Two Dead in Ministry Attack!

Yesterday at eleven o'clock a.m., Death Eaters, accompanied by werewolves, once again attacked the Ministry of Magic. There were two fatalities; Head of Magical Creatures Board (MCB), Mr. Mark Lopentiz and Minister of Magic, Mr. Cornelius Fudge. Both deaths could have been prevented had Aurors acted quicker. Head Auror, Mr. Sirius Black, didn't show up to help until after both murders had been committed.

With the recent attack, the temporary Minister, Ms. Amelia Bones, has made a decision that has never before been made. Ms. Bones has settled on shutting down the Ministry of Magic. She has instructed all heads to inform their departments. Everyone is to bring everything home. If needed, you will receive an owl.

An R.S. article.

Sirius sighed as he dropped the paper. "I love how Skeeter had only one line of false information this time."

"Is that really the thing to be focusing on? Shouldn't you be packing everything up to bring home?" Remus frowned. He was visiting Sirius for a bit.

"I will. I've got magic to help," Sirius nodded.

Remus shook his head. "I can't believe the Ministry's being shut down. It's never been shut down before."

"It also hasn't been attacked four consecutive times before either," Sirius shrugged.

"The attacks haven't been consecutive."

"You know what I mean."

"True." Remus nodded. "How was the trio when you saw them?"

"They looked like hell. The Horcrux that was at Gringotts was in the Lestrange vault," Sirius said.

"Oh my God. Harry and his friends had to go into the vault?"

"Yes. They were covered in burns and cuts. They look horrible," Sirius replied.

"I hope they finish soon. I'm losing my mind over Harry," Remus sighed.

"They have three Horcruxes left. Nagini, the sword, and someone's soul."

"Well, I'm going to head home. See you later, Padfoot. Start packing," Remus stood from his seat and left the office. He had already sent all his stuff to the house. He headed outside to Disapparate, saying goodbye to some as they passed. He reached the Apparation point and disappeared.

Sirius breathed deeply and stood up. He placed a cardboard box on his desk and began filling it with papers and files. He emptied out his desk and the filing cabinet. He put his pictures in a small box and closed it.

"Hey, Sirius. You done packing?" Tonks walked in, holding a box.

"Just finished. I'm guessing you're done?" Sirius looked pointedly at the box in her hands.

"Yeah. This is my last box. Where's Remus?"

"Just went home. He had already sent his stuff to the house," Sirius replied.

"Same with Kingsley. He's already been at the flat for about ten to fifteen minutes. Lazy ass wouldn't come help me," Tonks shifted the box.

Sirius chuckled. "It's Kingsley. Well, I'll talk to you later, Tonks. I need to get home."

"Bye, Sirius." She left. Sirius waved his wand at the boxes and they shrunk. He put them in his pocket, pulled on his cloak, and headed outside. He Disapparated.

"They really shut down the Ministry?" Ginny asked Remus and Sirius. It was lunchtime. Remus, Sirius, Ginny, and Luna were at the table eating and chatting.

"Yes. Everyone has to work from home now," Sirius nodded.

"How long?" Ginny asked.

"Until it's safe again. That probably won't be until Voldemort is destroyed," Remus sighed.

Ginny poked at her food. "Hopefully soon. Excuse me. I'm going to Harry's room." She pushed away from the table and walked upstairs.

"Where were Harry and his friends heading?" Remus wondered.

"Don't know. They were going somewhere to set up the tent and do research," Sirius answered.

"Research?"

"Yeah, they're trying to figure out how to destroy the sword and the Horcrux in the person's soul without killing the person."

"I hope they come home soon. I'm ready to see Harry again," Remus washed his dish. "I'm going to use the drawing room for work. You can use the den."

"All right. Call me when dinner's ready. I need to work already," Sirius headed for the den.

"Will do," Remus nodded and walked upstairs to the drawing room.

"Start the fire. It's freezing," Hermione said, shivering. She, Harry, and Ron were in the living room in the tent, books open all around them. They hadn't gone far when they left the cave. Harry had brought them to the forest that had resided behind the cottage. During the night, it had begun to snow and the temperature dropped considerably. They had slept on and off, wanting to rest but not wanting to stop their research.

Harry picked up his wand from the end table by the sofa and pointed it at the fireplace. "Incendio," he muttered. Large flames appeared and the room began to slowly warm. "You know. I think I remember reading something about horcruxes a while before we left. It was in…" he searched the books scattered around, "this one." He picked up one of the books. It was called 'Associating Dark Mark With Objects.'

"Sounds promising," Ron nodded.

"There's something in here that will help. This chapter," Harry pointed to the chapter in the 'Table of Contents' labelled 'Dark Magic Associated With Souls'.

"That's only about souls though," Hermione pointed out.

