A/N) Every chapter has been edited up to here, and I hope to update again quite soon.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Rejection of Offers

Sunday 17th July

"It's official," said Sirius, as he laid the paper down on the table. "Cornelius Fudge is the worst Minister of Magic ever."

Harry looked up from reading Quidditch Through The Ages and caught his godfather's eye with his own. "What has he done now?"

"Ended his own career," smiled Sirius, laughter dancing in his eyes.

Harry's eyebrows rose. "How?"

"Read today's Daily Prophet and you'll see why," urged Sirius, passing Harry the morning edition.

Picking up the paper, Harry unfolded it and found himself looking at a moving photograph of Cornelius Fudge making a speech he had made late the previous evening. The headline read: Minister Calls for Peace Negotiations! "You can't negotiate with Voldemort!" shouted Harry, shock radiating across his features.

"Cornelius seems to think that Voldemort would be very interested in his proposals," pointed out Sirius, watching as Harry pushed his glasses up his nose, laid the paper out in front of him and began to read the article, detailing the policies the Minister hoped to work out with Voldemort.

MINISTER CALLS FOR PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

By Charles Palmer

Last night Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, called for a peace conference with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The Minister believes that the way to end the war is to invite You-Know-Who to the Ministry to discuss favourable outcomes that have benefits for both sides.

It is common knowledge that You-Know-Who craves the death of the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, who defeated him on Halloween 1981, the same night that his parents were brutally murdered. When quizzed about the issue of Harry Potter, Cornelius merely commented: "I'm sure that we could work something out that would appease You-Know-Who in his thirst for Potter's death."

Over the last few weeks the Wizarding World has heard of the mirthless and cruel murders of the following: Sarah Phillips, Christopher Phillips, Jessica Phillips, David Jenkins, Daniel Jenkins, Gary Jenkins, Leanne Jenkins, Gypsy Kiels, Ursula Kiels, Matthew Smith, Ingrid Smith, Joan Smith, Opra Lionals, Ben Lionals, and finally Nathan Turner, Kate Turner and Xeni Turner.

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named claims he is "purifying the Wizarding World so that it will become a better place". How did the Minister tackle this agenda of the Dark Lord's? By sympathising that "our world will close acceptance on muggle-borns by the year 2001," and that our society can become one of 'puredom' as Cornelius puts it. He only asks that You-Know-Who allows the registered and known muggle-borns to be allowed to attend Hogwarts and take their place in the magical world. The last acceptance year for them would be 2001, therefore cutting off other potential magical users from that year onwards.

Minister Fudge also addressed the problematic issue of the numerous crimes that You-Know-Who and his followers have committed. "If we are to have peace before this war becomes any worse than it already is, I would have to respectively pardon them as long as they showed a willing attitude to work alongside the muggle-borns currently active within our world."

Cornelius Fudge admitted that he has other polices that he is considering putting into effect, however he does not mention what they entail. He has invited He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to attend a conference that is being held in Atrium of the Ministry of Magic on Wednesday 20th July.

The question remains: has the Minister just set up his own downfall? Surely there are those who would rather see You-Know-Who dead then in a position of power?

"So, idiot or what?" asked Sirius, grinning broadly.

"Idiot and a moron," agreed Harry, wholeheartedly. "I may not know much about the politics of the Wizarding World, but even a child can see that Fudge has made an ass of himself with that speech!"

Sirius nodded. "It's Dolores Umbridge. She's been feeding him lies about how peace is the best thing for our world. Kingsley is investigating her – we think she may be secretly working with Voldemort, but not in the usual way. She's definitely not a Death Eater, that's for sure."

"Then who is she working for? Her own gain?"

"The side that is most likely to win," explained Sirius, as he leaned back in his chair, "and at the moment, Voldemort has got an edge on this war that the Aurors haven't got."

Harry frowned, not liking the news one bit. "Can we win this war?"

"Yes we can," replied Sirius, without any hesitation.

"But how many innocent people will have to die before that can be achieved?"

Sirius's shoulders slumped. "I don't know, Harry. It depends on what Dumbledore's strategy is and he hasn't enlightened me about it yet." He caught Harry's green eyes with his own. "I do know that whatever he has in mind will have something to do with you."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his thick hair. "I just wish he would hurry up and tell me what I've got to do."

