Warning: Mild depictions of Violence.


Scorpius POV

Working as the junior undersecretary to the supreme mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards was a ludicrously demanding job. I wasn't really even sure how father had managed to swing getting it for me. All I knew was that it granted me access to information no fourteen year old boy should ever have. I was privy to reports submitted not only by the British Ministry, but our neighboring countries as well. Secret files on suspected terrorists, information on the Spanish wizarding rebellion from diplomats and warlocks on the ground. Even Legislative evaluations and regulatory commission notes flew like interdepartmental memos from one office to the next. It was chaotic, but wildly thrilling too.

The days since my arrival had all blended together in a roaring fit of swirling diplomacy and rampant intrigue. It wasn't then too surprising to see important officials come and go or for me to overhear a great deal of information that might better have been kept secret from me. Prince Arcanis of house Hecate, my boss and the Supreme Mugwump, was a warlock in his early nineties-(which by our standards was still quite young). It was however with a handsome face, strong jaw and high cheekbones that made it look more like he could still be in his early fifties. Whatever potions he was taking were working far too well.

Despite his ancient and royal magical heritage, Arcanis chose most often to wear a sharp blue Burberry coat over a host of very expensive modern designer suits that made him at times seem quite like a sinister London billionaire. If this weren't enough to make an impression, he had to top it off, striking black-steel and silver hair and an aristocratic bearing that made him quite the imposing figure. He and is twin brother Hermeus were in fact almost as renowned warlocks as Albus Dumbledore had been during his lifetime. I'd learned later to my surprise that they had even been his students when he was still only a transfiguration professor at Hogwarts.

What I had discovered so far was that the two brothers, while holding a mutual form of respect and admiration for one another, happened to loathe their counterparts political stances. As a scion of one of the oldest and most noble royal families Hermeus Hecate held the singular notion that his ancestry and blood purity granted him innate superiority over half-blood or muggle blood wizards and even greater right to control the destinies of 'lesser species' as he had termed them.

As a leader of the sacred Houses coalition, Hermeus stood on Augustin Valois's side of the isle and was secretly under suspicion for planning a myriad of terrorist activities. I had grown up around both twins and knew them fondly and simply as uncles Cane and Meus. It had come as a rather disturbing shock when Lorcan and Lysander Scamander had waltzed in one day to hug this imposing figure without so much as an appointment registered on the schedule. He had patted both of the boys on the head and asked how his favorite great grandchildren were doing. They answered in unison as they always had that they were his only great grandchildren and that they were quite well. After they'd finished their greeting they almost mechanically turned around and ran to hug me too. Arcanis explained that he had been the inventor Pandora Lovegood's estranged father and that the Minister Luna Lovegood was his granddaughter.

Another day at work I was met with an unpleasant report on my Grandfather in a file stamped with *CONFIDENTIAL: VDE / 843-LAM / TERRORIST SUSPECT / CLASS A*

The file as i'd discovered, held rumors that Lucius Malfoy had spent at least three years of his exile as a guest of the Hecate family. I paused hesitantly over a surveillance picture of my grandfather in fine dinner clothing, being welcomed into the luxurious Valois palace at the Louvre, as of course a guest of Augustin and Hermeus. Staring down at the extensive file... I didn't know what to think. I merely shut the manilla cream colored folder with a shiver, cursing the man who'd destroyed my future.

This place was exactly what the BAT or CIB must look like... I sighed at that... thinking about the news I'd heard of Albus's work in the Ministry. Our late night text exchange had me worried more than anything else.

With all that i'd been exposed to up to that point in time, it became then as one might imagine, very difficult to surprise or impress me. What happened the day after however, seemed a resounding shockwave unparalleled in scope. An event that would undoubtedly shift the tone of movements that were occurring the world over.

It was to my visible confusion that on June 28th, Hermione Granger, the current Speaker of Mysteries and the head of the BAT and CIB, entered my office with Vivian le Fae and Wexley Burke at her side and a detachment of black and white cloaked unspeakables trailing behind them.

"I'm here to see your boss. Tell him it's urgent, and don't make me wait."

I was so flustered by her abrupt arrival that I didn't have time to think of an appropriate response.

"Speaker! Im so sorry..." I shot rising from my chair while nearly tipping it over. Admittedly i was a little unnerved. "but the Supreme Mugwump is in a meeting, his secretary should have stopped you at reception.

"You are a British citizen first and foremost Scorpius. Don't forget that. I'm second in line to the MMs seat and my husband is third. You are to fetch your boss immediately, there is an unusual amount of magical activity occurring around the world. Too much to trace it's origin with the static coming in from this installation. Some spell from the ICW's founders wall is interfering. I want to know what's going on here." She looked like she was lying, but I couldn't be certain.

