Chapter Twenty-Two

Mia sighed as she put down the daily prophet; Malae's attacks were getting closer and closer to Hogwarts. She had hit a good majority of the wizarding communities, as well as a Quidditch match, Diagon alley, and downtown Hogsmeade. Mia knew that the final attack could be any day now. She also knew that the only place left other than Hogwarts was the Ministry of Magic…which the 7th years were unfortunately visiting later on that day…this was not good…not good at all…

She rubbed the temples of her head as she waited for her growing headache to subside; she had been trying to think what she could do for Harry to make up all that she had put him through that year. It was the last month of school, they had been together again for about a month, with Mia teaching Harry Occulmancy to the point where he could protect himself from Dumbledore, Voldemort, and even Malae if it came to it, as well as communicate with Mia with his mind.

She knew what she could get Harry, what she could do for him…but it didn't seem like enough. If the pain she felt while they were separated were anything like what Harry felt, then she'd need to find something amazing. Every time she tried to peek in his head and see what she could do for him, she couldn't find anything other than just being with him. She was also worried about him, if the battle came soon, he might not be able to protect himself, magically against Malae. He was powerful, yes, but inexperienced and uneducated in many wizarding spells that could help him. He needed someone to watch out for him…

She sighed as she flipped through he the rest of the paper, she was up earlier than usual, unable to sleep, so she readied herself and went to the Great Hall for breakfast. The same old things filled the pages of the paper, news about attacks, advertisements, and announcements. But then one thing caught her eye…a formal rebuttal of a court case. Mia read more into it…It seemed that the Aurorers had found evidence that Peter Pettigrew was still alive…working for Voldemort…

The rebuttal was for Sirius Black, he was now declared innocent of all charges and the ministry was awaiting anyone to inform them of his where-abouts so that he may return for compensation.

Mia put the paper down…that was it!

She stood up and ran out of the Great Hall in the direction of the Headmaster's office, she'd need his permission for what she was about to do. Meanwhile, one Harry Potter entered the Great Hall looking for his girlfriend, seeing only an open copy of the Prophet where she usually sat…he looked down and read the same article that she just had…tears filled his eyes as he realized that Sirius would never be able to know he was innocent…

The 7th years filed through the many halls of the Ministry of Magic, following the boring drones of their guide. Many dragged their feet, they had been there for hours now, and were looking forward to the last portion of the tour…the department of Mysteries…solely because it was the end of the tour.

However there were a few students reluctant to see that particular section once again…and only one student eager to see it.

Finally the group reached the last part of the tour. They entered a large room with only two exits, and one veiled arc. The minister of Magic himself stood in the room to say good-bye to the students visiting his building. The students poured in to look at the mysterious room…many looking around as disembodied whispering filled the room. The whispering was soft for some, loud for others, and piercing for only two people. Harry Potter held his hands over his ears trying in vain to block out the noise that was reaching him. He fell to his knees, Ron and Hermione at his side in moments, as a terrible migraine hit.

"BE QUIET!" someone shouted. Everyone looked to the only other person bent over in pain, hands covering their ears, as the whispering ceased suddenly. Mia stood, bathing heavily, slowly removing her hands from her ears. She walked over to Harry, kneeling down to help him up.

"Remember…" he heard her voice in his head, "Sorcery works different than wizardry…"

He stared at her curiously as she smiled. Then in a split second, she turned and made a mad dash for the veil. She jumped through it as Harry cried out for her, trying to run after her only to be held back by Ron and Hermione. He struggled against them as two more students had to help hold him back.

In moments, Harry fell to his knees, tears running down his face. He had lost his godfather to the veil…and now his girlfriend…

The minister had wizards running about at the display of ignorance at the dangers of things in this department. Each were trying to figure out how to get the girl out without being lost themselves, knowing it was hopeless…

Then the whispering started again…only this time it was softer, gentler, comforting…especially to Harry, who could have sworn that it sounded like Mia.

Then they saw it…a dim white light flashed behind the darkness of the waving veil. It flashed for only a moment before going out, many second guessed whether they had actually seen it or not…

But not Harry, Ron and Hermione had finally let go of his arms and he crawled only a few inches towards the veil. The light was back, glowing dimly, but there…

Soon the light had grown brighter and brighter, closer and closer until the light took up the entire arc behind the veil. It got closer, taking shape of a person. As it got closer, Harry could faintly see a second figure leaning on the light.

Suddenly a figure fell out of the veil…a rather large figure with ratty clothes and shaggy hair. The figure coughed; sitting up to face the room filled with students and ministry wizards to reveal none other than Sirius Black.

"SIRIUS!" Harry shouted, running over to the figure, pulling it into the biggest bear hug of his life.

"Harry?" Sirius asked, voice hoarse, "What's wrong?"

That was when Harry remembered why he'd been crying, "MIA!" he shouted, turning to face the veil. Mia was nowhere to be seen, but the white light was still visible, dimmer, but still there. Only now there were red, blue, and green sphere flying past it, crashing into it, bouncing off, and attacking once again. The light got closer to the arc once again, the spheres attacking it much faster and harsher than before.

Just then, there was a flash of white light as Mia fell from the veil, various cuts, bruises, and sores marring her body. Her clothes were torn slightly, and Harry could tell that her arm was badly broken.

She scrambled to sit up, an explosion sounding on the far side of the building. The students had been well read in what the explosion signified. The guide rushed over to the students, holding out the portkey back to Hogwarts. Harry helped Mia stand, as another explosion sounded closer. Wizards ran about everywhere trying to fight the attackers.

Mia tried to limp away from Harry to help, but he refused to let her go. She was already injured enough, she wouldn't be able to help in her condition. She agreed, as Harry picked her up, followed by Sirius to the portkey, grabbing on at the last moment, as one more explosion sounded just on the other side of the wall from where they had been.

As soon as they arrived in Hogwarts, the teachers who were sent to escort them back to the school conjured up a stretcher for Mia, taking her to the Hospital Wing as Dumbledore detained Harry and Sirius to explain what had happened to them.

A/N – I know that the chapter is short; the next one is a continuation of this chapter…but not exactly. It should take place the day after the attack.