It was on the last exam day when it had happened, Harry had received a vision of Sirius captured by Voldemort in the Department of Mysteries. He tried going to McGonagall, but she had been moved to St. Mungos. There were now only three people he could go to.
He ran to Brooklyn, Ron, and Hermione and told them about it, but Hermione looked pretty worried.
"Harry, are you sure this is real?" Brooklyn questioned. Sure, it had been real with Ron's dad, but he wasn't so sure about this one.
"Yes! We need to rescue him! Besides you, he's the only real family I have left!" Harry shouted back, eyes looking crazy with desperation. Brooklyn put a hand on his shoulder.
"Just think, Harry. Perhaps...we should check first before we go rushing off to the Ministry? I just don't want you in danger because Voldemort might have sent you a false vision to get you to him and Demona again."
Harry stared into his gargoyle brother's pleading eyes, and then knew he was right. He nodded.
Then they all created a plan: Ron and Hermione would distract Umbridge and her Squad with the help of some close members of the D.A and Griff, while the brothers get into her office. After hearing an explosion from one of the Twin's fireworks that Ron was using, Harry and Brooklyn quickly (but stealthily) snuck inside into her office.
This was Brooklyn's first time in Umbridge's office, and he called it to be the worst thing he'd ever set foot in, pink everywhere that could blind somebody, and photos of ugly kittens lining the walls that mewed and moved about in their frames.
Harry grabbed the Floo powder from her desk, and threw the powder in, the flames turning green. The two of them put their heads inside, shouting out "Number 12, Grimmauld Place!"
Instead of his whole body being pulled into the fire, it was his head that was, for Brooklyn's feet remained planted in her office.
Then at last the brothers were looking into the kitchen. But they couldn't see anybody, not even the London Clan. All who was there was Kreacher of all people, who spotted them.
"Ah, look who it is, Potter and gargoyle's head in the fire, what are they doing here, Kreacher wonders…"
Brooklyn growled. "Can it, Kreacher. Where's Sirius? Me and Harry need to speak to him!" But the elf merely smirked, sending a rush of anger through him.
"Nobody here but Kreacher, gargoyle!" Cackled the mad elf, making the red gargoyle growl even more.
"Where has Sirius gone? Harry roared after him. Brooklyn could make out Kreacher's bald head among the table legs.
The elf gazed down. "Master would not tell Kreacher where he goes."
"You know something! I know you do! And where is the London Clan?!" Brooklyn shouted, and Kreacher then gave the brothers a cruel smile that sent shivers down his spine. No...the vision couldn't be real, could it?
"Master will never come back from the Department of Mysteries. Kreacher and his Mistress are alone again! And your other devil friends are gone for good!" Kreacher cackled once more as he scuttled away, leaving a furious Harry and Brooklyn cursing him.
Brooklyn suddenly heard Harry cry out painfully, and his head then vanished. Horror filled him until hands grabbed his wings still back in the office harshly, yanking him out, the kitchen disappearing until he was staring into Umbridge's furious face. Harry was thrust into a chair.
"You think, for one moment I would let a few measly students and Gargoyle distract me from finding you in my office using my fire?" She snarled into Brooklyn's face, but he didn't flinch, wanting to bite off her face.
"Yes, I do," he growled back bravely, having her thrust him back, and Flint grabbed his arms, pinning them back and tying him, while Harry was tied. The others were brought in by the rest of the Squad, and Montague hauled in an unconscious and tied Griff. The boy sneered at Brooklyn's horrified look.
"Tried keeping us from taking them, but we got him stunned," Montague leered, throwing him against the wall. Ginny, Luna and Neville were also tied and gagged.
Umbridge stood over Harry. "You were going to find Dumbledore, weren't you?" Harry wouldn't answer, and she slapped him, making Brooklyn furious at the toad for slapping his little brother.
Snape suddenly arrived. "You sent for me, Headmistress?" He asked in his usual tone. Umbridge started, but recomposed herself.
"Snape! Yes! The time has come for answers, given to me willingly or not. Have you brought the Veritaserum?"
No! Brook cried out to himself, not wishing Harry to drink that stuff used on his friend. But Snape gave an interesting smile.
