The Prophet had again come to ruin his life. They had been a bane of his existence since the Triwizard tournament. They had made his life a living hell for the entirety of fourth and fifth years and then they had projected him as if he were some criminal when he was on the run during the Horcrux Hunt. They were not controlled and so they ran rampant. Why couldn't they restrain themselves? Leave him alone in peace than spreading lies about him. This couldn't stand anymore. Something had to be done.

"Harry are you there?", Daphne called him from the fireplace.

Harry who was still seething in fury, took some deep breaths to control his rage and to appear in control. The Occlumency book which Robards had given him contained some exercises which one could do to control ones rage and fury. The book was very useful, but it was not available in any of the shops in Diagon Alley. However, there was a copy in the Potter Library, and he had wondered exactly why he had not searched through his library earlier. The library was there for a reason.

He walked to the fireplace and saw her head sitting in flames, "Daphne, come on over."

"Not now", she said, "I just wanted to ask if you have seen the Daily Prophet yet."

"I have and I am not happy with it", he said, "They aren't going to mend their ways, are they?"

"They are media outlet, Harry", she said, "They have to sell papers and make Galleons. This is what they do however this can't continue unchallenged. What are we going to do about it?"

"Not we but I am going to pay a visit to Barnabas Cuffe", Harry said, "We have a long overdue conversation."

"Harry don't threaten him", she urged, "Deal with it in such a way that no one can reprimand you for it."

"Don't worry", he said, "I have a plan."


Xenophilius Lovegood was just seeing the Daily Prophet and scoffed at the article. It was another cheap shot and attempt to make money off the name of Harry Potter. That is what the Daily Prophet did. Pity that the newspaper was spared any retribution from the Ministry. It should have been shut down; financial penalties should have been imposed on Barnabas Cuffe but alas it was not done.

There was a knock on the door, and he opened to find Harry Potter on the threshold, "Mr. Potter! If you are here to see Luna, then she is gone to visit the Weasleys."

"No, I haven't come to meet her but you", Harry said, "Won't you invite me in your house?"

"Sure, come in", he said, "And I am again sorry for trying to sell you out to the Death Eaters."

"Mr. Lovegood, let bygones be bygones", he said, "I am here with a business proposal."

"What proposal?", he asked.

"I trust you have seen the Daily Prophet today", Harry said and continued when the other man nodded, "I know Daily Prophet isn't going to mend its ways until it is brought on its knees. I intend to do it and I need your help with that."

"What help do you require?"

"I am seeking to start a newspaper", Harry told him frankly, "From here I am going straight to my solicitor to ask him to procure a printing press and premises where this business can be started. My problem is that I can't run the newspaper while I am an Auror. I am here to propose a partnership between us. I will bring in the required capital, the machinery and you'll bring your expertise. You have been running the Quibbler for years will be the editor and Luna will be the Assistant Editor. You'll have the authority to make major decisions like recruitment, contracting parties for raw materials etc. and you can also use it to print the Quibbler as you have been doing. We will have 50-50 share in the profits. Should you desire to retire, you will be entitled to a pension. If you wish to leave, you will be given a suitable package."

"When will this newspaper start?"

"I am going on an assignment to arrest Cornelius Fudge and bring him back", Harry told him, "You can print the first edition featuring this news. I will even give an interview so that it will help us gather clientele."

Xenophilius nodded, "I'll print the first edition right here in my home and have it delivered to the agencies. Later when the building is fully functional, we can start operations from there. This news and an exclusive interview from you would be quite helpful to us in making a clientele. The Quibbler's clientele, which has grown substantial thanks to you, will also subscribe to the newspaper. I am quite sure that we will make a fortune in this business."

"I will get the papers ready and owled to you", Harry said, "You can sign them and return to my solicitor who will register the business with the Ministry."

"What will be the name of the newspaper?", Xenophilius asked.

"The Wizard Chronicles", Harry said before leaving.


Cuffe was in his office, a pleasant grin plastered over his silly face. The news was just too good to not to ignore. Any news about Harry Potter was welcome these days. He had been told that this morning's edition had already sold out. He'd have to give a handsome reward to Bozo for capturing the picture and a reward to his new reporter who had written the story so beautifully. The Prophet had made it through the war unscathed and was now able to reap the rewards. He was also thinking about the next item. Perhaps he could get Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass together for an interview. The sheer imagination of the number of Galleons that the story would bring had him salivate over his supposed fortune.

