Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Harry Potter series. That credit goes to the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling. Go Jo! I also do not own some of the material used. Again that belongs to Jo and Warner Brothers.

Chapter 14 At the Ministry

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were able to sneak into Umbridge's office. Hermione was shaking her head as they made their way to the fireplace.

"Please, let us help," she begged.

Harry turned to glance at her, but turned his attention quickly back to the fireplace.

"If you want to help then let me do this on my own," he said.

Hermione looked over at Ron, who looked down when their eyes met.

"We can't let you do that," she said.

"We're not leaving," Ron added.

Harry sighed in defeat.

"Make sure Umbridge isn't coming," he said.

"Too late," a voice yelled.

They turned to find Umbridge standing at the doorway.

xxx

Harry and Hermione ran into Ron, along with Neville, Luna, and Ginny, who had also been helping Harry behind his back.

"How did you guys get away?" Hermione asked.

"You can thank Ron," Ginny smiled.

"Ron?" Hermione asked.

He couldn't restrain his smile as he handed Hermione and Harry back their wands.

"I told them I wanted sweets. Course they told me to bugger off and ate the lot themselves," Ron laughed.

Harry and Hermione looked absolutely surprised that Ron had thought of something like that.

"That was clever, Ron," Hermione said.

"It's been known to happen," he smiled.

Neville broke the silence that had come.

"It was brilliant," he said.

Harry took a deep breath and began walking away.

"And where do you think you're going?" Ginny demanded.

Harry stopped, but didn't turn at first.

"The Department of Mysteries," he said.

"Without us?" Luna inquired.

It was at this point Harry finally tuned to face the others.

"Listen, I have to do this alone," Harry said.

Hermione's head went down as Ron shook his head.

"Maybe you don't," Ron said.

"I care too much about you all. If anything were to happen…" Harry began.

He couldn't finish the sentence. It hurt too much to.

"Then it was at our own risk," Neville said.

"But…" Harry began.

Ron shook his head as Hermione's head shot up.

"How many times most we tell you. We're in this together," Hermione snapped.

Harry sighed. Hermione had always been too stubborn for her own good.

"Fine, but I still think you should stay," Harry said.

Ginny laughed and put her hand on Harry's shoulder.

"There lies the problem, Harry. We don't really care what you think," she said.

xxx

The six looked around the room in shock. They were surrounded by crystal balls.

"Look at this place," Luna breathed.

"There must be a thousand prophecies," Hermione noted.

"How do we know which one we're looking for?" Neville asked.

Everyone then turned to Harry.

"Follow me," Harry said.

Harry stopped at the place where he had seen Sirius in his vision, but no one was there.

"Harry, that one has your name on it," Neville said, pointing to a glowing prophecy.

As Harry grabbed it someone laughed in the distance.

"Thank you for retrieving the prophecy for me, Potter. Now, give it here," the smooth voice said.

They saw that it was Mr. Malfoy.

"Where's Sirius?" Harry demanded.

"So gullible. You'd believe anything," Malfoy laughed.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.

"You only saw what the Dark Lord wanted you to see," Malfoy said.

Harry extended his wand more as Malfoy took one step forward.

"Stop right there," he said.

Malfoy bowed his head and stopped.

"Harry… all I'm asking for is the prophecy," he said.

By this time, Harry was aware of other Death Eaters approaching them from all sides.

"I've waited fourteen years. I can wait a little longer. Now," Harry yelled.

Spells began flying out of everyone's wands.

"Get them," Malfoy yelled.

They were all soon separated.

"Stupify," was all Harry heard from the other five.

He stopped in his tracks as he heard Malfoy.

"You can't run forever, Potter," Malfoy yelled.

Ron ran into Hermione as they ran through the same hall.

"Hermione," he yelled, seeing a Death Eater behind her.

She turned, but it was too late. With everything in his power, Ron blasted the Death Eater away. With tears threatening to escape, Ron ran to Hermione's unconscious body.

"Wake up! Wake up," Ron cried.

Harry, hearing Ron's pleads, ran to him.

"Ron, what's…" he began.

Harry didn't have to finish it after seeing Hermione on the floor.

"She got hit," Ron chocked.

It took Harry only a nanosecond to decide what to do.

"Get her out of here," he said.

"What about…" Ron began.

"Go," Harry begged.

AN:

Short, I know. Sorry.