Chapter 15: We Interrupt this Program

Esme turned on the wireless as she finished feeding dinner the boys. Evening was falling here in Forks, but in England morning was breaking. Today was the Ministry deadline for the surrender of the Centaurs, and none had surrendered. MNN was going to carry the WWN broadcast from Hogwarts as the Ministry moved to force the Centaurs to comply. She really couldn't believe it had come to this and that it was being broadcast.

Soon a familiar voice came from the wireless, "This is Anderson Cronkite, we are joining Lee Jordan who is broadcasting live from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the British Ministry moves to round up the Centaurs for detention. Lee can you hear me?"

Soon a second voice joined the broadcast, "I can hear you Anderson. I am reporting from an upper floor window of Hogwarts. I am above the main doors and below me I can see the Ministry forces that have gathered. Minister Fudge has just finished a statement in which he reiterated the Ministry's policy that the Centaurs need to be rounded up as they are a danger to the public. The main doors of Hogwarts are opening. Headmaster Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix are exiting the castle. As the great doors of Hogwarts close I am reminded that this has always been a place of sanctuary and safety for over a thousand years. I wonder if future generations will still believe that."

Mr. Cronkite interrupted, "Lee can you describe the scene to us? What is happening? How many has the Ministry sent for this operation?"

Lee Jordan answered, "Anderson they are gathered at the main doors of Hogwarts where Minister Fudge had moments ago addressed the crowd. Minister Fudge has brought many high ranking Ministry officials and I would guess about 80% of the Auror force and nearly all of the Unspeakables. This show of force is obviously meant to deter future denials of Ministry orders. The Minister has been joined by Headmaster Dumbledore and, if memory serves me correctly, the majority of the Order of the Phoenix. The Ministry forces must be over two hundred strong."

Shocked by this Mr. Cronkite said, "This doesn't sound like the Ministry expects this to be peaceful."

Lee continued, "No they are in heavy battle robes. I have not seen this since the last battle against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Wait…there is movement at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, I think the Centaurs are coming out."

"Does this mean they are going to surrender to the Ministry?" Anderson asked.

Again Lee asnwerd, "It does not look like it; they are heavily armed and taking up defensive positions along the edge of the forest."

Meanwhile inside Hogwarts castle the heads of the four houses were meeting.

Getting everyone's attention Minerva said, "I believe we may need to defend the castle."

Pomona Sprout the Herbology professor asked, "Why? You don't think the Centaurs would attack students?"

Minerva looked sadly at the head of Hufflepuff house as she answered, "No Pomona I don't. I do think that Dumbledore will take this opportunity to "cleanse" the student population though."

Filius Flitwick who was the Charms professor then questioned, "Minerva what do you know?"

Professor McGonagall looked down at the little man that headed house Ravenclaw replying, "Filius, Dumbledore as said that he knows what we have done to hide students."

Gerald Nott the new Potions and head of Slytherin jumped to his feed shouting, "We have to protect the students!"

Nodding Minerva agreed, "Yes we do. Get everyone to the Great Hall!"

Outside the standoff continues…

Lee tried to explain what was going on, "The Ministry forces are taking up position for attack. Minister Fudge has ordered the Centaurs to throw down their weapons and surrender."

"Will they comply?" Anderson asked.

Snorting Lee answered, "Not likely they are laughing at the Minister, who is turning red. WAIT! There is more movement along the border of the forest."

Anderson questioned, "What is happening?"

Shouting into his microphone Lee announced, "The Centaurs are being joined by armed Elves. The Royal Elves are standing with the Centaurs!"

Inside the Great Hall…

Once everyone had gathered in the Great Hall Minerva addressed the school. "Students please if I may have your attention…Thank you, as you know Ministry forces are outside the castle to roundup the Centaurs. We have reason to believe that they will try to enter the castle to remove students that they feel have questionable blood."

At that remark pandemonium broke out in the Great Hall. Younger students burst into tears and older siblings and others from every house ran to calm them. The Quidditch captains all shared a look and nodded their heads.