His pleasant musings were however broken harshly as his secretary poked her head in, "Mr. Cuffe, Lord Potter-Black is here, and he wants to see you."

"Let him in", he said jovially, "What a fine moment. I must get an interview from him."

His secretary retreated, shaking her head. If Cuffe knew Harry Potter-Black looked like a volcano ready to erupt, he would have been running for cover and not welcoming Harry Potter- Black. Well, it was Cuffe's own funeral, if he wanted it to be.

Barely a minute later, Harry Potter-Black entered. Cuffe looked at the young lord thoroughly and was impressed. He was dressed in expensive robes, an emerald cloak over his shoulders, a wand holder over his arm and he oozed the aura of a Lord. His expressions however conveyed instant pain for Cuffe. It would have made anyone worry for their well-being, but Cuffe was impervious.

"Lord Potter-Black", he said, "Please take a seat."

Harry growled, "Has no one taught you that you ought to stand when you are in front of your superiors, Cuffe?"

The threat underlying the sentence made his hair stand on end and he hastily stood, "My apologies, Lord Potter-Black. Please take a seat."

After Harry sat down, he waited for Harry's permission to seat. Harry didn't want to do it this way, but this was necessary for show Cuffe where he stood exactly. He knew the societal customs demanded that Cuffe stood until he was given permission by Harry to sit, and Harry was not going to do so.

"You have given me a lot of trouble over the years", Harry said, "You have constantly slandered me, maligned me, tarnished my reputation…"

"I haven't…." he tried to interrupt before he was harshly shut down.

"I am not yet finished speaking. You have caused me a lot of trouble over the years. You have slandered me, made me seem like a lunatic, ran a campaign to discredit me when I kept telling everyone that Voldemort had returned. You have done everything in your power to mint money off my name anyway you could. You allowed that pest Rita Skeeter to do as she pleased and gave her a free hand by publishing whatever bilge she came up with."

"Lord Potter-Black, I have done no such thing", he said appearing to be calm and collected, "I have merely published the facts as they were told to me. It is a media house, and it is our responsibility to provide information to people about their hero, their saviour. We were just doing our job."

"You were doing your job, eh?", Harry asked, "Well then why did you bow to Fudge's whims and published whatever he wanted you to? All the slanderous articles that you published about me. What was the purpose behind it?"

"It is not slander if it is the truth", he said, "And there is no way to prove that whatever was printed was not the truth. Most of the articles came from trusted sources anyway."

"Trusted sources?", Harry snorted in contempt, "You mean Death Eaters like Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson? The same ones who were engaged in propagating Death Eater propaganda. Why I know for a fact that you bowed to the Death Eaters and labelled me as 'The Undesirable No. 1'. You are almost as guilty as the Death Eaters, but it is a pity that you enjoy immunity because you were doing what you were told to."

"See, I told you I was just doing my job", he said with a small grin.

"I am not public property that you can serve my life's dealings to everyone without asking for my permission", he said, "You have published articles about me which were not true in the slightest and were published by you to make Galleons and nothing more. No useful purpose was served by those articles except tarnishing my reputation and labelling me as an attention seeker brat. You turned people against me and earned me their hate for no fault of mine."

"You are a celebrity", he said, "And people are entitled to know about you. Anything about you isn't your own business but the people have a right to know the person they admire. And to give it to them is my job."

"Well, you may have been doing whatever you think was your job but that doesn't mean that your acts can be condoned. It is responsibility of the media to publish only the truth. All of the articles that you published were skewed and biased. Not even once you tried to get my opinion about the allegations that you made against me", he said.

"Whatever you say, Lord Potter-Black", he said, "But you can do nothing to me."

Harry grinned, "That is where you are wrong. Did you forget that I have recently killed Voldemort? I can kill you here in your office and no one would be the wiser but that is not what I will do. I am going to hit where it hurts."

"What do you mean?"

"You will see", he said, "And if I were you, I wouldn't go offending everyone in the wizarding world. The public is up in arms against you."

As Harry was about to leave, Cuffe asked him, "Would you give me an interview, Lord Potter-Black?"

