"Now Harry," Neville whispered from under the invisibility cloak. He was there with the Marauder's map waiting for Professor Snape to get within hearing range.
"Hermione," Harry started immediately. "Voldemort's got him...I saw it...He's torturing Sirius."
"That's silly Harry," She retorted. "How could he have captured Sirius? He's at Grimmauld Place."
The footsteps they had heard approaching stopped. Neville could see the little dot labeled Snape pause on the map. He continued to make sure no one else was around.
"I don't know, but that's not important," Harry continued.
"Let's just go tell Professor McGonagall. I'm sure she'll contact Sirius."
"It would be just like first year Hermione," Harry stated in a feigned angry voice. "She'd just tell us that it's preposterous and send us away."
"You don't know that Harry."
"I can't take the risk can I?"
"What else can you do?"
"I'm going. I'm going to find him," Harry stated. "I know he's in the Ministry…in that room."
"And how do you plan on getting all the way to London tonight?" Hermione asked sarcastically. "Fly your broom?"
"That's an excellent idea," Harry said with his voice rising excitedly. "Yeah I can fly my broom."
A nudge on the side of Harry's shoe allowed him to know Snape was moving again.
"You can't be serious," Hermione exclaimed.
"What can't Potter be serious about Miss Granger?" Said the oily voice of Professor Snape.
"DON'T YOU DARE TELL…" Harry yelled to Hermione.
"I'm sorry Harry but it's for your own good," Hermione said and turned to Snape. "Sir he thinks Sirius was captured by You-Know-Who."
Snape glance over to Harry. "Oh he does, does he?" A sneer appeared on his face. "I wouldn't worry too much Potter," He said in a voice filled with scorn. "Black's too much of a coward to have left Grimmauld Place."
"COWARD?" Harry yelled again. "YOU'RE THE…"
Snape's eyes flashed dangerously. "I wouldn't finish that sentence if you know what's good for you," He said quietly. "Thirty points from Gryffindor. Now get out of my sight before it becomes much worse."
Hermione pulled Harry's arm and pretended to lead him away as Harry glared at Snape. "Let's see if he follows us," She said to him.
To keep up the appearance they kept talking to each other.
"I still think you should tell Professor McGonagall," Hermione said.
"I can't," Harry replied. "If she doesn't take me seriously she might try to make me stay here. I have to go and rescue Sirius."
"You're just going to go fight You-Know-Who?"
"I've done it before," Harry muttered.
"And barely escaped," Hermione reminded him loudly, hoping Snape was still listening.
"Don't you understand Hermione? I don't have a choice," Harry exclaimed. "Now leave me alone and let me go."
"You can't go alone," Hermione said. "I'll go with you."
And so it continued. When they returned to Gryffindor tower Harry retrieved his Firebolt from his room, ignoring Ron's questions about it. At the same time Hermione grabbed her bag from her dorm. As they started out of the common room, Neville and Luna arrived.
"What do you have your Firebolt for?" Neville asked. That told Harry and Hermione what they needed to know. Neville would say 'Firebolt' if Snape had followed them and 'broom' if he had not.
Harry locked eyes on Neville for a short time before Hermione chimed in. "He thinks You-Know-Who has captured someone he knows. He's planning on running off to London to try to help him," She looked at Harry with a hint of exasperation. "I don't think it's true, but I'm going with him."
"I told you that I don't need your help Hermione," Harry retorted and started to walk past her.
"You're not going alone," She stated plainly grabbing his arm.
"I'll go too," Neville said. "I…I can help."
"Neville is pretty good at acting isn't he?" Harry said to Hermione who agreed.
"I'll go too," Luna said. "It's a pretty night to see London. Besides you can use all the help you can get."
"Look guys I'm not asking you to come," Harry exclaimed. "It's going to be dangerous and I don't want any of you hurt."
"That's too bad, since we're going anyway."
"Do either of you have a broom?"
"Well no…" Neville admitted and looked at Luna who was shaking her head as well. Then Luna's eyes lit up. "But I know what we can do," She grabbed Harry's arm and started pulling him after her. Down to the main level and out of the castle the four teenagers went.
Harry saw Neville's eyes float down to a piece of parchment he pulled carefully out of his robes. He knew Neville was looking at the map. "What do you have in mind Luna that can keep up with Harry's Firebolt?" Neville said as he looked back up.
'Firebolt' again. Snape was still tailing them.
Luna didn't reply until they were near Hagrid's hut. For the sake of listening ears Harry said. "Luna we can't tell Hagrid. He'll try to stop us."
"I'd never tell Hagrid, Harry," She replied. "But he keeps…" She reached behind a tree near his hut and pulled out a covered pail, "some blood around just for calling them." She finished.
"Calling what?" Harry asked, trying to make his voice sound like it was running out of patience.
"Thestrals of course," Luna replied.
"WHAT?" Harry whispered loudly.
"Neville and I can ride Thestrals," Luna replied. "Hermione too if she doesn't want to ride with you on your broom," Luna had started into the forest and the other teens followed. They no longer needed to pretend their voice was filled with nervousness, though there was still plenty of light; it was still dangerous enough to keep them on their toes.
"But…but I can't see Thestrals," Hermione said as the question she had asked herself when she had seen the Thestrals in the memories came back to her.
The sun was starting to sink lower in the sky when they reached the spot Hagrid had originally shown the Thestrals to the class. Luna started putting blood around on the ground in various spots and then waited. It wasn't long before two sets of white eyes appeared between the trees. Hermione at once had her answer. She could see the eyes and the rest of the beasts as they walked into the area.
"I can see them this time," Hermione said to Harry. "But I have to pretend I can't. I'm not sure what Snape knows," She acted like she noticed everyone else was staring at something. "What? Are they here?" She asked continuing to look around.
"Are you going to ride a Thestral or with me?" Harry asked her.
