Prologue

Harry entered the Minister of Magic's office. It was just after midnight when Kingsley Shacklebolt sent him an owl bidding him to come to his office urgently. Luckily it didn't wake Ginny up and he was able to leave without her knowledge. Hopefully he could return home just before they all woke up.

The last few weeks had caused a terrible strain in the Potter family. Recent Necromancer activity had caused the auror office to work double time and practically halved the pitifully low amount of time Harry already spent with his family. He would have to take a vacation in the future.

"Minister. You wanted to see me?"

Kingsley was going through hundreds of files on his desk when Harry came in. Harry could see the stress Kingsley was in and took pity on the man who would threaten to take his family time from him.

"You need help with that Minister?"

Kingsley looked up and motioned for Harry to sit down. "No I'm fine Harry." He waved his hand and the files all arranged itself into three perfectly neat piles. "I'm glad you were able to come Harry. I am... terribly sorry about the lateness of the hour."

Harry shook his head "Don't worry about it Minister. As long as I get home in time for breakfast I won't get into too much trouble with Ginny and the kids. Hehe."

Kingsley smiled at this and stood up. "How many times do I have to tell you Harry. Haven't we known each other long enough to refer to the other by their first name. Call me Kingsley Harry."

"Ok. Kinglsey. Boss. What happened this late at night to make you call me?"

Kingsley magically moved one of the piles of paper closer to Harry. "Check out those files over there. The first one is a real piece of work." He opened a cabinet behind his desk. "Did you want a drink Harry? Firewhiskey? Butterbeer?"

Harry took the first piece of paper on top of the pile and started to read it. "Firewhiskey Kingsley. I think I'll need something a bit strong to get me through tonight."

Dear Minister of Magic

Maybe you already know. Maybe you don't. Today at 20:00 someone stole a very important artifact from the Hall of Mysteries. Maybe you know what it is. What it is capable of. Who made it. I assure you that I know all of these things for I am the son of one of the creators. Now I take what is mine. And unless you do as I say bad things will happen to innocent people both muggles and magic-folk.

We want you to abolish the International statute of Secrecy. That is our one demand. Failure to follow this will result in swift reprisal. You shall understand the power I wield, the power my organisation yields.

Truly yours

Creed Fouling Us

Harry had just about finished his second glass of Firewhiskey by the time he had finished reading this ransom demand. He was wondering if the Firewhiskey had affected him more than usual. The statute of Secrecy? Surely no wizard would want to abolish that. The law that ensured that the magical world would be kept secret. "Who wrote this. Who is Creed fouling us?"

"An anagram most likely. I'm not having my men decipher it just yet. I'm trying to keep this whole thing quiet."

"Uh-huh. And what's this device that was taken?"

Kingsley tensed at this and checked to see that the windows were locked. He cast a locking spell on the door and took out his wand. "Harry I need you to promise me something. No. I need you to do something very important for me. I need you to do the unbreakable vow for me."

Harry looked up at the man telling him to take an oath that promised death to those who failed to uphold it. This was getting more and more absurd. "Why Kingsley? What secret device was taken from the department of mysteries?"

Kingsley stared into Harry's eyes as if trying to determine if he could trust him. Harry stood up to lock eyes with Kingsley.

"Kingsley. We've known each other for too long. With all that history between us you still can't trust me? I have nothing at stake here Kingsley. I can't help you if you're not going to give me your confidence."

Kingsley pondered Harry's words for a few moments before sitting down again. "You're right Harry. If I can't trust you I can't trust anyone.". He summoned one of the papers in the middle of the pile in front of Harry and gave it to him. "This. This is the device that he was talking about."

Harry delved into the contents of the paper in front of him.

The Warlock Manifesto

A manifest of magical devices that the secret organisation known as The Warlocks created at the turn of the 19th century.

The book itself is written so as to confuse an undesirable reader. It is not in English, rather a kind of Ancient Alphabet though no living scholar has been able to decipher it.

The Warlocks themselves are thought to have perished when their base, a floating island above Britain, suddenly disappeared one day. It is unknown where they are right now or if there are any living members to this day.

Through pictures and symbols in the book it is thought that there were more than 7 Warlock devices, although these are all hypotheses and nothing more.

Day to day study of the manifest is being conducted in the Department of Mysteries. The hope is that the code is cracked someday, but that day that does not seem to be on the horizon anytime soon.

Head of the Department of Mysteries

" Warlocks."

"Yes Harry, Warlocks."

"So they really are real."

"That is a probability. Just as the possibility of them still existing today."

"But the letter. The ransom. He said he was the son of one of them."

"Creed Fouling Us. Do you know who that is now?" Kingsley took his wand out and wrote the name in the air, much like the ghost of Tom Riddle did in the Chamber of Secrets all those years ago.

"I..." The letters proceeded to scramble across each other as if in a rush to reveal their true positions.

"Cornelius Fudge?" Harry was dumbstruck. The former minister of magic? Why would he want to abolish the statute of Secrecy.

"Fudge..."Kingsley reiterated. Kingsley took out a scroll and started writing on it. "I'm giving you a mission Harry. Top secret. No one must know. We have a deadline here. One day."

Harry tried to go for another drink but his glass was empty now. He didn't remember how many drinks he already had. He didn't feel giddy. It felt good with the world, to drink and to feel as though nothing was wrong.

"What do I have to do?" Harry asked Kingsley.

Kingsley finished writing and gave the scroll to Harry.

For your Eyes only H.P.

A very important item from the Department of Mysteries has been stolen and is being used as a hostage for a secret organisation. The only lead we have right now is that Cornelius Fudge was the name anagrammed in the ransom letter.

Your mission is to recover the Warlock Manifest and take care of whoever gets in your way.

You are authorised to use the unforgivable curses if you deem it is needed.

Merlin Guide you

Kingsley Shacklebolt

"Does this mean I won't get home in time for breakfast."

"I don't think you'd get home in time for dinner. I'm very sorry Harry. But you're our best agent. This is important.

"I understand Kingsley." Harry stood up and went over to the door.

"Good luck Harry."