A feral grin came over him, "The last person who asked for my interview is cooling her heels in Azkaban. You want to go that route?"

As Harry left, Cuffe was left thinking exactly what Harry Potter-Black wanted to prove by this visit.


"Mr. Cole, you have work to do", said Harry, "Do you do any litigation too or it is just ministerial work?"

"I am also the chief of the litigating arm of my firm, Lord Potter- Black", he said, "What work I have to do?"

"First thing first. Find me a magical printing press. I don't care about the price just get me one. Next find me a place where I can set up a newspaper agency like The Daily prepare a partnership deed between Harry Potter-Black and Xenophilius Lovegood. The deed will stipulate that Mr. Lovegood shall act as the editor of the new newspaper, Luna Lovegood will be the assistant editor and he will be in-charge of running the place swiftly. House Potter-Black will supply the required capital and other expenses while Mr. Lovegood will bring his experience and expertise to the will be a daily newspaper like the Daily Prophet and Mr. Lovegood will be the in-charge of hiring the staff and other things. Also, Mr. Lovegood is at liberty to use the printing press for publishing his weekly magazine known as the 'The Quibbler' but any profits derived from the Quibbler shall entirely belong to him."

"What will be the name of the newspaper?", Cole asked.

"The Wizard Chronicles", he said, "Next order of business is to collect every copy of Daily Prophet in the last three years starting from 1994 which mentions me in a bad light. They had slandered me for too long and it is time that it must stop."

"And what are further instructions?"

"When you have collected every news item that they have ever published slandering me, send a legal notice to them asking them to publish a public apology for a week on the front page of their newspaper. Further demand them to cease and desist from publishing anything about me unless they verify its authenticity. Also tell them to publish the apology within 15 days of the receipt of notice and if they fail to do so, we will sue them and demand reparations and a public apology."

"Have you talked to Mr. Lovegood?", he asked.

"Yes, Mr. Lovegood has told me that he is willing", Harry said, "Prepare the papers and owl them to him. He is waiting on you. Send me an owl when this is done. I'll have further instructions for you. And you have two days for the readying the agreement."

"Lady Longbottom", Harry said, performing proper curtsy with Augusta, "Me and Daphne have matters of importance to discuss."


After meeting with the solicitor, Harry had met Daphne in muggle London from where they Apparated to the Longbottom manor. Since they were the newest gossip in Wizarding Britain, it was evident that people would stare at them and none of them were in mood to deal with it now.

"And what would those matters be, Harry?"

"When Cornelius Fudge was thrown out of his office, he erased every evidence of his wrong doings, his dealings with the Death Eaters and any other evidence which otherwise would have incriminated him. With nothing against him, they were hard pressed to obtain a warrant for his arrest. However, the convict known as Lucius Malfoy offered to provide enough evidence to the Ministry…"

She cut him mid- sentence, "And the Ministry accepted his proposal?"

"The Ministry is ready to heed to his demands", Harry said, "But Kingsley doesn't want to do it himself because it is bound to come out in public sooner or later. If the public knows of it, the outrage against him will be very high. He wants me to step forward and assume responsibility."

"And you are not willing to do it?"

"No", he said, "I may hate Fudge, but I absolutely loathe Lucius Malfoy. I won't be heeding to any demands from that death eater."

"I understand your sentiments", she said, "And I also think that the Ministry did wrong to try to do this without taking us into confidence first. This Minister keeps forgetting the lesson that I imparted to him."


That evening, Ginny Weasley visited him again. Truthfully, he had been waiting for her. He knew that he would visit him sooner or later as soon as she saw the newspaper. What he was apprehensive about was her reaction to the news. Would she take it as some form of betrayal and become angry with him or would she understand that it was just another trash news published by Prophet without any substance to it.

"Harry, I saw a rather recent photo of yours on the front page of Daily Prophet today with none other than Daphne Greengrass", she said, "And to be honest, I…"

"Ginny, I am sorry for that news item", he interrupted without letting her finish, "It is not what it looks like. Daphne and I are not dating, nor she is trying to trap me or something like that."

"Relax Harry", she said, "I know it is all just garbage that the Prophet is famous for. Hermione has told me that you and Greengrass are friends and nothing more. I don't believe that you'd do anything like that. If you were to date Greengrass, you won't hide it from the world. Also, you had told me that Greengrass is teaching you things about our society that you should have known anyhow. If there was anything going on behind everyone's back, you wouldn't have told me about her."

