Tom sat leaning forward in his wined back chair. His elbows resting on his knees as his chin leaned against his steepled fingers. The room was silent except for the crackle of the logs in the fire. Ever so often there would be a sniff or groan from the room. He looked out to see the faces on his followers, fear and pain present there. He himself was having to control his anger, his eyes flashing crimson only adding to the stress in the room.
He felt the first rush of magic when the wards surrounding his home were breached, he knew the magical signature well. Turning his head slightly to look at the door he waited for it to open. When it did an out of breath Severus emerged. For a man who had lived his life doning a cool calm and controlled mask his appearance was jarring.
"My Lord," He started, wheezing out the words.
Before he could finish Tom felt the next ripple of magic flare. This one tied to the blood wards and letting the person apparate right into the house. The stomping of small feet echoed in the halls and he couldn't fight the smirk that now played at his lips.
He looked up at Severus' concerned face before turning to his followers.
"Well, perhaps the decision on how to punish you won't come down to me at all." He said cheerfully although the red of his eyes made it come across much creepier than he knew.
The doors that Snape had shut behind him before he moved far away from them and into the corner of the room were suddenly blasted open. Tom didn't even shield himself from the mass of splinters and debris that flew into the room. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation, ready to see how this played out.
Moving in like a tornado. Her hair flowing wildly around her, sentient with her magic. She stormed into the room, eyes as crimson as his, face contorted in fury.
"WHERE IS HE?!"
Earlier that day…
Hermione was attempting to locate the floo powder container in Umbridge's office. As she held Harry's death trap of a broom in her hand she realized that the high inquisitor had a working floo and they could use it to get to the ministry in one piece. Unfortunately Umbride had her drawers warded shut and she was having to open each of them to check for the pot of powder.
She was huffing with annoyance bent over the bottom drawer when she froze, hearing the awful throat clearing sound the pink toad favored followed by the pressure of a wand tip pressed into her back.
"Hmm Hmm." The high pitched sound made Hermione cringe. "And just what do we have here. A filthy little mudblood breaking into my office. I should have known you were behind that whole display." Umbridge said as she dug the wand further into Hermione's side leaving a burnt spot in her jumper.
Hermione took a deep breath thinking of what to do now. Surely she would be in trouble if she just murdered the bitch in cold blood. One or two of the portraits saw her come into the office alone and must have seen Umbridge follow. If she left and they found a body it would be hard for her to get away with it. Realizing she had a better idea that left her virtually blameless she put on her best afraid face.
"I- I Wasn't behind it!" She choked out, stuttering to make it seem like she was scared. "I am just doing what Dumbledore told me to do! I didn't have a choice."
The words made Umbridge's face light up with glee. Her whole stature changed. She dropped her wand from Hermione's back and seemed to relax. Her face morphing into what Hermione suspected was supposed to be concern and understanding. She gave her a fake smile that Hermione decided to pretend like she couldn't see right through.
"Oh your poor dear. Of course you are, Albus has always forced others to do his dirty work, it's why they sent me here you know. To try to keep an eye on him." Hermione had to fight not to snort at that, like she did anything other than torture students. "You can speak to me, I can help you. What did Albus ask you to do?"
Hermione let fake tears roll down her cheek as her bottom lip trembled.
"I was trying to find floo powder. I knew you had an active floo so I assumed there would be some here. He told me that he was opening a temporary floo in Hagrid's cottage. I was supposed to go into the forbidden forest and collect a package there. He said it was something that would change the course of history. I was to bring it to Hagrids and floo it to him. He said it was for the greater good."
Umbridge's smile grew wider as she rubbed her chubby hands together. Realizing she needed to react differently she reached up and patted Hermione's shoulder.
"You poor dear, let's go together to pick up this package. Then we can get to the bottom of all of this. I'm sure minister Fudge will be so proud of you for helping us through this." She moved her hand up to pat Hermione's cheek condescendingly.
Although Umbridge tried playing the friendly concerned matron crd with Hermione, she still kept a firm grip on her arm as she all but pulled her from the castle. She wanted to make sure she didn't lose the little witch in the halls. Once they hit the courtyard she looked to Hermione for clarification.
