disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, just Arabella and her story. I hope you all like this chapter! We're getting closer and closer to the end!

Deliverance

"What?" gasped Hermione.

"How – how d'you –" began Ron.

"Saw it," answered Harry. "Just now. When I fell asleep in the exam."

"But – but where? How?" said Hermione, her face now pale.

"I dunno how," said Harry. "But I know exactly where. There's a room in the Department of Mysteries full of shelves covered in these little glass balls, and they're at the end of row ninety-seven… He's trying to use Sirius to get whatever it is he wants from in there… He's torturing him… Says he'll end by killing him…"

Harry's voice and body were shaking. He moved to a desk and sat down, trying to calm himself. Arabella stared at Harry, trying to process his words. Dread filled her chest and all she could think about was how? How could this happen? How could Voldemort have gotten his hands on Sirius? How could this be happening again? Images of Sirius were flashing through her mind. Him on the floor, his body twitched and twisting as Voldemort demanded answers from him. He was going to kill Sirius. He was going to kill Sirius after getting bored with him and Arabella wasn't going to let that happen. Not again.

"How're we going to get there?" Harry asked them.

"G – get there?" said Ron.

"Get to the Department of Mysteries, so we can rescue Sirius!"

"But – Harry…" Ron said weakly.

"What? What?"

"Harry," Hermione began slowly, her voice full of fright, "er… how… how did Voldemort get into the Ministry of Magic without anybody realizing he was there?"

"How do I know?" bellowed Harry. "It's Voldemort, anything's possible with him! The question right now is how we're going to get in there!"

"But, Harry, think about this, it's five o'clock in the afternoon… The Ministry of Magic must be full of workers… How would Voldemort and Sirius have got in without being seen? Harry… they're probably the two most wanted wizards in the world… You think they could get into a building full of Aurors undetected?"

"I dunno, Voldemort used an Invisibility Cloak or something!" shouted Harry. "Anyway, the Department of Mysteries has always been completely empty –"

"What do you think of this?" demanded Hermione, turning towards Arabella.

Arabella raised her eyebrows slightly. She looked at Hermione and then at Harry.

"We're going," Arabella said softly.

"Thank you!" exclaimed Harry.

"But – but it's just so unlikely!" said Hermione desperately to Arabella. "How on earth can you explain –"

"Harry's dreams are not normal dreams," Arabella added calmly. She gripped her robes tightly to steady herself. "Look at what happened to Mr. Weasley, Hermione. That's not normal. You can't explain that."

"She's got a point," mumbled Ron, looking at Hermione.

"But how could Voldemort have got a hold of Sirius?" asked Hermione. "He's supposed to be in Grimmauld Place at all times, remember?"

"I remember that very well, thank you very much," Arabella said roughly. "But do you honestly expect me to just sit by and do nothing while my father is being tortured by Voldemort right now?"

"No, I mean –"

"Or do you want me to just sit by –"

"That's not what I meant, Arabella, and you know it," said Hermione, her voice nearly hysterical. There were tears brimming in her eyes. She took a deep breath and said, "What I am saying is this: why would Voldemort want to use Sirius to get the weapon, or whatever the thing it?"

"There's loads of reasons!" yelled Harry. "Maybe Sirius is just someone Voldemort doesn't care about seeing hurt!"

"You know what, I've just thought of something," said Ron. "Sirius's brother was a Death Eater, wasn't he? Maybe he told Sirius the secret of how to get the weapon!"

"Yeah – and that's why Dumbledore's been so keen to keep Sirius locked up all the time!" said Harry.

"Neither one of you are making sense," cried Hermione, "and we've got no proof for any of this, no proof Voldemort and Sirius are even there –"

"Hermione, Harry's seen them!" said Ron, rounding on her.

"Okay," said Hermione, frightened and yet determined, "I've just got to say this…"

"What?" snapped Harry.

"You… This isn't a criticism, Harry! But you do… sort of… I mean – don't you think you've got a bit of a – a – saving-people-thing?"

Harry glared at her. "And what's that supposed to mean, a 'saving-people-thing'?"

