AUTHOR'S NOTE: I apologize for the delay but since I don't have much
internet access nowadays, it would be very hard for me to update....but
don't you worry next time I update, I would add three chapters. I have
already finished the outline and am just working on the actual wordings. I
don't know how you would react at the ending but it would be cool to find
out :-) and of course a sequel will be in order....Thank you for all those
who reviewed and to some, I have added a comment....you may read the
reviews part for those...thanks again!
Chapter 19 - Are you mad, Mad-Eye?!?
Despite the DA members' exhaustion, sleep did not have its usual appeal especially the Weasleys who were quite agitated about the upcoming attack on the ministry. They reluctantly took turns taking a nap while the others impatiently waited for news. The next morning proved more nerve-wracking for everyone. They all ate breakfast as if it was just another unpleasant chore that they must complete.
Ron was currently pacing the room back and forth, running his hand through his hair making it more dishevelled than it already was. Hermione was trying to placate Ron's anxiety by hitting him with the Cheering Charm but it had no lasting effect. The twins were dealing with their tension by enticing some unsuspecting students from other schools into eating their Ton-Tongue Toffee, Canary Creams, and Puking Pastilles much to Hermione's obvious annoyance.
Cho was not doing any better, knowing her mother was also working at the ministry. She kept chewing on her lower lip until they bled. Even the Creevey brothers were uncharacteristically silent as they developed some more pictures for the next edition of the Quibbler. They were usually a talkative pair who did not seem to run out of irritating questions.
They all just huddled in front of Professor McGonagall's desk, hoping to hear any news soon but none came. Harry was silently debating with himself whether he would dare suggest to go to the ministry or to just let the adults handle the problem. Luckily, Luna unwittingly helped him with his decision.
"You know, I don't think Professor Moody would dare call for help..." said Luna silently while leafing through an ancient spell book.
"And why is that?" asked Hermione. Ron stopped pacing for a while to listen to Luna's reply.
"I'm not sure but I think Professor Moody might find it embarrassing on the Order's part to ask for help from kids like us...Besides, he might think that it would be too dangerous for us..." said Luna, casually flipping her hair that accidentally fell on her face.
"Oh!" said Hermione, apparently getting Luna's point.
"Come on! Let's go there and take a look. We can just go back if everything's okay." said Ron, instantly flexing his muscles as if he meant to tackle the opponents with his bare hands.
"Hmm....I don't think all of us should go..." The DA members glared at Harry. "...at once. Only a select few should go there now then the next batch will follow if necessary." he continued.
"Who will be in the first batch?" asked Neville.
"The ones who were with me in the ministry last school year." replied Harry, ignoring the gnawing feeling of remorse as he recalled that Ginny had been a part of that group. One of the few who bravely fought against evil. 'Malfoy, what did Ginny see in you to make her turn against us...
"Hah! I'm sooooooo glad we can apparate now!" exclaimed Ron as their feet settled on the ground.
Neville and Hermione smiled too as they remember their mode of transportation the last time they went to the ministry. Sure, they could all see thestrals now, but it did not make it more comfortable for everyone to ride those magical creatures who had an affinity for flesh and blood. It was a little creepy to say the least!
Harry and Luna were currently surveying the surroundings.... Nothing was amiss....everything seemed normal. Maybe the death-eaters decided to forego their plans....maybe they thought it would be quite foolish to attack the ministry that was overflowing with aurors not to mention several more competent wizards....or maybe.....
KRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.............. maybe they were just late.
"INTRUDERS!!!!!!!!!!"
"POSITION EVERYONE!!!!!!"
"INFORM THE MINISTER!!!!"
"Hey, Harry! Are we the intruders they were talking about?" whispered Hermione.
"I don't know..." replied Harry, motioning for the others to hide under the tables. They were disillusioned but a little more caution won't hurt. "Let's observe for a while."
Dark hooded figures slowly advanced towards the crowd of ministry officials unable to cast spells as they witnessed the figures casually throw cruciatus curse left and right. Each was frozen on the spot as one of the menacing figures addressed their audience.
"Turnover the ministry to the Dark Lord now and we'll let you live..."
"In your dreams!" said a young ministry employee, quickly sending a stunning spell to the speaker.
The speaker merely chuckled at the employee's attempt before casting the killing curse on him. "I abhor nuisances. Where's the minister?"
