Chapter 2 All is not well
At the ministry, everything had been flung into chaos after that morning's mass Azkaban break-out. The paper-planes that carried messages between departments were bashing into each other they were in such a hurry, the aurora had all left to control the country and the only two death-eaters they apprehended had just laughed as if their interrogation was a game while most would have gone insane from the pain, but perhaps they already were.
On level two, a desperate Harry Potter, the one who had apprehended the death-eaters, was answering hundred of letters in his oak-panelled office. It was a very beautiful office indeed. In-front of the back wall, facing the entrance, their was a large mahogany desk with two framed pictures; one with Harry and a beautiful red-haired women and the other with Harry and three young children that looked strikingly like him, except for the gorgeous girl, who looked like her mother. Next to these was a mountain and paperwork and on its right a quill and ink bottle. On the all opposite the desk were two beautiful, circular doors made from birch with a large bronze handle on each and potted plants on either side. On the right of the room was a fireplace with a large emerald, cotton braided carpet covering most of the stone floor. He was so engulfed in his work, he did not even notice when the usually empty gold embroiled portrait hung up against his back wall, now had an occupant.
"Good-day Harry." Said Dumbledore in his frustratingly calm voice.
Harry, a little shaken from this sudden calm voice after all the howlers he had gotten jumped up. "I wish it was Professor, I really wish it was. Now, I don't suppose you're here for a chat. What can I do for you."
"Well, personally I do think a Professor can visit his favourite student for a chat from time to time but alas now I am here on urgent Hogwarts business. Minerva has requested an audience with you and Mrs Granger-Weasley immediately. I apologise, I used the incorrect term. She wishes for you to visit her, she has grave news."
"What is it, has something happened to James, Albus or Rose?" asked Harry, a quite alarmed now.
"She said I must say nothing more than that. Tell Mrs Granger-Weasley at once to meet her now please, Harry. Minerva has requested that your fire be connected to hers via floor network once more so get Mrs Granger-Weasley and come back up here Harry and use the flow network please."
"Has anything happened to my children Dumbledore." Harry said in a heated voice.
"You shall have to come and see Har-"
"DUMBLEDORE, What has happened to my children. I'm not playing games now!" Harry bellowed. Seeing the anguished look on his old headmaster and friends face he said. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted. It's just that with the Azkaban break out I am really stressed. I'll call Hermoine at once."
"Thank you Harry, I knew you would. Oh and Minerva says please bring no-one else." But before Harry could respond he was gone.
Harry got up, opened his door and rushed toward the lifts with the golden grilles.
"Come on, come on. I need to get Hermoine to issue a faster way to travel." Harry said, stamping his foot impatiently. Finally the grilles opened and he rushed in.
"Morning Harry." Said Oliver Wood, head of the department of magical sports.
"Morning Wood, what brings you this far down?"
"Well with the break-out I think we should cancel the upcoming quidditch match but IU need the minister's permission and thoughts first. And you?" Asked Oliver.
"I agree with canceling the matches Oliver. I'm also going to Hermoine. Minerva said she and I need to go to Hogwarts immediately."
"Is everything all-right with your children and with Ron and Hermoine's?" Asked Oliver anxiously.
"She sent Dumbledore to tell me but he wouldn't say."
"Dumbledore, how is that possible?" Asked a perplexed Oliver.
"I have a portrait of him in my office."
"Of course of course."
And with that the lift grilles opened and Harry rushed out, m Oliver trailing behind him. What he saw did not make him smile. Dozens of people were basing on Hermoine's door, screaming to be let in. Harry knew that when they saw him, they would question his too so with a quick disillusionment charm, he snuck through the crowd, leaving a confused Oliver behind. Once at the door, he muttered the password that Hermoine had given him incase the door was ever locked and he needed her urgently, "S.P.E.W".
And with that, he melted through the door.