"Now where do we go?" She demanded looking out to the forest as if she could see whatever it was HErmione was reading her to.
"I- uh.. Well I just feel like I am betraying Dumbledore. I can't do this.." Hermione tried pouting.
Umbridge yanked hard on her arm pulling her to the forest. "You can and you will!" She said shrilly. "I have permission from the minister himself to do whatever is necessary and believe me little girl I will. Now, lead me to where Dumbledore has hidden this object, or you will live to rue the day."
Being threatened so vaguely made Hermione's lip twitch. She used serious effort to hold back a chuckle. The memory of the slap she received by the toad flashed in her mind and she nodded her head.
"Of course Professor. Right this way."
They walked the long path into the forbidden forest. Leaving the heavily traveled trail and onto a more rugged one left Umbridge huffing behind her. She knew if she turned to look at the old hag she would be sweating and breathing heavy from the exercise.
"How much further?" Umbridge wheezed out.
"Not far. Dumbledore told me it would be approximately 500 yards out." Hermione lied.
Her animagus senses picked up on the sound of hooves way before they appeared in the clearing the two witches had just wandered into. Hermione lowered her head into a bow as four large centaurs hopped the brush line and stomped over to them. Umbridge let out a large squeak brandishing her wand and waving it back and forth between them.
"You are trespassing on our land witch!" One of the dark haired centaurs boomed.
Umbridge huffed trying to pull herself up straighter. "This is ministry land, as as under secretary of the minister himself I have every right to be here. Not to mention I am high inquisitor at Hogwarts. It is my right to go wherever I want on school grounds."
Hermione shook her head at the older witched audacity.
"These lands have always belonged to the centaurs, you are the one responsible for restricting our access to them. Centaurs made pacts with the founders centuries ago and they have held until you forced your way into the school. By our laws you are guilty."
She went to raise her wand to curse them when it was yanked from her hand. She turned in confusion to see Hermione holding it with a smirk on her face. She opened her mouth to scream but a slash of Hermione's wand had her silenced.
"Bane, Magnus. Lovely to see you both again." She bowed. Looking up at them with a smile that matched their own. "It seems the stars are in your favor tonight as we had previously spoken about having this opportunity arise." SHe chuckled.
The centaurs shared a look amongst themselves and nodded. "What do you plan on doing with the wretch Hermione?" Magnus asked.
Hermione shook her head, holding up her now empty hands.
"I leave her to you and your herd to decide. She is responsible for breaking the original contract and therefore is subject to your retribution. I only hope karma serves her well tonight." She bowed to them and released the silencing charm on Umbridge to hear her scream as the centaurs had grabbed her by the arm and carried her off into the forest. Her shrieks getting further and further away.
Harry literally ran in to Hermione when she emerged from the forest. He had the map in his hands and a small group of followers behind him. When they bounced off of each other he grabbed her tight and pulled her back into a hug.
"Merlin Hermione! There you are! I was so worried. When you didn't show back up I went back and checked the map and saw Umbridge leading you away. We were all afraid she was going to hurt you. Where is she?" He looked over her shoulder like he expected to see a pink form appear at any moment.
Hermione squeezed Harry tight before letting him go.
"I think she planned on it. She accused me of being responsible for what happened today, she thinks we are all in league with Dumbledore. When I told her I had no idea where he went she forced me out into the woods. I don't know what she planned on but as deep as she led us it couldn't be good. But before she had a chance to do more than burn a hole in my jumper the centaurs showed up. It seems they hate her more than we do. She was awful to them, very disrespectful and then she tried to curse them. Well, it didn't end well for her, they snatched her up and pulled her further in the woods. I reckon she is not going to have a good night." She grimaced and the others did too before starting to chuckle.
"Well no less than she deserves." Ginny said. "She has been a right cow to you and Harry and the twins all year. I say she reaped what she sowed."
There was a flurry of nods. Even Neville who normally would be too afraid or shy to react seemed pretty solid in his agreement.
"So what now mione?" Harry asked.