"Well… you…" She looked more anxious than ever. "I mean… last year, for instance… in the lake… during the Tournament… you shouldn't have…. I mean, you didn't need to save that little Delacour girl… You got a bit… carried away… I mean, it was really great of you and everything," she added quickly, looking terrified at the look on Harry's face. "Everyone thought it was a wonderful thing to do –"

"That's funny," said Harry, his voice trembling, "because I definitely remember Arabella saying that I was playing the hero… Is that what you think it is? You reckon I want to play –?"

"This is ridiculous," spat Arabella. "We're sitting here arguing over nothing. Who cares if Harry plays the hero or not? It doesn't matter –"

"It does because Voldemort knows Harry!" said Hermione, looking aghast. "He took Ginny down into the Chamber of Secrets because he knows that Harry would go and you would follow, Arabella – don't you get it? He's trying to get you both into the Department of Mysteries –"

"And if we don't go Sirius is dead!" bellowed Arabella, her hands flying in the air. "We're not going to stand by and do nothing as Bellatrix – I mean, Voldemort tortures Sirius –"

"I am sorry for what happened to your mother, but this is not the same thing," Hermione said quickly. "We don't know if Voldemort has Sirius and we don't know if Voldemort's torturing Sirius. For all we know this could be just – just a dream."

Harry let out a roar of frustration, causing an alarmed Hermione to take a step away from him.

"You don't get it!" Harry shouted at her. "I'm not having nightmares, I'm not just dreaming! What d'you think all the Occlumency was for, why d'you think Dumbledore wanted me prevented from seeing these things? Because they're real, Hermione – Sirius is trapped – I've seen him – Voldemort's got him, and no one else knows, and that means we're the only ones who can save him, and if you don't want to do it, fine! But I'm going, understand? And if I remember rightly, you didn't have a problem with my saving-people-thing when it was you I was saving from the Dementors, or" – he turned to Ron – "when it was your sister I was saving from the basilisk –"

"I never said I had a problem!" Ron said heatedly.

"But, Harry, you've just said it," Hermione said fiercely. "Dumbledore wanted you to learn to shut these things out of your mind, if you'd done –"

"There are more important things at stake right now!" snapped Arabella. "For god's sake, what are we supposed to do, forget what Harry saw, go back to our beds and act like nothing's – !"

The classroom door opened. Arabella, Hermione, Harry and Ron whipped around. Ginny walked in curiously with Luna right behind her.

"Hi," Ginny said uncertainly. "We recognized the voices – what are you yelling about?"

"Never you mind," Harry said roughly.

"There's no need to take that tone with me," said Ginny, cold. "I was only wondering whether I could help."

"Well, you can't."

"You're being rude, you know," said Luna serenely.

Arabella swore loudly and growled, "We don't have time for this!"

"Wait a moment," Hermione said suddenly. "Wait… they can help. Listen, what we need to do is establish whether or not Sirius really has left headquarters –"

"I've told you –"

"Harry, I'm begging you, please! Please, let's just check that Sirius isn't at home before we go charging off to London – if we find out he's not there then I swear I won't trying and stop you, I'll come, I'll d – do whatever it takes to try and save him –"

"But he's being tortured right now!" yelled Arabella. "There no time to even – how are we even supposed to check on him?"

"We'll have to use Umbridge's fire to contact him," Hermione said quietly, looking terrified at the thought. "We'll have to draw Umbridge away again, but we'll need lookouts and that's where Ginny and Luna come in."

"If you can think of a way of doing this quickly," began Harry, "I'm with you. Otherwise, I'm going to the Department of Mysteries right now –"

"The Department of Mysteries?" said Luna, looking mildly surprised. "But how are you going to get there?"

They ignored her and conjured up a plan. Ron and Hermione were going to find Umbridge and send her off in the wrong direction, claiming that Peeves was smashing up the Transfiguration department. It was perfect, considering the department was miles away from her office and they could probably convince Peeves to do it if they met him along the way. While they were doing that, Ginny and Luna were going to keep students away from Umbridge's office while Harry and Arabella snuck in under the Invisibility Cloak to check if Sirius was at headquarters. Fifteen minutes later, Arabella was standing at the end of Umbridge's corridor, rocking on her heels and checking her watch every thirty seconds. She wanted Sirius to be there. She needed him to be on the other side of the fireplace, safe and sound in that horrible house, mouthing off to Kreacher or eating alone. She tried to calm herself, taking in deep and heavy breaths, but she couldn't stop thinking about a bloody Sirius tied to a chair, screaming and crying until Voldemort said those dreadful words. She shook her head. This wasn't history repeating itself. This time is different. This time around, she's prepared and ready.

