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Chapter 10: Uncovering the Conspiracy
The Candidate Talks were probably the most important speeches for the road to Minister of Magic. As far as Percy Weasley was concerned, he was born for this day. All the Hogwarts classes, the O.W.L.s, the N.E.W.T.s, the reports on Cauldron Thickness, the work in the Ministry, today would be the day when all climaxed. OK, there had been set backs such as the death of Bartemius Crouch Sr. 7 years ago and the recent death of Phoebe Tomans, but all of that would be in the past soon.
Percy glanced at Draco Malfoy. Malfoy was a nervous wreck. He was visibly shaking and his speaking was erratic. Percy grinned: this was going to be so easy.
* * * * * * * * * *
McNeil scanned Malfoy. It was clear how much nervous he was. There was no way that Malfoy would be able to compose himself for the speech. That meant that it was up to his organization to make him Minister of Magic. He glanced up at the Dark Wizard at the back of the crowd who was disguised as Harry Potter. He was supposed to fire the killing curse at Percy when he went up to the podium to make his speech. Percy Weasley would be dead, leaving Draco Malfoy as the sole candidate. And Harry Potter would be blamed for the assassination.
Beads of sweat fell down McNeil's forehead as the an announcement was made, "And now I ask our first candidate, Percy Weasley, Head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation, to come up and make his speech.
* * * * * * * * * *
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, and Remus landed in front of the Auditorium and made a mad dash for the entrance. An enforcement wizard stepped forward and blocked their path.
"I'm sorry sirs, but only authorized personel are…"
"Get out of the way, Andrews! Or I'll have you fired!" yelled Sirius. Recognizing the Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, in other words his boss, the enforcer stepped out of the way. The company dashed into the auditorium just as Percy started to make his speech. 'Probably something on cauldron thickness,' thought Ron. He then caught sight of a wizard identical to Harry pointing a wand at Percy from the back of the crowd!
Ron made a dash for the podium where Percy was making his speech. The crowds started scattering as the auror made his way to his brother whom was oblivious to the company who had just barged in.
Ron yelled "PERCY!" and dived forward just as a voice rang out "AVADA KEDAVRA!" Ron knocked Percy down just as the green light of the killing curse flew over their heads!
Startled, Percy stared into the grinning face of his younger brother.
"Hiya Perce, old pal!"
"Ron? What are you doing here?!"
Sirius caught sight of McNeil and shouted, "Arrest him!" Needless to say, all of the aurors and enforcers were confused. But Harry knew precisely what to do and ran toward McNeil. Realizing that he was done for, McNeil tried to fight his way out.
"Stupefy!" Harry ducked the stunner and shouted "Expelliarmus!" McNeil was blasted backwards while his wand flew into Harry's outstretched hand. He slumped down to the floor, unconscious. Meanwhile, Remus was rounding up all of the remaining dark wizards with the help of the aurors whom had figured out what was happening. Amidst all the confusion, Draco Malfoy had fainted in terror.
The imposter 'Harry' was about to make a break for it when Hermione ran up to him and yelled "Stupefy!" The imposter fell unconscious. Hermione recognized the imposter as the same 'Harry' whom had broken her out of Azkaban. She pointed his wand at him and said "Finite Incantatem." The polyjuice potion wore away to reveal auror Sam Locks.
In this way, the conspiracy of the coded parchment was resolved.
* * * * * * * * * *
A few weeks later, not much seemed to have changed though things had. Percy was now Minister of Magic, and Sirius was the new Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Minerva McGonagall was teaching transfiguration at Hogwarts again until a new professor could be found.
Hermione Granger was waiting at a table in the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. After a few minutes, Harry Potter made his way to the table carrying two tankards of butterbeer.
"Hey," she said with a smile.
"Hey. I read your article on the conspiracy in the Daily Prophet. Top notch material, I'm sure you'll get some prize for that."
"Thanks. How's Ron doing?"
Harry grinned and pointed toward the bar. Hermione caught sight of Ron hitting on a beautiful, sophisticated looking brunette. She was flirting back.
Hermione grinned. "He sure gets over pretty fast, doesn't he?"
"Yeah, its probably a good thing. I wouldn't want him feeling broken hearted over Natalie Robyns for a long time."
"So, is there anything exciting going on in the Department of Mysteries?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. I've got two weeks off and I was planning a vacation to Bermuda. Want to come with me?"
"You bet, Potter."
Harry grinned as he and Hermione kissed passionately in the middle of the pub.
THE END
A/N Well, that's the end of this story. I hope all of you loved it; I know I did. A special thank you to all of my reviewers: you guys rock! I hope that everybody continues reading my story. And also, remember that the first chapter to the sequel of The Mage Knights will be up in a few hours. Thank you for reading my story!
E. C. R. Potter