A/N: will signify a scene change, thanks Agi for bringing up.

CHAPTER 21

The scream started it, as more and more people started opening their papers. Screams, shouts, gasps filled the hall. There were a few 'finally!' and 'Yes!', but the origins concealed themselves.

The trio ran to the table to get Hermione's copy of the daily prophet.

'MINISTER OF MAGIC – DEATH EATER'

The front page had a photograph of Fudge, looking at himself in the mirror, admiring the dark mark clearly etched onto his arm.

This photo has been recovered from sources which cannot be named at this juncture. This and other proofs clearly explain the recent comments and conducts of the Ex-Minister of Magic. In a unanimous vote, the Ministry officially declared an emergency and sentenced Fudge to life imprisonment in Azkaban. Unfortunately, when Aurors arrived at the Minister's official residence he had absconded. A massive search is being conducted to root out other supporters of you-know-who who may be spying in the ministry.

At 0013 Hours, after the emergency session, the Ministry officially recognized the return of the Dark Lord. They have asked the public not to panic. An 8'o clock curfew has been imposed for the Magical Community. Mr. Author Weasley, who had already privately acknowledged the return of you-know-who and had tried to get support in the Ministry, was declared Acting Minister of Magic at 0015 Hours. He has realized this statement.

'THE ENTIRE WORLD IS IN DANGER DUE TO THIS ENEMY. IT IS WAR THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED ON THE MAGIC COMMUNITY AND WAR IT SHALL BE. WE WILL NOT TAKE THIS LYING DOWN, BUT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT AGAISNT THE FORCES OF EVIL AND DARKNESS. VICTORY IS ASSURED, FOR WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, EVIL WILL BE VANQUISHED. I ASK THE PUBLIC NOT TO PANIC AND THUS GIVE INTO THE FEAR OF THE DARK LORD. PREPERATIONS FOR THE BATTLE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN.'

All here at the daily prophet wish the new minister and the ministry good luck, as we witness the dawn of a new era.

'Holy Merlin's beard' said Ron 'Fudge's a death eater I should have known!'

'Ron, you're dad's Minister of Magic!' said Harry

'That's Right!' said Ron.

'Congratulations!' said Hermione.

Fred and George came running 'Have you heard about dad!'

A chorus of three voices replied 'Yes!'

Fred said glowing with pride 'Awesome isn't it!'

'Yeah!' said George beaming from side to side.

The roar in the hall had given way to intense whispering and talking, even the staff members didn't object to the noise.

Suddenly Hermione screamed. Something hit her hard on the shoulder and she was thrown back a few feet, right the in front and centre of the house tables. There was a flash of light and the dark mark erupted from her shriveling body. The hall went dead quite. Harry was the first to react he rushed towards Hermione to check if she was alright.

 Someone shouted from the Slytherin table 'MUD BLOOD'. The Staff would later investigate, but the culprit would not be identified.

What happened next would be the talk of the school for months. Harry got up and drew himself to his full height, his emerald eyes glowing with pure anger and power. He raised one of this clenched fists into the air, he was shaking all over and opened his palm. A surge of power ripped through him, causing a blinding glow. Every object in the hall started to vibrate horribly.

Everyone was still mesmerized looking at Harry. Then the ground beneath them began to shake, they scrambled screaming to the sides of the room as the centre started to rip into a ravine. The Slytherin table rose into the air and with an almighty explosion smashed into the ceiling, sending a rain of sawdust and splinters down on the students bellow.

And then, it stopped. People looked up from there hiding places and saw Dumbledore put a hand on Harry's shoulder, magic Hermione on a stretcher and lead them off outside the hall.

An old castle (yes, yes in Scotland)

Voldemort read the last part of the article in the daily prophet hovering in front of him. He snapped his hands and the paper turned to ashes. So, he thought my presence has been acknowledged. A little earlier than I wished, but no matter.

A figure came scurrying in and flung itself on Voldemort's feet.

'Master' said Fudge.

How pathetic thought Voldemort, maybe I should curse him. But he resisted the urge.

'Welcome back Cornelius' he said in a mocking tone.

'Master, they know! they will kill me' Fudge cried.

'Lord Voldemort protects those who help him' Voldemort said waving Fudge off. 'You will stay here in this castle, make yourself useful'

'Thank you, my lord, thank you' he kissed Voldemort's robe.

Voldemort gestured him to leave, and still shivering Fudge left his presence. There will be more uses for him thought Voldemort.

Hospital Wing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:

Madam Pomfrey took her new patient inside to the Intensive Care Section. Harry and the Headmaster stood outside.

'Sir, I…' began Harry.

'No need to explain now Harry' said a very understanding Dumbledore 'we shall have a detailed talk on the subject later, for now be with Miss Granger, I will send Mr. Weasley, up shortly'. With that Dumbledore left a speechless, but grateful Harry.

