Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Reviews welcome. Any advice to help me improve would be brilliant. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Chapter 21 - It's Potter

Standing, Harry cancelled the disillusion charm and pocketed his wand. Every bit the assassin the government had turned him into, Harry pulled the trusty pistol from his back pocket, checked it was loaded, released the safety and held it at the ready. One finger on the trigger, an extra hand wrapped around the handle in support.

Stalking to the door the two Malfoy's exited through, Harry pulled it open, to reveal the base of a darkened staircase. Let's get this over with. Harry internally sighed.

Careful to keep any noise to a minimum, Harry stalked up the stairs. He arrived at the top which was shrouded in an eery darkness, which wasn't helped by the complete silence of the place. The landing stretched into a short corridor. There was a door to his left and one in front of him with a tapestry poorly hiding a staircase to his right.

Seeing the stairs headed downwards, Harry opted to ignore them in favour of opening the door in front of him.

'Ahhh!' He gasped as a loud screeching noise burst from the silence. He clasped a hand over each ear, dropping his gun in disarray.

Instinct kept Harry moving, before a loud crack had faded beneath the continued screeching, Harry was on the move. He quickly drew a knife from his pocket and engaged the robe clad figure that emerged. Harry sunk the blade into the man's chest before he could even raise a wand, they were dead before they hit the floor.

Intent on regaining some advantage, Harry scooped up the gun from the floor and proceeded into the room. He whirled round in surprise when the door slammed shut behind him. It was a mistake.

'Crucio!' Rang a clear voice from the corner of the room.

Disorientated, Harry had no chance to avoid the attack so a feeling like fire flowing through his veins overtook, almost incapacitating him. Grunting, he managed to break his fall and roll onto his front facing the direction the voice came from.

Hands shaking he fired two shots into the corner as the bored voice of Lucius Malfoy yawned 'Protego'. Despite not hitting, the shots gave Harry the respite he needed, with the Cruciatus curse lifted he could now move freely.

Launching himself to his feet, Harry avoided a jet of green light that was hurled his way, finding cover in the form of a stone pillar. Swinging his arm around the pillar to fire back, there were two loud cracks as Malfoy apparated from his hiding place.

The stone face of the pillar exploded next to his left ear drum, covering Harry in dust. Choking slightly, he fired blindly behind him before scooting his way to the other side of the pillar.

'You know I'm surprised how good you muggles are at fighting.' Drawled Lucius. 'I thought it would be easy to take your agency, so to be met with such dogged determination was…' He paused in thought. 'Almost inspiring.'

'Well they were some of the most dangerous people in England, you were never going to take them easily.' Responded Harry roughly, his throat still dry from the dust.

'So how did you get here? I didn't think we left any…'

'Why the talk Lucius?' Asked Harry, cutting the man off. 'You getting tired?'

'Hmmm. No, I just want to know details, I don't like loose ends.'

Harry snorted. 'Riddle finally beat that lesson into you did he?'

There was a pause. 'P-Potter?'

'Not so cocky now are we Lucius?' Taunted Harry. 'You must have known I would come, you should have had me killed in Azkaban.'

'A mistake I'll soon rectify! Confringo!'

'Bollocks!' Swore Harry apparating from behind the pillar as the base exploded. He landed just behind Lucius, where he disarmed the older man in one blow and turned him around before burying his knife into Lucius' shoulder. Distracted from the pain, Lucius' occlumency barriers faltered under Harry's mental assault. From such close quarters it was easy to maintain eye contact whilst searching through the man's memories.

Satisfied, Harry withdrew from Lucius' mind, to see fear written in his eyes. In a swift movement, Harry brought the knife out of Lucious' shoulder and sliced through his throat easily.

Not bothering to give the corpse a second glance, Harry walked over to a torch which hung on the wall. He pulled hard at the handle, which acted as a switch revealing a door in the panel to its left. He turned the handle and pushed the door open easily. The room which was lit by a single torch from the far corner. A young boy, who he recognised from Bernd Beaumont's photo, lied tied up on the floor unconscious.

He made his way across the room, kneeling next to him to check on the poor boy's health.

'Corners Potter.' Snapped a cold voice from behind the open door. 'Christ you go through everything you have and now you get sloppy.'

'What makes you think I didn't know you were there?' Asked Harry smiling ruefully.

'It's my job to know things.' Replied Clarke curtly. 'And you jumped a mile out your skin. What's your plan?'

