"On behalf of the Ministry of Magic, I come here today with both saddening and joyous news. I regret to inform you that our beloved Minister of Magic, Gregory Buckhorn, Order of Merlin, 1st class, has passed away," Bartholomew Budrige announced into his wand. A large gasp rose from the witches and wizards who were gathered in Diagon Alley. "Despite rumors, it has been verified that Sir Buckhorn died due to natural causes," he continued. The witches and wizards began murmuring. "However, it is with great pleasure that I present to you the new Minister of Magic- Maguvial Darkeyes." A round of applause sounded throughout the square as Maguvial Darkeyes stepped onto the stage. With a flick of his wand, Bartholomew Budrige sent fireworks into the gray, stormy sky as a banner with Maguvial's face on it sprung up in front of Olivander's wand store.
Maguvial held up his hands as he stepped towards the podium. The audience quickly quieted down and listened carefully, eager to hear from the new Minister of Magic. "Thank you everyone for welcoming me so graciously into this position," Maguvial began, holding his wand to his throat. "I was so very saddened when I learned of Sir Buckhorn's death. It is tragic when our community loses a man like Gregory Buckhorn. He was intelligent, innovative, and most importantly, he was a faithful leader. I am most honoured to have been asked to fill his shoes and I promise you to do the best I can and be the best Minister of Magic I can be. I have many ideas and am eager to help change our community for the better and live up to Gregory Buckhorn's former title. Thank you very much once again, and have a wonderful day," he said. As though to prove his newfound power, Maguvial thrust his wand into the air, sending a bolt of lightning cracking through the sky. The threatening clouds opened up and rain poured down on the cheering witches and wizards.
"Thank you, Minister, and I am sure we are all eager to see what changes you will bring to our lives. And thank you everyone for attending. Due to the weather, I am sure you are all eager to return to your homes so do not delay. The Daily Prophet will be reporting an article which will hopefully answer all your questions. Good-bye and good-day." Bartholomew Budrige followed the Minister off the stage and out of Diagon Alley. Outside, a sleek black car awaited them and Bartholomew opened the door for the Minister. "This Muggle vehicle will return us to the Ministry. We would fly but the weather's a bit rough for that," he joked nervously.
"Why so nervous, Bartholomew? I'm the Minister of Magic, not the Dark Lord," Maguvial laughed.
"Of course Sir," he replied. "The Dark Lord has been dead for twenty three years, Sir," Bartholomew reminded. Climbing into the car after the minister, Bartholomew closed the car door and did up his seatbelt.
"You're very handy with Muggle contraptions," the Minister noted, raising an eyebrow. Bartholomew shrugged and laughed nervously once again. "Filthy creatures, Muggles. I don't understand why anyone in their right mind would want to mate with one, do you?" the Minister inquired, stroking his wand.
"Lots of people mate with Muggles these days," Bartholomew replied, looking down at the floor and shuffling his feet.
The Minister reached out a hand and tilted Bartholomew's chin so he was looking at him. "Don't worry, Bartholomew Budrige. I know that you married a Muggle. Her name is Jennifer White-Budrige. She is thirty-seven years old. Her parents are Marissa and Jackson White. She grew up in Dallas, Texas. I also know that you had a child named Ravaerris. She is sixteen years old, attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is in Huffelpuff house. She is frequently seen with Carissa Blackson from Huffelpuff house and is rumoured to be dating James Sirius Potter from Gryffindor house. Tell me, when is Ravaerris leaving for Hogwarts?" the Minister asked casually, pointing his wand at Bartholomew.
"How do you know all of that?" Bartholomew asked, reaching for his own wand slowly. Looking at the Minister, Bartholomew wasn't sure whether it was the dark lighting or only something he hadn't noticed before, but could detect a trace of evil green in his eyes.
"It is not important how I attain my information but if you must know, I have been watching your daughter for quite some time now. You may say I have been watching her ever since she began dating James Potter. But you did not answer my question, Bartholomew Budrige- when is she leaving for Hogwarts? What date? What time?" he asked again and his eyes gleamed menacingly.
Bartholomew looked at him and furrowed his eyebrows. "She is leaving on Sep-september first at elev-eleven o'clock," he stuttered in response.
"See? It isn't that hard to give the information I desire. Now, I have one more question. What time does your wife return from her job at the Muggle hospital?"
"Why?" Bartholomew asked in surprise. Maguvial did not reply but for a threatening thrust of his wand, closer to Bartholomew. "Five o'clock! She gets home at five o'clock," he shouted, raising his hands.
