I do not own Harry Potter. I do however maintain a subscription to the WWE Network. Love me that Attatude Era Action.
Authers Note: Their is a scean of a sexual nature in this chapter. I personally dont think its graphic, but some may find it disterbing. discretion is advised.
Chapter 31
The City Centre of Newcastle was a complete disaster. The Fiendfyre extended from the riverside all the way to the centre of the city. Shops, hotels, restaurants and pubs all destroyed. Burned to ruble at the hands of the magical fire. The bustling nightlife of Newcastle once legendary throughout the UK was gone. Countless flats, apartments and houses likewise are gone. The death toll was estimated to be in the hundreds, but it would prove impossible to determine an accurate body count due to the smouldering wreckage and in some places the fire being so severe it had cremated people where they stood. In a very rare case of co-operation the muggle authorities worked side by side with magical authorities to determine exactly what had happened and planned how to repair the damage. Of course only select and specially trained muggles knew who the magicals were and their true purpose. For the sake of secrecy the wizards were dressed as muggle workmen, ironically complete with hard hats and high visibility vests.
Most of the fires had been put out but still high in the sky shone the Dark Mark. no matter what anyone tried they could not magically dispel the image. Amilia Bones stood staring up at the mark adjusting her hard hat and turned to Kingsly Shackelbolt and the Chief Inspector of the Aurours Rufus Scrimjaw.
"How in the hell are we supposed to hide that?" Bones asked.
"I don't know." Shack shook his head. "It's been burning now for nearly ten hours."
"This will really screw up the Statute of Secrecy." Scrimjaw added. "There is no way we can keep the Muggles from seeing this."
"I've put a request into the Department of Mysteries and see what those fellows have to say on the matter." Bones said.
"How about a Muggle repelling charm?" Scrimjaw suggested.
"In the middle of a major city, with shops and what not all around us? Come off it Rufus." Bones scoffed.
A light pop sounded behind them, Shack turned to see Cornelius Fudge striding towards them.
"Heads up." Shack muttered to Bones. As the Minister arrived Shack made his excuses and went to supervise the rescue operation elsewhere.
"Bad business Amilia," Bones said as he arrived. "Very bad indeed. The Muggle Prime Minister is riding us very hard on this. He is demanding answers."
"And we are working to get those answers." Bones snapped. "For Merlin's sake Minister you have been warned for months about the rise of the Dark and about You Know Whos return! Dumbeldore warned you. Potter warned you and you did nothing!" she raged on. "You cut our the DMLE's budget. You cut the budget of the magical detection department so there was no one on duty last night. There was no one to warn us."
"Be that as it may, Director. You are incharge of overseeing law and order." Fudge said calmly.
"YOu are not hanging this on my Cornelius." Bones spat. "I won't go down quietly."
"No, I rather thought you wouldn't." Fudge smiled. "However, as Minister of Magic, by the power invested in me I am placing you on immediate and indefinite suspension as the Director of the department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"You bastard." Bone swore. "You haven't heard the last of this Fudge."
"May I remind you Amilia that as the Chief Warlock you may not play an active role during debate in the Wizengamot chamber."
"I am well aware of my duties, Minister. I would like to remind you that the Chief Warlock does have the right to call the Wizenagamont and set the agenda for an extraordinary session. Look for my owl."
Fudge turned to Scrimjaw. "Rufus, I am making you acting Director of the DMLE as well as your Chief Inspector role. We need this situation to be contained and shut down. My very Ministership is hanging by a thread."
"I will do my best." Scrimjaw promised. "I better get to it."
Scrimjaw walked away towards another group of Ministry personnel as Fudge disapperated back to the Ministry.
Harry paced the Head Suite, Herminone had managed to go back to bed but Harry had been too wired to sleep. He wanted to do something. He needed to do something.
' I need to get to that disaster zone.' he thought to himself. He could feel an almost visceral need. There was something there that he needed to see.
' Fuck this.' He thought to himself. He left a note for Hermione telling her he was going for a walk and he left.
He wandered aimlessly around the castle until he found his way back to Dumbeldores office. When the gargoyle saw him it lept aside to let him pass.
"Thanks" Harry said as he wandered past and nodded. He climbed the spiral staircase and walked over the wreckage of the door.
"Ah Mister Potter." Dumbeldore smiled tiredly from behind his desk. "What do I owe the pleaser?"
"I want a report." Harry said. "An update, it's been hours. You must have something from Percy or Mister Weasley?"
"Indeed they have Mister Potter and the news is indeed grave. The city that was attacked is Newcastle Upon Tyne. The death toll is rising almost hourly."
