A/N- Hi all, as promised, a short teaser for what I'm planning for fifth year. No Harry or Hermione in this but I think it establishes what I need to establish for when the story returns, as well as expand the lore of this au. You'll see there is going to be more plot going forward, but there will be plenty harmony fluff as well. See you when I see you, lots of love x
The Daily Prophet
A Cold War Heats Up
by Rita Skeeter.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is not the upbeat, jaw-dropping, deliciously well-informed kind of article you have come to expect from me. I'm afraid, this week I cannot update you on the goings on at any Ministry galas, nor can I gossip with you about the scandalous, in-the-shadows hobbies of your favourite Quidditch stars. Today, I have to tell you a story about a war that ended 15 years ago.
I have no doubt that all of you know to what I am referring. The rise and fall of Tom Riddle, known to his allies as Lord Voldemort, was a long, frightening road that the wizarding world went down, gradually, over 40 years. He was a tyrant and built up a following over that time and it all came to a crescendo a year and a half before it all ended. The war was intense and violent, not that I need to remind you of this. He was a brutal villain and he came to a brutal end.
According to details that have only been released in the last year or so, Riddle's downfall came in the words of a prophecy. The prophecy foretold that a child, born at the end of the previous July, would grow to have a power that could vanquish the Dark Lord. Additionally, it narrowed down the possibilities by mentioning parents that had "thrice defied him." It became clear that there were two options. The identities of these people have been, understandably, kept anonymous and confidential to the public.
What we do know is that the secret keeper for the family whom Riddle chose was tortured but did not give up the location of his friends. That was, however, how the final battle of the war started. The organisation known as the Order of the Phoenix, founded by famed wizard and current Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore and since legitimised by the Ministry itself, had surveillance on said secret keeper so were able to dispatch to the location promptly.
The battle ensued in an area of London, Grimmauld Place. This area is known in the wizarding world for that is where the, so-called, Ancient and Most Noble House of Black lived for generations. Riddle was holding the secret keeper here because the man had a connection to the Black family. With exclusive permission from the Order and the man himself, the secret keeper's identity has been revealed as the eldest son of Orion and Walburga Black, heir to the Black family home, Sirius Black. He has since married and, understandably, changed his last name. He stayed true that day. He did not reveal the hiding place of the family Riddle was hunting and then fought valiantly in the battle that, ultimately, resulted in the downfall of the darkest wizard the world has ever seen.
As I'm sure many of you know, Prophecies are not fixed foretellings. When a future is foretold, it is only one of the possibilities. Often, hearing a prophecy can influence someone into causing that possible future to occur, or cause a completely different one. Mr Riddle caused a harshly different one. Going after this child simply accelerated his defeat.
However, it appears, dear readers, that he did not simply manipulate or Imperious every person who fought by his side. Some of his 'Death Eaters' were there willingly; because they supported his ideals. Those ideals were that of anti-muggle law enforcement and persecution of muggleborns. Those of us who have continued on in society have seen great evidence that those blood prejudices are greatly unfounded. You need not look further than the renowned, young, muggleborn Healer, Lily Potter, who has been taking St Mungo's hospital by storm. She has brought the profession forward in remarkable ways and continues to impress.
But, the 'Death Eaters' who truly supported these ideals have stayed loyal to the regime. Many of them are in Azkaban, having served alongside Lord Voldemort. Unfortunately, though, many remain anonymous and free in the world. So, given many 'Death Eaters' remain free and unknown, a cold War has been raging over the past few years between them and the Ministry. It took them a while before they were able to organise themselves again, but they have been spying on and infiltrating sections of the ministry to wreak havoc, without being seen.
We should all be grateful, however, that they have been, largely, unsuccessful in their attempts to regain some control or influence in our government because of our brilliant leadership. Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt, who fought as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, has been massively successful in making the Ministry secure, safe and reliable in the few years he has held the title. Many more members of the original Order have taken up high profile and influential positions in our government and have proved themselves time and time again as valuable assets to our safety. Among them is senior auror, James Potter, husband to the aforementioned Lily Potter. So, in their desperation to regain some strategic advantage, the reformed Death Eaters have exceeded this Cold War and got violent. It saddens me greatly to inform you all that there has been a devastating attack, not only affecting our world, but the muggle society too.
For those of you unfamiliar with muggle politics, the Prime Minister of Muggle England operates out of a famed House, number 10 Downing Street. There was a meeting in that house, only yesterday, between the muggle Prime Minister and the Muggle Liaison department about a subject that has been deemed confidential. It was during that meeting that the house was attacked. A small group of Death Eaters, all wearing their traditional skull masks, incapacitated any and all members of the muggle press outside the house and then forced their way in. The resulting conflict was devastating. Several Ministry officials, and young aurors, were killed in the attack, as well as muggle officials and the Prime Minister himself.
It was a despicable, tragic event that is being well handled. Any and all survivors from the attack, magical or muggle, are currently being treated at St. Mungo's and the investigation into the attack is already well under way. We were able to get a quote from senior Auror Potter on the matter.
"We are working at the best of our ability to find the perpetrators of this tragedy. All connections to past members of this organisation are being chased down and precautions are being taken, across the country, for figures of influence and muggleborn members of the community. We would like to encourage everyone that, while the official advice is to ensure you have sturdy wards around your homes and places of work, you can still go about your days as normal. We are optimistic about our chances of nipping this in the bud quite promptly, but until we can be sure that the organisation is gone for good, we urge you to be more thorough with your protective precautions."
While Potter does present the department as optimistic, tragically, the problems don't end there. Several similar attacks have taken place in a number of other countries as well. Bulgaria, Ireland, France, Portugal and Germany were all victims to attacks from the returning Death Eaters as well. Given that the organisation was born out of Britain, the eyes of the world are turning to our Ministry for answers. We are being encouraged that the Secretary for Magical International Co-operation, Cornelius Fudge, is working tirelessly to promote harmony and good will between ourselves and the other countries who have fallen victim to these attacks.
It breaks my heart to have to deliver this news to you all, but it's important to be aware when danger is present. We at the Daily Prophet want to reiterate the advice from the Ministry and Auror department.
Please, do not be discouraged from continuing you day-to-day activities and schedules. Simply ensure your own safety by increasing the strength of the wards on your homes and workplaces. If you are deemed to be at greater risk, the Auror department will be in touch and provide the extra protection that is necessary.
We urge you to trust in your Ministry, just as we at the Prophet do. They are strong, they stand together and they are more experienced than many, most of them having had a hand in defeating Riddle.
That's all the information we have for you but we will continue to update you when we receive information from those involved.
Stay happy, stay safe.