CHAPTER 12
THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE
Percy Weasley, walked into his office at the Ministry and looked around, glowing with pride, all of his hard work had finally paid off. He had the job he wanted, the girl he wanted and the apartment he wanted. His parents should be proud of him, but no, they wouldn't believe that he actually deserved to be where he was now; they wouldn't accept that it was his hard work and determination that got him the promotion. Everything had to be about them, Percy sank into the chair behind his desk and huffed angrily, glaring at the picture of his family, that even after their argument still sat on his desk. It wasn't his fault that they chose to get involved with the very worst sort of people he could imagine, he didn't blame Fudge for wanting to know why his parents were involved with a paranoid ex-auror, a clumsy young witch with ghastly multi-coloured hair, several thieves and a werewolf.
He couldn't go back now though, not after everything that had happened between them all; he thought of them all laughing and saying 'I told you so' if he went back now and apologised. He knew that they would never forget how he had abandoned and ignored them just to further his career. And even now he had everything he had ever dreamed of, he wasn't happy, it had all come at a price, a price that was greater than what he would ever earn at his new job, the love and support of his family.
Today was going to be just a normal day at the office for Percy, he would send a few owls, do a lot of paperwork and spend a lot of time with Fudge trying to convince him that making alliances with foreign Ministries would definitely be beneficial to them especially as Voldemorts Death Eaters had been increasing their activity rapidly over the past few weeks.
It was almost dinnertime, and Percy was just heading out of his office over to the canteen, to purchase something to eat when it happened. A huge bang, sounded throughout the building, walls shook, floors trembled and all around him people screamed. Instinctively he reached into his robes for his wand, as did several other people around him. The lights went out and everything was in total darkness, cries of terror could be heard resounding throughout the large building. Percy heard someone shout 'Illuminance' and the hallway was flooded with a bright light. Through the dust, Percy saw the outline of a dark figure, entirely cloaked and the glinting of a white mask. A flash of green light sliced through the dust and hit the spot directly over Percy's shoulder, forcing his legs to move he dived out of the way before the wall he had been standing against crumbled around him. He scrambled up and ran; ran as fast as he could from the cloaked body that had started laughing madly in the midst of the rubble.
Wormtail grinned manically at the destruction and devastation all around him, he had been part of that. He was the one who discovered the unused entrance to the Ministry of magic, he had been the one to lead the many Death Eaters into the Ministry and know he was responsible along with Lucius Malfoy of making sure that no one would escape and no one would come to help the people trapped inside the Ministry with thirty of Voldemorts best Death Eaters.
"Hurry up Pettigrew.'' Malfoy snapped from across the Atrium. "Seal off all of these fireplaces quickly, no one from that mud blood loving school will come to save them now.''
Peter did as he was told, Malfoy had more power over him, he was Voldemorts right hand man, ever since Snape betrayed them all, for Albus Dumbledore. He set to work magically sealing off every single fireplace on the right hand side of the Atrium, as Lucius worked his way down the left side. Occasionally stopping to kill anyone who tried to get in their way. Peter had raised his wand with a triumphant smile, he had reached the last fireplace, after he cast one more spell, no one would be able to enter the Ministry especially after the anti apparition tests that had been placed over the building upon their arrival.
All of a sudden an ear-piercing shout carved through the dusty air. Peter immediately recognised the shout, it was filled with urgency, desperateness, and fear, fear for what the person was about to lose. 'James' Peter thought, remembering the shouts he heard from his old friend to his wife, the night he sold them to Voldemort, the night that the Potters spent their last moments together.
"Come on Pettigrew.'' Lucius snapped. "Sounds like Macnair's having fun up there.''
"What…. oh…. yeah.'' Peter replied distractedly.
"Well lets go.''
"Yeah right.'' Peter said walking swiftly after Malfoy who had just turned the corner, his Black Death eater robes billowing behind him.
And as the two Death Eaters turned the corner leaving the Atrium empty apart from a few scattered bodies, neither was aware that during Peters momentary lapse in concentration, he didn't seal off the last fireplace, the Ministry wasn't completely sealed off. There was still hope.
Percy slowly crawled along the rubble littered ground, a thick dust rising all around him, choking him, but he was determined he had to do it. No one else knew about it, only him and Fudge, and since Fudge wasn't even in the country to use it, he would have to be the one to exploit it's many uses.
Fudge had a Fireplace in his office, the only room in the Ministry to have it's own fireplace. It was hidden behind a panel in the wall complete with a full pot of Floo Powder. That was were Percy was heading, slowly but surely, on his hands and knees to Fudges office, shooting stunners out of his wand whenever he saw the glint of a white mask, he felt positive that he had shot down more than one Death Eater, but he didn't have the time to check. His mind was focused on reaching the Fireplace.
Finally he reached Fudges office, it was still standing, he rushed over and pulled back the panel, revealing an ornate fireplace and a tub of glittering Floo Powder, he reached into the large pot and grabbed a handful throwing it into the fireplace, watching as large green flames flashed before him, he got down onto his hands and knees and yelled 'Dumbledore's office' before he stuck his head into the fire and whirred past thousands of grates before reaching the headmasters office. He looked around and saw that it was empty.
"Professor!'' He yelled loudly and urgently. "Dumbledore, Please come quickly.'' Percy heaved a sigh of relief as the old man came into view.
"Well Mr Weasley, what's the problem?'' Dumbledore asked calmly, as though having a disembodied head popping into your fireplace and screaming at you were a daily occurrence.
"The Ministry, it's under attack.'' Percy stated agitatedly. "Death Eaters everywhere. We need help, now.''
"I'm on it. What fireplace are you using?'' Dumbledore asked sharply, never hesitating, not wasting a second.
"Fudges.'' Percy replied quickly, knowing that Dumbledore needed to act fast.
"Can I send people to that fireplace?''
"No, it can only Floo out.'' Percy answered, distressed.
"I'll sort something out." Dumbledore said as Percy twitched around nervously to see if anyone was approaching. "Get yourself out of there.'' Were the last words Percy heard as he pulled back out of the flames and stood up from his aching knees.
Five minutes had passed since Percy Weasleys urgent message to Dumbledore, and already Dumbledore had summoned all the members of the order that were present at Hogwarts into his office. He wasted no time in getting them all to settle down.
"Listen everyone this is very important and we have no time to waste. The Ministry is under attack and they need us. Everybody go and prepare yourselves, we meet back here in five minutes.'' Dumbledore commanded, leaving nobody in doubt as to why Dumbledore was the only one Voldemort ever feared. The steely determination in his eyes was enough to inspire everyone in his office to promptly rush out and prepare themselves to face the ongoing battle of good verses evil.
Tonks ran over to her room, quickly pulled on her boots, with steel toecaps and tied a belt that was stocked with various potions around her waist. She reached into her drawer and pulled out a knife and secured it into the strap that was wrapped around her thigh. Her wand was clasped tightly in her right hand, as she left her room double-checking that she had everything. Turning around from locking her door, she almost walked into a man, a man wearing tattered robes; she looked up at him and smiled sadly.
"I hate going to work.'' She said trying to keep their conversation light hearted.
"I bet you do. Listen Tonks, I need to tell you something.'' Lupin said quietly.
"Can't it wait? We have to get back, Dumbledore's waiting.''