"Thank Merlin that you are so understanding", he said with a small smile, "So what is the reason for this visit?"

"I wanted to ask till when you'll let them walk over you. Why don't you take some action against them? They can't keep getting away with everything that they do."

"No, they won't", Harry said, "I have taken steps to make sure that the Prophet won't stand on its legs much longer."

"Want to tell me?", she asked.

"No, not yet", he said, "But soon you will see."

"What happened at the Ministry the other day?" she asked, "Father was telling me that you walked out on Kingsley Shacklebolt, and you threatened him with consequences as Lord Potter-Black. You weren't like that."

"I hated doing that", Harry said, "I mean I always hated the whole boy-who-lived thing too. If I had wanted to use my influence, I would have befriended Malfoy and strutted around the castle like a peacock. But the Ministry is doing things that shows that it is not going to mend its ways anytime soon. It was this reason that I had to use proper forms with the Minister."

"Kingsley has been taking Malfoy's help in getting evidence against the Death Eaters and Fudge", he explained, "In return Malfoy has asked for commutation of his life sentence and to be incarcerated in a low security wing as opposed to the high security wing."

"What! And Dad agreed to go with this plan?"

"Yes and Mr. Weasley is aboard with this plan", Harry said, "Mr. Weasley has probably forgot that it was Lucius Malfoy who had slipped that diary to you. And Kingsley made these deals behind our backs. It was this reason that I threatened him."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"That would be telling", he said, "I have a plan, but you'll have to wait till I return from Germany."

"Why are you going to Germany?

"Robards has made a team of Aurors to go and arrest Cornelius Fudge. He has been escaping justice for so long."

"About time", she said, "He needs to pay for everything that he did."

"He will, Gin", Harry said, "But that is the problem. That man has covered his tracks quite smartly and you can catch a crook only with the help of another crook. To deal with one devil, the Ministry is ready to shake hands with the other."


"Harry, I know you are angry", Kingsley was saying, "But you must understand. In politics, one must make some unpleasant decisions. We can't try Fudge for his crimes without any sort of evidence against him, which I must remind you, has been destroyed by him. What evidence Lucius Malfoy provided gave us probable cause to arrest him and bring him here. But to successfully prosecute him, we'll need more. I have no other recourse than to make a deal with him."

Kingsley had summoned him to his office as he arrived at the Ministry this morning. The team which was to be sent to arrest Fudge was ready to depart. Kingsley knew that the Ministry was committing a blunder in the opinion of the light faction by allying with Malfoy to gather evidence against Fudge, but Kingsley knew there was no other way for the Ministry. He also knew that his best shot at quelling any public outcry would be to put Harry forward as the figurehead behind the Ministry's actions. However, the problem was that Harry Potter was not ready to go along with any such plan.

"Minister, what I do know is that you are betraying us by allying with him. Lucius Malfoy had slipped that diary into Ginny Weasley's cauldron which led to her being possessed by his soul. She could have died. Malfoy was also responsible for many crimes in the war. We can't just make a deal with him. Anyway, you have already decided what course of action you are going to pursue so you don't need me really" he said, "And if you think you'd make a decision and then have me act as mouthpiece of the Ministry, commending your actions and singing praises then you are very wrong, Minister. You were not put in that chair to play politics. We put you there so that you can help us rebuild and progress. I won't be a part of this decision. And when I return, Elder Longbottom is going to summon the entire Wizengamot and tell all. We will talk then. Now if there is nothing more to say then I bid you good day, Minister."

Leaving Kingsley in silence, he came to the Auror office where the team had gathered to depart. The team was being led by Proudfoot and Savage, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, and Justin Finch Fletchley had been chosen to be the members of the team.

Before they left, Robards addressed them, "Alright, your mission is to arrest Cornelius Fudge and bring him back. The portkey will take you to German Ministry of Magic where you will meet Jurgen Schneider, who is the head of Aurors in the German Ministry of Magic. He will give you a portkey which will take you to the manor where Cornelius is hiding. He will also provide you with more Aurors if the need be. Is that clear?"

They all replied as one, "Yes Sir."

