The Circle of Life: a Harry Potter Imagining
Copyright© 2014 by The Heartbreak Kid
Chapter 1: Retribution
Dolores Umbrage was eating her breakfast at six-thirty when there was a loud knock on the door. Although in itself this was an unusual event, it aroused no more than mild curiosity in the Ministry of Magic official.
"I wonder who that can be, Fluffy?" she said, addressing her enquiry to the large, grey, blue-eyed cat staring up at her hungrily from a ribbon-bedecked basket on the floor of the kitchen. She checked the spy hole built into the front door, before flicking her wand to open it. It was an unfamiliar, tall man with a beard, wearing the familiar garb of a Ministry Auror.
"Madam Umbrage," was all he uttered, as he handed her a rolled and sealed parchment, before returning to his sentry-like post outside the cottage door. Umbrage again gave a flick of her wrist to shut the door. She quickly unrolled the parchment and read its brief contents: Please report directly to the office of the Minister for Magic at eight o'clock this morning. Do not talk to anyone when you arrive.
Umbrage fed her cat, then dressed quickly before using the Floo Network to travel to the Ministry from her home, at one minute to eight.
Even Senior Undersecretary Umbrage would not enter the Minister's office unannounced, she therefore knocked twice.
"Enter," said a deeper than usual voice. Umbrage turned the handle and entered.
Good Morning, Minist—"
Before she could finish her sentence she had realised that it was Kingsley Shacklebolt who occupied the Minister's chair.
"Sit down, Dolores." By the tone of his voice, she knew that this was an order, not a polite request.
Dolores Umbrage stifled her urge to speak and sat, alert, in the seat across from the Minister. She became vaguely aware of the two large men who had positioned themselves just behind her.
"Voldermort is dead. He was slain while duelling with Harry Potter at Hogwarts School. Thicknesse has been arrested. I am now the Minister."
"Voldermort dead. Harry Potter—" were the only words that she spoke in reply. Dolores Umbrage did well to regain her composure.
"Er, congratulations, Minister," she responded politely, although her facial expression revealed the true extent of her anxiety.
"We are not here for idle chit-chat, Dolores," said the new Minister, solemnly. "You are here to answer for your crimes."
"C—Crimes, Minister," Umbrage blustered. "I have only ever acted in the best interests of the Ministry."