Not About Angels (A Tom Riddle Story)

Chapter 99

The Minister of Magic was dead. 

The next morning, the very foundation of the wizarding world was rocked as the Minister Magic died in his sleeping with no warning. 

Arnold Benard, the head Auror of defense, ruled his death as a result of his heart condition.   

"Mr. Benard, are you sure we shouldn't request another autopsy, this one-"

He put his hands up to stop the assistant auror. 

"Listen to what the doctor said. Heart attack. What more do you want? I feel as if our energy right now should be focused on preparing the affairs of his funeral and succession."  

"If you insist, sir."

"It's not what I insist. It's what procedure says, that's all." 

"Yes, sir."  

Benard let out a deep sigh as he drew the white cloth over the body before him. Once, the most powerful man in the wizarding world who controlled all. Now, a cold corpse ready to be buried after a gaudy, grandiose funeral.      

I'm sorry, sir. I....

"Benard?" A familiar voice called down the room.

"Gabriel! How are you?" He asked, seeing Gabriel walk into the autopsy room.

Gabriel shook his head. He didn't believe the news until he saw his grandfather's limp body, covered in white cloth, lying on a cold operating table.   

He lifted the cloth and saw the solemn yet kind face that once guided him through it all. The lines in that face were etched by frowns and smiles. Those warm smiles were reserved for Gabriel...

The only family he had on this earth.

The only person left on the earth who still somewhat cared about him...he was truly alone now. 

No more familiar smiles, no more pats on the shoulder, no more the warmly chiding words...

When Gabriel was a little boy, the minister promised him that one day, once he retired, he would buy a summer house overlooking a lake...he would take Gabrie

"H-how?" Gabriel asked, looking at Benard. "He was fine just yesterday...I spoke to him. He was fine!"

"Calm down, Gabriel. I can't imagine h-how you must feel right now. But he had a heart problem, as we all knew..." 

"Fuck. Fuck! Why? WHY!" Gabriel said, stumbling onto the floor, screaming in pain. Although they didn't live together, his grandfather was more of a father to him than Marvolo ever was. He didn't agree with all of the minister's ways, he was the single guiding figure in Gabriel's life... 

"Listen...listen to me, Gabe. People come and go. They...it happens to the best of us, and he was. He was the best leader we ever could have hoped for...but it happens. People get old, sick, and they die. Even your grandfather wasn't invincible." 

"WHY him? We need him...we all do..." Gabriel cried. "I don't believe it. He wasn't sick. His heart problem wasn't that serious. He was taking potions every day..."

"The autopsy already-"

"What if it's wrong?"

"It's not. The doctors already confirmed it."

"I don't fuckin' believe it. It's not right. This isn't how-how-it doesn't make sense...can you run another one?" 

"Well...it is what it is, Gabe. We've done all the tests we need to do and we've reached a conclusion that we're all sure of. He would have wanted you to find closure and move on, you know. I know this past year has been so difficult for you..."