"Good. When you return, there is a major shuffle coming. Since many of our new recruits joined the Ministry to end the threat of Death Eaters, they will be leaving us once we have tried Fudge. You all will be assigned new trainers and it will be time for you all to think upon it. Now get going."

Without another word, they all took the portkey and were gone.


"Welcome Mr. Proudfoot", said Schneider, "Mr. Robards has told me about your mission and my Aurors have been scouting the place."

Proudfoot shook hands with the head of Aurors in Germany and said, "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Schneider. Allow me to introduce you to others in my team."

As he introduced everyone to him. Schneider shook hands with them and got excited when Harry was introduced lastly to him.

"Mr. Potter-Black", said the Head Auror of German Ministry of Magic, "I am very glad to meet you. Your fame precedes you. When Mr. Shacklebolt told me that he is sending a team of Aurors to Germany, I insisted that you be a part of the team."

"It is a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Schneider", said Harry, "Now please tell me about the place."

"The mansion was registered in Mr. Fudge's name about 5 years ago. We had the goblins track it and it was found that the gold for the mansion was paid by one Malcolm Avery. They paid 1,00,000 Galleons for the place. We have the receipt of the transactions showing the in-flow of gold. Mr. Fudge has been living here for the past 3 years and at first, he was very outgoing and liked to meet people from the Ministry, no doubt hoping to curry some favours the Ministry officials. However, when Albus Dumbledore was killed, he went into seclusion. He hired mercenaries to provide him protection around the clock. Since he has not done anything illegal, we couldn't interfere. He has been a model citizen really. Living in peace, following the laws, and paying his dues."

"If he is living peacefully then why did you tell us about his whereabouts?", asked Auror Savage.

"When you-know-who was killed and I heard from some sources that he is being looked for, I inquired deeper. It was then that his atrocities came to my knowledge. He is a criminal in Britain, and he must face justice for his deeds", he said, "besides, I wanted to score a favour with Mr. Potter-Black."

"What favour?"

"If sometime, a dark wizard arises in Germany, I want Mr. Potter to promise that your Ministry will help us."

"I can't promise for the Ministry, but I'll definitely do everything in my power to help you", Harry said, "Now if you please, show us the maps that you must have prepared for his location and tell us the details of his security. We will be making a move to arrest him tomorrow. We can't tarry."

"Of course,", he said, "However you don't need to fear that he would run for it. I have placed some of my best Aurors on him. He hired a company of mercenaries 6 months ago to provide him security. There are generally about 10 wizards in a company so you can be sure that he has at least ten guards. There are four gates to enter the property, and all are watched at all times. You can't go knocking on doors because the guards won't let you enter. We have also detected a lattice of Runes around the property, and it is safe to assume that there are wards protecting the property. It won't be easy work."

"Leave that tous, Mr. Schneider", Proudfoot said, "Fudge won't know what hit him."

Mr. Schneider sent them to a safe house where they were to rest for the day. They planned to use the day to make plans, divide responsibilities and to decide what to do if things went pear shaped for them.


The Quibbler was a weekly magazine but this morning, it had published the magazine for the second time in a week. Ever since Harry Potter had given an exclusive interview to it, they had slowly become one of the favourites of the wizarding world. But, since the war ended, Mr. Lovegood was again drifting to is old habits and strange news, absurd headlines, and ridiculous claims.

This morning however, there were no other news but an advertisement. It ran for two pages.

"HARRY POTTER-BLACK ANNOUNCES A NEWSPAPER

Recently, Harry Potter-Black has announced launching a newspaper by his own efforts. Mr. Potter told me in person that he is disgusted with the state of media outlets in this country and their propensity to peddle fake news and create rumours where none exist.

In his own words, "I wasn't plagued as much by Voldemort as I was plagued by reporters."

He also expressed that he is visibly upset with media's malicious attempts at tarnishing his image, portraying him as a crazy person, labelling him as a fraud and attention-seeker and rumour monger. With the media taking unusual interest in his life in the last three years, he has been fed up with how the details of his private life has been aired for the world to see. It was also his opinion that the way media bowed to the Ministry instead of bringing the truth to the people, it has failed in fulfilling its duty.

Therefore, he has decided to launch his own newspaper 'The Wizard Chronicles' in collaboration with the House of Lovegood. The business has been duly registered with the Ministry and necessary permissions have been acquired.

