Disclaimer: Heck I couldn't get JKR to give me the rights to Harry even under the Imperius curse!! So I guess it's still hers! :(
A/N: I have been a little late for this, because I was busy working on The Power Triangle. Please keep up with me. I know it's kind of mixed up and all, but the plot will make more sense as we progress!
Chapter 3
An Auror's Ordeal
Two years before the prophecy
Ignatius Prewett stood near his desk in his office. He was collecting all the papers and necessary items for the conference with the High Council of the Wizengamot.
He had to somehow convince the High Council to agree to his proposal; else it could lead to rather disastrous consequences. He was so busy preparing himself, both mentally and physically, that he failed to notice the visitor who had been standing in his office for some time now.
The Head of the Department of International Magical Co – operation, Thomas Macmillan, also the head of the Macmillan family, was following the actions of his friend closely.
Thomas spoke softly, "All ready, Ignatius?"
Ignatius turned with a start, "Huh? … Oh, it's you! When did you get here? Come again … what did you ask? Oh yeah … I'm ready! I guess …"
Thomas could clearly sense the nervous state of mind of the famed Auror. He knew that Ignatius was the best of his time, and had an unrivalled experience comparable only to a limited number of wizards.
It was such a strange irony, that the man who could single-handedly take out a dozen Death Eaters was behaving like a complete nervous wreck at the prospect of a Wizengamot meet.
Again Thomas spoke, "Ignatius, I know that you mean the well being of your people, but it wouldn't hurt you if you calmed down for a bit. Why don't you show me the demeanour of a person who wears the Dragon Sceptre Cross with pride?"
Ignatius looked at his childhood friend; the wise and calm Thomas. He always gave him support when he needed it. And it helped that he always found the right words.
The Dragon Sceptre Cross was a distinguished title given every three years to an Auror who had an outstanding record of fighting evil. It was one of the highest forms of Wizarding recognition, and at any given time, it could be bestowed upon only one person. Ignatius was proud of the fact that this was the third consecutive term of him being awarded the honour.
Ignatius pride swelled up once again, and all of his despair vanished into the thin air. With a very calculating air about him, he walked towards the door of his office. Before he left, he turned back and gave a nod to Thomas, to express his gratitude. Thomas shouted after him, "All the best!"
But Ignatius had already left.
The High Council of Wizengamot was a powerful clan of Wizards and Warlocks, who were seldom summoned, save only on special occasions. They usually dealt with magical wars and other dangerous situations involving use of dark magic. Ignatius had called for this meeting because he had a plan to fight the rising threat of the Death Eaters.
Assembled for the conference, were the Minister of Magic, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and other distinguished members from the High Families. Ignatius entered the great room with a composure that mirrored the High Council members.
"Honorary members of the High Council, I, Ignatius Prewett, Head Auror of the Magical Law Enforcement Department have summoned this meeting to address the council regarding the rising threat of wizards calling themselves the Death Eaters and their leader named as the Dark Lord."
The Council members looked towards Ignatius in anticipation. So he continued, "My lords, the person calling himself as the Dark Lord and his army of Death Eaters have openly flouted the Ministry norms on use of Magic. They have broken almost every conceivable law that we have. And of late, for the worse, they have started an unhindered usage of the Unforgivable Curses!"
The Council members were very well aware of the situation, so they said nothing. They were waiting for Ignatius to sell his plan to them.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult for the Magical Law Enforcers, namely the Aurors, to rise and stand up to this threat. Not only are we usually outnumbered before additional help arrives, but we are also outclassed because we are pitted against the deadliest of the dark arts."
"In view of the volatile situation, I propose that the Ministry and the Council sanction the formation of an elite group of warriors who will be responsible to tackle this threat."
Ignatius looked towards the Council members, waiting to see their response. However, nobody said anything. Ignatius was just about to begin continuing his plan when he was interrupted by a loud voice.
"Are you proposing that the Ministry go to war with these Death Eaters?"
Ignatius replied calmly, "These Death Eaters have already begun the war, Prof. Dumbledore."
But Dumbledore negated him and replied, "The situation has still not escalated to that point. I do believe that it is still in the stage that the Aurors can handle. There is no need …"
Before Dumbledore could continue, Ignatius interjected, "There, I'm afraid you are highly mistaken, Professor. Death Eaters have started going about a pattern of systematically targeting Muggle born wizards, torturing them to the brink of their life and then killing them using the Unforgivable Curses. For the past few weeks, I have gotten several reports on my desk about the massacre of Muggles, evidently carried out by these lunatics."
