CHAPTER 12: Mayhem at the Ministry

Harry, Ron and Hermione left Gryffindor tower early the next morning, heading out towards the quidditch pitch where they saw a giant wooden structure. Harry realized what it was long before Hermione or Ron, being the only one of them to ever do muggle physical education. Not surprisingly Hermione had always gotten out of gym by doing extra work with a teacher.

"G'mornin' you three." Greeted McClaggan happily. Only Harry responded, the other two were so tired they could only manage a mumbled greeting. "In a few minutes the rest of the class should be showing up, then I'll explain what we will be doing today."

Sure enough after just two more minutes the whole class had arrived, many of them looking at the wooden structure with frightened expressions.

"Great, now I'll explain what this is. What you are looking at is something I like to call the gauntlet," there were gasps throughout the crowd. "No not that type of gauntlet, most people know this as an obstacle course. It's simple, once you touch the ladder I will begin timing you." The Highlander went on to explain what turned out to be a very complex routine of climbing, running, dodging, and swinging on ropes. "Today I would like to see how good you are at this, most mornings you will just be doing a run and some strength exercises.

They took turns running the gauntlet, many of the students couldn't even finish they were so tired or scared. To Harry's surprise McClaggan didn't look at all mad or even surprised. When it was Harry's turn he walked up to the ladder, looked up and grabbed the first rung with such quickness that he was halfway up before he even realized. He tried to push himself as hard as he could, wanting to show McClaggan that he had been keeping up with his workouts. He slid across the ropes course with ease and continued through the rest of the smaller obstacles. He nearly dove across the finish line, panting. He looked at his Professor, who simply wrote down his time and nodded.

"I will not tell you your times, so please don't ask. As I said this was merely a test to see where you are, you will be expected to completely crush this time when you do this again at the end of the school year. I'd also prefer you not discuss the obstacle course, even amongst yourselves. Class dismissed."

The group of sixth years trudged up towards the castle, needing badly to shower before breakfast. Harry got to the Gryffindor common room first and took the first shower, Ron and Hermione made their way to the prefect's bathroom so they wouldn't have to wait.

After Harry's shower he made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. He piled some pancakes onto his plate, and then went to take a sip from his goblet. When his eyes caught what was inside the cup he grinned and looked up towards the staff table. Breannan McClaggan was smiling back, obviously he had set it up so that Harry could have that Celtic potion during breakfast.

Soon afterwards Ron and Hermione showed up. Ron, if it was possible, ate even more than he usually did, even Hermione seemed to forget about the house elves and piled pancake after pancake onto her plate. They were so busy eating that they didn't even have time to talk, but that all changed when the owl post arrived.

Harry opened his letter to see McGonagall's schedule for the rest of the week, but when Hermione opened the Daily Prophet she gasped and dropped her utensils. Harry looked over to see the cover.

MINISTER OF MAGIC FOUND DEAD

This morning ministry workers arrived at the Ministry of Magic to see

Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, 47, dead at his desk. Healers say that the cause of death was the killing curse, which explains for the lack of marks on the body. Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister claims that she found the body when she came into the office. She has been held for questioning, but the Magical Law Enforcement Department tells us that she is not yet a suspect. Aurors, hit wizards, and the Office of Magical Law Enforcement have been put on full alert to make sure nothing of this nature occurs again. However, very little is known at this point in time about what actually happened. Junior Undersecretary, Percy Ignatius Weasley was quoted as saying, "This is a tragedy for the entire Wizarding world. Mr. Fudge was a great man and a great Minister of Magic, I cannot think of someone who would want to kill him." Personally, this reporter thinks that the Minister made quite a few enemies after refusing to accept Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter's testimony that You-Know-Who had returned. On top of that Fudge's grudging consent to allow a raid on Malfoy Manner may have triggered a response from You-Know-Who. It had been rumored, however, that Cornelius Fudge would be replaced as Minister of Magic before the year was out. It has not yet been decided who the replacement for Mr. Fudge should be, but the candidates will be announced in a few days time. Rumors abound about who the next Minister may be, likely candidates including Amelia Bones, Albus Dumbledore, Amos Diggory, and Dolores Umbridge. It is highly doubtful that the Senior Undersecretary will be promoted after her disrupting role at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry last year. The Daily Prophet will make sure you are the first to know as soon as any new developments arise in regards to this murder.

The whole table had crowded around Hermione to read the article. They all looked at each other wide eyed, utterly speechless. Ron, however, had a theory.

"Umbridge did it. She was the first to find him, she must've killed him so she could take over. Think about how she threatened Harry with the cruciatus curse last year, it wouldn't be below her to kill someone."

"Actually, Ron. That's not a bad theory" Hermione said contemplatingly. "But Umbridge loved Fudge almost as much as Percy did, I don't know if she would kill him…"

"Maybe she's a death eater."

"I don't think so, Ron. I don't think Voldemort would want her. She's too stupid and ignorant to help him." This time it was Harry, realizing that Voldemort was trying to recruit dark creatures, while Umbridge was trying to have them all killed.

"Hem Hem." The students looked up in shock towards the staff table, where the magnified voice came from. Minerva McGonagall stood there, smiling back at them. Many of the students didn't know whether to laugh at the joke or be horrified at the timing. Harry broke out laughing, he knew McGonagall didn't particularly care for Fudge, and neither did he. His death may actually end up being for the best, as much as Harry hated to hear of a death. "The Headmaster has left for a few days to help sort things out at the Ministry. While he is away I must ask you not to wander around the school's grounds, even in groups. Quidditch practices will resume when the Headmaster returns, Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology classes have also been cancelled for the time being."

