March 2002
Knockturn Alley, March 6th, 2002
Aurelius Yaxley was less than pleased with his black-market dealer, Jack McLean. He had waited for more than a month for the ritual materials and he was getting tired of waiting. He made his displeasure known. “Jack, I am getting tired of waiting. When am I getting the needed ritual materials? My family’s honour is at jeopardy, because of my brother, and our popularity is sinking more and more.” Jack, a blond-haired and black-eyed young man in his mid-twentieth, huffed at Aurelius Yaxley and his impatience. “Aurelius, the ritual materials are coming from Russia. It takes time, but my contact informed me that the ingredients would be here in two weeks.” Aurelius sneered, but had to accept it for the time being. He growled: “I hope that you are telling me the truth or I will make sure that no one would find your body.” Jack pressed his lips together and knew that this was not an empty threat. The younger man answered: “I understand, Aurelius, but you must be patient. You know, how distrustful Magical Russia is towards the British, especially Dumbledore.”
Aurelius withheld a growl, but he couldn’t deny it. The Russian Ministry of Magic never trusted Britain ever again after the Global Wizarding War and even today the relationship with Magical Russia is rocky. After Grindelwald and his forces attacked Stalingrad, many witches and wizards were killed in the initial attack. The Russian Ministry of Magic requested help from Britain, but due to the incompetence of the ministry, they didn’t receive any help, which angered the Russian ministry and nearly caused a conflict. The conflict between Magical Russia and Britain was stopped, when Arcturus Black and Charlus Potter decided to intervene due to their alliance with some pureblood families in Russia. Grindelwald was nearly killed by Charlus and Arcturus and both men murdered hundreds of his followers, which caused Grindelwald to retreat and the Germans to suffer a defeat in Stalingrad. Even today, the Blacks and Potters were respected in Russia.
Aurelius returned back from his thoughts and said: “Alright, Jack. But do not think that my patience is endless. I am coming back in two weeks and if I am getting delayed again, then, I am going to look for someone else, who works faster. Furthermore, the ritual works only on a full moon and the next full moon is in April due to the delay.” Jack nodded and knew that he had to hurry with the materials or no one would be able to find his body, if he is delaying Aurelius again.
With that Aurelius left Knockturn Alley not noticing that Amelia’s informant had listened to everything.
DMLE
Christina made her way to the DMLE, in order to inform Amelia about Aurelius. She already sent a message to Amelia that there are some important information regarding Aurelius and his activities. When Amelia allowed her in her office, Christina took her seat and she was given a cup of tea.
Amelia knew that Christina would never waste her time. This means that there is something important for her. The female head auror asked: “Christina, are there any news in Knockturn Alley?”
Christina nodded and answered: “Yes, I know Yaxley’s black market dealer.”
Amelia rose her eyebrows in shock. This was good. If she arrests Aurelius’ black-market dealer, she was sure that the man would sell Aurelius out, so that he wouldn’t risk a long prison sentence. She asked: “Who is Aurelius’ black-market dealer and what did they discuss today?”
Christina started: “It is Jack McLean, who is well-known for not getting caught and had been a thorn in Moody’s side. But back to the topic. Aurelius Yaxley is getting impatient with the arrangements of the ritual materials, but he had to wait due to the bad relations with Russia.” Amelia nodded knowing that it is true that currently the relations between Britain and Russia are bad due to the ministry’s incompetence in dealing with Grindelwald and his followers in Stalingrad. Russia only respects the Black family for now. They had also respected the Potters, but due to James being a Dumbledore fool, all the respect was gone since Magical Russia hated Dumbledore.
Amelia asked: “When are the arrangements going to be finalised?”
Christina answered: “In two weeks, but Aurelius would do the ritual in April since it had to be done on a full moon.”
Amelia nodded and prepared herself. She requested from her informant her memories. Amelia went over the memories and certified them. She also opened a file against Jack McLean for being an accomplice, buying and selling illegal goods and being in possession of these goods.
Amelia will wait for the right time to arrest Aurelius and Jack since if she arrests Jack now, then, Aurelius would look for another black-market dealer and she would be in the unknown. And without undeniable proof, she can’t arrest the man.
Amelia explained her plan to Christina and told her to keep her ears open. She should inform her immediately, if Jack had sold the needed materials for the ritual, so that she could arrest him. From there, she would have it easy to arrest Aurelius, because she was sure that Jack would sing like canary with the threat of a long prison sentence of being an accomplice of breaking a soul bond.
With everything ready, Amelia dismissed Christina and prepared her plans.
Headmaster’s office, March 12th, 2002
Albus was doing some ICW paperwork and enjoyed the peace in his office until the floo flared green and Mundungus ‘Dung’ Fletcher stepped out. Albus sighed and laid the paperwork aside and summoned a seat for the man.
Albus had many complaints from a vast majority of his followers, because of his position as a black-market dealer, but the man had its uses since Dung can get him restricted ritual materials and ingredients that are banned without any problems. Albus knew that they are illegal, but he is using them for the ‘Greater Good’, so his mind is clear.
The headmaster looked at the man in front of him. “Mundungus, my boy, what can I do for you?”
The filthy man answered: “I have some news regarding Aurelius Yaxley that can be useful.”
Albus quickly mustered himself up and allowed him to continue. Mundungus smirked and continued: “Yaxley approached one of my ‘colleague’ in the black market and demanded to know, if the ritual materials for the breaking of a soul bond is ready. Unfortunately for my friend, they were not ready since he had to order them from Russia and you know as I do, how distrustful the Russians are towards the British.” Albus nodded in understanding. Magical Russia had never trusted him and joined the ICW with a lot of resistance like MACUSA. The bad relationship is making many trades between Magical Russia and Britain difficult since the Russian Ministry of Magic is deliberately slow. Even the black-markets are like this and are as slow as the government.
Mundungus continued: “I managed to gather some information regarding the ritual and I can tell you, Albus, that the ritual can only be conducted on a full moon. Since Aurelius was delayed, he would conduct the ritual in April.”
