Chapter 23. Prophecy
The golden trio raced up the grand staircase, its moving stairs swinging around them, Astrid followed in tow, doing her best to keep up.
"Harry, are you sure?" Hermione fretted.
"I saw it! It's just like with Mr. Weasley! It's the door I've been dreaming about, I couldn't remember where I'd seen it before." Harry exclaimed, he sounded utterly convinced Sirius was in danger, that he was being tortured that very second, Astrid couldn't bare to think about it, she'd seen the effects of the cruciatus curse. "Sirius said that Voldemort was after something, something he didn't have the last time, in the department of mysteries." Harry explained. Astrid managed to catch up to the trio, gripping her waist and trying to breathe through the stitch in her side.
"I saw something, in Snapes office… a note… about a prophecy in the department of mysteries Harry," Astrid panted.
"Harry, please just listen!" Hermione pleaded bringing everyone to a halt, "What if Voldemort meant for you to see this? What if he's only hurting Sirius because he's trying to get to you?" Astrid admitted Hermione had a point, if the Dark Lord was aware of their connection, of Harry's ability to see, he could well have laid out a trap for him.
"Hermione has a point Harry, this could be a trap," Astrid hated to say it, because if it was a trap, then Harry would be walking straight into it, he could die at the hand of the Dark Lord. If it wasn't then Sirius could be served the same fate. Astrid felt pulled into two different directions and didn't know which to follow.
"What if he is?" Harry's voice faltered, "I'm supposed to just let him die?"
"No one's saying we're going to let Sirius die Harry, we have to be careful and level headed about this though, we must always expect the worst," Astrid breathed, her father would be proud of her in that moment, turns out she had been listening to his yammering over the years.
"He's the only family I've got left," Harry said sadly, allowing his emotions to rule his judgement.
"What do we do?" Asked Ron.
"We'll have to use the floo network," Harry surmised, as he shot up the stairs.
"Umbridge has the chimneys under surveillance." Hermione stressed.
"Not all of them… the one in her office, I've used it a few times now to slip out of the castle," Astrid admitted, it was the only way to attend her appointments at St Mungo's without Umbridge being aware of her situation. She waited for the woman in pink to go to breakfast or lunch and then slipped in. Then she would hang around in muggle London until dinner and slip back in.
"Umbridge's office it is then," Ron sighed.
"We need to change first, you can't be rocking up the ministry in Hogwarts robes, you'll stand out like a sore thumb," Astrid told the trio. "Go change, I'll meet you at Umbridge's office in fifteen minutes,"
Astrid watched the trio race off up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room, whilst Astrid took a turn down and headed towards her chambers.
Quickly she changed into something more agile than her summer dress. Pewter sports leggings that sit high on her waist above her bump, they were easy to move in and comfortable. She slipped on a lilac sports top, it was a bit snugger than the last time she wore it, it sat tight against her new curves and highlighted her bump. She didn't have time to find something else suitable, she would just have to not fret over what people might think. She slipped on some grey running trainers and tucked her wand next to her hip in her waistband and ran out the door.
When Astrid arrived at Umbridge's office she heard the shrill voice of Umbridge inside.
"Shit," Astrid muttered under her breath as she tiptoed up the stairs and pressed herself next to the door, listening in to the drama unfolding in the office. She deduced that the trio hadn't waited for her and had gone in alone, and unfortunately been caught.
"You were going to Dumbledore, weren't you?" Astrid heard Umbridge interrogating someone.
"No," Harry said firmly, he wasn't lying. The sound of a slap echoed from the room.
"Liar!" Umbridge hissed.
Severus Snape snuck up the stairs, and whilst holding his finger to his lips he tapped Astrid on her shoulder lightly, causing her to gasp lightly. Severus looked in her eyes, she could feel him trying to enter her head, she allowed him access.
Play her side he told her; his voice almost echoed through her mind. She nodded her head and swallowed hard. Snape moved into full view of the office, his hands clasped together calmly.
"You sent for me, headmistress?" Snape queried from the door way; Astrid hovered behind his shoulder. What she saw was worse than she had imagined, not only had Harry, Hermione and Ron been caught by Umbridge, but Luna, Ginny and Neville too. The Inquisitorial Squad were holding them tightly by their robes, bar Harry who was pressed into a chair, being interrogated by Headmistress Umbridge. Astrid's eyes flicked to Draco momentarily, she saw the way he looked at her, his face twisted, he eyed her up and down, his gaze landing on her abdomen. He narrowed his eyes on the young professor, Astrid just looked away, and crossed her arms over herself, covering her body as much as she could.
"Snape, yes! The time has come for answers, whether he wants to give them to me or not," Umbridge squeaked. "Moody, what are you doing here?" Umbridge's stance changed when she saw the young professor stood in the door way behind Severus.
"I was about to go out for a run… I heard a bit of commotion so I came to check it out, do you need some assistance headmistress?" Astrid asked sweetly, trying to play the pink woman.
