Chapter 20: Assault at the Ministry

Naruto and Itachi have arrived at the Ministry of Magic, as they were inside the Atrium. "Alright, let's see…from what Harry told me, Voldemort is looking for something in the Department of Mysteries," Naruto stated, trying to remember where that certain department was. "Let's split up, that way we can cover more ground," Itachi suggested. Naruto nods and the two went their separate ways as they were searching for the department. It was silent in the Ministry, as not a single person was there except the two shinobi and a couple of security guards. Some of the security guards were patrolling the ground, but luckily Naruto managed to take them down without killing any of them. He hid the unconscious security guards somewhere in an empty room, as he continued with the mission. The blond kept searching for the location, until he came across a couple of Death Eaters who were just wandering the area. They spot him, but before they could do anything, they all dropped like flies, as Naruto dispatched them quickly and silently.

Now with Itachi, he too was also looking for the Department of Mysteries, as he searched some of the other rooms. He also came across a couple of Death Eaters, but what he did was place them in his special genjutsu, the Tsukuyomi. They were in pain, as this technique was making them feel as if they were being tortured and soon in the real world they were dead as Itachi beheaded them all, not before interrogating one of them, who somehow managed to survive.

"What does your dark lord want in the Department of Mysteries?" he asked calmly. "I ain't tellin ya shit, you filthy freak of a muggle!" the Death Eater bravely yet foolishly insulted the former captain of the Anbu and member of the Akatsuki. "I'm going to give you one last chance and this is not to be wasted. WHAT does your dark lord want in that room?" Itachi asked, showcasing his Sharingan, as he was intimidating the Death Eater by placing him in a genjutsu. That genjutsu was Tsukuyomi, as the Death Eater was crucified, while getting stabbed by multiple Itachi's. "For the next 72 hours, you will feel excruciating pain. In the world of Tsukuyomi, I control time and space," he explained, as he and his clones kept stabbing the Death Eater. The Death Eater screamed in pain and despite it being an illusion, it was all real and there was nothing he could to escape. In a way, this was worse than the cruciatus curse. "Ok! Ok! I'll talk!" the Death Eater begged. "Tell me everything," Itachi asked calmly, despite already looking at the man's mind and memories, which have sickened Itachi from what he saw. The Death Eater talked about how they were after some kind of prophecy Voldemort wanted along with how he sent out Menma and the other Death Eaters to eliminate Naruto and Harry once and for all. Itachi sighed, before he used the Amaterasu to burn the Death Eater alive, as the Death Eater screamed in pain until he was beheaded.

Itachi and Naruto meet up at the Atrium and from what it looked like, they both seemed to look like they have got blood on their hands. "How did your search go?" Itachi asked the blond. "I took out a bunch of them and managed to interrogate one of them over the location of the Department of Mysteries and why Voldemort and Menma were after that area. One of them mentioned something about a prophecy, but before I could ask any more, he tried to kill me so I reacted quickly and took him out first." Itachi was shocked, "Did you say prophecy?" he asked. "Wait Itachi, you know something about this?" Naruto asked back. Itachi explained how he interrogated one of the Death Eaters and managed to dig into one of their minds to find clues about it, along with how Menma was sent by Voldemort to go after Naruto and Harry in order to stop them. "Menma is here then, looks like we're going to have to find them," Naruto stated. Suddenly the Flying Thunder God kunai was pulsating, as the seal was glowing. "Looks like the others are here, but they're right now in trouble. Let's get going!" Naruto stated as he used the Flying Thunder God technique to get him and Itachi to the location.

An Hour Ago

Harry, Ron, Hermione along with the others have finally arrived at the Ministry, to see that it was empty. They entered the Atrium to see that it was empty, as there was no one at all. "Guys, I wonder where Naruto is?" Ron asked, as they kept walking to find the Department of Mysteries. "He should be around here and plus he did say someone was with him," Hermione stated, despite looking worried for her boyfriend's safety. They were walking around when they spotted that one of the halls looked like a bloodbath. "Bloody hell! It looks like a massacre happened," Ron stated the obvious. Daphne went up to one of the corpses and touched it, "Looks like the attack happened about a few minutes ago as the cuts seem to be fresh." They examined the bodies and discovered that they all have the dark mark on their left forearm. "These guys are Death Eaters, but that raises the question as to who killed them?" Harry stated, as everybody was perplexed by what happened.

