Harry Potter and the Remnants of the Soul

Chapter Three: Aftermath and The Daily Prophet

The following morning was a bright and clear Wednesday. While wandering mindlessly to the park, Harry began to feel like he was being followed. Taking his bearings, he found himself in a narrow alley. It was the same secluded spot where he had previously encountered dementors.

Cautiously, Harry withdrew his wand. He spun to confront his pursuer. The alley was deserted. Backing up against a sidewall, he waited, silently studying the shadows. Nothing moved for two minutes. Slowly, he squatted and slid his hand to the ground. Grasping pebbles, Harry threw. They hit nothing; they merely bounced on the ground. "Mad-Eye?" he whispered. "Is that you, Moody?"

Silence greeted him, and he felt foolish. "I'm going mental," Harry muttered. Rising from his crouched position, he walked three paces then spun around again. Still nothing. He shook his head as if to clear it. "Definitely certifiable."

Suddenly, an owl swooped down. Harry jumped in surprise. Distracted by the bird, he did not see an ugly rat with a silver paw scamper away.

At first, Harry was wary of the bird until he saw that it was a Ministry owl. A humorless laugh escaped his lips. "So, Hopkirk's finally caught up with me," he said beneath his breath. "I hope they just expel me and get it over with."

In a sense, Harry was correct. The Minister had personally ensured that Harry would not be attending Hogwarts the following term, but neither would any other students.

Dismissing the owl, Harry crumpled the short note, stuffing it in his pocket. As he continued walking towards the park, he decided that the school closing might be beneficial. Perhaps, he reasoned, if none of the students were at Hogwarts, Voldemort would not notice that he was out chasing down and destroying chunks of the Dark Lord's soul.

A few hours later, Harry was mopping the floor in his aunt's spotless kitchen when another owl arrived. Quietly opening the window, Harry retrieved the note and quickly pushed the owl back outside. Dudley, sitting in the next room, was too engrossed in the television to notice.

Discreetly, Harry slit the wax seal, which bore the Hogwarts crest. After quickly reading the second letter, Harry smirked before carefully folding the note from McGonagall. Placing it in his pocket alongside the crumpled post from the Minister, Harry finished mopping and went up to his room to await the extensive missive he knew Hermione would be sending him.

---888---

When The Daily Prophet arrived the following morning, Harry gleefully read the coverage of the Hogwarts' controversy.

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The Daily Prophet

June 26, 1997

Scrimgeour Faces Dismissal

The normally staid monthly Wizengamot session, which opens tomorrow, promises to be anything but. Yesterday, Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour owled all new and returning Hogwarts students indicating that the school was unsafe and would not reopen in September. This announcement, which was made without consulting the Hogwarts Headmistress, Board of Governors, or the Wizengamot, was rescinded three hours later.

Notified at once of the decree by angry parents, Headmistress Minerva McGonagall immediately called an emergency board meeting and swiftly extracted a vote to keep the school open. "The Minister's actions were foolish and rushed," stated McGonagall briskly at a hastily convened press conference. "Hogwarts is safe. Most of the faculty are returning, and we will be able to withstand the budget cuts the Minister is forcing upon the school."

Returning fire, Scrimgeour called the Headmistress "irresponsible." He claimed that even Albus Dumbledore was unable to keep the war from encroaching upon the historic castle. "Despite her empty assurances, I firmly believe the school is unsafe," the Minister said in response. "We cannot afford to station Aurors there this year. Students who attend will be doing so at their own peril."

The rift between Scrimgeour and McGonagall angered many members of the Wizengamot. "The Minister overstepped his authority in trying to close the school," asserted Lord Jeremiah McDaniel, who is also a member of Hogwarts' Board of Governors. "The decision to close the school is the responsibility of the Board, not the Minister."

For Scrimgeour, the political misstep compounds the problems he has faced in an already disastrous week. On Monday, Death Eaters murdered forty-three children, all of whom were Hogwarts students. Since then, Aurors have failed to apprehend any of those responsible. Citing these failures, Lord Charles Carrow is planning to call for a vote of no-confidence in Scrimgeour's leadership.