The present DA members stared in shock at the young employee who was cold- bloodedly murdered by the death-eater. "Come on, where are the Order members?" thought Harry. Ron was itching to take a shot at the enemies but the rest prevented him from doing so.
"It's not yet time, Ron." whispered Neville, clutching his wand tightly in preparation.
"WHERE'S THE MINISTER?" shouted the speaker.
"Here I am. What do you want?" said Arthur Weasley condescendingly as he made his way to the front.
"Ahh, Arthur, so nice to see you again. If you would kindly step down from your position and hand it over to the Dark Lord...." the speaker pointed his wand to the dead employee. ".... you would not want to encounter the same fate, would you? Perhaps we can offer you loads of gold and a number of delectable women in exchange for your cooperation.... I am sure you would enjoy 'playing' with them more than you do with your portly wife. What do you think?"
Mr. Weasley was fuming with rage, his face now the same shade as his hair. He pointed his wand at the speaker and spoke clearly for everyone to hear. "Lucius, I love my wife and I don't think any amount of gold can buy the happiness I feel with my family and knowing that I am doing the right thing. Tell your master that I would never relinquish my position to someone like him. I am not like Cornelius Fudge whom you could easily manipulate given the proper incentive. I work for the common good."
"I'm afraid you'd make it difficult. Pity, you could have benefitted more from my proposal...but you lost your chance. Aveda -----" Lucius was suddenly thrown off balance by a variety of spells sent by no other than the five DA members who could not stand the situation anymore. But they were surprised when a small hooded figure ran in front of Mr. Weasley in an attempt to protect him.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT MY FATHER!!!!!!!!!" shouted the small hooded figure. The DA members stared at one another in surprise....Ginny? A disgruntled death-eater sent a binding curse at her followed by a cruciatus curse. The figure collapsed on the floor, with her hood falling off her face. It was Ginny!
Ron quickly rushed to his sister's side and carried her to an unoccupied room, not leaving her side.
The other ministry employees who had already recovered from their shock followed the lead of the unseen forces that helped them. The building immediately became chaotic as an array of curses were thrown back and forth the opposing groups.
"Moody! What took you so long?" The DA members who positioned themselves close to the minister, heard him shout at the new arrivals --- Mad-Eye Moody, Molly, Lupin, Bill and several more whom they did not know. Knowing that Moody would be able to see through their disillusionment charm, they quickly retreated to the far end of the room before he could notice them.
"Traffic!" growled Moody which caused several eyebrows to raise in disbelief.
"IMPEDIMENTA!" shouted Molly at a group of death-eaters.
"STUPEFY!" shouted Bill at another batch.
"INFERNUS GALACTICUS!" shouted another. Harry and his friends watched in amazement as the person formed a ball of fire in his hands and hurled it forcefully to the largest group of death-eaters in the building.
"Cool!" exclaimed Neville.
"CRUCIO!" countered a death-eater to the one who conjured the fire throwing spell but it was successfully dodged by the person.
"Moody! There are too many enemies....call Potter's group now!" shouted Mr. Weasley again as he saw more death-eaters arrive at the ministry.
"No, Arthur! They are just kids....this is too dangerous for them!" immediately hollered Molly in between curses.
The DA members looked meaningfully at each other at that.
"Moody, call them now or there won't be a ministry in an hour." Mr. Weasley said, ignoring his wife.
"No, Arthur! Molly is right. We can't put their lives in danger." argued Moody while sending a powerful conjunctivitis curse at a nearby enemy.
The DA members continued to fight but the increasing number of death-eaters are proving to be too much for them. Harry and the others immediately tightened their grips on the galleon to signal the others to come as soon as possible. Moody, noticing the burning feeling in his pocket, quickly took out the galleon and was shocked to find the words "Help! Ministry!" flashing before his eyes. He scanned the room until his eyes fell on the five young disillusioned figures fighting death-eaters at the far corner of the room.
"POOTTEEERRRR! What are you doing here?" he shouted at the group who was currently exchanging curses with a round of death-eaters.
"ARE YOU MAD, MAD-EYE?!? You can't handle all these death-eaters....Why did you refuse to ask for our help?" replied Harry furiously as he threw another curse to the death-eater attacking him.
"We swore to Dumbledore that we will protect you at all cost!" answered Moody with the same ferocity.
"If by protecting me, more will suffer, thank you very much but I won't allow it." said Harry.
