*Narrator pov*
War.
A small short word that has a devastating impact on the world. Right now, standing in Diagon Alley the survivors of the Death Eater attack were beginning to understand the true meaning of that small one-syllable word.
Albus, the esteemed headmaster of Hogwarts looked down at the young man who just saved his life with haunted eyes. Crouching he examined the nameless man's face as if etching every curve into his mind.
Never to forget,
An injured Auror limped over, "Headmaster, are you alright?" he held his wand arm gently making sure to not move the broken limb more than it already has
"No, my boy. Do you know this young man's name?" Albus asked softly his eyes filled with pity as he turned to look at the Auror
The Auror sighed, "I am afraid not sir but, I can try to figure it out for you,"
"It would be appreciated," as the words left Albus's Mouth pops filled the air and healers poured into the alley
Looks of horror appeared on their faces as they took sight of the array of dead bodies, injured Aurors, fallen Hit wizards, and innocent civilians just trying to have a normal day.
"IF ITS NOT A QUICK FIX SEND EM TO ST MUNGOS!" One of the healers bellowed the others expressing that they heard her while tending to the wounded
Rufus appeared on the scene his eyes seemed sunken as he took in the damages, "Albus, I'm glad you were here." the relief in his voice was palpable
Albus shook his head slightly, "I was too late so many lives were lost," he briefly looked down at the young man who sacrificed himself before looking back at Rufus, "How many Aurors were lost?"
The Head Aurors fist was clenched tightly, "Too many. Far too many,"
Rufus' jaw tightened, and just as he opened his mouth to say something else, he noticed a figure approaching one of his Aurors. A tall, muscular man with a hardened expression, a hit wizard. Still clutching his bloodstained wand. His cold blue eyes locked onto the Auror before him as he stood just a little too close, his voice laced with bitterness.
"This is what happens when you play defense," the hit wizard growled. "Half your Aurors are dead because you lot weren't using lethal force!"
The Auror whirled to face him, eyes blazing with fury. "Hard call? We follow the law, boy. We don't descend into chaos like some bloody mercenaries!" He took a step closer, his voice rising. "And I don't need a hit wizard to lecture me about losses. You and your lot were supposed to be following us. So where were you?"
The hit wizard sneered, a tint of anger in his gaze. "We were exactly where we needed to be, covering you Aurors who can't handle a real fight. We aren't tied up by regulations and bureaucratic nonsense—"
"Regulations keep order!" The Auror snapped, cutting him off. "They protect lives! Do you think acting like a vigilante would have saved anyone? How many civilians would've been caught in the crossfire if we used your reckless tactics?"
The hit wizard barked a humorless laugh. "Funny, considering how many are dead." He gestured to the ruined alley, littered with bodies and wreckage. "Maybe if you stopped worrying about the Ministry's reputation for once and focused on the actual war we're in, you'd have fewer of your Aurors lying in body bags."
Rufus' fists clenched at his sides, his face taut with barely suppressed rage as he witnessed the argument.
Rufus walked up to them trying to cut in, "We fight for more than just survival, Garrick. There's a reason we have rules—"
"Rules won't stop the Dark Lord!" a different hit wizard thundered, stepping forward until he was nose to nose with Rufus. "The only thing that will is power. And if you don't have the stomach for it, stay out of the way of those of us who are willing to do anything to survive,"
Albus frowned, "Stop this squabbling, it serves no purpose at the moment, you" he looked at the hit wizard who started this, "Meet with the other teams and elect a representative, have him and two others join the next Wizengamot meeting your opinions will be heard. Rufus, focus on identifying the bodies we have a lot of families to inform today,"
Rufus sighed, "You're right Albus, I will take my leave," he shook his head massaging his brow
No one was feeling like themselves right now.
When Albus turned to see if he could provide any assistance he swore he saw Morpheus in the crowd but on a second look, he didn't appear to be there.
***
The dark Lord sat in a makeshift infirmary room, "How many have we lost?" Voldemort asked as his broken bones were patched up
"Too soon to tell, although I expect it will be more than what we projected. The hit wizards were surprisingly ruthless, not even attempting to use Auror tactics. Speaking of I'm positive we lost some of our spies during the crossfire," Lucius Malfoy replied trying to appear as calm as possible
"I see, did you feel it, Lucius?"
"Feel what my lord?"
"The fear, be prepared young one the war will now be official,"
His eyes glowed with glee.
*Morpheus pov*
Days like this were the worst, especially for me. Having allies who know your skill in divination while a tragedy strikes such as this?
It's daunting.
They yell, they cry, they scream, they have doubts.
'Why didn't you tell us about the Ambush!'
'Are you a traitor?!'
'Why did you let them die?!'
The last one hurts the most. So many of those who died today were innocent, only guilty of living. But, I can't stop everything, It's impossible. Some things must happen for others to occur.
I have killed so many innocents in my long life, and I will live with that. The act doesn't disturb me, the visions are what bother me so.
I will see so many branches of one event, knowing often it is the worst option that blossoms into the brightest future.
A smirk formed onto my lips, Tom will be angry after the fight with Albus. No matter what the public says, no matter how high the death count. He will still feel the sting of inferiority from having to walk away from Albus.
If my guess is correct another Horcrux will be made soon.
"You were correct," a voice reached my ears
My smirk grew, "Of course I was, prepare a draft for them. Their talking points must be direct,"
"Oh, the joy,"