Hermione remembered the last time she rode one of the winged horse like creatures. Though they weren't going very far this time, it still wasn't something she wanted to do again. "Uh…you, at least I can see the broom."
Within a few minutes Harry and Hermione were aloft on the Firebolt, followed closely by Luna and Neville each on their own Thestral. The air rushed through their hair as they flew away in the last light of the setting sun. Twenty minutes later they landed in a field and after thanking the Thestrals, Luna sent them back to Hogwarts.
Harry pulled out the mirror and a few seconds later Sirius was staring at him again. "Did Snape contact you?"
"Yeah, though he didn't mention you at all."
Harry face turned dark as the anger for the Potions Professor increased. "Of course he didn't," He snarled. "He most likely didn't last time either. Dumbledore only said he made sure you were there," He thought about it for a few seconds before continuing. "If you didn't know what was going on tonight like last time and Snape had told you I thought you had been taken by Voldemort or that Umbridge was taking us into the Forbidden Forest what would you have done," He asked Sirius.
"I'd have ripped Snape a new arsehole if he wasn't going to look for you that instant, Umbridge or no Umbridge. I'd at least have sent Remus to start searching for you at Hogwarts."
"Thought so," Harry replied. "So again he contacted you just so he can tell Dumbledore later he did something when he overheard us, but nothing to actually try to prevent us from going," Harry grumbled. "I wonder if I should throw this up in Dumbledore's face later."
"Let's worry about Snape after we deal with the Death Eaters," Hermione said as she laid a hand on Harry's arm.
Harry nodded at her and then to Sirius. "We're headed for Diagon Alley."
"Sounds good, see you in a few hours," Sirius replied and he disappeared from the mirror.
"Dobby, Winky!" Hermione called and immediately the two elves were there.
There was no need for words as the elves knew immediately what to do. Dobby took Harry and Neville's hands and the three of them disappeared while Winky did the same with Hermione and Luna. The four teens and two house-elves appeared in Diagon Alley. By using the elves they were able to go directly to the Alley instead of having to pass through the Leaky Cauldron and being seen.
"Thank you," Harry said to both elves. "Dobby I'll call you when we get to the Ministry. Remember, you're to do nothing there, just wait until Voldemort shows up and then get to your old Master's house. If you can, look and see if you can find the snake and Pettigrew. Do not endanger yourself though. That's an order Dobby," Harry said gently. "Do...Not...Endanger...Yourself." He repeated slowly to emphasize the order.
"Dobby understands," The elf replied. "Dobby will not endanger himself."
Harry smiled at the house-elf and nodded. Dobby and Winky apparated away with a crack and the four teens started walking down the empty street. Though still lit by gas lamps, there still was a stillness that felt disquieting. They passed a couple of people on the way, no one seemed to indicate any recognition, nor even glance their way. Finally they arrived at the destination. Number ninety-three. A rap on the door brought a quick answer when George opened it up.
"Harry?" George asked and stopped as Harry and Hermione along with Neville and Luna made their way into the store.
When they were all in the back room away from the windows, Harry finally turned to George and Fred who had joined them. "Thanks guys. I presume you got the message from Sirius?"
"Yeah, but can you tell us what's going on?"
"Let's just say we're about to prank Voldemort," Harry replied.
"WHAT?" Fred exclaimed. Sirius had sent a message saying Harry and some friends would be arriving and would need additional supplies. "YOU-KNOW-WHO? You're joking right?"
"No, but don't tell anyone and I do mean anyone including your mother or Dumbledore," Harry said. "You're going to hear things tomorrow that don't match what's happening now. Just let it be. We'll try to explain later."
Fred and George looked at Harry then at the rest of the teens in front of them. Finally they raised their hands in unison. "Fine Harry. Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Pranking is our game," George reminded him.
"If you have all the things Sirius mentioned, especially every single bit of Peruvian Darkness Powder that you have; that is all we need. Oh and a place to stick around for another couple of hours. Currently Voldemort thinks we are headed toward him on a broom and Thestrals."
"Thestrals?" Fred asked confused. "Why would you be riding Thestrals?" He asked as he started handing over bottles of Instant Darkness Powder and other items.
"It's a long story, and though we do have time, I'm not ready to explain it yet," Harry said. "Are you two in the Order now?"
"Nah," George responded. "Mum would kill us, besides we're busy trying to get this place up and going."
"Though business has been going great," Fred added.
"Well if you want to have some fun tonight, head to Grimmauld place when we leave," Harry said and then pulled out his mirror. "Sirius Black."
It was a few minutes before Sirius finally appeared. "Yeah pup? Sorry it took so long but I've got quite a few Order people here. I'm throwing a little party tonight. If things go wrong, you'll have a rescue party ready to go."
"I understand," Harry replied. "We're with Fred and George. Mind if they drop in when we leave?"
"Heck no. The more the merrier," Sirius said. "What do they know?"
"Only that we are going to be pranking Voldemort tonight."
"Yeah send them over but make sure they know it could be dangerous."
"See you at the Ministry," Harry replied to his Godfather.
"Ministry?" Fred asked.
"What's happening there?" George questioned.
"You'll find out," Harry said. "Remember not a word to anyone except to Sirius, especially that you've seen us. How much do I owe you for all of this?" He asked.
"Our pleasure Harry," Fred replied and seeing the look on Harry's face. "Really, business has been great and we owe it all to you. Besides if you're using this against You-Know-Who, then it's the least we can do."
The next couple of hours passed slowly. The hands of the clock seemed to never move as Harry looked at the clock time and time again. Finally it was one o'clock and time to start toward the Ministry. After a quick pepper up potion for each of them, Harry and Hermione disappeared under the invisibility cloak as Fred and George walked out with them, Neville and Luna. The Leaky Cauldron now was deserted except a sleepy barmaid behind the bar who only nodded at Fred and George before going back to reading her copy of the Witch Weekly.
