Revelation--Atrum

Felix watched the commotion down in the room below him. He had somehow managed to get himself into a little area above the atrium before anyone had gotten here, and he could see everyone perfectly fine from his vantage point. Sure he knew what was going on in the heads of the people who were directly guarding Grindelwald, they thought he wasn't fit for the job right next to him.. but really, he had the most important job of them all, he could see things they didn't.. watch from a vantage point neither of them knew about. He smirked to himself and watched the room lazily. When the two heads of department made little speeches, he couldn't help but laugh lightly at them. He had so easily persuaded them, power, lust, whatever it was, they had gone to his side willingly, for they certainly weren't imperised, that was for sure.

Felix watched the happenings below with a smirk, before that man they had gotten onto their side... erm.. Jake, or something, whatever his name was, he stepped forward and gave a small speech, in which Felix found himself sitting up higher, his wand gripped in his hand. The moment he walked onto the stage was going to be tense. For the moment he made his appearance, people were liable to make a.. rash decision. When everyone knew that the Head of the Law enforcement department was there to protect them, it was even before Grindelwald opened his mouth that would be the moment of truth that they had easily slipped into the folds of the Ministry.. he watched signs below him for anyone who was looking threatening towards the new Minister.

Brian's grip was so tight on his wand that his fist was white. It seemed to flinch on his own. All it would take was one avada kedavra spell. Well, maybe two. And it would all be over for all of them. He felt Michael's hand grasp his, Michael's strength strong enough to break bone if he needed to.

"Stop," Michael hissed into Brian's ear. "We knew it was coming. Let it go. Roland is an ass. He's just a stupid, lying ass. Let it go, Brian. You've got 5 children now to think of. Don't toss it away here. This isn't the time."

Brian was only half listening. He wanted to kill Roland. Right there. Screw Grindlewald. He wanted Roland. And then he'd get Grindlewald later.

"Brian! Not now," Michael twisted his wrist hard and took his wand from him. "You have your orders. Step up. Right this instant." Brian said nothing, snatching his wand back from Michael.

Gellert grinned smugly as he listened to James spout a load of bureaucratic nonsense, a true editor-in-chief if he'd ever seen one was standing before him on the podium, praising the very air that Gellert breathed.

It was pretty much all fake, however. Lies, concocted in a dingy tavern, lies thought up in a prison cell, the sorts of discrediting, untruthful statements which pulled from known facts... from assumed knowledge, and wove them into a credible story.

So credible in fact, that it seemed to have won the hearts of the people before him. Of course there would be a pocket of dissent, here in the Atrium itself, but things like that were to be expected, given the nature of the work Gellert was involved in, the work that he had in fact been doing for weeks.

Because there were a few little snippets of truth in what Roland had said. Gellert had done campaigning, albeit a different type. He'd worked hard to gain the trust of the Death Eaters, before cutting them off almost entirely as he worked his way up. He'd convinced two of the most poweful women in the country that they didn't need or want to sit down idly and watch their chance for power slip by, that one had been particularly hard.

And of course he'd ingratiated himself into the ear of the man who's words were read by the nation, who was trusted enough by the community that when the time came, and Gellert wanted to make his bid for the top job, his words managed to discredit, and ultimately ruin magical Britain's knight in shining armour.

For Robert Lupin was the one obstacle that possibly remained in Gellert's way. Somehow the man had gained the necessary information, and earlier that very day when the doors to the Minister's office were blown in, the seat was empty, and the desk clear for but a small note, lying plain in the middle of it, just a few short words written.

I know, and you wont succeed.

The words clung to Gellert's mind even now as he prepared to make his debut into the political spotlight, as he made ready to seize the most powerful position in the entire Wizarding World, as he stood ready to become the next Minister for Magic.

Pointing his wand at his throat he strode out from the behind the podium and ignored it completely, preferring to stand right in front of it, on the same level as the people he was speaking to.

"Thank you," He said, his voice reverberating around the room, "thank you all, for making this what it is. For helping good triumph over evil for once and for all. And for helping me to guarantee each and every one of you a safe future.

