Counting Stones

Counting Stones

Chapter 1

Dear Mr Blair,

You are aware there is another world living parallel to yours, and as Defence Secretary of the Wizarding Community, I feel it is my duty to inform you of a great threat, which has now presented itself to both our worlds. A wizard both strong in intelligence and influence, who commands a host of followers, has recently re-entered the foreground of the magical world. His intent: world domination. He has both great dark potential and power, with the will to use it in ways fatal and dangerous to all. You are aware that one of his followers killed thirteen people of his own will, fifteen years ago. There are many more of Voldemort's supporters willing to kill more than thirteen people, and they do this of their own accord.

Apart from just informing you of this grave danger, the Ministry of Magic asks for assistance. The support that this wizard holds is too great for us to deal with on our own, and as this problem will ultimately affect both our nations, we feel that you should help us. This enemy is both too deadly and too strong to be dealt with by a regular army, so we ask that you send your best. It would be in everybody's best interest. I cannot stress to you how serious this situation is. This man and his followers are capable of anything imaginable, and we cannot stop him unless you help.

Please, we don't have much time.

Yours Sincerely,

Arthur Weasley

Defence Secretary

Ministry of Magic

Arthur sat k in his chair, and ran his fingers through very messy hair. For the last few weeks, he had hardly slept, and when he did it was plagued with all the tasks yet to be completed. His old department had called for his help in un-jinxing a filing cabinet on the third floor; he was working overtime to try and save up a little money; he was trying to deal with all of the muggle complaints that were appearing about noisy neighbours that didn't appear to be there - Even number 14 Grimmauld Place had put in a few complaints about screaming women in a house next door that didn't exist - but at least he had finished the letter, that was one less thing to do. It was all very well to have been promoted, but after refusing the place of Lucius Malfoy because of the workload, he had instead been given the post of Defence Secretary, and he wondered how long it would take before he went insane with stress. The problem was, with You-Know-Who back, there seemed to be no end of letters to write and people to inform. Fudge had finally accepted that You-Know-Who had returned, however, he wasn't doing much to counteract his actions. Arthur had been forced to watch his boss pacing up and down the Ministry corridors mumbling about how it was all Dumbledore's fault. Arthur thought that this was very unfair as Dumbledore was the one who had recently thwarted the Dark Lord's attempts in the Ministry itself, and had alerted the wizarding world to his presence. However, Arthur had had the sense not to say this, as at the time Fudge had also been waving his wand about with sparks flying from the tip.

A lot had changed in the recent months. Suddenly the whole wizarding community had become tense and unfriendly, as if they were constantly waiting for a blow. Going outside was always very strange as there was not the usual hustle and bustle of the crowd; all witches and wizards now looked around furtively as if expecting attack.

Wearily he got up and walked to the Ministry Post Office and posted the letter to the muggle Prime Minister. No matter how many times he posted a letter in the muggle way, the stamps still excited him to no end. He sighed. God he missed his old job.

***

The front page of the Daily Prophet was decorated, as it had been on many previous occasions, with Harry's face. Since the Ministry had admitted the truth about Vdemort, Harry had appeared in it almost everyday; the stories ranging from how the Prophet had "stood by Harry Potter in his widely criticised claims of Voldemort's return", to Harry's miserable life in Privet Drive, and what type of shampoo he used.

Arthur felt sorry for the boy. It seemed that no matter what he did he was plagued by the press. If he could he would very happily take Harry from his Muggle relatives and put him in an unplottable residence.

Arthur turned the second page and was shocked out of his chair by a loud roar that came from an unusually large picture. Gaining his control, he sat back on his chair and picked up the paper that had fallen to the floor. Smiling up at him was a picture of his second son, Charlie, and a rather large and angry Hungarian Horntail. Arthur was secretly glad that his children did not receive the same amount of publicity as Harry. That was no way to live. His thoughts wondered to his youngest son, Ron who was currently at home, probably playing Quidditch in the orchard with his sister. He didn't even want to imagine what sort of jokes Fred and George were concocting at that moment. Bill was still in Egypt, and was working on de-hexing a tomb that they had recently found.

Suddenly an owl swooped in from the window bearing the crest of the post office downstairs. Arthur looked at the return address on the back of the envelope. It was from the Muggle Government! Excitedly he tore open the letter.

Dear Mr Weasley,

As eager as we are to comply with your wishes, the British Government feels that it is in our best interests to deal with this enemy alone. We will not risk our nation finding out about yours, as I am sure you will agree. We will however send the SAS to defeat this foe when the time is right.

I am sorry if this is not what you wished to hear, but the Prime Minister feels that there are more pressing matters at hand. We will be grateful if you would send us any updates regarding the situation at present, but we wish to accentuate that in no way shape or form are you to have dealings with any British military operations.

Yours Sincerely

Jack Straw MP

Defence Secretary for the British Government

Arthur threw down the letter and cursed the stupidity of muggles with power. He couldn't believe that he had ever found them interesting. They were just as arrogant and stuck up as his kind could be.