'Well for once I'm trying not to get killed.' Started Harry, causing Clarke to snort. 'I don't know how we're going to win this one Clarke. Even if we did, how are you going to explain the death of so many agents? They've won, they've got what they wanted.'

'And what's that?' Asked Clarke.

'Exposure of the wizarding world, and an excuse for war so they can rule.'

'There will only be war if you are exposed and you fail to dethrone those in power that want it.' Clarke stood shakily and made her way over to Harry. She carefully laid a hand on his shoulder. 'As the head of MI6, I had many conversations with the Prime Minister. He once told me about a war that was being raged in this country beneath our very noses. I didn't want to believe it, how could a war of any scale be fought without us knowing about it?

'But then I started digging, people were found dead with no injuries, others torn apart in ways inconceivable to a non-magical mind. It scared us all to know something was happening but there was nothing we could do. The only one not scared was the Prime Minister.'

Harry furrowed his brow. 'Why? Had he excepted it was out of his control?'

'Oh no.' Chuckled Clarke. 'He had us working around the clock, all he would tell me is that the people fighting the war had complete faith in one young individual. He told me the legend of Harry Potter as spoken by your own Minister for Magic at the time. They all believed in you Harry and from what evidence I can gather you won.'

'Not on my own.' Growled Harry. 'And at too much cost.'

'Yes you lost many, but war always has casualties, you can't save everyone.'

'What's your point Clarke?'

'My point.' Glowered Clarke, snatching the gun away from Harry. 'Is that Agent Potter, the man who has been running towards death all these years can't win. However, Harry Potter. The symbol of hope for many, can. Stop holding on to your stubbornness, it may have saved you in the past, but I fear it won't be enough here. You ever hear that you shouldn't take a knife to a gun fight?'

Harry nodded.

'Well what use do you think this will be?' Asked Clarke, waving the gun lazily in front of him.

The question was a simple one, no use really. It would get him so far, then it would start to hinder him. So why was there still reluctance to give it up? Harry knew what he had to do.

Sensing his unease, Clarke continued. 'You've killed a lot of people with this thing as well, what's the difference?'

'A gun is always cold. A wand shouldn't be.'

'And yours is?'

Nodding, Harry elaborated. 'A wand chooses the wizard, when I first had mine it was warm to the touch. Now, after everything I have done with it, it's freezing cold. That legend you talk about doesn't exist, I was just a tool, a weapon. One that outlived its use.'

'You are not just a weapon Potter.' Said Clarke firmly. 'Do you really think you would have saved so many lives if you were?'

'I was trying to get killed trying.' Scoffed Harry.

'Bullshit!' Exclaimed Clarke. 'If you wanted it that bad you would have ended it. You saved those people because you're human, that's what makes you so good. That's what makes you the best agent I've worked with. Now, you may have done terrible things during the war, but if you hadn't what would have happened.'

'Voldemort would have won.' Said Harry simply.

'Then you need to make your peace Potter. People are relying on you once again, are you going to run or are you going to fight.'

'Fight.' Said Harry immediately.

'Then do so knowing it's their world you want to save, you belong in it Potter. You've won its freedom once, do it again so you can live your life.' Urged Clarke, gesturing towards the door where Ginny was casually leaning against the frame. 'I'm pretty sure you won't leave her behind.'

'No, he won't.' Agreed Ginny

'Good now let's get out of here.' Said Clarke, clapping her hands together sharply

'Where will you go?' Asked Harry

'I have a safe house near oxford, I think you know Mrs Tonks?' Said Clarke, with a glint in her eye.

'Course you all bloody know each other.' grumbled Harry. 'Kreacher!'

'Evans.' Greeted Kreacher after appearing from thin air with a loud crack. If Clarke was surprised at the sudden appearance of the house elf she hid it well.

'Last time I checked it was Potter Kreacher.' Reprimanded Harry in a jovial tone.

Kreacher smiled. 'As you wish Potter, I'll make sure these two get to the safe house safely.'

'Thanks Kreacher. For everything.'

'It's no problem. Are you going to use that wand to fight or is it going to continue to weigh down your pockets?' Said Kreacher pointing to the wand that was still sticking out the back pocket of Harry's trousers.

Carefully, Harry wrapped a hand around the handle. To his surprise it felt warm, come to think of it, he hadn't noticed the cold when using it earlier.

'What's wrong?' Asked Clarke, noting Harry's confusion.

'Nothing.' Said Harry shaking his head.

'Is the backdoor to the Ministry open?' Harry asked Kreacher.

'According to Tonks it is.' Croaked the house elf.