"I can't lose him," Arabella whispered to no one.

A moment later, Harry came running down the corridor, his Invisibility Cloak in hand, and pulled her behind a recess. He threw the Cloak over their shoulders and they stood close together, listening to the rumbles of the other students. Their bodies were pressed close together and she could feel his breathe on her cheek.

"I'm scared," mumbled Harry.

"Me too," replied Arabella.

She pressed her lips on his for a moment. There was no desperation or hunger or need. Just simply comfort and kindness. She only separated away from him when they heard Ginny's voice yelling at the students. Harry's eyes were closed and she could tell that he wanted nothing more than to simply be far away from Hogwarts.

The crowd began to thin and people were not coming their way anymore. When the surrounding area was finally quiet and clear, they made their way over to Umbridge's door. Harry took out Sirius's knife and inserted the blade in the crack between the door and the wall. The door clicked open and they entered the office. Harry pulled off the cloak and closed the door. Arabella took out her wand as Harry dashed over to the fireplace. He seized a chuck of Floo powder and threw it into the grate. Emerald flames burst into life and Harry knelt down in the office. He thrusted his head into the dancing fire and cried, "Number twelve, Grimmauld Place!"

A minute or so went by and nothing happened. A wave of panic and nausea over came her as Harry kept calling Sirius's name.

"Where's he gone? Where's he gone, Kreacher?"

"Move," Arabella said roughly.

She couldn't stand by and do nothing anymore. Harry moved out of the way and she stuck her head into the flames. She was in the long, cold kitchen of Grimmauld Place. Kreacher was standing in front of her with heavily bandaged hands. He was looking extremely delighted. That was, however, until Arabella showed up in front of him. His smile faded and worry settled in.

"Where is Sirius Black?" demanded Arabella. "Where is my father, Kreacher?"

Kreacher's eyes shifted around the room as he said, "Master – Master is – he is –"

"Tell me where he is, Kreacher," said Arabella, "or I swear, I will make you pay."

Kreacher let out a shudder and grabbed an empty butterbeer bottle from the corner of the table. He began hitting himself with it over and over again, his hands trembling each time. A bruise began to form and a trickle of blood ran down his forehead to the bridge of his nose. He stopped and began panting heavily. Arabella stared at him, shocked and disgusted.

"Kreacher," she said, her voice shaking, "where is –?"

But before she could finish her question, Arabella inhaled a great amount of ash and began choking. Her hair twisted painfully and she was dragged backwards from the flames. The last image Arabella saw of Grimmauld Place was the small look of pleasure on Kreacher's lined face. A second later, she was staring up into the wide face of Professor Umbridge, who dragged her out of the flames and bent her neck in such a fashion that looked as though she was about to slit Arabella's throat.

"You think," she whispered, bending Arabella's neck further, "that after two nifflers I was going to let one more foul, scavenging little creature enter my office without my knowledge? I had Stealth Sensoring Spells placed all around my doorway after the last one got in, you foolish girl. Take her wand," she barked at someone Arabella could not seen. "His too…"

There was a struggle by the door and Arabella knew Harry just lost his wand.

"I want to know why you're in my office," said Umbridge.

She shook her fist clutching Arabella's hair, causing her to stagger.

"We were trying to get our Firebolts!" Harry said quickly.

"Liar," snarled Umbridge, shaking Arabella's head again. "You both know your Firebolts are under strict guard in the dungeons. You had your head in my fire, Black. With whim have you been communicating?"

"No one –" said Arabella, trying to pull herself free. Several hairs were pulled violently against her scalp.

"Liar!"

Umbridge threw Arabella away from her and she slammed into the desk. Arabella lost her footing and fell into one of the chairs in front of the desk and gasped. Her heart was racing and she pushed her hair away from her face. Harry was being pinned by Crabbe against his chest. He was struggling, but Crabbe did not budge. Malfoy was leaning on the window still, smirking as he threw Harry's wand into the air one-handed and then caught it again. There was a commotion outside and several large Slytherins entered, each gripping Ron, Hermione, Luna and Neville, who was tapped in a stranglehold by Goyle and looked as though his head was about to pop off.

