Chapter 18:- New Minister.
"Brother you are safe." exclaimed Reet.
"Safe yes, but also very weak. Aradha used everything he had on me."
"Did you get the stone? What about the scepter?"
"The stone is with me. But the scepter is with Voldemort. Well things just getting more and more even."
"There is trouble here. A boy got killed. I am trying my best but whoever the killer is, is doing a very good job of hiding from me. Umor is getting really impatient. I don't blame him. Harry as usual blames himself and wants to leave Hogwarts."
"Don't worry about Harry. Dumbledore will make him stay. I must say I really underestimated that snake. The second spy is becoming a problem to us. We must either expose him or dispose of him. But that will have to wait. Also tell our dear Professor to have some patience. Everything happens for a reason. Also, if he starts causing too much trouble tell him I will send him back to where I brought him from. That ought to get him in line. Also remind him that he will have to deal with Dumbledore alone if he acts now. Once I am at Hogwarts our powers combined with that of Harry's will certainly expose the traitor. But there is a delay."
"NO! It can't be. You found your way into the main chamber. I thought the place looked familiar. You are inside Merlin's Chamber."
"Yes. My vision was correct. I will be delayed here sometime. There is something that is bothering me about this place. I will tell you once I reach Hogwarts. The connection is going away. I am not strong enough to hold it any longer. Is there anything you need to tell me?"
"Well actually yes. Remember the dream about the Temple. Well I have made a very startling discovery about it."
"NO! Do not discuss anything about that. We will talk when we meet. Goodbye friend."
"Goodbye Brother."
Enemar's face disappeared from the mirror. Reet was left wondering why Enemar the man who even Lord Voldemort could not scare became so upset even at the mention of the Temple. But right now he had another job. He was to calm down an extremely upset defense Professor.
============================================================================ ================================
"Forgive me master."
"No you filthy ghoul. I give you one job but you fail me. How can you let Enemar escape?"
"He was too strong for me. He deceived me."
"You can not be this heir you talk about. A true king is not weak."
Aradha kept silent.
"Wormtail, Come here." Voldemort ordered.
"Yes master."
"How did Bellatrix die?"
"It was Umor. He killed her. Just after Potter shot a strange curse at me."
Aradha jumped on hearing this. He looped down on Peter engulfing him in his own darkness.
"HE IS CURSED." he shrieked like a man in great agony. "Kill him master."
"I can not. I am indebted to him for my resurrection."
"No not with magic. Use the scepter."
"Yes a perfect test."
Pettigrew was getting more and more scared. As Voldemort raised a rod which apparently was the scepter he yelled out,
"I am not cursed. That Potter's curse did nothing to me. This thing does not know what it is talking about."
"No my lord. Potter I do not know whether intentionally or unintentionally has used the darkest of ancient magic on him. He is under his powers now. Ask him to animage. It will be clear."
"Very well Wormtail. Take your true shape."
Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. As much as Pettigrew would have liked to believe that Aradha was lying it all began to add up. Ever since he took that portkey he had been unable to perform the simplest of magic. Every time he tried to assume his rodent form he felt the pain of a thousand Cruciatus Curse.
"You are testing my patience rat. Do it now." ordered Voldemort.
"I can not."
I one swift motion Voldemort raised his scepter and a Green light from it struck Pettigrew square on his chest. He could even yell before which he evaporated.
"I am impressed Aradha. At least you got something correct."
"But my lord, remember he can be brought back. But only you or Potter can do it."
"I will bring the rat back when I need him. Till then he can burn in hell. But there is something else we have to find out. This Umor Quirrell, as worthless as his brother was he was even worse at performing Dark Arts. Then how in the name of Slytherine could he defeat my own student?" ============================================================================ ================================
"I thank you students and staff for joining me here." began Dumbledore. "We are here to discuss about the recent attacks at the three students and also about the voices raised by several students as well as some members of the staff about whether the presence of Harry Potter makes Hogwarts an unsafe place."
"There is nothing to discuss sir." said Harry. "I have already told you I am leaving tonight."