"No it can't wait, that's the problem." Lupin sighed sadly. "I just want to give you this.'' He said holding out a small, brown, fluffy teddy bear to her. She took it with a curious expression on her face and looked up at Lupin curiously. "I know you already have one from a man who loved you and cared about you, I just wanted you to know that he's not the only one who loves you. I do too.'' Lupin said to her slowly, placing the small bear into her outstretched hand, the sadness in his voice showing through the smile on his face. He knew that he may never see her pretty face again, but at least if he died, he would know that she knew exactly how he felt about her
"Thank you. I love it. I love you.'' Tonks replied smiling, reaching up and hugging Remus close to her not knowing when she'd get to hold him again, when she'd get to hear his voice and touch his face, kiss his lips. She knew that the moment was bitter sweet. They had just declared their love for each other, and were about to head into a battle not knowing whether they'd ever see each other again.
"Take him with you. He'll look after you.'' Lupin said as he kissed Tonks tenderly on the lips and rushed off to his own room to gather up his knives, that hadn't been used since the last war, when he successfully managed to defend himself from three Death Eaters with a single blade.
Five minutes later and everyone had once again assembled in Dumbledore's office, heavily armed with knives, swords, and of course their wands. Sirius was wearing a mask to cover his face in case his Polyjuice potion wore off while he was fighting at the Ministry.
"I don't know if we'll be able to gain access to the Ministry, Voldemort has probably sealed of all the fireplaces, but we have to try." Dumbledore said firmly, as Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped up to the fireplace and tossed a handful of powder into it, watching it flash green. He stepped in and shouted 'The Atrium.' In a whirlwind of colour he disappeared, letting everyone know that there was at least one fireplace open. Next to step forward was Snape, but Dumbledore held out an arm to stop him. "We can't risk you going Severus. You are one of their prime targets. Stay behind.'' The look in Dumbledore's eyes told Snape that there was no point in arguing with him, so reluctantly he stepped back and watched as Lupin stepped up to the fireplace and throw a handful of powder in.
The flames flashed green again, illuminating his face in a ghostly quality, emphasising the harsh bitterness in his eyes as he started into the flames. Just as he was about to step into the flames, Tonks ran over to him and pulled him into a passionate kiss, letting all of her pent up fear and anxiety go into the kiss, her desperation for company and her deepest desire not to lose Remus paralleled only by his desire not to lose her. He pulled back and smiled a Lupin smiled at her and stepped into the fire, disappearing, leaving behind a room full of very shocked faces. Tonks followed straight after. Then Hagrid, who had a bit of a hard time actually fitting into the fireplace, but wasn't deterred. It was Sirius's turn then, he walked over to the fireplace after squeezing Destiny's hand reassuringly.
"See you later Dest.'' He said trying to sound cheerful, his love and adoration for her clearly visible in his eyes, which were the only part of his face left uncovered.
"Yeah see you.'' She replied sadly, gripping her wand tighter, feeling her heart plummet as she watched him disappear into the flames. That could have been the last time she spoke to him, the last time before they were separated again, this time for life.
Destiny followed after Sirius, as did Hestia Jones and Mad-Eye Moody. Leaving Snape, Dumbledore and Mcgonagall alone in the office. "We have work to do.'' Dumbledore announced gravely. "I have a feeling that shortly Hogwarts will become the evacuation centre.''
"They won't have time to evacuate people.'' Mcgonagall insisted. "Beside as soon as the Death Eaters find out that they're there, you can bet they'll seal off the fireplaces straight away.''
"I have faith in someone else.'' Dumbledore said cryptically as he walked down to the Great Hall and started to move the house tables out of the way. If his suspicions about a certain person were correct the hall would soon be full of injured evacuees.
Percy turned away from the Fireplace in Fudges office, abandoning his chance at escape from the hell that surrounded him. He had to try and get people out of there. So as he crawled once again along the floor, every person he met along the way were told the same thing. 'Fireplace in Fudges office, go to Hogwarts.' Percy knew that he would be faster if he walked but he couldn't risk getting seen by the Death Eaters. If he stayed down he would be partially obscured from view by the thick cloud of smoke. He could hear shouts ahead and as he hardened his resolve he crawled forward, determined to help the innocent people before it was too late. He saw a solitary figure standing out against the dusty background, dodging green lights, and shooting red and blue jets from his wand. 'Lupin.' Percy breathed as he too stood up and went to aid his comrade. Soon they had managed to stun all of the four Death Eaters they were facing, and Percy had a inkling that one or more of them may be dead, or else severely knocked out. Lupin grabbed him by the shoulders and told him the incantation for the powerful stunning spell that had been responsible for the half dead appearance of two of the Death Eaters that now lay sprawled in a pile at their feet. As Lupin rushed off to fight more of the Death Eaters, Percy dropped to his knees again and whispered to all of the terrified people on the ground the whereabouts of the fireplace in Fudges office, and told them to tell anybody else they saw on the way. Percy hoping that by now his father had managed to get out of the building, knowing that it was unlikely that his father would leave without him, even with the way he had treated his family.
As he made his way along the ground his wand gripped in one hand as the other felt before him, stretching into the dust and shadows, trying to feel around for more people who needed to get to Hogwarts, get out of the conflict and back to safety. It was then that he heard it, his father's unmistakeable voice, shouting, yelling, but he wasn't begging for his life as so many others that Percy had seen that day had been. He was shouting, swearing at them, standing proud, prepared to die like a man, rather than giving them the satisfaction of hearing him begging and pleading for his life.
Mixed in with the feeling of dread that had settled in Percy's chest upon hearing his father's shouts, not knowing if his father would be alive or dead by the time he reached him. He continued until he came to a doorway where he witnessed a scene that would stay with him until the day he died. His father was laying slumped on the floor, no longer shouting and yelling, but laying still and unconscious, blood gushing from a cut in his head.
Not thinking or giving them time to react, Percy leapt up from the floor and shouted the curse that Lupin had told him of minutes before, the force of the spell erupting from his wand was so large that it send Percy stumbling backwards, losing the aim of his wand from the two Death Eaters standing opposite where his fathers body lay to the wall behind the Death Eaters. Before they even had a chance to react the wall, half of the ceiling and the contents of the room above collapsed on them both, killing them instantly. Percy rushed over to where his fathers body lay, cursing the dust for being so thick; he couldn't see a thing. He picked up his fathers limp body and walked slowly out of the room, keeping in the shadows until he reached Fudges office, pushing past the large crowd of people queuing to use the fireplace as he lay his fathers body down and looked at his face that was covered in grime and blood. Sorrowfully he threw a handful of Floo powder into the fire and instructed the next person in line to take his father back with them, just as the lady who was next was about the leave Percy heard his father weakly say. 'Thank you son'
"They've found a way in.'' Malfoy screeched at a group of Death Eaters that he had managed to gather together. "How the fuck did that happen? We sealed all of the fireplaces.'' He snapped angrily, his hands gesticulating wildly.
The Death eaters in the circle all shrugged their shoulders and snorted angrily, the Ministry workers weren't supposed to get help, they were supposed to die alone, every last one of them. Peter just shifted nervously, he remembered raising his wand to seal off the last fireplace but he didn't remember casting the spell. He must've forgotten; that was when Lucius called him away; he missed a fireplace. Lucius saw the uncomfortable way in which Peter was twitching and immediately turned his attention to him.
"You did seal all of the fireplaces didn't you Peter?'' Lucius asked coldly.
"Well…. you see… I.''
