Chapter 13: From the Grave
The lobby of the Ministry of Magic was a chaotic mess of disgruntled employees. The noise was cacophonic, for every conversation seemed to be quick and simple to the point of shouting. Heads of minor and major departments threw orders to the employees under them, and paper memos zipped to and fro. Spells flew like a battle, with various documents and items flying around. Employees were disappearing in green light as they stepped into the fires crackling with Floo Powder. Angrily muttering about how an evacuation plan was "hardly necessary" and that there was "no real evidence that there's an army out there", along with the fact that "listening to mad prisoners" was ridiculous, the Ministry employees conducted themselves with as much dignity and self-restraint as they could.
Through this whirlwind of panic and paper, a rather serious looking young man stepped. Eyes would flicker to him once in a while, for in his calm and swift walk, he set a new pace. Teddy Lupin already had a shocking appearance this day. His hair was straight, falling to his shoulders, and an electric blue shade. Clad in a crisp black Muggle suit, Teddy had just returned from his grandmother's house. After helping her move her things into Shell Cottage, where she would be staying until the mess was over and done with, he bade her farewell, informing her of his future tasks as Head of the Hit Wizards. Andromeda's stern face lit up with pride, before she looked at him, peering at him through thick glasses. She seemed to be sizing him up, before nodding and promptly returning to her knitting. She seemed to already be used to the pleasant environment of Shell Cottage, and interacting with Louis and Dominique seemed to be the most important part of her day.
"Make me proud, grandson. And for heaven's sake, you are not a boy, you are the Head of the Hit Wizards," she added with an edge in her voice. "Dress like one."
Teddy's hands were itching, and a burning restlessness occupied much of his mind. He had been holding back his excitement for a very long time now; the last thing he needed was Harry doubting his capabilities.. But now, Teddy felt his body ready for combat; his wand arm was ready to defend and protect, and he relished the chance to do his job. He made his way through the lobby, stepping into an elevator that six people jumped out of. Within seconds, the elevator rattled to a stop and a sleek woman's voice echoed within its frame.
"Level Nine, Department of Mysteries," she said.
Stepping out onto the navy blue and black corridor, he walked very slowly, noting that it was as silent as it always was. Without its pair of security guards, the Department of Mysteries was less imposing. Apart from that, nothing seemed different, although a lone figure seemed to be walking towards him. Hands deep in his pockets, hair unkempt and bright orange, Percy was lost in thought, and his glasses looked so unbalanced it was surprising they remained on his person. He frowned as if he was deeply conflicted, and in the silence of the corridor, Teddy could feel it from where he stood. Percy stopped abruptly in front of him, finally noticing his presence. Up close, Percy Weasley was burdened with stress, the dark circles and bags under his eyes as prominent as his cheekbones; he had lost a reasonable amount of weight, to a point where Teddy could see how overworked the Head of the Department of Mysteries was.
"How did you know I'd still be up here?" he asked, embracing him.
"I didn't," said Teddy, hugging his cousin. Percy looked him up and down, but didn't comment on his appearance.
"Shouldn't you be with Victoire?" he asked, frowning. "I assumed Harry had you on the hunt. You don't have too much time on your hands."
Teddy shrugged.
"Saw her yesterday, my grandmother's at Shell Cottage now."
Percy nodded.
"Why are you still here? What does the evacuation plan entail for the Department of Mysteries?" asked Teddy, making Percy sigh heavily.
"Oh," he said, blushing. "Sorry, I forgot." In the moment, Teddy had completely lost his bearings, unable to remember that just like his employees, Percy was an Unspeakable. Though he interacted with people more than a normal Unspeakable, solely with his family and close friends, he couldn't divulge any real information about the Department's whereabouts and plans.
"No, it's quite alright. In any case…" Percy said vaguely, looking back towards the corridor. He shook his head, as if to wake himself up. His hair was messier than before.
"I spoke to Ron when he stopped by Shell Cottage to see Bill. Harry believes it's safer for the Department of Mysteries to make its own decisions, independent of the Ministry. After all, this Department is older than the government itself."