"You are not leaving your home, Harry."
"Home, what home?"
"This place belongs to you Harry. You own Hogwarts. I explained to you that day. Hogwarts originally belonged to Merlin. After him, it went to his two sons. The founders decided that if the necessity occurred, ownership of Hogwarts will be decided on basis of majority. I need not repeat myself that you already have that majority. But if you decide to abandon Hogwarts, this castle will become the chosen heir of Slytherine, and not even I can do anything about that."
"But sir, what about the students? They do not want me here."
"But we do Harry?" said Luna Lovegood.
"Yes Harry we do?" said Professor Flitwick. "Not only do we need you here, we want you here? Do not abandon us for some students who do not know what they are talking about."
"Furthermore as for the students who do not want Harry Potter staying here, I give you three options, accept it, or join any other school, or lastly the new minister of magic suggested that those residents of Hogwarts who feel that they are under threat here at Hogwarts can be accommodated at a wizards Hostel at Hogsmede away from Harry Potter."
"The minister will not take such a decision in favor of Potter." spoke out Malfoy.
"Well then you obviously do not know the new Minister of Magic. But you will meet him tonight. He is here to address you tonight. Allow me to get him for you."
With that he went to the room behind the Great Hall, as Harry wondered who this real nice Minister could be.
Soon Dumbledore returned, but he only carried a scroll with himself. The entire hall waited for the arrival of the new minister of magic. ============================================================================ ================================
"He is WHAT?" hissed Voldemort.
"The news is confirmed master. He is the new Minister." said Lucius Malfoy.
"But that means Dumbledore can do anything he wants. This can not happen."
"I am afraid this may hurt our plans for Halloween master."
"Shut up you fool." shouted Voldemort. "The attack plans will go as planned. We must strike before Potter is ready. But you are right, this will make things difficult. Attacking a bunch of students and a few aurors is one thing but now we must prepare to face the entire wizengamot."
"My son, master, do you have any instruction for him."
"Yes, young Draco. I have a very important assignment. I do not care how he does it but I want him to kill that fool Reet before Enemar reaches Hogwarts. Is that understood?"
"Yes master. Draco will oblige and execute your orders. After all, he is a Malfoy."
"That is what bothers me."
============================================================================ ================================
"By the order of the Wizengamot and the will of the Circle of Aurors I Albus Dumbledore humbly accept the chair of the Minister of Magic."
Uproar broke out at the great hall. Even the staff seemed genuinely surprised.
"Sir, but you are the Headmaster of Hogwarts. You can not leave."
"I did not say I am leaving. I hereby seek your approval to shift the grand council of Wizengamot over to Hogwarts. The old ministry building will be still operational and will be handled under my supervision by Arthur Weasley and Amelia Bones. But all this will happen under one and only one condition. The heir of Hogwarts does not even mention leaving Hogwarts till he is of age."
Harry could not believe it. Dumbledore, the new minister. What's more, Ron's father will finally get a post he deserves.
"You sure can get a guy to do things your way can't you, sir?" said Harry finally cracking into a smile.
"I certainly can, sir." said Dumbledore with the old twinkle in his eyes.
"Now, I have some announcements. As I mentioned I have arranged for an alternate residence under heavy magical guard at a concealed location at Hogsmede. The students who feel they are in any danger are welcome to use it free of cost. I must also assure you that Harry Potter will strictly be prohibited from anywhere near that place. But before you agree to leave Hogwarts, I ask all of you to ask your parents, in spite of recent events at Hogwarts, where is the only place they feel you have any kind of security from Lord Voldemort."
"Also," Dumbledore's face gravened, "I do not usually speak without absolute evidence but I must. We have a traitor amongst our midst. One or few among you have already pledged allegiance to Voldemort. I am disappointed that you have gone against the very fundamentals taught here, but I also assure you that you have chosen the wrong side. Voldemort no matter what promises he makes will only send you to a dark path from which no one can return. There is still time. I the Minister of Magic announce that if any student is found to have any association with any of Voldemort's supporters he or she will be dealt with in a very severe manner."
