The ruins of the American Magical Congress headquarters, in the square.
"These are our darkest days..."
The crowded throng made not a sound. Everyone looked somber.
At the very front of the crowd stood a makeshift circular platform. Bella, Lucius, the Lestrange Brothers, and the other Death Eaters stood on the left, while Editor-in-Chief Greengrass, Professor Harris, and the other new members stood on the right.
His Excellency Chairman Tom Riddle stood on the platform, his face etched with sorrow.
"Those European wizards can't stand to see us prosper! They destroyed our home."
As he spoke in a deep, emotional voice, the headquarters behind him creaked as though on the verge of collapse. Chunks of debris fell from the building, crashing to the ground.
The reporters frantically raised their cameras, capturing the most important moment in the history of this land.
"My family..."
His Excellency Chairman Riddle sighed deeply and looked around at every face.
"Bad people have emerged among us, too. These vile-hearted infiltrators worked with the Order of the Phoenix to carry out this heinous act."
Someone in the crowd burst into tears. Another person gently put an arm around her, and her sobs rippled through the crowd, touching everyone's heart.
"No, please don't cry!"
His Excellency Chairman Riddle comforted them softly, his expression gradually turning stern. "Believe me, those who destroyed our home will face the most terrible retribution. We will teach them a harsh lesson with the strongest magic..."
"Let them know that we, too, have the right to live!"
"Yes, all we want is to survive, nothing more!"
"Survive!" Someone could no longer hold back and began to roar.
More and more people joined in. "Survive! Survive! Survive!..."
Their emotions poured out across the square, growing in wave after wave.
Chairman Riddle said nothing. He