"Have you found him?" Minerva McGonagall asked as Severus Snape swept towards her. The sallow skinned man shook his head. She had been taken to the hospital wing shortly after being found. All members of the Inquisitorial squad had been sent to their common rooms, unless they were hurt badly. Only Malfoy had been taken in, as he looked as if he'd been beaten quite badly.

Umbridge had been screaming bloody murder all the way to the infirmary about how much trouble Potter was in. Her ranting had gather a large following of students who were excited to hear what Harry had done to her. Once the doors to the hospital wing shut, there went up a great cheer, and even Pomfrey had trouble hiding her smile.

"No one has seen him. Weasley, Granger and the others are all missing as well." Snape scowled. "The little sod likely went to the Ministry himself."

"We've got to…" McGonagall began but Snape waved his hand.

"I've already spoken to Lupin. He is gathering people as we speak." Snape said flatly, peering over his shoulder.

"And Albus?"

Snape simply shook his head. McGonagall sighed heavily and feel back into her pillows. She succumbed to a horrible hacking cough, and Madam Pomfrey bustled over from where she had just sedated Umbridge, who had not stopped screaming like a madwoman.

"At least he was able to restrain himself." Snape turned back to McGonagall. "With all she put the boy through it's quite a wonder that she's still able to speak. Had I been in his place…"

"I am often surprised that he doesn't retaliate against you some times, Severus." McGonagall hissed as she tried to get more comfortable.

"I've never tortured the boy." Snape looked insulted. At McGonagall's skeptic glance, he cleared his throat, "At least, not that badly."

"Why on earth did they go rushing off for?"

"Potter likely felt that only he could rescue the mutt. Typical arrogance."

"Now isn't the time, Severus." McGonagall chastised. "I would truly like know exactly what happened this afternoon."

"As would I." Snape said looking darkly at Umbridge's sleeping form.


The Thestrals had proven to be very swift in the air, though Harry felt he could have gotten to the Ministry much faster on his broom and alone. However, he was grateful for the company. During the trip, they all tried their best to come with some kind of strategy.

When they did finally manage to get down into the Department of Mysteries, which had proven to be incredibly easy, and had made them all very leery, they hit their first obstacle. The entrance to the Department was a large round room with many doors that spun whenever a door was chosen.

Hermione found a way to mark all the doors they tried which were wrong, which actually made being in the spinning room a bit tougher to stomach. However, all nausea was countered by the immense amount of adrenaline pumping through their bodies.

Finally they found the Hall of Prophecies, and, with wands held aloft to provide light, they began searching for Harry's godfather. The room itself was immense. There were shelves that got lost in the dark, as they were so tall, and on every single shelf, there were millions of glowing glass balls all in different sizes.

Harry happened to notice that each had a tag on it, though he did not stop to read any.

"Is this really how prophecies are recorded?" Hermione whispered.

"How can they even get recorded?" Ron wondered. "No one was there with Trelawney when she made that prediction in third year except Harry."

"And I didn't have anything to record it with." Harry whispered over his shoulder.

Harry began looking for the numbers on the rows, counting them down as they got closer and closer to where he had seen Sirius was being held. With every step, Harry began to get the feeling that there were eyes on him. Several times he stopped the group to look around in all directions. They could find no trace of anyone else, and continued onward. Harry was unable to shake the feeling of foreboding that was rising within his chest.

At row 95, Harry and his friends all turned the corner to find…

"Nothing." Harry said incredulously. "He was supposed to be here. Right here."

The others spread out, all of them looking for any sign that anyone else had been there. Harry was starting to feel really foolish now. Questions flooded his mind now. What was the purpose of showing him that scene? Did Voldemort truly have Sirius, or was it all just a trick, and if so, what had been the point. Why draw him here to this place at all?

"Harry?"

Harry turned to see Daphne, Neville, and Hermione standing next the shelf, all of them staring at one of the softly glowing orbs.

"It…It has your name on it."

"What?"

Harry came over, and lifted the tag to see that his name was indeed on it, as was Voldemort's. The prophecy had been made the year before he'd been born, though he didn't know who had made it, as it was only the initial. However, he thought he might know who it was made to. Only one person he knew of had that many initials in there name.