The humorous aspect of the ICW was its blatant lack of security. Sure many of the auxiliary staff weren't well trained, but since the official positions at the Confederation required that one had to actually be a warlock to hold them, meant that nobody felt it necessary to hire additional security. Two junior members of the ICW (aged around thirty five) served as guards to my boss, but that was about it. It was more for ceremony than anything else. Hermione herself was reputedly a class three warlock which meant she was as strong as Arcanis. I did not feel comfortable trying to deny her entry to his office. Nor did i have any alusions that the two guards could have withstood her advance had she merely barged forward. She looked like she would sweep us all aside with a mere stroke of her arm if any of us tried to stop her.

I gulped suddenly, realizing how serious a situation this was for her to act this way.

"Of course, right this way Speaker."

I led Hermione and Viv into Canis's office forcing him to interrupt his conversation with someone on the phone. I mouthed an apology to my boss, bowing in deference both for the intrusion and out of respect for his station.

"Méüs, I'll have to call you back. But I expect you not to lie next time. I want to know what you are hiding even if it means we are to be enemies."

"I apologize Arch Mage, they forced their way in." I offered sheepishly, preparing to leave as discreetly as possible. I pulled out a chair for Hermione and helped push it gracefully back in when she'd sat down.

"Duke Scorpius, stay awhile. You can take notes on this most impromptu visit. Learn what you can about this diplomatic blunder on Ms. Grangers part. She forgets quite easily how I happen to have trained her and her sister in law."

"It's Speaker of Mysteries to you now or Madame Directress. And don't make me laugh. Dismiss the boy immediately so we can have our little chat. I'm in no mood to play games-"

Vivian flinched before the spell took effect. I have never seen her visibly express unease at something. Even Hermione looked afraid as the room shook and the very light seemed to drain from around us. Arcanis had not so much as twitched a muscle to perform the magic.

"The boy will stay exactly where he is. Understood." He ordered smoothly, signaling for me to pour him another cup of tea. Today he had on a midnight three piece suit with white pin stripes and a white shirt. His sapphire blue silk ascot had beautiful alabaster paisleys to match his pocket square. He looked totally calm and completely collected. "You seem so eager to share my company Mione. Maybe we should have a duel, for old time's sake, at least since you appear to have missed your old teacher enough to barge in here unannounced. Although really i'd hate to mess up my clothing. Or the building for that matter."

Hermiones eyes went wide for a moment before her fingers clenched down on the armrest of her chair. Her fear, then rage subsided and she at last was able to regain her composure. I would have been safer balancing on a wire above an active volcano than in a room with these two dueling.

"You look stressed dear. Why not have a cup of tea while we wait?" Arcanis inquired, motioning for me to pour a cup for our guest as well. "Tea, I find, solves every and all problems."

It was remarkable how much command Prince Arcanis had over even the most politically and magically powerful wizards and witches. He had given a number of remarkable magic users their post school warlock education and was one of the only people of his day capable of standing his ground with Audric Valois and to a lesser extend when paired with his brother even had proved a match for his teacher Albus Dumbledore.

"You're here, so you must have already taken precautions back in your homeland. My reports tell me British special forces have mobilized a defensive around key military and civilian targets. Whatever happens next happens next. Your Husband and the Ministry of defense will undoubtedly handle the threat from here on out. That is not however why you are here, is it?"

Hermione looked curiously over towards me, forcing my gaze towards the ground. Even though Albus and I were immeasurably powerful, and could probably even perform certain magics better than her, Hermione Granger was still on a completely different level. She had years of practical dueling experience that I could only dream of and a razor sharp intensity to her focus that made me shiver to even look at her. She was a wildly impressive woman. The only person who scared me more was Albus's mom. Despite how caring she was, Ginny was probably the most dangerous warlock in all of the UK. Maybe the world given the files i'd read on her while working here.

"Don't worry, the boy has been spelled to secrecy. Even if he were in league with our enemies he could not willingly betray us. Even unwillingly might prove difficult a feat."

She seemed to relax at that, thinking hard about what to say. I had never expected such open candor.

"I'm under an enormous amount of pressure Cane. I don't know how many people are traitors or who even will end up siding with the Valois. This is on an entirely different scale from last time. Your own brother is suspected of treason. I have no idea who to trust. Now the ICW is meddling in our governments affaires while half the members of your Brother's organization work for interests that support the muggle extermination and wizarding rebellions. We are divided, scattered. We've started to interrogate suspects like the Americans now. It's reached a point where we won't be able to keep people safe no matter how much we torture our sources for information. These new anti mind reading protections are devastating. In short, I want to know why you are meddling and what secret missions you've sent my sister in law on."

"Ginevra Potter has retired from the ICW. She doesn't work for me any more. She hasn't worked for me in a long time."

