Disclaimer: The rights of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I am making no financial gain from this story whatsoever.

Chapter 11
Chaos Never Comes Quietly

Clarkson Strikes, Five Dead
Luna Lovegood

Recently escaped international criminal, Hercule Clarkson struck late last afternoon, in the heart of Wizarding Britain's shopping center, Diagon Alley. A street battle erupted in which five civilians ended up dead, and two of Clarkson's men were captured. The Auror side, led by Jason Bones, managed to keep the damage to lower levels than what was conceivable in such a densely populated location. Jason Bones has said, though, that any casualties were unacceptable and wanted us to think about the families of those of have fallen. This paper agrees with such sentiment. The Ministry refused to mention the casualty list of Clarkson's men, the Aurors or the security guards.

Clarkson escaped from a Ministry court right after losing his appeal to be extradited back to Atlantis. He achieved this by taking hostages in the court and his demands for escape were accepted by Harry Potter. While Mr. Potter's intentions were to minimize any casualties then, this paper has to ask whether this was a wise course of action considering Clarkson has decided to continue his criminal activity this time on British soil. That said, one could not know the exact situation Mr. Potter was under, but even then there is now every possibility that far more people will be harmed in any attempt to capture Clarkson than if his demands were rejected firmly that day. (continued on Page A2)

On Clarkson's international history... see Page A4

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Early Afternoon, Yesterday

The wandmaker store was closing in Diagon Alley, but most of the other shops were remaining open for a few more hours. This was one of the busier times of the season, it being Valentine's Day. The alley was going to be much brighter than usual, with far more lamps around, tables being brought to the sidewalks to attract the couples coming. People were very thankful the weather was rather pleasant that day, that was always be good for business.

Due to the crowd, nobody noticed the apparating wizards near Gringotts. Not until, that is, the Gringotts security kicked into alert mode. The moment a location was breeched that was not open to the public, goblins swarmed around the location, throwing curses and attacking with weapons. Weapons including swords, bows and arrows, and axes and huge maces.

However the wizards, who numbered at least fifty, were up for a fight, casting spells and enchantments to hit back at the goblins.

The damage was massive. Within minutes a large crater was formed outside the steps of the bank. Wizards and witches were scrambling to run away from the battle.

Billows of smoke came out of some windows of Gringotts, debris fell from the walls, and a few fires began. It was to this entrance Aurors apparated into the mess.

"What the blasted hell is going on?" said one loudly.

"I don't know, Bones," said another. "We came right before you."

"Where the blazes is Ron Weasley?" said Bones.

"Azkaban, sir," said someone else. "He won't be making it."

"It's on you, then," said one. "You're the highest ranked around, unless I missed someone."

Bones cursed a fair few swear words. He then barked orders of getting to cover first to assess the situation. It wouldn't be under his watch that they'd walk blindly into an ambush. Jason Bones was a somewhat young man with brown hair and a couple of scars on his neck. He had a boyish good looks that always helped with being charming, but wasn't really helpful as an Auror. He quickly rose up the ranks in the Auror division, but there was nothing due to coming from a prestigious family of fighters, instead mostly down to his own determination to always prove to others that he was better than they expected him to be.

Crouching behind the cover, Jason looked around to see what was going on. It was complete chaos in a small plot of land, but he managed to figure out that the goblin security were giving a fight against Clarkson's men. While Clarkson's men appeared well-trained, they didn't seem to be prepared for such a response.

"Sir, we need to get down there quick," said an Auror rushing to them.

"We need to figure out how to approach this," said Jason. "That, or get orders from above if possible."

"Sir, that would be unwise," said the Auror.

"Explain."

"Sir, they haven't brought out the big defences yet," said the Auror.

"The big defe..." said Jason, who's face quickly changed. "Dragons? They wouldn't in such a crowded area?"

"They would if they thought their defences could be breached," said the Auror. "And they're entitled to under goblin-wizarding laws that established Gringotts."

"Bloody hell," said Jason, getting up from his position quickly. "Everyone, get into the fight on the goblin side. Extreme force authorised. Move, move!"

The Aurors split into two groups and approached Gringotts from different directions. Upon entry, they saw everything in the entrance demolished, and a battle continuing down the corridor. They didn't wait and threw a number of curses.

The goblins and Clarkson's men quickly took the Auror presence into their plans, with the former moving to allow the Aurors room to join the fight, while the latter banded closer together and moved towards better cover.

A curse missed Jason and hit his colleague. He shouted an order for one Auror to check on the hurt person. He made his way through the corridor, and slipped on a the marbled floor. As he fell he saw one of them running towards him, so while on the floor he threw a hex at him.

He quickly got to his feet and continued to move forward. Before he could make it to the where the vaults began, a number of Aurors appeared from a door down the hallway. Leading them was the head of the Auror office.

"Sir," said Jason.

"Jason," said Ron. "What's the status?"