"Hrmp! Let's talk about this later..." said Moody grumpily before venting his frustration on a nearby death-eater who was foolish enough to stray within his line of vision.
Harry agreed although still fuming about the adult's inconsistencies... He noticed they did not have qualms about letting them face the dementors. Anyway, Moody was right...this was not the time for arguments...He reverted his attention to the death-eaters who were now slowly realizing that maybe they had taken more than they could chew. He noticed that some did not even seem that ruthless in battle, not really experts in manuevers and tactics - one advantage that DA members had due to the countless training. Was it possible that they were fighting teenagers like themselves? Harry shuddered at the thought.
"SERPENSORTIA!"
The whole group was distracted by the sudden appearance of snakes in the area. The death-eaters laughed mockingly at the terror-stricken ministry employees as they conjured more snakes from their wands. Several aurors and order members attempted to vanish the snakes using fire and vanishing spells but the snakes kept on coming courtesy of the death-eaters who seemed to think that they had everything under control now.
Harry hastily removed the disillusionment charm and slowly approached the snakes. "Cover me." he informed his friends and the Order members.
"Hissssss.........hissss.........." (Please don't attack us...we're good people....) Harry spoke to the snakes.
"Hissss............hisss.........." (We don't want to attack anyone...It's just that they ordered us to...) replied the snakes.
"Hissssssss........hisssssssssss" (I think we're linked somehow because I have the gift to speak with you. Please trust me. Don't harm me and my friends. Why don't you attack the deatheaters? They were the ones who disturbed your peace.)
The snakes slowly nodded their heads and turned to the death-eaters who were too stunned to react. Some ministry employees were looking at Harry strangely too.
"Didn't your master inform you that I'm a parseltongue?" It was Harry's turn to mock the enemies now.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" Harry, Luna, Hermione, Neville and the other DA members who had now arrived shouted in unison, taking advantage of their temporary stillness. Several wands immediately flew to their hands rendering the other death-eaters useless.
"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" They shouted again and more death-eaters toppled on the floor, screaming obscenities at them.
Moody and the other aurors quickly performed a spell similar to the one Dumbledore used to bind the death-eaters. They had apprehended at least 50 of them. Lucius, seething with anger, ordered the remaining hooded figures to flee. He gave Harry one disdainful glare before he declared, "You will soon wish you had never been born...." With that said, Lucius disapparated to report to his master.
Chapter 19 - Are you mad, Mad-Eye?!?
Despite the DA members' exhaustion, sleep did not have its usual appeal especially the Weasleys who were quite agitated about the upcoming attack on the ministry. They reluctantly took turns taking a nap while the others impatiently waited for news. The next morning proved more nerve-wracking for everyone. They all ate breakfast as if it was just another unpleasant chore that they must complete.
Ron was currently pacing the room back and forth, running his hand through his hair making it more dishevelled than it already was. Hermione was trying to placate Ron's anxiety by hitting him with the Cheering Charm but it had no lasting effect. The twins were dealing with their tension by enticing some unsuspecting students from other schools into eating their Ton-Tongue Toffee, Canary Creams, and Puking Pastilles much to Hermione's obvious annoyance.
Cho was not doing any better, knowing her mother was also working at the ministry. She kept chewing on her lower lip until they bled. Even the Creevey brothers were uncharacteristically silent as they developed some more pictures for the next edition of the Quibbler. They were usually a talkative pair who did not seem to run out of irritating questions.
They all just huddled in front of Professor McGonagall's desk, hoping to hear any news soon but none came. Harry was silently debating with himself whether he would dare suggest to go to the ministry or to just let the adults handle the problem. Luckily, Luna unwittingly helped him with his decision.
"You know, I don't think Professor Moody would dare call for help..." said Luna silently while leafing through an ancient spell book.
"And why is that?" asked Hermione. Ron stopped pacing for a while to listen to Luna's reply.
"I'm not sure but I think Professor Moody might find it embarrassing on the Order's part to ask for help from kids like us...Besides, he might think that it would be too dangerous for us..." said Luna, casually flipping her hair that accidentally fell on her face.
"Oh!" said Hermione, apparently getting Luna's point.
"Come on! Let's go there and take a look. We can just go back if everything's okay." said Ron, instantly flexing his muscles as if he meant to tackle the opponents with his bare hands.