"Do not test me!" the witch barked angrily, slamming her fist on the table. A small shockwave emanated from the gesture, causing the steam from our cups to dispel powerfully for a moment. "Ginny is meeting people in secret. Forming agencies and alliances. Even Harry doesn't know what she's up to half the time. First with the Americans, then with the Japanese. Now Albus is working for the bastard brain child of your new puppet protege Alexander Sorenson! My nephew is ours! Do you hear me? He belongs to the British government and will serve OUR interests. Your international meddling has reached a point that I can no longer sit quietly by and abide it. My family is in danger and I will do whatever is necessary to protect them."

Arcanis looked a little surprised at the accusation, sitting silently in thought. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Too many independent interests were at play to calculate who wanted what or even on which side anyone truly belonged. I grew angry when Hermione had virtually called Al her own personal weapon.

"Ginevra is the most frightening student I've ever taught. Even I would hesitate before challenging her. Her strength is unquestionable and so too do I believe are her loyalties. She has no reason to betray her country or her family both of whom she loves dearly. I think you are mistaken in that regard. What she is up to in the dark is beyond me. As to Alexander Sorensons involvement. Well I admit on that front to at least some level of..."

The rest of his sentence was drowned out utterly by overwhelming shock. I had been listening intently, carefully pulling my cup towards my mouth to cool the brew inside before taking a sip, when a glimmer on the TV screen caught my attention. My grip weakened and the container tipped slowly, pouring the scalding liquid all over the wooden table. To the others in the room it might have looked like I'd had a stroke. On the screen was my aunt in law, Renée Greengrass. She was part owner, CEO and occasionally the face of her news empire: The Daily Prophet and Prophet Television. She only came on when explosive news stories hit the ceiling or to welcome government ministers on primetime. I shushed both adults brusquely and grabbed the remote to unmute the screen, turning the dial up to its maximum. Hermione and Arcanis followed my gaze before their faces contorted awkwardly in horror.

"We are live from locations around the world. Just moments ago a coordinated attack was carried out by unknown parties against Azkaban Prison as well as Nurmengard and the famous institutions Hellfire, Tartarus and Styx. We don't have confirmed figures as of yet but so far an approximate five hundred high value political prisoners have escaped and are currently battling security personnel alongside their rescuers. Minister for Defense and Head Auror to Britain, Ron Weasley, recently mobilized his forces in preparation for an attack on the capital as well as other key locations and so cannot immediately send reinforcements away from London without a threat assessment from the CIB to make sure that we are safe here."

It was a complete catastrophe.

"Wait... I'm sorry... we have confirmation now that Muggle authorities in California are reporting explosions on Alcatraz island and several other secret Magical installations along the west coast of the US. Further explosions have gone off in New York, Los Angeles... and yes... now we are hearing from french reporters that several bombs have detonated in the heart of Paris. This is destruction on an unprecedented scale. Here is live footage of the fight for Azkaban. The current Warden, auror and war hero Bill Weasley has sustained serious injury and has barricaded himself in his office with his junior deputy Teddy Lupin. The Potter government's forces are on the retreat as more prisoners file out of the bowels of the prison. The majority of the terrorists wore masks, however, to our horror, the leader seems to have descended cackling like a madwoman. Sylvia Valois née Slytherin, the wife of Prince Ambroise Valois of France is apparently leading the assault herself. Estranged from her husband as a result of her radical views the Valois have refused to comment on her involvement in this attack. It is clear however that she has severely impaired any efforts to prevent the prisoners from escaping."

"Ma'am! Its all over the news. We have to get back to the ministry!" Burke spat bursting into the office. I continued to watch in horror on the Television as the scene unfolded. Every screen displayed mangled muggle corpses in major cities, while others showed wizards in heated duels around the maximum security prisons. As of yet it seemed that Hermione's information and early response had potentially foiled at the least the bombings to occur in central London.

"Can this be possible? The Minister for Magic Himself has descended upon Azkaban with his personal guard and other notable warlocks from the British Wizarding world. They seem to be pushing the assailants back in a desperate attempt to retake control over the situation."

"Arcanis! Fuck the rules. I'm asking you as a favor to go and assist my brother in law. Or at least intervene at Nurmengard! I have to go back to the capital."

"Yes, of course. This must be contained. It is no longer a domestic issue." Arcanis offered, vanishing into a cloud of smoke. My whole body was trembling with fear and dread. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins as my heart beat wildly out of control. This wasn't possible! How could this be happening? Hermione and Vivian fled almost as dramatically. It was all I could do to keep watching the TV. I took out my phone and texted Al... knowing he wouldn't respond.

Al... I know you don't want to hear from me... but I'm sitting here watching whats just happened... I just wanted to say that I'm praying for your father and uncles. If you hear anything before I do please let me know. Hope you're safe. I pressed send watching the imessage go through as Renée continued her report.