"Scrimgeour was a failure with the Aurors, and he has not improved as Minister. I'll be calling for a vote of no-confidence at Friday's [Wizengamot] meeting, and I have the votes to have him ousted," Carrow announced yesterday evening.

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

---888---

The following morning, Harry was not surprised to see an article announcing the successful capture of several 'Death Eaters.'

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The Daily Prophet

June 27, 1997

Four Arrested, Charged with Murder

Embattled Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour called a press conference on Thursday to announce the capture of four suspected Death Eaters. Elladora Guffy, Davy Gudgeon, Lewis Mattie, and Otis Nell have all been charged with masterminding the Monday Muggleborn Massacre.

"These four masterminded the murder of at least two Muggle-born children on Monday," Scrimgeour announced. "The Aurors captured them by tracing the magical signature of the wand used to set off the Dark Mark in Deptford."

The suspects are being held, without trial, in Azkaban prison. "We're too busy tracking down the rest of the Death Eaters to bother with the bureaucracy of a trial right now," Scrimgeour explained. "When we have the resources, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will review the case to dot the i's and cross the t's."

The four were arrested in Guffy's home, three blocks from the crime scene in question. The Ministry claims they were planning another attack at the time, but neighbors said they play bridge each week and are not Death Eaters.

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Harry disgustedly dropped the paper on the growing stack near the foot of his bed. "They must see right through this," he commented to Hedwig. "It's Stan Shunpike all over again."

---888---

From across the British Isles, Witches and Wizards descended upon a sturdy limestone structure. The building, which dominated Westminster alley, was approaching its eight hundredth anniversary. Inside, the Lords of the Wizengamot were congregating for their monthly meeting. The gallery, typically empty except for a few reporters, was brimming with press, gossips, and Ministry employees.

On a sunken stage, a grim-faced, tufty-haired man - the newly appointed Chief Warlock, Michael Glentworth, sat beside his political ally Rufus Scrimgeour. Looking up into the tiered rows of seating, Glentworth's pale blue eyes roamed the ranks of Wizards (and a few Witches) who were taking their positions in the chamber. When his gaze rested on Lord Charles Carrow, he blinked and silently observed his chief adversary.

In the second row, Carrow held court with his allies. A steady stream of nobles, Lords, and Ladies of middling influence consulted with Carrow, offering their votes in exchange for consideration on matters they deemed more important.

Shifting his eyes slightly, Glentworth glanced four rows behind Carrow. There, Lord Sherman Quirke was the leader of those who still supported the Minister. Many of the same nobles, who, only moments before, had offered their votes to Carrow, were queuing up to make similar offers to Quirke for even more 'consideration.'

In the corner, a clock measured time. When the echo of the tenth chime faded, Rufus released a resigned sigh and rose from beside Glentworth. Despite his limp, Scrimgeour strode purposefully to the lectern. Composing himself, he spoke in a falsely bold growl, "I bring this summit to order, the Lords of the Wizengamot shall announce their presence so that a quorum might be reached."

As the nobles answered the traditional roll call, Glentworth became lost in his own thoughts. If he were to tell his life story, he would start at the age of fifteen when his father, Lord Jacob Glentworth, died in a duel. Unexpectedly orphaned, Glentworth moved in with his cousin, Albus Dumbledore. Twenty-seven years separated the two men, but in the three years they lived together, they formed a bond of friendship that lasted over a century.

Scions of noble, pure-blood families, both young men were entitled by birth to seats in the Wizengamot. For Dumbledore, politics was another challenge to be mastered. He loved the maneuvering required to build coalitions, pass bills, and govern effectively.

Glentworth had never been as enthusiastic about politics, but he was nonetheless pleased with his station in life. With few aspirations of his own, he proved to be the perfect partner for Dumbledore, and the two formed a tandem of unmatched political power.

Following the defeat of Grindelwald, the duo gained even greater influence. The natural progression of time and death eventually cleared the way for Dumbledore to become the Chief Warlock; and always, quietly in the shadows, Glentworth supported his older cousin.

Nearly a decade after Grindelwald's demise, Glentworth had befriended a young Auror named Rufus Scrimgeour. Thus, when Cornelius Fudge finally bowed to pressure and resigned his post, Scrimgeour called upon forty years of friendship with Glentworth and asked a 'simple' favor: Convince Dumbledore to support him in his bid to become Minister of Magic.

