Rufus Scrimgeour walked towards the abandoned shop. He held his wand in his hand tightly. He cast all the detection spells he could think of as he walked to the meeting place. He didn't trust Rookwood. He was a Death Eater. And yet, if he truly did want to surrender—if he truly did have information on Voldemort's whereabouts, then he might be worth listening to.
Scrimgeour arrived outside the shop and pressed himself into the shadows. He waited. He was here early—an hour early. He wanted to see Rookwood arrive. He wanted to make sure he was alone.
As he waited, he thought back on the owl that arrived. It had said that Rookwood wanted to meet and surrender. That he would give up the location of the Dark Lord. Scrimgeour had knew Rookwood. They had attended Hogwarts together, though had been in separate years. At the Ministry, they had been acquaintances.
After 20 minutes of waiting, a robed figure had apparated. The man's hood was down, revealing the pockmarked face of Augustus Rookwood. Scrimgeous tightened his grip on his wand and waited. Rookwood was alone, but Scrimgeour wasn't about to rush in there.
He waved his wand, setting up anti-apparation jinxes around the area. He also bewitched a pair of overflowing dumpsters to activate if anybody approached.
Rufus Scrimgeour took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the shop. His hand shot around, covering all corners but other than Rookwood, it was empty.
"You came!' Rookwood said, and there was relief on his face.
"I came," Scrimgeour said, sharply. "What's this about Rookwood?" he levelled his wan at the man who raised his hand in surrender.
"Exactly what I promised," Rookwood said, quickly. "I want to surrender—I have information. I'll give it up if you can promise I won't go back to Azkaban."
"No promises," Scrimgeour growled. "Now, talk. And don't think about trying anything, Rookwood. I'm twice the duelist you are and will ever be."
"I didn't come here to fight, Rufus …"
"Don't call me that!" Scrimgeour spat. "We're not friends. Not any more."
"Apologies," Rookwood said, hastily, his hands still raised.
""But, please, Ru … Scrimgeour. You need to listen to me. Siding with You-Know-Who was the worst mistake I ever made."
Scrimgeour snorted disbelievingly.
"It's true—what do I have to show for it? Years in Azkaban and … he's made, Scrimgeour. Utterly mad. He uses crucio on us daily. It's only a matter of time before he kills us all."
"Where is he?" Scrimgeour asked, not caring about Rookwood's plight.
"First I want assurances," Rookwood said. "One, that I'll receive a fair trial."
"I'll see what I can do," Scrimgeour said, stiffly. He kept his wand aimed at Rookwood, not trusting him for a second.
"The second, I want a reduced sentence."
"We'll see," Scrimgeour said, privately thinking that was very unlikely.
"Third, no Azkaban. I want to be held at a different place."
"We'll see," Scrimgeour said again, thinking Rookwood was making a few too many demands now. "Now, tell me-where is You-Know-Who."
At that moment, the door burst open. "Surrender!" shouted a voice that Scrimgeour recognized. It was that of Kingsley Shacklebolt, a very talented Auror.
There was a sharp crack-Rookwood had tried apparating but thanks to the anti-apparation jynx that Scrimgeour had cast, he only ended up hitting the wall, knocking himself unconcious.
"Shacklebolt, wait!" Scimgeour began.
"Stupefy!" cried three voices and Rufus Scrimgeour knew no more.
The Burrow
The next day, came news by owl that would alter the entire Ministerial race.
"Shit!" Dudley said, reading the headline after glancing at it.
RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR ARRESTED
The Ministry of Magic revealed last night that Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeous was arrested on suspicion of passing information on to You-Know-Who's followers. Acting on a tip-off from one Albert Runcorn, Scrimgeour was observed attending a clandestine meeting with a man who was identified as being Augustus Rookwood. A team of Aurors led by Kingsley Shacklebolt immediately apprehended Scrimgeour and placed him in custody. Shacklebolt also captured Augustus Rookwood is also in custody. In a statement, Acting Minister for Magic Amelia Bones said in a statement that the Ministry would continue to seek out Death Eaters in their midst and apprehend them.
"Scrimgeour …" Ron read over Dudley's shoulder. "Dad mentioned him—he was one of the favorites for the Minister position."
"It's bound to be a frame job," Ginny said. "Get Scrimgeour out of the way."
"Yeah, yeah. I bet you're right," Ron said.
