Have I explained why I killed Kingsley? I cant remember. Well, the only reason is that I like McGonagall better, so I made Kingsley headmaster with the intent to kill him, why I did that will be revealed… in this chapter actually. Though I'm almost positive it was revealed in the summary…..

Chapter 9: Murder at the Match

It felt wonderful to be at the Quidditch Pitch of Hogwarts again, despite the fact that he was not playing himself. Harry Potter sat in one of the teacher's boxes, decked out in Gryffindor colors of crimson and gold. It was a slightly gloomy day, but good playing conditions. To his right sat Professor McGonagall, and directly next to her was a boy Harry did not recognize, most obviously commentating, or so indicated the magical microphone before him. Ron sat to his left, and Hermione to Ron's left, Neville sat behind them all, along with a few dozen other teachers. Ginny, sadly could not make it because of her work for the Prophet.

Harry was not really thinking of her though, found it odd that Kingsley was not among them, when he'd called a meeting with Shacklebolt and Smith a week ago he'd told them everything he wanted, but he was meaning to speak to Kingsley about strengthening the Apparating wards, they were a bit weak, and he suspected if he concentrate hard enough he could break through them himself, that meant that a few very powerful wizards could as well, and not all of them would be friendly… where was he?

"Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the season!" the boy shouted into the microphone, his magnified voice echoing throughout the stands. He definitely had the voice for commentating, McGonagall had chosen excellently. "Today's game will be Slytherin versus Gryffindor, of which I am a proud member—"

"JORDAN!" McGonagall shrieked, causing laughs to ring out in the stands. "No favoritism!"

So this was Lee Jordan's son? He did look a bit like him.

Jordan covered the microphone with a gloved hand and turned to McGonagall.

"How exactly what that favoritism, professor?"

"If you speak that way to me again Mr. Jordan I shall have to give you detention." McGonagall hissed threateningly. Jordan turned back to commentating.

"Right, so today's match is Slytherin versus Gryffindor. Here come the two teams now, the captains shake hands, James Potter for Gryffindor, and Cillian Montague for Slytherin! Now the players take positions as Madam Hooch begins the game. The Snitch is released, that one seems particularly fast, good luck to our two seekers, the bludgers are away, the quaffle is released and the game begins!"

Every player soared into the air. Harry watched closely as a Gryffindor chaser scored, the Slytherin keeper didn't seem particularly adept at his position. Jordan announced the score and the voices of Gyrffindors rang out in wild applause. Harry quickly looked to McGonagall, he felt he needed to ask this question to fully enjoy the game.

"Professor, have you seen Kingsley? I need to speak with him." Harry said as Gryffindor scored again. Albus was currently circling the field like a hawk; he passed their box as McGonagall turned to answer.

"You're no longer in school Mr. Potter, all me Minerva."

"Call me Harry then, so have you seen him?"

"No, I'm afraid not. When last I saw him, he was heading to London to meet with you, I was under the impression you'd sent him on a mission."

"WHAT?!" Harry cried more loudly then he had intended. McGonagall jumped slightly and Hermione gasped. Harry ignored them all, focusing on McGonagall who looked slightly baffled. "I did not send him anywhere. I instructed both he and Smith to return to Hogwarts and buff up security!"

"He didn't leave with me," Smith interjected over their shoulders. "He said he had to get something from his office, when he didn't return I assumed you called on him again."

"I didn't… so you haven't seen him in a week?"

"No…" McGonagall and Smith said in unison.

"Harry, I'm sure it's nothing to worry—" Hermione tried to say, but was cut off by a roaring bellow, or perhaps a sob…. A second later the giant form of Hagrid lumbered onto the field, carrying in his arms what looked like a blue bundle of cloth.

"STOP THE MATCH!" Hagrid bellowed. "MURDER! MURDER! In the forest… he was… I…"

Harry's eyes grew wide, no, it couldn't be. He immediately took off, heading down for the field, the teachers followed him, Hermione and Ron hot on his heels. The moment his foot fell from the last step to the grass Harry flew towards Hagrid, a small crowd of students were gathering around him and all the players had landed. The rest of the people on the stands were currently attempting to step onto the field. Harry pushed his way through the small group of students, brushing past Al and James along the way.

