Bab 43: Chapter 43
Chapter 43
ELIZABETH WHITE
Elizabeth apparated in the Diagon Alley with a crack. There were two other cracks behind her as Amy and Cedric also appeared in the alley. All three of their faces pale and anxious as they began to rush towards the St. Mungos. The whole alley was a flurry of activity, with Aurors stationed everywhere, people were being searched left and right, and everyone seemed extremely nervous.
St. Mungos was under lockdown with no apparition allowed in its vicinity and its connection to the floo network had been cut off due to security concerns after the major attack. A major attack right where her best friend was.
She had come to know of the attack from Cedric, and then both of them had rushed to get to Amy, who had gone out. Thankfully, the only building to be attacked was the Ministry, and Amy was safe.
She saw the white marble-coated building of the St. Mungos in front of her. She halted her steps as the three of them came to a stop. Aurors stood at the entrance as a hoard of people stood outside the gate, many reporters and the Ministry employees' family members.
"There is such a big crowd! It will take us hours to get through," said Amy from the side, and just as Elizabeth was about to rush forward, Cedric held her back.
"Don't worry. Father contacted one of his friends. He is right there," said Cedric as he pointed at a man, who cut a rather imposing figure dressed in purple auror robes, he stood out from the rest with his height and build that seemed to scream authority. They began to walk towards him, and Cedric came to the front. The man turned to face them, and she saw his face relax as he saw Cedric.
"Cedric, you are here," the man said, motioning for the Aurors to let them through. Elizabeth felt a little bad at skipping the line, yet she was far more concerned about her friend to care about it at this time.
"Mr. Shacklebolt, thank you for this. How is Father?" Cedric questioned immediately as they shook hands. The badge on his robes showed her that the man was an Auror Captain.
"Your father's fine. He will be on the second floor, but you should still confirm it at the desk," and she saw Cedric's shoulders relax as he relaxed as he heard about his father, then the man's eyes turned towards them, and he spoke with a shake of his head.
"I believe only family members are allowed to visit at this time," and she stepped forward as she spoke up.
We are not here for Mr. Amos, we are here to see our friend, Edward, Edward Wright," she spoke up and noticed how the man's eyes widened at the mention of her friend's name. Dread pooled in her gut as she spoke up again.
"Is he fine?" she asked again, and the man nodded as he answered.
"Yes, I believe he is fine, but as I said, only family members are allowed to visit right now," he said with a shake of his head.
"He has no family. He is an orphan. We are the closest thing he has to family," intervened Amy, and the man looked them over as he turned to face Cedric again and nodded finally. She smiled as she thanked the man as they took their slips and rushed towards the main lobby of the building.
There was still a massive crowd at the information desk as people tried to get ahold of any information about their loved ones. Just as Cedric was about to rush in to obtain Edward's whereabouts, a very familiar voice stopped them.
"Elizabeth," and her head snapped to the right, and she saw Edward standing there. She moved on instinct as she saw his familiar face. Her feet moved on instinct as she rushed towards him and hugged him with all her might.
"Thank god, you are fine. Thank god," she said, and she saw Amy and Cedric join her as well. After some time, she separated, and Amy and Cedric hugged their friend as well. And she finally had the chance to get a good look at him. He was again wearing his mask, and though his face was clean, there were hints of blood and debris in his hair. Likewise, his robes were torn in places with a major portion of them covered in blood. She gasped as she saw it.
"Elizabeth, it's not mine," he said as he saw her. And she nodded though his statement hadn't really eased her mind.
"How did you guys get in?" he questioned, and Cedric responded.
"Father had a friend have us skip the line," and she saw Edward nod.
"Yeah, I just met your father. He is fine. He is in the first room to the right," said Edward as he pointed at the stairs, and Cedric nodded as he rushed past them and went to meet his father. Edward finally turned to face them.
"What the hell happened?" questioned Amy as Edward led them to a stool. The truth was that the only thing made public was that the Ministry had been attacked by Voldemort, yet everything was still rather obscure. Edward sighed.
"Voldemort happened. He decided to attack the Ministry during the Minister's address. Though they believe it wasn't his main objective," and she frowned at that. Taking over the Ministry wasn't his objective, then what was?
"A break at Azkaban was orchestrated as well. Azkaban has been destroyed, and his followers imprisoned there are now free," and the news startled her. A break at Azkaban. The impregnable Azkaban was no longer that.
"Gods!" said Amy, her face pale as they sat on the bench nearby. Though she remembered something else.
"Wasn't Professor Dumbledore present at the Minster's address as well," she suddenly questioned, and Edward nodded, his lips thin.
