Prologue
Cornelius Fudge was pacing up and down his office. The summer had been taking its toll on him. After the breakup with Dumbledore the rumors about He-who-must-not-be-named had been on a steady increase.
The reports of the ministries agents hadn't been too encouraging either but still he clung to the belief that it wasn't possible, that Voldemort had returned.
At that moment his secretary Mr. Appleton came into the room carrying another stack of reports and rumors.
Cornelius didn't even need to read them to know what they said, more Death eater sightings, more documented appearances of the dark mark and more rumors that the Dementors had abandoned their posts on Azkaban island.
'Sir, they are increasing.' Appleton said pointing at parchments he just put on Fudge's desk.
'I know!' Cornelius acknowledged 'They are just rumors Peter... Nothing more.'
The desperation in his voice was almost tangible, ready to collapse he leaned against his desk in order to get some support for his legs.
After taking a couple of deep breaths he managed to compose himself. Cornelius walked around his desk preparing to sit down, but instead he looked at his secretary. Apparently he was hoping for some sort of confirmation of his statement. When he concluded that he wasn't going to get one he continued with the next order of business.
'Does the Daily Prophet still print our suggestions?' Fudge asked while sitting down.
'Yes, sir... but even if they continue like this, the people are going to find out eventually.' Fudge looked at him with a stern face.
'Find out what, Appleton?' Desperation was being replaced with anger.
'That He-who-must-not-be-named is b...' Appleton tried to sound reasonable but knew very well that his boss was very short-tempered now-a-days.
'HE.IS.NOT.BACK!!!' Fudge exclaimed at the top of his voice. 'He is not back... not back. That's impossible. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT!!!' Fudge was now bright red and gasping for breath.
'Y-yes sir, I understand.' Appleton decided not to push the subject any further and was looking for another important item to discuss.
'Sir? What is going to be our official position? That reporter from wizard's digest has an appointment later today.'
Cornelius, who had just settled down a bit, was steaming again slamming his fists on his desk.
'WHAT? I told you no interviews. I have too much to do already, I don't have the time to trifle with these things.' This last outburst took what energy he had left so he collapsed back in his chair breathing heavily. Appleton maintained his composure as he was expecting this burst of rage.
'Alright sir, no comment it is' Appleton said while writing something down on a piece of parchment.
'No wait,' Cornelius interjected 'Tell him that we think there is a Death eater trying to take the place of He-who-must-not-be-named.' He sat down and began reading a report from the stack.
'Very well sir, it will be done.' Appleton nodded and began to walk to the door, just before he opened it, he remembered something.
'Forgive me Minister Fudge but there is something else that needs to be discussed.' Cornelius looked up at his secretary wondering what else there could be.
'What is it Peter? Surely there can't be anything else wrong' Appleton stepped in front of the desk and cleared his throat.
'With the increased death eater threat... Well shouldn't we assign additional protection to Harry Potter. They are going to go after him for sure.' Cornelius began to look concerned again. He stood up and began to walk around desk slowly to think about the problem.
'You're right, should we call the usual source?' Fudge asked inquisitively. Appleton stared at him for a moment then pulled a piece of parchment out of a pocket from his robe. The parchment held the insignia of the wizard law enforcement department.
'As you well know no one within the wizard enforcement department would touch this case with a ten foot wand.' He looked up from the note to see the reaction from his boss.
'What do you mean Peter?' Cornelius was completely dumbfounded by this statement.
'What I mean minister is that they would rather resign than die protecting Harry.
Especially since the only way they could do this as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts'
Cornelius stopped briefly and stared at Appleton. Then turned around and started to walk in the other direction.
'Drat... What about... external sources?' Cornelius asked surveying the dust that had been gathering these last few weeks. He hadn't allowed anyone to disturb him for anything except his secretary.
'You mean mercenaries, sir?' Appleton asked not too sure he liked the suggestion his boss just made and suppressed the urge to argue. Cornelius returned to his desk and sat down.
'Yes, they are always looking for a job with certain risks involved. They would be ideal for this. Especially since they are cheap, willing and expendable.' Cornelius resumed reading the report he'd put down.
For a moment there was a silence. Appleton couldn't believe that his boss was actually suggesting to put the life of a boy in the hands of a mercenary.
'eh... Sir, you do realize that most of those people are convicted criminals.'
'Hence the expendability.' Cornelius was looking dead serious as he was saying this. Gathering courage and words to use, Appleton stepped in front of the desk.
'Sir, you can't possibly mean what you are saying. There is no way we can assure their loyalty to our cause. I believe that given half the chance they would side with Voldemort.'
Immediately after saying this he cringed at what he had said. Cornelius seemed to come to his senses though and sat up straight burying his face in his hands.
'I know Peter... I know. But what else can we do? Who else can we send?' He sounded more desperate then ever. Completely lost in his thoughts, he looked at his office as if he was looking at it as if it would be the last time. There were some pictures of past ministers and some other important wizards.
There was a picture of Dumbledore somewhere among them but he couldn't stand the sight of him and quickly shifted his gaze. The loss of his friendship and trust still weight heavily on his heart. His eyes stopped at a lavishly embossed kite shield with a lion figure on it. It was a gift from 'the Order'. As a symbol that they would always serve and protect the wizard community for as long as they exist. The lion was the trademark by which the order could always be identified. Around it there were some Latin words in golden print which said "We serve the light"(I don't know any Latin so don't bug me about it).
Slowly a plan was forming in his mind. Cornelius couldn't suppress a smile.
'Does the Order still exist?' He said looking hopefully at his secretary who was caught off-guard by the question.
'The uh... the Order sir?' Appleton replied with a question mark-face.
'Yes, the Order.' Fudge answered whilst pointing at the shield.
'Oh, the Order uh... yes I believe they are still around. Why do you ask sir, surely you're not planning to ask them for a favor?' He remembered some things about the Order. Including the fact that they had been outlawed by the current administration.
'I most certainly will. They swore allegiance to the ministry and I am going to hold them to it. Peter get me a speedy owl and get me the address of the Order headquarters.'
Cornelius picked up a quill and some parchment and began to write something. Appleton was quite surprised by his boss's decision. Actually he thought it was suicide to go alone.
'You're going there yourself? Are you sure that's wise? The last time you talked about them you said they were, quote "Antiquated misfits who don't belong in the here and now" unquote. They could get aggravated when you give them an order after that.'
The plea for reason didn't seem to make a difference to Cornelius's resolve.
'I'm still going. I will feel better if I handle this myself.' Appleton looked somewhat disappointed but Cornelius didn't seem notice this. 'At least I know I can trust myself.'
'Very well sir. It will be done.' Appleton walked out of the room sighing whilst Cornelius was looking pretty smug with himself. Thinking he had solved all his problems.
The problem is that that is just not possible.