For yearly subscription to the newspaper, readers can send their owl with a cheque for 5 Galleons to the following address:

Gornuk Goblin

Manager of Potter-Black

Gringotts, Diagon Alley, London."

At Greengrass Manor, one Astoria Greengrass had just finished reading the Quibbler and turned to her sister, who was sitting in a chair and reading a book on theory of charms, "Did you give him the idea, Daph?"

"No", she said, "I had no idea that he was going to do something like that. I wish he had told me before so that I could be a partner in this venture."

"Maybe he does not want anyone to be a partner", she said, "I mean maybe he is apprehensive that if someone has even an ounce of control in it, they can use it to manipulate the news like the Prophet?"

"I guess you are right", she said, "Still I wish I could be a part of this. But then maybe he wanted something out of the partnership between Potter-Longbottom-Greengrass. I mean Greengrass Potions is not a part of the agreement and neither are house Longbottom's investments."

"How many letters have you received from witches and wizards in England?", Astoria asked, "Telling you to keep your claws off the saviour of Wizarding World?"

"I have lost count", she said, "I am keeping a log though. Once Auror Potter returns from his mission, I am going with a list of all those persons to him and ask him to act."

"You really want to file complaints and sue all those people?", Astoria asked.

"No", Daphne said, "I will be happy with an apology, but I am not going to get an apology until I bring him in it."

"Well, you weren't a Slytherin for nothing", said Astoria grinning at him.


At Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Ron Weasley had come to visit his brother for a meeting.

"George, I have an idea", said Ron, "And it is bound to be one of the best sellers. Now you have to keep your promise to me."

"What are you talking about?"

"You had told me that if I came to you with an idea that would outdo any others idea that you had then you will let me handle the Hogsmeade shop", Ron said, "I have found one idea."

"We will see", said Fred, "First tell me about your idea."

"We can sell a map like the Marauders map", Ron said, "It can be based on anyone's house, manor or whatever. We sell blank parchments to them with the enchantments written in it. The buyer goes through their house while saying the necessary spells and the spell will trace the map of their house on the parchment."

"Very fine idea, Ron", Fred said, "But this product can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Imagine if someone used it to map the ministry! What will happen then?"

Ron visibly deflated, "So, what does it mean?"

"We can't use this idea", Fred said, "But since you fulfilled the condition, you will run the Hogsmeade shop when we open it. We had purchased it before the seventh year broke out but with things being the way they were last year, we decided not to open it. We will have a proper opening ceremony before Hogwarts reopens. What are your plans? Are you going to join the Aurors?"

"No", Ron said, "I havefoughtenough for a lifetime. I will leave the Aurors after Fudge's trial. I will try out for Chudley Cannons and help you stock the shop and run it in the meantime."

"Well then go in the back, make an inventory and report to me within an hour", said Fred, "I am helping Verity here to stock the shop. And keep thinking of more ideas."


At the same time, Ms. Hermione Granger sat in shock in her room at the Burrow. The reason for her shock was the letter that an owl had delivered to her about 5 minutes ago. She had been invited to repeat her seventh year at Hogwarts and she had also been chosen the Head Girl! Hermione hadn't hoped to be made the head girl after she had spent the last year on the run. She had thought that McGonagall would be offering it to Ginevra Weasley. But it was a welcome surprise, and she was up to the task. She just wished that Harry and Ron were going to join her at Hogwarts for another year. But maybe with them out of the way, she would have one peaceful year at Hogwarts, free from any drama or her trying to think of ways to keep Harry Potter away from danger.

Harry Potter or as she should say- Harry Potter-Black! Her best friend and brother in all but blood. Ever since the war ended, it looked like he had become a different person. Before this he used to come to her for a solution to his problems. Now he took them head on and solved them. Mr. Weasley had told her that Kingsley had first reached out to Harry for his affirmation on the Foster Program and it was his interview that had moved the wizarding world. The Foster Program was proving to be tremendous success. Last the Ministry heard, there were only three children left in the Orphan Wing who were yet to be adopted to be given to foster. The Weasleys had been approved to foster a child under their roof but since there were so many applicants and most of them without any children that they were told to wait. The Weasleys already had a nest full of children but there were others who did not. The Ministry had decided that if any children were left, they could ask the Weasleys to foster them.