"Oh god." Harry replied. "Tell Moody I want to go right away."
"Come now Harry…" Dumbeldore began.
"I'm not asking Professor." Harry snapped. "It's a bloody order. I want Moody and three others to come with Hermione and I."
"I can not stop you going, Harry," Dumbeldore replied, "But is it really wise to expose Miss Granger to such potential danger?"
"If you think you can convince her to stay, good luck." Harry said. "I think we should also invite your ICW friends."
Dumbeldore considered this request. "I suppose it would be appropriate for the Order of the Phoenix to provide security for the ICW delegation."
"Especially as the Ministry will be stretched." Harry smiled.
"Very well. Alaster will be ready in an hour. I suggest you and Miss Granger meet him in the entrance hall. I will ask Minsure LaMarce if he would like to join you."
As Dumbeldore returned to his seat an owl swooped in and deposited a letter on his desk. The Headmaster quickly read the message. "It would appear that The Minister is trying to pass the blame onto Madam Bones for the Ministries failings last night. And she has been removed from office."
"But how can it be her fault?" Harry demanded.
"It is not. I think Cornilius is feeling pressure to act. He is going to have to admit today that Voldamort has returned and what's more caused such a catastrophic attack on Muggle society."
"I understand. He has the head already in the basket to keep him off the block."
"Exactly Mister Potter. Madam Bones writes that she has scheduled an extraordinary session of the Wizenagamont for tomorrow morning. I will make arrangements for you to be able to attend."
Harry Thanked the Headmaster and returned to his rooms to tell Hermione to get ready.
Cornelius Fudge paced his office whilst Delorus Umbridge looked on.
"He actually spoke about the Magicarta, Delorus!" Fudge ranted. "I have never known a Prime Minister to do that."
"That is most definitely unusual." Umbridge confirmed. "Your political opponents must have somehow leaked that information to the Morgana forsaken Muggles."
"Yes!" Fudge declared. "Amelia Bones. Of course. First she leaked the information on the Magicarter and then she just sat back and let the Death Eaters destroy that bloody city."
There was a knock at the door and Percey came into the room.
"I am sorry to disturb you Minister, but there has been a rather unusual owl."
"What do you mean unusual owl?" Umbridge demanded. "How can an owl be unusual?"
"The letter is for the Minister's eyes only." Weasley told them clutching a gold trimmed letter.
"The Senior Undersecretary is The Minister's eyes Weatherby!" she snapped, taking the letter from him. She carefully examined the wax seal. "I do not believe it!" She declared.
"What is it Dolours?" Fudge asked.
"Get out Weatherby." Umbridge commanded. "Minister this letter is sealed by the Great Seal of the Realm!"
"You mean the Queen?" Fudge whispered. "Delorus you realise the Monarch has not written to a Minister of Magic after their appointment in over two hundred years?"
Umbridge tried to brake the seal but she couldn't. She received a shock every time she tried to brake the seal. After three attempts she handed the letter to Fudge.
Fudge took the letter in trembling hands and sat heavily behind his desk. With a deep steadying breath he broke the seal and pulled out a thick sheet of parchment and began to read.
To The Minister of Magic the Right Honourable Cornelius Fudge.
It is with great sorrow We write to you today in this highly unusual letter. We were deeply saddened by the magical terrorist attack on Newcastle Upon Tyne as well as being deeply disturbed by Our Ministry of Magics' lack of action in preventing this disasters and shocking event from takeing place.
As you know as Minister of Magic you serve at the pleasure of the Crown, and whilst it would be highly unusual for Us to seek your removal as our Minister for Magic that power does still rest with us and if things do not improve we will not hesitate to exercise that right. However before any such drastic action is taken We invite you to an audience with Us tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the morning. You will arrive by conventional means, arrangements have been made for a Ministerial Car to collect you from the Commonwealth Office in White Hall tomorrow morning at half past nine.
With deepest affection,
Elizabeth R II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
"Good God!" Fudge declared his voice trembling.
Usually the Minister for Magic would have only two audiences with the Monarch in their career. Once when they take up office and they kiss the Monarchs fingers, as is tradition with any member of the Privy Council, and once more when they leave office where the Monarch usually thanks them for their service, and if the Minister in question had severed particularly well then they may receive a knighthood in a very private ceremony.
"Does the Crown have the power to replace me?" Fudge asked, his face gone a deathly grey.
"I don't know." Umbridge admitted. "But we will find out."
"That is scant comfort Delouris." Fudge said poreing a generous glass of fire whisky.
"I mean we should take legal advice. I will send for our Attorney Colonel."