Attempting to prevent a panic Minerva continued, "Please do not panic! The heads of the houses will take position at the main doors to hold them off. The remainder of the staff will take position behind us as a second point of defense. Please remain in the Great Hall and stay calm. Staff please follow me." Minerva and the staff had made it to the doors of the Great Hall when the Quidditch captains stood.

Slytherin captain first and started barking out orders, "Right you lot. Get the younger student to back of the hall by the head table.

Griffindor captain soon was on his feet shouting, "Sixth and Seventh years to me!"

Stopping abruptly and turning around Minerva shouted, "What are you doing?"

Ravenclaw captain who was making her way around her table said, "This is nothing more than the Ministry's version of the blood supremacy CRAP spewed by the deatheaters."

Hufflepuff captain nodded moving into position as he said, "And we will not have any more of it. They are not taking any students from Hogwarts."

Turnig back to the student the Slytherin captain shouted, "Sixth years take up position inside the Great Hall you will be our last line of defense!"

He was joined by the Griffindor captain who announced, "Seventh years will take position outside the doors of the Great Hall. We will hold them off if the teachers fail."

They all moved to their positions as a third year switched on a wireless to hear what was happening outside.

The voice of Minsiter Fudge came over the airways, "Since the Centaurs refuse to surrender and the Elves refuse to back down the Ministry must take a stand. As the Royal Elves have elected to stand with the Centaurs in defiance of the Ministry's efforts to roundup these dangerous creatures, it leads me to believe that they have chosen to side with the dark. In the interest of keeping the public safe from the rise of another Dark Lord, they must be taken into custody as well."

A shocked Anderson exclaimed, "Is he crazy, Royal Elves are the pinnacle of all that is light. Lee what is that horn?"

An awed Lee responded. "I…I cannot believe it. That is not a horn that is a shell. Selkie warriors are marching up out of the Black Lake. There must be four dozen of them and heavily armed."

Anderson spoke again. "But, the Selkie's have never concerned themselves with wizard affairs."

Agreeing Lee said, "They appear to be now. They are taking up defensive positions opposite the Ministry forces."

"Are we hearing in cheering?" Anderson asked.

Lee answered, "Yes the Centaurs and Elves are cheering the Selkie. And I can see people way down the path leading from Hogsmead."

This was amazing Anderson wasn't sure what to ask next. This was supposed to be just a roundup of Centaurs. "Do you think they are coming to watch?"

Lee was still trying to figure out what was going on, "It's too early to tell, they may be coming to reinforce the Ministry forces. Wait…the Centaurs are looking to the left. What is it? Oh Merlin, maybe a dozen or a dozen and a half Vampires and the same number Werewolves are pouring out of the Quidditch pitch."

Anderson looked around the studio for an explanation as he said, "I thought all the Vampires and Werewolves had been rounded up."

Lee kept going, "That is what we were told. It can't be. I don't think they're from England, they are being lead by Harry Potter!"

"Harry Potter, are you sure?" Anderson asked in shock.

Nodding to himself Lee answered, "I went to school with him, and I would know him anywhere."

Anderson interrupted, "We are hearing a lot more cheering is that the Centaurs?"

Looking around him Lee said, "No that is coming from inside the castle; the students must be listening in."

Interrupting again Anderson said, "Lee hold on a minute I'm being handed a report. There appears to be some kind of disturbance in Wales at the sight of the Ministry's Detention Center. We will try to get someone on the scene."

Lee shouted, "ANDERSON—OH MERLIN—ANDERSON! The ministry forces have opened fire on the Centaurs. Their shields deflected the first curses and the Vampires and Werewolves are moving in front of the. Ministry forces are under return fire from all sides."

Shocked Anderson said, "Lee I need to interrupt we have a correspondent on the ground in Wales. Do we have the connection; are we live in Wales?"

A woman's voice came out of the wireless, "This is Betty Braithwaite of the Daily Prophet reporting for WWN. Anderson apparently a short while ago member's of the now dissolved Wizengamot began arriving with large numbers of civilians and are leading an assault on the Detention Center."