They continued on as they came across a couple of the security guards who appeared unconscious, whereas the Death Eaters looked rather dead. Soon they arrived at their destination, the Department of Mysteries. They got off the elevator and walked towards the black door, as the only source of light in the hall were the dimly lit torches. "Okay, listen," said Harry, stopping again within six feet of the door. "Maybe . . . maybe a couple of people should stay here as a — as a lookout, and —"

"Sorry Harry, but that seems like a stupid idea," Cedric stated, raising an eyebrow. "And how're we going to let you know something's coming?" asked Ginny, her eyebrows raised. "You could be miles away." The others voiced their opinions as well, since they don't want Harry to go on this alone. Harry still did not want to take them all with him, but it seemed he had no choice. He turned to face the door and walked forward. Just as it had in his dream, it swung open and he marched forward, leading the others over the threshold. The room was literally dark, as the floor, wall, and ceiling were the color black. The only source of light were the blue flames on the candles that illuminated the room, making it seem like they entered an aquarium. They entered the room and explored around from one room to another. For some reason the place felt creepy yet strangely calm, maybe it was the whole atmosphere of the environment around them, or maybe someone had this whole creepy aesthetic planned out when it came to office decor. Now one of the rooms was just flat out disturbing by what the contents were inside.

The room had tanks full of brains stored in them, as the room illuminated a sea green aesthetic. "This is just weird, come on guys, let's go," Daphne said, looking rather creeped out, to which the others could sympathize. Soon the place was starting to turn into a labyrinth as there were multiple paths. As Harry was exploring one of the paths, he had this weird hallucination. It was as if Sirius was there in front of him, "Sirius?" Harry asked, as he tried going up to him. But Sirius wasn't there, it was all a mirage. "Harry? Are you alright mate?" Ron asked, checking up on him, as the others were wondering what was up with Harry. "Sirius…I thought Sirius was here," Harry rambled. Everybody raised an eyebrow, "Sirius wasn't here, heck we didn't even see him." Harry tried to deny what everybody said, but soon they continued on. As they were walking, Daphne noticed that Hermione was looking rather worried.

"You alright, Granger?" she asked, as the brunette looked at her. "I'm fine, it's just…I'm worried ok? I'm worried for both Harry and Naruto, as this could be a trap and we haven't got any form of communication here from Naruto at all these past few minutes." Daphne sighed, as she placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder, "Don't worry, those two will be fine. Knowing Naruto, I'm sure he's alright, as he can take care of himself, I know it. But for Harry…I don't even know, but we'll see how this goes," she stated, nonchalantly. "I'm surprised you are taking this very lightly," Hermione stated, as Daphne shrugged. They soon entered a room with lots of aisles showing dusty glass spheres that were stacked on the shelves. "Harry, come check this out," Ron said, calling his friend over. "What is it?" Harry asked, as he looked at the sphere Ron was holding. They looked at it and were shocked when the orb mentions not only Harry's name, but also Naruto's name as well along with the mention of dark lords.

"I don't understand, what does this orb have to do with you and Naruto?" Ron asked. "I'm not so sure, but if we find Naruto, we have to mention this to him. Let's take a closer look at this," Harry stated. "Harry, I don't think you should touch it," said Hermione sharply, as he stretched out his hand. "Why not?" he said. "It's something to do with me and Naruto, isn't it?" Neville shook his head, "Don't do this Harry, this could be dangerous." The others agreed much to Harry's protest. But the moment was interrupted when a drawling voice said, "Very good, Potter. Now turn around, nice and slowly, and give that to me."