"Still unclear to say," said Jason. "Clarkson's men appeared to be wanting to fight through the goblin resistance, but is now defensive considering we've shown up."

"Good," said Ron. "Let's end this quickly, because I just know a goblin is itching to let a dragon or two loose."

By then Clarkson's men were actually trying to get out of Gringotts, possibly realising fighting goblins and Aurors simultaneously was not a hopeful plan. The Aurors tried to hold them back, trying to capture or kill as many of them as they could. The goblins, however, were not concerned with arresting anyone and didn't try to keep them in. All the goblins did was either try to kill or push them out. That wasn't too helpful to the Aurors as it made them more aggressive and that was a recipe for spells that caused an unbelievable amount of damage.

Ron noticed that the risks were getting a bit too much and ordered the Aurors to not prevent them from leaving, but attempt to capture as many as they could before they ran for it.

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Ron was seated on the pavement when Harry saw him. He just waved a hand lazily in greeting to Harry, clearly exhausted.

"I was planning to make a deposit," said Harry with a smirk. "Looks like there was a stampede to withdraw money. Was there a panic?"

"I made sure your vault was the first to be taken," said Ron. "It's not like you're spending it, cheap bastard."

"I've spent a whole lot of my money," said Harry. "I just earned more."

"Well, then rich arrogant bastard," said Ron.

"How bad has it gotten?" said Harry.

"Not a national disaster," said Ron. "But still terrible. We lost eight Aurors, twenty-three goblins and killed at least twenty of their men."

"That's a bloodbath," said Harry.

"Yes," said Ron, sighing. "I thought it was worse, because with the crater and blown out Gringotts entrance, mentally preparing for hundreds of deaths, including civilians."

"Still, this is going to create a panic," said Harry. "I've been approached by the Minister to head the Department of Law Enforcement."

"What the hell?" asked Ron.

"I wonder if she thinks she's removing me from running against her," said Harry. "I haven't said I wasn't running."

"More like she wants to remind everyone that you let him go," said Ron. "Win-win for her, really."

"I fail in detaining him," said Harry, "and I'm to blame for the mess."

"You succeed in getting him, and the Minister gets credit for putting aside partisanship in appointing a rival for a top position," said Ron.

"Quite clever, actually," said Harry.

"So you told her no?" said Ron.

"No," said Harry. "I told her bleedin yes."

"Why, why, why?" asked Ron.

"Because this is an opportunity," said Harry. "I intend to stop Clarkson. Besides, I was thinking of moving departments earlier on anyways."

"So that's what... four or five different departments in the Ministry you've worked in?" asked Ron. "Harry, there's alot of documents and people you have to work with as department head. I left that and went down to Auror Office head because I wanted more field-work."

"I've been a head of department before," said Harry. "Don't worry, I'll make it work."

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Harry sighed at all the paperwork in front of him.

"Ilena!" he yelled very loudly.

"For the love of Merlin, Harry," said Ilena, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. "I'm just outside, and the door's open."

"We're going to need a staff," he said.

"This is Magical Law Enforcement," said Ilena. "We have a staff, a big one."

"Really?" said Harry. "We were screwed back there in international confederation, being just us two."

"Yes, we were," said Ilena dryly. "It was a wonder why international cooperation in the magical world is in a complete mess."

"After we're done with this," said Harry, "we may have to try to change this."

"This is our first day in law enforcement," said Ilena. "Well your first day back in many years. And you're thinking about what we're going to do when we leave this?"

"Fair enough," said Harry. "Bring me my staff."

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Harry stood before a large number of Aurors who happened to be in the Office that day.

"Yesterday was a particularly difficult day for you," he said. "I can sympathise. It seems insignificant to be dealing with a change at the top, so I'll keep my words short and to the point.

"Those who fell yesterday did not do so in vain," he continued. "We will pursue the criminals wherever they may be."

Harry then told them to carry on. He waved Jason Bones over to his office. He shut the door and took a seat, but Jason merely stood.

"How are you doing?" asked Harry.

"So far, so good sir," said Jason. "Nothing serious physically damaged about me."

"I don't suppose many of the Aurors would be pleased to see me," said Harry.

Jason stood there, but didn't say a word.

"I asked a question," said Harry. "So I'm giving you way to speak openly."

"No sir," said Jason. "I don't think they are."

"They don't think many of their men would have fallen today if I didn't let Clarkson go," said Harry.

"Yes sir," said Jason. "But more to it, they don't think you should've had the decision to make in the first place."

"Alot more would've died if they attempted to storm a closed space with only one entry," said Harry.

"Sir, you don't have to convince me," said Jason.

"Because you agree with me?" asked Harry. "Or because you do your job whether you're convinced or not?"

"I'd rather not answer that, sir," said Jason. "I just don't want to make a habit of arguing with someone who defeated Voldemort. But I do concede it would've had many casualties had we stormed the courtroom."

"Very well then," said Harry. "Thank you for your candour.

"Dismissed."