"Read this," Harry passed her the book after flipping to the right page. Hermione read the pages.

Dark Magic can be used for many things. One way people use Dark Magic is on themselves. With practise and if you're very powerful, you can use Dark Magic to split your soul. When you do this, you can put the parts of your soul into objects, animals, and even people. Normally, a person can only split his or her soul into two or three parts. There have been cases, however, where someone has attempted and succeeded in splitting their soul into more than four parts. When you split your soul, the parts are known as Horcruxes. Once a person has split their soul, they immediately become immortal. If all the Horcruxes are destroyed, the person will, once again, be mortal.

There is only one way to destroy a Horcrux. To destroy a Horcrux, you must destroy it with something, other than a wand, that has been used to kill something very powerful and magical, unless itis a human soul or an animal. An example would be if someone used a sword and killed a unicorn. The sword would then be full of powerful magic and could then be used to destroy a horcrux.

In the year of 1945, an exception was made to this rule. The Elder Wand was created and used by the Dark wizard, Grindelwald. Defeated by Albus Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel, the Elder Wand was taken by Dumbledore to keep it safe. This wand, being extremely powerful, is able to destroy anything, including horcruxes. No one knows where the wand is hidden.

"Harry! This wand! The Elder Wand! It can destroy the sword and the horcrux in the person's soul without killing the person!" Hermione exclaimed.

"How do we get it though? Dumbledore took it and hid it. No one knows where it is except Dumbledore," Ron said.

"So let's ask Dumbledore," Harry stated.

Ron and Hermione stared at him. "Have you completely lost your mind?"

"No, I'm fine. Why?"

"Do you not hear yourself?" Hermione frowned. "You just said let's ask Dumbledore."

"Yeah. So?" Harry shrugged.

"Dumbledore's dead," Hermione said.

"I know that," Harry nodded.

"What are you on about then? It makes no sense," Ron said.

"I mean let's ask Dumbledore. Let's go to his house and ask him. He can travel between frames. He'll either be at number twelve or Hogwarts. We go to his house, call him through the frame, and ask him," Harry finally explained.

"You make it sound easy," Ron said.

"It is."

"Only if you know where he lives and there's already a bunch of snow outside," Hermione stated.

"That's the wonder of books," Harry grabbed another book and flipped through a few pages. He showed them the picture of Dumbledore's house.

"Wow," Ron said. The house was a two-story stone building with a wooden door.

"Harry, this is a complete invasion of privacy. We shouldn't do this. It's not right," Hermione shook her head.

"We have to get this wand. Without it, we can't finish this," Harry said.

Hermione hesitated. "All right. Let's go, but this doesn't mean I think this is right," she finally agreed.

Harry smiled. "Let's visit Dumbledore." They closed the books and began putting them away. They stepped outside where their feet disappeared in the snow.

"This is just brilliant. Now we're gonna freeze," Ron groaned as Harry took the tent down and put it in his bag.

"Time to go," Harry rolled his eyes at Ron then disappeared. Ron and Hermione followed.

"My Lord, Potter and his friends only have three Horcruxes left," Lucius Malfoy bowed his head.

"It can't be!" Voldemort stood in one swift motion. "Which remain, Lucius?"

"The sword, Nagini, and the soul."

"This is impossible."

"They will be going after the Elder Wand, my Lord."

"No!" Voldemort yelled. "The wand must be protected. Fetch Nagini, Lucius, and bring her to me."

"Yes, my Lord," Lucius bowed again, then left.

"You will not destroy me, Potter," Voldemort said to no one.

"Come on," Harry said. He and his friends were trudging through snow towards Dumbledore's house.

"We shouldn't be here. It's not right," Hermione said.

"Hermione, we're already here and you already agreed. No going back. You don't have to come in. Stay out here," Harry told her.

"And freeze to death? No way. I'm coming," she shook her head, making snow fly everywhere.

"Then stop complaining and come on or I'll make you stay out here," Harry stated.

"I'd like to see you try," Hermione grinned. The three started laughing. Finally they made it to the door. They stomped the snow off their shoes.

"Ready?" Harry asked, his hand on the doorknob. They nodded and Harry opened the door. Being the middle of the day, the house was bright. It was neat and organized. Harry looked at the pictures, searching for an empty frame. He picked up a photo off the mantle. It was a young girl. Harry looked at the small golden plaque on the bottom of the frame.

Ariana Dumbledore

"Is that his sister?" Hermione took the picture.

"Must be. This is his brother, Aberforth," Harry pointed to a picture of a young boy.

"Are you sure? That looks like Dumbledore," Hermione looked closely.

"It says 'Aberforth'," Harry pointed at the plaque.

"Harry?" Ron said.

"Yeah?" Harry turned.

"I found an empty frame. It says Dumbledore's name."

