Author's Note: I don't like this chapter that much. However, it does move the characters along and it reveals who the man with the scar was. By the way…I've been getting private messages from people who read the story and would like to see me write a prequel because they'd like to see the Battle of Hogwarts. People…I have to finish this story before I start the next one.

Chapter One: Grave

Funeral of Fallen Minister, Arthur Weasley to take place Today

Four days ago, the very celebrated Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley, was assassinated at a press conference he was holding. After an attack on his life by a man with a yet to be released name, the Minister soon stood, only to collapse again. Harry Potter, senior auror, was there tending to his old friend and superior.

After the collapse, Harry Potter, was the one who called for St. Mungo's healers. He then ordered someone to come down and tend to the goblet that the Minister was drinking from. He seemed to believe that the goblet had been poisoned somehow.

Before Healers could arrive however, the Minister had already passed on. It was a sad day for the magical community, and marked the 5th time in all history that a Minister of Magic had been removed from office by being killed

For more on Arthur's rise to power, see page 7.

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What can be said about funeral services? Harry thought to himself. Could you ever actually say that it was nice, considering someone had to die for it to happen? Harry continued thinking as he clutched Ginny's hand while they entered the Burrow.

Mr. Weasley had been assassinated days prior to the funeral. Someone had poisoned him his goblet and he had collapsed at a press conference. It seemed that whoever had done it had known exactly how much to use, as to place just enough so that Arthur would die at the press conference. There had yet to be any leads. Mrs. Weasley had given her husband the goblet, yet no one had been able to trace who it was that had poured it.

So many people had come to his funeral. Mr. Weasley had been a very well known and well liked person in the magical community.

Hermione and Ron had taken it upon themselves to make the arrangements. No one expected Mrs. Weasley to do it, as she had become too distraught and seemed to cry about everything. She began to hash up old memories and at times, Ron told Harry that he had caught her crying over some of Percy's old things. The elder Weasley had been killed soon before the Battle of Hogwarts by Lucius Malfoy. It happened on a raid of the Ministry of Magic. Mrs. Weasley seemed to have lost all will to go on, but still, somehow she forced herself to. It was a wonder to Harry that Ron and Hermione found anytime to do anything. Ron was Harry's second in command at the Aurror office, and Hermione had become a full time Charms Professor and head of Gryffindor House at Hogwarts.

Among those that attended, there were some of the trio's former classmates. Neville and his wife of 4 years, Luna Lovegood came. Luna still did not seem very concerned that her father had vanished without a trace. In fact, she seemed to believe that it was for the best, as to help her combat a large swarm of Hungarian Jungle Flies she would need to have the house to herself. She and Neville lived together, happily in London. Neville had started working at St. Mungo's 3 years ago. He was their lead Botanist for potion making. Luna had become the editor-in chief for The Quibbler. Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas came to pay their respects. The duo had both become Charm Breakers for Gringott's and had apparated back in from Spain for the services.

The surviving members of the Order of The Phoenix had came to honor their friend's memory. A very pregnant Tonks and her husband Remus came. They brought their child, and Harry's godchild, James Sirius Lupin. He was nine years old, and seemed to be a younger version of his father. Although, it seemed that he had inherited his mother's gift. The boy seemed to have no control over his power though. His hair regularly changed color depending on his mood. Professor McGonagall showed up, despite relying heavily on her walking stick. The Headmistress of Hogwarts had never fully recovered from the night when she had defended Hagrid against Dolores Jane Umbridge. Speaking of Hagrid, the tall man had came with Olympe. The two had stayed together for many years. Hagrid was crying and wiped his nose with an extremely large handkerchief. He and Madame Maxine were asked to sit in the back, as to not block anyone's view. Both Charlie and Bill Weasley had returned for the funeral, but neither could stay afterwards because of work.

The mood in the Burrow had definitely become somber. There was no one there except for the closest family and friends of the Weasleys. Fred and George, along with their wives, were sitting in the family room with everyone else. Mrs. Weasley had retreated back to her room, claiming she needed to be alone.

Harry and Ginny sat on a couch with Ron and Hermione. There were tears silently streaming down Ron's face and Hermione, although crying herself, wiped them away.

"I…I can't believe that we just buried Mr. Weasley," Harry stammered.

"None of us can," said Ginny. "Harry, are there any leads yet?"

"No, none whatsoever. Its as though the goblet just appeared and whoever poured it just disappeared."

"Harry," Hermione began weakly. "do you think that its all related?"

"What?" Harry asked, turning to look at his friend.

"All those people disappearing and now this. Maybe its all connected."

"I think it could be, but as of right now, there's nothing to make us think so."

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The man in the chair was smiling like a mad man. He appeared to be very pleased, and every part of his face showed it. The man with the scar was standing before him. His face was like a rock, showing no emotion and still as stone.

"I am very pleased with you," the man in the chair stated.

"Thank you, my lord. It pleases me to be in your favor."

"Well, now that phase one has been completed, I find that it would be best to continue on. With things flowing smoothly, I believe that we will win. However, I need another thing done."

"Anything, sir."

"No, not by you. This task is one too trivial for you. I need an army, and I need people recruited. I'd like to have the old crowd, as well as new people."

"Who will gather them for you?"

"I have someone. She and you will soon become very familiar with one another. But, I do have another mission for you. However, it cannot be done now. Someone with your…skills…is in very high demand right now. I cant risk you getting caught."

"I wont get caught sir, I need to do it. I want to redeem myself for our former master."

"Your father would be very proud of you, Draco."

Despite having the disfiguring scar, Draco smiled.

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By this time, a month had passed since the funeral. Although Arthur had left a void that could never be filled, his friends and family soon began to return to something resembling normalcy.

The Ministry of Magic had needed a new Minister of Magic. The Wizengamot had to be summoned so that a new Minister could be voted it. It was finally decided that a highly recommended person named Juniper Hodge would take the position.

Juniper Hodge was in his late 60's. He had risen quickly in the Ministry in his youth and was well known.

No one had expected Mrs. Weasley to ever return completely to normal. Indeed, she did not disappoint. She had stopped crying over just the mention of Arthur or Percy, but now she had turned into someone completely different.