"Got 'em all," said Warrington, who shoved Ron forward into the room. "That one," he jabbed his finger at Neville, "tried to stop me taking her," he pointed at Ginny, "so I brought him along too."

Ginny was trying to kick the shins of Millicent Bulstrode and Umbridge was watching her struggle was a look of distinct satisfaction upon her face.

"Good, good," said Umbridge. "Well, it looks as though Hogwarts will shortly be a Weasley-free zone, doesn't it?"

Malfoy laughed loudly. Umbridge then settled herself into her armchair, blinking up at her captives like a toad.

"So, Black," she began, "clearly it was someone very important you were speaking too, if not you wouldn't have stationed lookouts around my office and have this buffoon and brat came and tell me the poltergeist was wrecking havoc in the Transfiguration department when I knew perfectly well that he was busy smearing ink on the eyepieces of all the school telescopes. So, who was it? Was it Albus Dumbledore? Of the half-breed, Hagrid? I doubt it was Minerva McGonagall, I hear she is still too ill to talk to anyone…"

The Inquisitorial Squad laughed at that. Arabella glared at them and found her fists shaking.

"It's none of your business," she snarled.

Umbridge raised an eyebrow. She seemed to anticipate this answer.

"Very well," she said, her voice full of false sweetness. "Very well, Miss Black… I offer you the chance to tell me freely and yet you refuse. I have no alternative but to force you. Draco – fetch Professor Snape."

Malfoy tucked Harry's wand inside his robes. He left the room with a smirk on his face and a pep in his step. There was now silence in the office. The Slytherins were having trouble keeping everyone under control. Ron was struggling against Warrington's half nelson and his lips were bleeding onto Umbridge's carpet. Ginny's upper arms were in a tight grip and she was still trying to stomp on Bulstrode's feet. Hermione was attempting to vainly throw a sixth-year girl off her and Neville's face was steadily turning purple. Luna was gazing out of the window, looking bored and unaffected by her surroundings. Harry was looking at Arabella, his chest moving up and down rapidly. He kept his face deliberately smooth and blank. Umbridge was staring at them, as though forming a plan in her head. Arabella turned away and glanced at the fireplace, wishing she reached forward, grabbed Kreacher and forced an answer out of him.

"You wished to see me, Headmistress?"

Malfoy came back into the room, holding the door open for Snape. His eyes swept around the room and he looked at the struggling students with a look of complete indifference.

"Ah, Professor Snape," said Umbridge, standing up and smiling. "Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please."

"You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter and Black. Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops each would be sufficient enough."

Umbridge turned scarlet and Arabella wanted to laugh. Of course Umbridge used the whole bottle on them. What a complete idiot, Arabella thought to herself.

"You can make some more, can't you?" said Umbridge, her voice becoming increasingly high.

"Certainly," replied Snape coolly. "It takes a full moon cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in around a month."

"A month?" screeched Umbridge. "A month? But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Black using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!"

"Really?" asked Snape, feigning interest as he glanced at Arabella. "Well, it doesn't surprise me. Black has never shown much inclination to follow school rules, very much like her father."

Arabella rolled her eyes and leaned her head back. She stared back into Snape's cold, dark eyes. Snape looked away and back at Umbridge's quivering face.

"I wish to interrogate her!" Umbridge shouted angrily. "I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force her to tell me the truth!"

"I have already told you that I have no further stocks of Veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison Black – and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy with you if you did – I cannot help you. The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to give the victim much time for truth-telling…"

"You are on probation!" shrieked Umbridge. "You are being deliberately unhelpful! I expected better, Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you! Now get out of my office!"

Snape, unfazed by this sudden revelation, gave Umbridge a bow and turned to leave.

"He's got Padfoot!" Harry shouted suddenly. "He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!"

Snape stopped with his hand on the door handle. He turned around to look at Harry and Arabella couldn't tell if he understood or not.

"Padfoot?" Umbridge said eagerly. "What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What does he mean, Snape?"

"I have no idea," Snape relied coldly. "Potter, when I want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a Babbling Beverage. And Goyle, loosen your hold a little, if Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot of tedious paperwork, and I am afraid I shall have to mention it on your reference if you ever apply for a job."

He closed the door behind him with a snap. Umbridge's chest was heaving with rage and frustration.