Hermoine's office was even larger and more beautiful than his own. The floor was oak wood and the walls were painted cream white. At the end of the room their was a monumental gold-embroiled picture of Hermoine, Ruse, Hugo and Ron and under this a shining desk. Beside the desk were bookshelves filled to the brim and on the other side their was another desk, less impressive, with all sorts of weird magical contraptions. On Hermoine's desk there was a monumental pile of paper work, Harry had never seen Hermione this disorganised, owl droppings everywhere and parchment rolls that scattered the floor. Behind the desk, on a comfortable chair sat a disheveled Hermoine with her hands on her face. When she saw harry she bellowed: "AND what have you been doing! Not a single word Harry! Do your job or I swear I'll give it to someone else!"
Harry was shocked at this. She had never spoken to anyone this way before, much less him. Angry but wary at the same time Harry said: "I've been doing all I can Hermoine trying my best but it's ju-".
"WELL CLEARLY your best isn't good enough, work harder! ALL THIS BLAME IS GOING TO ME WHEN IT'S ALL YOUR DEPARTMENT!"
"Hermoine, you're just as much to blame as I and other departments have played a role in this too."
"DON'T YOU DARE BLAME ME HARRY JAMES POTTER!" Bellowed Hermoine so loudly Harry thought he would go deaf.
"I'm not blaming y-" started Harry.
"Well it sure seems like you are. Now Get out, I'm actually busy doing work unlike you who's been doing, I don't know what!"
Harry was starting to get worried. Hermione was behaving very uncharacteristically.
"I have been doing work, I'm just here to say that Mcgonnagal asked to see us immediately."
"TELL HER TO WAIT!" Hermione bellowed.
"I'm not your messenger. It might be about Rose or Hugo or James or Lily or Albus. We need to check."
"IT'S PROBABLY ALBUS AGAIN. You've been such a terrible father that he seems to be beyond repair. He's a screw up like his father! I'm not sorting out another one of his messes again!" She screamed.
This had an effect on Harry and he started on her.
"You dare say anything like that to me about Albus again and you'll regret it Hermione. Might I remind you that I was offered your job first and that I turned it down because I knew it was your ambition to become Minister to help elves and get the dementors out of Azkaban! I never thought I would regret it but here we are! I'm going with or without you! If your kids are hurt or worse don't come to me for sympathy."
And with that Harry marched back to the door, screamed "S.P.E.W" so as not to have to open the door and let the mob in, no matter how appealing that thought was at that moment and melted through the door. He stormed to the lift and waited for the grilles to open and when they did he saw Ron.
"Don't go in that office Ron, trust me." Harry warned.
"Well I can understand if she's in a mood with all the pressure she's under now." Said Ron
"SO AM I BUT you don't hear me calling your kids a screw up and you a failure as a father!" bellowed Harry.
And with that he pushed Ron out of the lift as the grilles were closing and descended.
"Level two: Department of magical law enforcement." Said the cool woman's voice emanating from the roof of the lift as it stopped with a shudder. The golden grille's open, a few paper planes flew out and the grilles closed again and the lift began to descend once more.
"Level Three: Department Of Magical Incidents And Catastrophes." Said the cool female voice. The lift shuddered to a halt, the grilles opened, a few paper-planes flew out, a few flew into the lift, and the two people Harry felt like seeing least entered.
"Hello Potter." Said the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy, who, as soon as Scorpius and Albus were safe, reformed into his utter prat self again.
"Hello Draco, what brings you here?" Asked Harry, trying for a polite conversation but knowing it was fruitless.
"I was visiting a friend Potter. And you. After your mess up today, I assumed you would be playing the 'scar hurting' game to distract everyone." Sneered Malfoy.
Trying not to fall for his bait, Harry retrained from attacking him with difficulty but decided to end the charade and hope of a pleasant conversation."
"If you must know Draco, I've got some bad news for you. I received a letter ten minutes ago saying that the death-eaters admitted to having your fathers assistance at the break-out, so don't get too smug Draco. As for where I'm going, that's nit your concern."
Before Malfoy could make a retort however the female voice said: "Level four: Department For The Regulation And Control Of Magical Creatures."
And the lift shuddered to a stop and Harry left, not baring to go another five floors with Malfoy. He waited for the next lift and git in, irritated and frustrated.
The lift began to descend once more.
The cool female voice then said: "Floor five: The Department International Magical Co-operation."
