Written for the Harry Potter Chapter Challenge (The Muggleborn Registration Commission - write about what happened to the Muggleborns)

Written for the Prompt Relay Challenge (male)

AU!

Reunited

She had stopped trying to prove her blood status an hour ago. Her cries had gone unheard as she was locked into a cellar deep below the Ministry. It was cold down there - and dark – but she wasn't alone. There were others. She couldn't see them, but she could hear them. The cellar was filled with cries and sobs from others like her.

It'll be okay, she thought. They would soon learn that she had been telling the truth – she had not stolen any wand. She knew they would.

Her thoughts then trailed to her children. Oh, her poor children! She hoped Reg was with them. He needed to hide them.

A cry filled her ears as she heard another being dragged through the dark halls. It was male this time, a mixture of anger and fear.

Suddenly, her door was opened and a bruised and battered man was thrown in with her. She didn't say anything to begin with, for she recognised him – they had gone to school together.

"Mary?"

"John?"

She had not expected to see John Dawlish in here. He was a respected member of the Ministry, and also one of the people she knew to be on the inside of locking up the Muggleborns. She had not expected to see anyone in her cellar, but she had certainly not expected to see him on her side.

"What's happening?" she asked after a moment. She crawled closer to the man, resting a hand on each of his shoulders and shaking him. "John, what's happening?"

He shooshed her. More footsteps could be heard coming along the dark corridor. They waited in silence until the sound had passed.

"John, what's happening?" Mary asked, quieter this time. "Why are you here?"

"They killed her," he whispered, his expression softening. "The moment they killed her, it was the end of me. I was done with them."

"Killed who?" Mary wanted to know.

"Amelia."

The woman nodded. She hadn't known Amelia Bones well – for she and John had been significantly younger than her – but she understood what he meant. "I'm sorry."

A thought then occurred to her. "I didn't know you were… you were like the rest of us?"

"I'm not. They chucked me in here because I said what they were doing was stupid. Why I'm with you, I can't tell you." He shrugged. "Only place left, I guess." He shrugged again.

"I need to get home to my husband and children!" Mary cried. "How do I get out, John?"

"If I knew, I'd tell you." He eyes another passerby before collapsing onto the ground, his head resting against the cold stone of the cellar.

Mary blinked away a tear. Would she ever have the chance to see her family again? Or was she doomed to die here, with an old school friend?

The second tear she couldn't control as she thought of them all. With a quiet sob, she said, "I love you, Reg," and also laid her head against the stone.

Who knew how long it would be before they were let out. If ever.

Another tear fell as she tried to get some sleep. She had to stay positive. She would see them all again. Of course she would!

John put an arm around her for warmth. Drawing her close as somebody walked past with their wand drawn, he pressed his mouth to her ear. "I lied," he whispered. "I do know a way out."

She lifted her head, hope suddenly filling every part of her body, but he drew her back to where she was. "Not now," he said, wrapping her in warmth. "We'll escape tomorrow."

Mary fell asleep against his shoulder, knowing her beginning was mixing with the end. Soon, she'd be reunited.

I hope you liked. Please leave a review if you read it to let me know your thoughts. Would be much appreciated!