Glentworth's wandering thoughts returned to the present when Scrimgeour withdrew a small gold-plated pocket watch from his robes. Glancing at it briefly, the Minister ran a paw tentatively through his graying mane before speaking again. "This summit of the Wizengamot is hereby called to order. The chair notes forty-three Lords have responded to the summons. A quorum of twenty-nine has been satisfied. The floor is open to motions."

As expected, Charles Carrow leapt to his feet. "I move for a vote of no-confidence in Minister Scrimgeour's leadership," he stated boldly.

A second Lord, seated at the back of the room, stood and shouted over the erupting din. "I second the motion!"

"The floor is open for debate," Scrimgeour said softly before turning tail and taking his seat. "This will not be pretty," he commented wryly to Glentworth who smiled wanly in return.

"No, Rufus, it will not," he responded. "But, an old lion never loses his Pride without a fight. Courage."

A bubble of silence seemed to encase the two despite the rancorous debate in the chamber. As the hands of the clock in the corner carried on their interminable march, Glentworth resumed reminiscing about the past. Only a month ago, Dumbledore was sitting in this same chair presiding over a nearly empty chamber.

After the shock of his cousin's death, Glentworth, a small tufty-haired man, traveled to Hogwarts to deliver the eulogy. That afternoon, in a contentious emergency Wizengamot session, Glentworth was elevated by his peers to the position of Chief Warlock. However, after three frustrating weeks of gridlock, Glentworth was half hoping that he would be replaced. Operating from behind the domineering shadow of Dumbledore was quite different than being squarely in the public eye.

During Glentworth's brief tenure, coalitions shattered, budgets depleted, and the interminable war waged on. Only a lifetime of carefully cultivating power, and a deep sense of loyalty to Scrimgeour, fueled Glentworth's desire to remain as Chief Warlock. And so he soldiered on, praying for a respite from the war.

Glancing up and breaking his reverie, he silently observed the bickering Lords. Elliot Cunningham was speaking now, which amused Glentworth. The young Lord Cunningham had only recently inherited his title. While he apparently envisioned himself a master orator and a giant among men, he had the common sense of a squirrel.

Cunningham would be the first to pontificate on issues, darting into the open before looking to see what might be coming. When he finally did realize the likely outcome of a legislative matter, he would freeze in his tracks and then scamper to one side or another. Currently, it sounded like Lord Cunningham was in favor of removing Scrimgeour.

"Give it half an hour," Glentworth murmured to Scrimgeour. "He'll swing over to us then."

---888---

Saturday's Prophet delivered yet another disappointment for Harry.

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The Daily Prophet

June 28, 1997

Scrimgeour Survives Vote

Minister Rufus Scrimgeour barely survived a vote of no-confidence at yesterday's Wizengamot meeting. After eight hours of heated debate by the hereditary body, a margin of one vote preserved the Minister's position.

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Harry angrily hurled the paper to the floor. "Dammit, they can't get anything right!"

Grabbing a towel and a fresh set of clothes, he stomped from his room to the shower. When he returned, Pigwidgeon fluttered outside his window awaiting admission.

"Hey Pig," Harry said, opening the window and snatching the excitable little owl before it could annoy Hedwig. Releasing Pig's burden, Harry was pleased to find a fruitcake and a note from Mrs. Weasley.

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Dear Harry,

I have borrowed Pig because Errol is quite ill. I hope he can make it with the fruitcake. He is such a little thing.

I do hope you will reconsider coming to the Burrow for the rest of the summer. As you probably know, Alastor Moody was keeping watch over you for the Order. We have not heard from him since Wednesday. It is not at all like Alastor to disappear like this. I fear the worst.

While I hate to burden you with this knowledge, Arthur and I have decided that we should tell you that the Order has crumbled without Professor Dumbledore's leadership. Many have chosen to flee the country, fearing that Severus Snape will reveal the names of those who oppose You-Know-Who. This has left the Order short handed, and we cannot continue to guard your aunt's home. Without an Order guard, you are defenseless. You must come here so we can take care of you properly.