Albus smoothed his hand down his beard and was thinking hard, what to do. He needed to make sure that the ritual is a success, because Clara like Rachel Nott was a thorn to his side. It is better that she is dead since Albus would have a distraught husband, who wants revenge against his own family, at the end and children, who would miss their mother. And with some well-place compulsion, the man would side with him and abandon the dark like Sirius. Yes, this would work. Albus quickly explained the man his plan, which was eavesdropped by Phineas, who was disgusted by the old fool. He will make sure that the plan would be stopped.
Malfoy Manor
The Malfoys were enjoying their lunch, when they heard Phineas, who wanted to speak with them about an important matter after they were finished with eating. After they were finished, Lucius took their son to his room and Narcissa was with her ancestor alone. Narcissa was a tad bit annoyed, but she knew that her ancestor will not waste her time with nonsense. She also noticed the disgusted look on his face and she knew that something is happening. “Phineas, what has happened? You look like you had seen a rat.”
Phineas sighed deeply and answered: “Narcissa, before I talk about Albus, I need to tell you that Aurelius Yaxley has been delayed with the ritual materials due to the bad relations with Magical Russia. He will not get the materials in two weeks.” Narcissa nodded and confirmed her suspicion: “And he will not be able to conduct the ritual until next month.” Phineas nodded and was a little bit proud, how smart Narcissa was. The blond woman asked: “But what is Dumbledore’s role in this?” Phineas answered gravely: “Albus is planning to allow Aurelius to kill off Clara, so that he can gain control over Corban. That man doesn’t have any scruples.” Narcissa gritted her teeth, how disgusting Dumbledore could be. She will make sure that Aurelius’ plan fails completely and she will also tell Amelia, what Dumbledore’s plans are. Furthermore, she will also invite Corban to one of their meetings, in order to warn him about Dumbledore’s plans.
After Phineas left the portrait, in order to spy on Dumbledore further, Narcissa told her husband and his reaction was a little more volatile due to the potions he was fed, when he was a death eater. Both promised that both plans would be destroyed.
Hogwarts, March 16th, 2002
After the trials of the Wizengamot were finished, Albus informed his followers that there is an order meeting in his office. He needed to discuss with his followers about Aurelius Yaxley and the information, he got from Mundungus. Looking at his followers, Albus had a grandfatherly smile on his face.
After his followers had sat down, Albus started in a sad voice: “My dears, I have grave news regarding the Yaxley family. It seems like that Aurelius Yaxley is planning to use a ritual on Clara, in order to break the soul bond between her and her husband.” Albus was happy that his oldest friends and followers paid close attention. He gave them the look and they understood that they would surely gain Corban Yaxley as an order member and his children would be raised the light way.
But the younger generation just shrugged and James asked rudely: “So what? It would free Clara from this farce of a marriage she is stuck in with that death eater and make sure that she would find someone from a good and light family. Her children could also be saved from a bad father.” Albus and his older followers just shook their head questioning, how James even passed his NEWTs. Albus knew that James was decent in many classes, but his potion grade wasn’t high enough to get into the NEWT class. Without his interference, Albus wouldn’t have been able to get him into auror training and he isn’t doing well in his job now as junior auror. He hoped that James would get a promotion now, in order to not listen to his whining that he is still stuck as junior auror.
Elphias was the one, who explained: “James, I know that there must be a brain in your head that should be working, but it seems like that your mind is clouded with pranks, jokes and your bias against Slytherins, so, I will make it easier for you. If Aurelius is successful with this ritual, then, I am very sure that Corban would want revenge against his own brother and the rest of his family for killing his wife. Do you even understand, what this means?” James grounded his teeth, but nodded regardless. Elphias took a deep breath and explained: “And we can step in and help him to get revenge on his brother and his entire family.” Many liked the plan and they would have Yaxley on their side, who could provide them more information on the dark than Severus. James crossed his arms and was angry. The idea didn’t sound bad, but it is infuriating that they are treating him like he is a child.
Albus smiled at the prediction. His followers knew, what they had to do and he will not care, what James and the younger ones want. They need to understand that they need to make more alliances, in order to be more successful. Currently, they don’t have enough allies to sway the vote. He may be Chief Warlock due to the numbers of votes in the light section, but not everyone is voting for his nominations and they need to work on that.
Dedalus asked: “Albus, what about the Wizengamot meeting in three days? What is your next nomination?”
Albus was startled that he forgot that the Wizengamot meeting this month is on March 19th or as it is called the Ostara meeting. The old headmaster answered kindly: “Thanks for the reminder, Dedalus. I nearly forgot that we have the meeting in three days.”
Elphias asked his old friend: “So, what are we going to do at this Wizengamot meeting?”
Albus explained: “At this meeting, my dear friends, we will ban Arcane Magic. If you all remember that Voldemort,” everyone flinched at the mention of the man’s name, “has practised Archaic Magic, then, I can tell you that Voldemort also is a master in Arcane Magic, the sister of Archaic Magic.”
James asked: “Albus, why is Arcane Magic the sister of Archaic Magic?” Many were curious about that too.
Albus sighed and answered: “Because Archaic Magic is focusing on defensive magic, whereas Arcane Magic focuses on offensive magic. It is like Occlumency and Legilimency. Occlumency is used to shield your mind from a legilimens and Legilimency is used to read someone’s mind. The same goes for Archaic and Arcane Magic. Archaic Magic is shielding you from Arcane Magic.”
Arthur questioned: “If that is the case, why didn’t you ban first Arcane Magic at the February meeting, so that you would have had an advantage to ban Archaic Magic.”
Albus remained silent. He never thought that someone would bring this up and he was ready to slam his head on the desk. Why didn’t he think about this? He knew that many of his followers including Arthur do not know about the more dangerous fields of magic, because he made sure to remove the books from the library and made sure that it was not mentioned in any of the books that are in the library. Albus said with a sigh: “Thank you, Arthur, for the advice. I wish, I had explained Archaic and Arcane Magic in our last meeting before the Wizengamot meeting, but the fields were so dangerous and I didn’t want to endanger you too with that kind of information.”