"Very well," she whispered, pulling out her wand. "Very well… I am left with no alternative… This is more than a matter of school discipline… This is an issue of Ministry security… yes… yes…"

Umbridge was shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She was staring intently at Arabella, beating her wand in her palm and breathing heavily. Arabella lifted her head slightly and gripped the arms of the chair. She felt powerless without her wand and more powerless under Umbridge's gaze.

"You are forcing me, Miss Black, I do not want to but sometimes circumstances justify the use… I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice… The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue."

"NO!" screamed Hermione. "Professor Umbridge – it's illegal –"

But Arabella couldn't help herself. She began laughing, her head bobbing backwards as she clutched her stomach.

"You? You're going to torture me?" Arabella said breathlessly. "You think you can do it, then? You think you've got the guts, Professor?" She leaned forward before slumping back against the chair, looking tired and bored. She was seizing up Umbridge with a small smile on her face. "I've bet you've never even done it before or even felt it really. I will bet all the money in my Gringotts account that you've never even witnessed it firsthand." She let out a snort of amusement and gave a little shrug. "Go ahead, Umbridge, do your worst. You know, honestly, I probably won't even feel it because, well… because you're nothing." Arabella tested her luck and leaned forward once again with a sickening, gleeful smile on her face. "You're nothing. You're just a worthless loser and you will always be –"

It seemed as though Umbridge had heard enough. The back of her right hand struck hard against Arabella right cheek, making her head snap to the side. One of Umbridge's rings cut across her cheek. It wasn't bleeding, but Arabella was sure a small bruise will form. Harry let out a furious noise Arabella had never heard before as he struggled against Crabbe. Hermione gasped as Ron and Ginny began saying loud crude things to Umbridge. Neville looked on in horror and Luna turned away from the window, her eyes wide. The Slytherins in the room laughed with delight as Malfoy looked on with a hungry expression on his face.

Arabella stayed still for a moment before slowly turned back to face Umbridge, who was looking at her with an expression of eagerness and excitement. Fury began to settle in as Arabella's jaws tightened.

"You might as well use the Avada Kedavra and finish me off because I'm never going to tell you anything. I survived Bellatrix Lestrange and I will survive you."

"Yes, but will Potter be able to?" Umbridge said in a quiet tone.

She turned to Harry, who was glaring at her with a look of murderous intent. Everyone in the room, Slytherins included, were staring at Umbridge as though seeing her for the first time. Ron looked as though he was sick in the stomach.

"Will Potter be able to see his little girlfriend being tortured in front of his own eyes?"

Umbridge turned back to Arabella and raised her wand. Arabella surveyed it coolly and leaned back on the chair. She braced herself and took a deep breath. Umbridge began pointing her wand at different parts of Arabella's body, trying to decide what area would inflict the most damage.

"The Minister wouldn't want you to break the law, Professor Umbridge!" cried Hermione, her eyes brimming with tears.

"What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him," whispered Umbridge. "He never knew I ordered dementors after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same…"

"It was you?" gasped Harry. "You sent the dementors after me?"

"Somebody had to act. They were all bleating about silencing you somehow – discrediting you – but I was the only one who actually did something about it… Only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? Not today, though, not now…"

Her want came to a halt directly above Arabella's head. She took a deep breath and cried, "Cruc –!"

"NO!" shouted Hermione, her voice cracking. "No! We – we have to tell her!"

"No!" yelled Arabella.

Harry's eyes refused to look away from the wand pointed at Arabella's heart.

"We have to, Arabella," sobbed Hermione. "She's… she's going to torture you… what's… what's the point…?"

And Hermione began to cry weakly into her hands. Bulstrode let go of her with a look of disgust.

"Well, well, well!" exclaimed Umbridge. "Little Miss Question All is going to give us some answer! Come on then, girl, come on!"

Arabella stared at Hermione as Ron told her not to say anything. There was something off about her. She was sobbing desperately into her hands, but there was no trace of a tear on her face.

"I'm – I'm sorry everyone," said Hermione. "But – I can't – I can't stand by –"

"That's right, that's right, girl!" said Umbridge. She seized Hermione by the shoulders and thrust her into the abandoned armchair. "Now then… with whom was Black communicating just now?"

"Well," gulped Hermione, "well, she – and Harry – were trying to speak to Professor Dumbledore…"

Ron froze and Ginny stopped trying to stomp on her captor's toes. Luna looked mildly impressed and Harry was staring at her in wonderment. Umbridge's focus was solely on Hermione as she and her Slytherin goons did not notice these suspicious signs.