I also have to pass along some sad news. Remus Lupin was attacked by a pack of werewolves last night. Although he is safe here at the Burrow, he will be healing for a few weeks. Poppy Pomfrey came to check up on him and said that he should recover. Tonks has also decided to stay with us for the meantime.

Ron and Ginny have asked me to send their regards. Please Harry, come spend the rest of the summer at the Burrow. The wedding will be in mid-August, and we are planning a trip to Diagon Alley for school supplies on the twenty-fourth.

I hope you like the fruitcake. Are you getting enough to eat?

Love,

Molly Weasley

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Harry was touched by Molly's letter and briefly considered leaving for the Burrow. However, he glanced at a stack of Dumbledore's journals and realized he would never be able to read them in the Burrow's chaotic environment. Instead of packing, he penned a note to Ron's mother explaining that he needed to stay at Privet Drive. "I am planning to leave here about a week before my birthday," he wrote. "Professor Dumbledore insisted I stay long enough."

After finishing his first letter, he wrote another, lengthier one to Remus, before sending the feisty owl back to the Weasleys. It was heartening to know that he had such solid friends who cared what happened to him.

---888---

On the first of July, Harry received the second piece of Muggle post in his life. Unlike the first letter from the Weasleys, this letter had the exact amount of postage. It was printed on thick yellow paper and encased in an envelope made from the same expensive stationery.

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Dear Mr. Potter,

According to our records, your birthday is approaching at the end of this month. At that time, you will be recognized as a legal adult by the Ministry. Upon majority, you are entitled to claim the remaining portion of your inheritance left to you by your parents.

I suggest that you schedule an appointment with me sometime on your birthday, or shortly thereafter. I have been assigned to the Potter estate since the mid seventies and have served as its caretaker from the time of your parents' deaths.

Some of your inheritance is time sensitive, and you will not wish to delay in claiming what is rightfully yours. Furthermore, following your seventeenth birthday, the estate lacks the legal standing to make any changes to your commercial assets without your prior written authorization. The Potter family has owned many businesses for generations, and it is imperative that someone be permitted to continue running these companies.

I look forward to a continued relationship with the Potter family.

Sincerely,

Edward Stratton

Managing Partner

Dunkirk, Langshire, & Stratton

London, England

57 Diagon Alley

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Harry was curious about the cryptic letter. Clearly, the solicitor was dancing around something important. As he spent an afternoon pulling weeds from his aunt's garden, he amused himself by trying to guess what could possibly be 'time sensitive' after sixteen years.

When Harry thought of things that were time sensitive, he naturally thought about Voldemort. But, Harry mused, the solicitor didn't know anything about horcruxes or prophecies... his heart skipped a beat. Maybe his parents had left a record of the prophecy. Surely Dumbledore had told them about Trelawney. "I wonder..." he murmured to a spiky weed as he ripped its roots from the soil.

Later that evening, Harry sent a reply to the solicitor, requesting a meeting soon after his birthday; the first of August, if possible. He didn't want to wait any longer than necessary.

---888---

Time continued to pass slowly at Privet Drive. Harry sent and received letters to his friends and carefully scrutinized the paper each morning. Remus was recuperating slowly at the Burrow. He had apparently made it through another full moon (without the benefit of Wolfsbane). Bill's injuries were not as serious as originally thought, and that development had somehow resulted in a relapse of Phlegm. More concerning to Harry, no one had heard from Mad-Eye in nearly two weeks. He was particularly troubled because Moody knew the location of Grimmauld Place.

Then, one morning, Harry's scar began burning. Using Occlumency, he feebly tried to raise his mental shields, but he was unable to block the flow of pain from his connection with Voldemort. The Dark Lord was ecstatic, though Harry had no idea why. Trembling slightly with pain, he stumbled upstairs, slammed his door shut, and quickly wrote a message to Hermione.

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Hermione,

Are you alright? Voldemort is very happy about something today. It's the first time in a long time that we've been 'in communication.'

Worried,

Harry

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

For the next two hours, he ignored his aunt, who was insisting he scrub the toilet. Instead, he paced in front of his window awaiting Hedwig.

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Harry,

All Quiet on the Western Front.

