"I think she was pressured by Umbridge who took advantage of her husband's health," Harry replied. "Could I request that she get a fair hearing? If the Minister is concerned about what I think then make sure he understands I don't hold a grudge against Ms. Edgecombe if she truly was just a pawn to Umbridge. I'd really like her case to be carefully examined."
Amelia nodded and made a note. "Anything else Mr. Potter?"
"No, thank you."
When Harry returned to the group he nodded at Sirius who was still holding Isabelle. Sirius dabbed a couple of tears from Isabelle's face before speaking. "I think everything will be fine Isabelle. Just go in there and tell them what happened. Be honest and it'll work out."
"I asked Madam Bones to make sure you were treated fairly," Harry added. "What happened with Marietta shouldn't affect your hearing."
The witch looked at Harry for a few seconds before finally replying. "Thank you."
"We have to go," Sirius said. "It's been a long day and it's not over yet," He gave Isabelle another hug. "I really am sorry about Thomas. If you ever want to talk about it or just need someone to conjure a handkerchief for you, send an owl."
Isabelle Edgecombe swallowed and a faint smile appeared. "Who would ever have thought Sirius Black would be willing to listen to someone?"
"I spent too many years talking to myself," Sirius replied. "I might have learned the value of another person's voice."
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
Voldemort was sitting upon his throne-like chair waiting. He knew it was just a matter of time before Harry Potter himself would be kneeling before him begging for his life only to have it taken from him. It had been only a few minutes since Goyle had shown up and said they'd found Potter. He had said Yaxley had a plan to capture him while not drawing suspicion upon himself, all he needed was another Death Eater. Voldemort had sent Gibbon with Goyle. While he waited, he contemplated what he'd do with the body of the Boy-Who-Lived. "The fountain in the Ministry," He thought. "His body placed there to be found so the whole magical world will know there is no 'Chosen One' and no hope for them."
An hour passed and then another but still Voldemort did not worry. He knew Yaxley was one of his best inner circle members and must be using caution in executing his plan. It was after three hours that the door opened and a terrified young man entered. He was one of the younger recruits. A man whom Yaxley had recruited in his department just a few months previous. Voldemort had to think before his name came to mind. "Flint. Yes Marcus Flint."
"My Lord," The young man said as he dropped to a knee and bowed his head.
"What word do you bring?" Voldemort asked his Death Eater.
"It's Yaxley sir, he...he was captured," Flint replied as he kept staring at the floor. "His mark was found. The whole Auror department is in an uproar."
"And Goyle? Gibbon? What do you know of them?"
"Goyle is dead m'lord," The young man said. He was visibly shaking now. "Gibbon was captured."
"How?" Voldemort's voice was cold.
"They say Potter killed Goyle sir," Kneeling on the floor as he was, Marcus Flint only heard the angry hissing words of the Death Curse. He raised his eyes in surprise just in time to see the green light that stole his life. The body that his soul once inhabited fell silently to the floor.
As Voldemort stared at the lifeless form in front of him he grew more and more unsettled. He knew there was more to the prophecy about Potter. That was the whole reason for the events last week. But now, in the last week the boy had been directly responsible for the death or capture of fifteen Death Eaters including some of his most faithful servants. "Sixteen now," Voldemort corrected himself as he looked at the body lying on the floor. He started pacing as the anger left him to his cold thoughts. As the Dark Lord paced the hall, his mind wandered over the past week. He could still see the Boy-Who-Lived in front of him in the Ministry. Potter's words came back to him. "I knew you didn't have Sirius, so I came prepared. I didn't walk into a trap, THEY DID!" Voldemort had already suspected the boy had used their connection to discover the truth, but he was positive he'd shut down that connection. "Was that what happened this morning?" Voldemort asked himself. "Did he use our connection? Does he know my plans? Did he lead my people into another trap?" Something that hadn't occurred except in regards to Albus Dumbledore happened. Doubt flooded Voldemort's mind about Harry Potter.
Minutes turned to an hour and the Dark Lord still paced the room. He didn't even glance at the corpse that lay beside his throne. "I cannot risk another loss to Potter," He finally concluded. "I must discover his weakness," Voldemort walked over to the body lying on the floor and pulled back the sleeve that covered the cooling arm. He touched the red mark and sent his own magic into it. He then sat down and waited.
The first Death Eaters who arrived saw the body but made no reaction. No questions would be asked and no explanations given.
"Remove it," Was the only command given and Flint's body was hastened out of the room.
"Goyle is dead, Yaxley and Gibbon were captured," Voldemort told the gathered Death Eaters. "If they know of you, you are in jeopardy. Mask your marks."
"What of our plans for the west?"
"Yaxley and Gibbon didn't know of those," Voldemort replied but then hesitated. "What if Potter knows?" He thought for a few seconds before continuing "Are the Giants ready?"
"Yes m'lord."
"Then let them attack alone with none of you supporting them, day after tomorrow," The Dark Lord commanded. "If the Ministry is prepared, then I'll know it's Potter," He then turned to his followers. "As for Harry Potter, stop all searches for him. If you do see him, report to me, but do not attack him unless I command it. Is that clear?"
"Yes m'lord," echoed through the room.
When his Death Eaters were gone Voldemort still had an unsettled feeling that he was missing something. He checked his occlumency and made sure that his mental controls were in place, finally believing his thoughts were secured, he settled onto his throne to think things through.
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