Of Snakes and Men

Chapter Seven

* * * *

Six years after Harry Potter disappeared, the Dark Lord Voldemort got hold of the Sorcerer’s Stone and used its power to successfully resurrect himself and make another bid for takeover.

Eleven years as a disembodied spirit had given Voldemort plenty of opportunity to reflect on his mistakes and he had decided to try some new tactics. Last time, he had begun by attacking his enemies in the Wizarding World, thereby setting himself up to be typecast by the press as the Enemy, the Other, the Ultimate Evil. That wouldn’t do, it gave his enemies too clear a sense of identity as opposed to him, too much solidarity, and far, far too much public support. No, he was not going to make Dumbledore’s life that easy again.

So, instead Voldemort started his new takeover attempt from within. A judicious mix of bribes and threats had Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge eating out of his hand within a week. Not that it was difficult to suborn someone who didn’t give a shit for anything but his own cash flow and reputation. Just who the hell had elected that fool, anyway?

If Voldemort had possessed any doubts about the rightness of his cause the thought that this moron was the world’s alternative would have ended them upon their first meeting.

Anyway, with the Minister as his bitch, it wasn’t hard to push through the first of his many, but small, changes in Ministry policy.

* * *

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was having a very bad month. The presumed death of the Boy Who Lived while under his protection had dealt a severe blow to his reputation. The theft of the Sorcerer’s Stone from under his very nose was even worse. Combine that with the fact that his DADA teacher of over a decade had vanished at about the same time along with a Muggle-born first year, meaning that he had misplaced his trust and failed to protect a student, and Dumbledore’s credibility with the Ministry was completely down the tubes.

Still, he was a little surprised when Fudge (who had spent most of his term in Dumbledore’s pocket) began pushing for the Headmaster’s resignation. Due to his weakened position, he had been forced to retire and was now packing his bags and giving last-minute instructions to his replacement and former deputy, Minerva McGonagall.

“I’m going to investigate Voldemort’s whereabouts. With the Stone unprotected I’m sure he’ll try something. I’ll be in touch. Try to encourage the students toward the Light, and keep a close eye on those Slytherins!”

“Of course, Albus. Should I be looking for the missing girl?”

“Don’t bother. She’s probably dead.” Dumbledore didn’t really care about the girl’s welfare. She was no use to him.

* * *

With Dumbledore out of the way, it became much easier for Voldemort to, slowly but surely, push through the rest of his reforms. Much to the surprise of everyone who believed his publicity, this involved replacing Purebloods whose only talent was groveling with capable halfbloods and Muggle-borns and passing laws against discrimination, much to the benefit of Werewolves and the like. Pureblood Supremacy looks good on recruitment posters (especially since the Ministry and most of the Wizarding World had already practiced it without admitting it to themselves) but what really earned you the Dark Lord’s respect and a place in his world was power and ability.