"Excellent idea. Please have him prepare a briefing on the Magicarter." Fudge ordered. "Also, see if you can find someone to brief me on Royal Protocol."
Umbridge nodded her understanding and left. She quickly made her way to MacNairs Ministerial layer. She knelt on the floor whilst he had his back to her. MacNair ignored her for a few minutes finishing up the task he was working on, allowing his own anticipation to build. Finally he turned around, his hands still slick with the blood of the Kneezel he was skinning. He moved towards the kneeling Umbridge and opened his robes and unzipped his trousers.
"What do you have for me, my pet?" he asked.
"The Queen has summoned the Minister to an audience." Umbridge reporting feeling her own arousal build as she put her hand inside of McNair's trousers and began fondling him.
"What is the Minister doing about this?" McNair asked as he felt his erection swell and Umbridge pulled his member out of his trousers.
"He has no choice." Umbridge explained only staring at his peinis. "If the Minister is summoned by the Crown he must attend."
"I see. You have done well my pet." McNair said as Umbridge slid her mouth around him. He held her head in place with his bloody hand leaving hand prints in her hair. After his release, he put himself away. "We are pleased with you. As a special treat two whores will be waiting for you when you get home this evening.
"Thank you Master." Umbridge said, staring up at him, in what she thought was an attractive way, wiping her lips dry.
"You may go." McNair dismissed her and returned to his Kneezel.
The world's press had gathered outside of 10 Downing street. A tabby cat sat on the step to the house, the press identified the moggy as the Prime Minister's childrens pet cat but had been given an honorary position in Government as the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. After a few seconds the door was opened by a police officer and the Right Honourable Cat disappeared into the mansion. A few moments later a rather tired looking and harassed Prime Minister stepped out of the door followed by the cat. The Prime Minister walked to the middle of the road where a lectern and microphone had been set up for the purpose of this speech. As he took his place he could hear the click of cameras of the photographers and he started out at his audience of reporters, photographers and camera operators. The red light on the Official Camera turned red to show the feed was live.
"Good afternoon. I will now make a brief statement about the terrible events of last night in Newcastle. Last night saw the emergence of a domestic terrorist organisation calling themselves the Death Eaters. Whilst these criminals have not yet publicly acknowledged their cowardly actions of last night, the pyrotechnic they have used to display their signal in the sky has been known to certain government agencies for a long time now. Whilst these misguided criminals were spouting their xenaphobic rhetoric of hate amongst themselves the authorities were inclined to simply gather intelligence on the group, however now they have taken the lives of twelve hundred people and it is time for this Government to act! This morning I have instructed the relevant Minister to act to bring these vile terrorists to justice. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families of the victims and the Government will be working with the necessary private sector partners to ensure that the rail network and the road network are brought back to normal in the fastest possible time, however in the meantime it is not advised for people to drive via Newcastle or travel on the East Coast Main Line past York on via train. The Transport Secretary will be laying out recovery plans in the coming days. To these Death Eaters I say this: There is no room in our country for those with your views. There is no room in our society for those who commit these senseless acts of violence. You will be brought to justice and you will face the most severe sentences possible for your crimes!"
His statement made the Prime Minister return inside followed by his Chief Mouser.
Marcus Melnathorp was a low ranking Death Eater. He was not the pointiest wand in the shop and was not suited to strategic thinking, he was also at best only a fair to middling wizard, but he could trace his magical bloodline as far back as Charlamane, and therefore of the purest blood so worthy of admittance to the ranks of Voldemort's followers.
The problem was there wasn't really anything that Marcus was good at so he was set to watching the muggle news for any reports of the Death Eaters activities coming to the attention of the muggles.
He watched the Prime Minister's statement and ran to make his report to Lucius Malfoy who in turn reported to Voldamort himself.
"They think we are just some muggle terrorist organisation?" Voldamort demanded incredulously. "I will not stand for this insult. The Muggles will be punished for their leaders insolence. In the meantime, Wormtail."
Peter Pitagrew hurried forward and took a knee beside Malfoy.
"Wormtail. Return to Newcastle in your rat form. If the Prime Minister visits you will send for me immediately." Voldemort ordered.
"It will be as you command, My Lord." Wormtail said with his head bowed.
"And if either that muggle loving fool Dumbeldore of the so-called chosen one Harry Potter You will alert me in the usual manar. Now go!"
"Yes My Lord." Wormtail said, rising to his feet and backed away from his master.
Alastor Moody, Sirius Black, Tonks and Arther Weasley where selected to accompany Harry, Hermione as well as LeMarche and Auror Pritchard to Newcastle.