"I don't know," said Luna. "He is a vampire, you know."
"What?" Ron demanded, clearly in shock at this revelation.
"Yeah—the Ministry tries to cover it up. They ordered daddy not to publish an article on it." Luna said.
"Talking about Scrimgeour?" Fred said, joining them along with George. "We just read—shakes things up a bit doesn't it?"
'Yeah," said Ron. "We were just saying we think it's a frame job."
"Definitely," said George. "I just heard mum saying, The Order are having a meeting today."
As always, Dudley and his friends listened in on the Order of the Phoenix's meeting. Dumbledore was present for this one and urged calm, saying he was going to speak on Scrimgeour's behalf.
Bill Weasley was indignant, saying he expected more of Madame Bones and that she should surely see this was a set up.
"She has to follow procedure, Bill," Arthur said. "Shacklebolt and the Aurors did find him in the company of a known Death Eater."
"He could have been under the imperious curse," a witch suggested.
"Can't rule it out," growled Moody. "And we also can't rule out that Scrimgeour has gone over to the other side, or was planning too. Fact is. We don't know."
Two days after Scrimgeour's arrest, Hermione arrived, looking very suntanned after her vacation abroad.
"How was your holiday?" Ron asked.
"Never mind that," Hermione said. "What's been happening here? I've been so anxious—I haven't even been able to get the Daily Prophet—Jamaica is a bit far for an owl to go."
"When did you arrive back?" Ron asked.
"Our flight arrived this morning—of course, I pretty much came here straight away. With You-Know-Who being back and I have so much homework to do before next year. So, go on, what's been happening?"
Dudley and Ron exchanged glances.
"Well, it's not exactly good news," Ron said slowly.
"Go on …" Hermione urged.
"Well, You-Know-Who took Azkaban.
Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock "He didn't!"
Dudley nodded. "Yep, freed every Death Eater in the place—Lestrange, Nott, this bloke called Dolohov. The lot."
"But, surely the Ministry is fighting back? They've made arrests, right?"
"Yeah, they arrested Rufus Scrimgeour," said Ron.
"The Auror!" Hermione cried.
Ron nodded.
Hermione was quiet, looking thoughtful. "Things aren't looking good, are they?" she said softly. "But surely Dumbledore is doing something?"
"Fred and George have invented extendable ears …"
"Extendable what?"
"Ears … ears that extend …" Ron said, "So we've been listening in on Order meetings but, they don't seem to be doing much."
"Lot's of planning and guarding something that You-Know-Who wants," Dudley said.
"Like what?" Hermione asked.
Dudley lowered his voice and told her what he had told the others, about You-Know-Who wanting a prophecy and it being in the Department of Mysteries.
Hermione looked scathing. "Why would he want a prophecy? It's all nonsense, Dud—you quit Trelawney's class, too, remember. It's all utter rubbish."
"Yeah, well, Dumbledore says it's enough that Voldemort believes," Dudley replied.
Hermione's eyes widened. "Dumbledore thinks You-Know-Who will try and … well …"
"Kill me?" supplied Dudley. "Yeah."
"Dudley's escaped him three times before," Luna said. "I think it makes perfect sense that You-Know-Who believes in the prophecy."
They all looked at her.
"Well, think about it—he's an extremely powerful wizard who hates muggleborns, yet Dudley—a muggleborn—has escaped him three times now. He won't admit that it's because Dudley is a powerful wizard, so he'll think it's written in the stars—that its fate rather than skill."
Ron looked impressed. "That makes sense," he said, nodding.
"But that means he's just going to try again," Dudley said.
Hermione, though, looked thoughtful. "I think he may be wary, now," she said. "If he thinks this prophecy refers to Dud, and Dud has escaped him so many times before, will he want to risk confronting Dudley? My guess is, he'll wait until he has the prophecy before making a move on Dud."
"I bet that's why Dumbledore is guarding it," said Ron. "While the prophecy is safe, You-Know-Who won't target Dudley."
They filled Hermione in more on the upcoming wizarding election.
"I've read up on all the candidates, of course," Hermione said. "I think Madame Bones is by far the most suitable. I only hope it's not that Umbridge woman."
"What's she like?" Ron asked. "We heard the Order mention her—something about bringing in werewolf rules."
