Chapter Text
Prologue
17 March, 2009
Darkness Has Fallen
The dark wizard known as Lord Voldemort is dead. Eye witness reports say in a surprising turn of events, Voldemort's two highest ranked Death Eaters turned on him. It was first believed that Draco Malfoy, long time Death Eater and previously Voldemort's most feared killer, was making an attempt on the dark wizard's life in hopes to overthrow the regime and take power himself. However, Malfoy seems entirely uninterested in power whatsoever in the wake of Voldemort's death. We're led to believe that Malfoy was acting on behalf of his aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange (deceased) due to it being Lestrange that inflicted the first fatal blow. It was only after his aunt's inevitable death that Malfoy made sure the dark wizard was gone for good.
When a move for power would have been made, Malfoy made threats of death to his fellow Death Eaters should they choose to continue the tyranny Voldemort started. Most Death Eaters that were left alive at the end of the battle appeared to have only joined the ranks in a fail safe to stay alive. After giving up their masks and uniforms to renounce their lord and master, Malfoy burned the pile and used it to ignite Voldemort's body.
In the days since the fall of the dark wizard Voldemort, Malfoy has been seen as something of a hero; working inside the resistance with a group of alleged dead Harry Potter supporters as he kept them alive and safely hidden in secret. Which leaves us wondering, who is the real Draco Malfoy? How long was he fighting against Voldemort?
Malfoy has currently refused comment when contacted, but appears to be remaining at his home. A friend close to Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, was caught leaving Malfoy Manor and had this to offer:
“Draco has suffered a great loss of his aunt and would be appreciative to be left alone for this time as his family mourns and the wizarding world figures out how to get back on its feet. I only made myself accessible to you so that this information could be passed along. It's understandable that the world has questions, but the war is over. Voldemort's reign is over. Now is the time we should hold our loved ones more closely and move into a new world with grace. Holding that love we have for one another at the forefront. There's no denying that Bellatrix Lestrange was far from perfect, but she played a major role in bringing Voldemort to his end and that should not be overlooked. Nor should the love her family had for her be. You can never know who a person truly is on the inside; I think the same could be said of the simple, but charming shopkeeper many knew Tom Riddle to be before he renounced his father's name and became a man the world would come to fear. I believe in due time the answers to your questions will come, but for now perhaps it's best we all enjoy the light that love offers us and mourn those we've lost in our journey to get here. Thank you.”
While Malfoy's intentions are still unclear it seems safe to say that they don't include a dark magic helping him to rule over the nation. For the first time in over a decade it is safe for those in hiding to come out of the darkness that has kept them alive for so long. Rejoice, mourn, but most importantly, live.
Welcome to the new wizarding world.
19th March, 2009
Harry Potter Killed by Voldemort
Harry Potter, renowned nemesis of Lord Voldemort since he was no more than a baby, is amongst those who were killed during the Second Battle of Hogwarts. The castle in which Harry Potter found his place in the magical world would also end up being the place he would meet his end. In what started out as a duel between The Boy Who Lived and Voldemort, Harry Potter alerted a small, but fatal resistance group, trained by Draco Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange herself, into battle. The bigger crowd only played against Potter in this instance as Voldemort vowed to bring him to his death.
The killing curse struck true and Harry Potter was killed at the hand of the man who also took his parents and his wife from this world. Harry Potter, Katie Bell, and Dean Thomas are some of the few fighting for the resistance that died during the final battle. Harry leaves behind his in-laws, those left remaining of the Weasley family and several nieces and nephews by marriage. While Potter and his wife, the late Ginny Weasley, never had children of their own, his presence will undoubtedly be missed by many.
Harry Potter, first famous as a mere infant for stopping Lord Voldemort and earning him the affectionate title of The Boy Who Lived, was unable to see his twenty-ninth year of life. Even so, the life he had was filled with more than most should ever have to encounter. More death than one life should be filled with. Those who wish to pay respects to the man that Harry Potter was or just the Boy Who Lived are welcomed to do so.
The funeral of Harry Potter will take place on the 21st of March in Godric's Hallow. Remus and Nymphadora Lupin will be residing over the gathering before laying Harry Potter to rest beside James and Lily Potter. Remus Lupin encourages anyone and everyone who knew Harry and wishes to celebrate his life to come join them and speak about the true hero we lost in his battle to overcome evil. The celebration of Harry Potter's life will begin at 11 o'clock and will go until everyone who wishes to pay their respects has had the opportunity to do so.
For more information on those who've been lost during this war, please check the list at the back section of your paper. Lists updated daily to reflect any new information received on those whose whereabouts and status remain unknown.