What he saw once he got past them horrified him… because it was what he had half expected. On the ground, before a kneeled and sobbing Hagrid was the body of Kingsley Shacklebolt, it reeked of death, his robes were torn and chunks of his skin were missing, along with his right arm and left leg where certain beasts had eaten him, probably werewolves… it was quite a gruesome sight. Harry didn't know what to do, what to say, several thousand things rushed through his mind at once.

The forest? Why would anyone hide a body so close to Hogwarts? Who killed him… Bellatrix… a Death Eater… a Malfoy? Did the murderer want Kingsley to be found? Harry was stood their transfixed in thought, he hadn't noticed that all students has been backed away a good fifty yards and a group of teachers and senior match attendants were gathered around Kingsley's body which was not covered in a plain black sheet.

Harry snapped out of his train of thought and strode up to where everyone was silently conversing with one another.

"Who could have done this?" McGonagall asked horrified, trying to sound as professional as possible but unable to keep the sadness out of her voice.

"Bloody hell, Kingsley…" Smith murmured. "I…"

"Where did you say you found him, Hagrid?" Harry suddenly asked plainly, all eyes turned on him, including Hagrid who was, for once, at his eye level since he was sitting on his knees, tears running down his face and into his gruff, black beard.

"I f-found him in the forest I did… jus'… jus' lying agains' a tree." Hagrid said through hiccups. "Look'd like… look'd like some animal ha' killed him!"

"I can safely say it was not an animal that killed him." Harry said expertly. "He was killed by the Avada Kedavra curse I'm sure… and I suspect all these murders…. We need to get his body away from here. He must be taken to the Ministry… for a… magical autopsy."

Hagrid burst into a fit a tears at this, Harry was full aware that what he said had just made Kingsley's death final, absolute, concrete, and undeniable fact…. He felt sick, but he knew he had to remain professional.

"H-Harry," Hermione gulped, tears streaming down her face as well. "We need to get the s-students away from here."

"Of course, of course." McGonagall muttered, mostly to herself. She pulled her wand from a pocket in her robes and touched it to her neck, she then muttered a quiet incantation and when she spoke next her voice echoed across the pitch.

"PREFECTS WILL LEAD THEIR HOUSES BACK TO THEIR DORMITORIES." McGonagall boomed. "THIS QUIDDITCH MATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED; PLEASE EXIT THE FIELD IN AN ORDERLY FASSION AT ONCE."

There was a massive stirring a movement as the sad voices of prefects called to their houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw… even the Slytherin prefect seemed despaired by this event. Harry looked back down at the covered body of Kingsley, terribly misshapen, missing an arm… leg….

"Now—" But Harry was cut off by the voice of Ron who ran up to join the circle of teachers and parents, Harry had not even noticed he had not been present.

"I've called the Auror Office Harry, we'll have some men here soon." he said gravely.

Harry nodded and took one last look at Kingsley's covered body, all he could think was: who could have done this?

XxX

MURDER! IN THE FOREST OF HOGWARTS ITSELF, HEADMASTER KINGSLEY SHACKLEBOLT DEAD

By Rita Skeeter

Breaking news has just been released. It appears that, three days ago, during a Quidditch match between Hogwarts houses Slytherin and Gryffindor gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid discovered the dead, mutilated body of Headmaster Kingsley Shacklebolt in the Forbidden Forest on the grounds of Hogwarts School itself. The gamekeeper was asked for comment on this issue, but was unavailable. However, Auror Avery Smith, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts agreed to comment for me.

"At this time we have no suspects in the murder. The Auror Office is fully investigating this matter further. It is true that Headmaster Shacklebolt was found in the forest by Hagrid, but that is all the information we have. As of now we suspect that the murder… intended for the body to be found. We have absolutely no other information, but our efforts continue." said Smith the day following Shacklebolt's murder. He of course recited the company line of zero information which is doing nothing to ease the worries of Wizarding Parents.

"First the Azkaban worker, then the escape of those Death Eaters and the murder of one of their own, and now Kingsley Shacklebolt! I'm shocked that a double homicide occurred and there are still no credible suspects, of course we all think it was the Death Eaters, I do, but there's nothing to prove it…. Still, whoever this murder is I no longer feel safe sleeping at night, and I can believe the Auror office has nothing!" said a parent of a student at Hogwarts who chose to remain anonymous.

