involve a maximum sentence to Azkaban.

*quickly looks back at the report*

Perhaps Mr. Lupin could help us weed through this mess and provide us with proof of whether or not Mr. von Heaps was under the Imperius Curse. Mr. Robards, do you think you could get a rough timeline of events based on your auror reports?

[Tiberius Ogden]

So far, Tiberius, like Dempster had only made approving noises and busied himself with underlining the important points in his copies with brilliant pink ink.

Now he lifted his head, and observed:

"We should have at least one of two usable documents from Heap's homecountry, although Griselda said her contact is working 'in the background'. "