The Ministry of Magic was within walking distance of the Leaky Cauldron and the four teenagers, after saying good bye to the twins, slowly made their way to the correct street. When Harry spotted the vandalized telephone box on the dingy street he stopped.
"Last chance guys," He said to Neville and Luna. "You don't have to do this. Just because you came last time doesn't mean you have to this time. You know what we're up against this time."
"You're not getting rid of us that easily Harry," Neville said.
"The Wrackspurts are starting to nest in your mind again," Luna said. "Remind me tomorrow to make a funnel for you."
Harry smiled at his friends as he silently hoped no danger came to them. "Then you know the plan," He said. "Put on your hats now so we don't forget later."
The four of them donned their Weasley's protective hats and made their way to the telephone box. With only the four of them in the box this time, it wasn't nearly so bad. Harry had made sure he was closest to the phone. He quickly dialed six-two-four-four-two and as the last number dialed the female voice started. "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood… we're here to save someone," He stated the same reason he had used before in case someone checked the entry.
"I'm sorry but one of the names is incorrect," The voice said. "Please hang up and try again," The phone went dead.
Harry looked at Hermione and they both realized the mistake. Harry quickly dialed the number again. The voice again asked the same question.
"Harry Potter, Hermione Potter, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood. We're here trying to save someone."
"Thank you," said the cool female voice. "Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes."
Harry once again saw his had the reason 'Rescue Mission' again.
"Visitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wands for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."
"Okay," Harry replied and the floor of the telephone box started sinking into the ground.
As the elevator finished its downward trip, the female voice from the phone spoke up one more time. "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant evening."
As the doors opened Harry looked around. He and Hermione were remembering the last time they had been in this Atrium several months prior, trying to find Umbridge and the locket. He looked at the Fountain of Magical Brethren that stood in the center and remembered the Black Stone thrones that had been erected in the Voldemort led Ministry. A chill ran through him. He turned and looked at Hermione. "Not this time."
Hermione only nodded before moving down the hall past the fountain. Once again the security desk was empty. Another silent gaze at Hermione, they both knew that meant the Death Eaters were below. They turned and looked at Neville and Luna and a flick of their eyebrows toward the security desk, they too knew what it meant.
A sudden thought came to mind. "Do you think they killed the guard? Someone we could have saved?"
Hermione looked again at the security desk before returning her eyes back to her husband. "I don't know, but we'll save a lot more lives by eliminating the Death Eaters," Both of their eyes returned to the desk as any last doubts of what they were about to do left them.
"This would be a good place for Dobby," Harry said quietly. "He can hide behind the desk until Voldemort shows up," He turned to face an open spot and called. "Dobby," Softly and the little elf appeared with a crack.
"Stay behind this desk until Voldemort shows up," Harry said indicating the spot. "Try to not let the Order see you when they arrive."
"Dobby understands."
Harry gave the elf a pat on the shoulder and a smile. He then turned back to his friends and with a jerk of his head indicated they should proceed on. The continued on until they passed through the golden gates that led to the lifts. They entered one of the lifts and the grilles clanged noisily shut as they had before. Harry pushed the button labeled nine and the lift began its descent.
As the elevator crawled to a stop the female voice said. "Department of Mysteries."
They left the lift and moved down the torch lit corridor and stopped just short of the plain black door. "Everybody ready?" Harry whispered as he looked at his friends and wife. Two nods and a mental "Yes," answered him. Harry took a deep breath and let it out and then closed the distance and the door swung open in front of him.
"Remember to close your eyes once the wall starts spinning," Hermione reminded everyone unnecessarily as they entered the circular room. Before she closed the door, she reached into her bag and removed a simple muggle crayon and wrote a small 'x' on the door. As before, when the door closed the wall started to spin.
When it stopped they all started toward a door. Having studied the memories carefully, they were able to instantly recognize each room.
"Brains," Hermione whispered and wrote a small B on the door she was holding open.
"Time," Luna added softly about her door and she too wrote a small T on the door. Soon every door was labeled with a small letter. As the last door was labeled that entered the one marked with a small 'p'. The 'P' stood for portal.
As they entered the room, Harry felt a wave of emotion pass over him as he stared at the archway twenty feet below him. The battle and Sirius' death flowed through his memories.
"We need to hurry," Hermione said softly to him finally. He turned to look at her and she found wetness in his eyes. "This is the whole reason we came back Harry, to save Sirius and our friends. The real fight starts right now."
Harry nodded at his wife and small half smile appeared. "Let's find those doors."
"They are to the left according to your memories," Hermione said nodding toward a couple of doors in the correct direction.
They ran over and opened one of them carefully. In front of them was what they hoped to find, the giant tank of Brains. Leaving it for now; they quickly went back to the Veil Room. He nodded at Neville and Luna, "You know the plan. Seal every door in here but the main one and this one," They quickly spread out around the room and started casting "Colloportus" on every door. Each door also had a Wheezy firework attached to it which would explode if the door was forced open. Harry hoped it would prevent anyone from sneaking up on them. Finally they covered the area in front of each door with Darkness Powder. When they finished securing the doors they started setting the room up.
From the main door they started making a path down to the Dais and the veil. From her bag Hermione pulled out several dozen rocks which she aligned on each step to the bottom. She grew each of them to boulder size with enlargement charms. While Hermione was busy with the rocks, Luna, Neville and Harry brought out containers of dirt and pebbles.
They copied and enlarged the items and then dumped it down the steps to even them out. In doing so, they created a downward path to the Dais that hid any signs of the steps. Neville brought out a bottle of some kind of liquid from Herbology that gave off an earthy outdoors scent. He poured it down the path. From the Brain room they brought in a desk and transfigured it into a door and frame which they placed three feet in front of the Veil and bordered by more boulders.
