Note: I know that Yaxley didn't become Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement until after the Ministry falls and Pius takes over, but I already wrote this chapter when I remembered that lol
This chapter includes text from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Enjoy and please review :) Thanks for all your lovely comments so far!
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At 4 am, the morning after Dumbledore's murder, Gwendolyn was awoken by an owl at her bedroom window. This happened from time to time, when huge events occurred overnight and they needed to have it in the Prophet by 6 am. She wasn't surprised to hear it pecking away.
And she wasn't surprised, when she rolled into the office at 4:23, that Mr. Cuffe handed her a massive file labeled "DUMBLEDORE MURDERED" and a cup of black coffee with Pepper-Up Potion added to it. "Review the file, take notes, write up an outline by 4:50. Then we'll go down to the Ministry with some photographers- the Minister will be answering questions for us and the other outlets at 5." She thanked Merlin that he walked away and that she didn't have to fake shock at the file label. She went to her cubicle and opened the file.
Inside were two photos of Dumbledore's corpse, lying on the ground under the Astronomy Tower. He looked peaceful, as if asleep. She wondered who took them. She was slightly disgusted at the insensitivity. But that was the media.
Next was the briefing scribbled on a piece of parchment: it read that Dumbledore had been murdered after a mysterious journey while Death Eaters attacked the school. And that, according to Harry Potter, Severus Snape had been the one who did it.
She moved the parchment to the side and revealed a photo of him on a poster that said:
WANTED
By Order of the Minister for Magic
SEVERUS SNAPE
For the murder of Albus Dumbledore and illicit Death Eater activity
Approach with extreme caution
She stared at the picture, feeling the deep pit of betrayal in her stomach as he stared back at her. He looked as normal as ever- it seemed to have been a picture taken at the TriWizard Tournament.
She hurriedly tucked the poster back into the file and looked at the briefing again. No witnesses had seen the murder, besides Harry and the Death Eaters. The Dark Mark was seen by everyone on the premises, in the sky above the Astronomy Tower. One Death Eater died in battle, no students or staff were injured. The briefing made no mention of the Order or of their injured member - Bill. She knew it was better that way.
She glanced at the clock. It was 4:35. She chugged her coffee, tossed the cup, and began to write.
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"Thank you all for coming at such a short notice," The Minister spoke to the crowd of reporters in the Ministry's lobby. Cameras were flashing. Gwendolyn felt her quill twitch in her hand. There had never been such a large number of media representatives at one of these briefings. "I know you'll want to get to press by 6 so I shall make this brief." He cleared his throat and read off a piece of parchment.
"Last night, Death Eaters were able to enter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry while Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was away from the school for unclear reasons. It has been reported that the Death Eaters were able to enter through a Vanishing Cabinet that connected Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley to a room in Hogwarts School, but this is not confirmed. A Dark Mark was set off above the school's Astronomy Tower at about 10:35 PM. Multiple residents of Hogsmeade Village and of Hogwarts School confirmed this. Dumbledore's body was found at the bottom of the tower, in the grass, by two students and a staff member. One of these students was Harry Potter. Upon further questioning, Mr. Potter claims that after being apprehended on the Astronomy Tower by the Death Eaters who had entered the school, Professor Dumbledore was murdered by Professor Severus Snape, a long time teacher at the school. Multiple witnesses have confirmed seeing Snape entering and exiting the tower, then leaving the school with the Death Eaters once the Dark Mark had been set off. It is unclear who cast the Mark." The Minister paused to look up, if not to breathe. "While we still have much to confirm, Severus Snape is currently the top suspect in this murder. As a member of the staff at Hogwarts, this is extremely dangerous and concerning in regards to the safety of the rest of the staff and the students. Therefore, I am hereby issuing a warrant for his immediate arrest. I will be Apparating to Hogwarts School this morning. Once we receive more information and the Auror office begins their official investigation, we will be holding an official press conference this afternoon in Hogsmeade Village. That is all we have at this time. Does anyone have any questions?"
