Chapter 20.6- Doom Days

“Your nephew? Krum?” I replied in perfect Russian, making surprise flash across his face. Surprise that Fudge shared, I could tell from the sides of my eyes. Fleur squeezed my hand and I squeezed hers back.

“Exactly. He is my sister’s son. His father is not the brightest tool in the shed” the man said, not even hesitating to insult his in-law in such a public forum. I guess this was a private enough conversation, only Dumbledore, Krum, and the Asian woman were following the words that we traded. Krum’s grinding teeth were audible even from here as I smirked.

“Then the apple must not have fallen far from the tree” The man froze and I worried for a second if I had overstepped before he collapsed in laughter, almost doubling over.

“Yes, yes. Just like his father that one. He thinks Quidditch is the beginning and end of everything” The Russian minister replied and I smiled in response even as I remembered that the Russian Quidditch team hadn’t even made it to the World Cup. They were worse even than Bulgaria who had Krum as their only standout star.

“Will you be staying for the duels tomorrow? You wouldn’t want to miss the chance to watch me mop the floor with his face would you?” I asked with a smirk.

“I will. I’ll be looking forward to it” he said with another laugh. I quite liked this Karpov fellow, I thought to myself.

“The next on the table is Fabio Caruana of Italy who serves as the Secretary of Magical Affairs.” Fudge gestured to the old man that seemed to be watching everything with a look o perpetual amusement on his face. And when I said old, I meant old. He looked older even that Dumbledore.I was surprised that his bones did not squeak as he moved to give me a half-bow. I instantly returned the gesture. That seemed to be all he was interested in doing as he returned to watching the rest of the hall. Fudge smiled and then moved on the Asian woman.

“Last but not least, we have Princess Nemo Kawaguchi, representing her Father, the Grand Emperor of Magical Japan” He said,

“Magical Asia” the woman instantly corrected. Magical Asia? I thought with some internal confusion. Tom Riddle hadn’t cared about foreign nations much, and none of my research had involved Asia. I knew that Magical India was one of the world’s oldest magical communities but not much beyond that.

“Not in Britain” Fudge said, lips thin. There was tension there, I could tell.

“A pleasure to meet you, Princess.” Fleur said, cutting in and drawing the woman’s attention to her. This was the first person she was bothering to speak to so far, and that was a sign.

“The feeling is heartily returned, Miss Delacour. It is good to meet you in person, Mr. Potter. My father is very curious about the legend of the boy who lived” The woman said, and looking at Fudge showed he wasn’t pleased at all.

“Most people are” I said in reply, making sure to sound non-confrontational.

“Indeed. It’s a shame that we can’t open you up to get our answers” She replied, ending the conversation on that note.