Hello people of the internet!

I'm editing this first chapter because the first time there was no author's note nor anything else really and that's just sad so… Here it is! Just wanted to explain some stuff there: first of all, I'm not a native English speaker so please don't be too tough about the grammar mistakes and stuff, I'm doing my best ^^. Also, it's my first time posting (and I can't help but notice how effing complicated this website is!) and I'm just sixteen so don't expect a great piece of literature; p.

Also, this story happens fifty years after the Battle of Hogwarts, there will be five POVs and the world is pretty much messed up a this point. I should probably add that a lot of this fanfiction is me trying to add stuff that I would have liked to be in the original series…

With that said, I'll try to post once a week (and probably won't 'cause life is hard) and don't hesitate to correct and give advice and stuff, stuff, stuff…

DISCLAIMER: the world is Jo's, I'm just a fan.

ENJOY!

_ Sheyamiku

DUNCAN

Part 1— The Minister for Magic

Journalists were jumping on their seat, raising their pens to the sky, shouting out questions in the hope that the Minister for Magic would turn back towards the crowd and give the answers they were all thriving to hear. Who were those terrorists? Were they linked in any ways to the vandals and delinquents in Hogsmead and Diagon Alley? Where the Aurors any closer to catching them? And why were their victims almost exclusively rich pure-blood families?

With a sigh, Duncan stood up from his seat and walked up to the microphone. 'The conference is over.' he said, as loud as he could so as to be heard clearly without having to shout. 'The Minister will answer no more questions. You are all dismissed.' Ignoring the roaring and shouting of the journalists, Duncan turned on his heels and hurried his pace to catch up with the Minister. He forcefully made his way between the Aurors and other collaborates and managed to find himself walking at only a few centimetres behind him.

The Minister Rufus Selwyn was a small man, with round features and a large and bushy moustache. He was rather young, but his chestnut hair was already streaked in grey and white. As he walked, he turned his head left and right as if to make sure no journalists had been following.

'Good Lord!' He exclaimed, raising his glasses on his nose. 'I sometimes regret the time when the Daily Prophet was the only newspaper around! It seems to me that these journalists grow bolder with their number! By the way, where is Mr. Weasley? I need a word with him about my next speech.'

'Mr. Weasley is currently on a diplomatic trip to Brazil, sir.' said a little woman at his right.

'Merlin's beard!' exclaimed Selwyn, suddenly coming to a halt and risking by such of having the entire crowd of men and women rushing after him to fall right on top of his little body. Luckily, Duncan had the reflexes to side step and thus protect the Minister from what could have been a dangerous and rather ridiculous incident. 'I thought he was leaving tomorrow! That is rather upsetting.' Stroking his moustache, he proceeded to walk. 'Who could it be, then...? Oh! Yes, of course! Where's Alvert? I need Alvert!'

Duncan's mind suddenly rushed to full mental attention as he tip-toed his way to the Minister's side. 'I'm right here, sir!' he said, raising his hand up in a vain attempt at looking more noticeable. 'Behind you, sir.'

The Minister looked convulsively from left to right, as if trying to catch a particularly quick fly with his eyes. 'For Merlin's sake, Alvert! Where... Oh, here you are!' a bright smile appeared on the Minister's face as he took Duncan protectively under his arm and lightly tapped his chest. 'I'd like to talk to you, Alvert. Let's go into my office, right now.' he said, his face still enlightened by happiness for some reason. Then, he turned to the rest of the cortege and frowned in a much more serious facial expression. 'The rest of you can proceed on your daily businesses.'

Everyone wordlessly went on to do their duty but one tall man with harsh features and jet-black hair carefully combed backwards. 'Minister. The Auror Office need your permission for...'

'I shall see to that on my next visit, Deschale.' Interrupted the Minister. 'Anyhow, why isn't Xavier, the Head of the Auror Department, not coming by himself to discuss of such important business?'

Deschale took a very sudden interest in his boots. Not daring to look the Minister in the eyes, he mumbled: 'He said he had some family obligations, sir.' The Minister said nothing but a very clear despising "humpf!" and after coldly thanking the Auror for his dedication, continued his fast-paced walk to his office.

When they finally reached the spot, Duncan could not help but, once more, contemplate the magnificence of the Minister's personal office. The room was huge and beautifully decorated. Paintings of great wizards were placed all over the walls and rich pieces of furniture arranged everywhere so that the place managed to look cosy and formal at the same time.

'Please, sit.' Said the Minister, indicating the seat facing his own desk.

Duncan took his time to do so. He has learned with the time that acting comfortable with Rufus Selwyn made Rufus Selwyn in a better mood. Once seated, Duncan raised his head and patiently waited for the Minister to talk.