"I don't fucking believe it. I know we shouldn't have trusted you to do this. One simple thing and you fuck it up.'' Malfoy screamed angrily. "Nott get and seal the last fireplace off now, before they send anymore defence forces.
As Nott left the crowd of his fellow Death Eaters he could hear Peters agonising screams, and the loud thud of his body as it hit the floor, still screaming. It would be a long time before Malfoy relented, especially after Peter messed up so badly on a mission as important as this one.
Back at Hogwarts School the Great Hall had fast become an evacuation point as Dumbledore had predicted, and Snape had no time to brood about not being allowed to fight as the demand for potions had never been so great, he was rushed off his feet trying to replenish the ever dwindling supply of potions that Madam Pomfrey was distributing left, right and centre. All through the Great Hall the people who were able to sit up spoke of a young man that was risking his life to ensure everybody was evacuated safely. Dumbledore smiled when he heard then, he knew that Percy wouldn't leave while others were in danger, especially his father, who was unconscious, being force fed blood replenishing potions and re-enervating potions.
The need for help was so great that Dumbledore had called all of the sixth and seventh years out of their lessons to help Madam Pomfrey distribute the potions, so that she could concentrate on the more urgent casualties. Harry soon learned that Sirius, Destiny and Lupin had gone to the Ministry to help save them and he felt a stab of guilt, the last time Sirius was at the Ministry was when he was trying to save Harry, that was when he fell through the veil and was unconscious for months. As he walked around the injured people he heard several stories of their rescues, one that particularly amused him was when he learnt that a witch with pink hair had rescued an elderly wizard when she fell through a hole in the ceiling and landed on top of the Death Eater that was threatening him. 'Only Tonks could pull that off.' Harry thought as he gave the man his potions.
As the day wore on Harry found his head jerking over to the fireplace every time he saw the flash of green and heard the rush of air as more people clamoured out of the fireplace, hoping against hope that it would be Sirius or one of the others coming to tell them that everything was ok, or even just to show that they hadn't died.
Harry looked over at Ron, who was helping Madam Pomfrey get his father to drink his potions. Ron was ghostly pale and his hands were trembling slightly as he forced the potion into his father's mouth. Ginny was hovering around them nervously, not knowing what she could do; her father was lying before her, unconscious and unmoving. She didn't even know if he'd pull through, he was lucky he managed to get through the fireplace. She didn't know how he managed to do it, when he looked too feeble to even move, let alone drag himself through hordes of Death Eaters.
Once again Percy Weasley was back on his knees, searching for people to save, but he seemed to be finding less and less as he went along, he hoped this was because they had all managed to survive and not because everybody had been caught, he heard whispers ahead, and started forward, wand clutched in his hand, listening as the whispers turned into laughter; sensing that something was wrong his grip on his wand tightened, his mind searching through the catalogue of spells that it had acquired over the years, he finally settled on creating a huge smoke screen to distract the two people ahead while he got up and run for it, knowing that if he simply turned and crawled back he would surely be caught, and not wanting to remain undecided for a second longer he raised his wand prepared to shout the spell.
But it was too late before the words even left his mouth a high-pitched voice shrieked Expeliarmus and his wand slid out of his grasp, and he watched horror struck from the floor as two cloaked figures stepped into his line of vision.
"Well it appears that we have found one of them.'' The tallest Death Eater sneered in his nasal voice.
"One of the Ultimate Defence league.'' The shorter replied sarcastically her voice muffled by the mask that she wore.
"One of the thorns in our sides. Do you know how we punish people how interfere with our plans?'' The tall Death Eater asked, as Percy slowly and cautiously got to his feet. "I wouldn't bother standing if I were you.'' The man said smugly, as the witch to his side shouted 'Crucio.'
Percy immediately collapsed to the ground, screaming and writhing in pain, all fear and anxiety released from his body, replaced with pain and only pain. The world was blackening, a world filled with pain and torture awaited Percy, he felt his head lolling to the side through the pain, he knew unconsciousness was almost upon him, he wanted it, he pleaded for it to take him, knowing that it would be the end of hi pain, he wouldn't be able to feel anything then. But the Death Eater pulled the curse off him just as he was about to lapse into unconsciousness, leaving Percy with the same pain as he had before the only difference was that the world was slowly and blurrily sliding back into focus, the dark shapes that were in front of were slowly focusing and become clearer, he slowly and shakily got to his feet, hearing them laugh as he stumbled and lipped over the rubble, his knees shaking and his nerves burning into his skin.
As soon as he had gotten his footing, they hit him with the cure again, this time two voices shouting instead of one. The hit of the double curse knocked him harshly onto the ground, the pain was immense, it felt as though someone were stabbing a million hot needles into his flesh and twisting them around. He felt unconsciousness coming fast this time, he greeted it like an old friend but once again the curse was pulled off him, but this time not willingly. As the world came back to him again, he could discern voices shouting in the air around him, he could not tell whose they were, he didn't recognise them at all.
"Expelliarmus.'' A female voice shouted commandingly.
"Confoundaze.'' A rough male voice barked, and Percy heard the thud of two bodies fall to the floor, although whether they were his rescuers or his tormentors he didn't know.
"Percy, Percy get up, are you alright.'' He heard the man saying to him, as he felt someone pull him up onto his unsteady feet. Percy shook his head, trying to clear the buzzing in his ears, and the flashes of pain behind his eyes. It did nothing except worsen the pain. "Percy answer me.'' The man barked, he was wearing a mask but not the skeletal white of a Death Eater mask, his was flesh coloured, it made him look featureless, with only two eyes on his face.
"I'll be alright. Just a bit shaky.'' Percy replied, not entirely sure that he was all right.
"Here drink this.'' The woman said to him kindly, her raven black hair pulled off her face in a messy bun. She had scratches all over her face, and a black bruise starting to form around her right eye. She handed him a small vial of dark blue potion. "It'll work for a while, but I can't guarantee that it won't wear off.''
Percy grabbed the potion with a grateful glance into the woman's beautiful purple eyes and drank it quickly, the pain in his body subsided into a dull ache, and he took his wand from the mans outstretched hand.
"Thanks.'' Percy said gratefully. "For everything.''
"You're a brave kid, keep it up, your mother will be proud.'' The man said gruffly as he clapped Percy on the back, before both of his rescuers rushed off upon hearing a loud scream from the floor above.
Percy watched sadly as they left, feeling alone and frightened, but there were still people trapped in the building he had to save them, they all had to get out. Besides with all of the people fighting against the Death eaters there couldn't be that many still standing.
Voldemort paced back and forth in a dark room, illuminated only by flickering flames and dancing shadows, he was angry, furious, and livid. He had sent thirty of his best Death Eaters to the Ministry of Magic, and yet a few aurors and teachers from Hogwarts were beating them.
He couldn't take it anymore, it was starting to get embarrassing, the attack had been planned out perfectly, all exits and entrances were supposed to be sealed off, when Voldemort found out who it was that had neglected their duties, there was going to be hell to pay. Now because of this one person he had lost some of his best Death Eaters and many more had been severely injured, this was going to hold back what he had planned next, it would give Dumbledore and his 'Defence Force' time to recover.
Voldemort roughly ripped up the sleeve of his robe and looked down at the black mark that was burned on to his forearm, he jabbed his fingers into it roughly, feeling satisfaction in the pain he knew it would cause his Death Eaters, well those who could till feel pain anyway. He waited a few minutes to be sure that Lucius had performed the anti-apparition charm on the building, before performing some of the oldest dark magic he knew, a spell that would enable him to transport all of the injured Death Eaters to his side, all of the Death Eaters that Dumbledore's band of fools had rendered useless.
