Chapter 9

The Teen Witch Weekly magazine had not put out a double issue since November 1981. By chance, Saturday midnight was the content submission deadline for the issue that was to be published on Sunday afternoon.

The young reporter, Alicia Spinnet, assigned to cover the wedding had been instructed to get a few pictures of the pretty bride. In all she had taken twenty-four exclusive photographs. The first dozen were typical wedding photos – A blushing bride, the wedding party, several shots of Harry performing the blessing with Gryffindor's sword, the reception line and the two toasts being given. Alicia knew most of the Weasleys from years of Quidditch games and was on good terms with Molly and Arthur.

The next few photos were hurriedly taken shots of the forty-five Death Eaters in a line, a morbid shot of Mr. And Mrs. Scrimgeour slumped onto the table, an amazing photo of Bellatrix collapsing and several photos of the dementors. There was an incredible shot of Harry stabbing one of the hideous creatures. In the background, Tonks could be seen desperately trying to save Director Hammer.

The final few photos showed dozens of Mediwitches and Mediwizards on the scene while other workers were carrying bodies out.

The final photo on the roll showed an astonished Department of Mysteries employee holding up an empty dementor cloak.

Alicia returned to her office at 10PM after talking with several witnesses and being interviewed by Senior Auror Nick Straighthand. She began writing her story. She had known many of the witches and wizards who had been killed and had unfortunately witnessed several of the murders from just feet away. Alicia, a rather tall, willowy blond witch with a good heart, had helped comfort some of the wounded as best as she could.

She was in tears as she heard Arthur Weasley tell the Daily Prophet reporter about helplessly watching Percy succumb to the dementor, only to be interrupted by Molly's cry that the same had happened to little Ginny. Alicia remembered Ginny from Harry's DA club in her last year at Hogwarts.

At 2AM she filed her story. Teen Witch Weekly editor Ericka Turnbull immediately gave Spinet a bonus equal to two years of her salary for the story and photos, and ordered a triple printing of the issue. Alicia celebrated by going back to her flat, still wearing her blood stained robes, and drinking herself into an uneasy dream filled slumber. She had heard stories from Harry's dorm mates about his horrible nightmares. Tonight she had lived one and never wanted another. At Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt's specific request, she omitted any mention of the specifics regarding Lestrange's death.

Chills ran down her spine when she recalled the dementors and the sight of Harry doing everything that he could to prevent a total annihilation of the wedding party. She was fully aware that if they had been left to feed just another few minutes, everyone there would have been kissed.

Approximately half of the survivors had been taken to the Hogwarts Hospital wing while the others had been rushed to St. Mungo's.

Of the three hundred twenty wedding guests, the Death Eaters had killed thirty-one. The dementors had kissed seventy and another seventy-five had been seriously injured.

… --- …

As Alicia was writing her story and every wizarding law enforcement official in Britain was either at the holding cells, the Weasley property, or Azkaban, Voldemort made his final move of the evening. He and the ten remaining Death Eaters had apparated to the ferry site in Southerland closest to the North Sea island of Azkaban. Snape and Malfoy quickly murdered the two guards stationed in the mainland and they took the ferryboat to Azkaban Island. Voldemort personally murdered eight of the twelve guards while the others began opening the cells to search for the other Death Eaters. As he had predicted some of the Azkaban guards had been recalled to help at the Ministry in London, and the fortress was nearly empty.

In total Riddle lost thirty-eight Death Eaters that night, but had managed to liberate eight inmates back from Azkaban. He lost a few novice Death Eaters and two of the convicts in the raid, but in all objectivity had improved his hand. In a cruel move, he left one guard at the prison alive, bound in a body-binding spell with his hands cut off and cauterized.

The terrified guard looked into Voldemort's face expecting to be killed or further tortured. Riddle looked into the man's eyes as he voided himself and said, "Tell Potter that he's next."

… --- …

Alastor Moody felt like he had somehow failed his friends and colleagues. Hammer had recruited him to work a shift at the Ministry holding cells to allow several of the younger Aurors to attend the wedding. The knarred Master Auror (ret) didn't mind helping out, but never wanted to miss a well-cooked free meal either. Hammer had personally promised to bring him back a take away meal.

At 8:30 PM word had reached the Ministry that a massive attack had taken place at the wedding. The fight was over before they had been notified, but the first call contained frantic pleas for assistance from Auror Hestia Jones to send "All of the healers."