With that, Albus and his followers planned to ban that field of magic with the information Albus had gathered. Sadly, the information Albus got is only a small fraction about Arcane Magic and it is the Black magical aspect of that field, which wouldn’t be enough since the Grey Alliance would introduce the entire field about Arcane Magic, which would cause another fail for Dumbledore.
Bones Manor, March 17th, 2002
The Grey Alliance had another meeting and Arthur announced that Albus is planning to ban Arcane Magic. Narcissa knew that Arcane Magic would be a tad bit harder to defend since mostly it is offensive magic. She knew that that field of magic had its perks since the more powerful aurors like Alastor Moody or Amelia Bones would be strong enough to fight against high-ranking criminals like Bellatrix or Voldemort. Furthermore, the Battle Mages are taught this field of magic… Narcissa suddenly realised that during the last war, the Battle Mages weren’t allowed to interfere in the war, because of Dumbledore and his sheep. She knew that the Battle Mages would have been powerful enough to go head-to-head against Voldemort since they were taught Arcane, Archaic and even Ancient Magics. Voldemort would have been a sitting duck against the Battle Mages. Narcissa also realised that the Battle Mages are also a part of the Magical Military Unit in Great Britain and would have been able to win the war within only four years. They would have realised that Voldemort had created horcruxes and the Battle Mages would have made sure to destroy them, but Dumbledore blocked it and the war had been going on for nearly eleven years. Many people died due to the senseless violence since the ministry was arrogant and thought, they would be able to deal with the issue on their own. Narcissa just shook her head, how foolish the ministry had handled this war and that they didn’t leave it to the professionals. Thank Merlin, the muggle world didn’t suspect anything, if they had done so, then, she was sure she wouldn’t be alive today.
When everyone was despairing, Narcissa had a good argument. “Guys, I know, how to counter Dumbledore’s nomination?”
Everyone looked relieved and were surprised that Narcissa knew, how to counter this nomination. The woman in question continued: “What we are overlooking is the Magical Military Unit of the UK and their Battle Mages?”
Augustinus looked at the ceiling annoyed, but he had also a relieved look. “Why didn’t I think about them? If Dumbledore bans this field of magic, then, he would be interfering with the Magical Military Unit, which is illegal since they are under the protection of the queen and after Elisabeth II. became queen, she with the help of the Minister of Magic of that time managed to pass a bill that the Wizengamot and the ministry are not allowed to interfere with the Magical Military Unit of the UK. To make the bill binding, every minister had to swear an oath to uphold the bill or they would be stripped of their magic.” Everyone was shocked.
Narcissa said: “I believe that Milicent Bagnold will not allow this law to pass. I remember, when Dumbledore nominated to ban Archaic Magic, the woman looked pale and also relieved, when his nomination failed to pass. We need to make sure to bring that oath to the Wizengamot’s attention and the fact that Dumbledore is endangering the minister with his nomination.” Everyone agreed on that.
The next thing was to put up a distraction against Dumbledore and his sheep. Narcissa had already an idea that she is now introducing: “The one thing that annoys me the most that we do not have any homeless shelters. Many homeless witches and wizards end up in Knockturn Alley, which means more followers for Voldemort, so that they can have a better life.”
Lucius agreed and explained: “Voldemort had many followers that were homeless and were living in Knockturn. They were promised a better life and better future aspects. If we open up homeless shelters, we would be able to cut the numbers of death eaters to a minimum.”
Many loved the idea. Adriana joked: “Boy, I am glad that my father does not have to deal with such an old fool in the Italian Wizarding Senate.” Many had a sour look. They wished, there was a way to get rid of the old fool, but killing him is no solution. So, they have to hobble him until he is brought down.
The next issue that was discussed was Aurelius Yaxley and the black-market dealer, Narcissa revealed to Amelia that Albus wants Clara dead, so that he and his followers could manipulate Corban to side with them. Everyone was disgusted and Amelia was going to make sure that Aurelius’ and Dumbledore’s plans would fail. It would annoy Dumbledore and it would make things more difficult for Voldemort’s followers. For now, Amelia will not open a file against Dumbledore since she knew that the man would try to weasel his way out, but she would put everything in a private file against Dumbledore. Amelia will start to go against Dumbledore after Voldemort’s defeat until then, she would just collect evidence against the fool.
Wizengamot, March 19th, 2002
The Wizengamot meeting came to an end and Narcissa was hiding a grin. Their plan had worked and she was taking great pleasure in watching Dumbledore’s reaction about the result of this meeting. When the Wizengamot session started, Albus nominated to ban Arcane Magic and he nearly managed to convince many members to vote for his nomination. During that time Bagnold was pale like a sheet of paper and was thinking of ways to shoot down Dumbledore’s nomination.
After he was finished, Callidora nominated to open up a homeless shelter for the homeless in Knockturn Alley. That nomination caused many protests from the light section or better to say from Dumbledore’s sheep, where they were whining and complaining that these people didn’t deserve anything and that they should be left on their own since they were too dangerous and also dark and evil. Albus tried to keep control over his people since they were making a very bad image, which unfortunately was the case and he didn’t manage to keep them quiet. Many neutral and even those from the light, who were not aligned with Dumbledore, were disgusted by their behaviour. It became even worse, when Lucius announced that due to the neglect of this body and the homeless’ desperation and current living conditions, many in Knockturn Alley joined Voldemort and his death eaters in the belief of better living conditions. This resulted to an even worse argument since the light or better to say Dumbledore’s followers were demanding that the homeless in Knockturn should be monitored closer, in order to stop their criminal behaviour, which was stopped by Amelia, who was disgusted by their words. Amelia explained that the Wizengamot and Voldemort were to blame for this mess. Furthermore, she continued that if the Wizengamot had stepped in earlier, then, the homeless would have never been swayed by Voldemort and his followers and Voldemort would have had fewer followers. Dumbledore had to put up silencing, privacy and secrecy wards, because of his followers’ whining and their childish behaviour. The man was embarrassed by this.