It was Lucius Malfoy, but he wasn't alone as a woman was next to him, while a couple of other Death Eaters were surrounding them. They looked menacing with their hoods and masks hiding their faces. "To me Potter, hand over the prophecy," Lucius ordered, as every Death Eater in the room was pointing their wands at the group. "This is looking pretty bad," Cedric whispered to Ron. "I know, of all times, where is Naruto," Ron whispered back. "If you are expecting help from the Uzumaki boy, you will be sorely mistaken, as some of the Dark Lord's finest are hunting him down," Lucius stated. "Why?" Harry asked. "You see, your friend has been responsible for killing our men here, he's the reason some of the halls have been painted in blood." This news shocked the group, as it was Naruto who left those bodies. "Well then at least he had a good reason, to get rid of scum like you and Voldemort," Harry clapped back.

Lucius shook his head in disapproval, "Enough about the Uzumaki child, hand over the prophecy," he demanded. Harry ignored him and asked, "Where is Sirius?" The woman next to Lucius mocked the boy, as Harry kept asking about his godfather's whereabouts. "It's time you learned the difference between life and dreams, Potter," said Malfoy. "Now give me the prophecy, or we start using wands." But Harry wasn't having it, as he and his friends pointed their wands, ready for a fight, to which the Death Eaters responded back. "NO, we are not to harm the boy or else we risk losing the prophecy, that is what our master ordered us," Lucius commanded. "What's so important about this prophecy anyway?" Harry asked.

Lucius chuckled, "You mean Dumbledore has never told you at all?" he asked. This confuses Harry, "What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, as he was secretly trying to formulate a plan on how he and his friends could escape. "Haven't you always wondered, what was the reason for the connection between you and the Dark Lord?" Lucius asked. "Why he was unable to kill you, when you were just an infant?" he continued, as he slowly walked towards Harry. "Don't you want to know the secret of your scar?" This intrigued Harry, despite the fact that he knew from Dumbledore that Voldemort passed on some of his traits to Harry when he was just a baby and how his mom protected him. "Oh there is more, don't you want to know why your friend has been mentioned in the prophecy, along with another dark lord? All the answers are there, Potter, in your hand. All you have to do is give it to me, and I can show you everything."

The Death Eaters were coming closer than ever, as things are about to get ugly. "I've waited 14 years," Harry stated calmly, as Lucius nodded. "I guess I can wait a little longer, NOW!" He and his friends cast Stupefy, as Lucius and the other Death Eaters deflected it. The group ran as fast as they could, but Lucius appeared in front of them as he appeared out of some dark smoke. Soon they split up into a group of two or three as they took on some of the Death Eaters. Luna and Neville used Levicorpus and Petrificus Totalus on a pair of Death Eaters. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were using Stupefy as they were being chased by the Death Eaters. Ginny, Daphne, and Cedric were using Expelliarmus on some of the Death Eaters chasing them.

The group soon meets up when they turn to see the Death Eaters were chasing them as dark clouds. "Reducto!" Ginny shouted, as her spell managed to hit the dark clouds, but also hit the stacked orbs. "Everybody get back to the door!" Harry shouted, as everybody ran as fast as they could away from the dropping orbs. They soon managed to get away quickly, as they fell to the ground after opening the door. "Is everybody alright?" Harry asked the group. "Agh I think my nose is broken," Neville said, as his nose was bleeding. "Anybody got the number of the train that hit me?" Cedric stated, as his head hurt from the impact. The others looked ok, despite the injuries they sustained. "Lets keep going guys," Harry stated and soon they continued on. But when they entered the next room they found themselves to be ambushed by the Death Eaters.

Right Now

There were too many Death Eaters to count as they were holding Harry and his friends at wandpoint. "Give up the prophecy Potter, if you know what is good for you," Lucius stated. Harry and the others were about to get ready for a fight, not knowing that the kunai Naruto gave them, was pulsating, as if it was sensing that they were really in trouble. Just before the Death Eaters could do anything, a voice was heard. "Protego Diabolica!" The Death Eaters backed away, as the blue flames surrounded Harry and his friends. "What's going on?! Who cast the spell?" Hermione asked Harry. Suddenly two cloaked people arrived in the ring of fire, as a gust of wind blew around them. "Don't worry guys, we'll take care of them," the cloaked person said. "Naruto, it's time we discard these cloaks," the other cloaked person said. Naruto nods and the two take off their cloaks. It was Naruto and Itachi that were protecting Harry and his friends. "Naruto, is that you?" Harry asked, surprised, but also glad that he was here. Naruto turns to them and nods, as he was going to walk up to the Death Eaters, ready for a battle.