"I didn't get to bring your broom with me, but I have a better idea now that Umbridge is gone for the time being. We can take the floo in her office straight to the ministry. It's connected and she has enough to take us there. Plus, we don't have to fly, which is a huge plus for me. I take it we are all going?" She asked looking at the group collected.
Harry looked sheepish but nodded. "I told them what was happening and they agreed to help. A few extra wands couldn't hurt, just in case."
"Yeah, can't let you two have all the fun." Ron said with a shrug.
Hermione turned to look at Luna, the only one who hadn't spoken since they arrived. Her big dreamy blue eyes looked deeply at Hermione before she winked.
"I do love a good adventure. Especially with friends."
Arrival to the ministry was admittedly much easier now that they didn't have to fly across the continent to get there. The only one of the group who had not been to the ministry before was Luna and Hermione wasn't surprised to hear that, thinking that individuals such as Luna and her father probably could spend their lives without mixing with politics or government. Once they were all through the floo and standing in the eerily quiet hall Harry corralled them towards the lifts.
"We need to go to the department of mystery, that's where Dumbledore had them guarding the prophecies." He said as they all climbed into the lift and the disembodied voice announced their destination.
Hermione was a bit on edge about how empty the ministry was. She understood that it was after office hours, but it didn't make sense for it to be deserted. After all there were night shift workers who worked in janitorial services, not to mention the aurors were always on shift. And you can't expect her to believe that not one single ministry worker was working late. Had it been 2 or 3 in the morning she would have understood but it was just now a quarter after 8. Something was amiss.
"Doesn't it seem a little too quiet to you? I mean shouldn't someone have been there to question a group of school kids flooding into the ministry?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence in the lift.
"I thought the same thing." Ginny admitted. "Dad has worked over quite a bit and he has never mentioned it being deserted when he comes home."
Harry and Ron and Neville shifted uncomfortably on their feet, having thought the same thing but not wanting to scare the others by saying it aloud.
"Do you believe we are walking into a trap Hermione?" Luna asked, her large eyes searching Hermiones.
A snort left her before he could stop it. "Oh Luna we are definitely walking into a trap or a set up. I haven't decided which yet. We will all need to be on our toes and stay together." She said with a short nod.
Luna nodded in return. "Will we be safe Hermione?"
This was one of those times where she wished she understood what power it was that Luna held. She knew Theo and his father could see magic, but she expected Luna had an equally impressive gift. She just seemed to know things even if she didn't blurt them out. In a less likeable person it would seem like blackmail but Luna gave it a dreamy appeal. When you looked into her eyes you could almost feel her reading you and your emotions. It was eerie.
Hermione locked eyes with her before scanning the small lift again.
"Yes, we will be." She nodded. "I have done research into the department of ministries, an unspeakable was one of my projected career choices. So believe me when I say we all need to stay close to each other and not wander off. The design is nothing short of a labyrinth and I have no idea what rooms we could encounter. The few I know about are terrifying so I can only assume they keep the real dangerous ones a secret." She watched as the others gulped and paled slightly.
"Also something to remember is the matagots." She said looking for recognition in any of her friends' eyes. Luna's eyebrows rose in surprise but the others looked confused.
"They are creatures that act as yards and guardians throughout the ministry but especially in places like the DOM. They will like small black cats. If they approach you DO NOT engage them. Simply walk, don't run away. They are docile in their cat form and will not pursue you if you dont cause a panic. However if you do, you better run fast." She looked at them hard to make sure they understood. "They change into giant viscous panthers like creatures with glowing blue eyes, they are practically impervious to magic and when you try to use offensive spells against them they multiply. If that happens, get to the floo, They don't stop the chase until they are called off, and something tells me wizard security is MIA tonight."
"They are fascinating creatures though," Luna pipped in. "Newt Scamander believed they could be a form of spirit familiar. I Think it would be an interesting study to see one."
Harry rubbed his eyes under his glasses. "No offense Luna, but I hope we never do. Ok so we heard Mione. We go in together, get Sirius and get out together. Hopefully we can get in and out without being noticed at all." The ding of the door let them know they had reached their location in the very bowels of the ministry.