Fifteen minutes later, fifteen Death Eaters were transported to the holding cells. Moody took no chances and personally restunned each of the prisoners. The job of stripping the prisoners, searching them, cataloging their belongings and placing them in a holding cell was time consuming. Several of the prisoners were seriously wounded when they were brought in.

Moody (apparently) failed to notice their injuries. As such, three of the Death Eaters were dead before their turn came up to be examined.

… --- …

If Moody felt like a failure, Harry felt a hundred times worse. In the course of five minutes, his best friend had killed the Director of Magical law Enforcement and Ginny had had her soul… he couldn't bear to think about it.

He cursed himself a thousand times for not bringing a second wand along.

He allowed himself to be transported to Hogwarts with the other wounded. Once there, the adrenaline burned off, total exhaustion caught up with him and he slumped onto the stone floor and fell into an unconscious slumber.

… --- …

As Moody was tending to the prisoners, Wizengamot Elder Tiberius Ogden, called an informal, emergency meeting of the Ministry department heads. At the beginning of the day there had been fifteen department heads. In the event of a call of no confidence or the death of a seated Minister of Magic, the department heads would nominate a candidate for the next Minister. That person would be voted on by the combined vote of the department heads and the fifty members of the Wizengamot. Given the deaths of Director Hammer and Thomas Perkins, Arthur's previous workmate, there were only thirteen heads. With Arthur indisposed there were only twelve.

There were only two candidates seriously considered to replace Scrimgeour. Kingsley Shacklebolt was considered a highly competent Senior Auror, and was certainly believed competent to be a wartime Minister or Director of the Magical Law Enforcement group originally headed by Amelia Bones then briefly by Connie Hammer. Scrimgeour had assigned Shacklebolt to be special assistant to the PM, either to sideline a potential rival or provide the best possible bodyguard to the PM.

Natasha Abraxan, one of the younger Wizengamot justices, was also considered extremely competent. A Druid High Priestess, she had a keen mind, skilled hands as a conjurer and was famed at transfiguring metals. Stunningly beautiful, she rarely was unable to convince others to see her side of a debate.

As the discussion wore on everyone agreed that Justice Abraxan had the fire to recover from the evening's murders and lead the British wizarding world through the current crisis. By midnight the High Priestess had been briefed and had accepted the nomination that would be put to the vote the next day.

In the event that Abraxan was nominated, she would nominate a replacement to the Wizengamot and appoint a replacement for Hammer's position. The full Wizengamot would ratify her nomination. If elected, she would be sworn in no later than Monday morning.

… --- …

Back at Hogwarts, Poppy was taxed to the limit. Thirty of the wounded had been portkeyed to the Hogwarts hospital wing and the rest to St. Mungo's. Fortunately St. Mungo's sent the Master Healer several Mediwitches on loan. At the moment, St. Mungo's had more staff than beds available. Poppy was happy to see the former Hogwarts students again and was grateful for the help. Within an hour, everyone that was wounded had been examined, treated, and assigned a bed.

… --- …

Sunday morning Justice Abraxan was easily elected Minister of Magic and immediately sworn in rather than waiting a day. At that point, the job seemed like an insurmountable challenge. One task had been made simpler. With the sacking of Azkaban, each of the captured Death Eaters was tried, convicted of murder and quietly sent through the veil. Motivated justice within the wizarding world tended to be very swift. The death sentences wouldn't be announced for several weeks.

… --- …

Molly Weasley's happy world had literally collapsed on Saturday. Within ten minutes of Gabrielle's toast, she had lost two of her children and appeared to be on the verge of losing a third. Ron had been portkeyed to the holding cells with the fifteen Death Eaters.

She had been in absolute disbelief when she heard that he had been charged with killing MLE Director Hammer. More than ever, she longed for the calming influence of Professor Dumbledore.

"Arthur, what can we do?" She was certain that her husband would have an idea. He had been her rock for many years.

Doing his best with the little that he had to work with, Arthur replied, "We'll get some news from Moody or Harry."

Molly didn't want answers. She wanted her children back, and replied, "Arthur, Harry can't help us."

Holding firm, Arthur replied "He'll think of something. Remember Minister Scrimgeour and Director Hammer were sitting at his table, not the other way around. Mad Eye will have the latest news."

"But Percy and Ginny…"

"Are better off now. You know that we made the only decision that we could allowing them to be euthanized. I'm so sorry, Molly. They were good children. They were good people. I just wish…" He broke down and began sobbing into his best friend's arms. Even rocks sometimes cry.