The reporters started shouting questions over each other.
"Who let the Death Eaters into the school?"
"Where had Dumbledore been?"
But she didn't listen and she couldn't even pretend to care. Not even as she felt Mr. Cuffe's eyes staring at her angrily. But soon, the Minister dismissed them and they returned to the office.
XXXXXXX
At 5:45, she slammed the article onto Mr. Cuffe's desk.
DUMBLEDORE MURDERED AT HOGWARTS SCHOOL
By Gwendolyn O'Shea
It was rather easy to quickly scrap together a front page story about a horrific incident that she was so familiar with. In fact, she had to be careful not to add anything in that the Ministry did not yet know. She took a seat across from him as the editor quickly read her work. It always amazed her how quickly she could read. She felt her hands shaking in her lap. The anxiety, coffee, and pepper-up potion were an awful combination.
He hurriedly dinged the bell on his desk. An intern came rushing in. "Here's the front page story, go to photos to get what they've chosen, and bring it downstairs to the press room. Hurry! Only 14 minutes, lad!" The intern scurried out of the room and Mr. Cuffe chuckled. "Eager to please. Well, good work, Gwendolyn! I ought to keep you on this story."
"Keep me on it?" She asked. Those had maybe been the first words she had spoken all day. Her voice sounded strange and almost cracked.
"Indeed. Keep writing stories as this situation develops. You can have all the Dumbledore and Snape stories that come our way. You should even interview Mr. Potter if you can- go down to the school in a few hours and talk to him about what he saw."
It was then that she woke from the stupor she had been in all morning. Whether it was because she was exhausted or in shock or apathetically sad, she didn't know. But she felt horror well up in her stomach. To write about Severus's betrayal extensively… she didn't know if she could do it. And another fear suddenly appeared in her mind, something she hadn't thought of before.
"Mr. Cuffe," she said slowly. "Do you know that I'm a member of the Order of the Phoenix?"
Her boss slowly looked up at her. He cleared his throat and began to stammer. "Well, I… I had heard rumors but- one can't always- why are you telling me this?"
She stood up. "Because I was there at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries last summer. And I was at Hogwarts School yesterday." She exhaled. "To the Death Eaters, I am a known member of the Order. Writing the cover story today carried enough risk as it is. Not just for my life- that is a risk I chose to take when I joined the Order. But for the Prophet. Having a known Order member following… this-" She couldn't even say his name. Either of their names. "-could cause much havoc to this paper that I'm sure you don't want to deal with. You-Know-Who will definitely track this story more than most others." Her boss was almost gaping at her. "In all my years at the Prophet I've done everything you've asked of me. But I… I can't do this."
Mr. Cuffe cleared his throat and folded his hands together on his desk. "Well… Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll put Betty on this story effective immediately. And you can do a variety of things- perhaps tomorrow you can go interview Head Auror Robards about his new position." Gwendolyn nodded. She felt excited that he chose Betty- she would never blur the truth like some of the other journalists. Honor could be brought to Dumbledore's name and death without Gwen having to be so involved. "As for today- go home, Gwen."
"Mr. Cuffe-"
"You don't look well. Listen, I don't need to know what part you play in that Order or what you did last night, but anyone who battles Death Eaters deserves some rest." He stood up also. "I'll see you tomorrow morning. And your 'secret' is safe with me." She smiled slightly at his words. Her boss had never been an overtly compassionate man, but he was a good man.
"Thank you, Mr. Cuffe." She said genuinely. He gave her a small smile, but then rang the bell and the same frazzled intern ran in.
"Tell Betty Braithwaite I need to see her here immediately!"
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She ate peppermint candies and drank pink wine. She burned extra candles, hung up pictures and played records. She opened the windows to air out the rooms and didn't let the castle looming in the distance taunt her.
She cleaned every inch of her flat. It felt a little unloved and unlived in. She scrubbed the floors and the counters, all by hand, to keep herself busy. She watched the sunlight dance across the shiny floors when she was finished.
