Chapter 2

"BELLATRIX LESTRANGE APPREHENDED"

Hermione shuffled the morning edition of the Daily Prophet in order to get a better look at the front-page story. This was good news!

"Hey Harry, did you see this?" She pushed her copy toward him.

Harry, who was still not quite awake, looked down at the paper. He adjusted his glasses. It took him a moment to realize what he was reading. He looked up to Hermione. "That's wonderful!"

Hermione nodded and pulled the paper back and began to read the story out loud.

Bellatrix Lestrange, a Death Eater known for her unquestionable loyalty to He-Who-Must-Not–Be-Named was captured last night by the Ministry of Magic's Kingsley Shacklebolt. Shacklebolt, a highly trained Auror, who has been working undercover in the office of the muggle Prime Minister for the last year, apprehended the notorious Death Eater after having located her using a simple tracking charm. In an exclusive interview with Auror Shacklebolt, we were informed the usually crafty witch had momentarily abandoned an anti-tracking charm she has continually used since her escape from Azkaban back in January of 1996. "I was surprised at first," Shacklebolt explained. "I placed a tracking charm on her after sighting her back in June of 1996 at the Department of Mysteries. I never thought it would have lasted so long." The skilled Auror, who has been with the Ministry of Magic since May of 1977, stated the tracking charm notified him of Lestrange's location as soon as her anti-tracking charm ended. "I was able to apparate directly to her location and quickly apprehended her using a body bind curse."

Bellatrix Lestrange, formerly Black, has been placed in a high security ward in Azkaban where she will await trial for the many crimes she has committed since her escape in January 1996. For more on the many crimes of Bellatrix Lestrange see page 8.

"I bet Neville will be pleased that she has been recaptured." Harry poured some more pumpkin juice into his glass and took a drink.

Hermione nodded. She then looked toward the door where a sleepy Ronald Weasley appeared.

"Moooo…ing." The red head rubbed his eyes and yawned.

Hermione and Harry looked at each other and gave a little laugh. Ron was not a morning person at all. He was wearing his high-water pajama pants that had cartoons of the Chudley Cannon logo woven into it. His red hair was plastered to his head on one side, while on the other it seemed to stick out at impossible angles.

Ron stumbled forward and then collapsed onto an empty chair. "Mum already serve breakfast?" He looked at the empty table and frowned. He hoped he hadn't missed it.

"Nope." Hermione handed him the paper. "She left a note this morning that she was meeting your father at Hogwarts. Dumbledore called a meeting." She pointed to the paper. "I suspect it has to do with this."

Ron scanned the headline. He nodded. "Probably." He was still too sleepy to have any real reaction to the good news.

Ron stood up and moved toward a cabinet that was filled with pastries Mrs. Weasley had made the day before. He began to eat, not bothering to offer one to his companions. It wasn't until he was finished with his first treat that he noticed the look Hermione and Harry was giving him. He felt somewhat awkward. "Want one?" He offered them a pastry while chewing.

Harry nodded. Ron threw a pasty at his friend. He turned to Hermione who just shook her head.

"No. Thanks Ron."

Ron could tell by the sound of her voice that she was less than impressed with him. He felt stupid and somewhat embarrassed due to his lack of manners. Realizing there was nothing he could do, he sighed, shook his head, and took another bite of the pastry. "Besides," he thought silently, "It's too early for that kind of thing."