Finding the hall of prophecies was a lot like finding a needle in a haystack. Every time they opened a new door to look inside and shut it after discovering it wasn't the one they were seeking, the room spun, only acting to disorient them more. It was eerily quiet and cold in the department of ministries. The only sounds they could hear were their own breathing and footsteps, which only added to their own anxieties as the sound of their heart beats sounded loudly in their ears.
Finally a door opened that exposed a long hall filled with strangely glowing shelves.
"This is it." Harry said silently, taking Hermione's hand and leading them into the room. When the door clicked shut behind them they all took a collective breath and looked around. Rows upon rows were filled with tiny glowing balls. Each a prophecy forgotten by time. Ron went to reach his hand up and check a tag, only to have it caught from making contact by Hermione's firm hand.
"Don't touch them. Only the person a prophecy is about can retrieve them. There are nasty repercussions if you do." She grimaced and he quickly brought his hand back into his side looking horrified.
"How do we know which one it is then? Or even where Sirius is?" Ron asked and Hermione took the time to look at him oddly. At no point had they decided they were retrieving the prophecy, only going there to rescue Sirius. Yet, Ron seemed determined to mention getting the prophecy more and more. It seemed Dumbledore had been in Molly Weasley's ear, and she had a firm grip on Rons. She turned back to Harry when he spoke.
"I don't care about the prophecy. I care about Sirius. Dumbledore had mentioned the 250s before when he spoke about the order guarding a specific section of the hall. So lets start there." They nodded and filed in behind him, each of them holding their wands in a lumos, providing just enough light to cast shadows around them.
They counted mentally as they approached the intended aisle. Marching further and further into the hall. They came to an abrupt stop looking around.
"This is 250. Everyone looks around for any sign of Sirius." Harry said and they separated down the next few aisles. The search was fruitless and Harry seemed to sense it and was growing agitated.
"Harry this one has your name on it." Neville said as he pointed to a glass ball at eye level.
The group moved down next to it and began looking around closer for any clues.
"Harry over here!" Ginny called holding up a leather jacket that they all knew without a doubt belonged to Sirius.
Harry stormed over grabbing it from her with a look of panic on his face. He began pacing back and forth trying to think of what to do next.
"Fuck Hermione, Fuck! What do we do? Someone took him, Dumbledore was right!"
Hermione stormed up to him and physically grabbed him to stop his tirade.
"Harry James Potter get a grip on it right this second! Stop panicking and let yourself think. Does this not all seem odd to you?" She demanded and he froze to make eye contact with her.
"You are told Sirius was taken here right? From home.. Yet here is his leather jacket that we both know he keeps in the hall closet by itself under a moisture charm so it doesn't get damaged. So you're telling me that the big bad death eaters stopped by and kidnapped Sirius but first let him go and unlock the closet and remove the charms to get his favorite jacket. Then once bringing him here which did no good at all because like I have explained he couldn't retrieve the prophecy unless it was about him. They made him remove the jacket and leave it on the floor. That just so happens to be by the prophecy that has your name on it? No not, no ransom, no drops of blood that let you know sirius fought back because you and I both know NO ONE makes Sirius Black do a damn thing he doesnt ant to and he sure as hell would have put up a fight." Herimones harsh words opened HArry's eyes and he started nodding.
"Your right mione, of course you are, Then why are we here. Someone wants me to get the prophecy that's pretty clear. But who?" He had walked up to the glowing ball and reached up to it, his fingers just inches away from grabbing it.
"What a good question." A voice rang out from the dark and the group swiveled to see where it had come from. A group of masked individuals stood there.
Hermione internally groaned knowing the source of that voice without having to see her face. After all, no one else had such a sickening baby voice as a grown adult. Why the hell was Bellatrix here. She knew for a fact her father wouldn't have sent her, and who was with her. SHe tried to look closer into the darkness to place them.
The tallest one in the back was a bit of a give away. She knew thorfinn would never be a part of something like this so the only other person that large was Mulciber. So, Bella must have recruited from the recently released. Her heart dropped, that must mean the one shifting his feet was Rabastan. How dare that cow bring him into this. A small growl released from her lips. There were still three others that she couldn't place. One slightly taller than the other two, all decent builds. One had his attention on her, it seemed he couldn't look away.
