::10::
Naruto popped up from the floor. "Oh Harry, it's you."
Harry gave a sigh of relief and could feel his heart restart as Naruto gave Harry another look before he returned to rummaging through a cabinet.
"How did you get in here?" Harry hissed. "Where were you?"
Naruto glanced up, giving Harry a sheepish look. As soon as they had stepped out of the lift, he and Sai had abandoned Harry to start scouring the Ministry for Sakura. Naruto had reasoned to himself that with Harry in disguise, he should have been safe although now, he felt sort of bad for leaving Harry behind. When they had come across Umbridge's office, Sai had convinced Naruto to stay behind to search the office while he continued searching for Sakura.
"Sorry about that." Said Naruto. "I thought it would be quicker this way. Come help me look." Said Naruto waving him over.
Harry cast one more look at the dead ninja in the corner before he moved over to the desk where Naruto was pushing aside papers. Harry rummaged through every door and cabinet he could find as Naruto inspected the room for secret hiding places, yet they found nothing. A few minutes later, Harry sighed.
"It doesn't look like it's here." He said sadly. Then he tried to open one drawer, but found it was locked.
His heart started to race. "Alohomora." He muttered and the drawer flew open to reveal…a book?
Discouraged, Harry picked up the small book and flipped through it. But what he found inside, however, was more disturbing. The faces of dozen of witches stared back at him, although it was more disconcerting to see the pages with large X's printed over them. Then he stopped. He had come to a page with Mr. Weasley's picture on it. He read the status info that was printed on the bottom.
Status: Pureblood, but with unacceptable pro-Muggle leanings. Known member of Order of the Phoenix
Family: Molly Weasley - Pureblood (see Undesirable #22), children: Bill Weasley (see Undesirable #23), Charlie Weasley (see Undesirable #24), Percy Weasley (Accepted), Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Ron Weasley (see Undesirable #19), Ginny Weasley
Security Status: TRACKED. All movements are being monitored. Strong likelihood that Undesirable #1 will contact.
"What is this?" Harry asked flipping to the front of the book, only to find his own picture on the first page, along with the caption: Undesirable #1.
Suddenly the door opened and Harry fumbled the book while Naruto let loose a kunai. It thudded into the door before Sai picked himself up off the ground, glancing at Naruto before prying the kunai loose.
Harry once again breathed a sigh of relief as Naruto started muttering curses at Sai. Harry turned his attention back to the book, missing the meaningful gaze Naruto shot at Sai, to which Sai shook his head. "Hey, come have a look at this." Said Harry.
Naruto and Sai both turned, peering over Harry's shoulder, Sai was wearing a strange expression. Sai took the book in his own hands and flipped through before stopping at one page. Harry looked down to see Sai's own picture staring back at him.
"What…?" Harry started to ask. He looked down at the caption on the bottom.
Status: Ninja, ANBU (Root)
Then Sai closed the book. "It's a Bingo Book." He said.
"What?" Said Naruto suddenly, his eyes widened. "That's…definitely not good…" He muttered.
"A what?" Asked Harry, still confused. Harry grabbed the book back from Sai and flipped through it.
"An assassination list. Ninja use it to find out who needs to be taken care of. A normal bingo book would list out all the missing ninja from the hidden villages who are considered dangerous and should be killed on sight." Sai explained. "This book however, is different. Order members, muggle-borns, opponents from Konoha...they're all listed. Anyone who is a threat."
Harry snapped the book shut and he felt slightly fearful. "Let's go." He said finally, stuffing the book with in the folds of his robes. "The locket isn't here."
There was still chaos in the adjoining room, so they snuck out undetected. Harry's mind was sick with worry. It had been stupid of them to think the locket was here. The Ministry now was possibly more dangerous than they first thought. And they had no chance now of bewitching the location of the locket out of Umbridge now that she was in court. They would have to plan harder and come back another day.
"We have to find Ron and Hermione." Whispered Harry.
When they entered the lift, it was empty. At level two, Ron, who was soaking wet got in. He gave Harry a nervous look before spotting Sai and Naruto with him. "Harry is that you?"