'Son,' said the Minister at last. 'We are going through some rough times.'

Duncan was a little worried by the tiredness in the man's voice and the despair in his brown eyes. As much as he respected and admired Rufus Selwyn, Duncan started to wonder if the man would survive the pressure of the situation. He could only hope though, and support Mr. Selwyn as much as he could, so he simply said, 'We are, sir.' and waited.

The Minister looked up for a second and fixed his eyes on Duncan's. For a brief moment, the young man felt as if he was being evaluated, tested, as if Selwyn was trying to decide if he could be trusted or not. Finally, the Minister turned around and, facing the window, let his eyes wander aimlessly in the infinity of the horizon. 'I guess there's no need for me to give you a summary of the situation.' he said in a distant voice. 'But I cannot help but wonder if you understand it as fully as I do. Don't get me wrong,' he added hastily. 'I know you to be a very clever young man, Alvert, but I do understand that what is going on here is much greater than ever before, and I fear for the future of our world.'

Duncan was positively panicked now, although he made sure not to let it show. The Minister was talking in a way than the young man had never heard before. He looked distracted, concerned, scared... 'But surely this is nothing that the Ministry and the Auror Office cannot correct, sir!' he exclaimed in a desperate attempt at being supportive. Unfortunately, Selwyn seemed more annoyed by this statement than anything. Duncan felt his cheeks go red.

'Alvert,' he said a little too calmly. 'As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm and faith in the efficacy of our Ministry, I must say that you are talking like a blind fool. Don't you see what's going on? Vandalism! Riots! Attacks! And all of these are not just common expression of angers in the face of a government, Alvert, these are organized groups acting under the command of one group if not one person! I am not yet certain as to what they want, but I do know that they want something, and they want it bad!'

'But, sir,' said Duncan in fear and confusion. 'How is this possible? The vandals' messages seem directed against muggles and muggle-borns whilst the terrorists' attacks are clearly thrown against pure-blood families, or at least powerful ones.'

'This is where you are mistaken, Alvert.' said Selwyn with a tired smile. 'The majority of the terrorists' attacks had been aimed at great and powerful houses, mainly coming from the Slytherin House. Nonetheless, a few of them targeted very common people, like that merchant in Knocturn Alley or good old Professor Sinistra. Not to mention the café in Diagon Alley that caused four deaths! The Auror Department has found sufficient proofs that these attacks, very similar, were caused by the same group. Now, Alvert, why would one same group of terrorists attack both rich and commons alike? Tell me. What could be their reasons?'

Duncan tried to think. Rich houses, Knocturn Alley, Diagon Alley, Professor Sinistra... How did it all link together? The answer was not an easy one and the intense stare that the Minister was giving him did not help his thinking but he tried anyways.

First of all, rich houses usually came from the Slytherin House, which could link with Knocturn Alley, mainly appreciated from these families. It could also link to Professor Sinistra who was a Slytherin in her youth.

Secondly, Knocturn Alley was situated very near Diagon Alley; that was the only link he could make.

Thirdly, some rich families owned shops in Diagon Alley or Knocturn Alley, this could be of importance. Now, was the shop that was attacked owned by a rich family? And the merchant in Knocturn Alley? These were also important questions.

Duncan frowned his eyebrows so much he could see them on top of his vision. Someone was targeting different places and different people for the same reason whilst a different group with the same ideals was causing chaos in the streets. Why... What was the link? Duncan suddenly opened his eyes large and stared in the distance. Maybe it was simply chaos! Maybe all they wanted was to create a distraction!

As soon as he proposed his idea to the Minister, he felt pride rush all over him, but Selwyn was not quite as satisfied. 'This is also what the Aurors believe but none can be certain. There is something funny in this affair. Not to mention the fact that the same kind of events is happening all over Europe.'

'Indeed, sir.' said Duncan. 'I wanted to tell you, we have news from France.'

'Bad news, I imagine...' said the Minister with a sigh.

'Not really, sir. These are rather encouraging news. We now know the names of the leaders of the terrorists' movement there.

'Do we?' exclaimed the Minister, positively beaming with joy now. 'Who are they?'

'A brother and a sister, sir.' answered Duncan with pride. 'Arnaud and Amandine de Restois are their names. '

Selwyn frowned, thinking. 'They do not ring a bell… Do they have any judicial past?'

Duncan looked in his papers. 'Not that we know of, sir. They kind of came out of nowhere...'

'Or were pulled out of nowhere...' muttered Selwyn.

'Sir, what do you...?'

'Just a thought, nothing to worry about,' interrupted the Minister with a broad smile that could not hide his weariness. 'No matter where they come from anyway! We now know their names and this a great step towards victory! Alvert, you shall organise a meeting between me and the French Minister for Magic as soon as possible. On your way, please bring the lazy troll at the head of my auror departement to my office. Go now. I am a very busy man.'