"Dumbledore?" Umbridge said eagerly. "You know where Dumbledore is, then?"

"Well… no! We've tried the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks and even the Hog's Head –"

"Idiot girl, Dumbledore won't be sitting in a pub when the whole Ministry's looking for him!"

"But – but we need to tell him something important!" sobbed Hermione, holding her hands tightly over her face.

"Yes?" said Umbridge. "What was it you wanted to tell him?"

"We… we wanted to tell him it's r – ready!" choked Hermione.

"What's ready?" Umbridge grabbed Hermione and shook her. "What's ready, girl?"

"The… the weapon."

"Weapon? Weapon?" Umbridge said excitedly. "You have been developing some method of resistance? A weapon you could use against the Ministry? On Professor Dumbledore's orders, of course?"

"Y – yes," gasped Hermione. "But – but he had to leave before it was finished and now – now we've finished it for him and we c – c – can't find him to tell him!"

"What kind of weapon is it?"

"We don't r – really understand it," said Hermione, sniffing loudly. "We j – just did what Professor Dumble – Dumbledore told us to – to do…"

Umbridge, overjoyed, straightened up and said, "Lead me to the weapon."

"I'm not showing… them," Hermione said shrilly, pointing at the Slytherins.

"It is not for you to set conditions," Umbridge said harshly.

"Fine," said Hermione, now sobbing into her hands again, "fine… let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact, I wish you'd invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th – that would serve you right – oh, I'd love it if the wh – whole school knew where it was, and how to u – use it, and then if you annoy any of them they'll be able to s – sort you out!"

Umbridge glanced around her Inquisitorial Squad suspiciously, her eyes resting for a moment on Malfoy. He tried to mask his look of eagerness and greed, but it was too late. Hermione's words had a powerful impact on Umbridge.

"All right, dear," she said to Hermione. "Let's make it just you and me… and we'll take Potter too, shall we? Get up, now –"

"Professor," Malfoy said eagerly, "I think some of the squad should come with you to look after –"

"I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Malfoy, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone?" asked Umbridge sharply. "In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something that schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these" – she gestured around at Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna – "escape and watch over this one." She jabbed her stubby finger at Arabella.

"All right," said Malfoy, looking sulky and disappointed.

"And you two can go ahead of me and show me the way," said Umbridge, pointing Hermione and Harry with her wand. "Lead on…"

The door clicked behind them and Arabella had no idea what Hermione was planning on doing or if she even had a plan. Malfoy made his way over to Arabella and pointed Harry's wand on the cheek that Umbridge slapped. Arabella moved her head away from the wand and looked around the room. Warrington's hold on Ron seemed to loosen and she could see Ron's wand sticking out from his robes. Neville was starting to get colour back in his face. Ginny was still seething against her captor and Luna continued to gaze out of the window. A plan began forming in her mind, but Arabella had no way of telling the others. She just hoped they would get the hint.

"Sad, isn't it, Malfoy?" Arabella asked idly. "Professor Umbridge, the cre-a-tor of the Inquisitorial Squad, trusts Harry more than she trusts you."

"Shut up, Black," he said roughly, digging the wand into her cheek.

"Wouldn't be the first time someone cared more about Harry than you, now would it?" Arabella continued, glancing out at the window.

"I said shut up." Malfoy dug the wand deeper into her cheek.

Arabella let out a hollow laugh. "Always second best, always overlooked, never that great, never that smart… No wonder you jumped on the chance to be part of the Inquisitorial Squad. Finally, someone came to you first instead of Harry."

She felt the wand shake for a moment before Malfoy chuckled.

"How pathetic do you think I am, Black?"

"Oh, very pathetic," she said dryly.

She looked over at Ron and gave him a small wink. He was confused for a fleeting second before giving her a short nod. Hopefully he was catching on.

"Not as pathetic as you," Malfoy said in a rush. "Tell me, did your mongrel godfather tell you the truth about your mother?"

Arabella glanced at Harry's wand and said, "Does it matter? Bet you've been dying to tell me about her all year, haven't you?"

