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Chapter 20: Massacre Aftermath
HOGWARTS ATTACKED!
Ministry Blames Headmaster Dumbledore!
According to a ministry press release earlier this morning, an unknown amount of Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts students last night as they were transported from the Hogwarts Express to the castle. Since that time Hogwarts Castle has been under a lock down and no reporters have been able to get near the scene of the crime.
One reporter was able to get this information from an auror on guard duty: "There were definite casualties… On both sides." The auror, who wishes to remain anonymous, was unable to say anything else.
This response leads this reporter to believe that some of the older students or even teachers were able to capture, or even kill, one or more of the attackers. The attackers as of yet have remained unidentified, however rumors circulating at the Ministry believe them to be Death Eaters.
Minister Fudge held a brief press conference near two a.m. to address the issue. When asked if the identity of any of the attackers was known he had this to say:
"Several of the attackers have been identified as suspected Death Eaters who were cleared of charges shortly after You-Know-Who's demise. It is my belief, and the belief of this administration, that fear-mongering led by Headmaster Dumbledore emboldened these terrorists to attack our children. I have already spoken to Lucius Malfoy, head of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, and he has agreed to call for a vote of no confidence in the Headmaster."
When asked if these attacks help support the claims that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned Minister Fudge responded quite vehemently.
"You-Know-Who has most certainly not returned! He is dead! A person no matter how powerful cannot return from the dead. This attack was the work of crazed madmen encouraged by lies spouted by Headmaster Dumbledore. These men will be brought to justice! You can have faith that the Ministry will see to that."
At this time that is all the information we have. This reporter along with the entire staff of the Daily Prophet send their condolences to all the families and loved ones who's children may have been injured today.
The Prophet will continue to follow this story in a special night edition later today.
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Harry and Ginny were sleeping soundly on the cot they were sharing in the Great Hall. No one had dared to disturb them since they'd fallen asleep hours earlier. It was nearing ten a.m. when Harry began to stir. When he finally opened his eyes he found that the Great Hall was empty and he and Ginny were the only students who remained asleep.
An oppressive silence hung around the room, and was only disturbed by the even breathing of the red haired angel next to him. Not wishing to disturb her, but extremely curious as to what was going on, Harry found himself in a dilemma. The two sides warred inside his head and finally he gave in and gently shook Ginny's shoulder.
She opened her eyes, blinked, and then smiled up at Harry. Stretching slowly, and in the process giving Harry a rather appealing vision, Ginny sat up and looked around the Great Hall curiously. Before either could say anything though the doors to the Great Hall opened and Lily walked in. Her hair was messy and she had bags under her blood shot eyes. It was obvious she hadn't slept much.
"Oh good you're awake, I was just coming to get you." Lily said as she approached the two teens.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, concerned at his mother's lack of sleep.
"We need the Great Hall. Many of the parents will be arriving soon, and a large amount of Ministry officials, including the Minister." She paused and looked seriously at the two of them. "I'm very proud of both of you. I don't particularly care where you learned to defend yourselves like that. However, several other people are curious. Stories of what you two did have been spreading like wildfire."
She smiled and hugged both of them tightly. "Your parents will be here shortly Ginny. I suggest you two head upstairs and take a shower." She paused and caught the hint of a smirk pass between the two. "Separate showers."
Harry groaned dramatically while Ginny blushed a light shade of red. "Alright mum, we'll see you soon." Harry and Ginny made it halfway to the door before both froze and Harry looked cautiously over his shoulder at his mother. "Mum, was there a second attack last night?"
The image of the Granger Dental sign being engulfed in flames flashed across both their minds. Lily tensed noticeably as she nodded slowly. "An entire muggle village. Very early this morning, it looks like the entire village was wiped out."
Harry and Ginny slumped under the news. Neither would say it, but after hearing the prophecy over the summer they felt partially responsible for all the horrible things Voldemort was doing. Not wanting to hear the gruesome details, both turned and continued out of the Great Hall, leaving Lily alone to transfigure it back to normal.
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As predicted Harry and Ginny found themselves in Dumbledore's office only twenty minutes after the Ministry delegation had arrived. Lily, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat protectively around their children. James stood behind Lily, his hands resting on her shoulders. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, while the Minister sat next to him.
Standing next to and slightly in front of Dumbledore's desk were several other members of the Ministry delegation. A short toady woman, dressed in far too much pink for either Harry or Ginny's taste, was introduced as Madam Umbridge. Next to her was a stern looking woman, who reminded them very much of Professor McGonagall, with a monocle in one eye. She was introduced as Madam Bones. Finally was a tall bald headed black man, he spoke with in a slow deep voice, all of his words carefully picked. He introduced himself as Auror Shacklebolt.