Duncan hurried up and walked to the door, but just as he laid his hand on the doorknob, he stopped and turned back to the Minister for Magic. 'Sir,' he said. 'Weren't you going to tell me something?'

The Minister looked taken aback. His eyes went back to the young man at his door, opened wide as if he had never seen him before. 'Really?' he said in a mysterious tone.

Duncan felt more awkward than ever. The Minister was starting to worry him seriously. 'Err... I think so... I mean... You...'

Rufus Selwyn was not a man that could be considered scary in normal times, but at this moment, as his eyes were going up and down Duncan's body, evaluating him as if reading right through him, Duncan felt more than just uneasiness. 'You're right.' finally said Selwyn, a smile back on his face. 'I was going to ask you something.' he stopped for a second. Hesitating. 'But... It doesn't matter right now. I'll ask for you when the time is right. Hurry now. We don't have any more time to lose.

Confused and worried, Duncan left the Minister for Magic's office and took off to his own. One year ago, he had joined the ministry with the firm intention of contributing as best as he could to the fight against those who had been spreading chaos in the wizarding world for a few years now. Ever since Kingsley's death, Luna Lovegood's disappearance and Neville Longbottom's surprising incarceration, everything seemed to be going wrong in the wizarding world. Now, with Harry Potter's disappearance, it was even worse. The best wizards and previous Dumbledore's Army members all worked hard to find him and protect his family and friends, thus leaving Rufus Selwyn and his ministry face alone the growing difficulties and threats in the country and beyond.

Duncan knew that, even though no one was ready to admit it, the terrorist threat that had been terrorizing Britain for a few years already was as close to being stopped as the law for house elves' liberation was to be passed. There was something fishy about it… But Duncan Alvert could not pinpoint what exactly it was that bothered him.

'Careful Alvert.' Said the massive wizard with whom the young man had just collided.

'I'm sorry.' Responded Alvert without looking at the man for too long.

'Where are you going, running off like that?' asked another man just behind Duncan who jumped in surprise.

As he turned around to see who talked to him, Duncan's jaw just dropped. He had not expected to meet ex-head of the Auror Office like that, if at all.

The man was tall, and on his surprisingly young face (Duncan knew him to be forty though he looked about ten years younger), Duncan was startled by the brightness of his malicious grey eyes and wolfish grin. However, what really made the wizard stand out, besides his numerous tattoos and piercings, was his strong bright blue spiky hair.

'Mr. Lupin!' blurted Duncan without controlling himself. 'Merlin's beard.'

Teddy Lupin laughed. 'No need to look that surprised.' He said softly. 'Anyways, where are you going?'

'To my office, sir.' Responded Duncan, barely able to keep his voice from shaking.

'Well, change of plan.' Said Lupin. 'You're coming with me, Duncan Alvert.'

Duncan did not quite grab that, and so the only sound that came out of his mouth was: 'Oh.'

Lupin smiled and the young man couldn't help but notice how sharp his teeth were. 'Good. Follow me.'

Duncan did as he was bid, not really getting a grip on what was happening. It was only after many minutes that he remembered what he had to do. 'Sir,' he said, 'I have to contact the Head of the Office Department, by order of the minister. He wants to talk to him.'

Lupin did not even slow down his pace. 'That can be arranged.' He said, grabbing some random guy as he walked. 'You shall contact the Head of the Auror Department and send him to the Minister at once. Please.' The man looked at him somewhat doubtfully and so Lupin sighed and added: 'I am Teddy Lupin.'

The man's eyes quickly went from doubtful to a mix of panic and admiration and soon, he was rushing to the nearest chimney as if his life depended on it.

Duncan followed him with his eyes until he disappeared, slowly realising what was happening to him. Intrigued, he turned his focus back on Lupin. 'Where exactly are we heading?' he asked calmly.

Lupin smiled. 'Department of mysteries. We need a quiet place to talk.'

Duncan frowned. 'Talk about…?'

'You'll understand soon enough.'

Duncan didn't reply and silently followed his guide down the many levels of the Ministry of Magic. It was after a long walk that they finally found themselves in the darkest, lowest, most forgotten outskirts of the building. Duncan was positively scared by the time he found himself in the middle of a large circular room, surrounded by the most famous and powerful wizards Britain had known for the last fifty years, all staring at him with grim faces.

'Duncan.' Said Lupin behind him. 'The Order of the Phoenix has a secret mission for you.'

Well, I do hope you enjoyed that first chapter! If you did, please say so, if you didn't, do what you want, really ^^

Soooo, next chapter coming up, say goodbye to Duncan for the moment but don't worry, he'll be back ^^