Thank you for the favourites, follow and reviews! I'm glad people think this story has flown by: In some ways I think the same, in others I'm aware this has taken up over a year of my life! The end's in sight but still quite a few chapters off...

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Pius Thicknesse hoped he didn't appear as nervous as he felt. He wasn't sure how this task had fallen to him, yet here he stood in the ministry atrium, surrounded by officials, press and undisguised Death Eaters. "It has been three months now since Minister Fudge abandoned his post,"he announced. "The position of Minister of Magic is therefore open. With that in mind, the ministry has exercised our emergency powers to make the Dark Lord new minister. We have full confidence that he will rule over us all in a way that will benefit all who deserve it."

Voldemort strode through the crowd and took the place that Thicknesse was more than happy to vacate as quickly as possible. "Today marks the beginning of a new era for this country. For too long, the leadership has been weak, and they have given too much power to those who are also weak. From now on, only the strong and pure will be allowed to rule. And for that reason, the strongest and purest will be given positions of power. Those who have shown me the most loyalty will be rewarded. Those such as Bellatrix Lestrange, who I appoint as head auror, and Bartemus Crouch, who I appoint as head of magical law enforcement. The position of Head of Wizengamot should by right have gone to Lucius Malfoy, but he is dead at the hands of the arch-criminal Ginny Weasley. I therefore assign that task to Rodolphus Lestrange, with Nott as his deputy." His eyes fell on another figure in the crowd. "Igor Karkaroff, whose loyalty has been difficult to determine at times. To you, I give the position of sports minister."

Karkaroff looked for a moment as though he considered it a punishment rather than an honour but quickly bowed his head in assent. "My lord."

Voldemort smiled, quite possibly the most terrifying thing many of those present had ever witnessed. "And now that the business is concluded, it is time for the pleasure. Under-Secretary Umbridge?"

Delores Umbridge came to his side, a scroll in her hand and a quill suspended over it. "Yes, my lord?"

"Who is the next scheduled execution?"

"Bartemus Crouch Senior, my lord."

"Excellent. Bring him here."

A moment later, two Death Eaters dragged Crouch Senior into the chamber and forced him to kneel before Voldemort. "Bartemus Crouch Senior,"Voldemort intoned. "He who led the persecution of my followers, believing I was gone for good. A miscalculation that must now be punished. And who better to do so than his own dear son?" He turned towards Barty Junior, who stepped alongside him.

"Please, son,"Crouch begged. "I did everything I could for you, I made sure you weren't caught…"

Voldemort whispered in Barty's ear. "I well understand the need to destroy a father who disappoints you. Trust me. You'll feel much better."

Bellatrix gave a little giggle. "Oh, I think this is going to be fun."

Crouch looked around at the on-lookers, as though pleading for help. Some looked back at him with undisguised glee at his fate. Others looked away, too scared of ending up in his place to say anything.

Barty raised his wand. "Avada Kedavra."

With Dumbledore gone, the group at the safe house now consisted of Ginny, Harry, Neville, Hermione, Remus, Sirius and Bill. Dean was also present somewhere but was not in the meeting: As much as they trusted him, knowledge of horcruxes was being kept as select as possible. "I've been thinking,"Hermione announced.

Neville nudged her fondly. "We'd be surprised if you did anything else."

"That first horcrux, the diary. You-Know…" – she hesitated – "…I mean, Voldemort…he gave it to Lucius Malfoy for safekeeping, right?"

"That's right,"Ginny confirmed. "That's how Draco got hold of it."

"Well…maybe he gave another horcrux to one of his other followers?"

"Like who?"Harry wondered.

"Bellatrix Lestrange and Bartemus Crouch were the ones who stayed with him,"Sirius pointed out. "There's other wizarding families who stayed free like the Malfoys. Our friend Peter stayed undetected for a long time, I believe his belongings went to his mother when he died. It's hard to imagine Voldemort letting just anyone keep hold of a horcrux though. It would have to be with someone whose loyalty was assured."

Ginny mulled this over. "So, say that the Lestranges or Crouch or Crabbe or Goyle had one of these. Where would they keep it?"

"If it was someone who was still free like Malfoy, they might keep it at home like he did,"Hermione suggested.

"Anyone who was known to be a Death Eater,"continued Remus,"might keep it in the family vault."

Harry gaped at him. "Wouldn't their belongings be confiscated?"

"Gringotts is under goblin control,"Bill pointed out. "They have their own rules. Their interest is in their clients, not in whoever's in charge of the wizarding world at the time."

"That might help us,"Ginny mused. "Harry, Neville, your families have vaults at Gringotts, don't they? Do you have access to them?"

"Well, normally,"Neville confirmed.

"But won't Voldemort have them be on the lookout for us?"Harry asked.

"If they're not going to listen to Fudge or whoever, then they're not going to listen to him,"Ginny argued. "Right?"

There was an awkward pause. "Possibly,"Bill allowed.

"But even if they let us into our own vaults,"Harry continued,"they're not going to let us search all the Death Eaters' vaults, are they?"

Ginny was already on her feet. "We'll work that bit out when we get there."

"This is ridiculous,"Hermione protested. "We can't go there without a plan!"

"You can stay here if you want,"Ginny told her.

Hermione sighed and got to her feet. "Let's go then."