Lucius felt the scar burning deep into his arm and winced, he could feel his masters anger and disappointment even through the scar, he knew his wrath would be much worse when they were forced to apparate back to him. He quickly undid the apparition charm on the Ministry, and apparated to his master side, dreading the consequences of Pettigrews mistake for them all.
Peter squealed when he felt the Dark Mark's burn searing through his skin, he knew that none of his fellow Death Eaters would hesitate in telling his master exactly whose fault it was that the attack was foiled, he heard the loud cracks and pops of the others apparating and slowly and reluctantly followed suit, leaving the building with a soft pop.
"They've gone.'' Destiny shouted happily as she heard the building echoing with cracks and pop, watching the masked figures disappear from sight.
"Great, now all we have to do is check that everyone is out of here safely and we can get back to the school.'' Lupin shouted back, grasping for Tonk's hand through the thick cloud of smoke that had started to settle around them. He found it and she gave it a reassuring squeeze as they headed off to check the floor above them.
After the whole building was checked, and no more people were found, all of the rescuers from Hogwarts and Percy Weasley met in Fudge's office ready to Floo back to Hogwarts. All of them scratched and bruised, Kingsley was bleeding profusely from a deep gash in his arm, but they were all alive. And all ready to get back to Hogwarts. Lupin threw a large handful of Floo powder into the flames and watched once again as the fire flashed green. He pushed Tonks forward gently, urging her to go first.
"Where is he? He's not back yet.'' Destiny said urgently. "Sirius, where is he?''
"When did you see him last?'' Lupin questioned quickly.
"We were checking the second floor together, and we split up. I couldn't find him. I thought he came back here, but he didn't.'' Destiny said hysterically.
"We can't wait around for too long Dest. Voldemort could send re-enforcements at any time. We can't risk it.'' Lupin said slowly, putting his arm around Destiny's shoulder. By now they were the only two people left in Fudge's office everyone else had gone back to Hogwarts.
"But I can't leave him Remus, I just can't. I can't lose him again after all we've been through. I thought that I'd lost him before and I don't want to feel like that ever again. I can't bear to be apart from him.'' Destiny cried, sobbing uncontrollably into Lupin's shoulder as he held her tighter.
"Look Dest, Sirius is a big boy. I'm sure he knows what he's doing. He can take care of himself.'' Lupin reassured her, as he pushed her in to the flames and back to Hogwarts, her still crying hysterically, crying out Sirius' name. He felt bad for forcing her to leave but there was no choice. Voldemort could send another group of Death eaters to finish the job off properly. "I hope you know what you're doing Padfoot.'' Lupin muttered quietly before Flooing back to the castle.
Harry was relieved when finally he saw Tonks come through the fireplace, they were coming back. Tonks grinned at him, but he could see the bruises on her face and noticed the limp when she walked. It wouldn't be long now before Sirius was back, he watched as Kingsley, Hagrid, Moody, Hestia and Percy came shooting out of the fireplace. Harry saw the shocked look on Ron's face as Percy crawled out of the fireplace, he was dirty, bruised and cut. He couldn't stand up because of the curse that he had fired at him by the Death Eaters, without saying a word Percy hurried over to his where his father lay, still unconscious, still heavily cut up, just as Percy had last seen him. He looked at his father and saw that even though he was unconscious he was still breathing; he smiled weakly at Ron and Ginny before he collapsed on the ground right next to his father's unmoving body.
Harry looked back to the fireplace, knowing that Lupin, Destiny and Sirius still hadn't returned. He watched it for several minutes, just standing staring at the fire until after what felt like a lifetime to Harry it finally flashed green and Destiny came out of the fireplace sobbing hysterically. Harry dropped the potion he was holding, sending green liquid and shards of glass all over the floor. He rushed over to her and caught her in his arms as she broke down, crying uncontrollably, he tried to comfort her but it was hard, he knew that only one thing would affect Destiny like this, Sirius must be hurt or worse, but Harry couldn't think about that, he held Destiny closer to him, feeling her body shaking as she sobbed her heart out, trying hard not to shed tears himself.
Lupin came out of the fire after Destiny and he looked sad and forlorn, Tonks limped quickly over to him and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. Lupin held her tightly as though she was the only thing that could keep him going. After several minutes of just being held by Tonks, he felt stronger, ready for the task of telling Harry that his godfather was missing yet again. So he gently pulled out of Tonk's loving hold and nodded, she understood. Everyone did, Sirius wasn't back yet, which most probably meant that he was dead. He would've been back by now. Voldemort must've sent more Death Eaters and they probably caught Sirius and tortured him and killed him.
Harry saw Lupin walking towards him; his eyes were red and tired. Harry knew what was coming next. He just nodded sadly at Lupin, showing that he understood he couldn't bear to have to hear someone say it. He was finding it hard enough to cope as it was; he had lost his godfather again, and somehow every time he lost him it hurt more and more. He looked around the hall, not wanting to focus on Destiny and her sorrow, as it would only make him feel worse, he watched his fellow seventh years distributing potions and performing simple healing spell on the wounded and wondered how he would feel if no one he really cared about went to the Ministry and risked their lives to save others. How would he feel if the people he loved didn't always leave him? Would he be a different person? Harry was broken out of his reverie by a bright flash of green from the fireplace, his heart leapt into his throat and his pulse quickened. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up, he would just feel worse when it wasn't him.
A man stepped out of the fireplace, he was hunched over, and a tangle of black hair covered his face. Over his shoulder was the limp body of an elderly man, whose legs were bent out of shape, and blood was pouring out of his forehead. The man gently eased the wizard onto the floor in front of him as Madam Pomfrey rushed over brandishing her wand, he looked up and around his surroundings clearly scanning the room for someone, Harry looked closer and saw that his face was obscured by a flesh coloured mask that was caked with blood. The man saw Destiny in Harry's arms and laughed, it was a laugh that Harry instantly recognised, a laugh like a bark. Sirius. He approached them both a squeezed Harry's shoulder, before tapping Destiny lightly on the shoulder, she spun round and took in the sight of Sirius, her eyes widened and a smile spread across her face.
"Thanks for waiting for me Dest.'' Sirius said jokingly. Destiny looked at him incredulously and laughed, her face still red and tearstained.
"No problem babe.'' She replied sarcastically before falling into his arms, gripping onto him tightly as though she was afraid that he was going to be snatched away from her again.
The next day after everybody had been cured and healed, and all those who needed professional help were transported to St Mungos, Dumbledore called all of the students and teachers together into the Great Hall, to make an important announcement.
"Many lost their lives yesterday when Lord Voldemort and his followers attacked the Ministry of Magic. Thanks to a few brave and dedicated people many lives were saved and many dangerous Death Eaters have been killed. But it is thanks to one person in particular that a safe route of escape was established and put to the best of use. This young man repeatedly risked his life to ensure that his colleagues and friends were safely evacuated. He has shown bravery beyond the call of duty. This young man is Percy Weasley.''