"I'm afraid my stores for it are empty from you using it on interrogating students, after you used the last of it on Griff here, and I would have thought three drops would have sufficed. Unless you wish to poison Harry I would have the greatest sympathy if you did. And if I made more, it would take a month. I cannot help you." He said, glancing over at the still unconscious Griff. Umbridge looked horrified.
"B-but I need it now! Potter's been using my Floo Powder, and I need to know why!"
Harry looked at Snape desperately. Brooklyn had almost forgotten that he was in the Order.
"He's got Padfoot! He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden! Please get help!" Begged Harry, and Brooklyn gave Snape his own pleading look.
"Padfoot? What is Padfoot? What are they talking about, Snape?" Umbridge snapped. Snape just stared at them coldly.
"No idea," he replied, turning around and exiting the room.
I hope he understood Harry! Brooklyn thought, struggling against Flint again. The seventh year seemed to have Troll strength if that was possible, which was why his grip was so strong.
Umbridge's face was purple with rage, looking back at Harry, pulling out her wand.
"Very well, you leave me with no alternative, Potter. If we have no truth serum, then perhaps the Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue," She then decided. And Brooklyn gasped aloud at the idea of her using that terrible curse on Harry.
"No!" He screamed, struggling again.
"It's illegal, Professor! Fudge wouldn't want you to do it!" Hermione cried against Millicent's grip.
Umbridge's eyes looked insane now. "The Minister would never know, girl. He never knew I sent those dementors this past summer!"
Just hearing that from the toad, rage rose inside like a roaring fire, his eyes flashing white. So it was her fault they were attacked!
Harry gasped. "It was you! You sent those dementors after me?"
"You nearly killed my little brother with those things! I will rip your eyes and heart out for this!" Brooklyn roared. Umbridge ignored Brooklyn's outburst, pointing her wand at different spots where it could be the most painful for the curse.
"Now, Mr. Potter, you might have been lucky to escape with your half breed brother, but you won't be so lucky this time!"
She pointed her wand directly at his heart, Brooklyn writhing in his bonds, trying to escape.
"Cruc-."
"TELL HER, HARRY!" Hermione screamed, tears falling down her eyes. Ron's eyes widened. "No, Hermione!"
Umbridge eyed her with suspicion. "Tell me what?"
Hermione was shaking. "It-It's Dumbledore's secret weapon. We've been trying to tell him it is ready!"
Brooklyn was surprised. There was no secret weapon from Dumbledore. But then, he found out that Hermione was bluffing to get them out, and a small grin was on his beak. She was like a vixen at times.
"Then take me to this weapon!" Umbridge hissed. "If you aren't lying!"
She shook her head. "I'm not, I will take you, but not any of them!" She pointed to the Inquisitorial Squad.
Umbridge then reluctantly agreed, but had Harry and Brooklyn accompany them without their wands.
They trekked deep into the forest, Hermione making sure not to be on the smooth paths. It pleased Brooklyn to see Umbridge tripping on roots and scratched on brambles. She deserved it after trying to murder his brother. But where could Hermione be taking them that was in this blasted forest?
At last the group stopped at a large tree in Grawp's clearing. Brooklyn felt his blood go cold when he saw that the rope restraining Grawp was untied. This was bad!
Umbridge looked about when they stopped, face twitching.
"Well? Where is this weapon? There isn't one, is there? You were trying to trick me!"
The trio all glared at her, as her face darkened.
"You know? I really do hate children!"
Brooklyn rolled his eyes. "Huh, there was really no surprise there," he huffed, hands clenched, until there was the sound of hooves, and a herd of Centaurs appeared on the rise.
Umbridge turned and her eyes popped at the sight of them.
"You have no business here, Centaur! This is Ministry reserved territory!" The Centaur raised its bow and arrow, causing Brooklyn to shield Harry and Hermione behind him. Hagrid had warned him about the Centaurs being more aggressive than they used to be, but Umbridge wasn't disturbed.
"Lower your weapons. I'm warning you! Under the law as of creatures near human intelligence—!"
Oh no, she didn't just dare say that out loud! Brooklyn thought in rage, right as the Centaur shot an arrow, that she deflected.