Percy began to walk, and Teddy found himself by his side. They passed rooms he knew on sight were tightly locked.
"Unfortunately, there is no relocation option for us. Too much crucially important information lies on Level Nine, and this is the safest place for it."
"Harry and the others broke into the Department, along with the Death Eaters, if I remember right."
"No denying it," said Percy seriously. "But I believe, and as does Albus Dumbledore, that there were other magical forces at play when Harry Potter ventured into the Hall of Prophecies."
"Dumbledore?"
"I never expected to work here, Teddy. I wanted to be Minister for Magic," said Percy, laughing. "So when Kingsley offered me the job, I considered saying no. I went to Dumbledore for advice. He convinced me to do it."
"And you've been here ever since," acknowledged Teddy.
"Yes, I have, I enjoy every second of it. I spoke to Dumbledore about Harry's adventure into the Hall of Prophecies. There are some... forces that overpower all others. Some forces that make you invisible to all magic. No charm can detect your presence, because the magical force surrounding you is so powerful. I believe, at times, Dumbledore had this, and so did Harry. This room," Percy said, pointing to a door.
"Love," said Teddy.
"The Love Chamber, yes. Dumbledore and I believe that much of the precautionary magic in the Department of Mysteries was rendered useless after Harry arrived at the Ministry. The power of his mother's protection over him, along with the protection of a great number of people around him, made it less possible for the Department to stop him. Perhaps. We can only assume. Regardless, the Department today is not what it was during Harry's time. I believe it is the safest place. For centuries, wizards have studied the most dangerous things in our world, and some of these things are immovable. The Chamber of Death, for example," said Percy, gesturing to a door to his right. "is untouchable."
Teddy nodded.
"Are you immovable as well?" he asked.
"No, though there will always be one man in the Department of Mysteries."
Teddy looked puzzled. They had stopped outside a door marked with an odd yellow symbol. For an unexplainable reason, Teddy felt drawn to the room. He wanted to reach out and try to open it, though he knew it would be locked. More than that, he could feel a strange energy emanating from the room, as if the very air vibrated so close to it. The room held magic of such ancient nature, and such unexplained force- it was difficult to not be restless when outside it.
"The Keeper of the Hall of Prophecies will always remain in the Department of Mysteries, and in the Ministry," he said softly. As Percy said these words, a pearly white man drifted through the wall. The man was small and petite; he came up to Teddy's elbow. But he had a distinguished air about him, a sense of power in his arching eyebrows. An aura radiated from him, an aura that, even in death, resonated in the world of the living. He wore a silver wig that curled to his shoulders, and he was dressed in purple robes that were translucent in the dim light. He ignored Teddy entirely, turning his attention to Percy and speaking with a certain amount of familiarity.
"I do dislike hooliganism, and this government seems to encourage it nonetheless. Hath you no shame, Weasley, that you are a deplorable part of this unruly Ministry? Or do you enjoy, like mindless chickens squawking over feed, this rubbish?"
Teddy was taken aback at the aggression in the man's voice. A ghost could not harm a wizard, but his anger was frightening. Percy bowed his head, ashamed.
"I apologize, Sir Ulick. Unfortunately, it is not my place to decide how the Ministry functions- only this level is under my jurisdiction. The Ministry is undergoing an emergency evacuation plan. It was devised by Harry Potter and my younger brother, Ronald. Most of the Departments are relocating their offices in case the Ministry Headquarters is attacked. I assume you passed the lobby on your way here."
Sir Ulick nodded distastefully at Teddy.
"And who is this strangely colored madman?"
Highly affronted, Teddy couldn't find the words to say. Percy, looking rather exasperated for a moment, gestured towards him.
"This is Teddy Lupin, the Head of the Hit Wizards. The squad was newly reformed by the Minister. Teddy is the son of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, who I'm sure you'll remember, Sir Ulick."