Harry nodded. "We gotta get out here and -"
"Harry, listen," Said Ron cutting Harry off and dropping his voice. "Did you know that there are ni-"
The lift opened again and Mr. Weasley got in. Naruto and Sai quickly turned their faces away from Mr. Weasley and quickly occupied themselves with looking at the wall. Luckily, Mr. Weasley didn't seem to notice them, his attention focused on Harry. Harry never expected Mr. Weasley to glare at him with such dislike.
"Morning, Reg." He said turning to Ron. "Why are you so wet?"
Ron looked down at his wet robes. "Oh, Yaxley's office is raining."
"Yeah, a lot have been doing that." Said Mr. Weasley. "Did you try the Meteolojinx Recanto?"
Ron considered it. "No, I didn't…thanks da…I mean Arthur." Ron said sheepishly.
The lift opened and Ron darted out. Harry made to follow him, but Mr. Weasley blocked the way. "One moment, Runcorn."
The lift closed and then Mr. Weasley spoke. "I heard what you did to Dirk Cresswell."
Harry frowned and decided to play stupid. "Sorry?"
"Don't play stupid." Said Mr. Weasley fiercely. "I know you tracked down the wizard who faked his family tree."
"I…so what?" Said Harry.
"He was ten times the wizard you are," Mr. Weasley said heatedly, his face getting redder and redder, "And…"
"You know your being tracked right, Arthur?" Harry blurted out.
Mr. Weasley's eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?"
"No! It's a fact! They are watching…" The doors opened at the Atrium and Mr. Weasley gave him a scathing look before getting out. The doors closed and they lowered once more.
"Sounds like you impersonated a real bastard." Said Naruto clapping Harry on the shoulder as the doors opened and they got out. Harry just gave Naruto a look that said he wasn't too proud of that.
Harry led them down the hall to where he knew the courtrooms were. As soon as he got closer, a helpless and despairing feeling overwhelmed him. Dementors. Biting his lip, Harry realized he couldn't conjure a Patronus because it would reveal him right away. He struggled on while Sai quickly walked ahead of him with little difficulty. Looking back, Sai didn't understand what was suddenly wrong with Naruto and Harry. Then Naruto fell to the floor.
Harry stopped and Sai bent down next to him. "What's wrong with you? We don't have time for a nap. Get up." Sai whispered.
"It's cold." Naruto whispered.
Sai looked at Harry. "Get in there and get Hermione, I'll bring Naruto in soon."
Harry nodded, sparing a look at Naruto and left.
Sai nudged Naruto again, but he only whimpered. Naruto could not have chosen a more inconvenient time. What was wrong with him anyway? He had never seen him like this. The hallway was cold, but Sai pushed aside that feeling and started putting together a plan.
"Sakura-chan, look! I'm here to rescue you!" Naruto burst in proudly, his eyes glowing and his hands on his hips.
"Oh Naruto!" Sakura cooed, her green eyes dancing. "You're so brave!" She said, clasping her hands together.
"Look! I even slayed the enemy!" Naruto said proudly dragging in Orochimaru.
"Will you come with me?" Asked Naruto, extending his hand.
Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. "Why would I come with you…" She said backing into the shadows. "When I have Sasuke-kun right here!" She said pulling Sasuke out and wrapping her arms around his neck.
Naruto's face distorted. "But…but…"
"Oh!" Sakura pouted. "You really thought I wanted to come back didn't you?"
Sasuke smirked. "Dobe."
Harry had thrown the Invisibility Cloak back on and silently snuck into the court room. On a high raised platform, he saw Umbridge sitting with Yaxley on one side and a white faced Hermione on the other. There was a silvery white cat patrolling in front of them. Umbridge's Patronus, Harry realized, to block them from the Dementors. Luckily, there were no ninjas present in the court room. Harry thought that it was rather ironic that Voldermort was only using the ninja to protect high ministry officials, but seemed to not trust them enough to sit in on enforcing ministry laws. Harry tip toed up the steps as Umbridge began her merciless questioning of Reg Cattermole's wife.
Harry crept up behind Hermione and bent to whisper in her ear. "I'm behind you."
Hermione jumped so badly Harry was lucky the other two didn't notice. Harry and Hermione both tried to formulate a plan that would get her out, but they could think of nothing. Suddenly, Umbridge leaned forward and Hermione let out a squeak. The locket was dangling from her chest.
"Mafalda, pass those to me."
Hermione jumped and looked at Umbridge's expectant hand before she quickly handed over some papers.