"For those of you who do not know me, my name is Gellert Grindelwald, once known, I must admit, as the most dark wizard of all time. I cannot deny my past, and I choose not to, because I, unlike most other politicians," he said with quick grin, "will be honest with you, because that is what we, as a nation, need right now more than anything else.

"Honesty," he shouted, "is the backbone to our society, and I will strive to make every wrong, ever cover-up that the previous administration ever made, be eradicated from our government, and that their stain be wiped from our nation's record forevermore.

"For instance, no longer, will we sit idly by why the criminal 'Vigilante' group known as the Order of the Phoenix parade around the country, attacking schools, and acting as if they were the true and rightful controllers of government. No longer will they cloud our decision making. No longer will they even continue to exist," he hissed, looking a challenge directly at Jess Potter and his little group of followers.

"With me," he said, his tone returning to a more socially acceptable level, "our world will prosper, it will grow, and it will continue to show the rest of the world, exactly how to exist. With me there will be honesty, honour, and above all else, safety!" He cried out, throwing his hands into the air as the crowd cheered

Brian looked at the delirious cheering that the crowd seemed to be caught up in. How had it gotten this far, so quickly? This truly was the sickest thing he had ever seen. And for him, it was painful. Lies being told about his own family.

Michael was right. This was not the time. And so far as he was concerned, if Robert decided to fight for it, then let him do so. Brian was done. His family was safe where the madman at the podium couldn't touch them. And for now, that was enough for him. If that batty old man wanted England, let him have it. Brian was done.

"I can't do this anymore," Brian said quietly to Jess and Michael. "I"m done. He can have it. I think I'm going to get out of the insanity while I can. Michael, you know how to find us."

"Yeah, Mate. I do," Michael said softly. "Take it with a grain of salt. You know why you came. Remember that." Brian nodded, turning and heading to go out to the semi-fresh air of the London street.

Chase stared in shock, her eyes glued to the man at the front of the room. Grindelwald? THE Grindelwald? He was standing there.. looking so kindly... but speaking lies.. everything he said was a lie, but the people around her bought into it.. bought into it so quickly... but it was then that she noticed the guards posted around the room. And she slowly started clapping, grinning like she believed it, but her heart ached. She had just gotten out of St. Mungos, and once back at work.. she had been told there would be changes, not big changes that would really affect the department but.. changes, and now she knew. Robert had been kicked out, and immediately she started to freak out in her mind. Had they killed him? By the sound of it they didn't, but they must be at least LOOKING for him... how could someone say such horrible things about the Lupins?!

Chase smiled and clapped, her eyes searching the crowd around her, they all looked so.. happy. The man had obviously won them over, there were a few doubtful faces, but nothing to serious, more like they were wondering why they hadn't seen the corruption before. This man sold it so.. brilliantly, she found herself almost believing it, but she knew it wasn't true. The crowd was simply screaming for this man, and she had to wonder if their voices weren't being heard on the streets above, in fact when she looked over, she saw some men climb into the lift and disappear from site, probably to go see just how loud they were really being. Grindelwald had won.. people were bought, and the world was probably going to end... Chase's heart was beating hard in her chest, what if this meant that Barker.. noo.. she had to put that out of her mind, she had to not think that man's name.. she was still recovering.. even the thought of him could send her into a relapse. Chase clapped and cheered with everyone else, looking thoroughly troubled, but knowing she had to stick with it.. for her family's sake.. for her own sake, if she so much as spoke out, she'd probably be back in Barker's clutches before she could blink.

Because he felt like he owed his parents for being a disappointment, Trent reluctantly followed Dean and Demelza Thomas to the Ministry. The day seemed set on being boring. First, a visit to the Ministry, and then showing his face to his father's colleagues and friends, and his mother's too. Trent wore a black t-shirt with his jeans, in silent protest. Dean checked to see that his son stayed with him instead of escaping what he was reluctant to attend. Satisfied to see Trent's head bobbing above the crowd, he continued to squeeze through to make his way closer to the front, not turning to check if Demelza was lost in the crowd or not. She was not, but it looked like he did not care. She stood behind her son when they stopped at what Dean thought to be a decent location to be at, and waited for someone to speak on the podium. In the meantime, it was evident that Dean and Demelza were trying to spot their own colleagues. Dean, being taller than the average crowd, had a much easier time.