'Then that's how I'll get in.'

'Be careful, it's been locked down. All employees are being questioned. Tonks has been called in.'

'Did she go?' Demanded Harry.

'No. She's safe, just stop them before too many get killed, or worse.'

'I will.' Stated Harry, cancelling the charms on appearance whilst replacing his glasses on his head. He took one last look at Ginny, who now also bore her own likeness once again, before they both turned on the spot to disapparate.

'I haven't seen this entrance in years.' Stated Ginny, once they landed. The dingy alleyway they found themselves in was covered in grime and rubbish that had blown away to never be seen again, Infront of them was a black, bland fire door with no external handle. 'So how do we get in?'

Harry stepped forward, brandishing his wand. 'If I remember right, all we need to do is tap in a certain place.' Carefully Harry prodded at the top hinge of the door. 'That was lucky.' Breathed Harry when a silver handle appeared. He carefully turned it and they both stepped through the door.

When it shut behind them with a bang, a few torches sprang to light revealing a staircase which wound its way to the depths of the earth.

'We have to walk down?' Stressed Ginny.

'Come on,' chuckled Harry. 'The sooner we start the sooner we get there.'

'Does anyone monitor this place?'

'No, they should do but Tonks put a confundus charm at both ends, only people with me and her can get this far.'

'You seriously have a secret passageway into the Ministry?' Asked Ginny incredulously.

'Of course, it was handy during the war.'

'And since I bet.' Muttered Ginny. Harry's only response was a wolfish grin.

'What's the plan then?' Asked Ginny, when she sensed they were near the Ministry.

'Hopefully they've been stupid enough to gather everyone in the Atrium.'

'Ok but we can't just go in all wands blazing. There will be too many.' Said Ginny

'I know, first we find wands, then the Aurors. They can help with the evacuation.'

'Fine.' Ginny's voice suddenly seemed tight.

'You ready?' Asked Harry as he followed her off the bottom step where there was a small hatch waiting for them to lift.

'Yeah.'

'Then quietly does it. Disillusion charms won't help us in here.' Not bothering to wait for a remark, Harry lifted up the hatch.

As expected the corridor below was deserted, so he lowered himself down before proceeding to a green door at the end of the corridor. Ginny, followed confidently behind.

'After this door we're outside the charm Tonks set. We'll be in the belly of it.' Whispered Harry.

'Where does the door lead?' Asked Ginny.

'To a balcony in the Atrium. Keep low, if everyone is waiting to be questioned we might be able to move fairly freely. We just won't have a crowd to blend into.' Explained Harry.

'Let's go.'

On Ginny's mark, Harry silently pushed the door open and slipped through the gap. The sight sickened, gone was the statue with the House elf, Goblin, Centaur and Wizard and in its place was the abomination installed by Voldemort. A witch and wizard stood on a platform which was held aloft by fifty people being crushed by their weight. The words "Magic is Might" were inscribed on a banner above it.

'I never thought I'd see that again.' Hissed Harry.

'This time we'll destroy it properly.' Promised Ginny. 'Let's keep moving. We need to get to the lift.'

They hurried along, the balcony. Luckily they didn't need to be too quiet as the Atrium was full of the hushed voices of people who had been gathered there. Looming masked figures in black robes stalked amongst them threateningly.

They took another door on their left which led down to an ante chamber just off the Atrium where visitors are sometimes asked to wait. Not paying attention to what Ginny was doing, Harry wondered over to the back of the room where there was a small service hatch. With a wave of his wand Harry banished the cover, when he heard the door behind them open slightly.

He whirled around, wand armed raised to see Ginny peering around the door frame. 'What are you doing?' He hissed.

'Waiting for an opening, what are you doing?' She hissed back, shutting the door again with a slight snap. Which seemed like the loudest bang in the world.

'Shit.' Swore Harry, 'Get in.' He ordered gesturing the service hatch.

Without hesitating Ginny jumped into the hatch which she could just fit through and hustled her way along the chute. Harry just manged to jump in behind her and replace the cover when the door flew open.

With bated breath Harry waited as the tall figure, walked into the room, his wand arm aloft. The figure took a sweeping look around the room before shaking his head whilst turning to leave. Releasing the breath he was holding, Harry shuffled along after Ginny.

'Where are we going?' Asked Ginny when she reached a T junction.

'Right, but be careful, it's a fairly sharp drop. This follows the lifts down, owls used to use these chutes.'

'That's what the smell is then.' Mumbled Ginny. 'Feet first?'

