The Epilogue : Part I - The Shadow Army

CHAPTER SIX

The Almerick Sawbridge's Forest

The event of Harry Potter's last minute candidature made a tremendous reaction in the whole country among the British Magical community, as much as worldwide. The Daily Prophet, along with other newspapers, were forced to change their front page article at the last minute, and spent the night printing thousands of new copies to include the news. Few hours after the announcement, at midnight, the electoral race officially began and many people, young wizards for the most of them, went out to stick posters in Diagon Alley and support their candidate, causing some duels between different supporters' teams.

At dawn, Harry slowly woke up, still a bit blinded by the flashes few hours ago. His slowly noticed that Ginny wasn't next to her, so he remembered it was the day when all would go to Diagon Alley to purchase all school equipment for James, Albus and Lily. They also planned on meeting with Ron and Hermione and their two children, Rose and Hugo who just came back from their holiday in France.

Harry finally woke up and joined his family in the kitchen where they all were having breakfast.

"Good morning everyone!" exclaimed Harry when he entered the kitchen.

"Good morning Harry," answered Ginny enthusiastic. "Seems like people wants you as their next Minister."

She held him a pile of newspapers. Sceptic, Harry took the first one:

HARRY POTTER: THE NEXT MINISTER?

Many rumours have spread for some weeks now regarding Harry Potter's possible candidature, since he has been seen on many occasions discussing with Douglas Atkins. Indeed, the current Minister of Magic has, in a recently given interview, confessed thinking very highly of the Head of the Auror Office (full interview in n°1689379522 of the 19th of August). On the 24th of August, few hours before the closure of the application, Harry Potter has confirmed the rumours and declared himself candidate. It also should be noted that many personalities were present and immediately brought him their support. Among these personalities, Minerva McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Rohan Flourish and Aloysius Blotts, founders of the famous library chain and Babajide Akingbade, Surpreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.

At the Ministry, as well as in the entire British magical community, the news has raising enthusiasm and hope after the attacks perpetrated by a criminal organisation called the «Shadow Army», according to Mr Potter's last night press conference. During that conference, he also talked about (ctd page 11)

Satisfied, he putted the Daily Prophet aside and gave a look at the other newspapers. Most of them seemed to be written by the same hands and minds. He had a fair amount of laugh reading The Quibbler, an unusual journal directed by Luna Lovegood, a close friend of him.

At the bottom of the pile, Harry laid his hand on the last journal. When looked at this newspaper, he knew he wouldn't appreciate its contain: the front page was mainly a caricature which depicted a crowd of dumb–looking and brainwashed wizards bowing down before a grotesque man standing straight, with a huge lightening scar on his forehead. The journal said:

IS THE POTTER FAN–CLUB BACK?

Apparently, the surprise announcement of the candidature of Harry Potter, the half–blood wizard at the Head of the Auror Office, was apparently quite enough to reactivate a movement we thought and hoped to be gotten rid of: the Potter fan–club.

However, the predictable hysteria that surrounded this non-event won't fail to hide that Atkins's mandate, especially the first one, was a general failure. Indeed, many sensible wizards have been deeply shocked by the way the «Chosen One» had, with his muggle-born friend Hermione Granger, helped out of prison his other friend Ronald Weasley who, even if being a pure–blood wizard, was obviously guilty of the offence he was accused of. 'That Weasley is lucky to have friends in high places' hinted Mrs S. who works in the Ministry and wished to remain unnamed.