Dark Hour

Cornelius Fudge sat in his office feeling rather uncomfortable. Elections were going to be held the following day. He was going to be competing against someone he didn't know for his position in the Ministry. That reporter Rita Skeeter wasn't going to help much, liking to make both competitors sound corrupt in the way she normally does. She had a charm for doing this. He looked at Rita's article about the election dreading what it would say.

Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic has made yet another blunder. The dark mark found over the Malfoy's house last weekend clearly stated he is still no closer to defeating You-Know-Who than he was at the beginning of the summer directly after the Tri-wizard tournament had been played, when Harry Potter played a crucial part in seeing You-Know-Who's return.

Fudge has taken action to the problem at Azkaban by removing the Dementors from their guard. Some say they only feel safe at night because the Dementors are indeed posted there keeping in the Dark Wizards and Witches held inside their own heads. He's said they cannot escape as there is now a holding spell over Azakaban along with several Hit-Wizards posted around the Island where the Dementors once were. Some of them are even stationed outside some of the most dangerous Dark Wizards cells. This goes to show how well he's looking after his people--faith in our Minister only goes so far.

As well as having the Dementors removed from Azkaban, he's sent out two of our kind to ask the Giants to join with us. As you know, they were once brutal and bloodthirsty, working for the Dark Lord. Those of you who know Hogwarts Care of Magical Creatures Professor, Hagrid, and Madam Maxime, Headmaster of Beauxbatons, have both gone to contact them in hopes they won't join with the Dark Lord.

If any of us had any faith in the Minister they should quench it immediately as he has, indeed, not captured the illusive Sirius Black, You-Know-Who's right hand man. Sirius Black has been on the run for two years now after escaping from Azkaban; the first time anyone has made an escape. Fudge has claimed they're well on the way to capturing Black, but the truth is that they have no idea where the wizard is.

This is your Daily Prophet Reporter Rita Skeeter signing off.

Sweat poured down Fudge's face; this was not good. Rita had indeed decided to puncture Fudge's reputation by making this whole thing sound bad, when he was doing this for the people, not just himself and his ego. When would the damn witch see sense? She seemed to like hurting people's reputation more than anything else. Fudge sighed then went to write an owl to Dumbledore--he would surely know what to do about this situation.

Dear Albus,

Rita has published her article, making me look bad of course. She's written about the Giants, and those damned Dementors! She's said a lot of things that aren't true. She's insulted us constantly, and I know some of this is far from true, what should I do? I will lose my job after this, for sure! A suggestion would be nice right about now.

It's obvious that she's supporting my competitor Reianna Morgan . . . she's good, especially with those speeches of hers.

Fudge.

Fudge sighed and attached the note to the owl that took off careening out of the window. He looked at his Dark Wizard detectors. Well, there was no Dark Wizards around, so why did he feel so damn jumpy? Right then he decided the best place to go would be the Three Broomsticks for a drink, even if people would have seen that article, it wasn't life threatening, it would make him look like a wuss if he didn't go.

He walked into the Three Broomsticks to find Albus Dumbledore already there and waiting for him.

"Albus! A pleasant surprise to see you here," Fudge grinned happily.

"Same here Minister, I see Rita's managed to make your life hell don't you think?" Dumbledore replied as Reianna Morgan walked into the pub. Reianna had dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and was really quite attractive. She had a slender body, she didn't look all that powerful just walking around. She wore bright red robes and a burgundy cloak.
"Hello Minister, Albus," she said, greeting the two men in turn. "I see the article has come out?"

"Yes, I don't like it either," Fudge grunted at Reianna who raised an eyebrow.

"Well old Rita's a bit imaginative; Giants aren't all that bad," Reianna commented dryly. "She should do more research before boasting about it, "
"That is indeed so," Dumbledore agreed sounding rather suspicious of the woman's comment.

"I'll see you both later, I expect, I've got a speech to finish writing, you know, for the Elections." Reianna grinned and turned around to walk over to the bar. She got out her quill and parchment to do her work.

*

Meanwhile, Harry, Ron and Hermione were in Diagon Alley they had just finished buying their school equipment. The trio would be starting fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"You think we'll have a good Dark Arts Professor this year?" Ron asked for what seemed like the millionth time.