"My father told me all about her," he breathed, leaning forward. "She was a traitor just like your father, except she chose wrong. She was an idiot and look where it landed her. She followed your aunt into her grave and she was just as pathetic. Come on, Black, you can't be this daft. You keep following Potter around like a lost puppy and sooner than later someone's going to put you down for good. I'm surprised you've even lasted this long."

"You and me both," Arabella said vaguely, staring at Luna.

"But you've done good for yourself, haven't you?" added Malfoy, straightening up. "Made Potter fall in love with you, goaded these idiots to follow your lead, and even tried to prove to everyone that you're not like the rest of us."

"Us?" asked Arabella, looking up at him with a small smile. "Oh, tell me, Malfoy, who is us?"

"Your family," he said firmly. "My mother and my father tried to save you from that mutt and set you on the right path." He then smirked as he said, "But it doesn't matter anymore, does it? You're exactly like Auntie Bella."

Arabella licked the corner of her lips, her chest tightening. "Am I now?"

"Come on, Black, you must realize the similarities," said Malfoy, sitting on the edge of Umbridge's desk. "The way you just laughed when Professor Umbridge wanted to torture you, the way your anger grows, that madness – "

"I didn't realize you paid that much attention to me, Malfoy," Arabella said lazily.

"Because you waste away all your powers for Potter," he snarled. "Instead of going on Witch Weekly and speaking about our great family you save Potter's skin. Instead of following after Auntie's lead you waste away following after a boy that will never love –"

Arabella, tired and annoyed, was done with Malfoy's ramblings. She kicked his legs off the desk, sending him crashing onto the ground with a yelp. Neville sunk his teeth down hard on Goyle's arm, causing the Slytherin to wail in pain, and shoved him against Crabbe. Ron, with a great amount of strength, elbowed Warrington hard on his ribs, causing him to double down, and Ginny scratched her captor's cheeks like a cat, drawing blood. Luna swiftly took back her wand from her captor and pointed it directly at the captor and Millicent Bulstrode, who was just a little too slow taking out her wand. Arabella stood up and grabbed her and Harry's wand from Malfoy. She then looked around at the other Slytherins. They were now at their mercy.

"Now, this is what's going to happen," she said simply. "We are going to take back our wands, tie you all up and leave this office. If you fight us, we will Stun you." She then crouched down at Malfoy, smirked and grabbed his jaw painfully. "If you continue to resist, I will show you how much of a Black I truly am, and you don't want to see that, do you, Malfoy?"

"You think you're so great, don't you?" sneered Malfoy. "Filthy blood-traitor."

"And proud. Tie them up."

But the Slytherins weren't going down without a fight. Goyle charged at Neville and punched him in the eye. Bulstrode charged at Ginny and Malfoy kicked Arabella's legs, causing her to fall next to him. He punched her in the jaw and Arabella elbowed him straight in his nose. She sat up and began punching anything she could reach. A second later, Arabella was thrown off of him and landed hard on her stomach. She flipped around and saw Warrington advancing on her, his wand pointed directly at her face.

"Oh, no you don't!" roared Ron.

Just as Ginny produced a beautiful Bat-Bogey Hex at Crabbe, Ron elbowed Warrington hard on the back of his shoulders, causing his wand to drop to the ground. With the help of Neville, they grabbed Warrington by the arms and shoved him face first into Umbridge's desk. He slid to the ground with a dazed look on his face. Quickly, Luna produced a nice Impediment Jinx on Goyle and Arabella kicked an older Slytherin girl's legs before putting her in a Full Body-Bind Curse. Relieved and panting, Arabella slowly got up from the office floor. Her jaw was aching and she could hear it crack each time she moved it. Ron's lips were swollen and Neville had a large purple lump swelling on his right eye. Malfoy was lying on the floor, slowly reaching for his wand, before Arabella pressed her foot on his hand.

"Is that wise?" she whispered. She pointed her wand directly over his face and said, "Petrificus Totalus!"

Malfoy's arms snapped to his sides and his legs sprang together. His whole body went rigid and his jaws jammed together. He couldn't speak, but his glare was full of hatred. Arabella gave him a swift kick on his sides and his eyes winced in pain.

"That one was for Harry," she mumbled.

She then surveyed the room. Every single captor was either unconscious, knocked out or in a Full Body-Bind Curse. Ginny had several scratches on her face and Luna looked pleased at Goyle. Neville began collecting the Inquisitorial Squad's wands and Arabella looked at Ron.

