Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter Universe. (Wish I did though. Then I could be SO SO SO rich. But oh well. ;-)
Harry Potter and the Return of the Phoenix
Summary: This is dark time for wizardly world. More death, more blood, more tortures, and now, with the death of the greatest wizard, Albus Dumbledore, everyone awaits anxiously to meet their fate. But no one could be as anxious as Harry Potter. As he will try to find 6 horcruxes and go after final seventh one, he is torn with sorrow and hopelessness. Only if he could see a sign of hope that he can win against the world's most evil sorcerer.
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Annie: Thank you so much for your kind review! You made my day. You are my first review I have ever got. I am so glad that it was you who made it. Also, thank you for making my story your favorite. Hope you like chapter 2.
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sappyx: Thank you for the e-mail review! I don't know about updating everyday, but I will try to update every weekend. Glad you liked my story. Hope you enjoy chapter 2.
Chapter 2. Mysterious Stranger of Ministry
It was nearing 3 p.m. The Minister of Magic groaned as he looked at stacks of paper on his desk. His shining black hair was now silvery white and most of them fall out. He now had wrinkles on his forehead as well.
He looked at the mirror. As he looked, he was horrified at the image. During these several months, he has been aged. He could have sworn that he looked as he was aged 30 more years. He thought cheering charm would cheer him up, but he was too depressed to even perform a magic.
He closed his eyes and thought of the past, before he became the Minister of Magic. He remembered that he always complained about not getting any letters. He even wished that he could get hate letters. As he was thinking, he chuckled and shook his head. Now, he gets 10,000 hate letters everyday. He didn't read most of them, but he could tell that they wanted him to be sacked. The truth is, he wanted to leave this office. He wanted to step outside without hearing people's angry comments.
The letter, he can take it because of the fire, but the angry comments annoy him the most. He can't ever stop them. It always goes through one of his ears, enters into the brain, messes everything up, then goes out through other ear.
He was now getting angry. How an earth was he supposed to stop Dumbledore's death? He didn't even know where or when Dumbledore disappears. He even tried to send the aurors to spy on him, but they all return getting beaten to the pulp. One of aurors had fungus growing on his forehead. Other had an black eye. Every time he looks at those aurors, he wonders how did that old man learned to use magic like that.
He looked at the stacks of letter again. Maybe the half, no, all of them wouldn't be there if only that Potter boy could just support him. All he have to do is to say, "Minster is doing a good job." But noooo. Potter had to be stubborn, like that old man. Dumbledore's man through and through.
He was pulling what is left of his hair. He couldn't think of anyway to end this misery. He just came back from Dumbledore's funeral and failed to convince Potter. He thought the death of Dumbledore might make him talk, but it was easier to beat the dragon without magic than to convince him.
He was thinking of going to sleep. He stood up, held his wand, and was about to apparate to his home. Suddenly,
Crack!
With large crack a black hooded man appeared. His face was covered with a mask. His robe were blackish green. He was a Death Eater. Before Scrimgeour could act, the stranger cried: "Expelliarmus!" The wand that minister was holding flew over few feet.
"Hello Minister," said the stranger.
"Wa-what are you d-doing h-h-here?" stammered Scrimgeour. "I d-don't know h-how you c-came here, but you are dead."
"Me? Dead? I don't think I will be killed by a stammering fool!" laughed the stranger.
"Why are you here? To kill me? Well, you have to get pass my aurors."
"HA! Don't make me laugh. Your aurors are not in the Ministry. I can read you mind." snared the stranger.
"Why you…"
"SILENCE! I do not have time to play game. Sit down, NOW!" ordered the stranger.
Scrimgeour obediently sat on his chair. He was trembling with fear.
"Now that I have your attention, I would like to give you advice…"
"Advice? You are not going to kill me?" interrupted the minister.
"Yes, I do not plan to kill you, but don't make me change my mind!"
"Now where was I? Ahhhh yes. Advice. Well minister, I advice you to leave the office immediately."
"WHAT! You got to be kidding! Why do I listen to that rubbish advice?" the minister shouted angrily
"The Dark Lord plans to kill you. You wouldn't stand a chance against him. Even I got passed through the ministry's barrier. Beside, I can tell that you don't like this job."
Scrimgeour listened to his reason attentively. Half of him wanted to kill the stranger. The other half agreed with him.
The stranger could tell that he was struggling. He just needed little bit of threat.
"Well minister I can see two options. If you choose to follow my advice, then you will be alive. If you choose to ignore my advice, then I have to kill you," threatened the stranger.
"But-but but—if I leave—my reputation, my pride, will be burn down to hell."
"If I kill you, your reputation will be known as the Minister who was murdered so easily."
"But-but-but…let me think about this."
"All right. You have 6 hours to make decision. Oh and one more thing. If you choose to leave, which I am sure you will, put Arthur Weasly in your office."
"Why?"
"Do you need reason for everything?" snared the stranger.
"All right, but answer this question. Why are you saving me from You-Know-Who?"
"Let's just say…that I have a friend's promise to keep."
Before Scrimgeour said anything, the stranger replied, "You have 6 hours. Remember that I can easily kill you, so is the Dark Lord."
With loud crack, the stranger disappeared, leaving the minister with confused thoughts, and a phoenix's feather.
A/N: That was Chapter 2. I know this fiction is Action category, but I was thinking mystery is better way to start the story.
From the previous experience, I know readers get frustrated when the author don't update soon. I am going to update one or twochapters during weekends. In the next chapter, Harry Potter will apear. Please read and review. Thank you!—scyus
Review of the Day:"How can you stick up for Lockhart now, Hermione, eh?" Ron called through the curtain as he pulled Harry's limp fingers through the cuff. "If Harry had wanted REVIEW he would have asked."—Ron Weasly (HP 2)