A/N: Hey there, I'm back to it again with another SI fic. I have no shame for writing this- well I kinda do, since I don't have an update schdule planned for this. Anyhow, this is just the prologue. You can thank all the Harry Potter Self-Inserts I've read recently for the existence of this fic. Don't forget to let me know what you all think! See you all next time!
THE DAILY PROPHET
October 25th, 1980
Witch goes out with a bang! Nine dead after household attack.
By: Andy Smugley
710 Rowena Avenue became a battleground yesterday evening when one of our fellow journalists, Ester Marino, was targeted by Death Eaters in her small home on the outskirts of London. Ester had gone off the grid earlier last year following her difficult pregnancy, choosing to submit most of her articles from the comfort of her own home- a home, that eventually became a tomb for several.
The Dark Mark was reported to have appeared over the residence at approximately 6:00 p.m. but authorities were unable to arrive immediately due to an incident at a muggle zoo around the same time [more about this incident on page 8].
Aurors Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody and Alice Longbottom arrived on the scene just past 6:40 p.m and found a battlefield waiting for them. "The front yard was charred and there were several bodies strewn about," a witness reports, "It looked like a bomb had gone off outside the house."
Authorities later identified a few of the bodies as known Death Eaters. Some remain unidentified since the damage they received was intensive enough to leave them nearly unrecognizable. They will be presumed Death Eaters until more information about the bodies come to light. Including an additional body inside the house, eight dead Death Eaters have been found.
"Those wards were damned good," Auror Moody is overheard to have commented, "Good enough to take out seven of those slimy bastards."
"She was a hero," Auror Longbottom told the Daily Prophet. "She held on the longest she could and took down as many as she could with her. Her actions saved a lot of lives in the long run."
Ester is reported to have killed eight Death Eaters in the time it took for Aurors to arrive on the scene. It is assumed that the first seven perished as they forced their way through the wards surrounding the house and the eighth was a casualty of a struggle indoors.
Tragically, help did not arrive in time to save Ester's life. When Aurors arrived on the scene, Ester Marino was already dead.
Witnesses near the home report hearing screaming coming from inside the house. Screaming that continued on and off. Authorities fear the Cruciatus Curse was involved and that Ester was tortured for an uncertain period of time before finally being struck by the Killing Curse [more on the Unforgivables on page 4].
The Daily Prophet asks the public to help in finding the whereabouts of the child she leaves behind.
Aurors Moody and Longbottom are in charge of the ongoing investigation for Ester's murder and her missing child. As of now, there are no leads- the location of the child remains unknown.
If you have any information in regards to this case, please contact Aurors Moody or Longbottom in the Auror Department in the Ministry of Magic.
The Daily Prophet will mourn Ester Marino. She fought until the very end.
THE DAILY PROPHET
October 8th, 1981
Aurors hit a dead-end, search for missing child proves fruitless.
By: Martha Ingent
Close to a year has passed since the tragic loss of beloved Magi-reporter, Ester Marino, who was killed last July during a Death Eater attack on her home. Since then, the identity of her killer has yet to be uncovered. The tragedy grows still, as no clues have been found about possible whereabouts of her missing child. The unnamed child has been missing since Ester's death.
Aurors Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody and Alice Longbottom, the Aurors leading the investigation, ask the public to dismiss theories of human sacrifice and- as Auror Moody is quoted to have said- "Keep their mouths shut if they're not going to be any help."
The Daily Prophet asks that anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Ester Marino's missing child step forth and contact Aurors Moody and Longbottom in the Auror Department in the Ministry of Magic.
THE DAILY PROPHET
November 1st, 1981
THE DARK LORD VANQUISHED.
By: Higgins Nowl
The Daily Prophet bids you all celebrate, dear readers, for THE DARK LORD IS DEAD.
Reports state that last night, on the eve of Halloween, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named appeared in Godric's Hollow where he entered the home of James and Lily Potter. Both were killed in the struggle assumed to have taken place inside, leaving their one-year-old child as the only survivor of last night's miracle.
Conflicting accounts state that the home was under ward of the Fidelius Charm [more on Fidelius Charm on page 12] whose Secret Keeper is rumored to be the best friend of the deceased James Potter, Sirius Orion Black. Not enough is known about this arrangement yet, although clues hint at Sirius Black's involvement with Death Eaters.
Although many events that transpired within the home of the Potter's remain unknown, the only confirmed report is that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was defeated last night by the Boy Hero, HARRY POTTER.
The Daily Prophet bids its readers celebrate tonight!
REJOICE for the reign of the Dark Lord is now over!
REJOICE for the Dark Lord is DEAD!
REJOICE for THE-BOY-WHO-LIVED!
THE DAILY PROPHET
November 1st, 1981
A Death Eater's last stand? Sirius Black a murderer!
By: Ignis Prue
Last night, inside the Potter's home on Godric's Hollow, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was defeated at the hands of Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived. Shortly since then, wizards have been coming forth- claiming to have been under the effects of the Imperius Curse [more on the Unforgivables on page 9] while in service for the Dark Lord.
Shockingly, ex-Auror Sirius Black has been revealed as a Death Eater during an altercation between Peter Pettigrew- a childhood friend of both him and James Potter- and himself early in the dawn after the Dark Lord's defeat. When Aurors arrived on the scene, Black is reported to have repeated the words, "He's not dead," possibly in reference to the vanquished Dark Lord only to grow violent when Aurors attempted to detain him.
Twelve muggles were killed in the explosion that took place, as well as Pettigrew himself. Only a finger was recovered from his body. Sirius Black showed no remorse for his actions. [More on the incident on page 14.]
It has been stated that Sirius Black was the Secret Keeper of the Potter family and with the events of last night and this morning, it is clear to say that Sirius Orion Black betrayed James and Lily Potter to the Dark Lord- resulting in their deaths and subsequent defeat of You-Know-Who.
It is well known Bellatrix Lestrange, who was a prominent member of the Dark Lord's inner circle, originated from the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black. Perhaps this is a sign that the Black Madness truly runs through members of this family.
Regardless of this fact, Sirius Black will be sent to Azkaban, where he will spend the rest of his life.
THE DAILY PROPHET
December 3rd, 1981
Search for missing child called off. Lost child assumed dead.
By: Leah Hooper
In the wake of the defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the influx of Aurors needed to apprehend the extremist groups that remain of his reign, the search for the lost child of Ester Marino has been called off. [More on Ester Marino's death and missing child on page 5.]
"If they're still out there it'd be a miracle," Auror Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody is overheard to have said to fellow Auror, Alice Longbottom, "If it's the Death Eaters that took them then there's no way they're still alive now that You-Know-Who is dead. The Death Eaters are cleaning house. They're getting rid of anything that ties them to what they've done. There's no reason to keep a stolen child."
The lost child in question would be approximately two years old. It has been more than a year since their initial disappearance and no leads have been found.
As of now, Aurors are calling off the investigation. The lost child of Ester Marino has been declared dead.