Kingsley Shacklebolt and his team were in position around Malfoy Manor. There were six Aurors in total, each operating in teams of two. He had paired himself with Nymphadora Tonks—a very skilled young Auror.
Dawlish was leading team two and Proudfoot was leading team three. There was also a pair of healers from Saint Mungoes on standby in case of injuries as well as a team of Night Watchers to guard the perimeter.
Three premises would be hit tonight—Malfoy Manor, the Nott House and the Selwyn Residence. The Aurors were few in number, and with the guard dutiesat Saint Mungoes, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and the Ministry of Magic, they just didn't have the numbers to carryout more raids. He made a mental note to mention the lack of numbers to Minister Lockhart.
"Ready, Tonks?" he asked.
Tonks' face was determined. Her hair was bright pink and long, pulled back into a ponytail today. She gave a nod of her head.
He raised his wand and fired a burst of red sparks into the air. Immediately, himself, Proudfoot and Dawlish set to cast counterspells and countercharms to break down the many protections around Malfoy Manor. While he did that, Tonks and the other Auror on Proudfoot's team, a young witch called Flint, set to casting anti apparation jinxes over the property. The final Auror on the team, a witch on an exchange program from the Latvian Ministry of Magic called Krollis was casting detection spells.
"First level of protection is down!" Shacklebolt called as the gates surrounding the property buckled and exploded inwards. They had been set with a charm which only let Malfoy's enter, anybody else would have been subject to a paralyzing charm.
"Second level down!" he heard Dawlish yell. The second level had been cast on the grounds itself, they would have instantly apparated any intruder who set foot on it to an unknown location—Shacklebolt, knowing the Malfoy's expected it would be somewhere nasty.
"Anti-apparation jynx in place!" Tonks called
"We have movement!" Krollis called. "Five inside—two humans and seems like three small figures, non-human, possibly Goblin or House Elf."
"The Malfoy's have House Elves," Shacklebolt called. "Immobilize them. Elves can be problematic."
The team of Aurors burst onto the property—Shacklebolt leading the way. They then split up, each taking a different entrance to the house.
"She's fleeing to the East side," Krollis called.
East was Dawlish and Flint's position. He and Tonks were to enter from the West. Proudfoot and Krollis were to remain in the grounds.
There was a loud explosion as Shacklebolt blasted the door inwards and headed inside with Tonks covering him.
From further within the house there came a scream, a yell of fury and the sound of rapid-fire spells being cast.
"Target down!" Dawlish called.
An Elf ran into the kitchen, suddenly and, upon seeing Shacklebolt and Tonk, it threw itself to the ground, his tiny arms over its head, whimpering.
"Keep it covered," Shacklebolt ordered Tonks and continued into the house.
He found John Dawlish and Penelope Flint in the living room. Before them lay the unconscious forms of Narcissa Malfoy and Draco Malfoy, both in their pajamas. Dawlish had a deep cut on his cheek.
"Some sort of cutting charm," he muttered as Kingsley gave him a glance. "The boy did it."
"Go and get healed, send in Proudfoot to detain the prisoners," said Shacklebolt.
It was a textbook operation. Two captives, though, the boy would be released and rehomed with other family members. Narcissa would face trial.
The house became a hive of activity as Proudfoot entered to help detain the two and bring them back to the Ministry. Other Ministry witches and wizards, including Arthur Weasley from the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office and staff from the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol and Misuse of Magic Offices. They would search the house for any dark objects or evidence of Death Eater activity.
Shacklebolt may not have agreed with the decision to raid Malfoy Manor and arrest Narcissa Malfoy, but the operation had gone off without a hitch.
Lockhart
Gilderoy Lockhart beamed as the cameraman from the Daily Prophet took his photo. He was front and center, wearing his best robes for the occasion. Behind him and to his right was Kingsley Shacklebolt who had led the operation. Behind him and to his left was Dolores Umbridge who was looking very smug. Behind him against the wall, each with a stern-looking Auror guarding them, bound and sullen looking were a row of captured wizards and wizards. They were placed under silencing charms.
Narcissa Malfoy, Miles Selwyn, his husband Clayton Selwyn, old Cantankerous Nott and his wife Barbara. Quite a nice little roundup. There were also the two Death Eaters, Crabbe and Goyle, who had been detained by Alastor Moody after attacking his house.
It all looked very impressive.
"We carried out a thorough investigation and have compelling evidence that the four arrested today have carried out activity in support of Death Eaters!" said Lockhart, cheerfully. "I said when I took office that I would take the fight to You-Know-Who, and as those who have read my books clearly know, Gilderoy Lockhart always delivers! I have personally apprehended Abaddon Nott and Julian Avery II in the past! Now, I have led the raid to arrest the Death Eaters Narcissa Malfoy, Miles Selwyn, Clayton Selwyn, Cantankerous Nott and Barbara Nott! Mark my words! We will keep raiding and keep rounding up Death Eaters!"