"I think it was made to Dumbledore." Harry said softly.

"I wonder what it says." Ron said, having now joined the rest of them, Tracey next to him.

"Perhaps we can help with that."

The teens all spun to see someone approaching them. He had a dark hood, and a decorative metal mask covering his face, but there was no mistaking the voice.

"Malfoy." Harry said, raising his wand.

"I'd put that down, if I were you. You are surrounded, and we don't need things to get messy." Lucius Malfoy sniggered as he removed his mask. Malfoy wasn't lying. Harry could see two Death Eaters approaching from his left, and another two coming from the right. Hermione gave a gasp, and Harry knew there were more behind them.

"Do as we ask, and you can all back to school. All we want is that prophecy. Please take it down from the shelf, and kindly hand it over."

"Why don't you take it?" Harry asked, trying to think fast.

"Foolish boy." Malfoy chuckled, keeping his wand leveled at Harry, who hadn't lowered his own. "Only four people can remove it, The person who made it, The person who witnessed it, or the two people to which it refers. You can't truly believe the Dark Lord would dare step foot in the Ministry when they been kind enough to ignore his return."

"So, Sirius…" Harry began, his gut twisting in bitter anger at being so easily fooled.

"Is likely still hidden in whatever rat trap he has been for the last few years. Enough talk, potter. The prophecy, if you please"

"What assurance do I have that you'll let us go?" Harry asked, fearing he knew the answer.

"None. But I can guarantee that if you refuse, we will kill your friends while you watch."

"I've had a good life." Ron shouted bravely.

"I like that one, he's got spirit he has."

Behind Malfoy a very thin woman with heavy lidded ark eyes emerged from the shadows.

"You BITCH!"

Neville made to lunge, but Ron, Hermione, Tracey and Daphne all restrained him.

"Is that Baby Longbottom? You've really grown up, haven't you. Mummy and daddy must be so very proud. Do they recognize you at all?" The woman taunted.

"Now, Bellatrix, let's not make things harder. I'm going to ask you one last time, potter. Retrieve the prophecy and bring it to me." Malfoy said firmly.

Harry began thinking quickly now. The prophecy was safe were it rested. So long as he didn't take it, Voldemort would not have it. At the same time, if he didn't hand it over, he and his friends would surely not get out of there alive. Slowly, keeping his eyes on Malfoy and Bellatrix, Harry reached up and slowly grasped the glowing orb.

It was cool to his touch, and hummed slightly in his hand. It was incredibly light as well. Harry thought he could crush it with his bare hands, and that gave him an idea. He passed Daphne and whispered, "Reductos on my word."

"What's to stop me from smashing it right here?" He asked, trying to buy time. Malfoy actually laughed.

"Because it holds all the answers. Haven't you ever wondered why the Dark Lord chose to go after a child? A child of seemingly little consequence to his greatness? Haven't you ever wondered why your parents had to die? The answers are there, in your hand."

"Voldemort thinks the answer to killing me is in this, doesn't he?"

"Don't say his name with your filthy mouth." Bellatrix hissed. "You filthy half blood, you are unworthy."

"Unworthy? Do you know anything about the bastard? His father was a muggle. He's no more pure blood than I am." Harry snapped.

"You dare?" Bellatrix asked with shock. She raised her wand, curse on her lips, when Lucius batted her hand away.

"You know the Dark Lord's decree. His word is law. Potter is to be untouched."

Harry looked sharply at Malfoy, who had brought his mask of boredom back over his face, and held out his hand for the prophecy. Bellatrix looked like a dog who'd just been kick, and sank back a step, eyeing Harry with disdain.

Harry alone was to be left alone.

"Kill the spare."

Those horrible words echoed in his mind then, and Harry's mind saw his friends lying all around him, eyes wide and accusing, asking why he had led them to heir deaths. Daphne, the girl he had fallen in love with, staring blankly at him as he held her limp form in his arms. He had led them into this trap. It was his responsibility to get them all out of there alive. But at what cost? Allowing Voldemort the prophecy, and potentially the greatest weapon he could ever hope for?

Harry knew he had no choice, He had to get his friends out of there, and if he couldn't take the prophecy as well, he would smash it, so no one would know what it said.