He walked in to see Hermione; for once Madam Pomfrey did not stop him. She looked pale, with an odd purple color to her nose.

'Madam Pomfrey how is she?' asked Harry to the nurse checking Hermione over with a few simple spells from her wand.

Madam Pomfrey sighed and showed Harry a small arrow.

'I just removed this from her shoulder; it had been enchanted to throw her a great distance' said Madam Pomfrey 'I believe it contained a light poison called 'Rustiopa'.

'Poison!' Harry nearly shouted the words 'Is there an antidote?'

'Of course there is!' said Madam Pomfrey 'It's a very mild one. But she will be out for almost a week'

'Can I stay with her?' asked Harry feeling a little better with the knowledge that she would be alright.

'I personally think she needs rest' said a cross Pomfrey 'However the Headmaster feels otherwise, therefore one person, and I mean one person can be with her'

'Thank you!' said Harry extremely happy.

'Humph, your welcome' said Madam Pomfrey and walked off to check on her other patients.

Just then Ron arrived.

'Harry! How is she?' asked a panting Ron

'She's going to be fine Ron, but she needs bed rest for a week' said Harry and then explained about the poison.

'Those! Bloody Slytherins! I'll kill them' said Ron hitting wall with his fist. A trickle of blood ran down his knuckles.

'RON!' said Harry 'Calm, down there is no need to break your hand. We will find out who did this, that much I swear'

It only took one look at Harry's eyes to make Ron realize some Slytherin was in serious trouble.

Harry was still burning up inside. They had gone too far this time; Hermione had become a target he thought. But I shall no longer lie down and take their blows, I intend to fight back.

The castle in Scotland

Voldemort took a deep breath. To those who in the room it seemed as if he sought to suck in something invisible.

'This is not good news Lucius' said Voldemort.

'Forgive me Sire' Malfoy bowed his head down.

'You ask for forgiveness!' said Voldemort his eyes dancing with flames. 'The conversion was your initiated idea, one you are failing'

'Master, I will rectify' said a not sweating and quivering Malfoy.

'No! This is of too great importance, I shall do it myself' said Voldemort 'Prepare the equipment!'

Malfoy quickly left; glad to have been saved from punishment.

'We will see about your punishment later' said Voldemort.

Malfoy shivered.

Hospital Wing

Ron and Harry stood by Hermione's bedside

'She looks so peaceful' said Ron

'Yes, she does' said Harry drawing circles with his fingers on her forehead 'Hey did you get to talk to your dad yet?'

'No' said Ron 'I owled him, but I have not received a reply. I guess it will take at least a few days'

'Hmmm' said Harry in acknowledgement.

Madam Pomfrey chose to make an appearance at that point.

'I said only one!' she whispered in an angry and firm voice.

Harry and Ron looked at each other, Ron sighed and left before anything else could be said.

Harry wanted to go after him, but the urge to stay with Hermione was too great so he didn't.

Ron meanwhile walked through the corridors in a daze. The events of the day lay heavy on his head. Minister of Magic, Hermione, Harry…

He thought back to the start of the day, when Harry had apologized. Did he really mean it? One part of him said yes the other no.

Thus this internal struggle dominating his mind he went for the DADA classroom.

Dumbledore Office

'Harry, take a seat' said Dumbledore in a plain voice not revealing any emotion.

Harry sat down scared, not knowing what was coming.

'I believe you owe an explanation' said Dumbledore

'Sir, I don't know! I, I just saw Hermione like that and, it just happened!' he said frantically.

'Calm down' said Dumbledore 'I know this was not your fault, entirely that is'

Harry looked at him with relief and bewilderment rolled into one.

'Harry, a normal wizard can do amazing things when he/she is emotionally charged or in danger. You have already experienced that in your childhood' said Dumbledore the twinkle back in his eyes

Harry nodded

'But, now that you have become a mage, your body is acting like a wand. With such strong emotional turmoil your body acts on the emotional force felt by you. Thus, enabling massive feats of power, as you did this morning' added Dumbledore

Realization dawned on Harry and with it a new fear

'But, Sir what if I can't control it?' asked Harry

'Then you must learn to, you may rest today as the experience will have tired you. But tomorrow we must begin your training. Every day, every hour is now important. The more training you get before the inevitable day, the better for you and the better for all of us' added Dumbledore in a grave voice, which contained an element of finality 'You may leave for the wing now Harry, but you must get some sleep. Gryffindor has its Quidditch tryouts tomorrow, good luck'

The old smile returned to Dumbledore's face, the same smile that had reassured him countless times in the past. It still had that remarkable effect.

Harry nodded his thanks and left Dumbledore's office.

He checked the time, it was almost time for bed, I'll say good night to Hermione and then sleep.

With those thoughts he headed towards the hospital wing.

A/N: Please review! Helps me so much!