"Where are they going to be imprisoned?" a reporter asked. "With the Dementors gone from Azkaban ..."
"Ah, well—we were discussing that and Madame Umbridge ... Madame Umbridge and I, came up with the perfect solution. Dolores?"
"Hem hem. With Azkaban out of action and vulnerable to attack, it was decided by Gild, sorry, by the Minister and I that alternative forms of detention were needed. The Aurors are stretched thin and would always be vulnerable to attack by the Death Eaters, so, we thought, what if we could have a prison without the need for guards ..."
The press was listening intently now. Lockhart had to admit, Umbridge's suggestion was a good one. She was proving to be a useful member of his staff.
"... so, we are going to apply the Draught of the Living Dead to each captured Death Eater, now and in the future and secure them in a facility known only to the Minister, Head Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement Amelia Bones and myself—the new Head of Detention and Punishment."
Lockhart now stepped forward. "I created this role to free up Madame Amelia Bones for other duties," he said. "Madame Bones can direct all of her energies in the fight against dark wizards, death eaters and criminals while the new Department of Detention and Punishment can focus on confinement of criminals, and, Madame Umbridge has some excellent ideas—some, like the use of the Draught of the Living Dead, I have already approved!"
"Catching Death Eaters is all well and good, but last night—there were a number of attacks on wizarding premises! How can you keep us safe when there were, if reports are true, four murders last night?" a reporter asked.
"There is zero evidence yet that all of the murders were Death Eater related," Umbridge said, stepping forward.
"The Dark Mark was found over Dedalus Diggle's house!" one of the reporters exclaimed.
"Yes—the murder of Dedalus Diggle was a tragedy and we are searching for the perpetrator. However ..."
"And Arabella Figg was murdered when Moody's home was attacked!"
"Alastor Moody and Sturgis Podmore fought off their attackers and they are both in Ministry custody!" replied Umbridge.
"Emmeline Vance ..."
"Aurors arrived on the scene—there was no Dark Mark, and we are working on the theory that it was a spell gone wrong," said Umbridge.
The press were muttering disbelievingly.
"What about the murder of Fleur Delacour."
"The Ministry is investigating!" Umbridge sounded angry now.
Lockhart, sensing things were about to get out of hand, stepped forward. It would never do to lose your temper with the press. No good came out of it.
"Look, yes, You-Know-Who carried out some attacks last night, but it was hardly a success! Aurors were on the scene quickly—despite being engaged in other operations! We managed to capture two Death Eaters during the attacks and injured a couple more who unfortunately escaped. We have reason to believe that the wizards attacked were engaged in vigilante activity against You-Know-Who and that is why they were targeted. The general public has no reason to fear! Madame Bones' Neighborhood Watch program is in operation and we have a rapid-response team of Aurors on station at all times to respond to trouble. Meanwhile we are working to apprehend any and all Death Eaters—and look at the work we have done! I led our Aurors in capturing five Death Eaters in one night! That is a mighty blow struck against You-Know-Who and his followers. I assure you, I am on the case. You-Know-Who will not relish tangling with me."
Dumbledore
"It's a sound idea," Snape said, softly. "The Draught of the Living Dead will render the victim in a deep and dreamless sleep—for all of time unless an antidote is administered. If the Ministry have indeed found a secure and unknown location, then it is a good way to keep prisoners secure while freeing up the Aurors."
"It worries me," said Dumbledore. "Other than Miles Selwyn, none of them are Death Eaters. Cantankerous Nott was, but I believe he is too infirm to be of use to Lord Voldemort soon."
Severus Snape confirmed this with a nod. "They are ... sympathethic to the Dark Lord" he said, picking his words carefully. "But no, none, save Selwyn and Nott, have actually engaged in Death Eater activity. Cantankerous Nott is no longer a member of the Dark Lord's ranks. He barely knows the day of the week. The Dark Lord has no use for him."
"And yet the Minister has thrown them behind bars."
"They will face a trial," Severus said.
"And will be found guilty—even without evidence," Dumbledore said. "It is troubling—we will need to keep a close eye on Gilderoy Lockhart. I do not believe he is an evil man, as such, but I believe he is been heavily influenced by those around him who may not have the Wizarding World's best interests at heart."
"Dolores Umbridge," said Snape.
"Exactly," said Dumbledore. "I am also concerned about the cover up ... claiming the attacks were not Death Eater related. That stinks of Dolores Umbridge's influence."
"You have Percy keeping an eye on her?"
"Of course, but I do not think she is a Death Eater. I just think she is a very dangerous woman."