"Who are you? What do you want, do you have Sirius?" Harry rapidly fired questions at the group.
Bella let out a high pitched giggle. "We don't have that filthy blood traitor but we will soon!" She called over to him. "We want the prophecy boy, now hand it over and we won't kill all your ickle friends here." She gestured to them with her wand.
Hermione was about to speak up when she saw movement out of the corner of her eyes. They were not alone. A pair of light blue robes disappeared beyond the stacks and hermione frowned. F course Dumbledore was there. And naturally he wasn't offering any help because it didn't follow his plan. He wanted Harry to have people after him, it helped his story and it gave him a devoted warrior. Just as Dumbledore slipped from her sight another form emerged in it. This much smaller and stealthier as it wound around the crystal balls over to them.
"Oh fuck." Hermione groaned getting the attention of her group. After all she hadn't said anything yet and this didn't sound like an upset announcement more exasperated than anything. They looked confused and she simply pointed her wand in the direction of the figure.
They collectively drew in a harsh breath.
That action made the others look to what they were seeing. What came across as a harmless black cat, they knew better, yet it seemed not everyone did. When the cat moved to wound his way around the group Mulciber, the big idiot, kicked it away.
"Get out of here cat!" He hissed moving his boot to kick at it again. The cat didn't give up, he came back with vengeance meowing loudly. A few hisses directed at the mountain of a man.
"Stop! Leave it alone!" Neville called out when they watched the cloaked man raise his wand.
Mulicber barely paid Nevilles warning a moment's notice before he shrugged it off and cast a stupify at the cat, throwing it back across the aisle with a loud screech.
"YOU IDIOT!" Hermione yelled pushing the others behind her. Harry Grabbed the ball in his hand before moving back with the others.
"GO HARRY! Get the others out of here, get to the floss, I will hold them off as long as I can!" She yelled, pushing him back towards the door, her canines already lengthening.
Harry seeing her teeth realized she meant to transform into her animagus form. Even if he expected her to be a fox still he knew that none of the others knew, and that she wasn't registered. He quickly pocketed the orb and pushed the others back, turning on their heels and sprinting the other direction just in time to hear the twin roars behind them.
The death eaters jumped at the roar seeing the to black beast advancing on them, their piercing blue eyes narrowing on them. Without thinking Bellatrix casted on them again, blowing one back only for it to be replaced by two more. Seeing this they at least had the good sense to run.
Mulciber cast again when one was close on his heels, bringing another into the mix. Hermione growled at this.
"Mulciber you idiot quit using magic on them!" She yelled moving towards the beast. Rabastan in the flurry of the others pushing past to run away was knocked off his feet and was stuck staring at the matagot approaching him. He was frozen in fear. She ran to him and grabbed him up by his arms, pulling him to his feet while pushing him behind her.
"Go Bass! Run, I will hold them off of you but you have to run ok. Get to the atrium and get out of here!" She hissed at him and he stared at her confused as to how she knew who he was behind his mask. She didn't have time to explain anything to him so she shifted on the spot turning into the large white wolf he was familiar with. Giving him a bark to let him know to move.
Just when she was afraid she would have to change back and physically move him, a head of pale blonde hair came into her peripheral, Luna, who she had no idea had not moved with the rest of the group, calmly walked up and placed a gentle hand on Rabasan's arm. She turned to give Hermione a reassuring smile.
"I will get him out, Hermione, and you don't have to worry, your secret is safe with me. I understand." She said in her flighty tone as she easily pulled Rabastan after her and they disappeared down the aisle.
That left Hermione in her wolf form to try to keep the atagots back. She growled and bared her teeth at them while walking backwards towards the exit. She hoped that she had kept them all in front of her but she had no idea how many had been created. The natural feline vs. canine aversion kept the larger and undoubtedly stronger creatures from approaching. She felt like time had moved in slow motion as they backed through the whole hall of prophecies.
As soon as she felt herself cross the open threshold of the door she shifted forms and slammed the door shut. Frantically casting all the locking spells she knew she could hear the large beast crashing into the now closed door. Turning around she was back in the circular room of the department of ministry with all the doors. She was pleased to see it was empty and hoped that that meant Harry had gotten the others back.