Her friend also had become a voice in the Wizengamot. Mr. Weasley had told her that he had threatened Kingsley Shacklebolt with consequences as Lord Potter-Black, something which he wouldn't have done two years ago. Her friend had changed a great bit in a short time after the war and she, Hermione Granger, was not sure whether to be pleased or worried. He was also getting popular at the Ministry because he was working his way towards the top despite having the power to grab whatever he wanted.

She realised now that Harry Potter-Black was happy being mediocre among them because he had found happiness and acceptance among his friends. Friends and family were most important to him, and he would've gone to any extent to protect them. Now that he was free of the burden of Voldemort and it was his turn to claim his place in the wizarding world, which he was doing so in a fashion. There was also the new newspaper agency that he had just announced. To put the Daily Prophet in its place, he had decided to get vengeful. He hated his fame but was now quite willing to use it to put the Prophet in its place.

She also wondered what had made it all possible! It was definitely not Ron and Hermione because they had been practically distant from him since the war ended. He was more seen in the company of Neville Longbottom or Daphne Greengrass. It must be either of them, she decided.


The mercenaries who were guarding the east entrance found a single wizard walking towards the gate. He was dressed in Robes which was unusual for Germany because Robes weren't so common here. The robes were of the crimson colour of the British Aurors, and the newcomer walked towards them resolutely. There was another walking beside him, dressed identically.

When they neared the gates, the mercenaries recognised them. These two had recently featured in a lot of newspapers. Only someone who had been living under a rock would fail to recognise them. They were war heroes and well respected.

The one in front was none other than Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived or as they were calling him 'the man-who-won'. He needed no other introduction than that he had recently killed Voldemort, the greatest Dark Lord with an Expelliarmus spell of all things. The other was equally fearsome wizard, who was being dubbed as 'the wizard who slew the giant snake'. It would have shaken anyone's confidence to see the duo standing before them, but the mercenaries were hardened professionals.

"Good morning", said Harry Potter, "Before we start trading spells, I want to know if you blokes will leave peacefully and allow us to arrest Cornelius Fudge?"

"No", said one of the mercenaries, "We have taken a contract to protect his life and we will do it even at the cost of our lives. To break the code is akin to committing suicide for us."

"If that is the case then you are surrounded by 20 Aurors on all sides. We may suffer some losses, but I promise you that you will fail in the end. So, let's cut our losses and allow us to arrest Fudge."

"If I were you", said one of the other mercenaries, "I'd return to where you come from. You have an inflated ego with having defeated one dark lord."

"I was hoping it will not come to that", said Harry Potter and in a swift motion, his wand was out. His draw was so fast that they couldn't even see it. Before any of them were the wiser, the boy shouted, "Stupefy."

Another red jet flew from beside Harry Potter and two of the mercenaries were out of commission. Before the third one could decide what to do, he was tied down with chains.

Three more Aurors emerged while Longbottom and Potter secured the downed mercenaries. The one in lead, shoved three drops of a potion down the captive's throat.

A few seconds later that it took for the potion to take effect, he asked, "Tell me about the wards."

"There are no specialised wards on this manor. The usual anti-apparition, anti-portkey wards", he answered.

The man signalled to another who started waving his wand in the air while the interrogation continued, "How many wizards are inside?"

"There are 8 inside the manor except Fudge. Two are just inside the double doors. One on the first floor from where he can see the main is posted outside Fudge's bedroom and four are tasked with patrolling the manor."

"How many are on the other gates?

"Three on each gate", he said.

"Stupefy", Proudfoot stunned the captive and turned to Harry, "Potter, I am going to signal the German Aurors to attack the three gates and keep the mercenaries busy. You will lead charge with Savage and Longbottom. I will come behind you with Thomas and Finch-Fletchley. In case, they decide to surprise you from behind, we will be ready for them."

He then turned to Savage, "What of the wards, Savage?"

"They are not threatening", Savage said, "They are mostly mean to escape by magical means. The floo in the manor is also not on the network. I reckon he thought someone would come through the floo and abduct him."

Proudfoot turned to his team, "On my word, blast the door must know by now that we have arrived. Blast anyone who stands in your way. Is that clear?"

