Rabastan Lestrange, under the guise of Polyjuice Potion, completed the healing in two weeks. He could have done it faster, but deliberately took his time to avoid giving the impression that it was too easy. Rabastan himself carefully adjusted the phrasing of his task, refining Shacklebolt's original directive to "heal everyone"—which would have required curing the entire planet's population—down to "all victims of dark magical lethargy presented to him for treatment at St. Mungo's." Thus, when no more victims of the curse remained at the clinic, the preliminary condition for peace negotiations could be considered fulfilled. Securing a written confirmation from the chief healer, Rabastan sent Arcturus to the Minister for further discussions about peace.
Arcturus knew people well enough to feel uneasy about the Minister's demeanor. Shacklebolt frowned, avoided eye contact, answered tersely, and generally acted as if every word cost him great effort. Still, Arcturus relied on the strength of their magical oaths and spoke firmly and convincingly, emphasizing that the preliminary condition had been met and that the hosting party was now obligated to proceed with drafting a peace treaty. Eventually, he pressured the Minister into scheduling an audience with both himself and Rabastan.
The audience was formal, requiring wand inspections and identity verification at the entrance, making Polyjuice Potion unacceptable. Shacklebolt had to instruct his secretary to announce throughout the Ministry that, as part of the truce agreement, a representative of the Death Eaters would be arriving for negotiations. In simpler terms, the announcement essentially said, "Everyone stay calm, no smashing enchanted windows or attacking visitors on sight, or there'll be trouble."
The Minister's personal secretary, Percy Weasley, not only relayed the announcement to Ministry staff but also brought it to Dumbledore's attention. Less than half an hour after Arcturus left, the paragon of virtue and moral backbone of Britain, the former Headmaster of Hogwarts, arrived in the Minister's office. Dumbledore no longer opposed compromise outright but instead voiced concern over whether Kingsley had fully thought everything through. Word by word, it became apparent that Shacklebolt needed both moral support and oversight during the audience, in case the Death Eaters tried to deceive him. Dumbledore himself offered to provide this oversight, insisting on the presence of a group of experienced Aurors as well.
As Arcturus and Rabastan approached the Ministry, Arcturus finally shared his worries about the Minister's behavior.
"Who would have guessed?" Rabastan confirmed. "He got what he needed from us, and we're the bad guys—so bad it's terrifying. It's not even about what we deserve; it's about the fact that we lost. If it were the other way around, he'd be the terrorist, and we'd be sitting pretty. That's what magical oaths are for—to reconcile the irreconcilable."
"Well..." Arcturus, growing accustomed to moral ambiguity, still believed in human decency and didn't want to lose faith in people. "Shacklebolt is on the side of the Light; he should keep his word."
"Light, dark..." Rabastan sneered disdainfully. "Remember this, kid: it's just a label made up by cowardly hypocrites. When it comes to their own selfish interests, people are all the same."
Arcturus didn't argue. Soon they would enter the audience chamber, and the truth would come to light.
They were met at the Ministry. A group of five Aurors—long-time friends and trusted colleagues of former Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt—were present for escort and security. After identity verification, wand inspections, and logging the purpose of their visit, the Aurors escorted them to the Minister's office, where Shacklebolt and Dumbledore were already waiting. Arcturus and Rabastan stopped in the middle of the room, while the Aurors positioned themselves along the walls. During the official exchange of pleasantries, Arcturus occasionally caught Dumbledore's probing gaze but pretended with practiced ease that they didn't know each other.
They were offered seats—not out of courtesy, but because it's harder to launch an attack from a seated position. Shacklebolt suggested they begin, and Arcturus handed over the certificate from the chief healer confirming that all the afflicted had been cured.
"As guarantor, I affirm that the Knights of Walpurgis have fulfilled their obligations," he declared, passing over the parchment.
"Splendid," Dumbledore interjected as the Minister hesitated to confirm. "Even dark magic can sometimes be put to good use. The task that justified this agreement has been completed, and thus the truce has ended—isn't that right, Arcturus?"
The trap was laughably transparent, but Arcturus, under pressure, didn't smile.
"Mr. Travers-Black, sir," he corrected. "Please don't breach protocol. Mr. Shacklebolt, do you confirm that the Knights of Walpurgis have fulfilled the conditions necessary to proceed with negotiations for a peace pact?"
"I confirm," the Minister said through gritted teeth.
"The preliminary condition of the pact—amnesty for former members of the political group known as the Knights of Walpurgis for crimes committed in the context of their group activities—was agreed upon during the truce and remains unchanged. I propose we move on to discussing the details of the pact."
Negotiations began. They first addressed the criminal acts committed by Voldemort's enforcers before moving on to compensation for material damages. Rabastan handled the bargaining, while Arcturus was tasked with observing and keeping track of the discussion. Rabastan made this task significantly easier by remaining courteous, refraining from condescension or veiled insults (unlike Shacklebolt), and defusing any bursts of temper from the opposing side wherever possible. He readily disavowed the actions of Riddle's enforcers and werewolves, stating that their recruitment was entirely Riddle's doing and that no one else was responsible for their conduct. As for compensation, he suggested organizing it in the form of charitable donations, which would enhance the global public image of both the Ministry and the Death Eaters. Rabastan, having inherited all of his elder brother's wealth except Bellatrix's private vault, understood that buying their way out was inevitable.