"Yes, he was. They faced each other in the Hall, I cannot imagine what would have happened had he not been there," and that statement made her realize the extraordinary nature of the times they were living in. She swallowed as she decided to ask the biggest question on her mind.
"How did you get so much blood on yourself?" she questioned him cautiously, and Edward sighed, and just as he was about to answer, they were interrupted by someone else.
"Mr. Edward Wright," came the intrusion, and she looked up to find an Auror standing there. She did not miss the special regard with which the man was looking at Edward. Edward stood up and shook the Auror's hand.
"Yes," he replied.
"I am sorry for disturbing you, but the Minster is calling for you," he said, and she noticed Edward frown at that.
"The Minster?" Edward questioned. And the young Auror nodded.
"Yes, she is with Headmaster Dumbledore. They are both calling for you," and Edward sighed and gave them a nod.
"Well, I will be back," then he turned to face the Auror.
"Lead the way," and with that, he left with the young Auror as they both sat down on the bench again.
"What does the Minster want from him?" questioned Amy, and truthfully she was thinking the exact same thing.
0000
AMELIA BONES
"What did you just say?" asked the young man as she sighed and began once more.
"I repeat, the Ministry would like it if you were to stay in Britain for this year instead of moving to France," and the boy shook his head.
"No," the boy replied, and she looked at Dumbledore, who simply raised a brow because the man had told her that Edward would refuse. And he had.
"Why would you even want me here? I am a nobody," and Dumbledore scoffed as he leaned back in his seat. His arm had been covered with bandages, the phoenix tears had stopped the spread of the rot, though the medics still had no idea on how to reverse it. They were working to identify the curse, for that would be the first step in the process.
"I believe you underestimate yourself, Edward. I can assure you with all those reporters present in the Hall, you will find yourself on the cover of every newspaper in Britain in a couple of hours," finished Dumbledore chuckling slightly. The kid's eyes shot open, and Amelia sighed. Though she did not want to do this, the dire situation called for dire steps.
"Yes, and people will be looking for an icon. Someone to give them hope, and as much as I regret it the Ministry and the Aurors have failed to be so in these trying times. Moreover, you faced Voldemort twice now. The number of people who have done that can be counted on one hand," and the kid sighed.
"You have Dumbledore right here. Why do you need me?" argued the boy as he pointed at the Headmaster of Hogwarts, whose expression grew grave at that. They both looked at each other and nodded as she decided to be open with the boy.
"Professor Dumbledore's arm is damaged. He believes that if Voldemort strikes again, there is a great chance that he would not be able to face the man as his equal," and the kid's eyes widened at that as he snapped towards Dumbledore's bandaged arm.
"But you have Fawkes. You could use his tears," and Dumbledore nodded.
"I have, and they are the reason that I am still alive. We still have not identified the curse used by him, yet is quite fatal I must say," and the kid sighed. She decided to pitch in.
"Yes, Dumbledore is also working on plans to kill Voldemort, but we need time. We cannot have our morale drop at such crucial times. And I personally assure you, whatever the conclusion may be. I will personally request Beauxbaton's Headmistress to offer you another apprenticeship next year," and she saw the gears turning in the kid's head, though in the end he still shook his head.
"I am afraid my answer is still no. You may not know, Minister, but my reason for going to France are more personal than professional. And I don't think my presence in Britain will make much difference. Professor Dumbledore will recover soon, and if his plans succeed you will be able to capture or kill Voldemort. There is little I could offer you," finished the kid, and Amelia sighed. In the end, it was the young man's decision.
"People look for symbols in difficult times," began Dumbledore from his seat, as he stared straight at his former student, "for Britain, I had been that symbol for many years. They have looked to me for guidance and help even in times when I had none to offer. Yesterday when I fell to the ground many of them lost their hopes and dreams, they saw their symbol fall. But, in those dark times, they found another one, someone not afraid to stand up to the forces of evil. Someone younger, someone brighter, someone they could look to in these dark times," He finished as he looked the young man straight in the eye.
"You," Dumbledore finished with a smile, and the young man shook his head.
"But you are alive, professor. And Voldemort is injured as well, you have time you could finish your plans to eliminate him in this time," retorted the kid and Dumbledore.
"Indeed, Voldemort is injured, yet he now also has his previous followers. Azkaban held some of his deadliest followers and now all of them are loose, we cannot take any risks," began Dumbledore before he held up his bandage.
"And as much as it pains me, Amelia is right. In my current state, I believe I wouldn't be able to face him alone," finished Dumbledore, and she smiled as she saw Edward chew his lips. Both Edward and Dumbledore stared each other in the eye, and then he suddenly got up and began to pace in the room.
