An event of Great Importance~ Ministry England

Minister Liara Lightle stood in the middle of the podium, this was her monthly address to the wizardering public to talk about the raging issue of the Blood equality. Liara still had no idea why this was an issue it had started it slurr before she came to office but it only since spread and grown like wild fire. She supposed it was the growing threat of there world being over taken. The outside Muggle world was growing bigger and more advanced with each passing day. While there world remained mostly the same, hidden away in there little pocket of the world. The increaced births of muggleborn was one thing. There was another issue not widely known, more squibs were being born aswell. Change was coming to the magical world, Liara could feel it, it was building on the horizon..

there was other things very few people knew about, there was another type of child being born, it was still considered rare or so they thought since it was nearly impossible to detect. But there were some muggle child being born with the ability to resist magic. It wasn't sure yet what this could mean, only thing truely know was that is wasn't natural.

"Hello Wizards and Witches of England, I stand before you today to talk about our world. I know our world is in a middle of a cross roads right now, the events of the conference in germany have proved it. The assult on the Russian Minister was a terrible even indeed, and is being investigated I promise you. For now I have these words to say, we must stand together and not let our fear of the unknown control us. Blood is not the issue here, it is the matter of keeping out world safe. I emplore all of you do not let the views of old cloud the way you see this world, we are all equal and should be on the same side. I has been established time and time again "united we stand divded we fall". As corny as the sounds I find this saying to be true. Our world will not stay the same, but if we stand strong together, we will pull through for the better..."

As the minister continued her speach for the press officals, and General public alike a figure moved through the crowd. He wasn't out of place, to anyone he would look like a normal wizard. But he not a wizard by any means.. in fact he could barely be concidered a normal human. He stood behind a rather large man to obsure his form from the Ministers Body Guards.

Without hesitation he pulled out a muggle pistol aimed it at the minister and fired..

In a spilt second Minister Lightle was on the ground, and a moment of shock lingered in the air, Another shot was fired, breaking throught the frozen moment in time and panic started to ensued.

Although not exactly on Liara’s staff of officials backing her campaign – far from it, in fact – Vinzent Zolnerowich stood a slight distance away from the podium. He knew his ideals would not match what the witch had to say. Knowing one’s enemy could bring benefits to the political battle, the wizard knew, and was hence the main reason he was there. Hearing firsthand the arguments she made could be used by him as a means to craft his own address. In select circles, a separate address from the Minister’s opposition may be desired. Why not give it to them? To be honest the muggle expansion scared him to death. The world was changing. Wizard-kind needed to act before the muggles overran both worlds! Even though the topic caused an uneasy feeling to settle in his stomach the matter had to be handled. And that was exactly what Vinzent planned to do later this evening or the next day, assuming he could compose something of merit that swiftly.

An even more frightening thing was a little whisper Vinzent had caught wind of. If Squibs weren’t already a disgrace and Muggle-borns an abomination, he managed to catch snippets of yet another breed. Thankfully rare it seemed, some muggle children were being born with immunity to the effects of magic. Magic’s problem lay in detecting the rugrats born with this ability for early detection was virtually impossible. To Vinzent, this new kind of being spelled two words: Big. Trouble. If they could not fight off this new swarm with magic, then what the blazes were they supposed to stand up to it with?

Dark and beady eyes set themselves upon the Minister when she began to speak. Although the wizard attempted to keep his face neutral, there were brief flickers of varying expressions: an eye-roll, amusement, contempt, a sort of condescending disdain, an eye-narrowing of disagreement, another eye-roll, and a heavy-handed dose of cynicism... In his opinion this entire hoopla was about blood and the issues of its purity. A choice had to be made whether to make the Wizarding World a metaphorical fortress, or a doormat. Vinzent and many of his supporters chose the fortress. The only changes this wizard was fond of making were ones he was ready for, and this wasn’t one of them.

He hadn’t noticed the crowd shift. In fact, all of them seemed to mill about. Vinzent was no bodyguard or auror: that was their job. Anyone could potentially attack a speaker if something was said the listener didn’t like...

Much as he hated to admit it, Vinzent jumped at the sound of the gunshot. For his own self-preservation he crouched and attempted to filter through the crowd for sight of the attacker. Really, a muggle weapon at a magical address?! Who brings a muggle weapon with them into the magical world? An assassin, it seemed... Despite the fact Vinzent was on the outer edges of the platform upon which Liara’s podium sat the wizard felt he was still very much a target. He wondered just how badly the Minister was wounded when he noticed she was on the ground. After all: if it proved fatal, which given by only the moderate amount of blood it might not be, then England would need a new Minister. Considering it was his goal to become Minister, he’d gladly put his name in for consideration. And Vinzent hadn’t been shot nor responsible for this assault in any way, shape or form...

