Enigums

Old world, part three

It's past midnight when Harry falls into bed. They were busy containing the fire after the explosion earlier. Several buildings collapsed including the apothecary which resulted in the explosion and half of Diagon Alley being gone. Over 300 hundred people died today and Albus Dumbledore is to blame. He doesn't envy Hermione, she will release a statement tomorrow and Kingsley promised he would be there with Albus' portrait. He has many questions and he is afraid of some of the answers he might get. He falls into a fitful sleep plagued by nightmares.

Kingsley, hasn't gotten much sleep last night. He was up until 2 am, dealing with the clean up. So many dead, he knew most of the people who died. He is walking up to the Headmistress office, he knocks on the door before he enters. Minerva McGonagall greets him, "Kingsley, good to see you again. What can I do for you?" Kingsley sees Albus in his portrait, sleeping. He casts a quick non verbal freezing spell, he doesn't want Albus to hide in one of the other portraits. "I am here to take Albus with me to the Ministry. Some things have come to light and he needs to be made aware of them. Plus he needs to answer some questions," he tells her. Minerva takes a good look at her friend, he looks tired and burdened, "Can you tell me what this is about?" He looks at her, she was always a firm supporter of Dumbledore and as much as he wants to tell her now, he doesn't know if he can trust her. Not after he found out she was there when Albus left Harry on the doorsteps of those vile muggles and never checked up on him. "You will find out like anyone. There is an emergency broadcast in an hour."

Ministry of Magic

Hermione is nervous. What she is about to say will shock their world. She looks at a report she got this mornin. During the night more buildings across The UK collapsed, killing 46 more people, among them Dean Thomas, Daphne Greengrass and the Patil twins. She steps onto the podium and takes a deep breath. She sees Kingsley and Albus' portrait next to him.

"Magic in the UK is dying. It has been happening for a long time, 38 years and 76 days to be exact. At first we did not notice since it only affected nature but it has also affected us. As you are all aware over the past two decades, the number of squibs has risen and the number of magical children being born here in The UK has dwindled to an all time low. For the past few months buildings have crumbled because magic simply left. Yesterday one such event occurred in Diagon Alley and I am sad to inform you that overnight more destruction followed. The goblins told us every building that saw magic being performed will eventually collapse. That also means buildings in the muggle world. Furthermore we also have gotten reports of people who were healed by magic who have suddenly died or have been turned into squibs. My own daughter called me this morning, she has lost her magic and she is not the only one. We have reports that half the population has lost their magic. It is with a heavy heart that I urge you to leave the UK. If you stay, I fear you will either lose your magic or die. Take your children and leave. "

A reporter steps forward and asks what is on everybody's mind, "Why is this happening?" Harry steps up next to Hermione, locks eyes with Dumbledore and clears his throat, "Because Albus Dumbledore broke my soulbond with Severus Snape." Pandemonium breaks out, everyone is talking over each other. Harry silences them all before he continues, "He is responsible for magic dying in the UK. Luckily, we are the only country affected but sadly there is nothing we can do to stop it. As the Minister said, you should all leave before you die." He floats the portrait towards the podium, his green eyes stare at Albus Dumbledore, "Tell me Albus, why did you break my bond?" Albus wants to leave but Kingsley hit him with an immobilizing and freezing spell. He puts on his best grandfatherly smile, his eyes are twinkling, "I did it for the greater good, my boy. Voldemort would have been able to use your bond and I could not take that chance. I did it to protect you."

Harry lets out a hollow laugh, "Protect me? Is that why you send me back to my abusive relatives every year? Is that why you had me under potions and spells to be your mindless drone?" Albus blanches, no no no. Harry wasn't supposed to find out. Molly, Ron and Ginny assured him he is still as oblivious as ever. Harry's eyes gleam with fire and he shows Albus his inheritance test. He takes utmost satisfaction when he sees him pale and suddenly he has an idea. He knows Albus will try and weasel his way out of this and come up with some lame excuse that everyone will ultimately buy. No, he will make sure the truth will be revealed. "I, Harry James Potter, wish for Albus Dumbledore to speak nothing but the truth." A white light settles over the portrait and Albus just knows he can't lie anymore. Harry has a lot of questions and doesn't know where to start. He watches the reporters and knows just what to ask, "Did you create Lord Voldemort?"