All right. So, I am still alive and I am still writing this story. I apologize for how long it's taken me to update AND I apologize for how incredibly short this chapter is. I took far too many credits last semester and ended up in a horrible relationship – which left me with little time to breathe, let alone write for leisure. To all of you who have stuck around and waited (far too patiently) for me to update – Thank you. Oh, and everything in italics is lifted from JK Rowling's novels -- not my original work. Also, because it has been such a long time since I've posted, I won't be replying to any reviews in this chapter, but next chapter I'll respond to the reviews of this chapter.
Department of Mysteries Chapter PART B (Chapter 19)
The deflected spell shot into a shelf, causing a massive crash. Instinctively, I lifted my hand to block glass fragments from my face. Rage and fury still clouded my vision, and I couldn't seem to formulate cohesive thoughts. I didn't even take notice of the prophecies being re-told around me. I was too focused on Lucius and the tangle of emotions he was evoking within me.
"DO NOT ATTACK! WE NEED THE PROPHECY!" Lucius bellowed, leaning toward me slightly and gesturing emphatically to the orb Potter held in his hand.
"He dared – he dares --" I screeched, trying to pin the blame for my thoughtless actions on anyone but myself. "– He stands there – Filthy half-blood --"
"WAIT UNTIL WE'VE GOT THE PROPHECY!" Malfoy screamed, his usually handsome face contorted with rage. Rage that had never before been directed at me. How much of that rage was directed at me, I wondered.
I opened my mouth to ask just that, when Potter once again made his presence known.
"You haven't told me what's so special about this prophecy I'm supposed to be handing over," Potter commented cockily.
Lucius turned back to Potter instantly, the rage and fury vanishing from his features to be replaced by a cold, expressionless mask.
"Do not play games with us, Potter," Lucius said silkily.
"I'm not playing games," Potter shot back.
Lucius sneered slightly, his eyes searching Potter's face.
"Dumbledore never told you that the reason you bear that scar was hidden in the bowels of the Department of Mysteries?" Malfoy asked, hiding his shock and disbelief behind a condescending sneer.
"I – what?" Potter faltered, "What about my scar?"
My anger and rage were slowly dissipating, and as a result, I was beginning to loose interest in the interlude between Lucius and Potter.
My eyes narrowed slightly as I watched Potter lean closer to his companions while Lucius rambled on. He seemed to be muttering to himself, so I paid little attention, until one of his comments snapped my attention back to him.
"...Why couldn't he come and get it himself?" Potter demanded arrogantly.
I laughed coldly.
"Get it himself?" I asked, appalled. "The Dark Lord, walk into the Ministry of Magic, when they are so sweetly ignoring his return? The Dark Lord, reveal himself to the Aurors, when at the moment they are wasting their time on my dear cousin?" Even I could understand why Voldemort would want to use this ignorance of his return to his advantage. Was the boy really so stupid?
"So he's got you doing his dirty work for him, has he?" Potter sneered disdainfully. "Like he tried to get Sturgis to steal it – and Bode?"
Something in Potter's eyes made me hesitate to answer and Lucius took the opportunity to regain control of the situation. Even as I was trying to figure out what we had all overlooked in regards to Potter's plan, the children shouted out spells, shattering prophecies all around, and scattered at a command from their leader.
No, Potter wasn't stupid. But we certainly were.
