I don't care anymore...

At least you’re not the bloody caterer, Rob thought grimly, remembering the ‘success’ party. He had made food for idiots who probably had, had better. Not only did it make him want to stick his head in a bucket of water but... no, it was just the bucket of water. That had really irritated him but Matt was the Minister. He had the power to make or break the power the Order had over the Wizarding World. He could sack Jess from his ‘vice-Minister’ job and flush out any of the Order members in the Ministry. It wouldn’t take long. Rob drank some more of the Firewhisky and took a piece of pizza from the box for himself. He put the mug in his lap and pulled a bit of the pizza away from the main slice before chucking it into his mouth.

“Matt, unless you’ve been on another planet or Jess has been keeping you in a box for the last few months I think you should at least be aware of how much power you actually have. What does the Order actually have right now? Not a lot, the Ministry and that’s about it. That could change in a second because you’re Minister. You just need to assert yourself a little bit. Don’t go mad with power because, although fun, it is potentially dangerous and problematic. If it wasn’t for the fact that someone looked up and thought ‘Ah, we’re missing a Snape-wannabe here so let’s let that stupid twat into the Order’ then Wilson wouldn’t have even said that. If he had half a brain he wouldn’t have but he doesn’t so it can’t be helped. You’re missing the ego, the panache and the self-confidence. You don’t need to do a 360 on your personality but I think for you to be respected as the Minister and not some idiot that has been appointed as the poster boy for a faction, you need to act like a goddamn Minister.”

Rob bit some of the pizza and swallowed it before opening his mouth again. “Leave the Order and I’m already gone. Merlin knows the only thing keeping me here is the long chats with Mrs. Black.” He grinned and ate the rest of his pizza. “May I suggest you get the Daily Prophet on your side? Or win the affection of Ms. Skeeter perhaps and she’ll do the work for you? Bloody woman has a forked tongue but a hell of a talented...” he trailed off and smirked slightly before continuing. “T-that’s not important but you need to flaunt some of the publicity on offer. If all else fails I’ll have Jenifer try out her liquid Cruciatus on Wilson. You can buy some really weird things from Diagon Alley, I’m telling you.” Weird and wonderful, yes but Rob did wonder if the potion worked. She was just missing someone to try it out on, that was all. Wilson was the perfect candidate.

"Remus and Sirius..." he said chuckling. "What about Mrs.Weasley? Wilson would've had the imprint of a frying pain on his backside for the rest of his life," he said grinning at Khaat. Granted Sirius and Remus would've made Wilson wish he was never born. And Jess, if only Matt had the guts to talk to Jess. He didn't care anymore, he would talk with Jess! He would tell him he wasn't going to put up with it anymore. Then Wilson will probably end up making Matt feel bad again the next day. It always seemed that he'd get a head of steam and be all proud then he'd think of a negative. Matt never realized it but he has power, but he'd never betray Jess. Jess has been good to him, it's the bloody Order that never gave him respect. If Matt had his way people like Wilson wouldn't be allowed to set foot in the HQ. "Yeah, Jess really honestly has no idea what he's doing when it comes to keeping things under control," he said sighing. "By the way Rob, loved the food at the success party," he said winking at him.

"Rob, I know all that!" Matt said standing up and walking around the table. "I have nothing against Jess, it's everyone else in the Order," he said angrily. "And the Order isn't the main problem! It's the damned Death Eaters and that douche bag Majere!" he continued in the angry tone. He stopped and looked at Rob when he had said to start acting like a Minister. "Rob, if you haven't noticed, there isn't much to do AS Minister!" he said. "What do they expect from me? I don't know that's a problem! I feel useless!" he said the angry tone fighting. Alright, so he'd stay in the Order, but not for Jess or anyone else. For himself. "Alright, I'll stay in the Order!" he said. "But not for Jess, not for you, not for anyone but myself! I still need you guys, you're all I have left besides Sophia..." he said looking at Khaat. "Besides, I plan on finding Emof and killing him! With the Ministry and the Order on his tail, it's only a matter of time before I find him!" Respect, that was one word that he never got to use in a good way.