The lift shuddered to a halt and Harry got out. Instead of going all the way to floor nine, he may as well use Percy's fire to get to Hogwarts. And with this idea he marched dawn the hallway to a tall, domineering door, knocked thrice and heard the familiar, pompous voice and Percy Weasley say "Come in."
Percy's office was relatively bland. Opposite the door was a desk with a framed photo of Percy, his Wife and their children. To the left of this was a fire placed with a sack of green powder on the mantle. The walls were cream white as was the floor.
"Ah, hello Harry. What can I do you for?" He asked
"Hey Percy, could I use your fire to get to Hogwarts please?" Asked Harry.
"I would let you Harry but I'm afraid Minerva isn't allowing flow network to my office or anyone else's as you know in the ministry."
"I forgot about that. Well Minerva got mine connected so could I at least use your fire to get to mine?" Harry asked.
"Of course."
And with that Percy got up, walked to his fire, muttered "Incindo" and once the fire was lit, pored the green powder into it, turning the fire green. Harry then hopped into the fire unscathed and said: My office, in the Department Of Magical Law Enforcement. And with that he was spinning incredibly fast with deafening roaring in his ears, but he was used to it now after a few years off of forty-five years in the magical world and then he saw his fireplace and stepped out. Harry then said "Incindo" which list his own fireplace and poured green floor powder from his own sack on his mantle. He hopped into the fire, said "Minerva Mcgonngal's office, Hogwarts." and with the same spinning sensation he was off found the correct fire place and hopped off.
He saw Mcgonnagal sitting at her desk looking grave.
"What is it Mcgonnagal? Is Albus okay. Is James alright? Lily?" Asked Harry frantically.
"They're fine Potter, don't worry." She said in her crisp voice but Harry noticed a little hesitation and fear edging their way into her voice now. "Think logically. If they were not I would have called both you and Ginny but Dumbledore told only you and Mrs Granger-Weasley to come did he not?" She said as Harry nodded. "Where is she is actually Potter"
"Well, I told her you requested to see her urgently and she went mad. Said quite a few hurtful things. I retaliated and stormed out. Let's just hope she's come to her senses. If it's nothing about our children, why did you call us?"
"Potter, it is essential that I speak to her! You two are too old to be having arguments in such dire circumstances. Very irresponsible of you, I need her and you!"
Harry, temper rising once more retaliated saying:" Well Minerva, then call her and see the mood she's in, it's not very pleasant. I'm so sorry that I just keep disappointing everyone today!" Harry shouted.
"You're right Potter, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I'm sorry." Harry nodded and she continued. "Well I hope she does come because we can't start without her. What did she say to you exactly."
"Well, see Minerva, there's been a mass Azkaban break-out this morning, not in the papers ye-" Began Harry
"A what! Oh dear, oh dear!"
"I Know Minerva. Anyway, actually it's not important."
"Harry, you know what, we can't wait any longer. Come with me."
She led him to a cupboard at the far end of the room where she took out a stone basin Harry knew too well. A pensieve. She then placed it on her desk, took out a bottle of blue swirls from the same cupboard, soared them into the pensive and said: "Well, come along Potter, let me show you my morning."
Sand with that Harry dunked his face through the swirling blue and white cream like substance and started falling with Mcgonnagal beside him. He then landed in her office and saw a second version of her, Trewlaney and a lady he had never seen before. Mcgonnagal was clearly agitated.
"Now now, Sybill, as you said, those who are not as fortunate as us and do not posses the gift of the inner eye, cannot hope to fully understand us and therefore envy us." Said the new comer Betsy in a voice Moaning Myrtle would be proud of.
"I'm sorry but who exactly are you, and what are you and Sybill Trewlaney doing in my office!" roared Mcgonnagal.
"Minerva, this is my friend Betsy, the fourth cousin of the famous seer Sussie Sooth. As seers normally skip three generations such as myself, they are also widely known to occur in… ah… cousins and other relatives." Said Trawlaney
"Of course." Said Mcgonnagal in a voice so dry it would have brought drought to Hogwarts had it been a spell.
"Still as stubborn and short-sighted as ever Minerva." Sang Trewlaney
"Trewlaney, please do not speak to me this way."