Similarly, Trent had his father's height, and would have no problem if he wanted to look for someone. However, he was uninterested. His face pulled an evident sulk as he waited, almost feeling like he could stand up sleeping while waiting for nothing to happen. And then a dark-haired lady stepped up onto the platform. Trent eyed her lazily. He needed a smoke, but he could not get any, since he was with his parents. What the lady said bored him. It sounded so politically correct. Trent was not interested in the Ministry. He let his mind block her out before an old guy came to take over. Trent sighed, thinking that an old man would not be very interesting if the younger lady was already so boring. Impatience began to stir within him. When the old man was done, Trent thought it was all over, since he was not paying attention to him.

Suddenly, though, the tension in the air was so tight that he could almost feel the pressure against his ears. The crowd seemed shocked, and Trent shot his head up to locate the new voice. Soon, though, the crowd was cheering. The boy tried to observe people cheering. Firstly, he wondered what could possibly be so cheerful about whatever that transpired for them to cheer so. They were stupid, really. It was not as if anyone attractive came on, or had something funny to say. There were no drinks on the house either. Trent spied a look on his father's face, and saw ... unease? He looked from Dean to the new Minister of Magic. That was not a good sign, even Trent knew that.

Jack had slipped in quietly and stuck to the back. She was not sure what was wrong with her, but she knew something was. She had begun withdrawing from, well, everyone. She was not sure if it had to be with this whole being an adult thing, or her new job, or the fact that she knew someone was trying to destroy her life, but she had not been around people in a long time.

She had gotten a small house. She worked incessantly, she went to work early, stayed late, then left to do research. She went home, watched television, and collapsed. It was a tiring lifestlyle, a lonely one, but one that kept her from going insane, or at least distracted her from her insanity. And now she was here, because she felt changes.

Since the battle, Jack had done nothing to show where she stood. She had not joined the Order, she had not picked a new head of Potter's Army. She was too afraid of the consequences. But she could not deny she felt changing. And as the man announced himself, she understood why. She had felt a change, and boy had things changed.

"You have got to be f*cking kidding me!" she exclaimed as the crowd threw her arms up and cheered. She looked around, saying, "Are you insane?" to those around her, all who seemed oblivious. She looked around, looking shocked, not believing she was the only one who knew this boded no good.

The aurors standing at the entrance to the ministry were surprised to see him. "Shacklebolt," one said blankly.

Kingsley was getting tired of it. It was better just to announce that he was alive and spare himself the constant surprised looks. "Yes," he replied briskly, trying to walk past them. They recovered though, and raised their wands. Shacklebolt shook his head, he could deal with all four of them, but he didn't want to create a scene. "My name has been cleared by Robert Lupin," he informed them with a frown.

"We have a new minister now," the auror replied bluntly. Of course, Kingsley thought, that was what the announcement was about. Grindelwald. He hoped that Jess and the rest of the order were not present at the atrium, but judging by how empty Grimmauld Place had been, he guessed they were here.

"Let me pass, I don't even have my wand," Kingsley protested. He had expected this, and had left his wand at Grimmauld Place. They searched him anyways, but let him through eventually. Walking forward, Kingsley entered the atrium and watched the scene with incredulity.

He had known this would happen soon... The moment he had spotted Grindelwald at the battle of Hogwarts. But Kingsley could not have expected the reaction. Voldemort might have controlled the wizarding world for a while, but never had he gotten the love of his subjects. Grindelwald was playing a much more clever game. From the look of the crowd, they seemed to admire him, Grindelwald, the dark wizard who had murdered almost as many as Voldemort had. Few people alive had witnessed the terrors Grindelwald had committed. Kingsley hadn't either but he had heard from Dumbledore, and he kept what he had told him in mind as he listened to Roland's lies, not believing a word of it. Roland... one Kingsley had thought was a friend. Kingsley shook his head with sadness, it was strange how good men could be corrupted so easily.