"I'm getting tired of waiting, Potter." Malfoy's tone was now menacing.

"Get used to it, Malfoy. NOW!"

The Death Eaters were ready for Potter and his friends to try and escape, however, they had thought the curses would be directed at their person. They hadn't expected the curses to be aimed at the shelves of prophecies.

Harry shot forward, shoving Malfoy into a collapsing shelf, where dozens of prophecies smashed on his head. Bellatrix leveled her wand and shot a few hexes, but Harry had his shield up. He raced forward, and just before he reached the crazed witch, dropped to the floor and slid, using his legs to knock Bellatrix LeStrange onto her face.

Harry felt hands pulling him up, and began to fight until her heard Daphne shouting at him to get moving. Clutching the prophecy, Harry ran headlong down the row, looking for the exit. Occasionally he would glance over his shoulder to make sure that his friends were still with him.

"This way!" Hermione shouted.

They all turned down another long row, running as fast as they could. They heard the Death Eaters coming after them. Harry thought he saw the outline of a door up ahead, but he wasn't sure. He wasn't about to stop running.

There was an explosion just ahead. One of the pursuing Death Eaters had fired a curse, splintering a nearby shelf. More prophecies began raining down, popping as they shattered upon the floor. Harry skidded to a halt, his friends colliding with him.

"Go!" Harry shouted. He turned to his left, hoping to put some distance between himself and his pursuers.

"There!" Daphne shouted. Harry saw it as well. A door that was sitting a jar. Warm light spilled out, and Harry guessed this had been where the Death Eaters had come. Pouring on more speed, Harry reached the door first and slipped inside. Daphne followed, and Ron as well.

"Where are the others?" Harry asked with panic. He started to peer around the door when a bright purple spell impacted the wall next to the door.

"SHUT IT!" Daphne screamed.

Harry reacted before he thought about it, and slammed the door shut. Ron grabbed the edge of a nearby desk and began pushing it towards the door. Harry quickly helped Ron, and soon they had two desks and a few chairs piled against the door."

"Are you two wizards or what?" Daphne asked, slightly hysterically. She waved her and in an intricate pattern and the door gave a weird squishing noise. "It'll only hold them off for a little bit." She said, gasping for air.

"We've got to find the others." Harry said flatly. "And then we need to get the hell out of here."

"No arguments here mate." Ron nodded. There was pounding on the other side of the door, and Harry heard to gruff voices cursing. There was a muffled voiced, and a loud bang against the door.

"We need to leave, now." Daphne said, grabbing Harry's hand. The three teens found a door on the other side of the office and quickly slipped through. Daphne performed the same spell and turned to find herself, Ron and Harry in a very large room with a long row of shelves, with tiny hourglasses suspended in gold rings.

"Time turners." Harry said. At the end of the room was a large bell jar with a fluttering bird. It flew to the top, when it's feathers began to fall out and disappear. Harry and Ron started forward to investigate, but Daphne, being far more aware of their situation, and not so easily distracted, grabbed them both.

"HEY! Death Eaters chasing us? Our friends still missing? How can you be so thick?"

"Right." Harry nodded. "Ok, we've got three doors to choose from."

"Everyone grab a door.' Daphne said, and headed off to the door farthest from the one they had come through. She opened it and peaked inside. At the same time, Harry and Ron had both opened doors.

"WRONG DOOR!" Ron shouted, slamming his closed right away. "DAPHNE!"

Daphne ran over and sealed the door. There were two heavy thuds and a shriek of frustration.

"I'm going to rip their eyes out!" Bellatrix shouted.

"This way." Malfoy senior said.

"Harry, what have you got?" Ron huffed.

"A room with a wierd looking aquarium. I think I remember this from earlier."

"You think it was one of the rooms we saw from that first room?" Daphne asked jogging over to peer inside. Harry began to step over the threshold when a door on the other side of the room burst open, and two Death eaters came through, firing spells. The door was smashed, and Harry and Daphne stumbled back into the Time Turner room, looking for cover.

The Death Eaters moved fast, and were now coming into the Time Turner room. Daphne dove over a large desk and cast a tripping jinx from underneath it. Both Ron and Harry fired spells at the two robed figures who ducked back to avoid getting hit.