"That's pretty, Dolores." She said, pointing to the locket.
Umbridge looked down. "Oh this? Yes…an old family heirloom… You see the S stands for Slewyn, I'm a member of the Slewyn family…"
Umbridge turned back and Harry held back the sudden urge to throttle her. To think that she was using the locket just to prove her own pureblood heritage more than angered Harry.
Suddenly the door burst open with a large bang as dust and smoke filled the courtroom. Both Umbridge and Yaxley stood up.
"What it this?" She demanded.
Another explosion rocked the room before a kunai with an exploding tag embedded itself in the table before Umbridge. Scrambling, Harry grabbed Hermione as Umbridge hastily shielded herself and Yaxley from the explosion. Harry took advantage of their distraction to stun both Umbridge and Yaxley. As Umbridge slumped forward, the Patronus disappeared and it turned cold again. Mrs. Cattermole let out a scream. Harry turned towards the Dementors.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
The stag burst forward and the Dementors withdrew.
"Get the Horcrux." Harry demanded, speaking to Hermione as he raced forward to release Mrs. Cattermole.
The courtroom was still smoky as Harry reached Mrs. Cattermole and released her bonds. She stood up hesitantly.
"I don't understand." She sputtered.
"Go home, get your children and leave the country." Harry demanded.
They burst out of the door as the Patronus lead the way. There were startled yells outside from those waiting in the corridor.
"Go home and go into hiding with your family, that's the er…new official Ministry position. Now follow the Patronus and you can leave from the Atrium." Ordered Harry.
They spotted Sai at the end of the quarter, Naruto hoisted over his back although it was clear he was struggling under the blond boy's weight. Harry gave Sai a nod of thanks as they went up the stairs. They managed to get by undetected until they hit the lift.
"Oh Reg!" Said Mrs. Cattermole flying into Ron's arms when he entered. "Runcorn let me go and he said we should leave the country…let's go!"
Ron turned to Harry. "They know were here, we got about…five minutes." He explained nervously.
"If were trapped here…" Cried Hermione.
"We won't be." Said Harry. "Ok, who's got a wand?" He asked, turning to the muggle-born wizards. About half raised their hands. "Those who don't, attach yourselves to someone who does, we're getting out of here."
When they reached the Atrium, they found that it was completely crowded with wizards and witches. To make matters worst, there was a defensive line of five ninja barricading the Floo network where wizards were busy sealing the portals. Naruto froze as Sai cast Naruto a glance before completely masking the scent of his chakra. Naruto was doing considerably better now that the Dementors were gone and he hoped Naruto had brains enough to do the same.
"STOP!" Everyone froze as Runcorn's voice echoed across the room.
Harry took a gulp before quickly marching over to the fireplaces, brusquely brushing past two of the ninja. Considering Runcorn's reputation at the Ministry, they didn't seem to mind. The wizards behind him nervously followed. The wizard who bumped into Harry before stepped up upon catching sight of them. "What's going on?"
"This lot needs to leave before you seal the exits." Explained Harry.
The wizard seemed to sweat a little. "We've been told to seal the exits…"
"Do you want to be like Dirk Cresswell?" Demanded Harry.
Sai and Naruto had pushed themselves partway through the crowd of wizards, hoping that their scent would mask their own. Naruto watched as Harry impatiently argued with the wizard. Biting his lip, he looked back toward the ninja and watched as one suddenly seemed to catch drift of something.
The wizard paled more. "No! I'm sorry! I mean…go ahead!"
"Harry…" Naruto muttered, nudging the large man. "We gotta get out of here now…"
The confused wizards in the back quickly dashed into the fireplace as Harry urgently ushered them forward. Naruto and Sai felt the chakra spike from one of the Oto ninja behind him.
"Mary!"
They all turned and Ron let out a curse. The real Reg Cattermole just emerged from the lift.
Note: Thanks so much for the reviews! I love reading them.
Bingo Book
Undesirable # 1
Harry Potter
Status: Half-Blood, #1 opposition to the Ministry
Family: Jame Potter - Pure Blood (deceased), Lily Potter - Muggle Born (deceased), Muggle aunt, uncle and cousin (have not yet been found)
Security Status: MISSING. All connections are being tracked, most likely to contact the Weasley family.
Note: If found, direct orders not to harm until Dark Lord arrives