============================================================================ ================================
As the students were leaving the Great Hall, Harry came face to face with Cho.
"Sorry Cho. I know you do not want me here, but you heard the minister?"
"Oh Harry." said Cho in soft voice. "I never meant that. I have been trying to talk to you ever since we have been back but you have been always too busy with the Weasleys or Granger. Then that morning I heard that Ginny Weasley is your new girlfriend. I do not know what came over me. Forgive me Harry. Truth is I never want you to leave me."
"Listen Cho, Ginny is not just my girlfriend she is my soul mate. I am quite flattered you feel that way but I am afraid, we do not make a good match."
Cho moved closer to Harry and whispered in his ear, "Don't be so hasty in making your choices Mr. Potter. You never now what you might miss out on."
"What is she trying to do?" asked Ron obviously quite upset about Cho flirting with his sister's boyfriend.
"Baiting." came Hermione's reply.
Cho turned towards them and said, "You bet I am. Let's see how the heir of Hogwarts refuses this bait."
With that she grabbed Harry by the collar of his robes and kissed him passionately on the lips.
============================================================================ ================================
"Mr. Malfoy I think you know why you are here." said Snape.
"No sir. Why?" he said trying his best to look innocent.
"Drop the act" said Quirrell, "Your head of house has given evidence against you that you had joined Voldemort's forces this summer."
"Severus Snape, you have joined the mudblood lover," yelled Draco like a cornered dog.
"Unlike you and your father, I have no prejudice over the purity of blood. It is true that I do not like Potter and I never will but I do not hate him. Do you know who I hate Malfoy. Power hungry back stabbers like you and your father. And above all I hate that snake you call your master."
"Now tell us what you know about the attack or we will make you talk."
"That's Enough." said Dumbledore as he stepped into the room.
"Mr. Malfoy. I believe you when you say you had nothing to do with your attacks on the minister you are excused, you may leave."
Malfoy was about the speak when Dumbledore suddenly pointed his wand directly at Draco's forehead and calmly said,
"Obliviate!"
End Of Chapter 18
"Brother you are safe." exclaimed Reet.
"Safe yes, but also very weak. Aradha used everything he had on me."
"Did you get the stone? What about the scepter?"
"The stone is with me. But the scepter is with Voldemort. Well things just getting more and more even."
"There is trouble here. A boy got killed. I am trying my best but whoever the killer is, is doing a very good job of hiding from me. Umor is getting really impatient. I don't blame him. Harry as usual blames himself and wants to leave Hogwarts."
"Don't worry about Harry. Dumbledore will make him stay. I must say I really underestimated that snake. The second spy is becoming a problem to us. We must either expose him or dispose of him. But that will have to wait. Also tell our dear Professor to have some patience. Everything happens for a reason. Also, if he starts causing too much trouble tell him I will send him back to where I brought him from. That ought to get him in line. Also remind him that he will have to deal with Dumbledore alone if he acts now. Once I am at Hogwarts our powers combined with that of Harry's will certainly expose the traitor. But there is a delay."
"NO! It can't be. You found your way into the main chamber. I thought the place looked familiar. You are inside Merlin's Chamber."
"Yes. My vision was correct. I will be delayed here sometime. There is something that is bothering me about this place. I will tell you once I reach Hogwarts. The connection is going away. I am not strong enough to hold it any longer. Is there anything you need to tell me?"
"Well actually yes. Remember the dream about the Temple. Well I have made a very startling discovery about it."
"NO! Do not discuss anything about that. We will talk when we meet. Goodbye friend."
"Goodbye Brother."
Enemar's face disappeared from the mirror. Reet was left wondering why Enemar the man who even Lord Voldemort could not scare became so upset even at the mention of the Temple. But right now he had another job. He was to calm down an extremely upset defense Professor.
============================================================================ ================================
"Forgive me master."
"No you filthy ghoul. I give you one job but you fail me. How can you let Enemar escape?"
"He was too strong for me. He deceived me."
"You can not be this heir you talk about. A true king is not weak."
Aradha kept silent.