"Show me." Harry followed Ron into a bedroom. On the wall behind the bed, an empty frame labeled 'Albus Dumbledore' hung. Harry went to it. "Professor? Professor Dumbledore?" he said to the frame.

"Are you sure this will work, Harry?" Hermione asked when nothing happened.

"Yes. I've seen Sirius do it at Grimmauld Place. He called his great-great-grandfather, Phineas," Harry nodded. "Professor? Professor." He sat on the bed heavily. "So now what? Dumbledore's the only one who can tell us where the Elder Wand is."

"We'll figure it out. We've figured everything else out," Hermione said softly.

"We've had help on everything. Regulus and Remus helped with the locket. Griphook helped with the goblet. We never would have gotten this far without everyone helping," Harry sighed.

"Did I hear my name?" a familiar voice said behind them.

"Professor!" the trio exclaimed, spinning around to face the now occupied frame.

Albus Dumbledore was smiling at them. "You've arrived."

"You were expecting us?" Ron frowned.

"Of course. I've been waiting," Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling.

"But why?" Hermione asked.

"You need to find the Elder Wand, am I correct?"

"Yeah. We do," Harry nodded.

"You must be careful when going after this wand. Voldemort has sent Nagini to guard it," Dumbledore told them.

"Nagini? Voldemort knows where the wand is?" Harry asked.

"Yes, he does," Dumbledore nodded.

"If he knows where it is, why hasn't he destroyed it?" Harry wondered.

"He didn't think it necessary to destroy it. He never thought you would be after it. When he planned to kill you that night, it wasn't supposed to happen the way it did," the late headmaster explained.

"You mess up a lot of Voldemort's plans, mate," Ron said.

"I've noticed," Harry grinned. His smile faded.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I don't think I can do this. I can't beat Voldemort," Harry replied.

"Harry, of course you can. You know it. Everyone does," Hermione stated.

"I hope so," Harry sighed and looked back to Dumbledore. "So, where's the Elder Wand, sir?"

"It's here. It can only be revealed by magic," Dumbledore said.

"HARRY!" Hermione screamed. Harry quickly glanced at the door and ducked just as Nagini lunged at him. Missing Harry, the large snake slammed into Dumbledore's frame, shattering it to bits.

"Harry, look out!" Ron yelled. Harry jumped aside towards Ron as Nagini tried to strike again.

"Where's my wand?" Harry shouted, moving away from the snake again.

"I'm sick of this snake." Ron grabbed Gryffindor's sword from Harry's bag and stood in front of Harry. He swung the sword up. When Nagini lunged at him, he stepped to the side and brought the sword down. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sprayed with blood. They stared at the still twitching body of the headless snake. After a few minutes, Harry stood up off the floor and grabbed his wand off the bed.

"Harry, it didn't hurt you," Hermione stated.

"Huh?"

"When Ron destroyed Nagini, it didn't hurt you. Not like the other Horcruxes."

"Oh, yeah. Weird. We're going to have to watch out even more. When Voldemort finds out Nagini's dead, he'll hunt us down," Harry said.

"As if we don't have enough problems," Ron sighed.

"Can the frame be fixed?" Hermione asked.

Harry looked at the broken frame. It was in splinters. "No. It's useless. Now what do we do?" he flopped on the bed.

"We need to find the Elder Wand," Hermione said.

"How? You heard Dumbledore. It can only be revealed with magic. We don't even know where to start, what spell to use," Harry answered.

"Maybe it has an underlying meaning," Hermione said.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, sitting beside Harry.

"Maybe we have to reveal something that will tell us where the wand is. Like the clues Regulus left for us. They told us where to look when we solved the riddles," she told them.

"That still doesn't help us. What do we have to reveal? What spell do we use?" Harry said.

"Revealing Spell," Hermione replied simply.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Which is-?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's Aparecium."

"Doesn't that reveal invisible ink?" Ron furrowed his eyebrows. Harry and Hermione stared at him. "What? Oh, come on. I'm not that stupid," he glowered at them.

"Anyways, yes, it does reveal invisible ink," Hermione nodded.

"How do we even know where to start? How do we find it? Cast Aparecium on the whole house?" Harry frowned.

"We might have to," Hermione said.

"Hermione, we're a little short on time here," Harry said.

"Let's start then and work fast," Hermione left the room.

"And you thought I had lost my mind when I suggested talking to Dumbledore," Harry said to Ron who grinned. Harry stayed in the bedroom as Ron left to search somewhere else.

"Padfoot! Padfoot!" Remus yelled, knocking on the door of Sirius' flat. "Sirius! Open the damn door!"

The door opened. "What do you want, Moony?" Sirius grumbled.

Remus blinked several times, taking in his friend's appearance. Sirius' hair was long and messy. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty. He was holding an almost empty bottle of Firewhiskey. "Are you drunk?" he asked.