… --- …

One of Lucius Malfoy's first actions as an escaped convict had been to send a parchment marked with a drop of his own blood to the head goblin demanding a replacement key to his trust account vault and a moneybag that would allow him to access the vault's funds without physically having to visit the bank

Malfoy knew that this would be difficult because one or more of the Death Eaters apparently confused the meaning of Voldemort's message regarding the goblins – "Under no circumstances are they to be targeted." Two of the Head Goblin's sons had been killed by overzealous Death Eaters. As such, there was no way that Lucius Malfoy would ever see as much as a knut of the holdings in any of his vaults. Fortunately for the two Death Eaters involved, they had been killed by the wedding guests and allowed to die a quick death. Being the arrogant bully that he was Lucius never considered that the Gringotts goblins would stand in his way.

Malfoy had been somewhat surprised to receive a return owl within an hour. He untied the box and the owl quickly flew off. He opened the carefully wrapped box, picked up the parchment and spat as he read the brief message signed by Gringotts Managing Director Ragnok. "Bite me."

Lucius was smart enough to realize that Draco would have no better luck attempting to access the family vault, and realized that at the moment, he was unable to physically access the vaults, or sell any of his property because the deeds were in his vault, or access them remotely. Effectively he was penniless.

… --- …

By Sunday evening Harry still hadn't woken up. Many of the other patients had already been treated and released. Hermione and her dad were shuttling between the bed that had been set for Emma and the bed that Poppy had reserved for Harry. Emma had been given a dreamless sleep potion and a calming draft. She had come in with some cuts on her forehead from hitting a chair after having been released from the dying dementor and was seriously shaken up. The standard remedy of chocolate seemed to have no effect on her, so she slept.

Poppy had found a set of clean clothing for Dan and suggested that he shower and change. Dan had left his dragon hide and other clothing outside and Poppy came by to pick it up. She noticed the large gash on the back of the thick vest. When Dan got out of the bathroom, Poppy said, "Dr. Granger, would you mind if I took a look at your back for a moment?"

Dan replied, "Not a bit. It does feel a bit stiff." She took him to one of the tables, and asked him to remove his shirt. When she came back a moment later and examined his back she was shocked. There was a faint purple mark from his left shoulder blade to his right hip. She had last seen such a mark on his daughter and realized that he was extremely lucky to be alive. Poppy said, "Dr. Granger would you mind if Hermione had a look at this?"

"Go ahead," replied Dan, a bit perplexed that Hermione would have anything to say about his sore back.

Hermione gasped as she saw the faint mark, knowing that her dad had been shielded from the same curse that had almost killed her a year ago. Unexpectedly she hugged him for a minute then asked, "May I see the vest?"

Poppy showed it to her. There was a burn mark etched almost all the way through the thick dragon hide.

Dan asked, "What's wrong?"

Poppy replied, "Dr. Granger, you have a very good friend in Mr. Potter. His vest protected you from a most painful death. The curse that you had been hit with would have acted like a welding torch as it went through your body. She showed him the back of the vest again and he understood.

She said, "Let me apply a salve for that mark. It should clear up within minutes. Were you injured anywhere else?"

Amazed at his luck, Dan replied, "I don't believe so. Thank you very much. How can I pay you?"

Poppy shook her head, smiled and replied, "Perhaps you can assist Mr. Potter sometime in the future. You may get dressed in twenty minutes. You'll be fine. One of the elves will bring your clothing back for you."

As he sat on the chair waiting just minutes for the burn to heal, Dan quipped, "Sure beats doing root canals."

… --- …

Monday's Daily Prophet was full of information. Sitting between her parents, grieving, Hermione studied the paper. The headline read;

Weasley – Delacour wedding attacked

The wedding of the summer was ruined by a full-scale attack Saturday evening as Voldemort's supporters, known as Death Eaters staged a cowardly attack at the wedding of Miss Fleur Delacour and Mr. Bill Weasley. At 8:00 PM, 45 Death Eaters launched an organized attack that led to the deaths of Minister Rufus Scrimgeour, MLE Director Connie Hammer and 29 others. The attack was countered quite effectively by the wedding guests until a second attack by a reported 200 dementors brought fear onto the group.

Bridegroom Bill Weasley was quoted as saying, "My brother Charlie saved my wife Fleur from certain death. I'll never be able to repay him."