Finally they took out a couple of bottles of Instant Darkness Powder and started darkening the area behind the boulders and also between the door and the Veil. All in all it took them twenty minutes but they had a trap. Anyone entering the room would only see a downward sloped boulder lined path with a door at the far end. All they had to do was make sure the Death Eaters entered the correct door. If everything went as planned, they'd be able to truthfully say they didn't kill anyone. Though if necessary, they were willing to do just that.
The final thing they did was the most dangerous. From her bag, Hermione brought out six shrunken small jars which she enlarged to double their normal size. They re-entered the brain room and finding a spot in the tank where there were no brains currently, she quickly filled each jar with the green liquid.
"Cover me," she said nervously as she looked back at the tank. The other three teenagers quickly had their wands out and pointed at the tank. Hermione levitated a brain out of the tank and just as it was starting to uncoil she quickly put it in a jar and sealed it. She quickly did the same for five more of the brains, one per jar. Four of the jars were prepositioned where they would be needed later. Harry and Hermione each had one of the remaining two jars. As they left the Brain room, they sealed that door as well.
They finally left the Veil room and re-entered the circular room. Once it stopped spinning, Harry pulled out a portable swamp. Fred and George had told them how to make it the exact size you wanted it to be and within a minute the circular room had a swamp in the middle with only a foot of clear space round the room.
"Let's go meet Malfoy and company," Harry said and led his band of fighters into the door marked with the small 't'.
They found themselves in the room filled with clocks of every size and shape imaginable, each ticking. At the far end of the room was a familiar sight. Harry and Hermione had seen it before two years ago, and Neville and Luna in the pensieve memories.
The twinkling of the large bell shaped jar called to them as it sat twinkling in the torchlight. Luna found herself entranced by the small hummingbird and egg transformation that was in it.
Hermione looked around and found the cabinet with the hourglass necklaces in it. She stared at it for several seconds before gently opening it and removing one of them. "We need to destroy this cabinet again when we come back through," She whispered to her husband who nodded in return. She quickly threw the self-sizing chain over her head and tucked it completely out of sight, hoping they would not need it tonight.
Harry looked at the door that was past the jar. "This is it," he called loudly to his friends. "This is the door," He turned to look at them one more time. After making sure each had their protective hats in place, he gave them a quick smile.
"Ready?" He asked in a low voice and though Neville swallowed hard, a look of determination settling in his eyes as he nodded with the rest.
"Wands," Harry said as he pulled out his own. When the others all had theirs in their hands, he gave a quick nod and opened the door. The room was just as he remembered it; cold and filled with shelves of blue orbs. Each of them knew exactly what they were.
As they entered the cold room, Hermione tried to keep the scenario the same by whispering. "You said it was row ninety-seven Harry."
"Yeah," Harry replied and he looked at the familiar shelf that showed number fifty-three.
"We need to go right," Hermione continued. "See that says fifty-four."
"Keep your wands ready," Harry said. They had visited this portion of the memory so many times, the wording came naturally.
After they had slowly moved down the aisle, Hermione once again said. "Here it is. Row ninety-seven."
"He's right down at the end," Harry said quietly, again using the same words since he knew they were Death Eaters listening. "You can't see properly from here."
Trying to mimic what had happened last time, they walked down the row until they got to where Sirius had appeared in the vision. "He's around here somewhere," Harry said trying to put a hint of desperation in his voice.
"Harry," Hermione said gently.
"What?" Harry snarled in the same tone as before.
"I don't think Sirius is here," She said. The nervousness in her voice quite real since she knew a dozen Death Eaters were watching them right now.
They had decided to forgo the running up and down the aisles, but had Neville 'find' the prophecy at this time.
"Harry," He called nervously. "Have you seen this?" He pointed at one of the shelves on row ninety-seven.
"What is it?"
"I...I don't know but it has your name on it," Neville said. His voice broke in genuine nervousness though in the dim light Harry could see the determination in Neville's eyes as he quickly made his way back to his friend's side. He glanced at the shelf and felt a wave of disgust at the yellow label that sat under the blue orb that read.
S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D.
Dark Lord and (?)Harry Potter
"What do you think it is?" Luna asked.
"I don't know," Harry replied as he reached out for it.
"I don't think you should," Hermione said.
"It's got my name on it Hermione," Harry replied. "I've got a right to know."
"Don't Harry," Hermione pleaded one more time, but they all knew what was going to happen.
Harry grabbed the blue orb and pulled it from the shelf. The others moved closer waiting for the voice and a couple of seconds later it happened.
"ʹVery good, Potter. Now turn around, nice and slowly, and give that to me."
Harry whirled around as if surprised and found the expected twelve wand tips pointed at them. Fred and George had assured them that the hats would stop at least two stunners or disarming spells. Even so, seeing that many wands aimed at them was disturbing and Harry felt a trickle of sweat emerge on his brow as he gazed at the masked Death Eaters.
"To me," Repeated the voice of Lucius Malfoy coming from behind the mask of the closest figure.
"Where's Sirius?" Harry asked.
Time repeated itself as several Death Eaters started chuckling. The voice that Harry instantly recognized as Bellatrix Lestrange emerged from the midst of the robed figures. "The Dark Lord always knows!"
"Always," echoed Malfoy softly. "Now, give me the prophecy Potter."
"I want to know where Sirius is!" Harry repeated as he mentally said to Hermione. "Don't think the Dark Lord knew about this."
"I want to know where Sirius is," mimicked Bellatrix.
"I know you have him," Harry yelled trying to show panic in his eyes. "I know he's here."
"The little baby woke up fwightened and fort what it dweamed was twoo," Bellatrix said in the same horrible baby voice.
Harry knew he had to play this out. He needed Lucius to mention the prophecy, but he couldn't wait for the bitch in front of him to die.
Hermione moved up to just behind Harry and he muttered to her. "Don't do anything yet."
