One day later, at the Ministry of Magic.
The Minister for Magic's office was bright with simulated sunlight, despite sitting underground, the enchanted windows presented a convincing view of a clear afternoon.
Fudge occupied the chair behind his desk with the relaxed air of a man entirely comfortable in his surroundings, that characteristic smooth smile settled across his features.
He wore a pinstripe dark purple robe, and his distinctive lime green bowler hat remained firmly in place even indoors.
A middle-aged woman in pink stood behind him, notebook in hand and quill at the ready.
Henry sat opposite Fudge, back straight, hands clasped on his knees, a posture he had maintained since childhood, ingrained through years of royal etiquette training. He met Fudge's gaze with unhurried composure.
"Your Highness," Fudge began, his manner as warmly familiar as if Henry were a long-favored relative, "we had such a pleasant conversation when your father visited last time. What brings you here today?"
Henry inclined his head slightly. "Minister, you're too kind. I've come to discuss the Magical Creatures Sanctuary project with you."
Fudge's smile held steady. "Ah, yes, Mr. Harker mentioned it when we last met. The Royal Family intends to collaborate with the Ministry of Magic, if I recall correctly?"
"That's correct," Henry said.
Fudge nodded and took a measured sip of his tea before setting the cup down.
"Since you've raised it, I do have some concerns I'd like to share."
Henry remained silent, watching him with quiet attention and waiting for him to continue.
Fudge sighed, leaning back slightly. "Your Highness, this is a very substantial project. Twenty million Galleons represents a considerable sum even by wizarding standards. My concern is this: might people interpret it as an admission that the Ministry of Magic requires outside assistance? That we are somehow... insufficient to manage such matters ourselves?"
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Henry's face, searching carefully for any reaction.
He found none. Henry's expression remained entirely composed as he nodded with evident sincerity.
"Minister, I think you've considered this with great care. But I'd suggest the opposite interpretation is actually more natural. This project demonstrates the Ministry of Magic's leadership precisely because nothing could proceed without you."
Fudge raised an eyebrow, his smile acquiring a more interested edge. "How so?"
"Think about it," Henry said. "Without the Ministry's involvement and approval, the Royal Family's funding would accomplish nothing. People need to be vetted, regulations need to be established, official sanction needs to be granted, none of these things exist without the Ministry of Magic. When this succeeds, everyone will understand it did so under your guidance and authority. Doesn't that speak for itself?"
A brief gleam crossed Fudge's eyes.
Then he suppressed it.
Something in his political instincts told him the conversation wasn't going to be quite this simple.
"There is another matter, Your Highness," he said, his tone shifting to something more tentative. "I understand you have a rather close relationship with Professor Dumbledore?"
Henry had been anticipating the question, though he allowed no sign of this to reach his face. He held Fudge's gaze steadily.
"Professor Dumbledore is the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and naturally all the students hold him in high regard," he said. "However, this is a Royal charitable initiative, and it has no connection to Professor Dumbledore. The partner we are seeking is the Ministry of Magic."
Fudge studied him carefully. "Your Highness means to say—"
"I mean that the success of this project depends entirely on the Ministry's support," Henry said. "Professor Dumbledore, however capable, cannot grant Ministry approval on the Ministry's behalf. Would you not agree, Minister?"
Fudge's smile broadened, becoming slightly more genuine than before. "Your Highness makes a fair point."
He paused, visibly considering his next move.
"Then—" He chose his words with evident care. "If this project does go forward, how would the day-to-day management be structured? The Royal Family provides the funding, the Ministry provides oversight, that sounds well in principle, but how would it operate in practice?"
Henry was prepared. He reached into his briefcase, withdrew a bound document, and placed it on the desk before Fudge.
"This is a preliminary plan for your consideration."
Fudge picked it up and opened it. The document was thorough, application procedures, expert team structure, management authority at every level, emergency response protocols.
Each item was laid out with precision. What Fudge noticed most, however, was that the plan not only gave the Ministry full oversight, but explicitly credited the Minister for Magic as instrumental in establishing what it termed "Britain's first nationally owned magical nature reserve."
He looked up. "This represents the Royal Family's actual position?"
"Of course," Henry said simply.
Fudge fell quiet for a moment, turning through several more pages, his gaze moving deliberately across each clause.
Then he closed the document and looked at Henry with an expression that had grown genuinely thoughtful.
"Your Highness, this is a well-constructed document," he said. "But I have one question that I'd like to ask directly."
"Please," Henry said.
"Why?" Fudge's voice was measured. "Why is the Royal Family willing to commit this kind of money simply to help establish a nature reserve with the Ministry? What do you actually stand to gain?"
It was a direct question, and it deserved a direct answer.
Henry met his eyes.
"Minister, my father is an environmentalist. He cares about endangered species, about climate change, about what kind of world we leave behind. In the Muggle world, he has dedicated considerable effort to these concerns, establishing environmental funds, promoting sustainable agriculture, drawing public attention to the natural world."
He paused before continuing.
"In the wizarding world, he holds the same values. But the wizarding world has its own established order, and he has no desire to disrupt it or to be seen as an outsider overreaching. He wants to contribute through a genuine partnership with the Ministry. That way, whatever is achieved, the credit is shared."
He held Fudge's gaze calmly. "As for what the Royal Family gains, the satisfaction of having done something worthwhile. That is enough."
Fudge absorbed this in silence.
He looked at the document again, at its densely written clauses, and was quiet for a long while. When he finally looked up, something in his expression had shifted, become less performative, more considered.
"Your Highness," he said, his voice noticeably quieter than it had been, "you remind me of someone."
"Who?" Henry asked.
"Your grandmother." Fudge smiled, and for once it didn't seem entirely calculated. "I had the honor of meeting her once. She was exactly the same, the kind of person who, even holding a strong position, never rushed to play it."
He set the document down on the desk before him.
"Your Highness, I'm prepared to support this project. But I have one condition."
"Please go ahead," Henry said.
"I want to be genuinely involved in the major decisions," Fudge said, his expression becoming serious. "Not simply in title, actually involved. I want to review every expert recommended for appointment. I want to authorize every significant disbursement. I want to be informed of every significant development in the reserve's operations."
Henry nodded without hesitation. "That's entirely appropriate."
Fudge paused, visibly caught off guard by the speed of the agreement. "You don't find that... excessive?"
Henry smiled. "You're the Minister for Magic, aren't you?"
Fudge looked at him for a moment, then let out a genuine laugh, the first one of the meeting. He stood, walked around the desk, and extended his hand.
"Your Highness, it has been a genuine pleasure."
Henry rose and shook it firmly. "Thank you, Minister."
Fudge held the handshake a moment longer. "If anything arises and you need support, don't hesitate to come to me directly."
Henry smiled. "I won't. We're partners now, after all."
"A true partnership," Fudge confirmed, nodding with visible satisfaction.
The two regarded each other with the particular warmth of people who understand one another perfectly, including what has been left unsaid.
"Yes, Minister," Henry said.
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Early chapters: [email protected]/palevolt100