There were many heros that evening. Susan Bones who was at the table with Minister Scrimgeour reported that MLE Auror Nymphadora Tonks made a desperate attempt to save the life of Director Hammer while under heavy attack from the Death Eaters and dementors.

Miss Bones was quoted as saying, "We were all sitting at the table. Harry (Potter) saw something and got as many of us to safety as he could. He saved Director Hammer's life and the life of Ginny Weasley. A split second later the Scrimgeours and Hanna (Abbott) were murdered over and over. It felt like it would never end. I was so scared, I couldn't even move. A second later, Harry pulled me down and helped the people at the next table."

Ragnok, Head Goblin at Gringotts was quoted saying, "Tom Riddle's (Voldemort) followers have proven themselves to be indiscriminate cowardly killers. His known assets will be confiscated." Two of Ragnok's sons who were attending the wedding were murdered by Voldemort's Death Eaters.

It was an evening where many ordinary witches and wizards decided to stand up for themselves. Lee Jordan was quoted saying, "I could never face Voldemort myself, but the Death Eaters are just punks in masks. I saw one (unnamed) witch take down a Death Eater and beat her to a pulp."

Hermione gave a small smile knowing that Lee had referred to Mrs. Weasley. She continued reading.

The 200 Dementors had never been assembled in a coordinated attack against the wizarding world since the 1627 treaty establishing the dementors as guardians of Azkaban Fortress used for 370 years to house Britain's wizarding convicts. The dementors kissed 70 witches and wizards without provocation.

As that was happening Harry Potter decided to take extraordinary action. MLE Auror Cadet Alex witnessed Potter single handedly slay twenty-two of the dementors causing the others to beat a hasty retreat. Alyx was quoted saying, "Mr. Potter led the counterattack against the Death Eaters and those monsters. The survivors all owe their lives to Mr. Potter." The exact method that Mr. Potter used to slay the dementors was not disclosed. Mr. Potter could not be reached for comment. He had been taken to Hogwarts for treatment of a case of exhaustion.

Arthur Weasley, Ministry department head was quoted saying "It was a tragic evening. I wish to express my condolences to Fleur's family as well as the families of all who lost loved ones. I am equally certain that ordinary witches and wizards will be heartened by the knowledge that it is possible to fight back and win against those cowards who hide behind masks and call themselves Death Eaters.

Hermione scanned the list of the dead and wounded with tears silently running down her face, splashing on the pages. She let out a sob as she saw Ginny's name listed. She would miss her best girlfriend. She would also miss Hanna and all of the others. Turning the page she saw several articles on the other pages.

Justice Abraxan elected MoM

High Priestess Natasha Abraxan was unanimously elected Minister of Magic on Sunday Morning. Abraxan was sworn in early Sunday afternoon in a private ceremony. The editors and staff of the Daily Prophet wish Minister Abraxan much success in her new position. Abraxan's credentials on page 17.

Straighthand appointed Director

Minister Abraxan appointed Senior Auror Nick Straighthand Director of Magical Law Enforcement. Straighthand was a surprise choice. Most insiders expected that Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt would receive the tip. When asked, Minister Abraxan replied, "I have the highest respect for Senior Auror Shacklebolt. He currently is on an assignment of the utmost importance to the crown." Nick Straighthand vowed to continue the aggressive stance against the Death Eaters and was quoted saying, "We will hunt them down like the dogs that they are and rid Britain of them."

When asked to comment on the fact that he hasn't made a felony arrest in the last four years, Straighthand pointed out that "Supply is an important area too. Earlier in my career, I made three felony arrests - two of which resulted in convictions, fines and the return of the stolen robes. The other was use of inappropriate charms on goats and was dismissed."

Straighthand said, "Citizens are urged to continue to do what they can to protect themselves. I applaud Harry Potter and the others who did what was needed to protect themselves and others Saturday evening. The Death Eaters are apparently not invincible, although I have never faced one, and do not know that for a fact."

The staff and Editors of the Daily Prophet wish Director Straighthand much, much luck and success in his new position.

"He'll need it," muttered Hermione. "Stan Shunpike might have been a better choice. There hasn't been a rash of Death Eater shoplifting, but if there is, it sounds like he'll be right on top of it. Don't any of the Aurors have military experience?" Another story caught her eye.

Skeeter still missing

Former Daily Prophet and freelance reporter is still missing. Daily Prophet Editor Reggie McDonald was quoted as saying "Rita hasn't been in the office in five weeks. We have cancelled her employment agreement and withdrawn the fifty galleons reward for information about her whereabouts."