Bellatrix let out a peal of laughter. "Yet? You hear him? Giving instructions to the other children as if he's thinking of fighting us?"
"Oh, you don't know Potter as I do, Bellatrix," said Malfoy softly. "He has a great weakness for heroics; the Dark Lord understands this about him. Now give me the prophecy, Potter"
"THERE," thought Harry. "The magic word," He looked at Lucius questioningly. "This thing?" He asked.
"Hand it over," Lucius snarled.
"What is it?"
"Just hand it over now or we'll start using wands," Lucius said.
Harry's wand came up instantly as did the others.
"Go on then," Harry bluffed again this time. He knew, or at least hoped the Death Eaters would react the same, though they were all ready to bolt if necessary. He wasn't surprised when no spell from the Death Eaters was forthcoming.
"We only want the prophecy Potter," Lucius replied. "Give it to me and you and your friends won't get hurt."
It really was funny and Harry laughed as he did the last time. "Yeah right. I give you this and you'll let us leave peacefully will you?"
He was waiting for Bellatrix and wasn't disappointed as she started the summoning charm. "Accio Prophecy."
Harry's 'Protego' was in plenty of time and the orb didn't even quiver in his hand.
"Oh, little bitty baby Potter knows how to play," she said, "Very well, then ‐"
"I TOLD YOU, NO!" Lucius Malfoy roared at the woman who had started another spell. "If you smash it…"
Bellatrix repeated the past as Harry remembered it by stepping forward and removing her mask. Harry remembered the hollowed skull like sunken face and he would always remember her eyes. Eyes that showed a fanatical determination. "You need more persuasion?" She asked. She again turned to the Death Eater beside her and order. "Get the blonde girl. We'll let him watch us torture her. See if he can withstand her screams."
Luna immediately stepped behind Harry.
Harry glared at Bellatrix. "You'll have to go through me and this thing before you'll touch my friends," He said. "Do you think your Boss would appreciate you being the reason this is lost?"
There was a silence between the two groups. Harry could see the hatred and insanity in Bellatrix's eyes.
"So," He asked. "What is so important about this thing...prophecy did you call it?"
"Surely you jest Potter," Bellatrix said.
Harry was feeling more confident as he knew once again they were not ready to attack. "No I'm not," He said. He decided not to push Bellatrix's anger just yet and kept away from using Voldemort's name. He was waiting until later for that. "What does your Master want with this thing? Why did he send all of you to make sure he got it?"
"Do not play games with us, Potter," said Malfoy.
"No games," Harry replied. "I really want to know what's so important."
"Dumbledore never told you about the prophecy? That the reason you have that scar was buried here in this room?" Malfoy asked disbelieving.
"This?" Harry asked, nodding at the orb. "This is the reason I lost my parents?"
Several of the Death Eaters were laughing now. "Dumbledore never told you?" Malfoy repeated. "The Dark Lord wondered why you didn't come when he showed you this place. He thought curiosity would bring you to hear the exact wording…"
"Why did he need me to come get it then?"
"Enough," Lucius said. "Give me the Prophecy."
Harry realized it was different this time. Lucius was willing to give less of an explanation. Harry needed one more thing to happen before he put the rest of the plan into action.
"Going to kill us now?" He asked. "Twelve of you against four of us? While hiding behind your masks? To afraid to bare your faces? It isn't like I don't recognize most of you. It was just last year I beat your master in the graveyard."
"LIES..." Bellatrix screamed and brought up her wand.
"NO!" Lucius cried out to the psychotic witch.
"You do have a temper don't you Bellatrix," Harry said calmly as he looked at her. "It's a shame you weren't there to see it. Now let's see if I can remember your names," Harry said. Then he started naming the rest of the Death Eaters. "McNair…Nott…Crabbe…Avery…" he continued naming them until he turned to the one closest to him. "..and of course Lucius Malfoy."
"It doesn't matter," Malfoy said as he removed his own mask. Following his lead the others pulled their own masks off and leered at Harry. "Even if some miracle was to happen and you survive this night, Fudge would never believe you."
"You're probably right," Harry agreed. "Tell me do your bribes go directly to him?"
"Of course not boy," He sneered. "Fudge is too much of an idiot to bribe, but he did anything Umbridge suggested and she could be easily approached."
Lucius had barely finished the sentence when Harry said "Go!" silently to his wife.
Lucius and Harry stared at each other for a few seconds before Lucius started "Now give me that..." He never finished the sentence before utter mayhem occurred.
Hermione had repositioned herself back between Neville and Luna with her feet barely touching each of their feet. As Harry mentally said the word, she hit both of their feet and they both lowered decoy detonators to the floor with the attached strings. The small objects scurried away in opposite directions. Fifteen seconds later they detonated almost simultaneously on either side of the hall.
"WHAT?" Lucius yelled as the Death Eaters wands were all pointing away from the teens trying to discern the new threat.
"NOW!" Harry yelled and each of the teens threw handfuls of Instant Darkness Powder in the area that had separated them from the Death Eaters. Even before the darkness had fully taken hold Harry and his friends had their wands in their hands and were sending 'Reducto' hexes at the nearest shelves.
"Now RUN!" Harry yelled.
Hermione pulled her jar with the brain in it out of her cloak and lobbed it into the darkness before she turned and bolted behind the others.
Behind them they could still hear shelves toppling and globes bursting as the Death Eaters world dissolved into utter mayhem. The Death Eaters were cursing and crying out in pain as they continued to stumble around. Bellatrix's voice cut through the noise as she yelled, 'STUPIFY!'. A crash and more curses followed.
Then another voice, one that Harry didn't recognize cried out in panic. "AAAHHH..What the hell..somethings got.." The voice became muffled but the panic remained. Several voices were now crying out "LUMOS!" in vain.
"STOP!" Lucius' voice could be heard yelling. "We've got to get out of this stuff."
