Magical Might

Artemis entered the atrium, excited to be envited to such a memorable event. She took a glass of wine and sipped it delicately. She hadn't really done a whole lot since inheriting Honeydukes, so it felt good to get out, perhaps meet a few people. She glanced around the room casually, sipping her wine and taking in the splendor of the decorations.

Teddy thought it wasn't too bad he had to work during the event. He still got to attend it, he only had to make sure everyone was safe. As always, during events as big as these. With so many people, you couldn't just assume nothing would happen. Ever since the war, even if it was over now, people have been suspicious. It's not strange though, Teddy rationalized. If he had been there during the war, old enough to remember things, then he would feel the same way. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the wall, he had been assigned to watch the back entrance and the fire places signed twenty-two till thirty-nine.

He was wearing his auror robes, but he also put on one of his best ties, just to fit in if he had to. Then he'd only need to shrug out of his outer robes, and no one would assume that he even was an auror. His young appearance and ability to shape-shift and change the color of his hair and eyes was helping him with this as well. At times like these Teddy loved that he was a metamorphmagus.

The smell of food was making the former Hufflepuff hungry, but he could hardly eat while on duty. No he'd wait, till there were at least numerous people, and then he'd quickly slip off to the dinner table, fetch something to eat and then quickly go back to his assigned spot. No one would even notice. He ran a hand through his brown coloured hair, he preferred blue himself but while on duty, he was supposed to keep it down. Patiently he waited for more guests to arrive, glancing at all the people who entered the atrium.

Ginny sucked in a breath as she entered the room, smiling slightly at the decorations, pleased to see the rather delicious looking display of food along one side of the room, mentally scolding herself to wait until more people had arrived. She didn't want to be the first one to start pigging out on food. Instead she gravitated to the wine, picking herself a glass and turning her attention back to the room. She had barely had time to get home after work to change and was feeling slightly more tired than she would've liked.

She caught a glimpse of Teddy and smiled, waving cheerfully, unsure if she could greet him while he was on duty. She could always greet him when there were more people bustling about, no doubt he'd want some food bringing to him. Especially when it was all there, looking so divine and smelling so wonderful.

Brushing down her deep blue dress, she greeted another woman who was nearby, blonde hair decorated with blue. It seemed it wouldn't be stange behaviour for her to pick up a wine glass straight away.

Ron looked around the room, his stomach growling for the fifth time. Why must they put him on duty in a place with endless amount of food? He swore it was to torture him in some way. All the different types were calling for him to just to reach out and stuff him face, but no. Aurors are not supposed to get distracted, what's the worse thing that could happen? Well, death eaters could raid the place and start killing people, but that's about it.

He got out of his daze, and realized people were starting to wonder why he was staring at the chicken with an admiring look. He ran his fingers through his hair, looking around the crowd for familiar faces. He noticed Teddy was on duty as well, and his sister was there. She was probably invited, as every known person in the Wizard world.

He was now thinking of a way to get Teddy's attention. He coughed a few times, smiling sheepishly at the guests that were near him. He then mouthed 'Bored, mate?' to Teddy, hoping his coughing got his attention.

Any sound of Alisson apparating into the busy atrium was drowned out by the chatter of the large crowd that filled the vast hall. She smiled wryly; this reminded her of the great hall back in Hogwarts. When adults had a party, it could turn out just as wildly as any teenager's party after a good Quidditch match- especially if their team won. She shook her head at the memory of one party in the Ravenclaw common room in her sixth year. That one was one of the more memorable ones. Letting out a deep sigh, Alisson let her thoughts wander back up the country to Hogwarts. She wondered how Professor McGonagall was holding up. The Scottish woman had decided not to come but look after the students and the castle instead. Alisson pursed her lips; sometimes she thought that her old Professor worked herself too hard. Common knowledge dictated that Minerva McGonagall wasn't the largest fan of parties, but then again Alisson wasn't either and here she was. She supposed it was the loyalty to the school that McGonagall had wanted to stay in Scotland.