"Edward, I know you are an orphan and have a fiancée in France. But I also know that you have your dear friends here in Britain, including Mr. Diggory and Miss Elizabeth White," she began as she recalled her earlier conversation with Dumbledore. Edward's head snapped towards her, and she was surprised at the glint in those eyes. It seems she had failed to convey her point.
"What I am trying to say is, don't stay to help me or the Ministry. But stay to help them. One year, that is all I ask," and Edward sighed as his shoulders sagged.
"Fleur isn't going to like this at all," said the young man. From what she recalled, Fleur was the name of his fiancée. Dumbledore chuckled from the side.
"Ahh, I believe I could offer you something to alleviate some of that wrath," added Dumbledore from the side. Edward frowned as he questioned the aged warlock.
"And what is that?" questioned Edward with a frown.
"Ahh! I believe the chance of being the first person to study Hogwarts's wards under my tutelage would do wonders in alleviating Miss Delacour's wrath."
0000
FLEUR DELACOUR
Fleur Delacour had been waiting for a chat with Edward all night yesterday. She remembered him telling her about his meeting with the Ministry to get his permit for traveling to France, yet she had not been able to reach him. This was the first time this had happened since he had gifted her that special enchanted mirror.
She was alone in the house and, due to this and had trouble sleeping the whole night, so she decided to make herself something to drink. She got up from the bed and began to rush downstairs to fix herself a coffee. Her mother had taken Gabrielle to a gathering, which she had gotten out of by making an excuse about her sleepless night, and her father was at work.
She walked to the small kitchen, and just as she was about to pick up her cup, her eyes widened as she saw the headline in the newspaper.
BRITAIN'S NEW HOPE! COULD DUMBLEDORE'S MYSTERIOUS SAVIOR BE BRITAIN'S SALVATION by Jessica Pearson
Below that headline was a picture of Edward, surrounded by fire as he stood face to face against Voldemort, with his Headmaster and a blonde woman standing behind him, the one who was supposed to be the New Minister from her guess. She picked up the newspaper and began to rifle through the article with haste, instantly forgetting about her exhaustion and sleep. Dread filled her gut as she rifled through the article. Yet her eyes focused on the paragraph that mentioned Edward.
Yet just as, the paragon of light, Albus Dumbledore lay there injured, following his battle with Voldemort. The Dark Lord, who had also been injured, struck back with a vengeance, and just as all hope seemed lost, a surprising intruder stepped up in a time of peril. Edward Wright, a recent Hogwarts graduate famed for his dueling ability, jumped into the foray and faced the Dark Lord. Their exchange though short, showed that the young man possesses great courage and has the potential to one day rise to the level of his famed Headmaster.
The reports also show that the man had fought and liberated many Ministry floors from the control of Death Eaters, even facing and apprehending the famed Werewolf, Fenrir Greyback. Greyback, famous for biting young children, has bounties on his head in many countries and has avoided capture due to his unique prowess. The Ministry of Magic of Britain has yet to give an official statement about this, though many speculate that the young man could be awarded an Order of Merlin for his services.
Page 7 for more on the battle at the Ministry.
Page 8 for more on Edward Wright.
Facing Voldemort! She scanned the page again, and it had no mention of his injuries, yet from the few pictures, she noticed how his clothes were covered in blood. She dropped the paper and rushed up the stairs again, hoping to contact Edward again. Perhaps, if not him, she could get one of his friends.
She ran back to her her room and picked up the enchanted mirror. "Edward!" she spoke into the mirror, and with each passing second, her heart dropped as dread pooled in her gut, and just as she was about to try and contact him through one of his friends, the mirror shimmered and her heart eased, as the familiar figure of her fiancée popped into the frame.
0000
HARRY POTTER
In his dream, Harry found himself staring at those people again. He felt his body constricted as he focused on the scene in front of him.
"Tell me, Lucius! Where is it?" came his voice again, and Harry felt repulsed as he felt as if it was him speaking. Despite his training in Occlumency, dreams like this still came to him sometimes. Though, their number had dropped by quite a bit.
One of the masked men stepped forward, his mask covering his face, yet Harry would recognize that hair anywhere. Malfoy! He had a box in hand, and he came to stand in front of Harry as he kneeled down. Harry felt an emotion run through him. It was as If he was proud as he Malfoy Snr. Kneel down.
"We were able to get the prophecy, my Lord. It is here."
Prophecy! What prophecy!
A sense of excitement and elation ran through him as he saw those white hands reach for that box. And just as the lid opened to reveal a white cloudy orb.
"Good!"
0000
There is going to be another prison break next, chap! Can you guess who!
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