Hollow

Chapter 09: Politic Backlash

Everyone was talking about the new Ministry's Decree. Malfoy was talking so loud about getting the Slytherin Qudditch Team reformed almost immediately. He was bragging because his father was on good terms with the ministry that Umbridge answer was 'automatic' and he also put in question if Gryffindor would even get reformed.

Daphne shook her head as she was attempting to block out Malfoy's voice. She was thankful when mail arrived carrying a strange magazine.

Weekly Sorcerer

Daphne was confused as she opens the magazine and looks inside. Inside the magazine, it had a bit of everything in the wizarding world.

Are We Divided? By Olivia Collins

'The Magical World has been sacred for all who live in it. Enjoy the peace that been in place for nearly fourteen years. Lately however, action of the current British Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge has had many raising questions and eyebrows.

After the Hogwarts year of 94 to 95 ended, Minister Fudge has been running a smear campaign against Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.

Dumbledore has been label as 'daft and dangerous' while Potter is declared a 'liar and attention seeker.'

Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore may be losing his touch in the modern magical world, but he has never attempted to seize the power of the Ministry. This is a well-known fact as Dumbledore turn down his tenth nomination six years ago, allow Cornelius Fudge to become the Minister of Magic.

Inside sources deep in the office of the Minister of Magic says that Minister Fudge believes Dumbledore wants his job and the power of the Ministry, a curious state of affairs as many witch and wizards in our community, have long wanted Dumbledore to become the Minister of Magic. A post, Dumbledore has denied since he defeated the Dark Lord Grindelwald on May Fourth 1945. Dumbledore has instead, remain at Hogwarts as a teacher, teaching thousands of students.

Harry Potter, according to many sources who knows him best, is far from being a attention seeker and not very good at lying either.

Harry Potter according to many in Hogwarts, despite the rumors surrounding him, is describe to be very shy and avoids attention and the spot light. He has few friends, despite his popularity as one of Europe's finest bachelors.

Victor Krum, Drumstrang Graduate and last year's TriWizard Champion for Drumstrang school became good friends with Potter despite being opponents in the TriWizard Tournament that Hogwarts was hosting. Victor Krum says in his own words 'Only knowing Harry for barely a year is not enough for me to pass judgment on him, but Harry is a good person and cares more about the well-being of others than himself.'

These words were express after the Second Task when Harry Potter despite reaching the goal to save his 'hostage' first remain behind to ensure everyone would return safely.

Many are even asking questions about the Minister sudden campaign against Potter and Dumbledore. As many of the claims that have been laid out before them….'

Daphne didn't read anymore but it was clear that the magazine was create to counter the prophet. She wonder who would do that. She looks over at the Head Table and could see, Umbridge was reading the paper and was turning redder with each line she was reading. It painted the Minister of Magic in a dark picture.

If this was delivered to every magical home, then no doubt hell was going to break loose.


Fudge was having a bad day. A magazine called Weekly Sorcerer came out and painted him in a very bad light, while painting Dumbledore and Potter in a positive light. It was worse as the House of Lords, had called for a meeting to talk to him about the suppose rumors that started surfacing. Fudge wasn't sure what to do.

Fudge takes a deep breath and began to appear as he should, as the Minister of Magic and the leader of the wizarding world of Britain. He walks in the doors looking as high and mighty as he could.

"Minister, thank you for coming." Came the curt voice of Augusta Longbottom. She was the oldest member of the House of Lords and had the most influence and power. The only person who truly rivaled her influence and power was his longtime friend, Lucius Malfoy.

"I trust this is important. I have many things that require my attention." Fudge said in a hard tone of voice that he used lately to make other remember it was he who was in charged.

Lady Longbottom had a hard face of disgust look upon her face but made no comment.

"We have a couple of questions for you." Augusta said as she pulls a parchment in front of her.

"I have nothing to hide." Fudge said. The rumors that surrounded him were ridiculous. He never order the death of two head of an ancient and noble family.

"Do you know where is Bartemius Crouch, the former Head of International Magical Cooperation?" Augusta asks in a stern voice.

Fudge paled.

"No, we never found his body." Fudge replied.

"So he's dead." Lord Abbott said.

"We believe so." Fudge said wondering what was going on.

"According to Gringotts Bank, which as you know, family vaults remain active as long as a member of the family exists. It shows that Bartemius Crouch died on June twenty fourth, inside Hogwarts." Lord Macmillan said.

Fudge suddenly paled remember how he order the dementor he brought with him to kiss the young man who was captured moments after the third task had ended.