"The team of warlock class personal who have responded to the crisis at Azkaban apparently consist of the famous purebloods George Parkinson and Ernie Mcmillan alongside the Minister for the Preservation of magical wildlife Luna Scamander. The veteran aurors serving as Minister for Magic Potter's personal guards are Seamus Finnegan, Susan Bones, Neville Longbottom, Molly Weasley Jr. and her husband Kent Abbott. In addition it seems that famous wizards are responding at every turn to the growing crisis alongside official personnel. Although it seems that Sylvia Slytherin's forces are in a slow retreat, we cannot yet know how many prisoners they have already successfully freed. Supreme Mugwump Arcanis Hecate has just set about obliterating the forces assailing Nurmengard Prison while his former students Ginevra Potter the Mistress for magic and the Swedish warlock Alexander Sorenson, who were in the states on business, have successfully assisted American Wizarding police in repelling the forces responsible for the devastating attack on New York. President Liam Walker and Archon Marius Maxus have responded harshly in America and Italy where the attacks were most devastating. Wait. We have a development.

Yes... it looks like Sylvia Slytherin and her guards have cornered Harry Potter and his small detachment of... Oh... Merlin... I must apologize to our viewers... It appears Sylvia Valois has... murdered world renowned auror Seamus Finnegan who took the brunt of a killing curse meant for Harry Potter. Bill Weasley and Teddy Lupin have been pulled violently from their office. Merlin damn it! Where are their reinforcements? Why is it taking so long!"

I continued to watch the grim sight in dread and horror. Connor's dad... was dead... had fallen of the roof to be swallowed by the raging seas. The fighting seamed to only get worse. Our side may have had the more skilled warriors... but we were dangerously outnumbered. Many of the prisoners were fleeing but others had turned around to assist their rescuers who'd handed out wands left and right. Suddenly out of nowhere appeared armored wizards wearing glittering gold armor and banners with my family seal plaster on them.

"It appears that Draco Malfoy and his mother Narcissa have appeared. What are they doing! They can't possibly be involved! No wait... it seems they've come to the aid of Harry Potter at the site of the Azkaban Breakout. The aged Andromeda Black and her sister seem no less deadly now than in their youth. The Mafloy families mercenaries seem to be taking matters into their own hands, having joined the fight without authorization from the ministry while around the rest of the world we are hearing reports that the ICW's elite strike teams are assisting local security in restoring order. Critics will no doubt view this breach unfavorably and question not only why Harry Potter felt the need to respond himself to this crisis but also why a Pureblood under the current Article-9 restrictions bill mobilized his private security forces without approval."

"What have you done you deranged lunatic! Are you trying to start a war!" Father cursed, firing a devastating detonation charm at Sylvia's face. He had arrived just in time to help Harry.

"Play the hero now Traitor. I know which side you're really on, Prince Malfoy! So do the rest of us! That's why we've let you live. This assault was only possible because of you! Don't think they'll forget it! Kill them! Kill them all. Strike down every single one of the mudblood sympathizers!" Sylvia cackled before vanishing and withdrawing her guard. The rest of her forces began a frenzied battle for survival as their leader abandoned them. The dragoons were merciless in their pursuit of those who couldn't escape quickly enough. They killed or maimed anyone they caught attempting to flee. The problem was. The damage had already been done. Many of the attackers who'd been left behind turned desperately around in a manic attempt to save themselves and gain access to the prisoners deeper inside the structure. They renewed their attacks with vicious malice, firing as many killing curses as possible. After a stray spell hit the Prophet TV's camera man, the magical drones all crashed and the screens turned to static.

"It seems we have lost our live feed of the battle at Azkaban Prison. We will attempt to keep you abreast of information on scene, but meanwhile we are preparing to go to Ministry Press Secretary Audrey Weasley as well as Harry Potters chief of staff Percy Weasley. Please stay tuned for further information regarding these brutal attacks on our country and allies. I'm your correspondent Renée Greengrass. If you are just joining us then may I be the first to report with a heavy heart on the brutal events of this afternoon. Several hours ago, without provocation, an unknown group of terrorists set off explosive enchantments around..."

I merely stared in shock as the footage replayed over and over again. I fell quietly back in my seat, unable to think. Father and grandmother. This wasn't happening! I grabbed my robes and flew frantically down the stairways and grand halls. Everyone not out in the field was scurrying about like madmen, shouting orders from room to room. I yanked my broom from the locker and took off from the landing zone. If anything happened to father everything would be lost. Our plans would be useless. We weren't ready yet.


OK, so i hope you guys enjoyed. This was by far one of the most enjoyable chapters to write. I had a lot of fun so I hope you did too. If you did let me know.

Next Chapter: Fire & Blood (Yes the chapter bears the name of the story itself. Maybe that's a clue it will be a big one. XD)

It will probably be a week or MORE before I finish/post it. Unless of course you guys felt compelled to assault me with demands for it sooner. ^_^