She did this for two days. On the morning of the third day, she received 3 notes in the mail. The first was from Tonks, asking her to come over that night. Fuck. It was suspicious to be isolating herself a few days after Snape's betrayal. So she scribbled that she would be there at 7 and sent the owl on its way. The second was from Kingsley, informing her that Dumbledore's funeral would be on Sunday, with an Order meeting to follow- the first since his death. The third was from Mr. Cuffe, sending her to the Ministry to discuss what measures the Department of Magical Law Enforcement would be taking in light of recent events with the head of the department- Corban Yaxley.
She arrived at the Ministry at around 9 and was led by a security official to Yaxley's office. It had been nearly 2 years since she had last been here. Two long years ago, when Bill was her boyfriend and the Order wasn't much more to her than a friendship club. She knocked on Yaxley's door. "Enter," came his voice from inside.
She opened the door. The office was as cold and unwelcoming as she remembered it. He was sitting at his desk, as slimy as ever. She smiled. "Mr. Yaxley," she greeted.
"Miss O'Shea," he sneered in return, rising to greet her. "What a pleasure to see you. When I heard it was you coming to interview me, I was most excited." Gross.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Do sit down."
"Thank you." She walked to the seat across the desk from him and immediately pulled out her parchment, quill, and ink. "I'd like to make this as brief yet thorough as possible, if that's alright with you. You're a busy man, I'm sure."
"I'm not so busy today," he said. "Would you care for tea?"
"No, thank you. I am a busy woman." He raised his eyebrows and made a sound.
"Very well."
And they began the interview. Gwen asked him questions about his plans to up security and safety within the community, he gave answers that were vague. It was as much as she expected from a Death Eater.
She had one question left when Percy Weasley burst into the room. He didn't look at Gwen. "Mr. Yaxley, the Minister needs to speak with you briefly. But immediately." His eyes stayed fixed on Yaxley, unwavering.
"Very well," Yaxley said, rising. "Do excuse me for only a brief moment," he said to Gwen. "I know you're a busy woman." She wanted to retort something in response, but he quickly exited the room, Percy behind him, shutting the door.
She sat in silence and started organizing the notes she had scribbled down. It was not five minutes later that another young man Gwen did not know began bursting in and shouting, "Mr. Yaxley! Four more have escaped from Azkaban!" The young man froze when he saw her and only her inside the office. "Oh! Hello, quite sorry. Um… where is Mr. Yaxley?"
"Right here," came Yaxley's voice from behind him. The young man jumped, nearly yelped, and turned to face him. "And in future you will knock before entering my office and you won't shout information in the corridor. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Mr. Yaxley, of course Mr. Yaxley! Won't happen again, sir."
"Now be off."
"But, sir-"
"Go!" The man nearly yelped again and then hurried away. Yaxley turned to look at Gwen, who was standing now. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to keep what you heard to yourself."
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Gwen said. "As a member of the press, I must report events as they happen, especially if they concern the public's well being. Four prisoners escaping from Azkaban prison is extremely concerning."
"I must insist!" He hissed. Her eyes widened and he caught his anger. "Miss O'Shea, as you and your supervisor are well aware, the Ministry is very involved in the funding and running of The Daily Prophet. If you do not comply, we shall involve the Minister, who will surely agree with me. Certain information is often contained to protect the general public."
"Keeping the people in ignorance does not protect them!"
"You ought to watch your quill, Miss O'Shea." He said in nearly a growl. "It's dangerous to be a young woman sharing such strong opinions in the Daily Prophet." Was that a threat? She took a dangerous step forward. She knew she should lay low on the Death Eater front, after this second battle and her article in the Prophet and Snape possibly making her a target, but-
"I don't write opinions, Mr. Yaxley. I write facts. The cold, bare truth." She stared him in the eye, which seemed to startle him at first. Then, his eyes changed into a look she didn't like. She blinked and broke the stare. He was disgusting. "But, if it is the wish of the Minister and a high ranking official such as yourself that this information is not published, surely I will comply. But remember, Mr. Yaxley, that not all reporters are as obliging as I, nor all newspapers as Ministry compliant as the Prophet. The truth never stays beneath the surface for long and someone will spread it. All of it." His eyes had now narrowed into slits.