"Lovely. Now, hand me your wand," Maguvial demanded, holding out his free hand. Bartholomew obliged, not daring to question the man who held a wand so close to his throat. "I am going to tell you this only once, which will be enough. The Dark Lord may be dead but the Death Eaters are still very much alive. For nineteen years we have been planning our return to power. We plan on destroying every last Potter alive and every person who dared to fight for him. I will kill you in a moment and then I will go to your home and kill your wife. After that, I will use your daughter to penetrate Hogwarts school and I will find the Potter boy. I will kill the Potter boy and his family. And then, the Death Eaters will return to power because there will be no Potters left to stop us."
"What?" Bartholomew asked in surprise. But he was never around to hear the response before Maguvial Darkeyes, the new Minister of Magic, cast the Avada Kedavra spell and killed Bartholomew. Knocking on the glass window that separated him from the driver, he ordered the driver to take him to the Burdrige's house.
Leaning back on the leather seat, Maguvial raised the sleeve of his suit and stroked the familiar Dark sign that sat on his wrist. "It won't be long, my Lord. You'll see. We will figure out a way to bring you back. We will."
Maguvial sat at the kitchen table, staring at the pitiful body of Jennifer White-Budrige and stroking his wand. A look of pure horror was forever plastered on her face and her blank eyes stared back at him. He felt no sense of guilt, only strong achievement. "Why on earth are you staring at me like that? Everyone should know that the Death Eaters are returning! We may not have a Lord but we will soon," he said, standing up and raising his hands to the ceiling.
Outside, the rain still poured down endlessly. Behind him, the rain dropped rhythmically through a hole in the roof into a tin pan. "Filthy Muggles. They can't even fix a roof!" he said and with a flick of his wand, the hole was filled. "That's better," he said and looked back at the Muggle.
"Mom, are you home?" a young girl's soft voice rang through the house. Maguvial grinned and sat back down at the kitchen table. "Mom?" she asked again. Maguvial heard footsteps in the hallway outside the kitchen and saw her shadow approaching.
As Ravaerri White-Budrige entered the kitchen, her eyes first landed upon the Minister. After her brows furrowed in confusion, she saw her mother. "What-" she began but never got the chance to finish her sentence before Maguvial cast the Cruciato curse.
Ravaerri dropped down onto the floor, withering and crying out in pain. "There's no use in crying, Mudblood. Nobody can hear you," Maguvial said, crouching down before her. "Nobody's going to help you."
When it finally ended, Ravaerri remained lying on the floor, trying to catch her breath and figure out a plan of escape. "Why did you kill-" she began but was once again struck by the curse. Letting out a scream, she flopped around on the floor, her long dirty blonde hair fanning out around her and pain flashing in her blue eyes.
"I killed your parents because I needed to get to you. I understand you're dating the oh-so special son of Harry Potter. Well, I'll make this rather easy. You're going to go to Hogwarts, as intended, and you will use a certain James Sirius Potter to get a certain Maurader's map," he said and ended the curse. "Have you heard of this map?" Ravaerri nodded, too exhausted to speak. "Have you seen the map?" One again, Ravaerri nodded. "Good. Now, you will get that map and you will send it to me. Simple enough?"
Propping herself up on her elbows, Ravaerri glared at him, the green flecks in his eyes flashing. "Why do you need the map?" she asked, panting.
Maguvial laughed and crouched down before her. "All you need to know is that you must get that map to help the Death Eaters rise again," he said.
"Never! I will never help you and the Death Eaters! I'll die before I do!" Ravaerri cried, coming up onto her knees.
Maguvial laughed and then took out his wand threateningly, no trace of humor in his eyes. "Stupid, stupid girl. I think you should understand that I could get my hands on that map in more than one way and I could just kill you. One spell and you won't be here anymore. But the plans will still carry on. So, you could do as I say and save the lives of your friends or you could refuse, I will kill you and all your friends too. What would you prefer?" he asked, raising a thick eyebrow.
Ravearri nodded sadly and began to crawl away from his wand, pointed menacingly at her heart. "Smart choice, Mudblood. You can send it to the Ministry of Magic once you get your hands on it. Oh, and one more thing-" he said, raising and walking towards the side door. "You will tell nobody about this. Or else I will kill you, your friends, the people you told, and anyone who has laid eyes on you. Alright?" he said.
Nodding, Ravearri crawled clumsily backwards until she was plastered against the wall. And with a flick of his wand, Maguvial cast the Cruciato curse and left the house.