O Beija-Flor - Regulus Black (Complete)

XXXIII -

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Returns

In a brief statement Friday night, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge confirmed that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned to this country and is active once more.

"It is with great regret that I must confirm that the wizarding styling himself Lord – well, you know I mean – is alive and among us again," said Fudge, looking tired and flustered as he addressed reporters. "Is it with almost equal regret that we report the mass revolt of the dementors of Azkaban, who have shown themselves averse to continuing in the Ministry's employ. We believe that the dementors are currently taking direction from Lord-Thingy. We urge the magical population to remain vigilant. The Ministry is currently publishing guides to elementary home and personal defence that will be delivered free to all Wizarding homes within the coming month."

The Minister's statement was met with dismay and alarm from the Wizarding community, which as recently as last Wednesday was receiving Ministry assurances that there was 'no truth whatsoever in these persistent rumours that You-Know-Who is operating amongst us once more'.

Details of the events that led to the Ministry turn-around are still hazy, though it is believed that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and a select band of followers (known as Death Eater) gain entry to the Ministry of Magic itself on Thursday evening.

Albus Dumbledore newly reinstated headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft Wizardry, resituated member of the International Confederation of Wizards, and restated Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, was unavailable for comment last night. He has insisted for a year that You-Know-Who was not dead, as widely hoped and believed, but recruiting followers once more for a fresh attempt to seize power. Meanwhile the Boy-Who-Lived created his own little army to fight back the Dark Lord.

"My, my, they really can't leave you alone," Emma said, glaring at the newspapers that Hermione had been reading out loud. Constance nodded, making a noise, but not committing into the conversation.

"He's the 'Boy-Who-Lived' again now, though, isn't he?" Ron said. "Not such a show-off maniac anymore, eh?"

"Yes, they're very complimentary about you now, Harry," said Hermione, eyes going back down to the article. "A lone voice of truth... perceived as unbalanced, yet never wavered in his story... forced to bear ridicule and slander... Hm!" she scoffed. "I notice that they don't mention the fact that it was them doing all the ridiculing and slandering, though."

"I don't mind the slandering and ridiculing at the moment," Harry said.

All eyes went back to Cecilia. She had yet to wake up since that night, but Professor Dumbledore had decided that it was for the best that she was kept there instead of being sent to St. Mungus as Madame Pomfrey had offered.

"You-Know-Who's Last Attempt to Take Over, pages two to four, What the Ministry Should Have Told Us, Why Nobody Listened to Albus Dumbledore, pages six to eight, Exclusive Interview with Harry Potter, page nine..." Hermione continued to read, trying to bring the subject away from the dark feeling it had taken. "It's certainly given them lots do write about. And that interview with Harry isn't exclusive, it's the one that was in The Quibbler months ago."

"Daddy sold it to them," Luna said, reading said magazine. "He's got a very good price for it too, so we're going to go on an expedition to Sweden this summer – us and Connie, right? We can catch a Cumple-Horned Snorkack together."

"It's going to be amazing," Constance said, smiling at the blonde girl and finally looking away from Cecilia.

Before they could go on with the conversation, the doors of the Hospital Wing opened and Dumbledore walked in without much ceremony, Madame Pomfrey following him close by with two people right behind her. All eyes turned to the odd group.