Arcturus was surprised to discover that Rabastan was as skilled in negotiation as he was in combat. Rabastan yielded his positions gradually, respecting the reasonableness of his opponents, but never beyond a predetermined threshold. Once at that limit, he employed psychological techniques, steering his opponents toward agreement—starting with rhetorical truisms like "Surely we all want safety?" and moving on to concrete terms. Arcturus observed Shacklebolt slowly being persuaded and Dumbledore becoming increasingly grim. The Aurors shifted restlessly, eager to intervene, but their sense of discipline held firm.
It was clear that the negotiations were nearing their conclusion and that the outcome favored the Death Eaters. The major points had been agreed upon, leaving only minor disputes to resolve. Alarmed, Dumbledore decided to intervene.
"Kingsley, you're being far too accommodating," he gently reproached the Minister. "So many lives were lost, so much effort expended, and now these crimes will go unpunished? Look around—your friends are concerned. They're uncomfortable watching you betray everything you've endured together."
This was the spark that ignited chaos. Shacklebolt's former colleagues erupted, discipline forgotten:
"Yeah, Kingsley, you're treating him like your best friend!"
"So they cured a few people—what about the hundreds they killed?"
"They want to pay for blood with money, is that it?"
"Kingsley, I can't believe I ever trusted you!"
Shacklebolt appeared overwhelmed, understandably so. He wasn't prepared to firmly reprimand five old friends and a revered elder.
"Mr. Shacklebolt, please restore order. As guarantor, I insist on it," Arcturus finally interjected.
All eyes turned to him.
"And who are you to give orders, boy?"
"A snot-nosed Death Eater telling us what to do?"
"Keep quiet before we throw you out."
"Enough! These wretches belong in Azkaban!"
"Mr. Shacklebolt, you swore an oath guaranteeing our safety!" Arcturus exclaimed. "You swore by magic, Minister!"
"Quiet, everyone!" Shacklebolt finally snapped. "Stand down; no one is attacking me."
The Aurors reluctantly obeyed, grumbling. Dumbledore gave the Minister a reproachful look.
"Kingsley, my dear boy, didn't you say you acted for the people? Here they are—your people, your loyal friends and colleagues. Listen to them! Let them tell you what they need and want."
"What's there to want?" one Auror shouted. "Lock them up, end of story!"
"Kingsley, don't betray us!"
"Enough coddling criminals—listen to honest people!"
The negotiations were disrupted. Arcturus, discovering that Dumbledore had ruined two hours of bargaining with just a few phrases, leapt to his feet in outrage.
"How dare you! You promised! You swore! If you don't value your word, do you not at least care about your magic?"
The Minister remained silent, but Dumbledore spoke instead.
"My boy…"
"And you'll pay separately for calling me 'boy'!" Arcturus growled, beside himself with anger.
"My boy…" The old man seemed not to hear him. "A person themselves is more important than their magic. With magic or without it, we are all people."
"People, yes," Arcturus's eyes flashed with fury. "But magic is given to some people and not to others. It's a rare and precious gift, and anyone who does not value it as they should does not deserve it."
"Arcturus, my boy, it's not for you to judge who deserves it and who does not. Kingsley, do you see now that the people do not support you? We all make mistakes, but it's never too late to correct them and seek redemption."
"He's right, King!" one of the Aurors chimed in. "Throw them in prison, and we'll sort it out there!"
"Fine." Shacklebolt, completely frazzled and worn down, sighed heavily. "Take them to the ministry holding cells."
"Stop!!!" Arcturus shouted, making everyone freeze. Reaching into his tunic, he grasped a pouch containing two jasper stones in his fist. "By the power of the guarantor, I declare that the truce has been broken by the leadership of magical Britain and that the Minister for Magic is an oathbreaker! By the power of the guarantor, I demand justice—and if it's not for me to judge who deserves what, let magic itself decide! Let everyone bound by this oath receive what they are truly worth!!!"
The Aurors drew their wands. Rabastan immediately stepped beside Arcturus, shielding them both and preparing to fight back. Seeing Dumbledore also draw his wand, Arcturus aimed his at him, recognizing him as the greatest threat, and acted faster:
"Expelliarmus!" The Elder Wand flew into his hand. "Incarcerous!"
"Damn it, mine isn't working!" came a frightened voice.
"By Mordred, neither is mine!"
Seizing the confusion among their opponents, Rabastan cast Incarcerous spells on each of them, including the Minister.
"We'll take Shacklebolt as a hostage and leave the rest here," he said to Arcturus. "Neutralize the secretary, and we'll fight our way to the lift."
But they didn't need to retreat under fire.
The Ministry was in chaos. Many of its staff had suddenly lost their magic.