The Sun And The Moon T•M•R

Chapter 75

10 days earlier. 

"Padfoot you left the stove on again, you Knob!"

The window panes of the old 12 Grimmauld place rattled like marbles in a tin as the storm continued to brew outside. Trees bent and jerked like human arms thrashing not to drown, the wind wailed and rain thumped against the glass similar to bullet fire. 

Sirius Black rolled his eyes as he heard James's nagging from the kitchen. he was crouched in-front of an old TV set Lily had brought. fiddling with the loose knobs and wonky aerial trying to pick up a signal as the television sputtered out static and fuzzy images. 

Remus Lupin and Lily Potter sat behind him curled into the dated old sofa, a book balanced on Remus's bony knees. Lily had lost interest a chapter back, her sleepy eyes had drooped shut as he leaned heavily against his shoulder. 

"will ya quit your whining and hurry up! your gonna miss Rory on the Mena-vision!"

"Television Sirius. T-e-l-e-"

"yeah whatever Moony- oi look! I got it working!" Sirius beamed standing up giving a triumphant clap as the picture became clear, revealing a stern looking man in a even sterner looking suit stood behind a podium surrounded by cameras and microphones. 

James appeared in the doorway, his broad silhouette illuminated the doorframe as he leaned against it, crossing his arms and pushing up his glasses. his face was scrunched into a frown as he stared at the TV. it had been a week since the assassination of the Minister of Magic- Nobby Leech. The Ministry had been in shambles and both Sirius and James had been up to their ears in paperwork, meetings, accountings. But despite his hectic career, his 3 month baby with colic and his exhausted yet ever so lovely wife- he hadn't been able to forget the image of Aurora. lying on that ballroom floor, she'd looked so frightened, so pale and slender, like she hadn't been eating. He replayed her words thousands of times like a broken record.

"James you should leave! They're after you! They're after you and Lily!"

The four watched the televisions blurry image contort as the stern looking man announced the date of the funeral. there was a series of Aurors holding up their wands in respect, a boys choir singing hymns and a cello soloist performing the funeral march. The stern man came back on screen and began to read off of a scroll. 

"In times like these we mourn the loss of a brilliant man who even in death, was not prepared to leave his country without a strong and resilient leader. Minister Leech commanded in the likelihood of his death- during these dark uncharted times, plagued with beastly terrorist attacks and immoral criminal behaviour, that England could not stand to go without a honourable Minister. therefore in Memory of Minister Nobby Eugene Bartholomew Leech, I here by announce the beginning of Minister Tom Marvolo Riddle 's service as Minister of Magic. "

"I cant believe the aul snob actually got it" Sirius breathed, eyes glued to the screen as Tom appeared on stage. Sharply dressed, styled hair, a shiny Hogwarts pin on his tie. He smiled handsomely into the cameras shaking hands with officials as he approached the podium. 

"He doesn't look very mournful" Lily muttered.

"He just became the most powerful man in the country Lil's. No wonder he's got a skip in his step" Remus mused. 

"he just looks a bit... smug"

"Mhm"

"Riddle always looks smug- its those stupid dimples of his" Sirius grumbled.

They continued to watch the black and white shaky screen as Tom raised his right hand repeating after the head of the Advisory Office. "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of the Ministry of Magic, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the integrity of the Ministry of Magic, so help me God"