Thinking to himself 'what the hell is going on' Anderson tried to clarify, "Are you saying that former legislators are leading civilians in an assault on the facility holding supposed dark creatures."

An equally shocked Ms. Braithwaite answered, "Yes and they are attempting to breach the gate of the camp."

Trying to keep an eye on what all was going on Anderson asked, "Lee can you tell us what is going on?"

Lee answered immediately, "Ministry forces are holding a line from the main doors of the school to the path to Hogsmead. They must think the Civilians are coming to reinforce them."

Shaking his head Anderson replied, "Not if what is happening in Wales is any indication."

Agreeing Lee continued, "The Ministry forces are taking a lot of injuries, but have not been able to inflict much damage. Their spells are bouncing off the Vampires, Werewolves and Silke shields. They have only injured a couple of Centaurs and Elves."

"How can the spells just be bouncing off?" Anderson asked in complete shock.

Honestly not having an answer Lee said, "I do not know but they are having no effect."

Ms. Braithwaite interrupted, "Anderson…the freedom forces here in Wales are now being reinforced by new arrivals."

Throwing his hands in the air, no longer surprised at anything Anderson asked, "More Civilians are arriving?"

Looking around Ms. Braithwaite replied, "No they are being helped by Leprechauns and Dwarves."

Lee announced, "The Minister and Undersecretary Umbridge have taken position on the steps of the school and are barking out orders, while Headmaster Dumbledore has waded into the battle."

Anderson interrupted yet again, "I have to interrupt again. I am being joined by floo from Diagon Alley by Rita Seeker of the Daily Prophet. Rita can you tell us what is happening?"

Rita Seeker sickly sweet voice soon answered, "Anderson Diagon Alley is in chaos. Minutes ago members of the Wizengamot arrived and are leading civilians against the Ministry Building. Wait…I have just been told that Fae have arrived on the scene as the siege was starting and that they are holding wards over the Ministry to block all magical transport out of the Building."

"This is unbelievable! Civil War has broken out in England!" Yelled a once again shocked Anderson Cronkite.

Lee Jordan interrupted announcing, "The civilians have arrived at the battle for Hogwarts."

With no idea what could happen next Anderson asked, "Lee will they join the Ministry forces or fight against them?"

Watching carefully as he spoke Lee said, "I don't know they are being lead by the Weasley twins who were well known members of the Order of the Phoenix."

Ms. Braithwaite interrupted, "Anderson they have breached the gate and are flooding into the camp."

"The civilians are firing on the Ministry forces!" Lee Jordan shouted.

Anderson sat back in frustration as he said, "I don't even know where to look next so many fronts to this Civil War."

Rita Seeker then spoke up, "I have just been handed a bullet. Armed Goblins from Gringots Bank are joining the siege of the Ministry."

Then Lee announced, "The Ministry forces are withdrawing to the main doors of Hogwarts, but Minster Fudge seems to be having trouble opening them."

Unknown to the Minster was that inside the castle the four heads of house for Hogwarts were chain casting locking and shielding charms on that same door.

Anderson just mumbled, "This is unbelievable."

Ms. Braithwaite shouted, "Oh Merlin I'm going to be sick!"

Anderson sat up asking, "Ms. Braithwaite…Betty what is happening?"

A horrified Ms. Braithwaite replied, "I have entered the camp with the freedom forces. The conditions, they look like they have been tortured, men, woman, children. Oh Merlin…GET THEM SOME HELP! They need medical attention right way. I am asking anyone in the area with healing knowledge to please come as quickly as possible. It's horrific; it looks like they were held by deatheaters."

Interrupting Rita Seeker shouted, "They have broken into the Ministry. The freedom forces are in the atrium."

An equally horrified Lee Jordan announced, "Minstry forces are using the killing curse. They have fired it on three vampires, and it just bounced off."

"NO!" Shouted Betty Braithwaite.

Concerned at the sound of her voice Anderson asked, "Betty what is it?"

Betty Braithwaite replied, "This isn't a detention center it's a death camp. They have been killing them. Giant ovens with partially burned bodies, the Ministry is exterminating them.