"Yes, I might need some extra hands when we administer the Veritaserum, did you bring it Snape?" Umbridge questioned harshly.
"I'm afraid you've used up all my stores interrogating students…" Severus answered her honestly, Dolores had used up all the stores, and Severus was in no hurry to brew anymore for the tyrant, "The last of it on Miss Chang. Unless you wish to poison him… and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy if you did… I cannot help you," Snape told the headmistress, turning on his heel he motioned for Astrid to leave with him but Umbridge had other plans.
"You, Moody! Stay! I have use of you, Snape you best return to your dungeon and start brewing some more then hmm?" Umbridge hissed. Severus shot Astrid an intense look, she stepped out of the way of the door and watched him brush by her.
"He's got padfoot!" Harry called as Snape stepped out of the door. "He's got padfoot at the place where its hidden,"
"Padfoot? What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What is he talking about Snape?" Umbridge shot questions at the potions master, a distasteful look on her face. Severus turned to the headmistress slowly,
"No idea," he drawled with a bored expression. As he turned to make his exit, he locked eyes with Astrid once more.
I will do what I can Snape's voice echoed through her head. Astrid nodded slightly and the potions master took his leave.
"Very well, you give me no choice, Potter," Umbridge breathed heavily. "As this is an issue of ministry security… you leave me with… no alternative… The cruciatus curse ought to loosen your tongue," She threatened, no remorse in her voice, Umbridge had finally crossed the line. Astrid gasped at the woman.
"Headmistress, that is illegal, they are children," Astrid exclaimed.
"What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him… and if he does find out… I'm sure he will look past it… the same way I looked past your secret pregnancy Professor Moody," Umbridge smirked at the younger woman. All eyes on the room flicked to Astrid, if Draco hadn't put two and two together, he certainly had now. Astrid opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.
"That's right, I noticed when you started filling out your dresses and stopped drinking wine at feasts," Umbridge bragged proudly. "If you breath a word of what's about to happen here to anyone, I will not look on your deceit so kindly, and you will not just be terminated from this school, I will have you implicated as an accomplice to Dumbledore, do you understand?" Umbridge threatened. "Now, Professor Moody, hold him down,"
"Just tell her Harry!" Hermione blurted out.
"Tell me, what?" Dolores' eyes glinted with victory.
"Well, if you won't tell her where it is… I will," Hermione stressed.
"Where what is?" The headmistresses' words were like daggers, each one sharp enough to cut through you.
"Dumbledore's secret weapon,"
Umbridge left Astrid in charge of guarding Ron, Neville, Ginny and Luna, whilst she took Hermione and Harry to see the 'weapon'. Astrid dismissed the inquisitorial squad, which all but Draco left with no issue, returning to their dormitories. Draco however, was not going to take orders from Professor Moody.
"Do you really think I'm going to leave these lot with you? You're a dirty blood traitor, and a slut at that," Draco spat, holding out his wand to the professor.
"Go to the dungeons now Draco," Astrid ordered, her hand hovered over her wand.
"I don't take orders from dirty whores, does my father know?" Draco spat as he nodded to the professor's abdomen.
"Your father?" Ron wondered out loud, as he smushed his face up with realisation. "Professor you… with Draco's dad?"
"Not now, Mr Weasley," Astrid breathed as she faced down the younger Malfoy.
"If you reach for that wand, I'll get you, just like last time, b-but this time I'll – I'll…" Draco started with confidence, but his voice hitched in his throat a little revealing his self-doubt, clearly the boy was not committed to his threat. The others in the room gasped lightly as they concluded that Draco was in fact Astrids attacker the night of the Yule Ball. Ron balled his fists tightly, and gritted his teeth as he stared down his long-time foe.
"Draco… I know you wouldn't hurt your baby brother or sister…" Astrid said innocently, with pleading eyes she held her palms up in surrender. Draco's face twisted with mixed emotion as she swallowed hard.
"I- I- I'll-" Before Draco could stammer out his words Neville aimed his wand at the Slytherin.
"Stupefy!" Neville shouted, and to everyone's surprise and amazement, Draco was sent backwards, landing sprawled out onto Umbridge's pink cushion covered sofa, knocked completely unconscious.
"Well done, Neville," Luna clapped.
"Good job, Mr Longbottom," Astrid breathed as she clasped a hand over her racing heart.
"Was that all true?" Ron asked, he glanced over to the comatose Malfoy briefly.
"Yes," Astrid admitted, running a hand over her stomach. "It's a long story though,"
"I bet," Ginny exhaled deeply.
"We need to get to Harry and Hermione quickly, let's go," Astrid took command, and led the students towards the forbidden forest.
The group spotted the familiar faces of Harry and Hermione sprinting towards them on the wooden bridge that led to the forest, no Umbridge in sight. Everyone slowed to a stop as they regrouped, sighs of relief and smiles erupted from everyone.