"Accio…" One of the Death Eaters began to cast, but Daphne aimed her wand and shouted…

"Aguamenti!"

The Death Eater was suddenly choking on a mouth full of water. He had to remove his mask and Harry recognized him as the executioner who had been sent to kill Buckbeak two years ago.

The second Death Eater came around to fire a spell, but slipped in the pool of water.

"Confringo!" Ron shouted, and the floor where the Death Eaters were exploded. Harry heard one of them scream, and the doorway was now clouded with dust and smoke.

"This way!" Daphne said, getting to her feet and moving o the door she had checked out earlier. Harry and Ron wasted no time and dove through behind Daphne who sealed it behind her.

"Lumos." Harry said.

The room was sparsely furnished, and there sat many tables against the walls. It was to dark to see what was on them, and Harry, remembering what Daphne had scolded him for a little while agao, didn't think this was a good time to check.

"Look for a door."

"There you are!"

Lucius Malfoy had opened a door to Harry's right. He whipped his wand up, but found himself flying through the air back the way he came. Harry turned as Daphne rushed forward too seal the door.

"Banishment charm" She gave a weak smile.

"I love you." Harry couldn't help but grin in return.

"Right, there's a lot of love here, and even I have the w fuzzies." Ron said, a strange goofy grin on his face. "When we get back to Hogwarts, I'm going to snog Lavender until she can't stand up, but right now…"

"Right, We gotta get moving." Harry smiled shyly, offering his hand to Daphne who blushed as she took it.

"Come on you two." Ron motioned towards a door on the far side of the room. Slowly, taking their time, and staring into each other's eyes, Harry and Daphne followed Ron, who opened the door, and took a peak inside.

Once they shut the door behind them, and Daphne sealed it once again, the strange warmth they had all felt in the last room melted away a bit.

"Ok, what in the name of Morgana was that?" Daphne asked.

"I don't know, but I think we should get moving.

"Hey." Ron said, looking around them. "This is the room next to the Time Turners. Look"

Ron pointed to where he had blasted out the floor. Dust still hung in the air, but it was clear that he'd managed to hit at least one of the Death Eaters. There was a lot of blood on the floor, and a metal Death Eater mask.

"This place is starting to annoy me." Daphne huffed.

There was a crash and several screams. The three looked up as a door opposite them opened and Neville fell through, holding onto Hermione, while Tracey covered them, firing spells. Harry, Daphne and Ron all went to their aid. Harry saw Malfoy and Bellatrix taking cover behind several heavy bookshelves. Once their friends were inside, Harry slammed the door shut and Daphne sealed it. Tracey then cast a few spells, reinforcing it.

Harry turned to see Neville holding Hermione, who looked ashen faced. There was blood staining her side, and Neville looked very worried.

"Set her down, Neville." Tracey said, just as there were several loud bangs against the door. Neville slowly eased Hermione onto the floor, winced as she hissed in pain.

"I think it was a piercing hex." Hermione whispered as Tracey lifter the girls shirt to examine the wound.

"This is going to really hurt." Tracey said, aiming her wand at the wound. "Clausero."

Hermione shrieked as tracey did her best to heal her wound. Neville held her tightly so she didn't move to much. Daphne gripped Harry's arm as they watched Hermione being tended to. In a moment, Tracey finished.

"I'm no Madam Pomfrey, but I think it'll be ok." Tracey tried to smile. "We need to get her out of here. She lost a lot of blood."

Harry took a quick look around. There were three doors left to choose in this room, which was the largest one they'd been in yet.

"Can she walk?"

"I'm not dead." Hermione scowled as Neville gingerly help her to stand. She did look very weak in Harry's opinion.

"Get me out of here now." She said sternly.

"Well, this visit has made me certain of one thing." Ron said as they began to move. "I never want to be an Unspeakable."

"Expeliarmus!"

The teens suddenly found their wands flying out of their hands as two Death Eaters came crashing through one of the doors. Harry shoved Daphne to the floor behind a large desk, while the others ducked behind the large aquarium.