The Minister of Magic, sounding a little contemplative, spoke, "Define your plan, Auror Prewett."
Ignatius responded, "Thank you for the opportunity, Minister. This elite group of warrior wizards will be answerable only to you, the members of the High Council. They will be free to collect intelligence on the enemy operations by any means, including arrests without warrants, random searches, sweeping possible hideouts and acquisition of offensive and categorized objects. There will be no restriction on their movements and they will have the authority to command the Auror force at will. All departments under the Ministry of Magic would be obliged to assist them in their investigative process without any bureaucratic hindrances. This force will be called the Stinging Serpents (SS), and will be headed personally by me. And lastly and most importantly, the SS will be free to use the Unforgivable Curses in combat."
The entire Council was stunned at this. Never before had anyone suggested the use of the Unforgivable Curses. Till date, it was one of the most daring and dangerous propositions put forth in front of the Wizengamot.
The Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot was the first to speak, "Are you completely out of your mind? You expect Aurors to be allowed to use the Unforgivable Curses? And you want the High Council to sanction this blasphemy? It is completely unacceptable!"
One by one the members spoke their mind. They weren't even paying heed to Ignatius. It was almost as if they were gossiping amongst themselves, condemning the proposition with the finest choice of words.
Ignatius looked at the Council with élan. He had almost expected this kind of reaction, yet he was surprised to see it coming. He was about to raise his hand, to make his statement when another high pitched voice spoke,
"That is a very interesting plan you've got, Ignatius. You want to fight fire with fire. You want to save the lives of your fellow men, don't you? A fighting force like that could solve a lot of problems. But, unfortunately for you, such a force can prove to be the greatest liability to us. You see, there is no guarantee of control here. We do not wish to end one enemy and give birth to another. Besides, what message would we be sending to the Wizarding world? Our civilized world is based on principles of justice and equality. We cannot abandon our character. We cannot become Murderers!"
To this Ignatius replied, "Your insight is very profound, Lord Abraxas Malfoy. However the people we deal with here cannot be forgiven. They do not have souls, and hence do not deserve the compassion of our hearts. They were nonchalant about spreading their message of fear and hatred amongst the masses, my Lord, and it is our principles of tolerance that have allowed them to succeed so far. My people have already lost their lives, my Lord, just because they swore to uphold the principles that we pride ourselves on. What is the idea of forming such principles, if there is no one left to follow them?"
After that speech, the council members went into a profound discussion. It seemed they were weighing the matter very delicately. It took some time before they would come to their decision.
Ignatius looked as impassive as before, but his heart was pounding heavily.
Seeing Ignatius, the Minister said, "Say, Auror Prewett, why don't you go to your office and await our decision there."
The Minister's tone was more authoritative than suggestive, and so Ignatius gladly left the Council to their own and made way to his office. He sat down on his chair and folded his hands. He looked at the sandglass, for all he had to do was to wait.
After an hour or so, Albus Dumbledore arrived at Ignatius' office. Ignatius stood up to address him, and looked towards him in anticipation.
He spoke, "You made a very bold proposition back there, Prewett. I know why you insisted on such draconian powers to be given to your force. You suspect that the problem is from the ministry itself, don't you? Well I do not know whether our decision is right or wrong, but it has been made. Only god can save us, if we are wrong."
Ignatius braced his heart. He just wanted Dumbledore to tell him the final decision once and for all.
Dumbledore opened a scroll and read from it,
"In light of the arguments put forward by you and after carefully studying your request, the High Council of Wizengamot has decided to decline your request. You are hereby forbidden to utilize any ministerial resources towards the construction of any such force without explicit permission from the High Council. Moreover, your executive powers are now subjected to scrutiny by the Minister's office. This is the High Council's official statement to Auror Ignatius Prewett, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement."
Ignatius said nothing. He didn't even move.
After a while Dumbledore spoke, "I am really sorry, Prewett. Things have not gone as you may have planned. But I implore you not to lose hope."
And after saying that, Dumbledore left.
Ignatius Prewett smiled as he saw the scroll left behind by Dumbledore. The outcome was exactly what he had anticipated.
The sandglass had emptied itself. Now the real thing was about to begin.