"How'd you get away?" Hermione shouted with surprise, the duo where just on their way up to Umbridge's office to stage a rescue.
"Professor Moody," Ginny told the two of them. Astrid silently nursed a stitch in her side as she leant against the wooden banister.
"I didn't do anything, I told the inquisitorial idiots to go back to their common rooms, Draco wouldn't comply…" Astrid wheezed.
"So, Neville hit him with a stunning spell!" Ginny exclaimed.
"It was brilliant!" Ron laughed, patting Longbottom on the shoulder proudly.
"It was amazing, you should've seen his face… so how are we getting to London?" Neville asked.
"Look, it's not that I don't appreciate everything you've done, all of you…" Harry said with a sense of guilt, "but I've got you into enough trouble as it is,". Harry knew it would be dangerous, hell you-know-who was likely to be there with his followers, Harry was certain there'd be a fight, and he didn't want his friends to be put in danger for him. Not after what happened with Cedric…
"Dumbledore's Army's supposed to be about doing something real. Or was that all just words to you?" Neville questioned the Potter boy.
"Maybe you don't have to do this all by yourself, mate," Ron smiled at his best friend.
"I'm in too," Ginny announced.
"I'll coming along too," Luna smiled. Harry nodded agreeably at all his friends, but then everyone's attention turned to the young professor.
"Of course, I'm coming too," Astrid spoke fiercely, furrowing her brows at the concerned look from Ginny.
"Are you sure professor?" Ginny asked with a gulp, "What about your… condition?" She asked, eyeing Harry and Hermione. The duo looked to Professor Moody and took in her slightly more rounded form in her form fitting sports clothes.
"Professor," Hermione gasped, "If you're with child you really shouldn't be-"
"I'm pregnant Miss Granger, not incapacitated, my wand arm works quite well I think you'll find… and as the only Order of the Phoenix member here, it's my duty to protect you guys," Astrid might have spoke with more sass than intended, but her words worked, as everyone nodded in agreement.
"Okay then. So how are we going to get there?" Harry asked, as he looked at the faces before him for ideas. Luna smiled a knowing smile as she looked off into the forbidden forest…
"We fly, of course,"
Running down the black tiled hall of the Ministry of Magic gave Astrid goosebumps, the place was deserted, she had made visits there once or twice, and never seen it so hauntingly empty. She controlled her breathing, focusing on inhaling and exhaling as the group jogged towards the lifts. The group stood in silence as the lift took them to their destination, with a ding they arrived.
"Department of Mysteries," an automated woman's voice announced as the elevator gate slid open. The troop looked down a long thin corridor, tiled completely in black, it gave Astrid the overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia as she stared down the cramped space. At the end of the corridor stood a large door. They approached it slowly, with caution.
"Vigilance," Astrid reminded the group with a whisper, as they all kept their eyes peeled.
"This is it," Harry announced as they reached the door with the giant brass handle.
The band of misfits entered through door cautiously, they breathed a sigh of relief when no death eaters stood waiting on the other side. Perhaps it wasn't a trap after all, Astrid thought to herself, now they just needed to find Sirius and get out of there…
They walked down lengths of five story high shelves with their wands illuminated, guiding the way. Each and every one of them piled with cloudy glass orbs on various styles of holders, some simple and wooden, some ornate and made of gold.
"This way," Harry led the group towards where his vision had showed him…
They walked for what felt like an age, counting the off-shooting corridors.
"Ninety-two… ninety-three… ninety-four…ninety-five…" Harry muttered as he stormed off ahead. Stopping dead in his tracks he looked around, confusion plastered on his face as he held out his wand to illuminate the area.
"He should be here!" Harry revealed, as he looked around in bewilderment. The group spread out slightly, holding out their wands they too searched the darkness for any sign of Sirius.
"Harry," The nervous voice of Neville called out, "It's got your name on it…" He stammered, everyone turned to Neville who was staring at one of the glass orbs lining the shelves. Harry brushed passed Astrid, approaching the shelf apprehensively.
Neville stepped away, giving Potter some room so analyse the sight before him. As Harry grew closer to the glass sphere, it almost seemed to light up from within, it's cloudy appearance now swirling fantastically within the small globe. Harry reached for the object, picking it up delicately between his fingers he lifted it down off the shelf.
"It's a prophecy," Astrid breathed from behind Harry. Just then, almost as if the magical object was triggered by Harry's touch, a voice began to emit from the globe. The voice was familiar, it was that of Professor Trelawney, but she sounded different… almost possessed.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. And after the Dark Lord shall mark him as his equal… but he shall have the power the Dark Lord knows not. For neither can live while the other survives…" Trelawney's haunting voice spoke. Potter stared into the orbs swirling display as his mind trailed over the words, that is until he was brought to reality by the shout of Ginny Weasley.
"Harry!"
Suddenly everyone was alerted to a presence that strolled towards them slowly. What looked to be man in intricate black robes and a silver metal mask revealed themselves from the darkness.