Harry reached into his pocket for the wand he'd taken off of Malfoy earlier, and Daphne plucked up her own spare. Harry turned and saw the others doing the same, and Ron had enlarged the sword he'd brought.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Harry shouted, jumping up and aiming his spell at the door. The Death Eaters were no longer there, though they were surprised that Harry had a second wand. Harry could see clearly that the spell was no where near as powerful as if he'd cast with his own wand, but at that moment, it was better than nothing.

"INCAR…"

"SILENCIO!" Tracey shouted, popping out from behind the aquarium. The Death Eater clutched his throat, and turned his wand on Tracey, who had disappeared. Daphne jumped up and the Death Eater quickly took aim.

Suddenly everything slowed down for Harry. There was a flash of purple and Daphne's eyes went wide. She looked at Harry as if she had never seen him before, and then she fell.

"NO!" HArry shouted, grabbing her hand. He shook her hard, trying to get her to open her eyes. Flashes of spells lit the room, while Neville, Tracey and Ron returned fire, but no one seemed to be getting anywhere.

"They've got back up coming!" Neville shouted.

Harry stared helplessly at his girlfriend, and a surge of fierce fury ripped through his body. He Stood up and fired several reducto curses in rapid succession. One of them hit the Death Eater who had cursed Daphne right between the eyes. His head exploded in a crimson spray. His fellow tried to return fire but Neville hit him in the gut with a stunner. Tracey shut the door with a wave, and sealed it, as she had been with every other door she had come through, just as Daphne had done.

The blonde girl quickly came to the side of her best friend and checked her pulse. After a second she let out a sigh.

"She's alive. Do you know what he hit her with?" She asked.

"I've never seen it before." HArry shook his head.

"Here.' Ron said shoving Harry's wand in his hand. He had collected their wands from where they had fallen and was returning them to their owners.

"This door is sealed." Neville said, trying one of the two remaining doors. Ron hurried over to the last door and opened it slowly.

"This way's clear." He said. Neville hurried and helped Hermione to her feet, while Harry and Tracey hefted the unconscious Daphne up.

"Let's get out of here." Ron waved them all on.

The next room looked like a stone arena, like something out of greek mythology. The teens emerged on the bottom of the cavernous circular room. Set in the center was a raised dais with a large archway carved out of stone. In the arch hung a thing black veil, tattered and dirty.

"Where are we now?" Hermione asked weakly.

"No idea." Ron answered.

"Do you hear that?" Neville asked, looking all around. The room was clearly empty, except for the six of them, but Harry heard it as well. Whispers.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked, confusion evident on his face.

"This really isn't the time to go mental." Tracey said. "Look for a door."

At that instant, a door several levels above them opened. Lucius Malfoy entered.

"Stop!"

"GO!" HArry said, heaving Daphne along with him. They were stopped almost at once as another masked Death Eater emerged from around the arch's platform. It was the executioner, his hair was still wet, and he looked quite angry.

Harry turned to go another way, but stopped dead when he saw Bellatrix Lestrange. She had a hold of Tracey, who had run into her in her attempt to find a way out.

"Wands on the floor if you please." She smiled. "We've had or fun. Time to take our medicine."

Lucius and three more Death Eaters joined the group.

"You all did quite well." Malfoy said smoothly. "You actually killed Dolohov. That in itself is impressive. But it's over now. Hand us the prophecy, and we'll make your deaths quick."

"What happened to going free?" Ron asked.

"That was before you decided to play heroes." Malfoy replied cheekily.

Harry looked at Neville, who was holding Hermione up. Hermione shook her head, while Neville looked as if he was preparing himself. Harry heard Tracey whimper, and saw that Bellatrix had produced a small dagger which she held to Tracey's throat. Harry could see the faintest trickle of blood where Bellatrix was pressing the blade.

There was no where left to run, and no more options left to him. Daphne was hurt, and possibly dying. Hermione needed help as well. If he didn't do something quick, Tracey could be killed. He gave in, they would all die anyway. Harry needed to do something.

The idea popped into his head, and Harry tried to shake it away. Yet, it was the only way he could save his friends. With a heavy sigh, he looked to Malfoy senior, and with a resigned tone, began to speak.

"I'll make you a deal, Malfoy. My friends leave. They get out of here and go free, and you get the prophecy…and me."