Downing Street
Three miles west of tower bridge is 10 Downing Street. Kingsley Shacklebolt had been here now for three years providing protection to the Prime Minister and acting as a special envoy for the wizarding world. Although Cornelius Fudge had chosen to remain defiant of Lord Voldemort's return, Kingsley had convinced him that an envoy was needed between the muggle and magical worlds. With quite a bit of persuasion, Fudge had allowed it.
Kingsley had recently witnessed the departure of John Major and the incoming of Tony Blair back in May. He had therefore only known Blair for two months, but he seemed to be a reasonable man and he always treated him with respect. Blair had taken the news of a secret magical world quite well, all things considered, and often asked Kingsley about the ongoings of the magical world. The new minister of magic, Rufus Scrimgeour and Blair seemed to hit it off and there was a strong mutual respect between them. As Scrimgeour wanted Blair to know the truth about the troubles facing the whole world, Blair was fully aware of Lord Voldemort and his death eaters. Kingsley had even told him over a bottle of whiskey one night about Hogwarts, Harry Potter, Diagon Alley and the existence of all manner of magical creatures.
It was during another lovely chat with Kingsley that one of his secretaries came bursting into the room shouting about a terrorist attack on tower bridge. Blair calmy asked what sort of attack and the young blonde woman replied that it was some sort of colourful missiles being shot out of sticks. Blair spun and looked at Kingsley with dread. Blair dismissed his secretary and started to address Kingsley.
"Is it them Kingsley? Have they done this?" Blair asked with a clear look of panic on his face.
"I don't know for sure sir. I would go and investigate but then I leave you vulnerable to attack. My orders and my personal feelings are telling me to stay here no matter what" replied Kingsley fighting the urge to see for himself what was going on.
"I know but shouldn't you go and warn the minister. He will need to know if there has been an attack on London" said Blair exasperatedly.
"Yes sir, but I don't need to leave, I can simply use the fireplace to alert the ministry"
The intercom on Blairs desk crackled and through it came the voice of the same secretary telling Blair to turn on the television. Blair walked over to the TV and turned it to BBC1.
Scenes of pure carnage could be seen on the screens. Dead mutilated bodies lay all over the place. Cars bashed to pieces. Blair gasped when he saw the guns being ripped from the officers' hands. Blair cast a look at Kingsley whose eyes were wide surveying the scene. As Voldemort lifted his arms and his robes started to ripple, Kingsley pulled Blair to the ground just before the office window shattered sending glass everywhere.
Kingsley groaned and stood up offering Blair his hand. Blair got up and thanked Kingsley for saving his life. He could see that Kingsley's jeans and shirt were torn to shreds, showing deep cuts and blood. Before he could voice his concern, Kingsley took out a vial and drank it down. He cast reparo on his clothes and they looked as good as new. Even amongst the chaos, Blair marvelled at what magic could do.
Satisfied that Kingsley was ok, Blair ran to his office door and pulled it open to see several members of his staff lying on the floor bleeding from pieces of protruding glass embedded into their skin. Cries of pain and anguish filled the air. Those who were unscathed were already offering aid and support to the injured. Blair looked over to the right where the desk of the blonde secretary who had alerted him to the attack sat. He found her eyes open and lifeless. Falling to his knees, he glanced back to the office to find Kingsley with his head in the fire. He knew that he must be alerting the ministry of magic. Rising determinedly to his feet, he swiftly made his way back into the office. Kingsley pulled his head out of the fire and turned to Blair with a look of anguish on his face.
"The ministry is under attack" Kingsley said solemnly.
"Then go, help your people. Protect the minister" urged Blair.
"No sir, the minister told me to stay with you" replied Kingsley.
"They have already attacked us Kingsley. Many of the citizens I was supposed to protect are dead. I will not stand the guilt of you staying here while you may be of help to the citizens of the wizarding world. I know I cannot order you around but instead I will ask you as a friend to go and do what you can" pleaded Blair.
"Alright Tony, I'll see what I can do to help" conceded Kingsley.
"Don't die my friend. See you soon" said Blair as he watched Kingsley apparate away from Downing Street and into what he presumed would be a war zone.