What she wasn't expecting was to open the first door and see the order currently battling the remaining death eaters in a stone room that was empty save for a large arch in the middle. She frantically looked around trying to see where everyone she cared about was. Remus and Sirius were there for the order, as well as Kingsley Shacklebolt and Tonks, Arthur Weasley and an older gentleman that Hermione couldn't remember his name. Diggle perhaps?
Then it was the currently three unknown death eaters, Muliciber and Bellatrix on the other side. Thankfully it seemed Luna was able to get Rabastan away. She groaned when she saw Bllatrix had taken off her mask. What an ignorant cunt, merlin she was going to take pleasure in seeing her punished for this. She watched as a deflected spell of Kingsleys flew off and hit Mulciber knocking him back into one of the unknown men. Causing them both to fall to the floor in an ungraceful heap near the alcove she was standing in. Diggle, who was dueling the man took the opportunity and was casting some pretty serious spells their way, ones Hermione was not sure the order was known for using. Seeing the colors fly she did the only thing she could think of and stunned the man from the back as he got closer.
She looked over at the downed Mulciber who was trying to get to his feet but was entangled in the other man, who now that his mask had been knocked loose she saw Evan Rosier. He was looking at her in surprise holding his wand up in confusion. She rolled her eyes at their shock, casting a summoning spell for his mask and placing a sticking charm on it. She tossed it back to him.
"Get that back on and get out of here, the two of you." She said and turned around on the spot shifting into her animagus form. The wolf took in the rest of the room hearing the footsteps disappear behind her; she was glad they had listened. She saw Bellatrix and Sirius engaged in quite the fight. The other seemed frozen watching them cast back and forth at each other. The display of raw power was impressive. It was then she noticed Bella had backed Sirius up to where he was standing right infront of the strange glowing arch.
Rushing forward on four paws she leapt at Sirius from the side right as Bella flung a neon green spell his way. Missing him by mere inches thanks to her timely save. Sirius looked up in shock at the wolf but seemed to come to the right conclusion based on her smell. A wry grin spread on his face.
The death eaters realising now that two more of them had fled began to make a retreat. The other two unnamed ones, one of whom she was assuming was Tobias Rosier, Evan's brother, made their way to Bella to get to the exit. Still raging over the fact that Bellatrix just tried to kill Sirius and that she showed up tonight at all had Hermione turning towards her baring her teeth. A loud growl preceded her snarling at the witch, legs bent and ready for the attack. She took a running start planning on ripping the throat out of the horrible witch who had done nothing but annoy her since her release.
She made it half the distance between them when one of the unknown men made it close to Bellatrix and flung a spell in her direction. She knew instantly what it was and had no time to get out of the way. The purple spell hit her mid leap throwing her back across the room.
"HERMIONE!" Sirius and Remus both yelled at the same time. The latter having come to the same conclusion Sirius did based on her smell and protective instincts.
As soon as she hit the ground she transformed back. A loud scream left her mouth as the spell burned across her skin. She fought back the tears as she watched Sirius and Remus running towards her. The other three conscious from the order were casting after the retreating death eaters. She watched as Tobias had to physically pull the other man away, and it was all she needed to know that she was correct.
Antonin did this to her.
Thick tears poured down her face as the pain wracked her. Sirius and Remus were there on their knees trying to help her. She felt Remus lift her in his arms before turning and running her out of the room. She heard Sirius sending out a patronus to have medical standing by.
She closed her eyes, placing a hand against her abdomen that felt hot and wet. She silently cast the counter curse that she had worked on years ago with Antonin. She was trying to try it again when she felt herself slipping out of consciousness.
"Hold on Hermione." was the last thing she heard Remus say.
He had to be pulled to the apparition point. He wasn't even dodging the spells thrown his way because his in was completely occupied. He couldn't get the sound of her screams out of his head. Why was she still there. He had thought she left with Potter and the rest of the kids. He had no idea what was going on. He didn't even want to be there tonight and now he had to live with the knowledge that he used the same curse he had accidentally killed the diggory boy with on the only witch he had ever loved.