(A.N Thanks for the reviews again you guys are the best. Sorry that the end of this chapter isn't all that good but I had the flu when I was finishing this chapter. I actually still have the flu now, so this AN is probably rubbish too. Anyway hope you like this chapter. Please read and Review. Luv ya ice princess12 x x x x x x x x)
THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE
Percy Weasley, walked into his office at the Ministry and looked around, glowing with pride, all of his hard work had finally paid off. He had the job he wanted, the girl he wanted and the apartment he wanted. His parents should be proud of him, but no, they wouldn't believe that he actually deserved to be where he was now; they wouldn't accept that it was his hard work and determination that got him the promotion. Everything had to be about them, Percy sank into the chair behind his desk and huffed angrily, glaring at the picture of his family, that even after their argument still sat on his desk. It wasn't his fault that they chose to get involved with the very worst sort of people he could imagine, he didn't blame Fudge for wanting to know why his parents were involved with a paranoid ex-auror, a clumsy young witch with ghastly multi-coloured hair, several thieves and a werewolf.
He couldn't go back now though, not after everything that had happened between them all; he thought of them all laughing and saying 'I told you so' if he went back now and apologised. He knew that they would never forget how he had abandoned and ignored them just to further his career. And even now he had everything he had ever dreamed of, he wasn't happy, it had all come at a price, a price that was greater than what he would ever earn at his new job, the love and support of his family.
Today was going to be just a normal day at the office for Percy, he would send a few owls, do a lot of paperwork and spend a lot of time with Fudge trying to convince him that making alliances with foreign Ministries would definitely be beneficial to them especially as Voldemorts Death Eaters had been increasing their activity rapidly over the past few weeks.
It was almost dinnertime, and Percy was just heading out of his office over to the canteen, to purchase something to eat when it happened. A huge bang, sounded throughout the building, walls shook, floors trembled and all around him people screamed. Instinctively he reached into his robes for his wand, as did several other people around him. The lights went out and everything was in total darkness, cries of terror could be heard resounding throughout the large building. Percy heard someone shout 'Illuminance' and the hallway was flooded with a bright light. Through the dust, Percy saw the outline of a dark figure, entirely cloaked and the glinting of a white mask. A flash of green light sliced through the dust and hit the spot directly over Percy's shoulder, forcing his legs to move he dived out of the way before the wall he had been standing against crumbled around him. He scrambled up and ran; ran as fast as he could from the cloaked body that had started laughing madly in the midst of the rubble.
Wormtail grinned manically at the destruction and devastation all around him, he had been part of that. He was the one who discovered the unused entrance to the Ministry of magic, he had been the one to lead the many Death Eaters into the Ministry and know he was responsible along with Lucius Malfoy of making sure that no one would escape and no one would come to help the people trapped inside the Ministry with thirty of Voldemorts best Death Eaters.
"Hurry up Pettigrew.'' Malfoy snapped from across the Atrium. "Seal off all of these fireplaces quickly, no one from that mud blood loving school will come to save them now.''
Peter did as he was told, Malfoy had more power over him, he was Voldemorts right hand man, ever since Snape betrayed them all, for Albus Dumbledore. He set to work magically sealing off every single fireplace on the right hand side of the Atrium, as Lucius worked his way down the left side. Occasionally stopping to kill anyone who tried to get in their way. Peter had raised his wand with a triumphant smile, he had reached the last fireplace, after he cast one more spell, no one would be able to enter the Ministry especially after the anti apparition tests that had been placed over the building upon their arrival.
All of a sudden an ear-piercing shout carved through the dusty air. Peter immediately recognised the shout, it was filled with urgency, desperateness, and fear, fear for what the person was about to lose. 'James' Peter thought, remembering the shouts he heard from his old friend to his wife, the night he sold them to Voldemort, the night that the Potters spent their last moments together.
"Come on Pettigrew.'' Lucius snapped. "Sounds like Macnair's having fun up there.''
"What…. oh…. yeah.'' Peter replied distractedly.
"Well lets go.''
"Yeah right.'' Peter said walking swiftly after Malfoy who had just turned the corner, his Black Death eater robes billowing behind him.
And as the two Death Eaters turned the corner leaving the Atrium empty apart from a few scattered bodies, neither was aware that during Peters momentary lapse in concentration, he didn't seal off the last fireplace, the Ministry wasn't completely sealed off. There was still hope.
Percy slowly crawled along the rubble littered ground, a thick dust rising all around him, choking him, but he was determined he had to do it. No one else knew about it, only him and Fudge, and since Fudge wasn't even in the country to use it, he would have to be the one to exploit it's many uses.
Fudge had a Fireplace in his office, the only room in the Ministry to have it's own fireplace. It was hidden behind a panel in the wall complete with a full pot of Floo Powder. That was were Percy was heading, slowly but surely, on his hands and knees to Fudges office, shooting stunners out of his wand whenever he saw the glint of a white mask, he felt positive that he had shot down more than one Death Eater, but he didn't have the time to check. His mind was focused on reaching the Fireplace.
Finally he reached Fudges office, it was still standing, he rushed over and pulled back the panel, revealing an ornate fireplace and a tub of glittering Floo Powder, he reached into the large pot and grabbed a handful throwing it into the fireplace, watching as large green flames flashed before him, he got down onto his hands and knees and yelled 'Dumbledore's office' before he stuck his head into the fire and whirred past thousands of grates before reaching the headmasters office. He looked around and saw that it was empty.
"Professor!'' He yelled loudly and urgently. "Dumbledore, Please come quickly.'' Percy heaved a sigh of relief as the old man came into view.
"Well Mr Weasley, what's the problem?'' Dumbledore asked calmly, as though having a disembodied head popping into your fireplace and screaming at you were a daily occurrence.
"The Ministry, it's under attack.'' Percy stated agitatedly. "Death Eaters everywhere. We need help, now.''
"I'm on it. What fireplace are you using?'' Dumbledore asked sharply, never hesitating, not wasting a second.
"Fudges.'' Percy replied quickly, knowing that Dumbledore needed to act fast.
"Can I send people to that fireplace?''
"No, it can only Floo out.'' Percy answered, distressed.
"I'll sort something out." Dumbledore said as Percy twitched around nervously to see if anyone was approaching. "Get yourself out of there.'' Were the last words Percy heard as he pulled back out of the flames and stood up from his aching knees.
Five minutes had passed since Percy Weasleys urgent message to Dumbledore, and already Dumbledore had summoned all the members of the order that were present at Hogwarts into his office. He wasted no time in getting them all to settle down.
"Listen everyone this is very important and we have no time to waste. The Ministry is under attack and they need us. Everybody go and prepare yourselves, we meet back here in five minutes.'' Dumbledore commanded, leaving nobody in doubt as to why Dumbledore was the only one Voldemort ever feared. The steely determination in his eyes was enough to inspire everyone in his office to promptly rush out and prepare themselves to face the ongoing battle of good verses evil.
Tonks ran over to her room, quickly pulled on her boots, with steel toecaps and tied a belt that was stocked with various potions around her waist. She reached into her drawer and pulled out a knife and secured it into the strap that was wrapped around her thigh. Her wand was clasped tightly in her right hand, as she left her room double-checking that she had everything. Turning around from locking her door, she almost walked into a man, a man wearing tattered robes; she looked up at him and smiled sadly.
"I hate going to work.'' She said trying to keep their conversation light hearted.
"I bet you do. Listen Tonks, I need to tell you something.'' Lupin said quietly.
"Can't it wait? We have to get back, Dumbledore's waiting.''
