A disaster averted throws the Wizarding World into chaos, and now the Minister needs to pass a teeny proposal that could have giant effects. Once again it is Kingsley Shacklebolt who saves the day.

An executive calls for a secret meeting with Lucius, who unexpectedly finds himself with an asset even the Dark Lord would love him for. Meanwhile, Scrimgeour has to deal with the repercussions of his new order and an unexpected resignation.

Kingsley has a run-in with department head Pius Thicknesse, who is wondering about the hoards of angry liaisons who have invaded the Ministry. Then he realizes that Thicknesse may be planning more than he is letting on, endangering the new order and the Ministry itself.

“And if you want Voldemort dead, you should listen to me! You can’t hide here forever, Minister! Cowards who hide get trapped in the end by their own cowardice.” He huffed and made towards the door once more. “We should strike while we have the advantage of time, not sit here awaiting our doom with smiles on our faces!”

Ignoring the gasping sob that tore itself from the young man’s throat, the Dark Lord pressed on. His high voice escalated mercilessly. “If they do not come of their own accord, they will be coerced or deceived. At this hour tomorrow, they must be here. I will keep you all under my scrutiny for 24 hours a day. Remember, you are an outsider here, Mr. Erickson, and I will treat you as one.”

            “I don’t think I’m quite cottoning on, mate,” Ron told Harry, his normally pale face as white as a sheet. “You want to go into Malfoy Manor—inside the house—and attack You-Know-Who in his own lair?”

            “Stick to the plan, but don’t forget what our main objective is,” Tonks said. “If you have a chance to kill Voldemort, Merlin knows you’d better take it.”

Fred was the first to see them coming.

“Oi, Dad!” he hollered. “At the gate!”

 Rowle witnesses a hit and the Prophet hits the stands.