This reporter, for one, agrees. The Auror office has held one press conference, led by Auror Dean Thomas who yielded few clues about the investigation. It makes one wonder if the Aurors are unable to solve this case at all. But is it their fault? Or is it the fault of their head, a Mr. Harry J. Potter?

Reliable sources reported that Head Auror Potter was in attendance of the Quidditch Match the day Shacklebolt was found. It appears that Mr. Potter even announced it seemed as though Shacklebolt was murdered by the Killing Curse, a fact later proved by the healers who preformed the magical autopsy.

So what is Mr. Potter hiding from us? Does he know something about these murders? Or does he know nothing at all? It is the opinion of many wizards and witches, myself being one of them, that Mr. Potter knows very little about who was involved in the murders. Some respected witches and wizards are now calling for the Auror Office to step up this investigation, or else for Mr. Potter to hand in his resignation. The Murder of Kingsley Shacklebolt is just too much, something needs to be done.

Harry threw the paper down on his wooden desk that his full mug of coffee shook violently, threatening to spill over and onto a jumbled mess or papers, most of which were reports that provided little information on anything. The Head Auror exhaled furiously and let out a little growl of anger. The worst part about that article was… some of it was true, to a degree. Yes, the Auror Office knew next to nothing about the murders, yes, they had no viable suspects, only Bellatrix Lestrange, but all they had to put that on was a hunch and eyewitness accounts from Azkaban, but those employees claiming to have seen her were mostly delusional anyway…. It was true that they were gaining very little, but they were doing much more than anyone would have thought possible. Most of the entire office was on the murder cases, examining clues, crime scenes, anything that might give them a lead. The first murder provided next to nothing, the second not much either, the murders at Azkaban also yielded few clues either, except that Bellatrix was possibly involved, strangely, and ironically enough Kingsley's murder provided the greatest detail so far.

It matched Bellatrix's MO. The magical autopsy reports indicated that Shacklebolt was tortured extensively, and Harry remembered a quote, perhaps from Dumbledore, or some other powerful wizard or Auror, "Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before finishing it,"…. The fact was they had a suspect, but they had no more leads, for all they knew Bellatrix Lestrange and her Death Eater cronies were out of the country, perhaps in Australia, torturing muggles in the deserts and leaving their bodies where no one would find them, or transfiguring them into the bones or dead animals…. She could be anywhere, and that was the Auror's failing.

Harry glanced back at the paper, seeing Kingsley's face looking back at him. He was glad when a knock at his office door sounded, a distracting to keep him from his thoughts. He allowed the visitor entry, and was hardly surprised to see Percy, the Minister of Magic step in.

"Hello minister," Harry said glumly. The last time Percy had come to see him was the day after Kingsley's death, making that what, two days ago? He had come to talk about putting up loads and loads of extra security at Hogwarts, which Harry had agreed to, going so far as to cast wards further into the Forbidden Forest, and quadruple the protection Hogwarts already had, now the enchantments securing the school were nearly past the caliber of those Dumbledore had once cast.

"Hello Harry," Percy said plainly.

"Take a seat," Harry offered. "Can I get you anything?"

"No, no, this won't take long." Percy replied. "I'll cut right to the point, Hogwarts is with out a headmaster, and the Wizengamot thought it prudent to put another high ranking Auror into the school in place of Kingsley, they voted yesterday in secret. It was decided that you would replace him."

"Me?!" Harry nearly yelled. "How the bloody hell do they come up with something like that. I'm the Head Auror! I run this bloody office! I can't run Hogwarts as well!"

"The fact is Harry," said Percy calmly. "The Wizarding public was nervous, and Kingsley's death did not do much for them…. Some people are starting to agree with Rita Skeeter's stance in the—"

"People can't possibly listen to her!"

"What else can they do? You're not providing them with much information."

"That's because we've nothing concrete! Bellatrix Lestrange is our top suspect, but we need more evidence, and we don't even know where they might be!"

"Alright Harry, just calm down." Percy said firmly but kindly. Harry took a deep breath and desperately wanted to be alone, perhaps on a deserted tropical island, away from the world, from the murders, and the Death Eaters, and Bellatrix, and Umbridge, wherever she was….