"No it can't wait, that's the problem." Lupin sighed sadly. "I just want to give you this.'' He said holding out a small, brown, fluffy teddy bear to her. She took it with a curious expression on her face and looked up at Lupin curiously. "I know you already have one from a man who loved you and cared about you, I just wanted you to know that he's not the only one who loves you. I do too.'' Lupin said to her slowly, placing the small bear into her outstretched hand, the sadness in his voice showing through the smile on his face. He knew that he may never see her pretty face again, but at least if he died, he would know that she knew exactly how he felt about her
"Thank you. I love it. I love you.'' Tonks replied smiling, reaching up and hugging Remus close to her not knowing when she'd get to hold him again, when she'd get to hear his voice and touch his face, kiss his lips. She knew that the moment was bitter sweet. They had just declared their love for each other, and were about to head into a battle not knowing whether they'd ever see each other again.
"Take him with you. He'll look after you.'' Lupin said as he kissed Tonks tenderly on the lips and rushed off to his own room to gather up his knives, that hadn't been used since the last war, when he successfully managed to defend himself from three Death Eaters with a single blade.
Five minutes later and everyone had once again assembled in Dumbledore's office, heavily armed with knives, swords, and of course their wands. Sirius was wearing a mask to cover his face in case his Polyjuice potion wore off while he was fighting at the Ministry.
"I don't know if we'll be able to gain access to the Ministry, Voldemort has probably sealed of all the fireplaces, but we have to try." Dumbledore said firmly, as Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped up to the fireplace and tossed a handful of powder into it, watching it flash green. He stepped in and shouted 'The Atrium.' In a whirlwind of colour he disappeared, letting everyone know that there was at least one fireplace open. Next to step forward was Snape, but Dumbledore held out an arm to stop him. "We can't risk you going Severus. You are one of their prime targets. Stay behind.'' The look in Dumbledore's eyes told Snape that there was no point in arguing with him, so reluctantly he stepped back and watched as Lupin stepped up to the fireplace and throw a handful of powder in.
The flames flashed green again, illuminating his face in a ghostly quality, emphasising the harsh bitterness in his eyes as he started into the flames. Just as he was about to step into the flames, Tonks ran over to him and pulled him into a passionate kiss, letting all of her pent up fear and anxiety go into the kiss, her desperation for company and her deepest desire not to lose Remus paralleled only by his desire not to lose her. He pulled back and smiled a Lupin smiled at her and stepped into the fire, disappearing, leaving behind a room full of very shocked faces. Tonks followed straight after. Then Hagrid, who had a bit of a hard time actually fitting into the fireplace, but wasn't deterred. It was Sirius's turn then, he walked over to the fireplace after squeezing Destiny's hand reassuringly.
"See you later Dest.'' He said trying to sound cheerful, his love and adoration for her clearly visible in his eyes, which were the only part of his face left uncovered.
"Yeah see you.'' She replied sadly, gripping her wand tighter, feeling her heart plummet as she watched him disappear into the flames. That could have been the last time she spoke to him, the last time before they were separated again, this time for life.
Destiny followed after Sirius, as did Hestia Jones and Mad-Eye Moody. Leaving Snape, Dumbledore and Mcgonagall alone in the office. "We have work to do.'' Dumbledore announced gravely. "I have a feeling that shortly Hogwarts will become the evacuation centre.''
"They won't have time to evacuate people.'' Mcgonagall insisted. "Beside as soon as the Death Eaters find out that they're there, you can bet they'll seal off the fireplaces straight away.''
"I have faith in someone else.'' Dumbledore said cryptically as he walked down to the Great Hall and started to move the house tables out of the way. If his suspicions about a certain person were correct the hall would soon be full of injured evacuees.
Percy turned away from the Fireplace in Fudges office, abandoning his chance at escape from the hell that surrounded him. He had to try and get people out of there. So as he crawled once again along the floor, every person he met along the way were told the same thing. 'Fireplace in Fudges office, go to Hogwarts.' Percy knew that he would be faster if he walked but he couldn't risk getting seen by the Death Eaters. If he stayed down he would be partially obscured from view by the thick cloud of smoke. He could hear shouts ahead and as he hardened his resolve he crawled forward, determined to help the innocent people before it was too late. He saw a solitary figure standing out against the dusty background, dodging green lights, and shooting red and blue jets from his wand. 'Lupin.' Percy breathed as he too stood up and went to aid his comrade. Soon they had managed to stun all of the four Death Eaters they were facing, and Percy had a inkling that one or more of them may be dead, or else severely knocked out. Lupin grabbed him by the shoulders and told him the incantation for the powerful stunning spell that had been responsible for the half dead appearance of two of the Death Eaters that now lay sprawled in a pile at their feet. As Lupin rushed off to fight more of the Death Eaters, Percy dropped to his knees again and whispered to all of the terrified people on the ground the whereabouts of the fireplace in Fudges office, and told them to tell anybody else they saw on the way. Percy hoping that by now his father had managed to get out of the building, knowing that it was unlikely that his father would leave without him, even with the way he had treated his family.
As he made his way along the ground his wand gripped in one hand as the other felt before him, stretching into the dust and shadows, trying to feel around for more people who needed to get to Hogwarts, get out of the conflict and back to safety. It was then that he heard it, his father's unmistakeable voice, shouting, yelling, but he wasn't begging for his life as so many others that Percy had seen that day had been. He was shouting, swearing at them, standing proud, prepared to die like a man, rather than giving them the satisfaction of hearing him begging and pleading for his life.
Mixed in with the feeling of dread that had settled in Percy's chest upon hearing his father's shouts, not knowing if his father would be alive or dead by the time he reached him. He continued until he came to a doorway where he witnessed a scene that would stay with him until the day he died. His father was laying slumped on the floor, no longer shouting and yelling, but laying still and unconscious, blood gushing from a cut in his head.
Not thinking or giving them time to react, Percy leapt up from the floor and shouted the curse that Lupin had told him of minutes before, the force of the spell erupting from his wand was so large that it send Percy stumbling backwards, losing the aim of his wand from the two Death Eaters standing opposite where his fathers body lay to the wall behind the Death Eaters. Before they even had a chance to react the wall, half of the ceiling and the contents of the room above collapsed on them both, killing them instantly. Percy rushed over to where his fathers body lay, cursing the dust for being so thick; he couldn't see a thing. He picked up his fathers limp body and walked slowly out of the room, keeping in the shadows until he reached Fudges office, pushing past the large crowd of people queuing to use the fireplace as he lay his fathers body down and looked at his face that was covered in grime and blood. Sorrowfully he threw a handful of Floo powder into the fire and instructed the next person in line to take his father back with them, just as the lady who was next was about the leave Percy heard his father weakly say. 'Thank you son'
"They've found a way in.'' Malfoy screeched at a group of Death Eaters that he had managed to gather together. "How the fuck did that happen? We sealed all of the fireplaces.'' He snapped angrily, his hands gesticulating wildly.
The Death eaters in the circle all shrugged their shoulders and snorted angrily, the Ministry workers weren't supposed to get help, they were supposed to die alone, every last one of them. Peter just shifted nervously, he remembered raising his wand to seal off the last fireplace but he didn't remember casting the spell. He must've forgotten; that was when Lucius called him away; he missed a fireplace. Lucius saw the uncomfortable way in which Peter was twitching and immediately turned his attention to him.
"You did seal all of the fireplaces didn't you Peter?'' Lucius asked coldly.
"Well…. you see… I.''