They all replied in unison, and he let loose green sparks on his wand. The German teams on the three entrances started attacking earnestly while Savage pointed his wand at the doors and let loose a blasting hex.

BOOOMMMM! The door was blasted apart as if fell off its hinges. Harry and Neville entered first closely followed by Dean and Justin while the Aurors brought up the rear.

Harry saw a movement on the upper floor and shot a stunning spell with unerring precision. A body fell to the ground with a great thud. With that all hell broke loose.

There was spell fire from all around them. The attackers were hidden behind walls, doors and wherever they could find cover and were raining down on the British.

"Shields," roared Proudfoot as a spell hit Savage and he fell to the ground. Shield came all around them and they were cowering, taking a pounding from all sides in close quarters.

Harry's mind was racing furiously. He needed to think on his feet, or they would be sitting ducks. From behind his shield, he found one peeking from behind a wall. Harry whispered to Neville, "Cover me and yourself with your shield. I am going to take that one out."

Neville understood and provided cover for both of them while Harry dropped his shield and waited for his chance. However, while they waited another spell found its mark as Justin's shield failed him. He fell to the ground, not moving.

They were only four of them left and there were atleast six mercenaries. Harry concentrated on the nearest one and thrust his hand forward in an imitation of a blasting hex. The wall in front of the mercenary blasted apart and a particularly big piece hit him squarely on the head and he fell down.

Harry turned to the other who was hiding behind a plant and without using his wand or any incantation, he shoved his hand forward and the plant started strangling the mercenary choking him to unconsciousness.

Neville, in the meanwhile had taken another one out and Dean was providing cover to Proudfoot who had taken down two more of last one was crafty and was running from pillar-to-pillar firing hexes and curses at them.

In desperation, Harry tried to imagine himself behind the mercenary and with a loud crack, he vanished to appear behind him. Before the stunned mercenary could understand what had happened, Harry poked his wand to his ribs and fired a Bombarda. The mercenary died immediately; a part of his body having been blasted apart.

Neville was securing the captives as Proudfoot checked on Savage and Justin and barked orders, "Thomas, go out and signal to the Germans that we need healers here right now. I will wait with them and try to keep them from dying. Potter, you, and Longbottom find Fudge. There must be two more of them inside. Stay alert."

Harry turned to Neville, "Let me go first and you come twenty paces behind me. Make no sound. We will take them out."

Harry crossed the hall they were in and walked ahead as Neville quickly followed. There was no one about and deathly silence prevailed. Harry kept looking around him and went ahead. Neville was about to catch up to him when he saw the door of a closet opening mid-way between him and Harry. As the mercenary took aim, Neville fired a Bombarda at the closet. The closet collapsed on the mercenary who groaned under its weight. Neville quickly stunned him and started following Harry again.

The last one was either bold or stupid. He stepped in front of Harry and snarled, "You'll go no further."

Harry did not speak but sent a curse at him while he shielded. Harry started trading hexes with him and Neville kept guard. It went on for about 5 minutes before Harry started to realise how futile it was. He shot a tunnelling spell at the ground and kept at it as it reached the mercenary who had to jumped aside to avoid it. It was all the opening Harry needed and shot him with a banishing charm which threw him into a wall and a table which cracked. The mercenary fell down dizzily.

Harry was about to bind him in chains when the mercenary fired a shot at him. There was no apparent harm from the curse, so Harry wondered what it was meant for. Having bound the mercenary in chains, they walked to the room at the end of the hall.

The door of the room was closed, and Harry tried to push it open, but it didn't budge. Remembering Proudfoot's orders, he cast a Bombarda and the door was blasted off its hinges.

Behind the door, in his pyjamas and an evening gown with slippers on his feet stood Cornelius Fudge, with a look of horror on his face.

"I… I surrender," he said, throwing his hands up in the air.

"Cornelius Fudge, on the orders of the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt and the authority vested in me due to being an Auror, I take you under arrest. You will be tried by the Wizengamot, and you have right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you."

Harry stepped forward to secure Fudge when he swayed on his legs and crashed on the floor.

Neville who had seen Harry fall, rushed forward but not before stunning Cornelius Fudge. He was immensely relived when he found that Harry was breathing, even if secured Fudge in chains before he sent a message to Proudfoot that Harry Potter was grievously injured and needed tending to.