Realizing the Death Eaters were still confused and not in pursuit, Harry stopped and turned. He aimed his wand at the black cloud and yelled, "REDUCTO!" A satisfied smirk crossed his face when he heard a Death Eater cry out in pain and curses. He turned and continued the retreat. As they passed random rows between shelves, they'd throw Darkness powder down them, knowing the Death Eaters would have to investigate each one to insure the teens weren't hiding behind one of the clouds, slowing them down greatly. Finally they reached the door they had come in and slipped back into the Time room.
"You know," Hermione said breathlessly. "If they accidentally pick up a prophecy as they are stumbling over stuff in there, it is supposed to make them crazy."
"Well it couldn't make Bellatrix any worse could it?" Harry asked as they passed the Bell Jar. "I just wished we'd thought to get the Hand of Glory. We could have taken the lot of them right there."
"Better our way," Hermione replied. Then she nodded at the Time Turner case. "Want to take care of that?"
Harry nodded and sent a blasting hex at the case. They all watch in amazement as the case exploded into pieces. As the parts of the case just touched the floor, they reversed and rebuilt itself only to reverse again and explode once more.
"That's cool," Neville said as he watched the demolition and rebuild.
Hermione sent several blasting hexes at several spots on the wall and after a moment's hesitation another hex destroyed the bell jar as well. "We can't let them know we were only aiming at the Time Turner cabinet," She explained.
Harry nodded before he started for the door "We need to go."
They dispersed when they got back to the circular room. Each taking a different room they started spreading as much Darkness Powder as they could in thirty seconds. Finally they rejoined in the Veil Room.
"Here!" Harry said holding out the prophecy to Hermione.
Hermione took it and laid it carefully on the ground. Aiming her wand at it she said. "Geminio!" and a duplicate appeared next to it. Twice more she cast the spell until there were four blue orbs on the ground.
"You take the real one Hermione," Harry said as he grabbed the other three and handed one each to Neville and to Luna while pocketing the last one.
"No..." Hermione started.
"Yes!" Harry insisted. "If they're able to tell them apart somehow, you...you're going to have the real one."
Hermione huffed but then nodded. She knew she wouldn't win the argument and time was too critical right now to even try. She picked up the real prophecy and put it in her robes.
"Remember, if you get into trouble, make sure the Death Eater can see the orb," Harry said and they all nodded they understood. "It won't take them long so let's get into position."
"Do you think that brain got one of them?" Hermione asked.
"I think so," Harry replied. "That one guy who screamed."
"Well I won't complain if we have one less to fight," Hermione said. "If he shows up though, we need to be careful and not touch the brain that's on him."
"Yeah I remember what it did to Ron."
Hermione started giggling.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked.
"Oh...for some reason when you mentioned Ron, I remembered him summoning it the last time."
"Yeah and why was that funny? As much I wouldn't mind it now, then it was pretty serious."
"I know, it's just...well the Wizard of Oz and the Scarecrow popped into my mind," She replied. "You remember; he lacked a brain and always wanted one?"
"Are you suggesting Ron lacks a brain?" Harry asked his wife.
"Are you suggesting he has one?" She responded with a raised eyebrow.
"Touché," Harry agreed with a smirk. "But let's get moving," He gave Hermione a quick kiss and scrambled down the path. His post was directly behind the Veil. If any doors were breached besides the main one, he would coordinate the response. He would also replenish Darkness Powder if any started deteriorating around the other doors.
"You two ready?" Hermione asked Neville and Luna, both of whom nodded. "Then let's do it."
Neville turned to head down the path as well. His position was a small opening between two boulders near the front of the Dais. Just as he took the first step Luna grabbed his arm. As he turned back to her, he found her lips on his cheek very close to his lips.
"For luck," She said as she reached up and adjusted his hat on his head. "Be careful Neville."
"You too Luna," Neville replied. His eyes lingered on hers for a second before he turned and ran down the path. When he got to the bottom, he reached up and opened the door a few inches and then took his place in the boulders. From where he was, he could see the door, but no one coming down the path could see him. If he got into trouble, he could step backward a step or two and disappear into the darkness. A small yell and Harry would be there to help.
"Ready?" Hermione asked Luna after seeing their men off.
Luna nodded as her normal dreamy gaze seemed to harden.
They took positions behind boulders on either side of the main door. As with Neville, their position opened behind them so they could step back into the darkness and away from danger. Their role was rear guard. To help them in case of overwhelming danger, they each had two of the brain jars beside their feet, ready to be picked up and lobbed into any threatening danger.
Just as they got into position, they heard a splash and curses as some of the Death Eaters had won free to the circular room and had ran directly into the swamp.
"Shut up," Lucius snarled. "They obviously didn't come as unprepared as we thought," He continued. "In pairs start searching rooms. Get that prophecy and kill the brats."
Two seconds later the door opened. Hermione glanced from behind her hiding spot to see who it was. "Dolohov and Rabastan," She said to Harry.
"Hope this works," Harry replied. "Be careful."
"You too."
Neville had the opening move. When he heard the door open he sent a banishing charm at the door in front of the Veil causing it to slam shut.
"GOT THEM!" Dolohov yelled over his shoulder to Rabastan. "They just ran through that door," The two men raced down the path until the got to the door in front of the Veil. They yanked it open and ran through it. Their yells of triumph disappeared almost immediately.
"Two down," Hermione said. She was surprised at the sense of satisfaction that surged through her at the knowledge the man who'd cursed and almost killed her last time met his end. She then remembered that she could have killed him in the cafe when they had found them after Bill and Fleur's wedding. "We should have done it then Harry. Even then it was our fault he got a chance to kill again."
"We're older now...well sort of," Harry replied. "We hadn't really seen what they do with our own eyes then."
"Hermione watch out!" Luna yelled suddenly.
