A/N: Hey there. Thanks for taking a look at this fanfic! It basically sprang from my love for Scabior and, well, I just wanted to write! Hope you enjoy it, all reviews and comments are welcome. Oh and the song that features in this chapter is Learn to be Lonely from Phantom of the Opera.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything other than Fionne Goldings, my OC and parts of the plot.

"Morning, Goldings!" a plump, balding wizard called, waddling over to her. Half-heartedly she waved slightly and forced a smile to replace the grimace on her face.

"Good morning, Rookwood," she replied, "How can I help you?"

"Just wanted to wish you luck for the big performance today. 'spect you've been locked up in the Department of Performing Arts for the last month rehearsing?"

"You could say that," she replied.

Today, Fionne Goldings, head of the Department of Performing Arts was to give a live performance in the Ministry of Magic Atrium to celebrate the appointment of the new Minister of Magic: Pius Thicknesse. Fionne, however was of absolutely no inclination to celebrate this "momentous event" as the Prophet was calling it. She knew fine well that the Ministry was quickly being consumed from within by the forces of Voldemort. Luckily, she was a pure-blooded witch which guaranteed her a steady future in the Ministry however the same could not be said for many other employees.

"Well, all the best, Goldings, I shall be cheering from the stands as it were," and with that Rookwood strode into the nearest free elevator and disappeared. Fionne breathed a sigh of relief; not only was she fully aware that Rookwood was in fact a Death Eater, it made her uncomfortable to be within five metres of him. As she waited for a free elevator a hand grasped her shoulder. She turned to see Yaxley standing beside her, a smile on his somewhat hard-featured face.

"Good morning, Fionne," he said in his gravely voice.

"Good Morning, Yaxley. How are you?" She replied with yet another forced smile. Yaxley too, was, to her knowledge, a Death Eater.

"Always so polite," he smiled, "I am well. And you? I expect you are nervous about performing in front of the new Minister,"

"A little," she replied.

"Ah, well, if it is any comfort, I know you will do excellently. If you will excuse me," he took her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips, his other hand resting on the small of her back before walking off in the other direction. Fionne barely resisted the urge to make a face of disgust.

Pulling off her travelling cloak, she stepped into an elevator which had finally arrived and began her descent into the Atrium. She arrived just as the Minister was making his speech for the employees and the reporters.

"-I promise to restore this temple of tolerance to its former glory. Therefore, starting today, each employee with submit themselves for evaluation,"

Just as the minister was saying this a group of men entered the Atrium. One walking ahead of the others who were dragging a wounded man. Fionne, unaware what these new faces were intending to do, dipped her head in acknowledgement when the man whom she assumed to be the leader of the men locked eyes with her as he passed. He inclined his head slightly in return before bowing to the minister and walking over to the side of the Atrium where he and his men stood listening to the Ministers speech.

"-and now," continued Thicknesse, "a performance by Miss Fionne Goldings of the Department of Performing Arts. Miss Goldings," He cleared the stage and she ascended the steps to the raised platform under the new "Magic is Might" statue. There was polite applause.

"Sonorous," she tapped her throat lightly with her wand and began,

Child of the wildernessBorn into emptinessLearn to be lonelyLearn to find your way in darknessWho will be there for youComfort and care for youLearn to be lonelyLearn to be your one companion

She scanned the side of the room and saw the leader of the band of men smiling and clapping. For some reason this encouraged her.Never dreamed out in the worldThere are arms to hold youYou've always known your heart was on its ownSo laugh in your lonelinessChild of the wildernessLearn to Be lonelyLearn how to love life that is lived aloneLearn to be lonelyLearn to be your one companionNever dreamed out in the worldThere are arms to hold youYou've always known your heart was on its ownSo laugh in your lonelinessChild of the wildernessLearn to Be lonelyLearn how to love life that is lived aloneLearn to be lonelyLife can be lived life can be loved alone.She bowed and the crowd began to cheer. Out of the tumultuous applause she could distinctly pick out Yaxley's gruff voice. Slowly she descended the platform, bowing slightly to Thicknesse and exited the Atrium.