"Wormtail, Come here." Voldemort ordered.
"Yes master."
"How did Bellatrix die?"
"It was Umor. He killed her. Just after Potter shot a strange curse at me."
Aradha jumped on hearing this. He looped down on Peter engulfing him in his own darkness.
"HE IS CURSED." he shrieked like a man in great agony. "Kill him master."
"I can not. I am indebted to him for my resurrection."
"No not with magic. Use the scepter."
"Yes a perfect test."
Pettigrew was getting more and more scared. As Voldemort raised a rod which apparently was the scepter he yelled out,
"I am not cursed. That Potter's curse did nothing to me. This thing does not know what it is talking about."
"No my lord. Potter I do not know whether intentionally or unintentionally has used the darkest of ancient magic on him. He is under his powers now. Ask him to animage. It will be clear."
"Very well Wormtail. Take your true shape."
Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. As much as Pettigrew would have liked to believe that Aradha was lying it all began to add up. Ever since he took that portkey he had been unable to perform the simplest of magic. Every time he tried to assume his rodent form he felt the pain of a thousand Cruciatus Curse.
"You are testing my patience rat. Do it now." ordered Voldemort.
"I can not."
I one swift motion Voldemort raised his scepter and a Green light from it struck Pettigrew square on his chest. He could even yell before which he evaporated.
"I am impressed Aradha. At least you got something correct."
"But my lord, remember he can be brought back. But only you or Potter can do it."
"I will bring the rat back when I need him. Till then he can burn in hell. But there is something else we have to find out. This Umor Quirrell, as worthless as his brother was he was even worse at performing Dark Arts. Then how in the name of Slytherine could he defeat my own student?" ============================================================================ ================================
"I thank you students and staff for joining me here." began Dumbledore. "We are here to discuss about the recent attacks at the three students and also about the voices raised by several students as well as some members of the staff about whether the presence of Harry Potter makes Hogwarts an unsafe place."
"There is nothing to discuss sir." said Harry. "I have already told you I am leaving tonight."
"You are not leaving your home, Harry."
"Home, what home?"
"This place belongs to you Harry. You own Hogwarts. I explained to you that day. Hogwarts originally belonged to Merlin. After him, it went to his two sons. The founders decided that if the necessity occurred, ownership of Hogwarts will be decided on basis of majority. I need not repeat myself that you already have that majority. But if you decide to abandon Hogwarts, this castle will become the chosen heir of Slytherine, and not even I can do anything about that."
"But sir, what about the students? They do not want me here."
"But we do Harry?" said Luna Lovegood.
"Yes Harry we do?" said Professor Flitwick. "Not only do we need you here, we want you here? Do not abandon us for some students who do not know what they are talking about."
"Furthermore as for the students who do not want Harry Potter staying here, I give you three options, accept it, or join any other school, or lastly the new minister of magic suggested that those residents of Hogwarts who feel that they are under threat here at Hogwarts can be accommodated at a wizards Hostel at Hogsmede away from Harry Potter."
"The minister will not take such a decision in favor of Potter." spoke out Malfoy.
"Well then you obviously do not know the new Minister of Magic. But you will meet him tonight. He is here to address you tonight. Allow me to get him for you."
With that he went to the room behind the Great Hall, as Harry wondered who this real nice Minister could be.
Soon Dumbledore returned, but he only carried a scroll with himself. The entire hall waited for the arrival of the new minister of magic. ============================================================================ ================================
"He is WHAT?" hissed Voldemort.
"The news is confirmed master. He is the new Minister." said Lucius Malfoy.
"But that means Dumbledore can do anything he wants. This can not happen."
"I am afraid this may hurt our plans for Halloween master."
"Shut up you fool." shouted Voldemort. "The attack plans will go as planned. We must strike before Potter is ready. But you are right, this will make things difficult. Attacking a bunch of students and a few aurors is one thing but now we must prepare to face the entire wizengamot."
"My son, master, do you have any instruction for him."
"Yes, young Draco. I have a very important assignment. I do not care how he does it but I want him to kill that fool Reet before Enemar reaches Hogwarts. Is that understood?"