"We appreciate your cooperation." She said nothing in return, but turned around and gathered her bag and files to leave, shaking slightly. She didn't know anything about which Death Eaters were important. Snape had mentioned that some Death Eaters' opinions of others or events didn't matter. But Yaxley was in a powerful position in the Wizarding World- surely that elevated his rank within the group. She needed to go. "Well, good day Miss O'Shea. I'm sure we will meet again."
She nearly shuddered. "Are you?"
He sneered at her. "Indeed."
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"Have you spoken to your father?"
Gwen fiddled with the cup of tea in her hands, leaning forward and staring at the carpet. She sighed. "I tried contacting him a few weeks ago, but nothing. Kingsley said it's probably safer for him that we don't speak at all, but… I mean, what if he's dead already?" Her father's move to Australia last year had seemed so drastic and dramatic to her at the time. Leaving your country to hide from a war that was not yet affecting his safety or daily life seemed silly. But he had left before Death Eaters were hunting down people escaping to other lands, at a perfect time. He had great foresight, evidently.
She heard the sound of Tonks' tea cup being placed on the table. "If he is…. You'll know soon enough. But if he isn't, he's safe. Kingsley's right- people are much… better off staying away from Order members, these days." Her voice cracked at the end of her sentence and Gwen looked up to see her friend's concerned expression.
"Are you okay?"
Tonks nodded, biting her lip slightly. There was a silence before she spoke. "Everything's changing so quickly."
"Like?"
"Well…. Remus and I are getting married."
Gwen's jaw dropped, but then she started laughing. "Tonks! That's… incredible!" She leaned over the couch and wrapped Tonks up in a tight hug. Tonks was laughing now, too- a sound that used to be the constant melody of Gwen's life, now so rarely heard. "When did this happen?"
"Well, it was rather sudden and perhaps a little mad. But the night before Dumbledore died, Remus tried breaking up with me again. And on the night of his death, after you went home, Remus and I fought about it in front of everyone."
"Right there in the Hospital Wing?"
Tonks nodded, her cheeks flushed. "In front of McGonagall and all of the kids. Quite embarrassing, actually. But we talked all night that night. The war is getting so bad and… we love each other very much. And suddenly being too old or poor didn't matter to him anymore. So the following morning, he proposed." She lifted her left hand and a small, old ring that Gwen hadn't even noticed until now glimmered in the fire light. "I'm absolutely giddy about it! It's disgusting!" They laughed together and Gwen grabbed her friend's hand.
"I'm giddy for you! This is such lovely news. So when is the wedding?"
"We're thinking next week, actually, maybe here if not the Burrow. We want to do it before our next big mission, which I suppose is picking up Harry. I know Remus really wants Harry to be there, but I don't see how it's possible..." The joy from the news waivered slightly at the thought that the new couple may not even live to enjoy their union for a whole month.
"No," Gwen murmured, staring at the floor again. "It isn't possible." So many things were impossible in war."
"But I'm sure Harry will understand," Tonks said, false cheerfulness tainting her tone. "And it won't be the wedding I would've wanted but so many people I care for will be there. My parents will be there! And… well. I want you to be my maid of honor."
Gwen felt a strange pain and looked up at her friend. She couldn't remember the last time they had spent time together outside of an Order function. She hadn't been a good friend to Tonks at all in so many months…
"Are you sure?" Gwen said softly, almost inaudibly. Tonks looked a little surprised by her question.
"Of course! There's no one else I'd rather celebrate my special day with." Guilt washed over Gwen again, but she gave Tonks a smile and went to sip her tea while she thought of something to say.