Hermione had accidentally kicked one of the brain jars and it had collided with a boulder. The glass had cracked enough to allow the brain to win free. As Hermione glanced down at where Luna indicated she could see one of the brain's tentacles stretching out toward her foot. Luna did not hesitate as her wand was up and a blasting hex hit the small creature splattering bits of white matter over Hermione's foot and leg.
Hermione whirled around and saw what had happened. She looked over at Luna. "Thanks."
Luna smiled. "That's what friends do right?"
"Exactly," Hermione replied. "I'm glad you're with me."
The door burst open as obviously Luna's screams had drawn the attention of more Death Eaters. Fortunately the Death Eaters were startled enough by the strange scene in front of them that Luna and Hermione were able to fade into the darkness just in time.
"It's Bellatrix and Rookwood," Hermione said to Harry. She'd just caught their profiles before hiding. Harry and Hermione both clenched their wands tighter while at the same time Hermione reached down for her last jar containing a brain.
SLAM! The door in front of the Veil closed with a noise as Neville once again did his job.
Bellatrix jumped around as she heard the door close. "Ah the babies went that away," She said to Rookwood as she started running. She was halfway down the path when Rookwood yelled. "Bellatrix WAIT! This is wrong."
They had been worried about Rookwood. He worked in the Department of Mysteries for years and would know there was no room like this one. Luna didn't waste time. She threw one of her brain jars directly at the man who had his back still to her. Her aim was true as the jar smashed into the back of Rookwood's head.
"This isn't...AHHHH" Rookwood argument was cut off in a cry of pain as the jar crashed into his head and then shrieks of terror emerged from him as the brain unfurled around his neck. It took a couple of seconds for him to realize what it was, but when he did, he dropped his wand immediately so he could use both hands to try to dislodge the creature that now had two tentacles encircling his neck and another across his face.
Bellatrix turned at the commotion and as she saw Rookwood fighting with a tentacled creature, she retraced her steps cautiously with her wand waving back and forth. "So some of the children want to play rough do they? Come out, come out where ever you are," She sung in a child's voice. "I want to play too."
Neville's blood boiled at the sound of Bellatrix's voice. She was the one who had tortured his parents and now she threatened someone else Neville cared about. He was not about to let the deranged witch hurt Luna. He launched himself out from his hiding spot and aimed his wand at Bellatrix's back. "Reducto!"
Bellatrix whirled around at the sound and blocked the spell effortlessly. "Well well who do we have here? Could it be little Longbottom?" A wicked smile cross her face; one that showed the cruelty that existed in her soul. Slowly, as if she was a feline stalking her prey she moved slowly back down the path.
"You bitch," Neville declared as he stood there, drawing Bellatrix away from Luna and Hermione. "You tortured my parents."
"Oh yes," Bellatrix giggled insanely as she stopped. "Your mother's screams were most...delectable."
"REDUCTO!" Neville shouted again and again Bellatrix stopped it without effort.
"Tell me where the prophesy is and I'll see if my Master will let me keep you as a pet," Bellatrix offered.
"NEVER!" Neville snarled and again tried to hex the insane witch.
As she blocked Neville's hex, Bellatrix's wand continued on a path and ended up directly at Neville. "Stupefy!"
The jet of red light barely missed Neville as he dove behind a boulder.
"Did I frighten the little baby?" Bellatrix asked. "Give me the prophecy or your mother's screams will seem mild compared to what I'll do to you," Her cackling laughter echoed throughout the chamber.
Anger tore through Neville's mind as he looked around for something to do. He knew he couldn't actually beat the witch, but knew he had to do something to protect Luna. He just wished there was a way to get Bellatrix through the door.
"The door!" Neville thought and a plan came to mind. He pulled the fake prophecy orb from his pocket and then stepped back out onto the path. "This?" He asked the crazed witch as he held the orb out in front of himself. Behind Bellatrix he could see Hermione and Luna had emerged from their hiding spots and was attempting to sneak up on the witch. Catching their eyes, he gave only the slightest shake of his head, hoping they understood.
"Give it to me," Bellatrix demanded.
Neville backed away from Lestrange slowly. As he neared the door that hid the veil, he gave her a smile. "You'll have to catch me," He said as he turned and pulled it open. With a final look back to make sure Bellatrix was following, he stepped through the door into the blackness beyond.
"NEVILLE!" Luna shouted as she started running down the path. "Stupify! Reducto!" She yelled at the back of Bellatrix.
Bellatrix turned and sent a stunner at the young blonde girl and smiled in satisfaction as the spell hit her squarely. As the girl stumbled, Bellatrix ignored her and the other girl as she hurried after Longbottom and the prophecy. Her entire focus was obtaining the orb her Master desired. The blackness that hid what was behind the door didn't bother her as she and the other Death Eaters had already realized the stuff was only a nuisance and not a threat. As she passed the threshold of the door, she could already hear the praise her master would give her as she handed him the orb he wanted so badly. It was her last thought as her cackling ended abruptly a second later.
The shield hat had performed exactly as promised, and the stunner that had hit Luna only caused her to stumble, but she quickly regained her balance and raced toward the door screaming Neville's name. Just as she got to within a yard of the wide opened door, Neville stepped back out of the blackness.
The impact of Luna racing into Neville's arms almost knocked both of them back through the door.
"I...I thought you...you..." She said as tears came to her eyes.
"I had to do something," He explained as he wrapped his arms around the blonde girl. "She might have found you if she kept coming back up and I couldn't..." He paused as he continued to hold Luna. "I knew if I could get her to follow me...well I knew to step sideways after I got through the door," He said. It was then that he fully realized what he'd done. He had just caused the death of the one person most responsible for his parents' condition. He promised himself that he'd visit them soon and tell them that she was dead.
"Bellatrix is gone," Hermione said to Harry. "Rookwood is fighting with a brain," As she said that she summoned Rookwood's wand and snapped it in two.