Once the introductions were through Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair. "Mr. Potter, Ms. Weasley. I want you both to understand that this isn't a formal hearing. We are all simply curious as to how two students were able to defeat so many Death Eaters."
Fudge interrupted before Dumbledore could continue. "Just one minute Dumbledore! Those men were not Death Eaters. They were simply political radicals inspired by your fear mongering!"
James snorted loudly from the back of the group and glared at the Minister. "I beg to differ Minister. If they weren't Death Eaters, how is it I personally fought Bellatrix Lestrange. Isn't she supposed to be locked away in Azkaban?"
The Minister paled slightly but puffed his chest out importantly. "You must have been mistaken Auror Potter. Bellatrix Lestrange is locked away in Azkaban. There's no way you could have seen her last night during the attack."
Shacklebolt and Bones both glared at the Minister, and finally Madam Bones stepped forward. "Minister enough is enough! You know perfectly well that there was a mass breakout from Azkaban earlier this week. There's no point in lying about it now."
Fudge glared at Madam Bones before turning sheepishly to James and then Dumbledore. "I was trying to avoid a mass panic. The Aurors and Dementors will most likely have the escaped prisoners rounded up by the end of the month. No need to add to the panic you've already caused Albus."
Harry finally spoke up, the disbelief in his voice obvious. "You knew there had been a mass breakout from Azkaban and yet you didn't think it was a good idea to place guards at the train station?"
Fudge opened and closed his mouth wordlessly, unable to come up with an excuse this time. Madam Umbridge however stepped forward. "Excuse me Mr. Potter. This is a discussion amongst the adults. A child should be seen and not heard. If we want your opinion we will ask for it."
Harry had been holding Ginny's hand the entire time, and as Umbridge spoke he felt her tightening her grip. The anger flooding between them rose to an remarkable height. Umbridge didn't seem to notice the temperature of the room raise, or the mysterious wind that was blowing Harry and Ginny's hair. The rest of the adults in the room did notice the change.
Lily, and the Weasley's subtly began moving their chairs away from the furious couple. Fudge, Bone, and Shacklebolt all looked at the couple in awe. Their eyes were now glowing softly with an internal light. Dumbledore was looking at the two in fascination as the temperature in the room continued to rise.
Umbridge, stupidly, kept speaking. "Minister, as I was telling you earlier the stories about these two are just that… stories! To think that two mediocre students could defeat that many grown wizards is preposterous. Perhaps they managed to outsmart one or two, but as I was telling you earlier the precise statistics of the battle are exaggerated." She paused as she noticed everyone in the rooms attention on the two young people. She looked towards them and took an involuntary step backwards as her eyes met Harry's.
"Madam Umbridge, I truly am surprised that you think you know what happened out there." Harry's voice was calm but Umbridge still flinched and took another step backwards. "From my understanding of yesterdays events, you tried to disregard the patronus I sent for help and then refused to come help the student that were under attack and dying."
Bones and Shacklebolt both turned to Umbridge the disapproval of her cowardly acts evident on their faces. "As for the claims that it was exaggerated, I can tell you with absolute certainty. My Ginny and I had to kill fourteen people yesterday in self defense. We wounded and effectively crippled another ten." No one missed Harry using the possessive adjective when referring to Ginny, though only a few understood its meaning.
Umbridge of course, opened her mouth. "Stop trying to play the hero Potter! I doubt you and your little strumpet did-" She never finished the sentence. Several things had happened at once. Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, and Lily had all moved to object to what Umbridge was saying, they however never got the chance.
A magic pulse shot out from Harry and Umbridge was slammed backwards into a wall. Everyone in the room looked on in awe as Harry stood took a step, disappeared in a ball of flames, and then reappeared standing over the crumpled form of Umbridge.
"Don't ever talk about her like that again." He spoke in a deadly whisper and the fear it was meant to instill obviously carried as Umbridge paled and flinched away from him. "If you ever insult her again, I'll make your life a living hell."
Umbridge curled into a fetal position as Harry turned and walked away from the crumpled woman. Without a word Ginny met him halfway across the room and hand in hand they left the office. The remaining people in the office looked in awe at the door that had just closed behind them.
Finally Shacklebolt leaned over subtly to Madam Bones and in the dead silence of the room said rather loudly. "He'll make one hell of an auror one day. Hell, they both will. Did you feel the power coming off of them?"
Madam Bones could only nod her head numbly.