Well hidden,

Hermione

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Hedwig was dispatched again, this time to the Burrow, but Ron was, likewise, unable to report any news which would explain Voldemort's pleasure. Picking up that mornings' Prophet from the mess on his floor, Harry scoured the paper for a hint of the Dark Lord's plans. There was nothing even close to what Harry was looking for - but an article in the sports section did make him smile a little.

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The Daily Prophet

July 9, 1997

Kestrels Continue Hot Streak, Knock Off United

Last evening, the Kenmare Kestrels, who are leading the BQL [British Quidditch League] standings, garnered another two points. They defeated Puddlemere United 250-70 at the United Pavilion in Dunkshire.

Kestrels seeker Aaron Hamilton caught the snitch in the match's 168th minute with his club leading 100-70. It was Hamilton's fourteenth 'snatch' of the season in the Kestrels 17th game. The Kestrels have now accumulated 30 points in their fifteen wins.

For Puddlemere, their poor season continues. After their all-star seeker, Jen Painter, tore her labrum in the United's second game of the season, replacement Doug Westwood has only snatched the snitch three times.

United Fans are hoping that Painter's scheduled return, in two weeks, will propel the team on a winning streak. It is still possible for Puddlemere to make the playoffs as a fifth or sixth seed.

In the meantime, Puddlemere coach Olaf Torben appears ready to change his starting lineup. He is likely to bench veteran keeper Nathan Warves in favor of Oliver Wood. Wood has started five times this year and has a .658 save ratio compared to Warves' .593.

"I've tried to give Nathan the benefit of the doubt. He's been in the league long enough to earn it," Torben stated at the post-game press conference. "His save ratio is flagging this season, and Ollie's been playing lights out."

~-~-~ ~-~-~ ~-~-~

Resigned to waiting for news, Harry took one of Dumbledore's journals to the park at the end of the street. The next morning, Harry got his answer to why Voldemort had been so happy.

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The Daily Prophet

July 10, 1997

Dark Lord Frees Followers from Azkaban

For the third time in four years, the previously inescapable Azkaban prison has been unable to hold her captives. Yesterday, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named led a force of Death Eaters in a battle at the island prison. The Aurors, who have been guarding the prison since the defection of the dementors last year, could not withstand the assault.

The attack occurred yesterday morning at ten. At the time, seven Aurors were on guard tending to the prisoners. When the Death Eaters arrived, they apparently met resistance from on-duty Aurors. Although no Ministry personnel lived to give their first-hand account of the assault, several prisoners have been interrogated. Reports have varied with some claiming that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named came alone, while others have claimed that he was accompanied by 'hundreds or even thousands' of Death Eaters.

Citing investigators' gut feelings, Ministry spokeswizard Stamford Jorkins said that the Ministry believes that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was accompanied by twenty to thirty Death Eaters.

The assault resulted in the death of four Aurors (Jackson Tanley, Walter Vick, Hannah Karce, and Joseph Diberne) and the disappearance of a fifth, Lawrence Dawlish. The final two Aurors, whose names the Ministry refuses to release, were in a remote part of the prison. They were uninjured and unaware of the jail break until almost half an hour later.

The escapees are the infamous 'Mystery Eleven,' who were all arrested thirteen months ago in a failed attack on the Ministry's Department of Mysteries. These eleven included Wizengamot Lords Lucius Malfoy and Riordan Nott, as well as Rabastan and Rudolphus Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov, Walden MacNair, Augustus Rookwood, Dwight Mulciber, Steven Avery, Vincent Crabbe Sr., and Alan Jugson.

Following this latest escape, there are only five suspected Death Eaters who remain in custody: Stan Shunpike, Elladora Guffy, Davy Gudgeon, Lewis Mattie, and Otis Nell. The Ministry would not speculate as to why these five were not freed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

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_____

Author's Note: A special thanks goes out to the Harry Potter Lexicon. I reference the site any time I need factual help. This chapter is dedicated to Fayr Warning for writing Reign of Power. It was the first political!Harry story I read, and remains my favorite.

Author's Recognition: When I first wrote this chapter, it was bad. My betas have been infinitely valuable. I would like to thank Lady Alchymia, Ivan, Lisa, Patti, Susan, Myles, and Tim Joy (Jeconais) who all saw the chapter in its various states and were kind enough to give me some valuable feedback. Thanks all.