"Gwen?"
"Hmm?" Gwen put her cup down on the table. Tonks sighed.
"I'm really sorry about Snape."
Gwen froze.
"Why?"
"He was your friend, you actually knew him better than most of us. And this is just shit. The Order is reeling from this, but I'm sure none more personally than you. So I'm sorry."
The words sounded strange. It had only been 3 days and she knew someone would have approached her about Snape eventually, but she hadn't expected it so soon or for the words to be so kind and understanding.
"I… thank you. But Tonks, I'm sorry. I was a horribly unsupportive friend to you and I… focused on a friendship that was all a farce instead of being there for you when you needed me." She felt ashamed.
"I needed to be alone, though. I was always distracting myself with things and never let myself truly sit and think about my life and Remus and why I fight this war. It was good, I highly recommend it." Gwen cracked a half smile. "And you needed to do what you did. You're my best friend, Gwen. I'd never hold it against you." They embraced again and when they pulled apart, Tonks's eyes were shimmering with tears.
"So- Will you be my maid of honor?"
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They sat in silence as the clock on the Weasley's wall ticked the seconds away loudly.
After a few moments, Arthur stood up. "Well, I… that was a beautiful memorial. And I know we've been rather solemn, but can we just take another moment of silence for… For Albus Dumbledore and for all he did for our cause." And they did.
Arthur cleared his throat. "So, as you know, we have much to plan and discuss. This… incident has given us multiple issues, mainly losing our leader and finding a traitor in our midst. Both issues must be dealt with accordingly if we are to continue on with any kind of success." He exhaled. Nobody spoke. Everyone seemed to be floating in a pensive state. "I've spoken to a few of you about choosing the next leader of the Order of the Phoenix, and it seems the general consensus is that Alastor Moody should be the one to replace Albus Dumbledore."
Moody? The room was filled with general murmurs of agreement, but Gwen stared at the Auror from across the room. Yes, Moody was a great Auror, but he didn't trust her for a second. And he made it very clear.
"I think we ought to take a vote," Arthur said. "All those in favor of Alastor Moody replacing Albus Dumbledore as head of the Order of the Phoenix, raise your hand."
She felt Kingsley shift beside her to raise his hand. She had thought Kingsley would be a fine choice for the next head of the Order. She looked around to see everyone raising their hands, so she followed suit. It would benefit the Order, even if it did not benefit her. "Very well! It is unanimous then. Alastor, would you like to take over the meeting? I know this was unplanned, but then again, most things are these days." Moody grunted and hobbled over from where he was standing on the other side of the sitting room. He stood in front of the group.
"There isn't much time for any more sentimentality. Dumbledore was a good man, a great leader, and a powerful wizard, but he was a sentimental fool. And unfortunately, that's what killed him." There was an aching silence. Seeing the good in people was proving more and more fatal. "We've much to discuss. First off, all of our security questions must be changed, effective immediately. Have yours ready by the end of this meeting. Snape could've told the Death Eaters our questions to make it easier to impersonate any of us. On the same note, you'll all be needing a change to the wards of your homes, starting with the Burrow. I will see to it personally to help you all with that.
"Next off, is collecting Harry Potter from his aunt and uncle's. We will have to come up with a plan for that, since we can't have him use magic. He's still got the Trace on him until the 31st, which just so happens to be the day his mother's protection no longer surrounds that house. We'll have to arrange for his aunt and uncle to move the day we fetch him." He flipped out a pocket watch and grunted. "We ought to adjourn for today. Everyone lay as low as possible this week. Who knows if the Death Eaters will come knocking in the wake of Dumbledore's funeral. But first, let's change our security questions."
He scribbled his own question and answer onto the parchment and passed it around the room. Once everyone had made their contribution, the parchment was passed back to Moody, who placed some sort of spell on it. Perhaps to keep it safe from any prying eyes.