When Aurelia Acton took over, she asked, if there were any other nominations. This time, it was Augustinus Lestrange, who nominated to put the ban regarding Arcane Magic into question since that law was endangering the minister. Many questioned the minister, why, and Augustinus pointed out that Arcane, Archaic and Ancient Magic were used by the Battle Mages in the Magical Military Unit of the UK. A great majority were shocked that they had a military unit and questioned angrily, why they didn’t help during the war against Voldemort, but the old Lestrange lord told them bluntly that someone or better to say multiple someone blocked them from interfering. This little revelation caused a lot of anger and distrust against Dumbledore and his followers.
When the fools were finished with their whining and complaining, Dumbledore retook his seat and the man looked resigned since he had to calm down his younger generation of followers. Aurelia announced that there was another nomination. This time, things went to hell for Dumbledore since the man was confronted by the majority of the Wizengamot that with his nomination, he was endangering the minister. When Albus asked in confusion, what they were talking about, Pandora revealed the law and the oath that every minister had to vow and it included that neither the ministry nor the Wizengamot are allowed to interfere in the matters of the Magical Military Unit of the UK or consequently, the minister would lose her magic due to a broken oath. She also explained that with his ban against Arcane Magic the entire country would have been affected and it would be seen as an interference in the military unit, which is illegal. To make matters worse, Pandora requested to rescind Dumbledore’s nomination since the ban is endangering the minister’s magic and supported Augustinus’ nomination to put the current ban in the civil population into question. With nearly everyone apart from Dumbledore’s followers voting for the request, the nomination was removed from the docket and wouldn’t be voted on much to Dumbledore’s fury.
The only two nominations that remained, were Callidora’s and Augustinus’ nominations that both received a majority of the Wizengamot. That really angered those in the light even more.
Albus wanted to kill Augustinus Lestrange. That man destroyed his plans in one row. If he had known that his ban would also affect the Magical Military Unit of the UK including the Battle Mages and the minister, he would have rewritten his ban, but no, his nomination was rescinded from the docket and wouldn’t be voted on. Then, there were the nominations from Callidora regarding the homeless scum in Knockturn Alley and from Augustinus to put the current ban regarding Arcane Magic into question, which were passed much to his fury.
Albus didn’t want the homeless of Knockturn to get anything since they deserved nothing due to their dark nature and that they were weak scum on earth that had achieved nothing and had to be stamped out from their society, but he can’t say that in front of the Wizengamot since it would tarnish his reputation as kind, old grandfather. Then, there is Augustinus Lestrange, who was responsible for rescinding his nomination and for putting the current ban regarding Arcane Magic into question.
The next thing that angered him were his followers. He couldn’t believe that they have behaved like spoilt brats and have made a really bad impression in front of the other members of the Wizengamot. He was sure that Callidora’s nomination would have failed, if his followers didn’t behave like this, but no, James and the younger Lords and Ladies in his camp behaved like spoilt toddlers, when Callidora nominated to open up homeless shelters for the homeless in Knockturn. He had seen the disdain and the disgust from the other members of the Wizengamot, when James and the younger Lords and Ladies from his order started to whine and complain about the homeless in Knockturn, and he knew that the vote would be clear as day. Albus was going to make his younger followers suffer for this gross conduct of behaviour. It was really embarrassing and it had caused many problems with his influence in the Wizengamot.
Hogwarts
Albus stormed into his office in a fury with his followers in tow and sat down giving every younger Lord and Lady a sever disappointed look, in order to make them feel guilty for their behaviour in the Wizengamot and also the lost vote. After some time of silence, Griselda snarled at them in rage: “You ungrateful little brats, do you have any idea, how your behaviour had reflected on us. You threw fits like spoilt children that were told no for the first time. Have you any idea, how embarrassing it was for us? You all are representing our future and how you had represented yourselves showed everyone in the chambers that you lot are not even mature enough to handle the responsibilities of being Lords and Ladies.”
The younger Lords and Ladies were furious, but they looked down on the floor like they were children, who did something wrong. Before the others could agree with Griselda and scold them for their disgusting behaviour, Albus quickly intervened and told the younger generation of Lords and Ladies: “My dears, we cannot allow this to happen again. You have made a really bad impression in front of the other members of the Wizengamot with your behaviour. Like Griselda had mentioned, you cannot behave like this since many Lords and Ladies would not take you seriously, if you are making a nomination.” Albus looked at James and the other younger Lords and Ladies severely. They nodded and felt humiliated.
Elphias asked: “What are we going to do, Albus? I never thought that nothing is going our way. This was our fifth Wizengamot meeting that had gone wrong and completely failed.”
Albus knew that Elphias is right. The last five meetings were setbacks. Why is everything failing now? He thought that after Voldemort’s defeat, things would go his way, but no, things were going in the opposite direction. Albus sighed and answered: “I know Elphias, but right now, we can’t do anything against those nominations since they have passed and we need to have a really good reason to overturn them. The excuse that these nominations are supporting the dark is not going to be enough.” He added that last part, when he had seen that James was ready to argue with his dark vs. light argument.
Albus dismissed his followers and was left to think. Things were not going his way and since Voldemort is gone, he can’t blame him or his followers. He knew that there was someone, who is making his life a living hell, but he can’t pinpoint it on anyone since the proposals are coming from individuals of the three fractions that have nothing in common. He is suspecting that they are working together, but he didn’t believe that since they were too different. He needed to find a way to regain control over the Wizengamot and make them listen to him. There is still the school board meeting in less than a week. Maybe there he would regain some of his lost influence.
Knockturn Alley, March 21st, 2002
Christina was making her way through Knockturn Alley and saw Jack McLean and Aurelius Yaxley alone in a dark corner. She quickly hid in the shadows and used multiple Notice-Me-Not charms and disillusionment charms. The woman was listening quietly to the conversation. Thankfully, those two didn’t think of using alerting wards since both believed that the residents of Knockturn will not care, what they were planning, which is sadly the case, but both forgot that she was working with the DMLE as an unofficial auror. Christina is still a ministry auror and is getting paid by the DMLE, but she works underground as an informant and spy, which was beneficial to the DMLE since they were getting a lot of information from her. Focusing on Aurelius and Jack, she overheard a good conversation.
