They hadn't gone far before they heard the sound of voices up ahead. Harry stopped and motioned for silence from the rest of the group.
"There's no sign of them," one of the Death Eaters said. "Potter and the rest of the brats are gone."
"There's no need to worry, Avery," Lucius replied smoothly. "Potter always has to play the hero. He'll be back. In the meantime, all we have to do is wait for the little mudblood-loving fool to show up."
The sound of harsh laughter echoed through the large room.
"You can laugh all you want," he heard Hermione say, "but Harry's kindness is what makes him strong. He's stronger than any of you will ever be."
"Shut up, mudblood," a vicious voice said. "This will teach you to speak out of turn."
Harry couldn't see what was happening, but Hermione's scream and Colin's panicked squeak told him that it wasn't anything good. He clenched his wand tightly, holding Ron back with his other arm.
At least they were still alive. His worst fear had been that the Death Eaters would kill them on the spot, but it appeared as if they were planning on using them as hostages. Hermione and Colin would be relatively safe for now, which meant that he had time to form a plan.
He cast a quick disillusionment charm, then called the others around him. They discussed various tactics and strategies for several minutes before separating and heading off in different directions.
Harry waited until they had all dispersed, then walked into full view of the Death Eaters.
"Hello, Potter," Lucius drawled, looking not at all surprised. "As you can see, we have your friends, so if you value their lives, I suggest you hand over the prophecy."
"Harry, don't—ahh!" Hermione's voice morphed into a cry of pain as a brute-like Death Eater grabbed her hair and yanked it roughly.
"Hurt her again," Harry said icily, "and I'll smash your precious prophecy to pieces. I doubt that Voldemort will be pleased when you come crawling back to him empty-handed."
The purple light of a spell streaked towards him, but he sidestepped quickly to avoid it. "You dare to use the Dark Lord's name!" Bellatrix Lestrange shrieked, her entire body shaking with unfettered rage.
"Lower your wand!" Lucius barked. "Now, Potter." He sounded as if he was speaking to a young child. "Let's not do anything stupid. Just hand over the orb and we'll let your friends go. You'll get what you want, and we'll get what we want. Everyone leaves happy."
"Give me back my friends first," he demanded.
Lucius' eyes narrowed. "That's not exactly fair, Potter."
"I don't care. Let them go if you want it."
He watched in satisfaction as Lucius' face contorted with fury. As long as he had the orb, he held all the power. Lucius had no choice but to accept his terms.
"Avery. Macnair," he said in a tight voice. "Release them."
Harry smiled reassuringly at Hermione and Colin as they approached. Hermione had an ugly-looking bruise on her cheekbone, but other than that they appeared to be alright.
"Alright, we did what you asked, so hand it over." Lucius reached out his hand expectantly.
"Ok." He started to step forward. "Is that what you thought I'd say?"
Whipping out his wand, he cast vermillious, shooting a multitude of fiery red sparks towards the ceiling. A moment later the room exploded with a volley of spells. While Harry had been busy buying time, the rest of the group—all under the disillusionment charm—had surrounded the Death Eaters, ready to attack as soon he raised the signal.
In the ensuing chaos, Harry dragged Hermione and Colin over to the next aisle. "Listen," he told them hurriedly. "Go to row seventy-five, about halfway down. There's a secret entrance. Lavender will be waiting there to help you."
"And Hermione," he placed the orb in her hand, "take this with you."
"What about you?" Hermione asked.
"I'm going to distract them while the rest of you make it out."
She looked at him with disbelief. "But that's crazy! You can't go against all of them by yourself!"
"I'll be fine. They won't attack me because of the prophecy, remember?"
"But you don't have it, I do."
He smiled slyly. "True, but they don't know that."