"How dare you, filthy Half Breed! Incarcerous!" Ropes shot out of her wand, wrapping around the Centaur called Bane, choking him and having him fall to the ground.
Brooklyn ran to Bane, trying to pull the ropes apart, but they were too tight. His eyes flashed white. "Let him go! Stop it!" He roared.
Umbridge looked quite deranged. "ENOUGH! I will have order, devil!" She raised her wand again, pointing it at Brooklyn, who braced himself.
Umbridge suddenly screamed, and Brooklyn opened his eyes, eyes widening at the sight of Grawp holding Umbridge by her collar above the ground, the Centaurs trying to shoot her. The giant had saved him from being zapped!
Shaking himself, he quickly freed Bane since the wand wasn't pointing at him anymore, who gave him a fierce, but thankful look before joining the others. Grawp finally dropped the toadwoman who got picked up by the two Centaurs.
"Potter, do something! Tell them I mean no harm!" Yelped Umbridge. But Harry shook his head, turning into his gargoyle form in front of her, making her eyes pop.
"Sorry, Professor, but I mustn't tell lies," he said simply. Brooklyn smirked, folding his arms.
"And I mustn't spread them, either," he added in a taunting tone.
The centaurs carried off a screaming Umbridge into the darkness, and the trio turned back to Grawp, giving his goofy smile at them. "Broook," he rumbled, patting the gargoyle's head ever so gently that it surprised him in a good way. And Brooklyn realized he now owed his life to a giant. He guessed it wasn't too bad when he thought about it!
He chuckled. "I'm okay, buddy, thank you," Brooklyn thanked the young giant, who's eyes shone.
"Guys, we still need to find Sirius!" Harry yelled desperately after he changed back to human, and the three of them raced back to Hogwarts, meeting with their friends and a revived Griff near the edge of the forest.
Hermione was shocked at their escape. "How'd you get away?" She exclaimed in an impressed voice. Ginny grinned.
"The Twin's Puking Pastilles, wasn't pretty!"
Brooklyn remembered seeing the Twins testing those things on the First years, and that Umbridge had locked them in her office after her decree on banning them.
"Told them I was hungry and wanted some sweets, but they told me to bugger off and ate the lot themselves, distracting them long enough for me to loosen my ropes, revive Griff and get the rest of us free, and Ginny did her bat bogey hex on Malfoy."
Griff nodded. "Yeah, it was genius! Didn't see the whole thing, but woke in time to see the Inquisitorial chaps throwing up and fainting."
Hermione smiled admiringly at Ron, and the red gargoyle thought he could see a blush on her features, and he smiled too, perhaps she and Ron could have something for one another. Even if they argue, they still care for each other.
Neville spoke up. "So, how are we getting to London guys?" He asked, but Harry shook his head.
"It isn't that I appreciate what you've done, but just me and Brooklyn should do this ourselves. I won't put you in anymore danger."
Ginny looked pretty furious. "But you trained us to fight, and this is a chance to let us prove ourselves in a real battle! Or was all that just talk?" Neville nodded in agreement.
Brooklyn gave Harry a disapproving stare. "You know it doesn't have to be just us. I can do with backup if Demona is there," he pointed out. Harry gave an irritated groan but gave in, allowing them to come, but Brooklyn had Griff remain to protect the students since there's no headmaster or deputy headmistress.
"So how are we getting to London?" Harry asked.
Luna gave a smile, as a group of Thestrals came through the trees. "With them, of course!"
After helping those who couldn't see the Thestrals get on them, Brooklyn pulled Harry onto his back since he still had that flight strength spell Moody gave him, and they all took off into the evening air, Brooklyn flying almost as fast as the Thestrals, Luna soaring past the brothers on hers.
The London lights approached after an hour, and the group landed near where the telephone booth entrance was. Brooklyn felt pricks of worry hitting him as thoughts of what they were gonna find nagged his brain.
Please let Sirius and the London Clan be safe! He prayed to himself, as the telephone booth took them all down to the Ministry.
After that they headed to the lift which brought the group to the Department of Mysteries.
The lift opened, and everybody pulled out their wands, Brooklyn's heart thumping. Harry gave a slow breath as they started towards the door that haunted Harry's nightmares all year.
"This is it."