"Hmm....I don't think all of us should go..." The DA members glared at Harry. "...at once. Only a select few should go there now then the next batch will follow if necessary." he continued.
"Who will be in the first batch?" asked Neville.
"The ones who were with me in the ministry last school year." replied Harry, ignoring the gnawing feeling of remorse as he recalled that Ginny had been a part of that group. One of the few who bravely fought against evil. 'Malfoy, what did Ginny see in you to make her turn against us...
"Hah! I'm sooooooo glad we can apparate now!" exclaimed Ron as their feet settled on the ground.
Neville and Hermione smiled too as they remember their mode of transportation the last time they went to the ministry. Sure, they could all see thestrals now, but it did not make it more comfortable for everyone to ride those magical creatures who had an affinity for flesh and blood. It was a little creepy to say the least!
Harry and Luna were currently surveying the surroundings.... Nothing was amiss....everything seemed normal. Maybe the death-eaters decided to forego their plans....maybe they thought it would be quite foolish to attack the ministry that was overflowing with aurors not to mention several more competent wizards....or maybe.....
KRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.............. maybe they were just late.
"INTRUDERS!!!!!!!!!!"
"POSITION EVERYONE!!!!!!"
"INFORM THE MINISTER!!!!"
"Hey, Harry! Are we the intruders they were talking about?" whispered Hermione.
"I don't know..." replied Harry, motioning for the others to hide under the tables. They were disillusioned but a little more caution won't hurt. "Let's observe for a while."
Dark hooded figures slowly advanced towards the crowd of ministry officials unable to cast spells as they witnessed the figures casually throw cruciatus curse left and right. Each was frozen on the spot as one of the menacing figures addressed their audience.
"Turnover the ministry to the Dark Lord now and we'll let you live..."
"In your dreams!" said a young ministry employee, quickly sending a stunning spell to the speaker.
The speaker merely chuckled at the employee's attempt before casting the killing curse on him. "I abhor nuisances. Where's the minister?"
The present DA members stared in shock at the young employee who was cold- bloodedly murdered by the death-eater. "Come on, where are the Order members?" thought Harry. Ron was itching to take a shot at the enemies but the rest prevented him from doing so.
"It's not yet time, Ron." whispered Neville, clutching his wand tightly in preparation.
"WHERE'S THE MINISTER?" shouted the speaker.
"Here I am. What do you want?" said Arthur Weasley condescendingly as he made his way to the front.
"Ahh, Arthur, so nice to see you again. If you would kindly step down from your position and hand it over to the Dark Lord...." the speaker pointed his wand to the dead employee. ".... you would not want to encounter the same fate, would you? Perhaps we can offer you loads of gold and a number of delectable women in exchange for your cooperation.... I am sure you would enjoy 'playing' with them more than you do with your portly wife. What do you think?"
Mr. Weasley was fuming with rage, his face now the same shade as his hair. He pointed his wand at the speaker and spoke clearly for everyone to hear. "Lucius, I love my wife and I don't think any amount of gold can buy the happiness I feel with my family and knowing that I am doing the right thing. Tell your master that I would never relinquish my position to someone like him. I am not like Cornelius Fudge whom you could easily manipulate given the proper incentive. I work for the common good."
"I'm afraid you'd make it difficult. Pity, you could have benefitted more from my proposal...but you lost your chance. Aveda -----" Lucius was suddenly thrown off balance by a variety of spells sent by no other than the five DA members who could not stand the situation anymore. But they were surprised when a small hooded figure ran in front of Mr. Weasley in an attempt to protect him.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT MY FATHER!!!!!!!!!" shouted the small hooded figure. The DA members stared at one another in surprise....Ginny? A disgruntled death-eater sent a binding curse at her followed by a cruciatus curse. The figure collapsed on the floor, with her hood falling off her face. It was Ginny!
Ron quickly rushed to his sister's side and carried her to an unoccupied room, not leaving her side.
The other ministry employees who had already recovered from their shock followed the lead of the unseen forces that helped them. The building immediately became chaotic as an array of curses were thrown back and forth the opposing groups.
"Moody! What took you so long?" The DA members who positioned themselves close to the minister, heard him shout at the new arrivals --- Mad-Eye Moody, Molly, Lupin, Bill and several more whom they did not know. Knowing that Moody would be able to see through their disillusionment charm, they quickly retreated to the far end of the room before he could notice them.