The Death Eaters fired their most offensive spells at the masked Naruto, but the boy was protected by the Armiger spell. Some of the crystal blades that were protecting soon struck down some of the Death Eaters through a vortex attack Naruto used with his wand. The other Death Eaters were trying to enter the blue ring of fire, but they couldn't fully enter as they all burned to a crisp. An all out battle has begun, as Naruto created multiple clones for the battle as he began to help out his friends. Naruto and Itachi were taking out some of the Death Eaters using their blades and ninjutsu, as Itachi placed one of them in a genjutsu, making the Death Eater unable to move, as Naruto drilled a hole into the Death Eaters stomach using his yellow and red orangish Rasengan he called the Fox Fire Rasengan. One of the other clones helped out Cedric, Luna, and Ginny as he used a white elemental blast spell that deflected the attacks by sending those attacks to their attackers. With Harry and Naruto, they decided to use an ultimate attack consisting of both magic and chakra, as Naruto prepared a Rasengan, while Harry used some sort of enhancing charm as greens sparks were added, creating a cyan Rasengan. Using this combination of magic and chakra, they utilized this move against a distracted Death Eater who was busy fighting another Naruto clone.

The battle was getting intense, until some of the Death Eaters managed to restrain Naruto in some sort of binding spell, rendering him unable to move. The blond tried to struggle out, but it seems that he can't get it off. "NARUTO!" Hermione shouts, trying to get to him. "Just hold on, I'm going to get you out of this," she said, as she grabbed her wand. Naruto sees that one of the Death Eaters was about to fire a spell at Hermione, "HERMIONE GET OUT OF THE WAY!" But it was too late, as the Death Eater made a sudden slashing movement with his wand from which flew a streak of what looked like purple flame. It passed right across Hermione's chest; she gave a tiny "oh!" as though of surprise and then crumpled onto the floor where she lay motionless. "No…it can't…no…" Naruto said, as he was shocked by what happened. "HERMIONE!" the others shouted.

The Death Eater took off his mask, as he was smiling gleefully like a maniac. It was Antonin Dolohov, one of the escapees from Azkaban. He had just immobilized Harry and Neville who were trying to get to both Hermione and Naruto, as the Death Eater kicked out hard at Neville's head as he emerged — his foot broke Neville's wand in two and connected with his face — Neville gave a howl of pain and recoiled, clutching his mouth and nose. Harry was clutching his hand in pain, as Dolohov was pointing his wand at him. Over with Naruto, he was seeing everything, the one he loved was on the floor looking motionless, his friends in trouble. His thoughts were that it was going to be like that night, the night when he failed to save Jiraiya. 'No I can't let this happen…I can't…my friends…I have to get up…I HAVE TO GET UP!'

As Dolohov was about to kill Harry and take the prophecy, that's when it happened. A violent gust of wind was felt in the room, "What the heck is this?!" Ron stated, as he was protecting Ginny from this strong force. With Itachi, he too felt this strange pressure, "No…it can't be…not now," he said, as he finished off one of the Death Eaters. "What the hell?!" Dolohov said, until he saw something horrifying. It was a dark red and black monster with white eyes, with six tails and a skeleton of some sort of animal that acts as an armor. Everybody stared in horror, as the beast was on four legs and released a violent roar.

Note: Yup it looks like the seal is broken as Naruto witnessed Hermione being seemingly dead(she's not dead btw) and his friends being in trouble. Oh also I read one of the comments and I'm going to say that Itachi and Cedric aren't going to die, but the person who will die is going to be a member of the Order of the Phoenix, but I won't reveal who, so you will have to see in the upcoming chapter. Anyways feel free to comment btw, and before I forget we reached a 100 chapters given that each previous volume had 20 chapters so this is an incredible milestone for this series. I just wanted to say thank you all for the support and hope things will go smoothly in upcoming volumes