Jack said: “Here are the materials.” The blond man took out a suitcase that was the size of a walnut and enlarged it. Opening the suitcase, Christina was able to glance at the contents of the suitcase and recognised many banned ritual materials. This was their final nail in the coffin.
Aurelius smirked in victory and was happy that soon enough his brother will be free from the clutches of that filthy mudblood whore and line thief, and his family line would be pure from any filthy halfbloods. “Good. Here is your payment.” Aurelius handed the black-market dealer the gold for the ritual materials.
Jack first counted the gold before he gave the Yaxley heir the suitcase. When he saw that it was enough, he gave Aurelius the suitcase with the ritual materials and both men went their separate ways.
Christina quickly apparated to the ministry apparition area.
Ministry
Arriving at the ministry, Christina made her way to Amelia’s office and knocked on her office door. With a Come-in, Christina entered the office.
Amelia was startled about Christina’s visit and quickly summoned a seat since she knew that it is about Aurelius’ plans. “Christina, is there an update on the case of Aurelius Yaxley and Jack McLean.”
The woman nodded and said: “Yes, Amelia. Today, Jack had sold the ritual materials to Aurelius. I can take out my memories.” Amelia nodded and prepared the vials for the memories. Christina took out her wand and focused on today’s meeting between Jack and Aurelius. The vial was filled with her memories of the meeting and Amelia took out her pensive to watch the memories and to certify them.
Watching the memories and taking notes, Amelia also certified them and left a certification mark on the vial. These memories would be enough to arrest Jack McLean. She is going to wait for the arrest of Aurelius Yaxley, but the man will fall soon.
“Thank you, Christina. Now, return back to work. No one should know that you are my informant and an unofficial auror of the ministry.” The woman nodded and flooed from Amelia’s office to the Leaky Couldron, from where she went back to Knockturn Alley.
Amelia quickly went to Bartemius’ office, in order to get an arrest and search warrant against Jack McLean. Entering Bartemius’ office, the said man was surprised by Amelia’s visit. Bartemius asked: “Amelia, what can I do for you today?” Looking at the file, the man sighed. It must be auror business, which makes sense since they were in the DMLE.
Amelia answered stoically: “Bartemius, I am here for an arrest warrant against Jack McLean for buying, selling and being in possession of illegal goods and for being an accomplice of attempting to break a soul bond. There would be further charges against the man, but for that I need a search warrant for his place. Here is also the evidence.” The female head auror laid down her file and the memory vials. Amelia first requested from Bartemius a vow of silence since they were talking about an unofficial auror and informant in Knockturn and there is a vow of silence mandatory, in order to protect the said auror from being exposed. Then, she revealed that Auror Christina O’Neill had been an informant and an unofficial auror in the ministry, who is secretly patrolling Knockturn Alley. When that was done, she allowed Bartemius to watch Christina’s memories and allowed the man to certify the memories.
When Bartemius was finished with the evidence, he acted fast. First, he quickly wrote out an arrest warrant against Jack McLean and signed a search warrant for his place, in order to find more evidence against the man.
Amelia quickly called Kingsley Shacklebolt as her partner for the arrest and she called Aurors Yaxley and Proudfoot to search the house.
Kingsley, Corban and Proudfoot were confused until Amelia showed them the arrest and search warrants against Jack McLean. Amelia and Kingsley went to arrest Jack McLean and Corban and Proudfoot went to the Registry Department to get McLean’s address, in order to search his place. With the search warrant, the aurors are allowed to get the address since it is work-related for their jobs.
Knockturn Alley
Amelia and Kingsley made their way through Knockturn Alley. The auror robes were intimidating to the residents and both aurors knew that no one would interfere against them since the residents knew that any attack against them would bring the entire ministry here, which would make things even worse.
Looking around, Amelia caught sight of Jack McLean. Both aurors went to him.
Jack was talking to one of his clients until the conversation was interrupted by Amelia’s and Kingsley’s presence. Jack answered in a fake innocent voice: “Aurors Bones, Shacklebolt, what do you want? I am not doing anything wrong.” The man was annoyed, when his client left, because of the presence of the aurors. Amelia Bones is even worse since the woman was one of the most dangerous and intimidating aurors in the DMLE. Those two ruined his business for today.
Amelia took out the arrest warrant and announced: “Jack McLean, you are under arrest for buying, selling and being in possession of illegal goods. Through a witness and their memories, we have enough evidence to bring you down. There would be more charges coming against you, but these are the grave ones. There is also a search warrant for your place. So, currently, your house is searched for any other evidence and if we find more, then, there would be more charges coming against you.” Whereas she was speaking, Kingsley quickly disarmed the man, who had taken out his wand, and put magic-restraining cuffs. Some spectators, who were listening to Amelia, were not surprised by the charges, but they were glad that McLean was gone. The man had been causing trouble here with his activities. With him gone, they were sure that there would be less aurors rotating in their alley.
Jack was furious. He knew that helping Aurelius would get him into trouble, but he never thought, he would be caught. How did the aurors got wind of that. Amelia continued: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say would be used against you in the court.” They quickly were leading the man away from Knockturn Alley and threw him in the ministry holding cell. Amelia is going to interrogate him after the school board meeting.
McLean residence
Corban and Proudfoot had a less than pleasant time by searching through Jack’s house. They found in a secret room and even a compartment many illegal and banned ingredients, books, ritual materials etc. The man would serve a long prison sentence. Both aurors were sure of that.
In his ‘office’, Corban found many letters from his clients and he was sure that some would be arrested and the majority would receive some fines. There would be a lot of work to be done and he was dreading the paperwork that was going to pile on his desk. For that reason, he would allow the junior aurors to deal with the clients, who would receive fines or would be under probation, whereas he and Proudfoot would be dealing with the arrests of the other clients, who would receive prison sentences since the goods they received were highly illegal and dangerous.
Both aurors started to collect a lot of evidence against McLean and the letters as evidence against his clients. With everything packed and ready, Corban and Proudfoot left the house and put a sealing charm that was used by the aurors, in order to make sure that no one unauthorised would be able to enter the property. Furthermore, there would be an alarming spell on the seal and a tracking charm that would make sure to find out, who has tried to enter the property without their consent.