"Ah, of course. Those who have much to deny, take offence quite easily." As Mcgonnagal was about to start talking once more however, she cut her off. "As for your second question, Betsy and myself were enjoying crystal gazing, I saw poor Summer's death, quite sad really, mauled to death by a hippogriff, I must talk to Hagrid, and Betsy saw the same fait. If this terrifying thought was what made it happen, I know not, but suddenly she began floating, her eyes shone blue and she spoke in an unnaturally low voice. I was very worried and when I explained what had happened after she touched the ground once more, she claimed to have no recollection. I went straight to Madam Pomfrey who said she had had a prophecy, but as we seers know, we remember our professors fully and behave as we normally would. They simply just come."
"A real prediction." Mcgonnagal trailed off, in a whisper.
"Not quite real Minerva. As Sybill says, I would have recalled it." Said Betsy in her ghostly tone.
"Of course, but just out of curiosity, what did betray say even if it was not a… ah …prophecy?" asked Minerva, anxious but excited
"It said-" but Trewlaney was cut off as once again Betsy's eyes began to glow blue and she began to hover and speak in an unnaturally low voice.
"When envy overtakes love the heart shall rip allies shall turn to the dark lord's grip
A quest for the one Who has defied him most And brought about his end Shall fight against him once more
He shall travel with his two companions To the city of the ancient stone He shall race one with passion who wishes bring the dark lord home
If lost, once more evil shall rise death will finally engulf the hero who has been thought to always strive and a new journey shall begin for the trio
If won, darkness shall still fight back seizing it's every chance but the stone of Vita shall be safe And peace shall be restored."
And with that Betsy fell to the floor once more, this time unconscious.
And Harry was rising up through the sky and then he was back in Minerva's office.
Neither spoke for a while then Harry broke the silence.
"Minerva, do you know how serious this is! What does Dumbledore say?"
"Of course I know how serious this is, that's why I called you here. Dumbledore only said to gather you, Mr Weasley-Granger and Mrs Weasley-Granger."
"Why did you tell me to just call Hermione then?"
"I though it best to tell the Minister of Magic and the one who defeated Voldermort himself first."
"Fair point. Minerva, we need to do more research into this. Do you have any idea where or what this ancient city is?"
"None Potter, I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I think we 'ought to start gathering members of the order."
"But Potter, Dumbledore's gone. last time he left us many instructions. It was like he was still there, leading us. We have no leader or instructions." Reasoned Mcgonnagal.
"Minerva, we have you!"
"I think not Potter. In fact, if any of us were to be t he leader it would be you!"
Harry, shocked and moved that Minerva had faith in him did not respond immediately trying to think of a response as to why he would be a terrible leader but none came.
"When Umbridge brought incompetence to the school, who gathered the other students to instruct and teach them. I don't think any of them would have passed their O.W.L had it not been for you Potter."
Harry had expected the DA to come up after she proposed that he be the order of the phoenix's leader but had no counter-argument.
"Minerva, maybe we shouldn't reform the Order of the Phoenix. The time when we will be forced to will be upon us eventually but for now, I say we gather an elite army of Order Members and we try find this ancient city. In the meantime, I'll start gathering Dumbledore's Army to see if any of them have any knowledge of what this ancient city is or the stone of Vita."
"Consider it done Potter."
But Harry noticed Minerva looked nervous, as if she was not letting on all she knew. He decided this was not the moment to question her though, work needed to be done, preparations made.
But suddenly there was a ruling and the fire burst into life, green flames galore, as Hermione popped out, spewing ash all over the floor.
"Harry, please forgive me! What I said was beyond appalling! I am so so sorry!" Cried Hermione as she dropped to the floor in tears.
But after what she had said about Albus, Harry's own flesh and blood, Harry didn't care what she did or said, he would not forgive her this time!
"Hello Mrs Granger-Weasly, nice of you to arrive and spew my carpet with ash. Well come in, come in, the pensieve is still out and the memory is still in. I have some extremely troubling news to show you."
"In a minute Minerva. Harry I am s-"
"Just go with Minerva Hermione."
And with a flick of his wand, Hermione was thrust forward and plopped her head not the pensieve. Minerva went to join her saying: "Potter, wait here, we'll be back soon."