In fact... making a show of checking up on the Minister might end up looking really good for him in the eyes of some... Perhaps even give cause for a few of the undecided individuals to consider in his favor. Although the consequences of doing so were risky, the wizard couldn’t help but be a bit blinded by the potential rewards of doing so. If the shooter was after him, surely Vinzent would’ve been shot instead of the Minister right?

Wrong.

Vinzent no more than took three steps in Liara’s direction when yet another shot was fired. In an instant he too fell down, taking a rather hard knock to the head in the process. “Protego...” he muttered, hoping the magical shield kept bullets out. Protecting the rest of him mattered more at that particular moment than the gunshot wound and the oozing stream of blood down his arm. This situation was exactly why he insisted on hiring a bodyguard...

Why on Earth Vinzent didn't just let Minister Lightle's handlers take care of her, Julian would never know. It was certainly not a result of any fondness for the woman, of that much he was sure. When the first shot rang out, Julian went into automatic training mode: immediately assessing the area and making sure his target was secure. Taught never to interfere with other people's assignments, Julian's concern was not for Liara at the moment, but Vinzent. Satisfied that his assignment was indeed secure and unharmed, he began scanning the crowd for the assailant, only barely registering the fact that he was currently blocking Vinzent from view -- as was his job.

He never expected Vinzent to move towards the minister, of all people, and so had only realised Vinzent was not where he was supposed to be when another shot rang out, and to his horror, Vinzent was also bleeding on the floor. Never mind that it was not Julian's fault, he'd never hear the end of this -- if he managed to keep his job, that is.

Scrambling over to Zolnerowich, Julian immediately cast a powerful shield spell that blocked off the stage from the crowd like an immense wall of glass. It would slow down their ability to follow the attacker, but it would also prevent further harm to those on the stage, which was his immediate concern. It was the work of a moment to extract the bullets -- Vinzent's rushed shield charm had not been completely ineffective -- but he would need to be taken to St. Mungo's to take care of the deep wounds.

Staunching the bleeding with a handkerchief hastily conjured with his wand, only then did Julian turn to see if mediwizards had arrived on the scene. Instead, he received a faceful of blinding lights as a reporter snapped away at the pair, crouched behind the shield on the stage.

"Are you alright?" he finally asked Vinzent, doing his best to ignore the cameras. "We'll be heading to the hospital in a moment."

As usual during the monthly addresses of the Minister, Berlynn was on duty, though this time, rather than standing next to the Minister, she was undercover dressed as an older, stately blonde woman, acting as no more than a bystander. It seemed to be normal enough, with various emotions from the spectrum given in response to the Minister’s words. The Auror was half listening herself, though much of her attention was locked on the rather large figure of a wizard nearby. It couldn’t quite be explained, but Berlynn got a rather bad feeling whenever her eyes set upon him.

Soon enough, the witch found out why, though it wasn’t the wizard she had originally anticipated, but rather an unidentifiable source behind him.

At the sound of a gun shot ringing out, the witch quickly joined her colleagues in conjuring protective shields around the stage in an effort to lessen and pacify the mayhem that ensued. Once they were up, the auror hurried to where the Minister had fallen. Growing up within a Mercenary Family Business, guns weren’t anything new to her so she had a rough idea on how to assess the situation. On her way to the Minister she spotted Vinzent on the ground, shot as well. She was about to stop at his foot as well, but upon seeing Julian on his way, she opted not to, feeling that Vinzent would be just as fine with her friend, regardless of what the older wizard would say or claim against her friend.

Transfiguring herself back to her normal appearance, she jumped unto the podium and crouched down next to the Minister. “Minister? Can you hear me?” she asked, trying to keep her tone calm as she assessed the damage.

Liara was only half way through her speech when the gun shot rang out. She didn't even know what was happening when her right leg gave out and started radiating as much pain as it did blood.

The bullet hit her on the up part of her right leg just under her hip.. and dear mother it hurt.

"Oww" she uttered out of pain and surprise when she tried putting her hand over the wound only to have it shake to much. She was going into shock..

Then she heard another shot go off, she almost wasn't aware of it until she noticed it was Vinzent Zolnerowich.. Well at least she was sure he hadn't arranged this..

She turned her head at the sound of Berlynn's voice and nodded, "Yes.. it's my leg" she motioned down to her thigh that was already soaking red with her blood. She didn't bother stating if she knew it was a muggle weapon used on her... if people weren't causing a panic now they would soon.