Within hours of the article being published there was a mob of Witches and Wizards demanding that Cornelius Fudge step down from his position as Minister of Magic. Aurors were called in to prevent the mob from becoming aggressive and harming Ministry property.

Much to his chagrin, Sirius found that had been summoned by Kingsley to stand on guard outside Fudge's office so that they could prevent any members of the mob (who did make it past the Aurors) could not speak to the Minister while he conversed with the Head of Departments. There were, of course, several members of Fudge's cabinet that were known to be very unhappy with the peace proposals and the Minister had instructed Sirius and Kingsley to not provide them with access. Those not allowed in tried to bribe them. No matter how much Sirius wanted to relent, he knew he would face expulsion from the Aurors if he did such a thing.

And he realised that Albus Dumbledore wouldn't be very happy with him if it came to that.

Late afternoon saw events take a twist that the Headmaster of Hogwarts had predicted to happen the night before: Voldemort arrived at the Ministry, accompanied by Lucius Malfoy. Though the Aurors had arrested Malfoy a few days before, it seemed he had escaped from the cells he had been thrown in, but neither Sirius nor the other Aurors had time to ponder this development as calls were made to secure the Ministry from attack.

All Voldemort did was wait patiently while he waited for Cornelius Fudge to make his appearance so that he could make his terms clear on the peace proposals.

Chaos had erupted within the Ministry when the Dark Lord's arrival had been made public, but he made no move to harm anyone. All he did was watch as the Aurors moved into the Atrium, pulling the innocent protesters back to the side, and laughed as they pointed their wands at him. Albus Dumbledore arrived shortly after. He ordered Sirius to leave the Ministry but he refused to, claiming that he wouldn't let Voldemort scare him away.

While Voldemort waited for the Minister to make his appearance, Albus Dumbledore attempted to speak to his one-time pupil but Lucius Malfoy regretfully told the Headmaster that the Dark Lord only dealt with those who were not 'blood-traitors'. Lucius went onto say that the Minister of Magic was an exception, as his Lord could not refuse such a request to sort out a peaceful resolution to the war.

As the Minister had invited Voldemort to deal with him – albeit he had come days earlier then the date expected – the Aurors could not arrest the Dark Lord nor kill him – on the grounds that Fudge had given him immunity. It did not stop Voldemort glaring at all those that were considered unworthy to hold the esteemed title of Witch or Wizard.

After what seemed liked ages, Cornelius Fudge walked into the Atrium, flanked by Sirius Black, Kingsley Shacklebolt and behind them came the few Department Heads that supported his cause. The Aurors stood to the side, wands in hands, just in case someone made an irrational move – they could not rule out any tricks that Voldemort might make.

The Minister of Magic stopped ten metres from Voldemort, with Sirius and Kingsley standing five metres behind him, their steely gazes burning into the Dark Lord's face.

"On behalf of the Ministry, I welcome you to the Atrium," stammered Fudge, trying to prevent his nervousness showing through. It didn't work. Lucius Malfoy smirked at the pitiful Wizard that had risen up the ranks of the Ministry to hold the place of leader of the Wizarding World.

"Cease with the pleasantries Cornelius, I am here with one thing to say," hissed Voldemort, his red eyes glinting malevolently. "Your polices, mean nothing to me. I will not consider peace terms with a weakling of a fool who does not have the courage to hand over a fourteen year old boy. Those are MY terms – if you can accept that condition then perhaps there is hope for a partnership. Harry Potter must die at my hand only or no peace can be brokered with me."

Lucius Malfoy stepped forward, lifting up the cane he carried and pointing it round the room. "Those are my Lord's terms. There is no room in our world for those who fail to see that one death will end this war."

Voldemort turned on his heel, walking swiftly away, the cloak he wore billowing out behind, Malfoy at his side.

Sirius stepped forward, anger in his features, wand raised, but before he could utter a single word, Voldemort said: "Do not tempt me to murder a pure-blood Wizard such as yourself in front of these many witnesses."

Kingsley grabbed Sirius's arm and shook his head. "Leave this battle for another day where we could have more chance of succeeding."

Sirius only scowled.

