Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 1: The Other Minister
Overview
The Muggle Prime Minister learns that Voldemort has returned and that recent national disasters were orchestrated by Death Eaters, dementors, and giants. Cornelius Fudge, recently sacked, introduces his successor Rufus Scrimgeour. Scrimgeour tightens the Prime Minister’s security with Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt and removes Imperiused Junior Minister Herbert Chorley to St. Mungo’s.
Summary
Near midnight, the Muggle Prime Minister broods over a grim week of disasters: a collapsed bridge, two murders, a freak “hurricane,” and a junior minister’s odd behavior. A portrait summons Cornelius Fudge through the fireplace. Fudge arrives looking worn and reminds the Prime Minister of prior briefings about the wizarding world and earlier crises.
Fudge discloses the truth behind the week’s events: Voldemort has returned, and the bridge collapse, the West Country devastation, and multiple murders are the work of Death Eaters, dementors, and possibly giants. He confirms Sirius Black’s innocence and death, and reports the killings of Amelia Bones and Emmeline Vance. Dementors have abandoned Azkaban, are breeding, and the pervasive mist is their effect.
Fudge admits he was sacked three days earlier amid public outcry. He has come to update the Prime Minister and introduce his successor. The portrait announces Rufus Scrimgeour, who arrives, secures the room, and briskly turns to the Prime Minister’s protection.
Scrimgeour reveals that the efficient new secretary, Kingsley Shacklebolt, is actually an Auror assigned to guard the Prime Minister. He also explains that Junior Minister Herbert Chorley has been damaged by a poorly cast Imperius Curse and is being transferred to St. Mungo’s after violent outbursts.
When the Prime Minister protests that wizards should be able to solve anything, Scrimgeour and Fudge remind him that the enemy can do magic too. They depart by Floo, leaving the Prime Minister to grasp the scale of a war now endangering the Muggle world.
Who Appears
- The Muggle Prime MinisterOverwhelmed leader informed of Voldemort’s return, magical causes of national crises, and new security measures.
- Cornelius FudgeEmbattled, recently sacked Minister of Magic who updates the Prime Minister and introduces his successor.
- Rufus ScrimgeourNew Minister of Magic; assertive, secures the room, assigns protections, and orders Chorley’s removal.
- Kingsley ShackleboltAuror covertly posing as the Prime Minister’s secretary, assigned to his protection.
- Herbert ChorleyJunior Minister impaired by a botched Imperius Curse; to be hospitalized at St. Mungo’s.
- Lord VoldemortReturned dark wizard responsible for orchestrating attacks and terror in both worlds.
- Death EatersVoldemort’s followers causing killings and destruction, implicated in multiple attacks.
- DementorsAzkaban’s former guards, now breeding and spreading despair, causing the persistent mist.
- GiantsSuspected participants in West Country devastation, indicating escalation of force.
- Amelia BonesHead of Magical Law Enforcement, murdered in a locked-room killing attributed to Voldemort.
- Emmeline VanceWitch murdered near the Prime Minister’s residence; her death heightens public fear.
- The Portrait MessengerPainting that announces arrivals and relays messages between ministers.