This news greatly disturbed the students, they had been looking forward to being able to go outside, mostly for snowball fights, during the weeks proceeding the Christmas holidays. Harry, however, didn't mind too much because he was overwhelmed with work. He had been working very hard with McGonagall, and she thought he was making excellent progress, he had been able to change a few parts of his body into the eagle, but he hadn't quite gotten the hang of it yet. Kingsley Shackelbolt was driving him harder than ever, he had been learning more and more powerful spells and had honed his battle tactics quite nicely. Lessons with Professor McClaggan had been very tough. Harry learned a few healing spells that he was able to cast without his wand, but Professor McClaggan told him that combat spells were much different, and they wouldn't start that for a few weeks. On top of all this work he had his regular class work, which seemed like it had tripled coming up to the break.

Worst of all was Potions, Professor Snape had assigned them extra reading one day when only Harry and Hermione had been able to successfully brew a cauldron of Veritaserum. Snape told them that he had wasted a month with them, and that they would have to make it up with the extra homework. As the class filed out Harry stayed behind.

"What is it, Potter?" Snape sneered, throwing him the hateful look that always seemed to be reserved for Harry alone.

"Do I need to do the essay? I mean I finished the potion."

"Yes, Potter. You do. You may think that just because Dumbledore loves you, you will receive special treatment, but I assure you if it weren't for Dumbledore you probably wouldn't be standing here today."

Harry looked straight into Snape's eyes. The look on his face surprised Snape, it was devoid of emotion. "I guess we have something in common."

The potions master leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "Why yes, Potter. You may be right." Whatever Harry was expecting it wasn't this. He assumed Snape would blow up at him, least of all agree. "Now, Potter. Do not think I will be treating you any differently, you may have become much better at potions, but I do not judge your character by my class alone." The professor paused. "There is something strange about you, however. Perhaps I will take a look for myself. LEGILIMENS!"

The attack caught Harry off guard, but it didn't matter. He saw Snape's face contort in concentration, but Harry felt a calm spread over his body. Unlike all the times he had last year that he had seen memory after memory flash before his eyes, he saw absolutely nothing, just a distant picture of Professor Snape, smiling.

"Very good, Potter. You have become a sufficiently accomplished Occlumens. However I daresay that this won't be good enough for the Dark Lord. He will know you are hiding something, even if he can't see what it is. You must be able to conjure up your own memories to show him, proving whatever you tell him. I believe, Mr. Potter, that I will speak with the Headmaster about this when he returns. Get out of my office, now."

Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room where he found Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown sitting in front of the fire, giggling. As they saw Harry they stopped talking and looked at each other. Lavender got up and left.

"Hey, Harry" Parvati said excitedly, beckoning him towards the couch.

"Hey." Harry said sitting down. It was clear his mind was elsewhere, but Parvati couldn't tell where.

"What's wrong, Harry? You look like something's on your mind…"

Harry laughed to himself. "Am I really that transparent?" He said sarcastically.

"Yea, pretty much, your not one to hide your feelings." Harry thought this was ironic, considering what Snape had just told him.

"No, it's nothing." Harry said quietly, he could tell Parvati knew he was lying.

"Fine. What do you think about that whole deal with Fudge?" She asked, Harry was grateful she was willing to change the subject.

"I—I dunno. It seems a bit off to me. Fudge wasn't doing a damn thing to hurt Voldemort, those raids came so late that the entire house could've been cleaned out before they got inside. And we all know that Fudge made it easy for Voldemort to return to power, why would he want Fudge out of office, when he knows we would choose someone stronger…I just don't think Voldemort had anything to do with it."

Parvati was watching him closely. She looked around for a minute and then leaned in to whisper into Harry's ear. "You know. I think you're right. There are two possibilities in my mind. It was either someone who wanted Fudge's power, or someone who wanted a stronger leader, and wanted one now."

Harry hated to admit that it could be a witch or wizard working against Voldemort, but Parvati had a point. He sincerely hoped that it wasn't anybody from the Order, if they were using Voldemort like tactics than he didn't know what to think.

It was then that Harry realized that Parvati hadn't moved yet, she was still leaning in close to his ear, but she wasn't whispering anymore. He could hear her soft breathing and smell her perfume. She touched his hand gently, causing him to turn towards her. Their faces were inches away from each other and their eyes locked. Harry had never really looked at the beautiful sixth year before, he always thought of her as some shallow, giggling girl. As he looked into her eyes he realized that there was a real possibility that he was wrong. Right then it seemed to Harry that there was a lot more going on behind her eyes than he had ever thought possible. Just then she closed her eyes, tilted her head, and moved it slowly towards Harry. Despite their close proximity it felt like ages before her lips met Harry's.

"Hey, Ha-" At the sound of the voice Harry pulled himself away from Parvati as quickly as he could, and turned to see Ron Weasley standing just inside the entrance way. Ron was blushing so hard that his face seemed to have become brighter than his hair. "Nevermind, I was—er—just, uh, leaving." He darted out of the common room.

Obviously sensing that the moment was over Harry and Parvati slumped back into the comfortable couch. Parvati put her head on Harry's shoulder, and her hand on his chest. "Remind me to kill, Ron." She said quietly.