'Probably for the best.'

Harry could hear more than see Ginny awkwardly, manoeuvre herself so she was feet first and then drop to the next level of the ministry. Not exactly a contortionist himself and larger than Ginny, Harry decided headfirst would have to do. Arms splayed in font of himself for protection, Harry slid down an almost vertical drop.

The drop was pleasantly like flying, apart from the odd bump he knocked his chin on. They continued in this same manner until they reached a level where they couldn't go any lower.

'Doesn't this go down to the department of Mysteries?' Asked Ginny.

'No.' Answered Harry. 'Owls were never allowed down there. This should be the Auror office floor.'

After checking as best she could that the corridor they were about to enter was empty, Ginny banished the hatch and slid out into the open space. Feeling the burns on his elbows from where they had rubbed on the metal, Harry clambered out after her. Knocking his glasses to the floor as he did so.

'Here.' Said Ginny handing them to him once he was steady on his feet. 'Come on, there is a shortcut to the Auror office through here.' She was stood before a large painting of a chess board mid game. None of the pieces were moving, making it seem like a normal muggle painting. With a practiced finger, Ginny flicked the White king causing it to fall over. There was a small click and the frame swung open like a door.

'We use these, to get around when there's loads of people in the Ministry.' explained Ginny as she walked into the dimly lit passageway.

'Can we get all over the Ministry using these tunnels?' Asked Harry.

'Yeah, but we have to be careful, Greengrass knows about them.'

As Ginny confidently wound her way through the corridors, Harry found himself to be thoroughly lost. Different paths joined the one they were on and random staircases rose from the middle of the floor.

'Merlin!' Shouted Harry in surprise as a ghost floated through the wall right in front of him.

'Sorry young man, I thought everyone had been rounded up. I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going.' Said the ghost in surprise. He was an elderly-gentlemen, with a handlebar moustache, clad in his old Auror robes.

'Hello, Margturus. How have you been?' Asked Ginny from behind the ghost.

'Ah Weasley, good to see you my girl. I'm glad they didn't get you too.'

'What's going on?'

'The Minister has overstepped his bounds.' Growled the ghost, suddenly angry. 'I warned the Wizengamot but would they listen to me? No!'

'Warned them about what?' Asked Harry.

'About Greengrass. I told them he was in Voldemort's inner circle when he got away with his crimes scot free after the war. Then the idiots made him Minister for Magic.' Margturus threw his arms in the air to emphasise his point. 'I warned them he would try to cause a war between wizards and muggles, but they were too blind to see. Now the whole Ministry is locked down under his iron fist, I've even heard rumours he has taken over the muggle government.'

'It's possible.' Admitted Ginny, 'They attacked a muggle intelligence office, those agents would have been one of the last defences to the Prime Minister.'

'Then it is lost.' Huffed Margturus. 'We were lucky Potter stood up in the last war, and how do we repay the poor boy? We hunt him down like a rabid dog. Afraid of what he would do next. I tell you if the Ministry had treated him as a person rather than a weapon this may never have happened.'

'How did you work that out?' Asked Harry, intrigued.

'It's obvious. The lad was' Margturus paused slightly 'is. Heck who knows anymore but special is what he was. I would have loved to work with him.'

'Now's your chance.'

The ghosts pale eyes shot to Harry's forehead. 'Merlins beard Potter. Aren't you a sight for dead eyes.'

'I suppose we'll soon see.' Said Harry smiling. 'Can you tell us where the Aurors are? And their wands too?'

'The Aurors are all in the main offices, the cubicles have been banished and they are all bound. I have no idea where their wands are but an Auror is more than there wand.'

'What are they going to do with them?' Asked Ginny.

'Ask them to join the cause and then kill any that refuse. That'd be my guess anyway, if you come out in Kingsley's office the coast should be clear. I'll search for their wands.'

'Thanks Margturus.' Said Harry.

'No Mr Potter, thank you. And you Weasley, good luck.' With that the old Auror passed through the wall again.

'Bet you never thought you'd meet a fan down here.' Joked Ginny.

'Mmm' Hummed Harry. 'Who was he?'

'An old head of Auror office who wasn't done when he died. Not many of the living pay much attention to ghosts though, shame really.'

'Yeah, bet he's got a tale or two to tell those willing to listen.'

'Good advice too. I'm surprised Tonks never mentioned him to you.' Said Ginny, eyeing Harry carefully.

'Never had any reason to I suppose.'

Nodding, Ginny spun on her heel to lead Harry towards Kingley's office.