DMLE
Proudfoot and Corban were going through the letters that they had gathered from the McLean residence and were filing the letters between three groups. The first group of letters are for the junior auror, who would hand out fines and would deal with those, who would receive probation. The second stack would be given to the normal aurors, where the clients would receive a minimum sentence of more than two years and a maximum sentence of five years in Azkaban. And the third pile would be handled by the head aurors since these clients are going to spend more than five years in Azkaban. There would be a lot of work.
Corban and Proudfoot as head aurors ordered the junior aurors to come here and handed them the copies of the letters from the first pile and ordered them to interrogate the clients and investigate them. These clients can’t be locked up in the ministry holding cells since their crimes are minor, but they were not allowed to leave the country, in order to escape prosecution since the aurors would have the right to arrest them. There would be some minor charges coming against them and they wanted the reports due to next week. The aurors received the same tasks, but they also received arrest and in some cases search warrants. They are also responsible for the interrogation and their reports are due to two weeks. The last group of head aurors received arrest and search warrants and the reports had to be finished and given to the head of the DMLE three days before the Wizengamot trials, so that they could be charged appropriately.
The clients, who would receive fines, a probation or a prison sentence that are not longer than two years would be in front of a single judge, who would deal with the case alone. Cases that are between the sentences of more than two years and five years are dealt by a board of twelve juries, who are members of the Wizengamot, and a judge, who has the deciding vote in case there is a fifty-fifty within the jury. High ranking cases, where the sentences are above five years would be handled by the head of the DMLE and the Wizengamot, where the entire Wizengamot would vote for or against conviction.
With minors from the age of eleven to sixteen, there wouldn’t be full trials of the Wizengamot since they were only intended for adults. Magical minors, who are charged for minor crimes and are going to be sentenced to community service, leisure arrest or to probation, are charged in a court with only a judge. Cases, where the minors would be sentenced to more than two years to five years, would be judged by the head of DMLE and two juries. In the wizarding world, minors are maximally sentenced to fifteen years in Voggekk and in these cases, there would be the head of the DMLE as the judge and six members of the Wizengamot. That is the judicial system of their world. In case a minor is tried like an adult in front of the Wizengamot, then, the head of the DMLE would face censure and the entire case would be dismissed, which would be annoying.
They continued with their work and started to get active since there were many clients to be arrested. Corban was angry that his brother managed to erase his traces, but he was a Slytherin like him, and Corban knew that Aurelius would have made sure to erase any traces of him. Currently, they have the memories of Auror O’Neill, but Amelia needed a little bit more than that since Aurelius would be only charged with buying and being in possession of illegal goods and it could be reduced to a probation period due to his family’s influence. Corban wanted his brother to rot in jail.
Hogwarts, March 22nd, 2002
The order meeting this time is about the school board meeting on Monday and Albus and his followers were planning to remove the term project that every NEWT student had to do. The project is that each student would receive a poison or flawed potion and they had to break down the individual ingredients in the potion or poison and find a way to counter the flawed potion or poison. This time, they had managed to get some evidence that this project is too wasteful in time, ingredients and money and that mistakes had been proven to be dangerous and even lethal in some cases. Sadly, the evidence wouldn’t be enough since there would be a rock thrown in his way. With that goal in mind, Albus returned back to the topic about Aurelius Yaxley.
Phineas listened carefully, what the old fool was planning and he can tell that the plan would have more holes than Swiss cheese since Amelia Bones is aware of his plans and was ready to counter them. Albus turned his attention to Hestia about the arrest of Jack McLean. “Hestia, my girl, I have heard about the arrest of Jack McLean.” Hestia nodded and explained: “Currently, McLean is sitting in the ministry holding cells and is awaiting his trial at the middle of April. Amelia is very tight-lipped about McLean’s case file, but I have managed to overhear a conversation between Yaxley and Proudfoot. It seems like that Aurelius is a customer of Jack McLean and he recently bought some ritual materials, but they did only have evidence to charge him with buying and being in possession of illegal goods and with the influence of the Yaxleys in the ministry, the sentence could be reduced to a probation period. So, they won’t strike against him now.” Albus was pleased. He only hoped that Aurelius isn’t stupid enough to get caught. With Corban Yaxley on his side, he would gain access to the dark. Severus had refused to use his contacts to get him information and he was getting tired that the man absolutely refused to cooperate with his order. It was hard to deal with someone, who isn’t loyal, and he curses Antonius Prince to the depths of hell for destroying his plans.
James was ready to snarl since Yaxley is a death eater. It had to be a ruse that he loves a muggleborn and that in reality, he had a pureblood witch by his side, but sadly, no one does believe him that due to the so-called soul bond. He will find a way to remove Yaxley from the DMLE since the man is a clear danger to their society, but he had to find a really good reason to get him fired. For Crouch, it wasn’t enough to give the reason of being dark and evil to be fired due to his son’s incarceration. James will make sure that the wizarding world would be cleaned of any dark witches and wizards, but this goal would never be fulfilled since the dark and the light would live in harmony in the future, when the balance is brought back through his eldest son, who would be the light’s worst enemy.
Albus is waiting for the ritual to be conducted. From what, he had gathered, the ritual can only be conducted during a full moon and he couldn’t wait to get Yaxley on his side.
Lestrange Manor, March 24th, 2002
Like last time, Arthur informed the others about Dumbledore’s plan to ban the term project in the potion class and this time, they have three additional members in the Grey Alliance. Severus Snape-Prince, Corban Yaxley and his wife, Clara Yaxley. With their help, they would be able to stop Dumbledore’s plans. Severus rolled his eyes. That man is very focused on really dumbing down an entire generation. Severus explained: “That man is trying to dumb down an entire generation. This term project is important that the students learn, how to detect a poison or a flawed potion and try to find out an antidote. Healers and even aurors are expected to know that, so that in case of a poisoning, they should be aware, what is the reason behind the poisoning and break down the ingredients, in order to find out the antidote and to brew it.”