"Can he see you?"
"Maybe, but he's struggling for his life since the brain is wrapped around his neck and head," Hermione replied as she sent a silencing hex toward Rookwood who was still grunting as he struggled to get the brain to release him.
"Leg lock him, but make sure you get his wand," Harry said. "Keep an eye on him though," Rookwood was someone who they wanted alive. He might know other people in the ministry who were loyal to Voldemort. "Don't take chances, if he gets free, either stun him or kill him."
"Already snapped his wand and he won't escape," His wife assured him. She sent the leg locking curse at Rookwood who immediately fell to the ground and continued to silently struggle. Hermione realized he was too close to the entrance. They didn't want people staying close to the doors, but to run down the path. She quickly levitated Rookwood down the path closer to the veil.
Luna and Neville were still standing in front of the door looking at each other. Their hands interlocked as they were saying all that needed to be said with their eyes. Hermione smiled to herself when she saw the look between them, but she knew it would have to wait. "OK you two, we need to be ready. More will show up soon."
Neville walked Luna back to the spot where he needed to hide, and as she started continue to her spot, he grabbed her arm this time. When she turned to him, he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. "For luck," He said gently as he blushed.
Luna smiled as her eyes met his. "Luck is always something good to have," She replied before turning and skipping happily back up the path.
A few minutes later the door opened slowly again and three Death Eaters came into the room. All of them were complaining while one was shaking mud off of one of his shoes.
"Macnair, Avery and Crabbe," Hermione said to Harry. She could see one of Macnair's arms had been secured beside him. "I think you hit Macnair. His arm seems to be broken."
"Too bad I missed his head," Harry replied remembering the executioner who was going to kill Buckbeak.
"Look," Avery yelled as he pointed down the path toward Rookwood. All three of them moved quickly down the path. As soon as the neared Rookwood, Neville slammed the door in front of the Veil.
"That way!" Crabbe yelled and started to move past Rookwood but was stopped by Avery.
"You stay here and help Augustus," Avery growled.
"Why can't Macnair do it?"
"Because he can't use both hands, now can he?" Avery replied. "Now help him while we go after those kids."
Crabbe grumbled but then slid his wand into his robes and knelt beside Rookwood. With a look of disgust he started pulling at one of the tentacles.
Avery and Macnair moved down the path slowly and cautiously. As they got to the door, they moved to either side and nudged it open.
"More of tha bloody black stuff," Macnair snarled. "When I get my hands…"
"Stop whining and move it before they get too far ahead of us," Avery said to Macnair as he gave the executioner a shove.
Macnair put a hand into the blackness and it came in contact with the stone archway. "There's something here, feels like stone or something with some kind of curtain. I...I think I hear voices."
"It's them. Stop fooling around and go get them," Avery said and gave Macnair a harder shove through the door only to feel him disappear. He started forward feeling as he went until he ceased to exist a second later.
Crabbe didn't notice his two companions had disappeared. He'd managed to free one tentacle but then cried out in panic as the free tentacle had started to wrap itself around his wrist. As he scrambled to free himself, he didn't notice the witch moving up behind him. He slumped onto Rookwood when the stunner caught him in the back.
Neville and Luna both stunned the Death Eater as well to insure he stayed out, while Hermione mangled his legs with a blasting hex.
"Crabbe's down. Tripled stunned and I hexed his legs. He won't be going anywhere," She said as she knelt and searched the Death Eater. She quickly found his wand and snapped it into two pieces. For good measure, she put the pieces back in his pocket.
"Great work, now get back..." Harry started but then a firework went off to his left. "Damn...someone broke in."
Luna and Neville knew the plan. They ducked down and held their positions. They would only respond if Harry needed help.
Harry threw on his invisibility cloak and ducked out of the black cloud into the area where the firework had gone off. He heard two men cursing as they found themselves in another black cloud that nothing penetrated.
"I'm going to kill those kids," One voice said.
"Only after I get to torture them Jugson," The other voice said. "I want to feed them their own entrails and when I find out who threw that...that thing..."
"What was that thing?"
"Rookwood said it was a living brain, whatever the hell that is."
They broke through the blackness and looked around. "What is this room Lestrange?"
"I don't..." Rodolphus' words stopped as a jar smashed at his feet. Both Death Eaters looked down and saw the brain that had been inside start to unfurl its tentacles.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Jugson yelled in frightened panic as he remembered the tentacles wrapping themselves around Mulciber. His wand moved faster than his mind as he yelled "AVADA KEDAVRA," Green light shot out of his wand and hit the tentacled creature. Unfortunately for his companion, the brain had been right at his feet and the same green light had hit Lestrange in his lower legs and feet. The shocked look on Rodolphus' face was fixed in place as he slumped to the ground dead.
Jugson watched in horror as his companion collapsed at his feet, eyes open in a shocked look. Still fighting the terror he felt from the brain he never heard the slight footsteps closing in.
"STUPEFY!" Harry yelled from two feet behind Jugson. The red light hit the Death Eater and he crumpled to the floor. A bone breaking hex at the Death Eater's arms made sure he wasn't going to be fighting again that day. Harry also picked up his wand and snapped it.
"Both are down. Jugson killed Rodolphus," He said. "Anyone else there yet?"
"No," Hermione replied.
"Then I want to give Jugson a chance to apologize to his friend," Harry smirked.
"What?"
"Just let me know if someone comes in," Harry answered as he levitated the Death Eater's limp body. He slipped into the darkness where he knew there was an opening onto the path. He dumped Jugson onto the path very near the Dais. "Neville, can you open the door fully?" He whispered to his friend who ran out from his hiding place and did what was requested.
"Thanks," Harry said as he tossed the two pieces of Jugson's wand next to the Death Eater's head. When he was ready, he revived the Death Eater and waited.