Marauders - Always - Part One

The Appointed Minister

"The Minister for Magic, Harold Minchum, is dead. The Ministry for Magic has declared a state of emergency country-wide. Investigations are commencing to discover who has violated the safety and security of our Ministry. The Wizengamot are entering chambers this very afternoon to appoint a new Minister for Magic."

James stood beside Harold Underhill just a few feet from where Alastor Moody was leaning against a podium to make the announcement. He hid the fact he was standing on one leg with the podium, but it gave a haggard, lopsided effect to his standing. He clutched the sides of the podium with tight fists to stay steady.

"In addition to the Minister's death, we also must alert all wizarding families we have a known murderer on the loose." Moody paused, knowing the reactions that were to come the moment he continued. "The murderer, or at very least co-conspirator, Fenrir Greyback, is a known werewolf, a dangerous wizard --"

Gasps and shouts went up in the room, a general negative reaction to the name of Greyback and the word werewolf.

James's heart tightened with anxiety at the reactions.

"-- with dark intentions and is to be considered armed and dangerous. He ought not to be provoked or approached, but if he is seen we request that the Ministry be contacted immediately."

James glanced at McKenna Johnston and four other Aurors who had been involved in Battle upstairs, all in various states of wear and tear and knew that he, himself, did not have a much better appearance. He must look like absolute rubbish.

He could tell it in the way Lily was staring at him from across the room.

"The newly appointed Minister will be reaching out to the Muggle Prime Minister and the Royal Family to alert the muggle world of Greyback being a dangerous criminal as well."

Lily was clutching Sirius's shoulder, both standing in the entryway nearest the floos, watching the announcement. They had arrived only just before Moody's speech had begun, and had been staring at James with worry-filled expressions. He hadn't had a chance to go over to them yet, and only barely been able to acknowledge their presence. Lily's hands were clasped and he could see her mumbling something over and over and Sirius holding her back as they waited to approach James.

"The Wizengamot will select from amongst its own members a new official to lead us in the interim between now and such a time as an official election can be organized. In addition, the Wizengamot will preside over matters already scheduled in the docket, and the interim Minister shall make decisions until such a time as the new elected leader of the Wizarding World will be instated. In the mean time, we, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, will be hard at work to reconstruct and tighten security. We will hold a funeral and memorial for the late Minister in the week to come and share details in the owl post and the Daily Prophet as more details become available...
Thank you."

As Moody finished, two of the Aurors and Underhill moved forward quickly to support him away. James trotted quickly across the room as Lily ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck with a shout of relief.

"Oh my gods I was worried sick!" James grunted as she hit his bruised chest, and she gasped, "Oh no, you're hurt."

Sirius's eyes were over-wide. "Prongs?"

"I'll be alright," James promised, and he reached to pat Sirius's shoulder. "Who's with Spencer?"

"Remus. Annalee and Sean went to St. Mungo's and Remus came home, he knew we'd be feeling the tension - oh gods are you sure you're alright?"

James nodded, but he could tell Sirius would be pressing the question later.

"What happened?" Lily asked.