"It's magical genocide." Anderson whispered.

Lee interrupted shouting, "They're turning the killing cures on the civilians! The Ministry is firing the killing curse at its own people! Madam Rosita and Alberforth Dumbledore have been hit. Professor Dumbledore has made it to the doors of the school but they still seem to not be able to open them."

A calmer Betty Braithwaite informed them, "Medical teams from St. Mungo's have arrived the camp is securely in Wizengamot hands."

At which point Rita Seeker announced, "Anderson civilians are pouring out of the floo network into the atrium they are pushing the Ministry forces back."

At the sound of a great explosion Anderson asked, "Lee what is happening?"

A shocked Lee answered, "Headmaster Dumbledore has hit then main entrance doors with a very powerful blasting curse. The doors are totally destroyed and Ministry forces are entering the castle. I am going to move to see if I can find out what's happening."

Meanwhile inside the Great Hall the Bloody Baron and Sir Nicholas were talking to the sixth years when Peeves flew thru the main door shouting, "THE CASTLE IS BREACHED…HOGWARTS IS BREACHED!"

The students began to scream as Sir Nicholas helped the sixth years to calm them. The Bloody Baron cried out in a deep and commanding voice, "Spirits of Hogwarts hear my plea, I summon you to me!"

Having heard the screams of terror Anderson shouted, "LEE, Lee can you tell us what is happening? What are those screams?"

A panting Lee Jordan answered, "I don't know…they came from inside the castle. I am trying to get closer."

Back in the Great Hall the ghosts of Hogwarts descended from every direction. When they had all arrived Sir Nicholas announce, "The Castle has been breached!" The Gray Lady gasped in horror as the Fat Friar shouted, "We must protect the children!"

With that the Bloody Baron drew his sword and ordered, "Follow me…forward into the breach!"

The voice of Lee Jordon came over the air, "Anderson, I am near the main doors. The doors have been blown open I can see the heads of the four houses, they are all injured and unconscious they seem to have taken the brunt of the explosion.

Anderson interrupted questioning, "Are the Ministry forces regrouping inside the Castle?"

Gasping for air Lee answered, "No the heads of the houses are down but the remainder of the staff is trying to hold them off. They are being pushed back but the staff is trying to hold them off. OH MERLIN! Filch is his.

Confused Anderson asked, "Who is Filch?"

Lee answered, "Mr. Filch is or I should say was the Hogwarts Caretaker, and he was pelting the Ministry forces with what looked like the things he had confiscated over the years. He was hit by the Killing Curse from and Auror."

Anderson was at a lose as what to say, "Are you telling me the Ministry is using deadly force inside the school?"

Lee answered, "Yes it appears so…OH MERLIN HELP US!"

Anderson shouted, "Lee what is happening?"

A shocked Lee replied, "The staff was getting pushed closer to the Great Hall…they are being reinforced by what looks like the seventh year students. The student's are entering the battle!"

Suddenly as strange voice yelled, "ATTACK!"

Anderson questioned, "Are they attacking the students?"

Lee responded, "The students and staff are under heavy fire, but they are returning fire just and heavy…WOW! It's the ghost contingent that is charging into the battle. They have swept over the heads of the students and descended on the Ministry forces. They are flying threw them chilling and disorienting them. Wait, some of the Ministry forces have broken off and are trying to reach other areas of the Castle. AMAZING!"

"What…What is amazing?" Anderson questioned.

Lee replied, "The moving stairs have all moved way, what was always a hallway is suddenly a wall. The fleeing Ministry forces are being blocked at every turn…"

Over the wireless they could hear, Clank…Clank…Clank…Clank.

Totally flabbergasted Anderson shouted, "What I Merlin's name is that?"

Awed Lee answered, "The suits of armor from all over the Castle have joined in a battle formation and are marching on the Ministry forces. It's…it's as if the very Castle has come alive to protect the students."

Musing Anderson asked, "Why would Hogwarts see the Ministry forces as a threat to student?"