"Defeat this foe? What does he think we're dealing with? An escaped convict? Saddam Hussein? This is Lord Voldemort! The muggles were more concerned about Sirius Black and he was innocent!" he cast around a hasty look to check that no one was listening, as despite his death the previous summer, the Ministry still believed that Sirius was guilty. "...The Prime Minister feels that there are more pressing matters at hand. Bloody Hell! What could be more important than somebody trying to take over the world?! Somebody with a ruddy good chance of doing so if I may add! Well he's going to be sorry once people start dying all over the place. ARGH!"

***

"Come in," called Fudge. Arthur entered, looking slightly flustered. He glanced nervously around him and cleared his throat. "Well, what is it man?" asked Fudge impatiently from his desk. "I have important business to attend to!"

"Erm, well, I've just received a letter from the British Government..." he began.

"Ah! I was wondering when they would reply," exclaimed Fudge. "Well, what did they say?" he asked, twirling a quill around in his hand.

"They...erm...they are not going to send any back up," Arthur stuttered.

"WHAT!" yelled Fudge, jumping to his feet, his cheeks flushing in anger. "They're not going to help us?" he asked incredulously.

"Er, no, not at present," replied Arthur.

"What do you mean, not at present?" inquired Fudge curiously.

"Well, Mr Straw said that they are not going to send troops until it becomes imminent that You-Know-Who will strike," said Arthur.

"Well go and write back and tell Mr-Bloody-Straw that we need troops NOW!" roared Fudge.

"Yes Sir," said Arthur quietly before he hurried out of the room. 'Don't shoot the messenger,' he thought bitterly.

***

But the next reply was the same. And the one after that. And even the one after that. The British Government refused to see that they were in grave danger. Arthur sighed for what felt like the millionth time that week. Fudge had been in a thundering temper and had refused to come out of his office, he just sat there playing with a model army of the Ministry, muttering to himself about useless allies and sharp sticks.

"You've got to do something," pleaded Arthur one afternoon, standing once again in Fudge's office. "You can't just sit there and hope somebody will sort it all out for you. You're the Minister! It's your job to protect our world from attack, and more importantly, to protect us from Vol-, I mean You-Know-Who."

"Well what am I meant to do? Please, enlighten me! How can I solve this? Do you have any suggestions?" retorted Fudge angrily.

Suddenly there was a yell from downstairs and an alarm went off in Fudge's office.

"What the...?" started Fudge before Kingsley Shacklebolt rushed into the room.

"Minister..." he began, already out of breath "...Death Eaters...in the lobby..." he gasped clutching his stomach, doubled over.

There was a slight pause, then...

"Well...what are we doing here?" cried Fudge, grabbing his wand from the desk and rushing to the doorway. "Come on!" He ran past Arthur and Kingsley at a speed neither of the other men knew he possessed. Sharing a quick glance at each other, the two men followed after him, also brandishing their wands and wondering what on earth they were going to do with the Death Eaters when they found them.

Bursting out into the entrance hall, Arthur had to duck to avoid being hit by a green jet of light. Staring absentmindedly at the scorch mark it had left on the wall, he was spun around by Kingsley who motioned in front of them. Using the statue as a barrier, the Death Eaters - of which there were about half a dozen - continued to cast spells and hexes in their direction. Arthur glanced quickly at the floor by the door through which he had just come, and was terrified to see the body of Fudge slumped up against the wall, his wand on the floor next to him. He motioned for Kingsley to cover him as he ran over to Fudge's side to check for a pulse. There was no way the Minister could be dead...was there? No, Arthur breathed a sigh of relief as a faint pulse beat against his fingers, and a soft breath escaped his lips. He was just about to revive him when a cry from behind him brought his mind to the current situation. Jumping to his feet he span around and faced the scene. There was one Death Eater lying on the floor next to the golden statue, his masked face now partially revealed.

"Is he dead?" called Arthur to Kingsley as he ducked another jinx.

"No," replied Kingsley, "we're just stunning."

"Righto," yelled Arthur sending a stinging hex at the nearest Death Eater. He couldn't believe it, they were actually winning!

To his left Kingsley was duelling with a tall robed figure and had just managed to cause his opponent to sprout an extra set of ears. Nodding at the competent use of the charm, Arthur turned and held his wand up, the first sounds of a hex on the tip of his tongue.

But suddenly there was a great explosion of light and the ministry workers found themselves shielding their eyes from the blinding flash. As Arthur's eyesight returned to normal he realised that all the robed men had vanished.

"What was all that about?" he asked Edmund Wallis who had just rushed into the room.

"Did they get away?" asked Wallis bossily, ignoring Arthur's question.

"Yes," replied Kingsley sounding rather annoyed. "They just vanished before we could do anything."

"Well, I've always told Fudge that he should put more security measures in here," Retorted Wallis pompously.