Many were in agreement. It was ludicrous, what Dumbledore and his light fools were planning, but sadly, this was their mindset and this mindset is dangerous. Narcissa was sure that Lady Meadow would make a protest against the motion again. This time, Narcissa planned to put up another distraction that would change the school even more. “I believe that we should nominate to order these desks from MACUSA that Severus had once mentioned. I mean, they have anti-cheating charms and wards against sabotaging.” Severus grinned. Finally, his prayers had been heard. Narcissa knew that it would please Severus and the rest of the staff, but it would be an annoyance to Dumbledore and McGonagall. It was about time to lower the cheating cases and stop the on-going sabotages between the Gryffindors and Slytherins during the practical lessons. It would bring some changes in the school. Severus answered: “Good. I would have made a request to order these desks.” Narcissa knew that Severus would have made sure to bring this in front of the board.
Everyone agreed on this nomination and Narcissa could admit that Hogwarts would look really different than before. Cyrus interrupted in her thoughts: “And we will introduce the ICW primary school curriculum for charms in this meeting. Like transfiguration, charms is a core class.” Everyone agreed on that. The short meeting came to an end and all of the parents went with their children home.
School board, March 25th, 2002
Lucius may have a neutral expression on his face, but inside, the man was smiling. Narcissa’s plan had worked perfectly. Like it was done in the previous meetings, one of Dumbledore’s stooges nominated to cancel the term project in the ICW potion curriculum. Lucius really questioned, how these fools had passed their OWLs, let alone their NEWTs, but he was reminded that they were fools with at least some brain in their head. If they thought that the evidence was good, then, everyone must have their blinders in their eyes. According to the evidence that is more than 50 years old, when these accidents had occurred and the ICW curriculum was first introduced, the term project is dangerous, wasteful and difficult. Not everything works perfectly in the first time, but on the later date, many students were used to the curriculum and the accidents became less and less.
The evidence was examined and the board realised that the accidents occurred fifty years ago, when the curriculum was introduced for the first time. When a newer statistic was shown regarding the term project, many agreed that not everything works for the first and at the end, many voted against the nomination. Dumbledore looked like he was punched in the gut, when the motion hadn’t passed.
The nomination regarding the desks from MACUSA caused many board members, mainly in the light, to discuss the motion that was presented by Muriel Prewett. Dumbledore’s older followers somehow liked the idea, whereas the younger generation of Lords and Ladies in Dumbledore’s camp were against the motion, and that caused a fight within the light section. Lucius could tell that within Dumbledore’s followers, there was a generational conflict between the old and the young. This motion passed with a majority vote, which angered some fools in the light section.
The third nomination that was presented by Cyrus Greengrass had a landslide vote and passed much to Dumbledore’s foul mood, which had worsened, when the nomination regarding the ICW curriculum had passed.
Albus was in a blind fury. This time, they were prepared and had evidence, but he overlooked the date, when the accidents had occurred. When the other board members reminded him that the statistic was out of date, Albus was ready to counter them and took a better look at the statistics’ date, when it was created. Albus had been ready to slam his head on the desk for Herbert’s stupidity by showing everyone a statistic that was half a century old. The statistic was nearly fifty years old, when the ICW curriculum was introduced for the first time, and this caused that many board members voted against the motion, when one of the members of the board showed them a newer statistic that showed everyone that the number of accidents had fallen to nearly a zero. The date of the statistics was in 1999, which was newer, and many were assured that the term project is not dangerous. It may cost a bit money, but it was nothing in comparison to the costs of the other term projects.
Then, there was the nomination from Muriel Prewett about the anti-cheating and anti-sabotaging desks from MACUSA. It was another setback since these desks would stop the students from cheating or sabotaging other students’ work and through them, he wouldn’t be able to do anything, if one of his pawns made an accusation of cheating against those, who were not loyal to him, or if they are sabotaging other students’ work. At the next school year, things wouldn’t work for his pawns anymore since his staff would be alerted, if a student is cheating or even sabotaging other students’ work. The affected students would demand in case of an accusation, if the teacher was alerted by the new desks since the desks’ magic would be tied to his staff. Every member of staff would feel a jerk, if a student was cheating or sabotaging another student’s work, and the jerk would get even more unbearable and worse, if a staff member was actively ignoring until the issue is dealt with. He needs to inform Minerva about this since she would be affected by these new desks. What makes matters even worse is the fact that the desks would be tied to the school’s wards and every time a student cheated or sabotaged another student’s work, it would be recorded and it would be in the archives. Albus and Minerva may have access to the archives, but Pandora does too due to her position as Lady Ravenclaw and the woman was not going to allow the students to get away with cheating and sabotaging. He really is in a bind now.
The last nomination had passed without issue. Albus wasn’t able to stop the motion since he was out of excuses like during the February meeting. He needed to talk to his followers about this setback.
Hogwarts
Albus was sitting behind his desk silently seething. His followers were scattered in his office. After some while, the old man calmed down and turned his attention to Herbert Jones angry at the man for showing the board an old, outdated statistic from the 1950s. “Herbert, my boy, can you explain me, why you used an old statistic from the 50s instead of showing newer evidence, which would have helped us to lower the standards of the new potion curriculum?”
Herbert swallowed a lump, whereas the others glared at the man. “I am sorry, Albus, but I have tried to find evidence to our claims. Sadly, I only found this statistic in my research. I didn’t think anyone would notice that the statistic is old and outdated.” Albus sighed. He knew that the man did his research, but the results were dissatisfying. When the newer statistic was shown, it disproved the old statistic and the nomination was doomed to fail. Albus answered: “It’s fine, my boy. You tried your best, but it didn’t work. Maybe next time, we would be successful.” Albus hoped that they would be successful at the April meeting. All three meetings in this new year were failures and setbacks. He will look at the curriculum, which potion could be easily removed, but that would be now harder.
The others in the office chattered for a while, when the headmaster was thinking. Many were frustrated that the ICW curriculum in the potion class is a tough nut to crack. Snape really made things needlessly hard for them and many blamed James for supporting Snape in his nomination during the December meeting. James had been ready to combust in fury, when the others were blaming him that they were in this situation, but he remained silent since no matter what he said, they would turn his word against him.