She sighed. The headmistress specifically wanted the staff that had decided to come have fun, but Alisson didn't really know how to do that in the current situation. She had come alone, and as far as she could see, there were no fellow Professors present among the mass of people and standing alone in the corner of the atrium could hardly count as 'fun'. Alisson spotted a nearby drinks table laden with wine, firewhiskey, butterbeer and other exotic things she didn't recognize. Merlin, I have to get out of the castle more... She thought. Walking over to said table, she took a bottle of butterbeer and popped the cap. It wasn't that late into the night, and she figured being wasted now wouldn't be very wise. Only out of experience did she know that her tolerance for alcohol was depressingly low.

Spotting two women chatting nearby, she made her way towards them. Maybe they'd talk a bit and she wouldn't feel like such a loner. Alisson noticed that one of them held a wine glass in her hand. That woman had light blue hair. The other woman had a shock of bright red hair, and she wouldn't have beens surprised if she was a Weasley. They were famous for their red hair. Upon noticing the blue woman's wine glass, Alisson felt immediately childish for holding a child's drink.

Pansy had been thrilled for the invite to the event being held at the Ministry of Magic. She had at first been unsure if she would be able to attend, but she had managed a substitute teacher to fill in her class. She had almost decided not to attend at all, however she ended up deciding that she would after she found the perfect dress to wear. When she finally arrived, the atrium was bustling with movement and she looked around for somebody whom she recognized. To speak to somebody who she knew would probably make the evening a little more interesting. Even more so would be to meet someone new.

Moving further into the room, she almost scolded herself for immediately looking for the food table. She would have if she hadn't reminded herself that she was out, which meant she was allowed to have a good time. Which of course, included food for Pansy. Maybe a drink or two. Still, she decided to wait a little longer before she actually did anything. Walking over to a nearby person in the hope to begin a conversation, and said a polite, "Hello."

Steven glanced down at his pocketwatch, wondering how long it would take Senior Splendor to arrive. He had decided that he would only stay the minimum amount of time so as to be polite, then he would depart. His father-in-law had taken ill that morning and Steven's wife, Katrina, was attending to him. Steven had wanted to join her, but this party was something he found it hard to get out of so he had said he would meet up with her later that evening. He sighed, and took an idle sip of wine, glancing around the room.

Over by the wall, a couple of aurors were conversing. One, Steven recognised him as Ronald Weasley, was eyeing the food rather a lot. The other didn't ring any bells with Steven at all. He scanned the rest of the room, his eyes alighting an Ginny Weasley, then on a woman with strange, blue hair. He raised an eyebrow at this, wondering what on earth the girl thought she looked like. Probably some strange, muggle fashion.

He turned away, snatching another quick glance at his watch. Really, time seemed to be dragging on. Perhaps it would be better if Steven just left early...

"Hello," said a voice, making him turn. A woman in a yellow dress was speaking to him. He recognised her as Pansy Parkinson, but had never spoken to her at length.

Offering a thin smile, Steven said, "Good evening."

Artemis turned to chat with the two women but before she could the Senior Splendor arrived. He began to speak and she listen to his drone, but her eyes snapped open when the lights went out. When they came back on, her throat felt dry. She blinked heavily.

"Oh my gosh" She whispered. feeling faint. She eyed the room, wondering who was on duty during the event.

Astoria had been one of the first to arive. She immediatly had started to mingle amongs everyone, being married to Draco Malfoy it was expected of her. The one thing she did not expect to happen was Senior Splendor dying. Yet, when the lights turned out she knew something was wrong. Glancing over to where he lied on the floor Astoria stared in shock, repressing a scream. The only thing she could think to do was to leave, but when she tried Apparating, nothing happened.

"Whats happening?" she asked turning to the person nearest to her.