Fudge! Of course! Arthur almost kicked himself for being so stupid. He ran over to where the Minister was still lying unconscious on the floor. Pointing his wand at his chest he muttered "Enervate". Instantly Fudge's eyes shot open and he jumped up, grabbing his wand and pointing it around him, shooting curses and hexes flying everywhere. Arthur ran forward and grabbed Fudge's arms, pinning them behind him.

"Mr...Fudge!" He cried, struggling to hold the other man steady. "There are no more Death Eaters!" Fudge carried on struggling as if he hadn't heard, but slowly began to stop as he realised that, indeed, there were not.

"Where have they gone? Where have they gone?!" yelled Fudge, looking desperately around the now empty entrance hall. "What were they doing here? What were they doing here?! Does anybody know where they've gone?"

Everyone was looking at Fudge in shock. Arthur, Kingsley and Edmund shuffled their feet nervously.

"Well..." began Arthur.

"...You see..." continued Kingsley.

"They sort of..." murmured Wallis.

"STUNNED YOU ALL AND RAN AWAY?" cried Fudge, beside himself with fury.

"No, actually," braved Arthur. "They sort of...well....just...apparated. Away."

Fudge took a deep breath and shut his eyes. "You mean they've gone?" he asked calmly.

"Yes," replied Arthur.

"And can anyone tell me what they were doing here?" he asked just as calmly, opening his eyes and glaring at them all. "HELLO?" he yelled when no one answered. "WHAT WERE A BUNCH OF SODDING DEATH EATERS DOING IN THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC?"

"Well sir...we believe they were on an assassination mission."

"We do?" asked Kingsley.

"We do," Arthur continued as he stared at a piece of paper lying on the floor. On it was printed a picture of Percy.

***

Later that afternoon Fudge, Percy, Kingsley and Arthur were all sitting in Fudge's office. Arthur was staring at the flames dancing in the hearth, and had been all afternoon. His silence was starting to worry Percy. Throughout all the discussion of Percy's assassination he had not said a word. Although Percy himself found the thought of almost being killed scary, he knew that his father was taking it a lot harder than he was, and he felt a pang of guilt when he thought back to what he had done last year. Right now he could think of nothing worse than to have died on bad terms with his parents.

He walked over to his father and sat down opposite him and placed a hand on his knee to catch his attention. When Arthur looked over to Percy, Percy smiled in reassurance but Arthur just looked at him. With no warning he launched himself at his son and held him tightly, as he began to sob.

Meanwhile...

"Colonel! You've got to do something!" cried the soldier with the red uniform. Fudge watched with glee as the more pompous looking toy soldier stood up and slapped the younger one.

"Can't you see?" he squeaked, the feather in his blue hat flopping in front of his face. "I AM doing something! Young cadets these days, they have NO respect or appreciation for their elders."

"Shoot him!" Fudge encouraged the Colonel. "Show some authority man!"

Soon a fight broke out amongst the toys. Various yells of "Have at you!" and "DIE!" could be heard from between the gun shots and screams on Fudge's desk.

Five minutes later, Fudge's pencil pot had become a barricade, and his ink well a trench. There were still seven soldiers left, the one who had earlier 'insulted' the colonel lay in a bloody pulp next to a vase of flowers.

A bang emitted from a toy cannon and a miniature cannonball went sailing through the air, breaking the lead of one of Fudge's favourite pencils, and exposing the soldiers behind it.

"We surrender! Ceasefire!"

A cry went up amongst the ink well battalion and they raced towards the pencil pot soldiers, crowing about their victory and how many lives they had sacrificed.

"Let's have a drink," suggested one of the victorious soldiers, which was greeted with many cheers. "The drinks on you!" He yelled to the defeated men.

With a bored sigh, Fudge swept them off his desk into the bin which belched and spat out the blue hat with a feather. Apparently it was not to its taste.

Kingsley looked frightened but Fudge stood up and slammed his fist onto the desk angrily.

"We HAVE to DO SOMETHING!" he shouted, his cheeks red with fury and determination. "I don't care whether those stuck up prigs at the Ministry of Defence won't give us help, we'll TAKE it!"

Kingsley shot a glance at Arthur who was still crying and mentally berated Fudge for being so insensitive.

"What are we supposed to do?" he asked impatiently. "We can hardly just go and order them to help us."

"Besides," started Percy. "We'd have to use a forbidden curse to do that, and we can't."

"AND WHY NOT?!" yelled Fudge yet again.

There was a sudden crack and a low, commanding voice rang out.

"For the pure and simple reason that they are forbidden."

"Dumbledore!" exclaimed Arthur, his worries momentarily forgotten. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I have come to offer my help," stated the wizard. He started to say something else but was interrupted by a snort from Fudge.

"Not your stupid 'DA' again, I suppose?"

"Actually, Cornelius," Dumbledore stated simply. "That was exactly what I had in mind."