They arrived by Portkey on Eldon Green, a spot that had been specially dedicated as an arrival point for magicals. As soon as they appeared Harry's head whipped around. He walked a few yards into the street and saw the Dark Mark in the sky. Harry's eyes narrowed. He had never seen such a large and vibrant Mark. It made him irrationally angry. LeMarche and Pritchard began to speak to the Ministry workers who were working on cleaning up the devastation.
Harry made a B-line for the Dark Mark hovering over where Grey's Monument used to stand. The square was blocked by a large wite CSI tent with Muggle Police Officers guarding the entrance. These particular officers, both Sargents where part of the Police/Auror liaison service and where squibs so both recognised Harry as the Boy Who Lived. They made to stop them but the slightest shake of Moody's head allowed the boy to pass.
Inside the tent Harry found… nothing. No rubble from the monument, not even dust. Littered across the floor were yellow plastic pyramids with numbers printed on them, Harry assumed these marked the location of the body's. Although there was nothing to see the light of the Dark Mark cast an eerie green hue over the floor and walls of the tent, there was an unmistakable feeling of darkness and the stench of death hung in the air.
"Not pretty is it Potter?" Moody asked quietly.
"No, it is not." Harry snapped. He furrowed his eyes and squinted up at the dark mark. In that moment he realised that evil feeling of darkness was coming from Mark.
Meanwhile Hermione and Sirius inspected the fire damage to the shops going for half a mile down the street to the train station. A long line of uninterrupted destruction and smouldering rubble.
"It's just so senseless." Hermione complained.
"That's what terrorists do, Hermione." Sirius sighd. "Is this any different from the IRA bombings?"
"No, I suppose not." Hermione considered. "I suppose its only because they couldn't do this level of damage the IRA never did."
"Exactly." Sirius agreed. "But the destruction and the deaths only tell part of the story. It will take years, possibly even decades for the re-building of the shops and flats, its entirely possible that people might never return to shop here or live in the city centre."
Neither Hermione or Sirius noticed a rat with a silver paw scuttling over some rubble retreating away.
Once the rat turned the corner it moved down a flight of stairs and hid itself in the closed Metro station and transformed back into his human form. He pressed his wand into the Dark Mark informing his Master of the arrival of Harry Potter and his escorts.
Harry continued to circle the Dark Mark, never once taking his eyes off it.
"Come on lad." Moody said. "There's nothing to be gained by staring at the forsaken thing. Let's get out of here." The venerable Auror tried to lead Harry away but the young man resisted him and shoved Moody aside.
" DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!" Harry yelled. He took a few deep breaths to regain his composure. He focused inwardly gathering his will. " Staff." He commanded and the Staff of Godric Gryffindor appeared in a gout of flame in his hand. He continued to stare at the Mark. A bright sparkle filled his emerald eyes. He raised the staff above his head, pointed at the Dark Mark and drew a deep breath and bellowed " IRRUMABO OFF ANGUIS SPUMAE! "
A golden light exploded from the end of the staff and the Dark Mark evaporated into green steam and then blew away to nothingness. The light inside the tent returned to normal and instantly the feeling of darkness left. Harry felt his heart lighten.
"Grate Merlin's taint!" swore Moody. "That was some fucking good magic!"
"Thanks." Harry smiled. "Sorry about that. I think it was the Mark messing with my head." Harry led Moody outside the tent and there he stood fifty yards ahead.
"Harry Potter, we meet again." Voldemort smiled.
AUTHERS NOTES:
CLIFF HANGER ALERT! GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY THIS CHAPTER ENDS IN A GOSH DARN CLIFF HANGER!
Some where in this chapter is the 80,000 word. Any one know which one it is?
This chapter contains a bit of nastyness, iv hinted at it earlyer. if its offensive to any one i am sorry.
As always thanks to every one who has liked and faverited ither this work or its auther. I do so enjoy it when my inbox getts spammed with those emails, infact thanks to jo94enw who literally just liked this story as im getting ready to post this.
also thanks for the reviews this chapter:
Fraewyn: Thank you for you love.
Jkarr: One of my OG readers and reviewers Its nice to see you still with us.
JohnMonty: No combat in this chapter I'm affraid, but I think you think you know what im thinking for the next one?
Finally before I sign off, if their is any one out their in FFN land that would like to Beta for me i would love to hear from you. Drop me a PM and we can chat.
This chapter is going out on wedensday 4th september, its my birthday on the 6th. please drop me a review as a birthday presant.
Right im off to start the next chapter, I want to know whats going to happen next.
untill next time Stay happy and safe out their folks!