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A few minutes later Harry threw open the door to the Room of Requirement. Inside was a gymnasium filled with glass vases, ice statues, sculptures, and anything else breakable. Before the door had even closed fully behind them Harry glared at several of the vases and flicked his hand. Three vases instantly exploded as several around them flew backwards into the wall.
Ginny rolled her eyes and took a seat on the couch that appeared behind her. A second later a tea cup filled to the brim appeared in front of her. She leaned back to watch Harry blow off some steam, her anger had almost totally dissipated when Harry flew Umbridge into the wall.
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Everyone in Dumbledore's office had remained motionless for several minutes after Harry and Ginny left. Some were simply stunned by the raw use of power. Only Lily, Dumbledore, and Madam Bones had registered the fact that Harry had used some sort of flame travel to teleport across the room. The rest had been looking at the wall that Umbridge had hit.
Finally the Minister scurried around Dumbledore's desk to where Umbridge still lay, curled into a fetal position and whimpering in both fear and pain. He bent down at her side and then looked up at Shacklebolt who still stood stoically next to Madam Bones.
"Auror Shacklebolt! I insist you find that boy and have him arrested for assaulting a Ministry Employee!" Fudge was red faced and glaring daggers at Dumbledore, as if it was his fault.
Shacklebolt looked torn and briefly glanced at Madam Bones. Her face remained neutral and she answered his gaze with a noncommittal shrug. It was Dumbledore who was finally able to come to the rescue.
"I'm afraid the matter is out of your hands Cornelius." His eyes twinkled merrily as Fudge's face grew to a deep purple color.
"What! What on earth are you talking about Dumbledore?! That boy attacked one of my most trusted advisors and I want him arrested and put on trial for assault!"
"Unfortunately Cornelius, according to the by-laws of the school, the Headmaster has total authority when mediating any matters between students or teachers while on Hogwarts grounds. As such only I have the authority to discipline Mr. Potter and Madam Umbridge."
Fudge was visibly stunned and opened and closed his mouth several times before responding. "I am the Minister of Magic! The by-laws of this school do not apply to this matter! Mr. Potter attacked a ministry employee!"
The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes disappeared and he stood up bringing himself to his full height. "Do not assume you are all powerful simply due to your position Cornelius! The Hogwarts by-laws predate all ministry laws, and are therefore above the ministry!"
"I-I… That's impossible! You are not above the law Dumbledore! I am the law and I demand that boy be arrested this instant!" Fudge was beyond furious now, and as such wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying.
"Minister! You've gone too far! The Headmaster is correct, under the founding rules and regulations of the Ministry, Minister Franklin and Headmaster Burr declared the Hogwarts by-laws to be the ruling law on Hogwarts grounds. You have no say here!" Madam Bones yelled forcefully, quieting the Minister quickly.
"Well then, what exactly are your plans for punishing this obviously dark criminal!"
"Two weeks worth of detentions with Professor Snape. It's obvious that was a burst of accidental magic brought one by the disgraceful and inappropriate comments made by Madam Umbridge. For that she shall be suspended from teaching for one month." Everyone in the room couldn't help but smirk at the flabbergasted look on Fudge's face. "James I trust you will be able to cover while Madam Umbridge serves her suspension."
"Of course Albus, it would be my pleasure."
Fudge finally regained some measure of composure and spoke up. "He can't teach Dumbledore he failed to meet the ministry's requirements! He didn't qualify for the job over the summer and he certainly does not qualify now."
Dumbledore turned a disapproving frown towards Fudge. "I don't care." Every head in the room looked at Dumbledore in a mix of shock and amusement, except Fudge, he once again turned purple.
"What?!"
"I've tried to appease you Cornelius, given you time to see what was staring you right in the face this whole time. Now students under my protection have died, and are threatened by the Ministries unresponsiveness. I'll be returning the school to the original by-laws, which means the Ministry will no longer have any authority here."
"You can't do that, the Board of Governors will never allow it!"
Dumbledore smiled kindly at the clearly outraged and slightly fearful Fudge. "Full authority over Hogwarts now rests with the Headmaster. The Board of Governors has no power left and will be receiving letters of their termination shortly."
"This is an outrage! You-You can't do this! This isn't the end of this Dumbledore! I won't allow this-this treason!"
"I doubted you would Cornelius, but the safety of my students must come before the concerns of the Ministry. If you'll excuse us, I must confer with my fellow teachers on changes we will be making."
Fudge turned a sickening shade of purple and gaped at Dumbledore. His mouth opened and closed several times before he finally growled in rage and pulled Umbridge from the office. As Madam Bones and Auror Shacklebolt prepared to follow, Dumbledore waved for them to remain.