"Yes master. Draco will oblige and execute your orders. After all, he is a Malfoy."
"That is what bothers me."
============================================================================ ================================
"By the order of the Wizengamot and the will of the Circle of Aurors I Albus Dumbledore humbly accept the chair of the Minister of Magic."
Uproar broke out at the great hall. Even the staff seemed genuinely surprised.
"Sir, but you are the Headmaster of Hogwarts. You can not leave."
"I did not say I am leaving. I hereby seek your approval to shift the grand council of Wizengamot over to Hogwarts. The old ministry building will be still operational and will be handled under my supervision by Arthur Weasley and Amelia Bones. But all this will happen under one and only one condition. The heir of Hogwarts does not even mention leaving Hogwarts till he is of age."
Harry could not believe it. Dumbledore, the new minister. What's more, Ron's father will finally get a post he deserves.
"You sure can get a guy to do things your way can't you, sir?" said Harry finally cracking into a smile.
"I certainly can, sir." said Dumbledore with the old twinkle in his eyes.
"Now, I have some announcements. As I mentioned I have arranged for an alternate residence under heavy magical guard at a concealed location at Hogsmede. The students who feel they are in any danger are welcome to use it free of cost. I must also assure you that Harry Potter will strictly be prohibited from anywhere near that place. But before you agree to leave Hogwarts, I ask all of you to ask your parents, in spite of recent events at Hogwarts, where is the only place they feel you have any kind of security from Lord Voldemort."
"Also," Dumbledore's face gravened, "I do not usually speak without absolute evidence but I must. We have a traitor amongst our midst. One or few among you have already pledged allegiance to Voldemort. I am disappointed that you have gone against the very fundamentals taught here, but I also assure you that you have chosen the wrong side. Voldemort no matter what promises he makes will only send you to a dark path from which no one can return. There is still time. I the Minister of Magic announce that if any student is found to have any association with any of Voldemort's supporters he or she will be dealt with in a very severe manner."
============================================================================ ================================
As the students were leaving the Great Hall, Harry came face to face with Cho.
"Sorry Cho. I know you do not want me here, but you heard the minister?"
"Oh Harry." said Cho in soft voice. "I never meant that. I have been trying to talk to you ever since we have been back but you have been always too busy with the Weasleys or Granger. Then that morning I heard that Ginny Weasley is your new girlfriend. I do not know what came over me. Forgive me Harry. Truth is I never want you to leave me."
"Listen Cho, Ginny is not just my girlfriend she is my soul mate. I am quite flattered you feel that way but I am afraid, we do not make a good match."
Cho moved closer to Harry and whispered in his ear, "Don't be so hasty in making your choices Mr. Potter. You never now what you might miss out on."
"What is she trying to do?" asked Ron obviously quite upset about Cho flirting with his sister's boyfriend.
"Baiting." came Hermione's reply.
Cho turned towards them and said, "You bet I am. Let's see how the heir of Hogwarts refuses this bait."
With that she grabbed Harry by the collar of his robes and kissed him passionately on the lips.
============================================================================ ================================
"Mr. Malfoy I think you know why you are here." said Snape.
"No sir. Why?" he said trying his best to look innocent.
"Drop the act" said Quirrell, "Your head of house has given evidence against you that you had joined Voldemort's forces this summer."
"Severus Snape, you have joined the mudblood lover," yelled Draco like a cornered dog.
"Unlike you and your father, I have no prejudice over the purity of blood. It is true that I do not like Potter and I never will but I do not hate him. Do you know who I hate Malfoy. Power hungry back stabbers like you and your father. And above all I hate that snake you call your master."
"Now tell us what you know about the attack or we will make you talk."
"That's Enough." said Dumbledore as he stepped into the room.
"Mr. Malfoy. I believe you when you say you had nothing to do with your attacks on the minister you are excused, you may leave."
Malfoy was about the speak when Dumbledore suddenly pointed his wand directly at Draco's forehead and calmly said,
"Obliviate!"
End Of Chapter 18