It seemed odd that it took seeing her crying out in pain and knowing he was the cause of it to realize that he loved her. But it did. He had known she was important to him, that he was attracted to her, even that he cared greatly for, but love? Love was new. Having so little experience with the emotion growing up he had no idea that was how he felt. Seeing her laying there tears filling those beautiful whiskey eyes he wanted nothing more than to cross the room, spells be damned, and held her in his arms to take the pain away.
He had felt like an ass before for hurting her mentally, for breaking her heart in the past. But this was a whole new low for him, he had physically hurt her. He could have killed her. He didn't even realize they had made it to the apparition point. Bellatrix grabbing them both and apparating them into Malfoy manor. As soon as his feet hit the ground he leaned over and threw up. It had nothing to do with the apparition and everything to do with the anguish he felt.
His sick was vanished and he felt his uncle Tobias lifting him to stand. When he rose up he saw Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy standing there staring at them. The normal regal faces were pinched and angry. Lucius held up a small token and handed it over to Bella, holding his hand p after she took it to stop her from speaking.
"I don't want to hear it Bella. The dark lord wants you to take this port key. He is expecting you. The others are already there. We will join you there." And with that Lucius held his wife and disapparated with a crack.
He knew Bellatrix was ranting about something but he couldn't hear her because the blood was rushing too loudly in his ears. His uncle looked worriedly between his green expression and Bellas stomping about. He felt the man reach over and grab his hand pulling it up and onto the token that the other two were now holding. He found himself wishing he would be ejected somewhere over the abyss than have to deal with the repercussions of his actions.
They landed hard in a large sitting room. It was decorated with dark colored furniture and calming light grey walls. There was a large fireplace on one wall that was barely lit despite the low temperature outside. Above the mantle were photos that he couldn't make out from the distance and nick knacks that you would find in a regular home. In all it seemed way too homie to be the dark lords place of residence.
Yet he knew it was. There was a dark red chair in the front of the room and he wasn't surprised to see Voldemort sitting there. His legs were crossed casually as he tapped one finger on his knee while the other arm rested on the arm of the chair while his chin was atop that hand. He seemed deep in thought. Antonin looked around the room and saw the other three they had gone to the ministry with were all seated off to the side. Each of them sporting odd expressions of confusion.
"Take a seat." Tom's deep voice rang out, and they instantly obliged.
"While we wait for the others to arrive I will give you this one opportunity to tell me what the actual fuck any of you were thinking tonight."
She felt fingers brushing the hair back from her forehead softly. She sighed at the sansation and let out a small groan when they pulled away. Cracking one eye open she saw Harry and Sirius looking down on her with shock and concern.
"Why'd you stop?" She asked, her voice cracking."
Harry jumped at her words, throwing himself at her only to be joined a second later by Sirius.
"Merlin Hermione we were so worried. Are you ok? Do you need anything?" He asked her trying to judge if she was going to make it or not.
She nodded. "I think I am alright. I don't feel much of anything right now. Nor do I remember getting to school, I must have passed out when we apparated. Where is everyone else, is everyone ok?"
Sirius leaned up and kissed her forehead. "We're fine love, thanks to you. I don't know how many times I am going to let you save me Mione it's getting absurd." He winked playfully. "Everyone else is fine, just trying to clean up the mess. Kingsley is here waiting on you to wake up, he asked the others but no one really knew anything. All we have so far is Bellatrix somehow survived the prison take over and escaped. Did you see anything?"
She waited for Sirius to call over Kingsley, deciding to go with a broad statement on what she believed happened. Kingsley greeted her like an old friend and asked if she got to see any of the people under their robes.
She nodded slightly.
"I saw some. There was a pair leaving when I ran in. One of them lost their mask, I didn't recognize him but he was very old. I mean like Dumbledore, old just no beard, but he had grey hair and a lot of wrinkles. Then the big one, I watched him try to push away a matagot before he got away, I didn't see his face but I did see his arms and he was dark skinned, a little bit darker than your skin tone Kingsley." The lies flowed easily off her tongue.
Kingsley wrote it all down, looking around the room at the others.