Dumbfounded Lee said, "I don't know but it must…even the house elves. There must be two dozen house elves that have now joined the battle. Half a dozen have taken position in front of the Great Hall, where I assume the younger students are, and are holding a shield to protect it. The remainder has begun flinging the Ministry forces out the door. I mean literally throwing them out the door into the hands of the other forces."

Thinking that this was amazing Anderson questioned, "Will they be able to hold the Ministry forces?"

With a snort Lee answered, "Ministry forces are being pushed back out the doors of Hogwarts. WAIT! The Vampires, Werewolves and Selkie are forming a shield with their bodies to block Ministry forces spells. They are taking heavy fire, and it is just bouncing off. Centaurs and civilians are firing over their shoulders. The Ministry forces are falling. As they are bound or physically restrained they are being passed to the mob. The Ministry forces are buckling.

Speaking up again Rita Seeker said, "Anderson I am getting reports that Wizengamot forces have taken the Ministry."

In complete awe Anderson commented, "This is amazing! A triple assault and all are succeeding."

Lee now spoke up, "Anderson the Ministry forces are collapsing. They are being taken down. Minister Fudge has just been taken into custody."

"The Minister?" Asked Anderson in shock.

Lee answered, "Yes and Deputy Secretary Umbridge has just been taken by Centaurs."

"Betty can you tell us what is happening at the camp?" Aderson asked.

Betty Braithwaite answered, "The Ministry forces have been taken into custody and the survivors of the camp are being evacuated for medical attention. Things here seem to be well in hand."

Lee Jordan interrupted shouting, "Anderson…ANDERSON! Harry Potter has just taken Professor Dumbledore's wand from him. HE HIT HIM! Anderson, Harry Potter has knocked Dumbledore cold. All Ministry forces are now in custody of the Magical Races that fought with the Centaurs. The Ministry has lost the battle for Hogwarts."

"I am hearing cheering." Anderson questioned.

Lee answered laughing, "YES! That is coming from the Great Hall."

Ms. Braithwaite interjected, "Anderson, I have a member of the Wizengamot here with me. Madam Bones can you tell us was this planned and what will happen to those taken into custody?"

Madam Bones answered, "Yes this was worked out between members of the Wizengamot and other Magical Races. As for the forces that have been taken into custody, they will receive any medical attention need and then be taken to the Ministry to be held. The Wizengamot will make a formal statement, but make no mistake those being held will be tried for Crimes against Magic. That really is all I can say, there will be a statement released by the Wizengamot."

Nodding Ms. Braithwaite said, "Thank you Madam Bones."

Interrupting Lee said, "Anderson, I am here with Harry Potter. Harry would you like to make a statement to Wizarding Britain?"

Harry answered, "NO! But I will make a statement to Magical Britain. This was a joint effort by many different races that worked together to correct injustices that have been committed by this government."

Lee questioned, "Harry can you tell us what will happen to those held by your forces?"

Harry gave a heavy sigh and said, "They are not my forces they are the magical races that make up our world. As for those taken into custody, they will be turned over the Wizengamot to stand Trial."

Lee nodded, "Thank you Mr. Potter."

Picking it up from there Anderson said, "Thank you Lee…"

Esme switched off the wireless smiling things had gone just the way Harry had thought they would. Sweeping her grandchildren into her arms she headed off to put them to bed. She had work to do her family would be coming home soon.

Next Chapter 16: Everything is Coming Up Roses

PLEASE REVIEW!!

And in answer to Belward4ever the numbers at the bottom of the stories is a mistake. That is the page number from my word-processing program. Only the last page number shows up and I didn't notice it to take it off. Sorry for the confusion. I will say that I also love the original, but like the premise that if one event changed how would things play out. In the case of this story how after Voldermont's defeat the prejudice of blood purity was transferred to prejudice against magical race or the cleansing of the "Dark".

I do read the reviews and they are very encouraging to me. But, I would like to say that I won't answer any plot speculation. What fun would it be if you got a clue in chapter 15 of what will happen in chapter 20.

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