Siging, Kingsley pushed past the cheering crowd to go towards the order's leader, standing near a group of his followers. They alone were not cheering for Grindelwald. The rest of the Wizarding World seemed to have bought Roland's lies. "Jess," he said quietly as he reached him. "We should get out of here now, we're pretty much surrounded already by Death Eaters..."

Why was Mal late? Because she was fixing up her appearance. At least a little bit. Half the rest was actually deciding whether to attend the new Minister's greeting. But it now mattered. So she straightened her skirt formally as she entered the atrium of the Ministry, using a handful of Floo Powder. She did not feel like apparating, the world was too dangerous for stuff like that. Since the wizarding war Mal had decided she'd only use Floo Powder or fly if in a hurry. It was far easier to walk, though. Then she blended in with the crowd, even if she lived in the wizarding world. Pedestrians got more exercise, and exercise was what Mal needed. Her hair was pulled back into a neat low ponytail, her long hair falling down her back. She didn't feel like a professional healer.

She was silent as she pulled back a chair and took in the amazing sound of the conversing going around her, and she felt slightly dreamy and sleepy when she sat down. The old Minister for Magic had obviously resigned, Mal hadn't heard anything about it. It would usually be in the Daily Prophet but Mal never read the Prophet, it gave dishonest opinions to the newspaper team and they interview random people. Mal did not want to end up insulting the Prophet at the greeting, so she was just being silent and waiting for the whole process to fling by.

Felix tensed at the loud cheering. At first he had thought they were screaming in anger... but no, they were cheering for him. Felix relaxed slightly, but his eyes were forced to the one spot in the crowd where a group of people weren't clapping. His eyes narrowed. Jess Potter, Brian Quinn... Brian... that son of a B*tch. He watched with interest as someone else joined their midst... Kingsley Shacklebolt, Felix's eyebrows shot up into his hairline, wasn't he supposed to be dead? Oh well, it appeared a lot of people were playing dead acts, which was amusing to Felix. They thought they could get away by pretending to be dead? Was this a new trend or something, you couldn't trust anyone 'dying' anymore.. which was sad, because obviously it meant that the people pretending to be dead didn't care about their families, or the effect it would have on their career, once you were dead at the Ministry, you would forevermore be dead at the Ministry.

Felix smirked, and watched their group, before a flash of color attracted his attention and he honed in on it. Red hair.... long red hair. There was no mistaking that hair from above, and Felix felt his smirk grow wider... well that was interesting. The Lupins go into hiding, and they leave their favorite little girl behind... well, Felix would just have to mention that to Grindelwald later.. that girl probably knew more about the Lupins, then anyone in the room, except maybe Brian Quinn, but their chances of getting a hold of him were slim, so they'd go for the girl. Felix grinned slightly. He had heard she had just gotten out of St. Mungos.. for nearly irreparable damage to her mental state after a severe breakdown. One that had made him laugh aloud when he heard, that girl hadn't been his best victim, but she sure had the best breakdown after it, nearly killing Khaat was one of the best outcomes that could have happened, and in order to 'save her brain' they had made her think Khaat was dead. Sad it wasn't true, but the girl had a mean streak to her.. if they could just draw it out..

Felix found himself smirking, watching as the girl felt his eyes on her, and looked around nervously, still clapping. Felix smiled, he would just have to pay her a little visit one of these days, after Grindelwald knew of how much she knew about the Lupins, it would be almost to easy to get their whereabouts out of her. They just had to do it right, and that's where Felix came in. Felix let his eyes wander over to Grindelwald, he was doing a great job, and the Wizarding World seemed to love it, simply love it. They were cheering, and chanting, and calling his name, obviously they were won over, something Voldemort could have never done.