She is immortal, born in the highlands of Scotland over three hundred years ago. She is not alone. There are others like her – some good, some evil. For centuries she has battled the forces of darkness, with holy ground and Hogwarts Castle her only refuges. She cannot die, unless you take her head, and with it her power, for in the end, there can be only one. Among the wizarding world, she is Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts. But in the Game of the Immortals, she is Fiona MacLeod – the Highlander.

*Highlander: The Series version of Princes Of The Universe plays*

Chapter 6

The morning was cold and grey, much like the state of the Ministry of Magic. Cornelius Fudge sat at his desk, staring at a mountain of paperwork, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him more heavily than ever before. The wizarding world was in turmoil, and the Ministry seemed to be a beacon of incompetence in the face of a rising storm.

And then there was Dolores Umbridge. Her influence had spread like a disease through the Ministry since her arrival. Her cruelty, her ambition, her power grabs—it had all been so painfully transparent. And yet, Fudge had never been able to rein her in. Perhaps he was too weak, too afraid to challenge her. In hindsight, he knew that his failure to confront her was a failure that had cost him dearly. He was too indecisive, too eager to placate the people around him, especially her.

And now, after all that had happened—the internal conflicts, the disastrous public image, the message sent by whoever had killed and beheaded his Senior Undersecretary—he was left alone, on a sinking ship.

But today would be different. Today, Fudge had finally forced himself to deal with the consequences of his own choices, and had gone in to the Ministry early to do so. When he had opened that parcel a few days ago, Fudge's mind had slowly started working. He had always known that Umbridge was ruthless, but now… now he saw the true cost of his own inaction. The political games, the cover-ups, the refusal to believe anything Dumbledore said despite relying on the man's advice for years before—he had let it all happen, and now he was paying the price for his failure.

He stood up abruptly, the chair scraping across the stone floor with a screech. His thoughts were jumbled, his pulse pounding in his ears. He was a man who had long held onto power out of fear of losing it, but now he had realized the truth: he was no longer fit to lead.

As he stared down at the pile of parchment on his desk, another thought came to him: the Ministry could not be allowed to continue down this path. It was time for someone stronger, someone better, to take charge. Someone who could restore order, someone who could bring about real change.

Fudge's mind turned to Amelia Bones.

Amelia had always been a steady hand at the Ministry, someone who had never shied away from doing what was right. She was respected, competent, and, most importantly, she was incorruptible. Unlike him, she had never compromised her principles, and the wizarding world needed someone like her now more than ever.

Without a second thought, Fudge stood up, grabbed a parchment, and quickly scrawled a letter to her.

Amelia,

I can no longer continue in my role as Minister of Magic. The Ministry is in disarray, and I fear I am no longer the right person to lead it. Dolores's death was a turning point, and I can no longer ignore the truth of what we've allowed to happen. It is time for new leadership, and I believe you are the only one who can restore order and trust in the Ministry. I hereby resign in your favour.

Cornelius Fudge

With shaking hands, Fudge sealed the letter, then walked down the corridor from his office to the small owlery there, maintained exclusively for the thirteen private Ministerial owls, and sent one off with the letter, watching as it disappeared into the grey sky. A sense of finality settled over him, and he slowly returned to his office, where he sat back down at his desk, staring blankly at his (soon-to-be former) office door. The Ministry would be better off without him.

A few hours later, Amelia Bones arrived at the Ministry in response to Fudge's letter. Her expression was unreadable as she stepped into his office, the weight of his resignation hanging between them. "Minister," Amelia said, her tone respectful but firm. "I've read your letter." Fudge stood up from his desk, his face drawn and weary. "Amelia, I'm afraid it's time. The Ministry needs you now more than ever. I—" His voice cracked, and he had to pause before continuing. "I've failed. I should have acted sooner. I allowed things to spiral out of control. It's time for you to take charge."

Amelia looked at him, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Cornelius, you've made the right choice. I'll do my best, but the road ahead won't be easy. I'll need your support." Fudge nodded. "You have it, Amelia. I'll support you in any way I can. You're the right person for this. You always have been."

As Amelia stepped behind the desk, taking her place as the new Minister of Magic, the image of Dlores Umbridge's head flashed into Fudge's mind one last time. He would never forget the price of his indecision.

And as Amelia Bones took her seat, a new chapter began for the Ministry—a chapter of accountability, strength, and a hope that one day, the darkness would be defeated. Under her leadership, the Ministry would rise from the ashes.