He leaned against the wall and let his head fall back, life was tough. "The way I see it, there are two ways out of this," he said closing his eyes. "There's the cowards way out, and the man's way out," he opened them and looked at Rob and Khaat. "There's suicide, which is an option I'm considering now. And then there's facing it like a man." He grinned but kept his eyes closed, Rob always knew what to say. "The Daily Prophet is total bull," he said. "They went down hill....Skeeter wouldn't be so bad. I could use the Quibbler, it's the only news source I trust. I need to talk to Luna, she's strange, but she can print a good article!" he said. He opened his eyes and looked at Rob and Khaat, "You guys are helpful and all, but as soon as I leave this house I'll be depressed again." he said. "I need to keep my mind occupied so I don't go thinking about all the negatives! And Rob, I have a few of those myself! Yes, they do work," he winked at Rob.

"So, here's my thought," Khaat said. "Perhaps we need to build you an image as a wizard who is someone not to be messed with. You do have those abilities-- apart from the title you have now. You are very strong, and very capable. I've seen you in action. But maybe we need to build an image to go along with that so you're taken more seriously. And, yes, I do believe you deserve that. Let's do that before we talk to Luna. Then, personally, I think we need to make the Ministry less of a joke and more of a serious agency. And I have some ideas about that, if you're interested.

"Personally, I think as long as Wilson is second in command, we're going to have to put up with having a sarcastic bastard who has a lot of the power in the Order. But there's nothing we can do about that at the moment. So, my suggestion is that you backburner your concerns about the Order for now and change what you can. And that's the ministry. Once you get that where you want it, you will be a formidible force that Jess has to deal with--along with everyone else.

"The last thing I want to see is you looking anything like your predecessors at the ministry. Most of them were just utter idiots. You are the top power broker in the British wizarding world. So, lets make them stand up and take notice. Its high time, I say."

“Well I’m so glad you know.” Rob said smartly, downing the last of his Firewhisky. He wasn’t going to get drunk but he was sick of sipping it. How boring. He was glad Matt liked to food, at least someone other than Khaat, who seemed to be obsessed with his cheesecake, liked it. “I think I’m quite nice.” He said with a smirk. “Majere will be dealt with no doubt and the Death Eaters. Well, they’re just like a fly that you think you’ve killed but keeps coming back to piss you off.” He stood up and sent the Pizza back to the fridge with a wave of his hand. He leaned over the table to look at Khaat and grinned. “I think he needs a hug.” Rob sent the mugs to the sink and let them wash themselves. He turned and listened to Matt’s rant.

He grinned. “Of course it’s total bull. It’s been bull since the very beginning but that’s what makes it brilliant. Don’t knock Skeeter; she’s a bloody good lay. The only thing I’d change is those nails. They hurt a bit.” He blanched a little before grinning. “I’d still use her. Not necessarily sleep with her if you care about the skin on your back but use her to write articles. She’s the best propaganda writer in the Wizarding world and also y’know... great with what she does. However, the Quibbler is known for being honest and other such things. The Daily Prophet is the gem in the crown of the Wizarding world.”

He listened to Khaat speak and grinned at her before kissing her on the cheek. “I knew I married you for your brains! You’re a bloody genius, love!” He grabbed a piece of parchment and hastily wrote Jen’s address down. He could remember it but he knew it as the no go zone. That was what his grandmother called it but she’d always talk about how clean it was and how it was a shame it was so cluttered. He grinned and held the parchment up. “May I make a suggestion?” he asked. “Go and visit with my darling sister. Confuse your mind by floo-ing there or something equally strange but she’ll get you out of your depression. She’s great with everything male and throws a mean punch.” His hand went to his jaw and he frowned a little before shaking his head. “Anyway, do yourself a favour and get away. Perhaps plot revenge on Wilson. I’m sure she’d love to help you out. Also I think she lives by a pier which is quite pretty at night. Who knows, don’t go there much anymore.

“However, this is an Order from uhh..” he covered Khaat’s mouth and grinned. “Healer Dent so off you go!” he grinned and held out the address. Jen would definitely got the shock of her life if she found Matt on her doorstep. That would definitely freak her out, especially after the Knockturn Alley fiasco. She’d been pretty freaked then and was muttering about ‘bloody vampires’ for a few days afterwards.

Matt nodded to Rob and took the parchment. He smiled at Khaat, "Right Khaat! I think you should visit me in my office on Monday!" he said. "You can help me out with a few things," he smiled at the both of them. He was still feeling down, but not as much. They were great friends, and he was glad he had them. "Well, I'm going to go and see your sister! Khaat, do me a favour and make sure Soph know's I'll be spending some time with Jen okay!" he said taking his cloak. "Sorry to rush off, but I better go before I get down again! Thanks guys!" he said. He patted Rob on the back and kissed Khaat on the cheek. "Bye guys, I'll let you know if I survive or not!"