Aethermancer

Darksider82

Wingedseerwolf

I own nothing

The Evening Prophet was full of gloom and desparation. It did not reveal who had died in the attack but it did definitely say that the Minister was dead. Out of the six bodyguards, the Minister had that day the only two unaccountable for were Aurors Brown and Tonks. They were listed as MIA and needed for questioning.

Madame Bones was also missing and the fact Harry was being less than helpful with what he had seen wasn't making him the most popular person in Hogwarts. Harry shrugged as Katie wrapped her arm around his waist "If they don't like the fact you can't tell more than you have its their fault. All though you could have kept your trap shut."

Harry nodded when the door to the Great Hall burst open and fifteen aurors entered with a weary Madame Bones. "Why here? Not the location that you had me warding up." Growled a thickset auror with a very thick Yorkshire accent "Even Wyrnside would be safer than here."

"We are here Auror Brown because Hogwarts has been attacked before and has always survived."

Anthony nodded "Fair 'nough. Now should we give these poor bastards the shit."

"Language." Rumbled Dumbledore his eyes twinkling at the anticipated response.

"English. Her Majesty's English." Anthony responded a grin on his face.

"You think you're being funny? Cute. Mr. Brown? Appears nothing has changed."

"Snape, I'm adorable. Also I'm a comedian in my spare time. As for nothing changing, the entire world has changed and unfortunately you prefer to cook with your cauldron rather than see the new world...For once you're safe, cooking in a cauldron more preferred than what is going outside."

"Excuse me, just what is happening?" Asked a petrefied first year Slytherin.

"Anyone familiar with zombie movies?" Brown asked and the majority of the Muggleborn students stook their hands up.

"In essence they have all come true. With some downsides. They don't turn you when they bite. They're olympian level atheletes and are damn near indestructible."

"Yet you somehow destroyed one if your tone is correct." Harry Potter declared standing. Anthony turned to him and stared him down, brown almost black eyes stared at cold green ones "Becuase I had balls in of their mouths when I blew its damn head off...Before any of you ask the Minister is dead, kind of hard to live your head's been devoured."

"Then why are you alive?"

Anthony shrugged "Blew some up. Ran. Blew the stairs up after me. Bundled Madame Bones into the fire place before jumping out the building and apparating away. Funny thing about Anti-apparation wards, the deeped or taller the building is the less effective they are. Minister is dead, four of his body guards, Sports and Creatures and Law Enforcement and some of the Wizengamot are dead. Although it smells of ozone in the Wizengamot chambers."

"How do you know this?" Asked Daphne Greengrass nervously.

"I landed inside the Wizengamot chambers, several dead zombies, piles of ash. Shat myself and ran out the backway. Met up with this lot in Hull."

Dean snorted "Sir, ain't that Hell but with spelt wrong."

"Could be. Smelt no brimstone. Anyway, Headmaster can we use some of the spare rooms until we get our shit together and find out who is still alive from the cabinet."

Dumbledore nodded and stood up "Everyone this has been an immensely trying and nerve wracking day. I hope that tomorrow shall bring some better results."

Due war time protocol, owls tore into the castle with notes from parents or autonomous black parchment notifications of people dying in the Ministry. Un-noticed to most, Hedwig flew into the hall, landed on Harry's arm carrying three smokeskin pouches. Harry hid the pouches in his pocket handed Hedwig some bacon which she scoffed down, nibbled Harry's ear and then did the same to Katie and then took off. Leaving some very surprised Gryffindors especially Harry.

"What just happened?" Asked Katie nervously.

"Hedwig has more or less given you her approval...Yeah, she doesn't do that to anyone aside from me. Heck I don't she's done that to anyone."

"What about Ron and Hermione?"

"She only tolerates them because I like them. She took satisfaction in letting her displeasure known to them last year."

Ron and Hermione shuddered then Ginny spoke "Harry, tell her why most cats vacate the scene when she turns up."

Harry grinned "She was stalked by three cats where we were staying last Summer, including the tiger of Gryffindor meaning Crookshanks. She scratched the heck out of them and pecked Crookshanks in the most unmanly of places for a cat."

Katie stared "Does she have any sence of self-preservation?"

Harry shrugged "She is my familiar. Familiars gain..."

"Aspects from each other. I've not noticed anything for me as of yet. I swear Hedwig's quicker now than she was and she wasn't slow in the first place...I have no idea what is in those bags, we'll look later." With that everyone slowly turned back to their dinner everyone's eyes flickering to Harry and then the Aurors.

Harry turned to Katie "We need to stop this asshole. We really do."