"Traffic!" growled Moody which caused several eyebrows to raise in disbelief.
"IMPEDIMENTA!" shouted Molly at a group of death-eaters.
"STUPEFY!" shouted Bill at another batch.
"INFERNUS GALACTICUS!" shouted another. Harry and his friends watched in amazement as the person formed a ball of fire in his hands and hurled it forcefully to the largest group of death-eaters in the building.
"Cool!" exclaimed Neville.
"CRUCIO!" countered a death-eater to the one who conjured the fire throwing spell but it was successfully dodged by the person.
"Moody! There are too many enemies....call Potter's group now!" shouted Mr. Weasley again as he saw more death-eaters arrive at the ministry.
"No, Arthur! They are just kids....this is too dangerous for them!" immediately hollered Molly in between curses.
The DA members looked meaningfully at each other at that.
"Moody, call them now or there won't be a ministry in an hour." Mr. Weasley said, ignoring his wife.
"No, Arthur! Molly is right. We can't put their lives in danger." argued Moody while sending a powerful conjunctivitis curse at a nearby enemy.
The DA members continued to fight but the increasing number of death-eaters are proving to be too much for them. Harry and the others immediately tightened their grips on the galleon to signal the others to come as soon as possible. Moody, noticing the burning feeling in his pocket, quickly took out the galleon and was shocked to find the words "Help! Ministry!" flashing before his eyes. He scanned the room until his eyes fell on the five young disillusioned figures fighting death-eaters at the far corner of the room.
"POOTTEEERRRR! What are you doing here?" he shouted at the group who was currently exchanging curses with a round of death-eaters.
"ARE YOU MAD, MAD-EYE?!? You can't handle all these death-eaters....Why did you refuse to ask for our help?" replied Harry furiously as he threw another curse to the death-eater attacking him.
"We swore to Dumbledore that we will protect you at all cost!" answered Moody with the same ferocity.
"If by protecting me, more will suffer, thank you very much but I won't allow it." said Harry.
"Hrmp! Let's talk about this later..." said Moody grumpily before venting his frustration on a nearby death-eater who was foolish enough to stray within his line of vision.
Harry agreed although still fuming about the adult's inconsistencies... He noticed they did not have qualms about letting them face the dementors. Anyway, Moody was right...this was not the time for arguments...He reverted his attention to the death-eaters who were now slowly realizing that maybe they had taken more than they could chew. He noticed that some did not even seem that ruthless in battle, not really experts in manuevers and tactics - one advantage that DA members had due to the countless training. Was it possible that they were fighting teenagers like themselves? Harry shuddered at the thought.
"SERPENSORTIA!"
The whole group was distracted by the sudden appearance of snakes in the area. The death-eaters laughed mockingly at the terror-stricken ministry employees as they conjured more snakes from their wands. Several aurors and order members attempted to vanish the snakes using fire and vanishing spells but the snakes kept on coming courtesy of the death-eaters who seemed to think that they had everything under control now.
Harry hastily removed the disillusionment charm and slowly approached the snakes. "Cover me." he informed his friends and the Order members.
"Hissssss.........hissss.........." (Please don't attack us...we're good people....) Harry spoke to the snakes.
"Hissss............hisss.........." (We don't want to attack anyone...It's just that they ordered us to...) replied the snakes.
"Hissssssss........hisssssssssss" (I think we're linked somehow because I have the gift to speak with you. Please trust me. Don't harm me and my friends. Why don't you attack the deatheaters? They were the ones who disturbed your peace.)
The snakes slowly nodded their heads and turned to the death-eaters who were too stunned to react. Some ministry employees were looking at Harry strangely too.
"Didn't your master inform you that I'm a parseltongue?" It was Harry's turn to mock the enemies now.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" Harry, Luna, Hermione, Neville and the other DA members who had now arrived shouted in unison, taking advantage of their temporary stillness. Several wands immediately flew to their hands rendering the other death-eaters useless.
"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" They shouted again and more death-eaters toppled on the floor, screaming obscenities at them.
Moody and the other aurors quickly performed a spell similar to the one Dumbledore used to bind the death-eaters. They had apprehended at least 50 of them. Lucius, seething with anger, ordered the remaining hooded figures to flee. He gave Harry one disdainful glare before he declared, "You will soon wish you had never been born...." With that said, Lucius disapparated to report to his master.