"No. Just buzzed." Sirius walked back into the flat and slumped on the sofa, finishing the bottle.

"You look like hell."

"Do you want something?" Sirius snapped. "I'm busy."

"Doing what? Getting drunk because your fiancée is a Death Eater?"

"Ex-fiancée, genius."

"You're a prick."

"Again, I ask. Are you here for some reason other than insulting me?"

"You need to shower and get down to the hospital," Remus answered.

"Why?"

"Because Lily went into labor an hour ago. She's ready to deliver."

"Congratulations to them. Tell them that from me," Sirius said dully.

"You're telling them yourself. Get in the shower," Remus pulled him off the sofa and pushed his into the bathroom. He wandered back to the living room when he heard the water and waited. After about twenty minutes, Sirius entered the living room looking loads better.

"Happy?" Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Not until I get you to the hospital," Remus handed Sirius Floo Powder. A few minutes later, they were at St. Mungo's and Remus lead Sirius to Lily's room. James was outside the door. "Has she delivered yet?"

"Just. Come on. Come see him," James entered the room with his friends. Lily was sitting in the bed, a blue bundle in her arms.

"Hey, guys," she smiled at them.

"Hi," Sirius said,

"Hey, Lily. How are you doing?" Remus asked.

"I'm fine. Come over here, you two. Come meet our son," Lily told them.

"What's his name?" Sirius asked as James handed him the bundle.

"Harry James," Lily answered.

"Hey, kiddo," Sirius whispered, looking at the small baby.

"Padfoot, we have something to ask," James stated.

"What's up?"

"We want you to be Harry's godfather," Lily said.

"Me? I can't take care of kids. Moony should-"

"Sirius, you know I can't. I'm a werewolf," Remus smiled at him.

"So?" James said.

"Yeah. I accept," Sirius nodded and looked back at Harry. The boy had woken up and was staring at him. Sirius smiled. "Hey there, kiddo."

"Padfoot? Wake up." Remus shook Sirius who had fallen asleep at the desk in the den.

"I'm up, I'm up," Sirius yawned.

"Are you all right?"

"Fine. Just had a great dream. First one in months," Sirius nodded. "So, what's up?"

"It's dinner."

"Already?"

"Yes. It's five-thirty," Remus nodded and headed downstairs. Sirius followed. "I'm going to be leaving for about fifteen minutes after dinner," Remus said as Sirius sat down.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to tell Danny he doesn't have to go undercover."

"That's one thing. We don't have to worry about getting fired," Sirius grinned. Remus rolled his eyes but couldn't help agreeing.

"Oh, hello, Remus. Come in," Danny stood aside and let Remus in the house. "Has something changed?"

"Yes, actually, there has been a change," Remus said as they sat down. "As you've heard, the Ministry was attacked again yesterday."

"Of course. It's all over the paper," Danny nodded.

"And there were two deaths. The head of the Magical Creatures Board was one of the fatalities. My job is no longer in danger. You will not need to go undercover, Danny," Remus told him.

"Oh. I see," Danny said.

"I brought you something." Remus pulled a small bag out of his pocket and a vial from the other.

"What's this?"

"Your pay," Remus replied.

"My pay? But I didn't do anything," Danny frowned.

"Danny, you have a family and you agreed to join Fenrir Greyback despite the risks. Not many people would do that. You deserve it."

"How much?" Danny picked up the bag.

"Two hundred galleons, seventy sickles, thirty knuts," Remus said.

"Wow. That's a lot. Thank you, Remus," Danny smiled. Remus nodded his head in acknowledgement. "What's in the vial?"

"This is a potion. It's also for you if you want it."

"What kind of potion?"

"How do you feel about having lycanthropy, Danny?" Remus asked.

"I hate it more than anything."

"Is there a job you've wanted by couldn't get because of the curse?"

Danny frowned. "I've wanted to be an Auror but never applied because of the curse."

"You'll want this then." Remus handed the potion to Danny. "Take it before the next full moon," he stood, ready to leave.

"What is it?" Danny asked, confused.

"The cure for lycanthropy."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What?"

"It'll cure you," Remus smiled.

"What are you playing at? There's no cure. The Ministry would have said something," Danny had stood up.

"They would have, had they believed it. Danny, believe me. It's a cure and it works," Remus said.

"How do you know?"

"I was a werewolf up until four years ago. My nephew got this potion made for me. No more lycanthropy," Remus explained.

"How will I know if it works?"

"You won't feel ill near the full moon. You'll have more energy," Danny still looked skeptical. "Trust me. I have to go. I'll talk to you later," he headed for the door.

"Remus!" Danny called just as Remus was about to disapparate. "Umm, thanks."

"Anytime," Remus smiled and Disapparated.