And with that she thrust her head into the silvery liquid. Harry, awkwardly standing in the office, took out the bronze knut that he took with him everywhere, as a reminder of those who were lost, but also of the bravery that was shared. He changed the date on the coin to that day and put the coin back in his wallet, thinking.
But then there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Asked Harry, taking his wand out of his pocket, then realising that a death eater wouldn't knock
"Oh, hey Harry." Said Neville
"Neville! Long time no see. Come in, come in."
Neville opens the door with a guilty look on his face.
"So, did you get the message for the D.A?"
"What message?"
"If you never got the message then why are you here Neville?" Harry asked.
"Well, I'm really sorry Harry but I just caught James, after completing his work ten minutes early planting these weird seeds in pot plants and next thing, they're mutant Mandrakes."
Sure enough James walked in, a guilty expression on his face.
Harry was furious! First the break-out, then Dumbledore's frustrating message, then Hermione insulting him, a grave prophecy and now James had caused trouble, yet again!
"James! Please, I asked you before you left this year to behave. I understand your pranks, trust me and your urge to break the rules, it runs in the family" Harry said with a grin "but please, I need you to control yourself right now."
"Sorry da."
"It's fine but I can't help you. It's up to Neville and Minerva to decide your punishment, however Neville I'm having a really important meeting with Minerva, think you could bring James back a bit later."
"Sure Harry, anything wrong?"
"Ye, but I'll tell you later."
"But da, I'm old enough to know what's going on! I'll be of age soon!"
"James, trust me, I know how frustrating it is when you are't allowed to participate and contribute to urgent matters, it happened to me more than enough, I also know that your'e more than capable of handling this and I might explain it to you later, just right now, I don't even know what's going on! Now I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay da."
And with that he left the room. Neville was about to follow but Harry shook his head and, ignoring the look of indignation on James's face, closed the office door.
Harry felt incredibly bad about shunting out James. They had always had an excellent relationship and, truth be told, Harry loved Jame's pranks, so did George but the less he knew for now the better, Harry tried to convince himself.
"So, what's going on Harry."
"Oh you know Neville, mass Azkaban break out, prophecy predicting Voldermort's return, the usual."
Harry had expected Neville to gasp, or show some sign of horrorbut he just stood there, looking astonished.
As Harry was about to speak though, Hermione and Minerva's heads burst from the Pensieve.
"Minerva, this is terrible! We need a plan of action! The person to bring the Voldermort back is probably one of these death eaters!" Said Hermione.
"It can't be Hermione. It said the witch or wizard used to be on our side while none of these ones are." Harry reasoned.
He still could not forgive her.
"Harry, please I am beyond sorry!" Hermione whimpered as tears formed in her eyes.
Harry always felt bad when Hermione cried, but this time he couldn't care, much to his dislike.
"Hermione, I will never forgive what you said to me! It was-" Harry began but Mcgonnagal cut him off.
"You two! Your'e acting like children and I won't have it! For all we know, Voldermort might be returning right this moment, the next Wizarding war might be starting and all you two can do is bicker and feel sorry for yourself. You were very close friends at school and still are! Potter, what Mrs Granger-Weasley said must have been terrible, but please, for the sake of the world, just get along with her!"
"Fine, but Hermione, you know as well as I, once trust is broken, it cannot be repaired. You broke my trust by insulting me and my family! I'll work with you to stop Voldermort from returning but just know I don't forgive you and it's going to be pretty difficult for me too!"
As Hermione was about to respond though, Neville cut in! "Can someone please tell me what's going on! What's this about Voldermort returning and what did Hermione say to you Harry! What death eaters escaped and when! What ids happening!? asked Neville, fear and indignance in his voice.
"Well, hmm where to start? Said Harry in a sarcastic voice. Let's start with this morning when twenty of our worst death-eaters mysteriously escaped Azkaban, in fact, let me show you."
Harry walked forward, pulling Neville with him, raised his wand to his head, withdrew a silvery silk-like substance, dropped the substance into the pensieve, said "Take a breadth." to Neville and plunged Neville's head in, following shortly with his own.