"She's a frightful old bigot," said Hermione. "Has tried to pass through anti-werewolf legislation for years. Also signed a petition to limit the number of muggle-born students coming to Hogwarts. Wants all goblins and centaurs to register with the ministry …"
"Daddy is surprised at her halfbreed hatred because she's half-hag herself!"
Ron spluttered his coke at this.
"It's true!" Luna insisted. "Daddy did some research. Her mum was the hag who owned The Silver Skull pub in Knockturn Alley."
Dudley recalled that he had had a close shave with a hag during his second year when he accidentally entered Knockturn Alley. From what he knew, they ate people—he was surprised, really, that the Ministry allowed them to still wander around.
"When's the election?" Hermione asked.
"Early August," said Ron. "Dad says the Wizengamot all cast a vote, I think it's elimination first …"
"It is," said Hermione. "I read about it. They all vote for their preferred two candidates. Then those two face-off."
"Oh yeah," said Dudley. "We forgot to tell you, a Death Eater is running!"
"What?" Hermione shouted.
"Yeah, we heard the Order talking about it—a bloke called Yaxley."
"Why aren't the Order doing anything?" Hermione said, frustrated. "Surely they're not going to just sit by and see a Death Eater get elected."
"I'm sure Dumbledore has something up his sleeve," said Ron. "I don't think he can tip his hand—Snape's Dumbledore's spy remember. I bet flat-out accusing Yaxley will compromise Snape."
Hermione looked impressed that Ron had come to this conclusion. "That makes sense," she said, finally. 'But surely there's something they can do?"
"Who knows?" said Ron. "But I trust Dumbledore. He'll fix this."
A few days after Hermione arrived, a pair of owls arrived, each bearing an official looking envelope. One flew to Ginny's bedroom-a few seconds later, there was a shriek from Hermione that was loud enough to almost make the walls wobble.
The second, went to Ron's room.
"Who's writing to you?" Dudley asked, as the owl landed on the edge of Dean's camp bed. He rubbed his eyes, sleepily.
"Dunno," said Dean, opening the letter. His eyes turned wide. "I'm a prefect," he said softly.
Ron, tussle-haired, sat bolt upright. "What?" he demanded.
"It says here, look-" he handed Ron the letter and inspected the badge he had recieved. He looked shocked.
"Blimey!" said Ron, lowering the letter. "He's right-Dean the prefect!"
"I'm glad it's not me," said Dudley.
They both looked at him.
"Come on, Dud, being a prefect will be great," Dean said.
"Maybe, but it's also hard work. You've got to patrol the corridors, hand out punishments, help the teachers ... I'd rather use my free time to replax."
"Yeah, you've got to lead by example now," Ron said, snickering.
The door burst open, it was Hermione, her hair was bushier than ever and she was grinning ear to ear. Her badge was already pinned onto the front of her dressing gown. "I knew it!" she said, seeing the badge in Dean's hand. "I knew it would be you!"
"Why not me?" Dudley asked, putting on a hurt voice.
"Because you cause too much trouble! I knew it'd be Dean!" Hermione replied.
Dean grinned. "Cheers, Hermione. I knew it'd be you too."
"This is great," Ron said, smiling. "With prefects as our best mates, we can do whatever we want!"
"I hope you're not suggesting we let you off the hook!" said Hermione. "Being a prefect is a huge responsiblity. Professor McGonagall will take my badge away if we start letting out friends get away with things."
"I can't wait to get Malfoy for something," said Dean.
"You're just as bad!" Hermione said, turning on him. "You can't go around abusing your power!"
"Why not?" Fred asked, he and George had just arrived to see what all the commotion was. "The only reason to have power is to abuse it,"
"Too right," said George. "I knew you'd be prefect," said George. He looked at Ron. "And I'm glad ickle Ronnie is following in our footsteps,"
"Yeah, we feared a third prefect in the family-we couldn't stand the shame of it," said Fred. "Glad to see Ronnikins is looking to us for inspiration rather than Percy and Bill." He puffed his chest out.
"Shut it," said Ron, throwing a pillow at him. Fred deflected the pillow with a casual wave of his wand, turning it pink and sending it back at Ron.
"Thanks," Ron said, sarcastically, clutching his new pink pillow while George laughed.
"Mum's going to be disappointed," Ron said gloomily.
"I'm sure you'll live," Fred yawned. "She's always been disappointed in you. Why change things now?"