Not even moments later shouts were called out for healers to get in as soon as possible.

__

The figure in black put his pistol away, now that defences were up and both targets hit, it was time to turn back..

As people started to panic and casting spells the stanger walked calmly away from the fray.

Now that he was somewhat protected, Vinzent tilted his head to see if he could see the attacker and what they planned to do next. His arm hurt like hell. The blood was difficult to see on the black robes, but it pooled around where he lay and would no doubt be visible on the white shirt he wore underneath all the black.

His line of sight was blocked as his bodyguard appeared at his side. A grunt to mask what would've been a shout of pain left his lips as pressure was applied to the wound to stop the bleeding. Vinzent blinked at Julian through a scowl. "Do I bloody look alright?!" he snapped, glaring in order to make up for what his pain-drenched voice was at the moment unable to muster. Considering Julian was trying to help, Vinzent's thoughts as to why being along the lines of the younger wizard needing to find another employer if he died, Vinzent answered more truthfully: "My arm is numb... You could've stopped me, you know..."


Down in the crowd of civilians, Michael Lightle and a few of his students had been watching the Minister's speech. As the shots rang out, and people panicked, Michael did all he could to keep the group of kids assembled. "Get down! Over there! Stay together, the lot of you!" he ordered the small cluster of teens, pointing toward as good a place as any to put up a shield charm. He glanced back at the podium and in an instant felt as though he'd been buried in a ton of ice as Liara collapsed to the ground. As a father he wanted to run to her. However, he couldn't leave his students, either. If only it were possible for him to split into at least four copies of himself! Unfortunately, while Michael was talented he was not quite that talented and likely never would be.

Then Zolnerowich was shot, and aurors arrived on the scene. That made him feel a little better: at least some sort of emergency aid and defense could be given. Still panicked nonetheless, Michael approached his students in the hope Liara would be alright. "Are all of you alright?!" he asked, looking to each one for confirmation. It was only after the third suspiciously one-shy head count that Michael realized Daniel Tanner was missing. "Daniel?!"

Michael turned just in time to spot the fourteen-year-old attempt to throw a leg-locker curse at a figure dressed in black that was stalking away from the scene. "Daniel!"

Daniel turned to Michael and pointed back at the figure he had attempted to curse. "It was him, sir! I saw the weapon, but I'm not familiar with firearms," the young man explained. With little to no warning Michael cast a strong shield charm in front of them and hauled Daniel back to the group. "Daniel... I admire your gallantry, but now is not the time to play vigilante!"

"But it may have slowed him down for the aurors to catch him, sir."

As much as the wizard loved children, Michael Lightle felt a possible migraine coming on...

"Unfortunately the Ministry does not equip us with eyes in the backs of our heads," Julian replied, his voice tight and his mouth set in an even thinner line. Despite the fact that his job was on the line, he couldn't help getting rather short with Vinzent.

"You know the security protocols, there was no reason to go and try to act the hero," he sneered, figuring if he was going to be losing his job he might as well deserve it. "I understand you politicians go by different rules and all, but is political office really worth your life? You can't enjoy much of a sympathy vote if you're dead."

Aileen’s eyebrows had been raised for the entire press conference. Equality? For the Minister of Magic to take such a firm and solidly articulated stand with equality was a bold move, especially with the election coming up so soon. Aileen had to admit, she hadn’t been too much of a fan of their minister. Granted, she wasn’t a fan of many political figures. If they were radicals, they were violent, if they were moderates, nothing got done, issues were talked around. She underlined Liara’s well-placed quote about standing together, letting out a little murmured “huh!” as she did. She’d have to write about this in the prophet, as well as in a Sangreal article. It wasn’t every day your minister vocally pledged themselves to one side of this tense subject.

Aileen’s hand jolted and her quill scratched a long line of ink through her notes as the first shot rang out. She instinctively dropped to the floor and crawled towards the nearest cover, a refreshment table along the side of the wall. She tucked her note pad and quill into her belt and continued her crawl as the second shot sounded. A frantic wizard collided with the table as he was backing up, and as he spun back around, stepped painfully onto Aileen’s hand. “AH!” Aileen yelled, giving the man a well-timed kick in the calf as he continued to run for the door. She cradled her throbbing hand and finally made it to the table where she could manage a good look around the room without exposing too much of herself to any further wave of shots.

