1 Prologue (Edited)

Ministry of Magic, February 2001

Tap... Tap... Tap. Footsteps echoed throughout one of the many black-tiled corridors, a steady rhythm almost as if following along with a song. The aurors lined up in the main hall facing said corridors, wands at the ready. A young man stepped forward, wand lowered, as he yelled out, "Icarus, I know it hurts, but the Ministry has it under control; there is no—" However, he was cut off quite curtly. "SHUT YOUR MOUTH... That bastard has taken everything from me, and I swear I'll see him burn by my own hand." Hearing this, the young man shook his head and replied quickly, "Icarus, you know that's not how the Ministry works; he will be tried and sentenced to life in Azkaban and will pay his dues there." The rhythmic steps from the corridor came to a halt, though there was still no sight of Icarus. That was until, from the corridor, every Auror present saw glowing red eyes open in the dark. "Harry, I do not wish to ruin the friendship that we have built over the years, but if you don't let me through, I will be forced to break my way through, and we both know that it won't end well for any of you."

Seeing none of the Aurors back down, Icarus clenched his fists in frustration and took a step forward into the light. The man was tall with pale skin, a clean-shaven face, dark flaming red hair with silver tips, and red eyes in a black 3-piece suit with a black overcoat. After stepping forward and still seeing no reaction, he shook his head, releasing his clenched fists with his palms facing the floor, small sparks dancing in them and crackling in the tension-filled hall. "Very well, then you leave me no choice." Just as he finished this line, lightning erupted from his palms.

Five minutes later.

Tap... Tap... Tap... CRUNCH. "I warned you, Harry, this could've been avoided." Harry coughed, likely choking on the blood making its way up his throat as it now trickled down the sides of his mouth. He spat, trying to empty his mouth of the blood pooling in it, and spoke slowly, clearly, in a great deal of pain, "I-I ... wiisssh... t-that was-s... true." Icarus continued on his path to the holding cells. While walking, he looked down at his hands before looking ahead once more with an almost maniacal grin on his face.

"It's good to be a Black."

Thirty minutes and a good few Cruciatias curses later.

Harry just reached what was left of the holding cells before he tapped his wand on his Auror badge. "Sir, it appears that both the suspect and Icarus have been burned alive in Fiendfyre."

Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt could be heard sighing on the other end of the line, "Come to my office and give me a detailed report. Knowing Icarus, there is no way he'd kill himself." Harry furrowed his brow, removing his wand from the badge. 'Sorry, Icarus, it seems the minister is going to be persistent. I can only hope you've already escaped Britain.'