The Potter Chronicles

Chapter 33: The traitor

The reporter smiled at the camera, gave her best confident look as she delivered the news, but deep inside she was as terrified and confused as the rest of the people of Britain.

"The curfew starts from tonight 8:00 pm. All people are advised to stay in their homes. The Ministry has authorized Aurors to use strict force against anyone found outside their homes, forming mobs, or causing social disruption. The period of curfew has yet been laid indefinite."

"Experts are suggesting this to be one of the biggest governmental curfews in Wizard history. Stastical analysis expert Joe Turner says that we might be seeing repercussions of the curfew on the trade and commerce in United Kingdoms, as well as on the International Wizard Stock Market. Also all television signals are being blocked by the Ministry for the curfew, so these are the last evening news broadcast until the curfew ends. Till then, stay safe! This is Susan Reed, BBC Wizard, signing off."

The channel showed a "NO SIGNAL" sign. All through the United Kingdoms, the curfew was beginning.

***************

The scenario at the Ministry was nothing less than chaotic. The huge Ministry clock showed a countdown of thirty minutes to the Ministry shutdown. Employees were rushing out of their offices, grabbing their briefcases bursting with papers, and going to the nearest exit point.

After the second Wizard war, the Ministry had seen large changes in its infrastructure. It had expanded deep below the London city. Instead of a couple of trashy phone booths as entry and exit points, the new infrastructure had numerous exit points in the deserted streets of London. There was a Floo Network Junction in the Ministry provided for transportation of commuting wizards.

Needless to say, today the Floo Network Junction was chock full with Ministry employees. There were long winding files of wizards at the exit points, anxious to get out of the Ministry and head home. Soon the Ministry would be a deserted ghost-town. But someone else had different plans for it...

All around the seventh floor balconies, Wizassins were perched, maintaining an eagle eye on the goings-on of the Ministry. The Mistress would be arriving soon, and they wanted everything to be perfect when she arrived.

*************

Jake Pokerface slammed down the Talker machine. He and Neville were sitting in his Minister of magic's office. Both had their Talker Machines with them and were busy trying to contact the Aurors. Sadly, they didn't know that the entire Auror force of United Kingdoms was lying in deep sleeping charms on the island of Azkaban.

"Where the hell is Oliver Wood? I can't understand why am I not able to reach A SINGLE GODDAMN AUROR!" Pokerface said, finally losing his calm.

"Don't worry, they'll show up" Neville said, trying to sound convincing.

"Show up when? We're in a curfew for God's sake. How are we going to cope up without the Aurors?" Pokerface said.

Neville got up and studied the giant map of UK on the wall. He stuck pins at three different places.

"According to our sources, these are the most riot sensitive places in the United Kingdoms. We have to dispatch Aurors there soon or the situation will go from bad to worse" Neville said.

"And how do you suggest we do that?" Pokerface asked.

As much as Neville hated to say it, he spoke it. "No idea."

Pokerface sat with his hands in his heads for some time, then called his secretary, Jade Hartnell from her cubicle outside the office.

Jade entered the office, donned in her bright makeup and ever-shortening skirt. Neville looked at her.