22nd March, 2009
Hermione Granger Rises from the Dead
Hermione Granger, allegedly murdered by Draco Malfoy two years ago, appeared alive and well at Harry Potter's funeral. While many seemed unsurprised to see Hermione Granger alive and well, albeit with darker hair, there were several others that saw her presence as a woman come back from the dead. Even death couldn't keep Granger from paying respects to her fallen best friend.
We met up with Granger as she left the funeral for this exclusive interview from Hannah Abbott.
HA: Where have you been hiding?
HG: I haven't really been hiding. I've been living pretty plainly in sight, just under an alias.
HA: Is that the reason for the darker hair?
Hermione seems to think this question is funny. Perhaps it seems frivolous given the state of our world.
HG: Yes, that's why my hair is darkened.
HA: So, if you've been living in plain sight, what exactly have you been doing? Were you present at the Second Battle of Hogwarts that would result in the death of your best friend?
Hermione pauses to think about how to answer.
HG: Yes, I was present at the battle. I saw Harry die along with many others. It was a risk we were all aware of when the plan was brought up to Harry.
HA: Are you implying that Harry Potter coming to Hogwarts again was your plan?
HG: In part, I suppose it was.
HA: How has someone of your blood status managed to stay alive even under the guise of an alias in the previous climate of rule?
HG: I guess you could say I have allies in very high places.
HA: Who are these allies, and how exactly were they able to keep you out of harm's way?
HG: Well, I suppose it's all bound to come out sooner or later.
She pauses for a moment.
HG: Draco Malfoy.
HA: Draco Malfoy? The Death Eater accused of murdering you has been the one keeping you alive? Have you been some sort of prisoner of his?
Hermione immediately looks annoyed.
HG: No he hasn't been keeping me prisoner. I am his wife. How the hell do you think all the alleged victims of “Mrs. Malfoy” were kept alive until the battle. I'm Mrs. Malfoy.
HA: Mrs. Malfoy was reported to be Astoria Greengrass.
HG: Yes, well unfortunately the real Astoria Greengrass died some time ago. I took on her identity as my alias. You'll find all records of Draco's marriage to "Astoria" say Hermione Granger on them.
HA: Astoria Greengrass was also reported to be a Death Eater.
Hermione holds out her left arm and pulls up her sleeve. The visible scarring of the word ‘Mudblood’ is visible behind a beige looking faded Dark Mark.
HG: I did what was needed to be done to keep my husband and our family safe, as well as trying to bring this war to an end. I could hide the mark in shame, but I'm proud of what I accomplished. I infiltrated the Death Eaters so that we could live in a world of equality not just among blood status of wizarding kind, but throughout the magical community as a whole. It's my resilience that kept me alive and it will be that same resilience that helps me rebuild a better ministry.
HA: Are you saying you hope to become Minister for Magic if the ministry reopens?
HG: That's exactly what I'm saying.
You heard it here first; Hermione Granger plans to be the next Minister for Magic. Talks of the ministry getting back on their feet started soon after word spread of Voldemort's demise, though as of yet nothing has come to fruition. I think we can all agree that we'll be excited to see what Hermione Granger makes of building a new ministry.
8th April, 2009
Draco Malfoy Arrested
In the early hours of the morning, Draco Malfoy, former Death Eater and known murderer, was brought into custody by the newly reformed Department of Magical Law Enforcement. While the Ministry of Magic hasn't even began its reform or rebuild, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement wasted no time coming together under Zacharias Smith.
While no laws can be formed or therefore properly enforced without the ministry backing, there are several people who still wish to see punishment for Death Eaters who've renounced their ways. Draco Malfoy being a prominent figure in the minds of those who feel justice hasn't been served.
While many are calling the Department of Magical Law Enforcement an out of control vigilante group, there are still those who support their ways. Without a prison now that the Dementors have long since abandoned their posts at Azkaban, Draco Malfoy is being held in an indestructible cell within a muggle prison that was still left standing in London.
Malfoy, who put up no fight as his home was bombarded with unlicensed aurors, is said to be facing execution for his crimes. The Lupins, along with many others, have already took a stand in support of Malfoy. Hermione Granger, wife of Draco Malfoy and contender for Minister for Magic, was less calm about the matter. Even threatening banishment from the country for all involved in her husband's unlawful imprisonment or worse should she be the next Minister for Magic.
It doesn't look good for Zacharias Smith and his vigilantes as Granger is currently leading by unsurmountable numbers against the two others hoping to make their impact on the wizarding world as minister. Not to mention the surprising following Malfoy has in his favor. An execution of someone who has been practically invisible since killing Lord Voldemort when hundreds have already been seen rallying in protest outside the prison would only result in Zacharias Smith's immediate shunning.
We'll be following this story as more details continue to present themselves. For more information on the ministry and its rebirth, see page 10.