"I don't fucking believe it. I know we shouldn't have trusted you to do this. One simple thing and you fuck it up.'' Malfoy screamed angrily. "Nott get and seal the last fireplace off now, before they send anymore defence forces.
As Nott left the crowd of his fellow Death Eaters he could hear Peters agonising screams, and the loud thud of his body as it hit the floor, still screaming. It would be a long time before Malfoy relented, especially after Peter messed up so badly on a mission as important as this one.
Back at Hogwarts School the Great Hall had fast become an evacuation point as Dumbledore had predicted, and Snape had no time to brood about not being allowed to fight as the demand for potions had never been so great, he was rushed off his feet trying to replenish the ever dwindling supply of potions that Madam Pomfrey was distributing left, right and centre. All through the Great Hall the people who were able to sit up spoke of a young man that was risking his life to ensure everybody was evacuated safely. Dumbledore smiled when he heard then, he knew that Percy wouldn't leave while others were in danger, especially his father, who was unconscious, being force fed blood replenishing potions and re-enervating potions.
The need for help was so great that Dumbledore had called all of the sixth and seventh years out of their lessons to help Madam Pomfrey distribute the potions, so that she could concentrate on the more urgent casualties. Harry soon learned that Sirius, Destiny and Lupin had gone to the Ministry to help save them and he felt a stab of guilt, the last time Sirius was at the Ministry was when he was trying to save Harry, that was when he fell through the veil and was unconscious for months. As he walked around the injured people he heard several stories of their rescues, one that particularly amused him was when he learnt that a witch with pink hair had rescued an elderly wizard when she fell through a hole in the ceiling and landed on top of the Death Eater that was threatening him. 'Only Tonks could pull that off.' Harry thought as he gave the man his potions.
As the day wore on Harry found his head jerking over to the fireplace every time he saw the flash of green and heard the rush of air as more people clamoured out of the fireplace, hoping against hope that it would be Sirius or one of the others coming to tell them that everything was ok, or even just to show that they hadn't died.
Harry looked over at Ron, who was helping Madam Pomfrey get his father to drink his potions. Ron was ghostly pale and his hands were trembling slightly as he forced the potion into his father's mouth. Ginny was hovering around them nervously, not knowing what she could do; her father was lying before her, unconscious and unmoving. She didn't even know if he'd pull through, he was lucky he managed to get through the fireplace. She didn't know how he managed to do it, when he looked too feeble to even move, let alone drag himself through hordes of Death Eaters.
Once again Percy Weasley was back on his knees, searching for people to save, but he seemed to be finding less and less as he went along, he hoped this was because they had all managed to survive and not because everybody had been caught, he heard whispers ahead, and started forward, wand clutched in his hand, listening as the whispers turned into laughter; sensing that something was wrong his grip on his wand tightened, his mind searching through the catalogue of spells that it had acquired over the years, he finally settled on creating a huge smoke screen to distract the two people ahead while he got up and run for it, knowing that if he simply turned and crawled back he would surely be caught, and not wanting to remain undecided for a second longer he raised his wand prepared to shout the spell.
But it was too late before the words even left his mouth a high-pitched voice shrieked Expeliarmus and his wand slid out of his grasp, and he watched horror struck from the floor as two cloaked figures stepped into his line of vision.
"Well it appears that we have found one of them.'' The tallest Death Eater sneered in his nasal voice.
"One of the Ultimate Defence league.'' The shorter replied sarcastically her voice muffled by the mask that she wore.
"One of the thorns in our sides. Do you know how we punish people how interfere with our plans?'' The tall Death Eater asked, as Percy slowly and cautiously got to his feet. "I wouldn't bother standing if I were you.'' The man said smugly, as the witch to his side shouted 'Crucio.'
Percy immediately collapsed to the ground, screaming and writhing in pain, all fear and anxiety released from his body, replaced with pain and only pain. The world was blackening, a world filled with pain and torture awaited Percy, he felt his head lolling to the side through the pain, he knew unconsciousness was almost upon him, he wanted it, he pleaded for it to take him, knowing that it would be the end of hi pain, he wouldn't be able to feel anything then. But the Death Eater pulled the curse off him just as he was about to lapse into unconsciousness, leaving Percy with the same pain as he had before the only difference was that the world was slowly and blurrily sliding back into focus, the dark shapes that were in front of were slowly focusing and become clearer, he slowly and shakily got to his feet, hearing them laugh as he stumbled and lipped over the rubble, his knees shaking and his nerves burning into his skin.
As soon as he had gotten his footing, they hit him with the cure again, this time two voices shouting instead of one. The hit of the double curse knocked him harshly onto the ground, the pain was immense, it felt as though someone were stabbing a million hot needles into his flesh and twisting them around. He felt unconsciousness coming fast this time, he greeted it like an old friend but once again the curse was pulled off him, but this time not willingly. As the world came back to him again, he could discern voices shouting in the air around him, he could not tell whose they were, he didn't recognise them at all.
"Expelliarmus.'' A female voice shouted commandingly.
"Confoundaze.'' A rough male voice barked, and Percy heard the thud of two bodies fall to the floor, although whether they were his rescuers or his tormentors he didn't know.
"Percy, Percy get up, are you alright.'' He heard the man saying to him, as he felt someone pull him up onto his unsteady feet. Percy shook his head, trying to clear the buzzing in his ears, and the flashes of pain behind his eyes. It did nothing except worsen the pain. "Percy answer me.'' The man barked, he was wearing a mask but not the skeletal white of a Death Eater mask, his was flesh coloured, it made him look featureless, with only two eyes on his face.
"I'll be alright. Just a bit shaky.'' Percy replied, not entirely sure that he was all right.
"Here drink this.'' The woman said to him kindly, her raven black hair pulled off her face in a messy bun. She had scratches all over her face, and a black bruise starting to form around her right eye. She handed him a small vial of dark blue potion. "It'll work for a while, but I can't guarantee that it won't wear off.''
Percy grabbed the potion with a grateful glance into the woman's beautiful purple eyes and drank it quickly, the pain in his body subsided into a dull ache, and he took his wand from the mans outstretched hand.
"Thanks.'' Percy said gratefully. "For everything.''
"You're a brave kid, keep it up, your mother will be proud.'' The man said gruffly as he clapped Percy on the back, before both of his rescuers rushed off upon hearing a loud scream from the floor above.
Percy watched sadly as they left, feeling alone and frightened, but there were still people trapped in the building he had to save them, they all had to get out. Besides with all of the people fighting against the Death eaters there couldn't be that many still standing.
Voldemort paced back and forth in a dark room, illuminated only by flickering flames and dancing shadows, he was angry, furious, and livid. He had sent thirty of his best Death Eaters to the Ministry of Magic, and yet a few aurors and teachers from Hogwarts were beating them.
He couldn't take it anymore, it was starting to get embarrassing, the attack had been planned out perfectly, all exits and entrances were supposed to be sealed off, when Voldemort found out who it was that had neglected their duties, there was going to be hell to pay. Now because of this one person he had lost some of his best Death Eaters and many more had been severely injured, this was going to hold back what he had planned next, it would give Dumbledore and his 'Defence Force' time to recover.
Voldemort roughly ripped up the sleeve of his robe and looked down at the black mark that was burned on to his forearm, he jabbed his fingers into it roughly, feeling satisfaction in the pain he knew it would cause his Death Eaters, well those who could till feel pain anyway. He waited a few minutes to be sure that Lucius had performed the anti-apparition charm on the building, before performing some of the oldest dark magic he knew, a spell that would enable him to transport all of the injured Death Eaters to his side, all of the Death Eaters that Dumbledore's band of fools had rendered useless.
