Disclaimer: As always, not mine. It's all JKR's work and property.
A/N: Thanks to my beta, Dlbn. Of course, I'll name you! To you readers, I hope you'll like it and consider reviewing.
Chapter 2
Getting back into the Wizarding world was relatively easy. Staying inconspicuous was not. Death-Eaters and Snatchers were everywhere. Every corner was watched and there was a curfew. People were subdued and went their business. The shops closed early because no-one was wandering the street. Window-shopping was truly dead. It was disheartening.
There was no way I was going to live in this world. Better be dead and join my friends in the afterlife. But I could not bring myself to suicide. That was never really a possibility. I would fight until I couldn't anymore. Or I would die trying.
First, I had to brew. I had several potions to make. Most of them were simple potions that would require a trip to an Apothecary, but I was confident my purchase wouldn't point me out. Concerning the trickiest one, the ingredients weren't rare or expensive. I could pick up most of them during a simple stroll and I could buy the others in any Muggle drug store. But I would need a mortar, a very good cauldron and a safe place where magic was not monitored. I had few options so I settled on Grimmauld Place, despite all the risks. I was not inclined to stay there for a prolonged period of time both for personal and safety reasons.
Then, I had to get a hold of some of the shabbiest members of the deceased Order of the Phoenix. I managed to obtain Kreacher's help who in turn could ask other elves about one thing or another without arousing suspicion or getting rebuffed. I cried when he told me professor McGonagall was still alive. Hiding, but very much alive. Through those underground characters, I also learned the ministry still kept the only remaining Time-Turner inside its building. For once, luck was on my side; a Time-Turner had been lent when we smashed the whole bunch in a time-loop.
The daunting part was still ahead of me. I had to get my hand on this item. I knew it was most probably held in the Department of Mysteries and since I've been there when I was younger, I was positive I could work my way there. But I also knew there was no way I could do it explicitly. So I disillusioned myself, took Harry's cloak and hoped for the best. It wasn't difficult to enter the Ministry. Voldemort's partisans were sloppy at best. Since they met absolutely no resistance, they did but a poor job of monitoring the visitors. Entering the building was easier than the last time I was there with Harry and Ron. I took advantage of those waiting for their wand to be checked. At the exact moment where a man approached, I casted a silent Ascendio and thus propelled myself above the golden gates. I regret the problems it caused the unsuspecting man who had to go through all the troubles of proving his wand and motives were entirely pure but I had to go through. Then I found myself a very dark, quiet and unused corner and waited for the stream of people to thin. I had to swallow the lump in my throat as memories assaulted me. I had no idea then if I would ever see them again, alive and unburdened. If the mission I had tasked myself wouldn't be pointless. And the hazards. Oh, the hazards. It would be a miracle if I didn't die in the process. Worse, I could cause a dramatic ripple that would erase my friends forever. I did my homework. I knew about Eloise Mintumble and I really did not wish for a replay. But I also had to take the chance. Not that I had many alternatives either.
When I managed to get into a lift without fearing bumping into anyone, it was already late in the mid-afternoon. I dared not wait until everyone left, in case the lift set an alarm. I did however, wait until the Ministry closed to try and locate the Time-Room. I had brought paint and sticker labels to mark the doors so I would not be disoriented when the room rotated. It was as illuminated and peaceful as I remembered it. I took a moment to watch the Time-Turners in their loop. There was something eerily mesmerizing in their constant movement. I drew off a few drops from the Bell Jar so that I could add some to my potion, should the first batch be ineffective. I located quickly the only Time-Turner available and snatched it almost too easily. Either they were careless, or they thought the measures taken were sufficient. Since both possibilities were to my advantage, I was not going to complain. I was faced however with the difficulty of getting out of the Ministry. Either I took the lifts and hoped it wouldn't set an alarm or I waited a whole night and had again to get out without being seen. I chose to wait and used the Floo as the early workers trickled in. That had been a very long but also an extremely rewarding night.
A/N: Review, pretty please?