Ministry takeover

It was the second week of October when Siobhan finally returned to Hogwarts. She was left at the gates in a seemingly bad state with Emily close to her. The questions hadn't arrived until the second day of her being in the Hospital Wing but she refused to answer. As far as they were concerned she was going through an amnesic phase and would tell them what had happened when she was ready. She enjoyed the peace of being left alone to think over her plans. She was on speaking terms with her father but he wasn't her favourite person.

Halloween slowly drew closer, and although preparations for the Halloween feast were made, there was tension in the air. No one was allowed to go outside unless in a large group and escorted by an Auror. Quidditch had been kept to raise the students spirits and give them something to look forward to. Harry was being watched all the time and his relationship between himself and Debbie had become strained. Mainly because he was moody and he became unpredictable. One minute he'd be fine, the next he'd shout at the top of his voice. A week before Halloween they decided to call it off.

Although he wasn't talking to Siobhan, he had been amongst the many to send him flowers, a teddy bear and a Get Well card. Even if he had wanted to speak to her, he wouldn't have been able to. Siobhan hadn't showed her face since returning. She had stayed behind the closed curtains in her hospital bed, and had requested she didn't see anyone until she was ready. Learning from textbooks satisfied her need for learning, and her daughter and the occasional adult, were sufficient company.

However, the morning of Halloween, a Saturday, Siobhan did show up for breakfast. She turned heads as she strolled in when most people were out of bed. No-one had seen her for a month and she looked different but nobody knew what it was. As she settled down at the Gryffindor table, she was warmly welcomed. People she had never talked to began talking to her. Everyone on the table talked to her, apart from Harry.

During the day she had spoken to more people than she had spoken to all year. She receive apologies from Slytherin but Siobhan knew they weren't genuine. Most had Death Eater parents and didn't take someone with half a brain to figure out that they had been told to nice to her. Even though she knew it was to happen, she couldn't help but be shocked as emergency copies of the Daily Prophet were dropped in the Great Hall that evening.

MINISTRY TAKEOVER

The wizarding world is in chaos as the Ministry of Magic is taken over by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his followers. Tonight, above the Ministry is the dark emblem of a skull with a skull protruding from its tongue, familiar during the First War when he terrorised but never did he manage this. Complete Ministry take over has been achieved with many prisoners and many believed to be dead.

The attack took place in just a few hours. Traitor within the Ministry helped bring in the outside help and it is believed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself is now stationed at the Ministry. Cornelius Fudge, the current Minister of Magic managed to escape amongst a few and has released the following statement.

"This was a complete shock for the myself and my colleagues, and I do not doubt it will be a shock for all the citizens of the wizarding world. We urge you to stay home and lock up for the moment. With the help of the Daily Prophet we will be sending out advice. May I offer my condolences to those who may have lost loved ones tonight or those who have loved ones imprisoned. I will do all that's in my power to save them."

Tomorrow there will be more news and advice on the situation. Remember, stay inside and don't open anything with the government seal. It could be dangerous. Those at Daily Prophet wish you a safe night.

The next pages went into detail of the attack. Siobhan looked around to see people's reactions. Some were crying, some were shocked and others just didn't know how to react. A guilty feeling began to creep into Siobhan's heart but she quickly shook it away. She had Emily to think about. As long as she was on their side, nothing would happen to Emily.

"Do you think Dad's been hurt? He's probably at home. Right Ron?" Siobhan heard Ginny ask. There was no reply though. It wasn't until Hermione elbowed him in the ribs that he seemed to come back down to Earth.

"I'm sure he's alright. He's Dad. I'm pretty sure he's alright," Ron answered although he wasn't really there. He knew their father could be dead but he couldn't worry his little sister. He clung to that little bit of hope, and hoped that he was alive.

All over the Great Hall, tears were being shed for parents, brothers, sister and other relatives that might be dead or prisoner. This was all too much for Siobhan to handle. All the guilt she was feeling was choking her. Getting up suddenly she run out of the Great Hall. She needed breathing space to steady herself. Tomorrow was a big day.