Kingsley had taken a back seat for the party, he hadnt been feeling right for days so he couldn't bring himself to be in the partying mood. As the lights flickered out his wand automatically appeared in his hand. Years of being a senior auror always had him prepared to fight at a seconds notice.

"SEAL THE DOORS, NO ONE LEAVE AND NO ONE ENTERS. WE HAVE A MURDER ON OUR HANDS!" He shouted pushing his way through the crowd and onto the stage where Splender lay dead. "Aurors, man the doors if anyone tries to leave stun them and they will be the first to be questioned." He said analysing the scene to work out where the killer came from.

"No one is to move unless given permission, to do so you will be breaking the law." He said checking the angles.

Alisson pursed her lips. Apparently this man had been something important to the ministry- she didn't know. The moment his mouth opened and noise began to fill out, she had a sudden feeling of nostalgia from Hogwarts. Honestly, the tubby man standing in front of the atrium should have a competition with Professor Binns for most droning voice. He couldn't really speak coherently anyway, and Alisson tuned out and stared mindlessly into her drink, pretending at least to be slightly interested.

Suddenly the lights went out. She blinked a few times, trying to orientate herself. What was happening? She knew she should've been paying attention to Tubby. There was a squeal and a flash of green light, then the lights flickered back on. Alisson squinted at the sudden brightness of the room, shaking her head. She noticed the hall had broke out into inaudible mumbles and murmurs, and then heard the minister for magic roar above the crowd.

"SEAL THE DOORS, NO ONE LEAVE AND NO ONE ENTERS. WE HAVE A MURDER ON OUR HANDS!"

Alisson's head whipped around to see Tubby lying on the floor, dead. She barely managed to contain her gasp of shock. She turned her head just as quickly to the two women next to her. She heard the woman with blue hair say something so she looked at her. "What do you think happened?" She hissed.

Ginny put on her best faked-interested look as the man began to talk, turning from the two women who were stood with her and wondering how long the speach would last for while sipping on her wine, pleased she thought of picking up a drink when she arrived. She had a feeling she'd need it. It was fairly obvious not many people were finding his speach particularly interesting, but it was only polite to pretend to pay attention. Afterall, he was very important or something. She imagined the speach would've been more pleasant if he sped it up a little.

As the lights flickered and died Ginny started to panic, glancing around the room and shifting slightly, eyes not used to the darkness. As a green light shot through the room, making her even more disorientated, she felt sick to her stomach, panic rising, refusing to think about what was happening. As the lights came back on, and she saw the man dead on the stage, she clasped a hand to her mouth, letting out a strangled whimper.

She checked the area where she saw Teddy first, glancing over to make sure he was still there, turning to search the sea of people for her brother, who she knew was on duty, spotting him and breathing a sigh of relief. At least they were alright for the moment. When Shacklebolt started speaking, she listened to his words carefully, turning to the woman next to her as he stopped, though her words seemed directed at their blue haired companion.

"I have no idea," she said, sucking in a breath and focing herself to remain calm. "I'm sure once they find out they'll tell us. We just have to stay here and keep calm," Ginny nodded at her own words. She looked about the room, spotting a few people who looked familiar, biting her lip nervously. There was nothing worse than being trapped without knowing what was going on.

She'd come to this event as a surprise, having wanted to keep it a secret from her fiance at the very least. She'd told no one she was selected as a healer (from her previous St. Mungo's Apprenticeship) for the event should anything happen. Her backless dress caused her back to shimmer elegantly, pale and smooth. She took a sip of the tea there and smiled pleasantly.

Victoire clapped when Senior Splendor, the main event of the party, entered the Atrium. She felt terribly drowsy as she listened in on him though. He paused so often it just made her plain tired even if his words should be interesting. She was reminded of History of Magic, but she kept her mouth shut and tried not to dose off.