"I will require all of your assistance for what I have planned." Dumbledore began once it was clear Fudge had been sealed out of the room by the gargoyle.
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Ginny looked up as Harry casually walked up to the couch she was camped on. Ginny smiled kindly and set aside her book as Harry plopped down on the couch next to her.
"You done?" She asked amusedly looking out over the destroyed vases, statues, and ice sculptures.
Harry glanced around the room and flicked his hand towards a remaining statue. It exploded in a cloud a dust and Harry sighed contently. "Now I am."
"You know we're going to have problems with that bitch." Ginny sighed as she tried to burrow her head farther into Harry's shoulders.
"Probably, but we'll deal with it when it comes." Harry shrugged off the problem.
"We should probably be going, dinner is starting soon." Ginny said, begrudgingly pulling her head off Harry's shoulder. Harry stood up beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
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During all this Daniel and Ron had been sitting a silent vigil by Hermione's bed. She still hadn't woken up and it was unclear if she ever would. Daniel and Ron had been informed that her parents had been killed the previous night. They hadn't spoken much, and Daniel had hardly acknowledged Lavender when she came in.
Ron was reading a comic book off to one side while Daniel absentmindedly cleaned his prefect badge. Madam Pomfrey bustled around the room attending to all the assorted patients from the attack. Therefore no one really noticed when Hermione's eyes opened silently. It took almost five minutes before Daniel looked up.
"Hermione! You're awake!" The girls dull eyes turned towards the source of the noise and she smiled dreamily at him. Then to Daniel and Ron's shock she blew a spit bubble and giggled happily.
"Hermione?" Ron asked nervously. She only answered him by giggling and waving her arms about happily.
"Madam Pomfrey! Madam Pomfrey!" Daniel shouted as the matron bustled past again. She returned shortly and looked curiously at the nearly full grown girl giggling like a small child.
"Oh dear." Madam Pomfrey said as she gentled pushed Daniel away from the girl. She waved her wand several times and Hermione glowed. Hermione cooed as the colors surrounded her and reached a hand out to try and grab the colors.
"Madam Pomfrey what's wrong?" Daniel asked as the matron frowned sadly at the girl before her. She conjured what looked a lot like a bottle and handed it gently to Hermione. Hermione immediately began suckling from the bottle as Madam Pomfrey turned to the two boys.
"I think we should wait for one of your parents-" She was cut off as Arthur and Molly returned to the infirmary. They saw that Hermione was awake and smiled before seeing the sad smile on Madam Pomfrey's face.
"What's wrong Poppy?" Arthur asked as he moved to stand next to his son. Molly moved next to Daniel and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Madam Pomfrey frowned before turning back to Hermione. "I've finally identified the spell she was hit with. It was a full erasure obliviation. She has no memory left. She's a newborn child stuck in an adult body."
"Is there anyway to cure her?" Daniel asked as he looked in horror at his friend.
"I'm afraid not. We can only hope to re-teach her everything she's lost." Madam Pomfrey said as she started to tear up, very out of character.
Beside Daniel, Molly had also begun to cry openly. "The poor girl. She has no memories of her parents." The truth of these words came crashing down onto everyone gathered and they looked at Hermione as she finished her bottle.
"What's going to happen to her Madam Pomfrey?" Daniel asked curiously as he moved back to Hermione's side and stroked her hand. She burped loudly and giggled happily.
"I'm not sure, it's out of my hands. She will either go to her closest living relatives or, go to a magical family able to take care of her." Hermione smiled happily at people around her before leaning her head back and closing her eyes.
"Is there anything we can do Madam Pomfrey?" Ron asked desperately looking at the girl who had been his best friend.
"I'm afraid there's not much, just be there for her."
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The absence of thirty five students was glaringly obvious to the older students as they took their seats in the Great Hall for dinner. Most of the hall was silent, everyone suffering through their own type of mourning. Even the Slytherin's who hadn't lost a single member were, for the most part quiet and contemplative. All except for Draco Malfoy, who was grinning widely and pointing towards empty spots at other tables and snickering with Crabbe and Goyle.
Ginny saw this and was instantly enraged. Without a hint of remorse she fired a wandless stinging hex through a gap in the tables and hit Malfoy right in the crotch. Malfoy leapt almost a meter off the bench howling in agony. His shouts drew the attention of most of the hall. Malfoy gripped himself through his pants gently. He looked pale and seemed on the verge of vomiting.