When Albus dismissed his followers and told them that they would be successful at the next board meeting, his followers left. On the other side, Lady Magic, Destiny, Fate and Death were entertaining themselves. It may be getting a little bit boring listening to politics, but it is entertaining to watch, how Dumbledore and his fools were failing every time. It was about time that Albus Dumbledore will never get his way anymore. And clearly, it started. She also let her brother, Time, confirm it, which meant that Dumbledore’s time is coming to an end soon.
Ministry, Interrogation Room 15, March 30th, 2002
Amelia and Corban were sitting in an interrogation room questioning Jack McLean. The man had been brought to the interrogation room a few minutes ago by Alastor and Kingsley and they started the interrogation, when the recording started and McLean’s lawyer came. Amelia started: “Mr. McLean, you had been arrested for selling, buying and being in possession of illegal goods. We found plenty of things in your house during our search and we are here to inform you that it doesn’t look good. We are also aware of your clients’ action and I can tell you that they are facing charges too for buying and being in possession of illegal goods, but there is a chance of a reduction of sentence, if you give up some information regarding one of your clients, who had managed to slip under our radar.”
McLean was silently talking with his lawyer and the man asked: “What client are you talking about, Auror Bones?”
Amelia answered: “We are talking about Aurelius Yaxley, Attorney Drake?”
The lawyer and Jack were looking to Corban and then, back to Amelia. Jack McLean swallowed hard. He knew that he was a dead-man-walking, if he betrays Aurelius Yaxley and is found out, but he also know that his brother is as dangerous or even more dangerous than Aurelius. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place. After a while, Jack said: “I want to speak with my lawyer about this privately. I am not sure about your offer.”
Amelia knew that the man is terrified of Aurelius Yaxley and she said in a calming voice. “Mr. McLean, your arrest is currently classified since we got the information that your dealings have a bigger picture. Corban and I know, what Heir Yaxley’s plans are and we have made plans to stop him and have him arrested. Furthermore, no one apart from the Wizengamot is aware of your arrest. And the members of the Wizengamot are under strict secrecy wards. Lord Yaxley can’t tell his son anything about you. You don’t need to be afraid of him since no one knows and the press just wrote a small column about your arrest, which would be ignored by the public. Your name isn’t mentioned and there are no pictures of you. We also put secrecy wards as an extra precaution here in this interrogation room. Another aspect that we have dealt with are your clients. We made sure to vow them to silence. So, we can assure you that Aurelius Yaxley will not find out that you have been arrested or that you have snitched.” Jack calmed down slightly. He was still on edge. He knew, what Aurelius was capable of, and he doesn’t want to end up dead.
When Jack was completely calm, he nodded and started: “Aurelius ordered from me restricted ritual materials that combined, they are used for breaking a soul bond. He wanted to use a ritual to break the soul bond between Auror Yaxley and his wife, in order to bring back the family honour, clean the House Yaxley from ‘impure’ blood and pay the debt to the House Jugson.” Amelia just shook her head. A soul bond is sacred and Aurelius is a fool to believe that breaking the soul bond between Corban and Clara would bring back the honour of House Yaxley. If Aurelius succeeds, then, he would bring dishonour to the House Yaxley and the entire family apart from Corban would be seen as blood traitors. And things would get worse. If Aurelius is brought to justice, which she was sure, the Yaxley family would lose their fortune and their seat in the Wizengamot. The goblins would make sure of that. It would be the beginning of the end of the House Yaxley.
Amelia continued: “Can you give us the memories from your recent encounters with Aurelius Yaxley?”
Jack sighed and discussed it with his lawyer. A few minutes later, both agreed and Amelia removed his memories. She viewed them and examined them. After she put the certification mark on the memories, Amelia said: “Mr. McLean, we thank you for your cooperation and we are going to make sure that your cooperation would be included in your trial. Is there anything else?”
Attorney Drake added: “Auror Bones, my client wishes to make a plea deal, in order to avoid a long trial. Is Lord Crouch ready?”
Corban and Amelia exchanged a glance at each other and Corban answered for the first time: “We will see, but we accept the plea deal.”
Amelia sent a patronus to Crouch, who immediately made his way to the interrogation room. “Amelia, I hope it is urgent.” Crouch knew that the woman would never waste his time for some nonsense.
Amelia answered: “It is. Mr. McLean wants a plea deal since he doesn’t want a long trial. Apart from that, he was cooperative in our investigation.” Bartemius nodded in understanding and sat down on another seat that was summoned for him. He turned his attention to Jack. “Very well, Mr. McLean, let’s start with the plea deal, but I hope that you are choosing wisely since the evidence is damning.” The man nodded. There is nothing much to lose. The only hope, he has, is a small sentence. Jack didn’t want to spend a decade in prison, because of Aurelius.
The plea deal was discussed and Amelia offered a sentence of five years in Azkaban. His cells would be in the lower level of the prison, where there are barely any dementors and it is a lot warmer there than in the upper level of the prison, where it is dreadfully cold and the exposition to the dementors is higher. Drake wanted a lower sentence of four years and that Jack is released under probation after serving two years, but Amelia refused although she accepted the probation.
After a lengthy debate, the plea deal was made and Jack would spend four and a half years in Azkaban. He would be released in case of good behaviour and after he had served two and a half years in Azkaban. With that, the rest of the sentence would be put under probation that would be extended to another five years, when he is released. It was accepted by both sides and Jack was led back to his cell awaiting his short trial. He prayed that Aurelius Yaxley would never find out that he had snitched him, but he didn’t care, because he is responsible that he was caught. Why did he agree to help him? He should have known that going against an auror like Corban Yaxley is the worst thing, you could do. Then, there is the fact that he was helping the man to destroy a soul bond, which is sacred in the magical world. He should have listened to his gut feeling telling him not to help Aurelius, but he was broke, desperate and he needed money. Now, he is paying the price for his desperation. Jack hoped that Lady Magic would forgive him for helping Aurelius to destroy a soul bond, but he doubted it.