Then the lights flickered off and she jumped, startled, looking around immediately as screams filled the air and she spotted the Splendor man, dead. The Minister was shouting to close the doors and prevent exits. She stayed back, her Healer badge that she'd been given for the event dangling around her collar. She knew the man was dead already, having seen the green light. There was nothing she could do.

Instead, Victoire walked over to Teddy Lupin and wondered if he could tell what was going on.

Draco had not been wanting to go to the party at the Ministry for Magic, but he had no choice. Ever since the war, he and his family had to do everything to keep the Malfoy name up in the stands. There wasn't much left for them after the war, but they were building it now. Draco had a job, a son, and no murders, crimes or other havoc on his name; and he was planning on keeping it that way. And if that meant he had to attend Ministry parties now and then, then that was what he would do. Draco suspected the Ministry of only inviting him to make sure that he was still on the right path, but as he was not sure of that theory, he kept it to himself.

He arrived a tad later than his wife, as she had gone ahead. When he entered, he wanted to find her, but just as he went to make his way through the sea of people he really didn't want to talk to, the lights on the stage turned on and Senior Slendrom, or something similar, Draco had not been paying attention while reading the invite, started his speech.

Draco sighed and set himself down at one of the tables that were close to him. He did not look at his table companions, as he had no desire to learn who they were. The round man on the stage drawled on, but Draco had already tuned him out, and was not thinking about how he wanted to go home. Just as he thought the man had nearly finished his speech, the lights in the atrium went out. Draco's eyes adjusted to the dark rather quickly, a skill he developed during his younger years, but before he could make out anything, a bright green light lit up the room, and the forbidden words were spoken.

Draco felt sick to his stomach as he heard them, suddenly his neck felt damp and throat dry. The lights in the atrium turned back on, and Draco didn't have to look at the stage to find out the guest of honor had been killed. The nauseated feeling in his stomach had only increased, but Draco did not let his horror show on his face, as there were people around. He was a Malfoy, they did not show weakness. He had done it enough times as a teen already.

Panic erupted in the large room, the Malfoy heard chairs drop, he heard the Minister speak and he heard several screams from several places. He himself stayed seated on his chair. He tried to Apparate, the need to get out of there bigger than the Minister's orders. It did not work, they were stuck here then. He wanted, no he needed to find Astoria. Finally the blond man rose from his chair, grey eyes skimming the sea of people, looking for a familiar face. He spotted Pansy, and he couldn't say that he was not relieved to see that she was still okay. His search continued, trying to find his wife.

He felt anger rise in his stomach as he was unable to find her, and he wished they had arrived at the party together. He cursed his assistant for dropping the jar of frozen frogs just before he was about to close the shop. He would have left her alone to do it, but there was no way in hell Draco was letting her close his precious shop, the chance was big that she would screw that up as well, and he wasn't going to risk that.

A familiar, but not very welcome, voice reached the blond's ears. Draco turned on his heel and locked gazes with a redhead he immediately recognized as Ginny Weasley, well it was Potter now; but she'd always be a Weasley to him. "It has been quite some time, Weaslette," he greeted her. "Have you by any chance seen my wife, I can't seem to find her anywhere," he asked her. He wasn't even sure if she knew what Astoria looked like, but at that time he didn't quite care. He wanted to find her and get out of her, Draco had seen enough drama for one lifetime, he really didn't need more.

Artemis nodded at the red head and wrung her hands. She hated being stuck there, not knowing what was going to happen next. She was glad that there were no children at this party.

"Who would want to murder him" She muttered to herself. She sipped some wine, hoping to calm her nerves. As a blonde haired guy came over and spoke to the red head, she nodded to acknowledge him.

Ron had been too busy, staring at the food he couldn't have to notice that Senior Splendor, the reason for the event, had entered the room. He didn't really realize anything until he started talking. Ron didn't really see what the big deal was, hardly anyone knew who the man was, not even he, that works at the ministry bothered to find out.