McDonald refused to speculate regarding Ms. Skeeter's whereabouts.

'At least she won't be bugging Harry anymore,' thought Hermione as she continued to wipe tears from her face. Finally she was shocked to see a quarter page article on the back page.

Azkaban Fortress breached again. Sixteen killed as eight prisoners escape.

At ten PM on Saturday evening, Voldemort and ten Death Eaters led an attack on the venerable prison freeing eight convicted prisoners. The escaped convicts were identified as, Lucius Malfoy, Rabastan Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov, Thomas Nott, Thomas Crabbe, Luis Mulciber, Vincent Crabbe, and Greg Goyle.

Remarkably, Voldemort left a witness to the event. Auror Scott McDonald was immediately transported to St. Mungo's. No other statement was issued.

"Great," muttered Hermione. "They keep getting sent to prison and keep breaking out." She finished reading the article.

People with any information regarding the escaped convicts are encouraged to contact Ministry Director Straighthand immediately.

"Let's go back and see how Harry is doing," said Hermione with increased resolve. They finished their dinner and went back to the hospital wing.

… --- …

Harry was being treated for a high fever, but nothing that Healer Pomfrey was doing seemed to make any difference. He had been thrashing in his sleep as if fighting some sort of silent battle for over thirty hours now.

Harry saw an image of his Dad and his mum walking to greet someone. He recognized her as Ginny, but she seemed older, in her early twenties like his Dad. They came closer to him and finally the Ginny image spoke.

"Let me go, Harry. Don't you dare blame yourself. I got separated from the group that day. It was my time."

"No, my fault," muttered Harry."

"Harry, I'm with your parents now. When you killed the dementor that got me, all of the souls that it had taken were freed. I'm happy now, Harry… Please Harry… I need to go. Promise me Harry… Kill that bastard, marry a nice witch and raise lots of green-eyed babies for me. I'll always love you… Goodbye Harry." Her image faded.

Poppy was worried. His fever hadn't let up and Harry looked like he was in a struggle from the way that his arms were flailing and his legs were kicking. He was muttering something, "…sorry…don't go…love you…I'll try…bye…" He was dehydrated and obviously delirious. She did her best to carefully force some fluids down his throat, but he wouldn't hold still.

Another image came to Harry. It was Dumbledore, the younger Dumbledore that Harry had seen in the pensive. He said, "I'm extremely proud of you Harry. You saved many people that day and found what you must ultimately do… Look at memories in the pensive again. Your answer is there. We love you, Harry."

Harry calmed down. For several hours his body remained motionless as he made little moaning sounds. Finally Dan could see his hand twitch. Emma and Hermione were awake, resting in the next beds. Dan got up from the chair and they both came over to see how Harry was doing.

Two minutes later Harry woke up. Seeing the movement, Poppy scurried over and shooed everyone away over their persistent protests. She took out her wand to examine her favorite patient and found nothing seriously wrong with him. She straightened his covers, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "It's late. Try and get some rest Mr. Potter. Your friends will see you in the morning."

… --- …

Meanwhile at the Ministry holding cells, Ron was terrified. He had watched the guards take the Death Eaters away. As they were being led away, one had seen him in the cell and said, "Thanks Weasley. You did our work for us."

Several hours later, the guards had come back talking about how the Death Eaters had all been tried, convicted, and sent through the veil. He doubted that his dad could do anything on his behalf and waited his turn. He hadn't been allowed any visitors.

While the Aurors guarding the holding cells may have normally shown Ron some pity, his causing the death of one of their own left them with nothing but contempt for the lanky teen. The fact that Hammer had been quite popular with the rank and file only worsened his chances. He shivered on the cement floor under the thin blanket and awaited his fate.

… --- …

Handing out the moneybags, Voldemort looked at the smaller, but more competent group that had encircled him. "You have done well this week. The new Minister will prove less of a nuisance than Scrimgeour. We will continue recruiting. Those that refuse will be killed or put under the Imperious curse to do our bidding."

There were murmurs of approval from the Death Eaters. Each of them was in favor of indirect fighting rather than another set place battle.

He looked at them again and said, "Who can tell me about Bella?"

… --- …

A/Ns

Thanks to the people who reviewed or sent e-mails.

Will Molly and Arthur stay in the Order?

If you haven't read it, Sunset over Britain is a fantastic work in progress. Make a Wish is another very fun story.

Thanks Steve.