This seemed to be exactly what the hall needed, and one by one the students started laughing, until finally the hall was filled with laughter. Malfoy attempted to glare one last time at the rest of the hall before running out, still gripping himself.
Harry smiled mischievously at his triumphant looking girlfriend. "Nice shot, Love." Ginny smirked back at him and kissed him lightly on the cheek, sending her thanks through the bond.
The hall quieted as Dumbledore, Lily, James, and Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall and moved to the head table. "Attention students! I have several announcements to make!" When he was sure he had the attention of the entire hall Dumbledore continued.
"I must first express my deepest sorrow for what happened last night. It is my duty to ensure your safety while at Hogwarts, and I failed last night. However, I am working to ensure that nothing like last night ever happens again!" He paused to let his words sink in before continuing. "I have chosen to reinstate the by-laws on which Hogwarts was founded!"
He paused once again and Harry noticed a movement at the Gryffindor table. Several heads had automatically turned to where Hermione normally sat looking for an explanation. Hermione wasn't there though, and Harry wasn't sure if she would ever return.
"By these laws, I as Headmaster gain full control over all aspects of this school, and anything that occurs on its grounds." He paused and looked pointedly at Harry. Harry understood immediately what he was implying and granted Dumbledore a grateful smile.
"By the rights granted to me in the by-laws I have decided to make some changes at Hogwarts." The room tensed wondering what Dumbledore had planned. "First I have dissolved the Board of Governors. They no longer have any power over Hogwarts. Secondly I have created two new classes for all students Second year of higher." Dumbledore paused as whispers broke out around the room.
"The first will be Dueling, graciously taught by James Potter and Sirius Black!" There was mild applause and excited talking as the students pointed towards where James was standing, and Sirius was sitting at the head table. "Second there will be Healing. Elizabeth Black has graciously accepted, and will be teaching this class." Harry and Ginny were among the loudest cheering for Elizabeth as she stood up from her spot at the head table and waved politely.
"I have one final announcement. Madam Delores Umbridge, who was supposed to begin teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this semester, has been detained. Therefore, Miss Nymphadora Tonks and Mr. Remus Lupin will be teaching in her stead until she returns." The hall erupted in cheers, Remus had been the best defense teacher any of them had had.
"The last twenty-four hours has been difficult for all of us. We must not let these attacks sway us or allow our fear to control us. For those who died we must stand strong against Voldemort and his forces! We must continue living our lives, but we will always remember those we lost." The students in the hall cheered loudly and Dumbledore looked out on them proudly. Behind him the teachers cheered him on as well.
In the midst of the crowd Harry and Ginny clapped politely, their expressions guarded as they carefully observed the Headmaster.
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Village Attacked!
No Survivors!
Coming only hours after the Hogwarts Massacre, news has arrived that an entire muggle village has been wiped out. Ministry officials are scrambling trying desperately to come up with a believable cover story. Inside sources say that Minister Fudge has been in close contact with the current British Prime Minister. The muggles unfortunately moved their military into the village before a sufficient number of Aurors and Ministry personal could arrive. Fortunately, the muggle military has been keeping muggle new reporters away from the destruction and been calling the attack a terrorist attack.
The death toll counting the Hogwarts Massacre and the village attack now stands at 324. The ministry is still holding to the fact that these attacks were committed by crazed former death eaters, using Dumbledore's recent fear mongering as a cover. So far no Dark Marks have been seen over either the Hogwarts Massacre or the recent village attack, leading this reporter to believe that You-Know-Who wasn't behind either attack.
The Prophet will continue to cover both stories as more information emerges.
Hogwarts Board of Governors Dissolved!
Shortly after 2pm today letters arrived at the homes of the thirteen current Governors of Hogwarts. Each one stated that they were no longer required in the running of Hogwarts and had been officially fired. No further explanation was given, though one governor was quick to comment that the Hogwarts by-laws had most likely been reinstated.
Lucius Malfoy, a former governor, was reached for comment at his home where he is recovering from terrible wounds inflicted two days ago during a potions incident.
"It seems to me that Dumbledore is desperately clawing to retain his power. I wouldn't be surprised if this attack was merely a cover so that Dumbledore could gain even more power. I feel I may need to withdraw my son, Draco, from Hogwarts if this mad rush for power continues."
Similar statements were made by several other families after recent revelations. What Dumbledore has done at Hogwarts is still mostly unknown, but this paper promises to dig further into the matter until the truth is revealed.
a/n
There you got the next chapter! We hit over 1000 reviews!! The last chapter had over 100 reviews by itself!!
Not much to say, just sorry about the long wait.
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