He tried to pay attention to the man's speech, but it was just too hard to listen to a man that spoke slower than a hundred year old person! He just went on and on, like those many classes Ron never paid attention to. He was just here to make sure everyone was safe, he didn't have to pay attention to the speech, right?

However when the lights suddenly switched off for a second, he prepared for the worst, immediately pulling out his wand. When the lights came back on, he looked around, his eyes widening when he realized Splendor was killed. He glanced over at his sister, and Teddy, sighing when he realized they were fine, and no one else was hurt. He ran over to one of the doors, after hearing Kingsley's orders, and stopped a couple of people who were trying to get away. "Will you three stop right now, or do you prefer if I stunned you?" He asked, demanding an answer, "A man has just been killed if you haven't noticed, you are all possible suspects!" He cried, his face red with anger.

He ran his fingers trough his hair, frustrated, as the three people slowly backed away. Has there ever been any normal ministry events? He sent a spell to the other doors, closing them so that no one had a chance to leave, before the Aurors blocked them.

Ginny grit her teeth as she heard a familiar voice speak behind her, feeling her oncoming headache worsen, turning from the women and the stage to the blond approaching her, brow twitching in annoyance at the name. "Not long enough, Malfoy," she hissed, opening her mouth to correct him on his choice in name - she wasn't a Weasley anymore. But at his next words she resisted. His wife was here and he'd lost her. She clamped her mouth shut, scowling as she tried to conjure an image of Mrs Malfoy in her mind. She only ever remembered seeing Astoria at school briefly and when sending their children off to school. They had never had much of a reason to interact.

"I don't think so," Ginny said, glancing around the room, seekng out a brunette who looked vaguely familiar, scanning the crowd once again. "I don't think I know her face well enough to pin point her," she muttered, eager to give Draco Malfoy a reason to bugger off and leave her alone. Pursing her lips the red head sighed in annoyance, more at herself than anything, and what she was about to suggest.

"Do you need help looking for her?" she asked without an attempt to hide her obvious reluctance at the prospect of spending time with the blond man. "Though I don't know how much help I would be."

She did know that if it was the other way round and she needed to find Harry, she would appreciate help from anywhere, even from him.

Steven clapped politely when Senior Splendor appeared and proceeded to give his speech. He had sat through quite a few meetings in his life so had perfected the art of looking entirely enrapt in what someone was saying. However, soon even his mind started to wander and he surreptitiously checked his watch. He would stay for another thirty minutes, but then he was leaving. No excuses.

Just as he flicked the pocketwatch back into a pocket of his robes, the lights went down and there was a green flash. When the lights went back up, Senior Splendor was lying dead.

Imediately, Steven drew his wand, his mind going into overdrive. He scanned the room, trying to pick out anybody who seemed dangerous. What he was met with was hundreds of scared faces trying to get out. In the distance, he saw people attempt to disapparate but with no success. Obviously, someone had placed an enchantment on this room. He muttered a curse and pocketed his wand, feeling an ominous chill creeping up his back. Steven didn't know just what was going on here, but he knew it couldn't be anything good. He was glad that his wife wasn't here to- His wife.

As the thought of Katrina swum into his mind, Steven decided that he needed to leave. Now. He had to go to Katrina, had to be with her. What had he been thinking, coming to this event? Steven didn't even care for the Senior, but he'd chosen that irksome man over his own wife. He set his jaw and strode towards the door, but before he could reach it it was sealed by one of the aurors.

"What is the meaning of this?" he barked, a sudden rage flaring inside him. "Why can none of us leave? I have to get out of here. I have to see to my family!"

Kingsley had been quiet for a few minutes now as he planned out how the murder could have happened. It was hard to think that someone who was invited here had done it, but it wasn't impossible, everyone had the motive to betray their friends and family at one point. "Everyone remain calm. No one leaves until this investigation is put to rest, including myself. I will not rest until the person or persons responsible for this despicable crime is put away." He said looking up now to address the whole party.