Augusta
Augusta stared at the remains of her once beautiful home. Those Death Eater scum had burnt it to the ground. They had even torched the greenhouses that he grandson, Neville had loved so much. Augusta Longbottom considered herself to be a tough lady, but she couldn't help but cry as she saw the destruction to her home. This was where she had been born and raised. It was where her son, Frank had been born and raised. They had many happy memories here, and now, nothing remained but a charred, blackened shell of a building. The scum had even killed her son's pet. She had found Trevor's burnt body lying on the path in front of the ruin.
They were going to pay, Augusta promised. Each and every Death Eater was going to pay. It was clear that Dumbledore wasn't going to take the fight to them. She could see that now. He clearly had his own schemes which didn't involve a direct confrontation with the Death Eaters. Well, she wasn't going to wait.
The Death Eaters
"Silence!" Voldemort snarled, sick to death of the shouting and talking over each other and panic. "The next person to speak out of turn will feel my wrath."
They all silenced. Lucius was looking furious.
"Gilderoy Lockhart's attack on the homes of our families and allies was entirely unexpected, but it will not go unpunished. Make no mistake, Lockhart and all those involved will pay-dearly, and your families will walk free once again."
"When?" Lucius said. "My wife is ..."
"Crucio!"
Lucius Malfoy's protests turned into screams of pain. After a few seconds he lifted the spell.
"I told you not to interrupt," said Voldemort. "We will strike back and we will strike back hard. The full moon is approaching. It is time to let Fenrir Greyback off his leash." Voldemort turned his eyes to the shaggy haired Werewolf who was grinning at the prospect of bloodshed.
"What about us?" Bellatrix demanded. "My sister ..."
"Your sister will be avenged," Voldemort promised. "You can have the pleasure of playing with our new Minister yourself, when the time comes."
Bellatrix smiled her insane smile.
"Are plans are moving forward, Yaxley, do you have anything further to report on your progress in infiltrating the Department of Mysteries?"
Yaxley stepped forward. "I plan to place an imperius charm on Bole. I believe, as an Unspeakable, he may be able to remove the object for you."
"See it is done," Voldemort said and gave a small nod of his head.
Draco Malfoy
Draco paced around the room he was being kept in. The Ministry didn't exactly have containment cells on site, so he was been kept in an empty office with as grim-faced member of the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol stood outside.
"You can't keep me here!" he shouted and pounded on the door once or twice with his fist. The wizard on guard, however, ignored him. He walked over to the camping cot that somebody had conjured for him and lay down on it. He could scarcely believe it-his father was in Lord Voldemort's service, Draco hadn't seen him for months. Now, his mother had been arrested by the Ministry. It was all Dudley Dursley's fault. It had been the mudblood who had gotten his father arrested, forcing him to go on the run. Now, it had been Lockhart's decision to arrest his mother. Lockhart was only Minister thanks to Dudley Dursley. Everything that had gone wrong in Draco's life all led back to Dudley Dursley. For a brief moment, last year, Malfoy had actually found himself if not liking Dudley, then respecting him. Dudley had intervened to stop Cormac McLaggen and Harold Dingle from bullying him last year. Now, he realized that Dudley was nothing more than an interfering, trouble-causing, nosey, mudblood bully.
Corban Yaxley
"Congratulations on the arrests, Minister," Yaxley said.
"Thank you, Corban," Lockhart said, graciously. "I knew the Aurors would be able to pull it off. My … our operation captured five Death Eaters. Alastor Moody captured two more. Quite a successful day, I think.
Yaxley suppressed a smile. Only one of those captured was actually a Death Eater—Miles Selwyn, and Crabbe and Goyle were little more than grunts. They were no big loss to the Dark Lord's plans.
"It's a good victory, Minister," said Yaxley. "I just hope you get your due credit for it."
"Of course I will! Who else will?" Lockhart flared. "It was my idea."
"Of course, Minister," Yaxley said, silkily. "And I'm sure it has assured the public that the right man is in control. Of course, there are still those who will look to Albus Dumbledore for guidance and leadership, as they did when Fudge was in charge. No doubt they'll claim he was advising you."
Lucius Malfoy
Lucius sat on his bed with his head in his hands. He thought that once Lord Voldemort was back, things would be different. He would be rewarded—after all, it was thanks to him that the Dark lord was back. Instead, his reward had been losing his left arm and then Voldemort sparing his life. Now, he was stuck at Grimmauld Place, waiting on Voldemort hand and foot. He wanted to be out there like the Lestranges and Dolohov actually doing something, rather than being ordered around by his master and being treated like a butler. It was beneath him. He was Lucius Malfoy, and he was been treated like a servant. Now, to make things worse, the Ministry had thrown his wife in jail. He rubbed his eyes with his remaining hand. He couldn't sleep. He was too worried about what might happen to Narcissa. He didn't trust the Ministry. What if they tortured her to get Lord Voldemort's whereabouts? What if they decided to execute all prisoners? What if the Ministry next decided to move against Draco? He wouldn't put anything past Lockhart and the Ministry.