"That clumsy Auror? And the werewolf. Hmm, I do remember," Sir Ulick said, straining his eyes. "I believe they were instrumental in the Battle of Hogwarts. Quite impressive pair, I've been told."
"Told by who?" asked Teddy quickly.
"By the Bloody Baron, of course. He was there, wasn't he? In any case, you have some boots to fill, boy. Get to it."
Teddy, his jaw hanging, found himself nodding.
"Teddy," said Percy, who seemed to be stifling a laugh. "This is Sir Ulick Gamp. You would have studied about him in school. He was the first Minister for Magic, and he founded the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He was also Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in his time."
Teddy gazed with awe at Gamp, who stared back haughtily. He understood the ancient and distinguished air about the wizard now, but with every look that was thrown at him, Teddy began to grasp the depth of his knowledge and power. It felt to Teddy that Gamp knew as much, if not more magical knowledge than anybody alive today. Even though he was quite unintimidating in size, Gamp gave off the distinct impression that he tolerated nothing but the utmost respect from anyone.
"Weasley, I will remain in the Hall of Prophecies and keep watch, but you must know this- you cannot leave this place for too long. Your duty until your death remains here. This is the responsibility you must bear for having access to this knowledge."
Percy regarded Ulick seriously, before nodding.
"I understand, Sir Ulick. I have a plan to come back and…" Percy stopped abruptly, catching his words before they filled the corridor. He regarded Teddy apologetically, and then added, "And comprehend fully what the situation is in that room."
Sir Ulick made the slightest of nods, and amusingly, Teddy felt like he saw the ghost of a smile on the ex-Minister's face. He looked at both men then, all haughtiness replaced by an expression of such grimness that made Teddy feel like he was going to tell them the world as they knew it was ending.
"Change is a rather infectious and refreshing thing," he said, staring into space. "And I am used to it after this many years exploring the world of the living. But when even I am surprised by the changes…I suggest we abandon openness and embrace precaution. Be careful where you tread."
With that, Sir Ulick Gamp floated back into the Hall of Prophecies. He left Percy thoughtful and Teddy still quite shocked by the entire exchange. Ulick's words had a frightening bluntness to them that he could not quite get used to. A small part of him wanted to ask Percy about what the problem was in 'that room', but he could not bring himself to. As if reading his mind, the Head of the Department of Mysteries peered at him through his horn-rimmed spectacles.
"I intend on straightening out my family affairs in the next few days. I'm not sure what's going to happen in the coming weeks, Teddy, but I will come back to the Ministry. Even if it's under attack."
Teddy nodded fiercely.
"And I will escort you in. Even if it's under attack. If your problems are as serious as Sir Ulick made them sound, I want to help."
Percy smiled gratefully at Teddy, before he suddenly frowned as if an idea came to him. He stuck his hand into his pocket, and pulled out something that gleamed brightly. It was a small stone, flat on one side and spherical on the other. Like a Lapis Lazuli, it was a deep shade of blue. Narrow and tapering, it was the length of Teddy's index finger. It weighed as much as a single Ministry memo.
"This is something the employees at the Department of Mysteries carry with them at all times. It's extremely easy to break, and if it breaks, it crumbles to dust, leaving no sign it was there in the first place."
"What is it?" asked Teddy.
"I use it to communicate with the others. If you feel it grow hot, it means we have been infiltrated. But that will not happen as long as I live, I guarantee you. If it grows heavier than normal in your pocket, that's my signal. That means we regroup here, at the Ministry."
Teddy nodded.
"Won't the other Unspeakables feel the same thing?"
"Once the evacuation plan began, I had each of them shatter their stone. Protocol dictates that they know nothing of the Department for the next few months, to protect the information that they already hold. The Unspeakables will be, hopefully by now, far away in other countries."
"Understood," said Teddy. The two men lapsed into silence, walking to the elevator without saying another word. The two ex-Head Boys of Hogwarts were buzzing with thoughts, each worrying endlessly, strategizing as they thought. They both wondered at the back of their minds when the day they would need to return to the Department of Mysteries would be.