The last few hours of Sunday was packed with mayhem. Voldemort's refusal to consider peace-terms unless Harry Potter was handed over caused anger amongst the Wizarding World. Cornelius Fudge issued another statement claiming that "You-Know-Who would accept the peace terms when he saw reason as to why the terms he proposed were perfect."

Twenty minutes later an entire family of Wizards were murdered by Voldemort in cold blood in Diagon Alley, and he cited again that he "would not consider any sort of terms with those who continued to shelter the boy".

Everyone knew he spoke of Harry Potter, the boy currently residing under the care of Auror Sirius Black.

The murder of the family of Wizards caused the public to cry for Fudge's dismissal from office. Even the Department Heads loyal to Fudge called for his departure – and by six in the evening, a new Minister of Magic had been chosen.

Rufus Scrimgeour, resigned from his place as Head of the Aurors to take the position, promoting Kingsley Shacklebolt to the head of the department. Rufus' first act as Minister was to proclaim that he would not deal with murderers and that he would fight to the end, if the war came to that.

"I will not let our world be ruled by darkness and descend into a reign of terror. I will not yield or break our world by negotiating with the enemies of our government. We will fight, protecting the innocent from the mindless slaughter that comes from killers who believe they tread the path of righteousness. It is my job to protect you and I swear I'll do my utmost best to keep our world safe!"

His speech was met with thunderous applause and admiration for his courage. He was hailed as the man who would fight to his last breath and would do anything in his power to prevent the bloodshed of innocents.

"I was not expecting that to happen," admitted Dumbledore, as he stroked his beard. "Fudge's power-play failed and he lost the support of those who believed in him. His reputation will forever be tarnished by his actions today. History will remember him as the Wizard who thought he had the correct solution to the war but suffered due to his misguided approach to not believing in Voldemort's words."

Sirius leaned back in his chair. "Was there any reason why, other than he was head of the Aurors, Rufus Scrimgeour was Fudge's replacement?"

"He is a capable leader, and has experience in dealing with Dark Wizards. I will keep an eye on him," said Dumbledore, clasping his hands together. "However, we do have more important things to discuss then our new head of state."

"Harry's birthday?" asked Sirius hopefully.

"No. The arrangements for the immediate arrival of the Weasley clan and Hermione Granger need to finalised."

"I can strengthen the wards and I have plenty of rooms available for them."

Dumbledore nodded. "I trust you know why this is coming into effect quicker then I had anticipated?"

"Anyone close to Harry is a target," answered Sirius, but then a thought struck him. "What about Hermione's parents?"

"I have instructed Minerva to take them into hiding in another country – there they will stay until the war is safely over. Hopefully, Voldemort will overlook them."

"Good. We don't need more families losing their lives, especially ones that cannot adequately defend themselves."

"I also wish to discuss with you your role…"

Sirius immediately stood up. "I am not sitting on my arse all day doing nothing just because I'm a target! I know Voldemort wants to kill me but I'm fighting in this damn war whether you like it or not! Nothing you say will change that!"

Albus Dumbledore sighed but gave in, realising that he wouldn't be able to change the Auror's mind. "If that is what you wish, then I cannot prevent you from risking your life."

"Good," said Sirius, folding his arms, "glad we've reached an acceptable understanding."

Before any other words could be spoken or formulated in the minds of those in the office, the door to the Headmaster's Office flew open and in walked Severus Snape.

"Headmaster," said Snape, completely ignoring Sirius's existence. "I bring urgent news. The werewolves have joined the Dark Lord."

"That is not good. What of Remus Lupin? I instructed him to keep watch, hopefully persuade them to not join the Dark Lord."

Sirius swallowed, feeling worried. He knew his friend was spying on the werewolves – there wasn't a day went by that he wondered if his friend would come back alive.

"I'm afraid that the werewolves that showed unwillingness to join the Dark Lord's cause have been rejected. I do not know if Lupin escaped the bloodshed that followed. His body hasn't been found yet."

Dumbledore stood up. "Alert the Order. We need to begin a search. Sirius, I want you to…"

"No! I'm looking for my friend, and I won't return until I know for sure that Remus is safe and sound!"

Dumbledore shook his head as Sirius stormed out of the Office. Not even Snape bothered to stop the hot-headed Auror.

To be continued...