Lucius felt the scar burning deep into his arm and winced, he could feel his masters anger and disappointment even through the scar, he knew his wrath would be much worse when they were forced to apparate back to him. He quickly undid the apparition charm on the Ministry, and apparated to his master side, dreading the consequences of Pettigrews mistake for them all.
Peter squealed when he felt the Dark Mark's burn searing through his skin, he knew that none of his fellow Death Eaters would hesitate in telling his master exactly whose fault it was that the attack was foiled, he heard the loud cracks and pops of the others apparating and slowly and reluctantly followed suit, leaving the building with a soft pop.
"They've gone.'' Destiny shouted happily as she heard the building echoing with cracks and pop, watching the masked figures disappear from sight.
"Great, now all we have to do is check that everyone is out of here safely and we can get back to the school.'' Lupin shouted back, grasping for Tonk's hand through the thick cloud of smoke that had started to settle around them. He found it and she gave it a reassuring squeeze as they headed off to check the floor above them.
After the whole building was checked, and no more people were found, all of the rescuers from Hogwarts and Percy Weasley met in Fudge's office ready to Floo back to Hogwarts. All of them scratched and bruised, Kingsley was bleeding profusely from a deep gash in his arm, but they were all alive. And all ready to get back to Hogwarts. Lupin threw a large handful of Floo powder into the flames and watched once again as the fire flashed green. He pushed Tonks forward gently, urging her to go first.
"Where is he? He's not back yet.'' Destiny said urgently. "Sirius, where is he?''
"When did you see him last?'' Lupin questioned quickly.
"We were checking the second floor together, and we split up. I couldn't find him. I thought he came back here, but he didn't.'' Destiny said hysterically.
"We can't wait around for too long Dest. Voldemort could send re-enforcements at any time. We can't risk it.'' Lupin said slowly, putting his arm around Destiny's shoulder. By now they were the only two people left in Fudge's office everyone else had gone back to Hogwarts.
"But I can't leave him Remus, I just can't. I can't lose him again after all we've been through. I thought that I'd lost him before and I don't want to feel like that ever again. I can't bear to be apart from him.'' Destiny cried, sobbing uncontrollably into Lupin's shoulder as he held her tighter.
"Look Dest, Sirius is a big boy. I'm sure he knows what he's doing. He can take care of himself.'' Lupin reassured her, as he pushed her in to the flames and back to Hogwarts, her still crying hysterically, crying out Sirius' name. He felt bad for forcing her to leave but there was no choice. Voldemort could send another group of Death eaters to finish the job off properly. "I hope you know what you're doing Padfoot.'' Lupin muttered quietly before Flooing back to the castle.
Harry was relieved when finally he saw Tonks come through the fireplace, they were coming back. Tonks grinned at him, but he could see the bruises on her face and noticed the limp when she walked. It wouldn't be long now before Sirius was back, he watched as Kingsley, Hagrid, Moody, Hestia and Percy came shooting out of the fireplace. Harry saw the shocked look on Ron's face as Percy crawled out of the fireplace, he was dirty, bruised and cut. He couldn't stand up because of the curse that he had fired at him by the Death Eaters, without saying a word Percy hurried over to his where his father lay, still unconscious, still heavily cut up, just as Percy had last seen him. He looked at his father and saw that even though he was unconscious he was still breathing; he smiled weakly at Ron and Ginny before he collapsed on the ground right next to his father's unmoving body.
Harry looked back to the fireplace, knowing that Lupin, Destiny and Sirius still hadn't returned. He watched it for several minutes, just standing staring at the fire until after what felt like a lifetime to Harry it finally flashed green and Destiny came out of the fireplace sobbing hysterically. Harry dropped the potion he was holding, sending green liquid and shards of glass all over the floor. He rushed over to her and caught her in his arms as she broke down, crying uncontrollably, he tried to comfort her but it was hard, he knew that only one thing would affect Destiny like this, Sirius must be hurt or worse, but Harry couldn't think about that, he held Destiny closer to him, feeling her body shaking as she sobbed her heart out, trying hard not to shed tears himself.
Lupin came out of the fire after Destiny and he looked sad and forlorn, Tonks limped quickly over to him and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. Lupin held her tightly as though she was the only thing that could keep him going. After several minutes of just being held by Tonks, he felt stronger, ready for the task of telling Harry that his godfather was missing yet again. So he gently pulled out of Tonk's loving hold and nodded, she understood. Everyone did, Sirius wasn't back yet, which most probably meant that he was dead. He would've been back by now. Voldemort must've sent more Death Eaters and they probably caught Sirius and tortured him and killed him.
Harry saw Lupin walking towards him; his eyes were red and tired. Harry knew what was coming next. He just nodded sadly at Lupin, showing that he understood he couldn't bear to have to hear someone say it. He was finding it hard enough to cope as it was; he had lost his godfather again, and somehow every time he lost him it hurt more and more. He looked around the hall, not wanting to focus on Destiny and her sorrow, as it would only make him feel worse, he watched his fellow seventh years distributing potions and performing simple healing spell on the wounded and wondered how he would feel if no one he really cared about went to the Ministry and risked their lives to save others. How would he feel if the people he loved didn't always leave him? Would he be a different person? Harry was broken out of his reverie by a bright flash of green from the fireplace, his heart leapt into his throat and his pulse quickened. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up, he would just feel worse when it wasn't him.
A man stepped out of the fireplace, he was hunched over, and a tangle of black hair covered his face. Over his shoulder was the limp body of an elderly man, whose legs were bent out of shape, and blood was pouring out of his forehead. The man gently eased the wizard onto the floor in front of him as Madam Pomfrey rushed over brandishing her wand, he looked up and around his surroundings clearly scanning the room for someone, Harry looked closer and saw that his face was obscured by a flesh coloured mask that was caked with blood. The man saw Destiny in Harry's arms and laughed, it was a laugh that Harry instantly recognised, a laugh like a bark. Sirius. He approached them both a squeezed Harry's shoulder, before tapping Destiny lightly on the shoulder, she spun round and took in the sight of Sirius, her eyes widened and a smile spread across her face.
"Thanks for waiting for me Dest.'' Sirius said jokingly. Destiny looked at him incredulously and laughed, her face still red and tearstained.
"No problem babe.'' She replied sarcastically before falling into his arms, gripping onto him tightly as though she was afraid that he was going to be snatched away from her again.
The next day after everybody had been cured and healed, and all those who needed professional help were transported to St Mungos, Dumbledore called all of the students and teachers together into the Great Hall, to make an important announcement.
"Many lost their lives yesterday when Lord Voldemort and his followers attacked the Ministry of Magic. Thanks to a few brave and dedicated people many lives were saved and many dangerous Death Eaters have been killed. But it is thanks to one person in particular that a safe route of escape was established and put to the best of use. This young man repeatedly risked his life to ensure that his colleagues and friends were safely evacuated. He has shown bravery beyond the call of duty. This young man is Percy Weasley.''
(A.N Thanks for the reviews again you guys are the best. Sorry that the end of this chapter isn't all that good but I had the flu when I was finishing this chapter. I actually still have the flu now, so this AN is probably rubbish too. Anyway hope you like this chapter. Please read and Review. Luv ya ice princess12 x x x x x x x x)