Arrrgggggggghhh! My home computer doesn't have a word processor anymore so I can't update on the weekends and have defaulted again on the chapter-a-week promise. Almost makes you wish there was some punishment involved more than my feeling bad about leaving you hanging. Enough about me, the show must go on.

He only has himself to blame.

It isn't easy to lead a nation. There are a thousand small factions with their own agendas, most of them mutually exclusive, and you can't just wave a wand and give everyone their wish. Ironic, for a nation of wizards. Even the best intentioned leaders are forced to make too many compromises, cut too many deals. This is why politics is legendary as a corrupting influence.

But not today, thought Rufus Scrimgoeur as he settled into his chair. Today he had struck a great blow for the freedom and safety of his people and for once, no one could object. Well, no one of any significance, there were always crazies going on about werewolf rights and other garbage, but the people generally ignored these deluded fools. Yes, this had been the boldest and best move of his career and Rufus Scrimgoer felt good.

The good felling lasted most of the way through his celebratory wine. Then he was interrupted by his secretary, a prissy woman whose name he could only recall half the time, she looked more excited than he'd seen her since the destruction of Bristol. This could only mean trouble. "What is it?"

"Harry Potter is in the outer office, and he looks upset." Upset? What would the boy have to be upset about? The Ministry hadn't done anything that could affect the boy since…Wait, wasn't there an article a few years back about him being friends with werewolves and giants? And about him speaking the serpent's tongue? He should know, he'd spent months trying to track the auror who spoke to the Prophet, only to have the investigation pulled when Potter-bashing became official policy. Well, this should be interesting.

Harry Potter walked into the room, robes billowing in a way only someone who spent years watching Snape could pull off. His secretary was right, he didn't look happy.

"Minister, you may recall a certain bargain that was made last month? I would issue a statement giving my support to the Ministry in the war effort and assuring the British populace. In return, I was to see, the next time I opened the Prophet, a statement from you clearing several people you wrongfully imprisoned and apologizing to them. I have seen no such statement. Please tell me, how can this be so?"

"Try page eight, Potter, I've held up my end. It might have even made the first page, but they had more interesting things to report."

"Ah yes, the story about the stupidest thing ever done by a Minister. Tell me, you must realize all you're going to do is inspire hatred and genocide? And the survivors will be forced into Voldemort's ranks, as their only chance of survival?"

"They're dark creatures! They'd join him anyway, it's only natural! All I'm doing is striking first, before they have a chance to kill more of us!" Scrimgoeur took a deep calming breath.

"Look Potter, I've heard about your 'friends', if they can be called that. They don't have to be hunted down and killed, as long as they can accept our reasonable terms for their existence."

"And what might those be?"

"That they be tagged and neutered."

"Tagged? Neutered! You're talking about them like they're animals!"

"Because that's what they are, animals. Dangerous animals. You try telling a sobbing mother that it's not their fault they went for a moonlight stroll or got a sudden urge for violence. They're animals, and I'll do anything I have to ensure that the people I swore to protect are safe from them. Unless you have a problem with me doing my sworn duty, get out of my office and stop wasting both our time!"

"I have a problem, Minister, because your sworn duty is immoral. It will cause much pain and death that could have been avoided. It might even cost you the war. I cannot and will not support a ministry that would allow this. I hereby withdraw my support."

"Go right ahead. I don't need it anymore. But I won't have you spreading doubt and indecision now. Your presence has become burdensome and counter productive to the war effort, divisive to the people. In two hours, a warrant will be issued stating that Harry Potter is a confirmed parselmouth and enemy of the state. That gives you two hours to pack your bags and say your goodbyes, If we ever see you back here…"

"Straight to Azkaban on your trumped-up charges. I've done this dance before. Just keep in mind that you only have yourself to blame for what happens to you while I'm gone." With that, he turned on his heel and angrily strode out. Because his back was turned, He missed Scrimgoeur's triumphant grin.

Minerva McGonagall's week had gone from the kind of week where you toyed with the idea of suicide, to the kind where you actually consider it. Overnight, a quarter of the organization had become outlaws, and the others all would be, if the Order were discovered. And all relations with other species had been brutally severed. None of them would consider fighting to preserve the Ministry now, and Minerva wondered why she was, until she remembered all the innocents who would die if the Ministry collapsed. Invariably these thoughts gave her a minutes strength before fading.

She was just wondering what they would do now when the doorbell rang. She looked quickly across the room. Everyone was present and accounted for, Snape couldn't have betrayed the location of HQ due to Fidelius, who was at the door. She drew her wand and walked up to it as it rang again. She looked through the peephole Moody installed (not that he needed it) and couldn't stop the gasp. The hope of the wizarding world and the most notorious killer in said world, were on their doorstep.