"We have read the testimony of Professor Minerva McGonagall and she says that you brought a dementor inside the school and let it swoop down upon a capture Death Eater as it preform the Dementor's kiss." Lady Longbottom said.

"Why would you even think of bringing a dementor inside a school of children in the first place Minister?" Lady Greengrass said in a clear angry tone of voice.

"The dementor was firmly under my control." Fudge said in a strong tone of voice.

"Who was the Death Eater?" Lord Greengrass asks.

Fudge open his mouth but closed it. He wasn't sure how to answer that question. If he said the name 'Crouch' he was sure the House of Lords would erupt in chaos.

"Minister our investigation has also lead us to question another course of action that you had order." Lady Longbottom said. Fudge for the life of him, never felt so powerless.

"It has come to our attention that you order the Dementor Kiss to be preform immediately on Sirus Black upon his capture." Lord Greengrass said.

Lucius Malfoy look surprise, as did several other Lords and Lady's.

"Hang on, Sirus Black is a convicted felon. I was not about to risk him escaping and threatening the children." Fudge said in anger. It was of course, a lie, Fudge wanted to been seen as the hero who captured Sirus Black.

"We have questions about that Minister." Lady Greengrass said.

Everyone turn to look at the Greengrass in surprise.

"I have done some digging and as you know Minister, the law that has been in place for nearly sixteen years clearly states, 'A witch or wizard accused of a crime must be brought before the Wizengamot to face punishment. The said witch or wizard has the right to defend his or herself against the charges.' Is this not true Madam Bones?" Lady Greengrass said as she looks at Madam Bones who was filling in for her dead brother who perish in the last war.

"True, the law does require that all witch and wizards capture be brought before the wizengamot to face punishment and present his or her case." Madam Bones said.

Fudge was curious to know where the Greengrass was going with this, but he notice Lucius Malfoy face was paling terribly as was his wife.

"Minister, I have attempt to search and search for Sirus Black trial records, but there doesn't appear to be any, how can that be?" Lady Greengrass said in a cold and mocking tone of voice.

"The might have been misplaced." Fudge said in a small voice.

"I have spoken to several members of the Magical Council of Law; Minister, those who were apart of the trails after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named downfall cannot find or recall Sirus Black ever be given a trial." Lord Greengrass said.

"Minister, you were one of the first to arrive at the scene when Sirus Black was capture. Did you question the muggles?"

"They told us what happen and then we had their memories modify." Fudge said.

"So you didn't question them further, about what they saw, you just assume what happened?" Lady Longbottom said.

Fudge said nothing, in truth it was Lucius who helped him throw Sirus Black into Azkaban, after Lucius claimed he was place under the Imperius Curse and named names of people who were known Death Eaters.

"Minister the truth of the matter is, we have concern that your 'judgment' is not the best for the wizarding world." Lady Longbottom said in a cold tone of voice.

Fudge paled and knew that those two orders he made, were in fact… illegal. No, things were not looking good.


Daphne throws herself on the bed and looks at her mirror. Daphne was around Harry Potter, but she was putting a strong wall to separate the two.

She could feel his cruciatus curse place on her whenever she got near him. Even though she knew it wasn't a real feeling, her mind kept going back to that incident.

Her mother and father accepted Dumbledore's word on the matter. However they threaten to send Potter to Azkaban if he so much as touches their daughters in any way.

Potter, once again her mind drifted to the young teenager who was unlike any other teenager she's met.

She remembered hearing Harry telling her he wasn't capable of love nor did he deserve to be loved. Those words only made her wonder, what was so terrible in Harry Potter's life that he was losing the will to live.

Daphne turns over and stares at the ceiling.

Harry for the first time since she first laid eyes on him, did not look like the young boy she saw grow up and face dangers without an ounce of fear. Now when she saw him, it was clear to her, that he was broken and did not want to be healed. She knew Potter believed he didn't deserve to be healed.

She paused to think of what she knew of Potter. After several minutes of thinking, she realized she didn't really know him. He kept to himself, avoid other students. Even when she was studying and practicing with him, she could feel that he was pushing himself away from her.

'What is Potter afraid of?' Daphne wonders as she rolls to her side and falls asleep.


Author Notes: Is it good, a bit shorter than my other chapters but I hope everyone enjoys it. I remember reading a fortune cookie that once said 'Love is both curious yet a blessing.' So I'm using that saying a bit in the story. As you all can see, I'm focusing a lot on Daphne because Harry is a broken teenager who puts on a face for others to see. Any suggestions are welcome.