"Keep your eyes and ears open within your circles about Death Eater movements. We ought to meet again Sunday next to study these new questions and make our plan to fetch Potter." There was a murmur of agreement. "I'll be visiting most of you sometime this week to change your wards. Expect me to come call. I suppose that'll be it for now." He hobbled back over to where he had been sitting to gather his things. The rest of the Order, used to the grand closing statements Dumbledore used to make to conclude their meetings, uncomfortably and slowly began to start conversing amongst themselves and collecting their belongings. Gwen sighed and turned to Kingsley.
"Things are getting so dangerous so quickly," she murmured. He nodded solemnly. "Do you feel safe?"
He hesitated. "I feel my position is safer than others," he said finally. "But nobody is truly safe. What has the village been like?"
"It's emptier. People are leaving, shops are closing. I've been staying here, actually. Mrs. Weasley insisted it isn't safe for me to be living on my own."
"She's quite right."
"Tea in the kitchen, everyone," Mrs. Weasley called out. They rose to go, when Mad-Eye stood before them.
"Evening, Kingsley. O'Shea," he said, an obvious dislike in his voice when he said her name. "I'd like to have a word with you outside, if you please." Fuck.
"Of course," she said sweetly, giving him a false smile. He sneered at her and began to limp outside. She turned to Kingsley. "I'll be only a moment. Are you going to Downing Street very soon?"
He looked at his watch. "I've got an hour. I'll save you a seat?"
She smiled. "That'd be great, yea." He smiled back and turned to walk into the kitchen.
She stepped onto the front porch and Moody was holding onto the railing. She closed the door behind her. "What can I do for you?" She asked. He turned to look at her and began to hurry toward her with an angry grin. It was horrifying, his wooden leg moving quickly and heavily across the porch, his human eye baring into hers, glistening with madness. She backed up against the side of the house and he stopped only half a foot away.
"Now listen here," he growled, sticking a fat finger in her face. She could smell his putrid breath in her face and his eye was whizzing around frantically in its socket. "I'm only going to ask you this once. And if you give a damn about the people in the next room, you'd do well to answer me truthfully. What do you know about the death of Albus Dumbledore?"
"What?" She exclaimed, almost shaking as he seemed to lean closer. First he barrelled over to her like he was going to kill her, now this?! He thought she had known? "Nothing more than you, I'm sure!"
"Are you really sure?" He demanded, but his voice was deathly quiet. "That lot in there, they like you and believe every word you say. But there's talk, I'm sure you know, about who you used to shag, O'Shea."
"I don't-"
"You can deny it all you want to them, but I won't believe you for a second! I was right about Snape and I'm right about you. And I want to know what you know." His hand was on his wand, ready to threaten, attack, or defend.
She slid away from him slightly, trying to breathe her own air. "I don't know anything!" She nearly shrieked. "The rumors were merely rumors! I was just as surprised as everyone else that night in the Hospital Wing, ask them!"
"And what if I ask you to submit to questioning under Veritaserum- what would you say to that?"
"Fine!" The word sprung from her lips automatically, and she felt braver and looked directly into his eyes. If Moody discovered what he already assumed, so be it. She was no traitor. "I have nothing to hide."
He growled and backed away from her slightly. "Lucky for you, your little friend was the only one in our contacts able to brew it. But that doesn't mean I can't get some from the Ministry. And I'm warning you-" He pulled out his wand and pointed it at her face. "If you even tip your pinky toe out of line, I'll have you brought before the Order for treason. We can't spare another traitor. We've been blown apart by one." And with that, he stowed his wand away angrily and stumbled down the porch, then Apparated away, leaving her alone.
And it was then that she began to cry. She lowered herself onto the Weasleys' front porch and wept, the tears pouring onto the wood. She felt the weight of what happened settling in.
He had been her best friend, damn it! Even when so many were wary of him and suspected him, she had defended him. She had trusted him with everything! And she thought he had trusted her too. Why did he show her those memories the night before betraying the Order? It seemed more than cruel.
Yes, the Order had been blown apart by one man. And so had she.