12th April, 2009
Draco Malfoy Granted Fair Trial
In only four days, Hermione Granger has gotten the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to agree to give Draco Malfoy a fair trial. By all accounts to those in favor of Malfoy being set free, this is as good as a confirmed release date from prison. Granger has reportedly been working tirelessly building the defense for Malfoy and when character witnesses like those of the Lupins are listed among many others it seems impossible that Zacharias Smith will get the execution he's so set on.
Draco Malfoy’s trial is set to be held in two weeks time. There has been a maximum amount of one hundred people allowed within the trial, but a source close to Granger has said anyone who wants to come in support of Malfoy is welcome to gather outside without harassment from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Daily Prophet reporters have been granted access to the trial and will be reporting fully should anyone who wants to witness it not be able to attend. For more information on Draco Malfoy’s imprisonment see page 7.
18th May, 2009
Draco Malfoy: How I Got Here
An Exclusive Interview with Draco Malfoy a month after his imprisonment shocked the wizarding world; by Hannah Abbott
Draco Malfoy is the perfect statue of a man. He has been that way for as long as I've known him, though admittedly more unpleasant while we were in school together. He sits down and immediately apologizes for the delay and his behavior as a teenager. This is not the man fueled by hate we were all led to believe he was. Draco Malfoy cares, quite deeply from what I've seen of him. Cares about our world, what his reputation will do to affect his children in the future, about the spread of knowledge, but above all else his wife. Hermione Granger sits with us at first, stroking his hair comfortingly before he gives her a soft kiss and she departs.
DM: Shall we?
He doesn't seem nervous, per se, more uncomfortable speaking about himself.
HA: You've always been somewhat of a mystery to a lot of us and you've seemed to like it best that way. What would you say inspired you to do this interview?
DM: Hermione.
He smiles slightly, but doesn't elaborate.
HA: That's all?
DM: Mostly. Hermione asked me to do it, I believe as a favor to you. What my wife wants, my wife gets.
HA: I suppose I owe her a bigger thank you then. Speaking of your wife, how is it that someone in a pureblood supremacy group ends up married to a muggle-born?
Draco heaves a deep breath. He doesn't look angry with the question, but his grey eyes darken noticeably at the question.
DM: Well, I suppose it started when I technically had Hermione captive at my house. I confided in her that I wanted to bring down Voldemort, but I was being forced to marry and make sure more pureblood babies carried on the bloodlines I come from.
HA: You held Hermione captive?
DM: Yes, with blood magic.
HA: Yet she agreed to marry you?
DM: It was sort of her idea. The marriage itself was meant to be more of a sham than anything else. Just a way for me to fulfill my Death Eater duties while she helped me with how to end Voldemort's reign.
HA: It obviously didn't stay a sham. Anyone can see that after spending two seconds around the two of you in a room together.
Draco smiles, wider this time. A genuinely happy smile as if his marriage to Hermione was truly his greatest achievement.
DM: No, it did not. I had been ignoring genuine feelings for Hermione for years. Being fake married only made those very real feelings come to the forefront. But I never pressured her into returning them; I knew how she felt about her first husband and the difficulties that would present themselves given I caused his death.
HA: Let's talk about that for a minute.
DM: Do we have to?
HA: We don't have to talk about anything you don't want to talk about, but it could be important.
Draco contemplates before answering.
DM: What would you like to know?
HA: How did Fred Weasley die?
DM: Wow, jumping right into it.
HA: That's my job.
DM: I lost my temper and in turn lost control of the legilimency I preformed on him. I basically melted his mind.
HA: Do you feel like his death burdens you the most out of the people you've killed.
Those grey eyes darken again.
DM: It does weigh on me heavier than most.
HA: How has that affected your relationship with Hermione?
DM: It hasn't really. Hermione knows I regret it happening. Our relationship was built on more than just the fact that I unintentionally killed her first husband.
He takes a moment to clear his throat and take a sip from his tea.
HA: I think it's probably safe to move on from that subject. We know blood supremacy isn't really something you believe in, but walk us through how you got to that conclusion, given your upbringing.
DM: I think it becomes hard to believe in any type of supremacy when you watch the world crumble around you. I grew up being taught that Malfoys were better than the rest of the world; purebloods included. Yet for some reason we were to follow another man's line of thinking. Do another man's bidding. The older I got the less that lined up to me. I won't lie and say that Hermione just existing didn't have a lot to do with that as well.
HA: Is it true that you jumped in front of a killing curse to save Hermione's life?
DM: I would do that and more to save Hermione's life, but yes those rumors are true.
HA: The curse didn't actually make impact then?