"We didn't get anything out of them, tonight they made it seem like it was a death eater attack, especially putting Lestrange in the mix. But I don't know it almost felt forced to look that way. I remember how the death eater cells ran and this was nothing like this. We still have no clue what the goal was. Does anyone else remember anything that could be of some use?"
"I do." Hermione turned her head sharply to look at Luna who was now sitting up in her bed making what appeared to be a daisy chain.
Fear crept down Hermione's spine at the thought the whimsical blonde could very well expose her now.
"There was the highest concentration of wrackspurts I had ever seen hovering around them. I would put the ages of the men there in their late 70s at the earliest. That type of infestation takes years to develop." Luna nodded to Kingsley like she just gave him the break he was looking for in the case, but expected no praise for it.
Kingsley studied the girl for a moment before nodding and shutting his notepad. "Right, well we will keep that in mind… Thank you Ms. Lovegood."
Hermione asked for assistance to stand, and then for privacy as she walked herself to the loo. Once she got in she took a deep breath and lifted her shirt and removed the bandage. She looked up in the mirror and cringed at the dark purple scar running across her torso. Sighing bitterly she whispered for Tully.
With a soft pop the elf appeared. Hugging her close in greeting.
"Tully I need you to get Theo and bring him here. Tell him I need him to be me. Then I need you to take me home please,"
The elf nodded and returned with Theo in tow. He brought the poly juice and added a hair, took a sip changing into her before her eyes. They swapped clothes and Hermione transfigured his into a lightweight white long sleeve t-shirt that was loose enough not to rub against her scar, and a simple pair of jean shorts. Theo now had on her hospital robe and bed clothes and was looking at her in concern.
"Are you ok Mi? You look like you have murder on the mind." He said in her voice running a small hand down her cheek.
She shook her head no. "No, I'm not ok, but I am going to be. When you walk out, tell the others you are in pain and are tired, and just want some rest. When they leave, pretend to be asleep and then Draco and you come to me. I would imagine our necklaces are about to start burning. After the disaster that tonight was, I would be floored if my father didn't call a meeting."
Theo leaned over on her tip toes and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Just be safe Mi. Don't do anything you will regret."
Then he turned and left the bathroom, leaving Tully there to take her home. When Theo left the bathroom he saw Snape waiting with the others, he bowed his head to his professor like he did every time he saw him. This of course would have been normal for Nott but Snape instantly recognised it wasn't Hermione. He narrowed his eyes at him and Theo gave a tiny shrug as Hermione. Snape groaned and rolled his eyes turning on the spot to leave the hospital ward.
"Well she seems perfectly fine to me. I suggest letting her get some rest and we can recheck her in the morning." Then he left, robes billowing in his wake.
The dark lord sat leaning forward in his wined back chair. His elbows resting on his knees as his chin leaned against his steepled fingers. The room was silent except for the crackle of the logs in the fire. Ever so often there would be a sniff or groan from the room. He looked around to see the faces on the others, fear and pain and confusion. He himself was consumed by all three. He had so many questions in his head right now that he would give even the most talented of legilimens a headache if they were to take a peek.
He watched as the dark Lord turned his head slightly to look at the door as if he was waiting for it to open. When it did an out of breath Snape emerged. The contradiction to the calm cool collected professor he was used to was upsetting. The man seemed frazzled and dare he say, afraid.
"My Lord," He started, wheezing out the words.
Before he could finish the dark Lord's face broke out in a smirk, a sound of apparition followed by footsteps heading their direction.
He looked up at Snapes'' concerned face before turning to him and the others.
"Well, perhaps the decision on how to punish you won't come down to me at all." He said cheerfully although the red of his eyes let on he was still very angry.
The doors that Snape had shut behind him before he moved far away from them and into the corner of the room were suddenly blasted open. The dark Lord didn't even flinch or shield himself from the mass of splinters and debris that flew into the room. He simply rubbed his hands together in anticipation. The rest of them jumped in alarm.
Moving in like a tornado. Her hair flowing wildly around her, sentient with her magic. She stormed into the room, eyes crimson, her beautiful face contorted in fury.
"WHERE IS HE?!"