"Now, you say the Wizengamot elected me?"

"Oh yes, even Umbridge voted in your favor." said Percy, not even bothering to use Umbridge's official title, which was usually his manner.

"What?!" Harry nearly yelled again, instead it came out in a kind of choked cry that went from thunderous to quiet in a matter of a second. He added in a more controlled manner, "why would she want me controlling Hogwarts?"

"Has Umbridge talked to you at all?"

"Yes."

"I thought she might have, she is a very horrible woman, it's amazing Kingsley let her keep her position when he was Minister…"

"Yeah," said Harry, doing his best to ignore Kingsley's name. "So what is the point of that?"

"Well it's no secret Umbridge wants you demoted, or worse sacked."

"So you think she voted me into that position because she wants me out of the Auror Office, or better yet, stretched in both jobs so I'll be sacked."

"Both, which is why I've named Dean Thomas your correspondent. He'll take your office here, and run everything at your discretion, and direct orders. You'll be able to function as Headmaster and Head Auror, no matter what Umbridge's intentions are. Of course you could turn down the offer since you were not consulted, and technically only 'nominated' but since there were no other nominees your were simply elected."

"It works that way?"

"Yes, that rule has not been amended for several centuries actually. Britain was once a monarchy, thus the old Ministry of Magic was a monarchy, of course our founding constitution was amended, so now it is more of a democracy because of the Wizengamot, though the Minister still decides how best to rule… it's a bit complicated. But if you study Ministry history very carefully…"

"You find that most ministers were corrupt and that they kept those rules in to gain more power." Harry finished.

"I suppose." Percy said crisply, as though he had wanted to delve back into the past and examine Ministry procedures… a favorite activity of his it seemed.

"Will you take the job? You have no obligation to technically…."

"I'll take it; Hogwarts needs all the protection it can get with these murders, especially if one was committed so close." Harry said, and added quickly. "Though we're unable to determine if Kingsley was murdered in the forest or elsewhere."

"Very good, but Harry, don't forget, work as hard as possible on the murder cases. The fact is, some people are vying to kick you out of your position as Head Auror, and when you make the move to stretch yourself as Headmaster, the public won't be very happy, which is what Umbridge wants."

"I know, with any luck we'll have a lead within the next week or so."

XxX

No lead came, a week later when winter began to show itself in the form of frosty mornings the Auror office was still no closer to Bellatrix Lestrange, or the escaped Death Eaters, but Harry was in Hogwarts now, and a string of Prophet articles by Rita Skeeter heavily criticized the move, most of they recommended Harry be sacked as head Auror and the job be given to Dean Thomas who Rita had apparently found out was Harry's correspondent but that Harry should retain his position of Headmaster as he still had (quoted from an article) "brains and power enough for that. Though he'll never match up to any headmaster before him…"

Harry cancelled his subscription to the paper and made a point of avoiding it from that point onward, though he suspected he'd never be oblivious to the articles, no matter how hard he tried.

Harry now sat pondering this in silence as students entered the Great Hall for the first dinner feast of his term, Harry had called it to introduce himself and hopefully deliver some sort of speech like Dumbledore always had. Dumbledore… the very person he was most anxious to talk to, he had yet to enter his office here at Hogwarts so he had not spoken with the portrait of Dumbledore at all.

The Great Hall remained fairly silent as the last of the students entered and took their seats, they watched him eagerly, most had skeptical looks on their faces, and the Slytherins all bore stares of the utmost dislike. Harry took a sweeping look back at them all and then stood up, clearing his throat loudly.

"It's already been a difficult year," Harry said loudly. "I know, with Kinglsey Shacklebolt's death you've all been shaken up, I was as—"

"Do you have any leads on the murder Heamaster?" a Slytherin sneered.

"Silence!" McGonagall spat so firmly Harry thought she sounded rather… evil.

"Because of Kinglsey's death I've been sent here to help safeguard this school from those who wish to harm its students." Harry continued, ignoring the rude jab. "I assure you, there is absolutely nothing to worry about, we've three Aurors in this school now, myself one of them, as well as Avery Smith, and Ron Weasley who resigned before taking his job as your Charms Master, nevertheless he still is very capable. Well… let us all eat now to the start of a new term, and in memory of Kingsley Shacklebolt."