DM: It did. The trouble with the killing curse is you need a lot of power as well as wanting to kill someone. Once Voldemort's split up soul was destroyed, there was barely any strength left within the piece still within his body.
HA: You’re saying you survived the killing curse?
DM: I think of it more as if that curse had hit anyone they would have survived, but how was I to know that until it happened.
HA: Sorry, I just find it hard to believe you survived the killing curse within the same battle that Harry Potter was killed by it.
DM: I've got the scar and Hermione has the memories to prove it.
Interview continued on pages 4-6. For the complete insight into Draco Malfoy's life, Hannah Abbott's book under the same title is slated for debut later this year.
7th September, 2009
Hogwarts Will Remain Closed
After many failed attempts from witches and wizards of varying backgrounds, the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts remains unbreachable. While the school has been opened before with the Headmaster's office being locked to the Headmaster at the time; with all the damage that had been done to the school most feel uncomfortable working or sending their children to a place that doesn't trust its own Headmaster.
Beauxbatons Academy of Magic is back open and running for those wishing to give their children a formal education, but currently remains the only school open within the area. Durmstrang Institute is scheduled to be opened at the start of the next school year.
With so many of our old ways being rebuilt to sustain in our new world it is a reminder of just how far we've come in just a few months after Voldemort's death. It almost seemed inevitable that Hogwarts would reopen. Given the situation, it seems that Hogwarts will remain closed indefinitely.
For information on enrollment for Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang Institute see the back page.
24th October, 2012
New Minister, New MoM, New Wizarding World
After three years of rebuilding, rebranding, and restructuring, the new and improved Ministry of Magic is open and running. Nymphadora Lupin takes over as the head of Magical Law Enforcement, putting a much needed end to Zacharias Smith's career within the ministry. Theodore Nott, one of the rehabilitated Death Eaters to come out of the war, will be coming into the ministry as head of International Magical Cooperation. Some of the other department heads include Angelina Weasley for Magical Games and Sports; Rolf Scamander for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures; Susan Bones for Magical Accidents and Catastrophes; and Parvati Patil for Magical Transportation.
What everyone seems to be most excited about is the newly appointed minister. Hermione Granger-Malfoy may have seemed like a shoo-in as Minister for Magic, but she tirelessly fought and worked to get there. While majority of the ministry's rebuild and restructure is thanks to that extensive Malfoy wealth, there was nothing definitive about Granger-Malfoy getting the coveted seat as minister. Granger-Malfoy is outspoken on her views of equality and justice and is just the change the ministry needs to navigate through a post-Voldemort world.
While her husband, Draco Malfoy, remains mostly absent from the spotlight and has turned down many positions offered to him within the ministry; we will inevitably see more of him as his wife takes on her new leadership role. It is only with the support of Granger-Malfoy that so many of the new department heads within the ministry even came forward to make the new ministry a place we can all be proud of again. Grand opening of the new Ministry of Magic will take place on Halloween, proceeding a masquerade ball and feast the minister herself has planned in a show of unity and camaraderie to the people.
2nd February, 2015
Hogwarts Has Found a Headmaster
After seventeen years, Hogwarts will once again open its doors to students on the 1st of September 2016. In one of the many charity acts from Blaise Zabini-Nott and Draco Malfoy where the friends pay and help rebuild magical places lost or damaged by Voldemort's reign; the pair took on Hogwarts just after the new year. Hogwarts castle has been abandoned the last six years after the failed attempts to find a new Headmaster were rejected by the school.
The castle, still overturned and damaged from when Voldemort was using it as his home and main Death Eater base, has only gotten more decrepit as the years have ticked by. Malfoy and Zabini-Nott made it their mission to give Hogwarts the TLC it would need to return to the castle it once was when it played home to many during their school terms. They worked mostly alone to get the outside rubble cleared and the castle looking sturdy again before taking their work inside.
Zabini-Nott, who has become notorious for his masterful painting refurbishments, naturally took to the many, many portraits first. Malfoy, however, worked on clearing the rooms; making the castle look like the school it was intended to be rather than the post-war crime scene it's been. Perhaps it was the fact that Draco Malfoy has seemed set in not taking on any jobs and only filling his time as a father and these one off charity works that typically aren't even being requested of him. Or perhaps it was the care Malfoy was pouring back into the school without any hope of reward or really recognition that slowly brought Hogwarts back to life. Only the castle truly knows why it sprung to life when Malfoy reached the Headmaster's office.
Our source at the ministry says that Malfoy will spend the next year and a half preparing the school to be reopened as well as staffing the castle once more with a new generation of professors who share his same love of knowledge and passion for passing that knowledge down through the ages. It was almost as if Malfoy was waiting for Hogwarts just as much as Hogwarts was waiting for him.
For inquiries about applying, see page 9.