Eventually, Mr Weasley had started eating meals with the family again, and was soon talking about returning to work, much to Mrs Weasley's consternation. Kingsley had offered him a promotion to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, ("I need wizards I can trust around me Arthur,") but Mr Weasley had turned it down, in favour of remaining in the field of muggle protection. This was also a point of contention.
It came to a head one raining Tuesday afternoon in the kitchen of the Burrow. Mrs Weasley was frozen over a sink full of dirty dishes, her shoulders hunched in anger. Mr Weasley laid down his copy of the Daily Prophet open on the kitchen table with a deep sigh.
"It's just mayhem at the moment Molly, with all the clear up, You Know Who's followers still on the loose in the muggle world, and of course there's the upcoming election." He walked over to her and patted her soapy hand gently, "We're not the only ones who lost someone, Molly, dear."
"I know that Arthur," she replied, sharply, "it's just, Kingsley has said he doesn't need you back for two weeks yet, and…" here she tried to stifle an audible sniff "weneed you here."
At this moment, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny made a swift exit from the kitchen, and after a long and heated conversation, it was eventually agreed that Mr Weasley would return to work the following Monday.
Later that evening, Harry found Mr Weasley's copy of the Prophet still lying open on the long wooden kitchen table. He started reading a large article that took up most of the double page spread. It was entitled "NOVEMBER ELECTIONS FOR MINISTER FOR MAGIC," and was accompanied by a large moving black and white photo showing Kingsley Shacklebolt making an announcement in front of a large podium outside the ministry. The article read:
Kingsley Shacklebolt, acting Minster for Magic, has confirmed this week that ministerial elections will be held on the 22nd November. Shacklebolt has announced he will be formally running for the position. Challengers include Gawain Robards, current head of the Auror office, and Amos Diggory, a surprise contender with a background in office at the
Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
The Ministry has been in disarray since the fall of He Who Must Not Be Named. Many officials were killed or injured, and many more exposed as Death Eaters, during the clash at Hogwarts in May. Many claim to have been under the influence of the Imperius curse, so Shacklebolt has the challenging job of re-staffing critical positions while simultaneously identifying and capturing those that continue to harbour an allegiance to the dark arts. At least five known Death Eaters are on the run after fleeing the clash at Hogwarts.
Notable arrests thus far include Lucius Malfoy and Dolores Jane Umbridge, former Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. Both were apprehended attempting to flee the country earlier this week. The Minister had said that he felt the elections would need to be held as soon as possible, as until that point there would be no mandate for trials to begin. Since the desertion of the dementors, those that are captured are to be held in Azkaban under the supervision and magical protection of the Auror office.
The election announcement comes just weeks after Mr Shacklebolt took on the role to replace Pius Thicknesse, the former Minister. Thicknesse was known to have been under the influence of the Imperius curse for the duration of his tenure. Shacklebolt was appointed as an interim replacement after the defeat of He Who Must Not Be Named. Thicknesse was injured during the fighting and is being held at St Mungo's hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. When he recovers consciousness he will be questioned for information on the whereabouts of the remaining Death Eaters.
Shacklebolt has also been in regular conversation with the newly appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor Minerva McGonagall, about reopening the school in September. McGonnagall commented: "We have agreed that it is critical to return to normal as quickly as possible."
A question remains regarding the role of The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, who has not been seen publicly since his historical defeat of He Who Must Not Be Named. It is rumoured that he may be assisting with the identification and capture of the Death Eaters who remain at large…
He looked away, an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. He still hadn't spoken to Ginny or Ron about his plans not to return to Hogwarts, and he wasn't sure how they would take it. As the weeks passed, however, he became more convinced that it was the right thing to do. His eyes wandered and a tiny article in the corner of the spread caught Harry's eye. The headline read: "MUGGLE FAMILY FOUND DEAD IN HOME.":
A middle-aged muggle couple and their teenage son has been found in their home, in the second incident of this kind in a month. It is the suspected work of escaped Death Eaters, the last known supporters of He Who Must Not Be Named. The muggle authorities have been informed and are attributing it to exposure to a rare and unidentified poison. The muggles in question have not been identified.
Harry's stomach gave a horrible lurch as he thought of the Dursleys. A middle-aged couple and their teenage son… could it be the last defiant act of an enraged Death Eater, targeting his only family? How had he not thought to check in on them?