The minister was down. It really was no wonder, especially with a speech like that. She continued to scan the room. A kid was trying to take on a man, perhaps the attacker? She’d keep her eye on that. Auror’s were everywhere, that was to be expected, although some good they did, a muggle weapon managed to get into the ministry, maybe they didn’t know what it was…Aileen thought to herself sarcastically.

Aileen’s eyes went back to the minister and her jaw dropped. Her well-practiced fingers scrambled back to her belt and grabbed out the note bad and quill. “Vinzent Zolnerowich, TRYING TO SAVE MINISTER.” She underlined this several times before lying flat on her belly and watching in amazement. “Zolnerowich saving the minister..” Aileen repeated it to herself, completely astonished. “What on earth is going on today?”

Vinzent's face contorted into a pain-riddled mix between a scowl and a snarl. His teeth were clenched in hopes to not only block the pain but also to prevent a certain pair of fangs from making themselves known. "Kaiser... This is no time for comedy," he retorted sourly.

Were he not weakened and shivering, not to mention if only he were left-handed, Vinzent might have struck or hexed Julian for his sneering remark. He had absolutely no interest in necessarily playing the hero even though that's what it looked like. Instead the wizard merely leered right back. It wasn't quite as effective as his eyes weren't quite front and center but rather unfocused and seemingly distracted. With a slight shake of his head, Vinzent's beady sapphires focused once again on Julian. He was not going to give in and go into shock; he was not going to show how overwhelming the pain was in his shoulder. "You'd be surprised what a body can live through..." he whispered mysteriously, though looked no happier to be having this conversation.

"I could ask about and lecture you... likewise... about your own career choices, 'dad,'" Vinzent scoffed quietly, the last word dripping with sarcasm. The wizard glanced around for medi-wizards or -witches, clearly not liking the fact they were taking their sweet time and had just now arrived on the scene.

(Thought I’d just shove Madeline in here for funnzies x)


Madeline wanted to snort, ‘blood is not the issue here’, ha! Of course ‘blood’ was not the issue; the Muggles stealing their magic was the blooming problem! Not that their pathetic excuse for a Minister would understand anything about that. It was not that Madeline disliked Liara, but rather, disliked every second word that came from the woman’s mouth. It was too pushy, too optimistic and ignorant for Madeline to respect. If Liara preached tolerance rather than equality, then perhaps, the two would have some understanding.

When the bullet shot went out, Madeline froze. Liara went down… Vinzent went down… what the hell? Why on earth would Vinzent Zolnerowich try to ‘help’? That, if nothing else, was what truly confused her. Madeline would be more inclined to believe he planned the assassination rather than tried to prevent it. But… Madeline was quite aware of how such an action would work in his favor, despite his less than fatal flaw.

Once her small moment of sock passed, Madeline had to turn her head away from the Minister to cough in an attempt to hide her slight twitching of lips. ‘That’s what happens to those who speak with idealized morals rather than aged wisdom. Why Liara thinks she knows better than those of us who have held power for generations is either a case of personal over estimation, or a lack of respect for those who knew far better. ’ It was in times such as that that Madeline-Clair truly could not understand the stupidity of elections. Electing someone such as that creature bleeding to death on the floor was simply a testament to the collective stupidity of most modern day Witches and Wizards.

She watched the havoc, confident enough that she was unlikely to be the centre of any attack considering her carefully calculated life choices, and waited until the initial shock of the group began to wear off. Patiently, Madeline removed her wand and wandered over the Liara to kneel by the woman’s side. She glanced at Berlynn, an Auror obviously incapable of doing an effective job at protecting her charge, and reached over to touch the woman’s shoulder.

“She needs a hospital, immediately, Berlynn. ” She said in a cool but gentle tone before turning her gaze down towards the Minister. With softer eyes and softer voice, Madeline began to speak. “Minister, would you like me to remove that bullet for you? The sooner its out and you’re stitched up the less likely it will be that your wound will become infected, or worse, bleed out. If the bullet nicked your bone, marrow could be leaking into your bloodstream. If that has happened, or does when we move you, it will be a rush to get you to the hospital either way. If you’d rather have a professional handle you, do you think you would be able to at least manage allowing me to apperate you to the hospital? Trauma apparently has a tendency to make one feel quite ill while apperating, or so I’ve heard. ” Madeline was confident in her abilities to heal the Minister. After all, one did not make life altering decisions without learning how to thoroughly get recuperate form any form of… unexpected complication. But all the same, if Liara didn’t want to move, Madeline would have no problem with seeing the woman bleed out all over the floor. After all, Madeline was offering to help, not shove another bullet between the woman’s eyes and be done with her abominable life.