"Everyone will need to submit for questioning, once your name is cleared i will let you leave. Those unwillingly to be questioned will be seen as an aquaintence and will there be sent to azkaban to await further questioning and maybe even a trail. Those with any information reguarding the death of one of our employees please come forward, it could help speed along the process." He declared. "Do we have any healers present? Mr Splendor will need to be prepared for a real sending off." He said searching the crowd of faces.

The healer had stepped forward and begun the preparations, but at too late a time as suddenly the lights flickered and an explosion occurred, knocking those nearby away from the now blown body of Senior Splendor.

Some began to hear a woman's voice screaming, the voice so irritating they themselves began to cry out and more explosions began to occur.

OOC: Only those emailed in specific about the screaming can hear her screams.

Ginny waited as patiently as she could for Malfoy's reply, though she really didn't have to wait long before something happened again, saving her from having to wait. Though she would've rather waited. The flickering of lights had her turning back to where Senior Splendor had been, face laced with lines of worry and fear. She had no time to think as there was an explotion, turning away and covering her head instinctively, though she wasn't close enough to be hurt by it.

The redheaded woman turned to check the two woman she had been talking with weren't too badly shaken or upset, but was unable to say anything before she heard screaming that had her thinking her ears would bleed. It was high-pitched and loud and so filled with pain it made her start to panic.

Please don't. No more! Merlin please stop!!

She dropped the glass of wine she was holding, one hand flying to her ears, the other reaching to grip hold of the closest person, incidentally Draco. Ginny was almost choking on her words as the screams ripped through her eardrums. "We have to help her," she said, turning to the man with wide eyes before trying to locate the source of the noise, one hand still pressed firmly to her ear, grimacing at the painful headache she was beginning to get. "Her screams-!" she bit her lip, willing herself not to get upset. Strength. She had to have strength.

Teddy noticed his uncle standing not to far away from him, and he seemed to be mouthing something to Teddy. The metamorphmagi chuckled and nodded. He was. Then, when Senior Splendor started his speech, he was even more bored. The voice was making him afraid that he might fell asleep, he started listing of defensive spells in his head to keep himself from falling asleep. He just reached the P, where he immediately thought of the Patronus spell when the lights went out and a loud scream filled the atrium. Teddy immediately reached for his wand and went into auror mode. The lights went back on and he heard Kingsley give orders. He listened closely and then took great care of keeping people calm and away from the exit.

Then Victoire walked towards him, and Teddy felt himself tense up. She wasn't supposed to be here. How could she be here? He thought she had to work. A lump formed in his throat as he felt worry. He wished he could cheat and get her out of here, but he knew that it would might mean losing his job. He curled his hand around her wrist and pulled her closer, making sure that he wouldn't lose her in the sea of people stalking towards the fireplaces.

"I don't know what's going on, but no one can leave!" he said, heaving his voice at the last part of his sentence. Then just as he was about to turn to Victoire, an explosion was to be heard. Teddy felt like he should go for cover, but the explosion was too far away to cause him harm. He turned to Victoire to make sure is fiancée was okay when a horrible screaming filled his head, his hand tightening around Vic's wrist.

Draco was about to answer to the Weaslette as an explosion filled the man's ears. He was far enough away to not get hit by it, but that didn't take away anything of the sound. The voices in the atrium seemed to go up again, but one piercing scream lingers in Draco's head. The scream is awful, high-pitched and Draco isn't able to locate where it's coming from. It causes the muscles behind his eyes to start throbbing, leaving him grasping the table for support.

"Please don't. No more! Merlin please stop!!"

The Weaslette seemed to hear it too, as her hand grasped around his robes to steady herself. He almost nodded at her as she said they had to help the woman, but then snapped out of it. "I can't, I need to find my wife," he managed, the muscles of his head throbbing more viciously, almost leaving him gasping for air as he tried to free himself from the redhead's grip. "Someone else can help her, I don't have the time!" he added, desperation laced through his tone.