With that Harry sat down, knowing full well the students applauded only because they had to, he did appreciate the somewhat enthusiastic cheers from the Gryffindors…. It hadn't been a very good speech, and most already doubted him….

There was a ringing metallic clink as McGonagall hit a spoon against her golden goblet and stood.

"Let the feast begin." She said plainly.

And so it did. Harry did not particularly enjoy it at all, even with McGonagall politely congratulating him on the appointment (though she did not know he only got it because most of the wizarding public preferred Dean Thomas in his office…) and Hagrid's enthusiastic jabbering. It was over quickly and Harry dismissed the students, catching Albus's eye as they left, he looked disappointed but gave Harry a hopeful look. Harry shook his head sadly, he knew what Albus was going for (though at the same time congratulating him), Quidditch matches had been cancelled until further notice….

The moment the last student's robe disappeared through the doors Harry promptly left the Great Hall, avoiding the other staff members, her turned the corner and began making his way toward the Grand Staircase.

"Harry! Wait up, Harry!" called a voice from behind him.

Harry spun to see Ron and Hermione practically sprinting after him, he'd nearly forgotten.

"Harry," said Hermione, slightly out of breath. "Harry, you've hardly spoken with us for months, what's going on?"

Harry glanced around quickly, looking up several times in fear of Peeves or some other ghost. When he was finally satisfied he answered Hermione's question, or, began to.

"Sorry Hermione, Ron, alright, the truth is we don't understand the pattern of these murders, we don't know who the murderer will strike at next, but we suspect he or she will… we're just not sure… our…" he glanced around nervously. "Follow me."

Neither Hermione, nor Ron questioned but followed Harry intently as he started back down the hall at a brisk pace, he quickly turned the corner and barged in an empty class room, shutting the door behind him when Ron and Hermione entered. He glanced around once more, once he was sure no one could be listening (he made doubly sure by casting several useful spells) he continued the explanation.

"Okay, we only have one suspect, though it could be any of the escaped Death Eaters helping as well, we're sure the first murder was Bellatrix Lestrange, and all the ones following after those Death Eaters broke out were somehow connected to her. The best we can come up with is that she's gathering Voldemort's—"

"Honestly Ron! You've helped Harry fight him!" Hermione hissed angrily as Ron winced.

"Sorry," he replied sheepishly.

Hermione scowled. "Go on." She said.

"We think she's gathering Voldemort's—come off it Ron—followers." Harry finished, snapping at Ron as he tried to hide his next wince but failed miserably, making it look as though he was having a kind of weird muscle spasm.

"That could be likely," Hermione agreed.

"Yeah, if she's really doing that then she probably wants to continue his work." Ron added.

"Or else wants revenge," said Harry grimly.

"Perhaps…" Hermione agreed gravely.

"But…" Harry began trailing off.

"But?" Hermione repeated.

"I have this hunch," said Harry slowly, he knew the kind of reaction he would get when he finally got it out…. "I think Bellatrix might be hiding with the Malfoys."

"Oh, Harry you've no evidence of that!" Hermione practically shouted in exasperation, exactly what he'd suspected. "Just because the Malfoys have not been seen in public for—"

"Actually, they have." Ron said.

"What?!" Harry and Hermione asked incredulously.

"Yeah, the Quibbler had an article about it."

"You can't be serious, Ron." Said Harry disbelievingly.

"You have a subscription to the Quibbler?!" Hermione shrieked as though she was insulted, angry, and at the same time found it all rather humorous.

"Well, yeah, it's good reading, mostly it's a laugh, but they had a picture of Narcissa in Diagon Alley, taken just a month ago, she was out buying something but I cant remember what…"

"Still," said Harry. "I think it's suspicious they've not been seen in public for so long, what disease could keep them locked up in their mansion for so long? If it's that serious they'd probably all be dead, or at least a healer would be in and out regularly."

"Yes, it is suspicious Harry." Hermione agreed wholeheartedly. "But you still have absolutely no evidence, all you have in a hunch."

"Which is exactly the reason I haven't been bringing it up, but the moment the situation gets any worse, or we start to run out of leads I'm going to try and have Malfoy Manor searched."

I've always wanted Harry to be Headmaster and Hogwarts…. Sorry for the mega long delay in updating. Don't forget to review.