"Someday, huh?" he said with a bloody smile. "Getting slapped and then punched by Malfoy. Your face shows it too."

"It is that bad?" said Arabella.

"A little bruised and swollen," said Ron, shrugging. "So, what did you find out in the fire? Has You-Know-Who got Sirius?"

"Yes," Arabella said quickly. "He's probably still alive and we can save him. But we need to find Harry and Hermione first and they could be anywhere –"

"They went into the forest," said Luna.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"And you know this how?" Arabella asked skeptically.

"I saw them through the window," said Luna, pointing out into the forest.

Arabella and Ron moved towards the window just as a roar echoed through the air. Arabella grabbed Ron's shoulder and birds soared out of the forest, screeching in fright.

"What was that?" asked Neville, horrified.

"Grawp," whispered Ron. "We have to get down there now!"

They quickly ran out of the office and Neville made sure it was locked. He threw the Slytherins' wand on the ground as they headed down the corridor outside of Umbridge's office and into the Entrance Hall. Through the double doors of the Great Hall, they could hear the loud laughter and clatter of plates. It was incredible how people were celebrating the end of exams and she was racing to save her father…

They ran straight out of the front doors and down the stone steps. The sun was setting over the tree tops as they jogged across the grass. Ron was ahead of everyone and Arabella was doing her best to keep him in her eyesight as they entered the dark Forbidden Forest. Neville tripped over a thick root and Arabella scratched her cheek against a tree trunk. She was beginning to lose hope of ever finding Harry and Hermione when she heard their voices in the distant.

"By the time we've done that, Sirius'll probably be dead!"

"Well, we can't do anything without wands," said Hermione, helplessly. "Anyway, Harry, how exactly were you planning to get all the way to London?"

"That's what we were wondering," said Ron.

Harry and Hermione jumped as Arabella, Ron, Neville, Ginny and Luna came into view. They were without Umbridge, their clothes torn and slightly bloody, but they were otherwise fine and safe. Arabella let out a sigh of relief just as Hermione engulfed her into a big hug.

"You didn't think I was just going to let her torture you, did you?" asked Hermione.

Arabella gave her a small smile. "No, of course not."

"How did you get away?" Harry asked in amazement. "And what happened to your faces?"

"Arabella distracted Malfoy and we fought them off," said Ron airily. "Ginny got Crabbe with a Bat-Bogey Hex, Luna brought off a really nice Impediment Jinx, Arabella kicked the shit out of Malfoy and Neville and I got Warrington good. It was fantastic. Anyway, Luna saw you heading into the forest out of the window. What've you done with Umbridge?"

Arabella and Ron handed back Harry and Hermione's wands as Harry said, "She got carried away by a herd of centaurs."

"And they left you behind?" asked Ginny, astonished.

"No, they got chased off by Grawp," said Harry.

"Thought that was him," said Ron.

"Who's Grawp?" Luna asked interestedly.

"Hagrid's little brother," said Ron. "Anyway, never mind that now. You-Know-Who's got Sirius. How are we going to get to London?"

They all fell silent. Arabella inhaled sharply. They had wasted a lot of time trying to get Umbridge and her minions off their backs that they had forgotten this detail. Harry had his dream a while ago and Voldemort was no doubtable loosing his patience. How much longer until Voldemort decides to –

"Stop that," Harry said quickly.

Arabella looked up and blinked at him.

"I know what you're thinking and stop it," he said roughly. "We'll find a way, we just need to think."

"It's it obvious," said Luna in a matter-of-fact voice. "We'll have to fly, won't we?"

"Okay," Harry said irritably, "first of all, 'we' aren't doing anything if you're including yourself in that, and second of all, Ron's the only one with a broomstick that isn't being guarded by a security troll, so –"

"I've got a broom!" said Ginny.

"Yeah, but you're not coming," Ron said angrily.

"Excuse me, but I care what happens to Sirius as much as you do!" said Ginny. "And I'm three years older than you were when you fought You-Know-Who over the Philosopher's Stone," she added at Harry.

"Yeah, but –"

"We were all in the D.A. together," said Neville. "It was supposed to be about fighting You-Know-Who, wasn't it? And this is the first chance we've had to do something real – or was that all just a game or something?"

"No – of course it wasn't –" Harry said impatiently.

"Then we should come too," Neville said simply. "We want to help."

"That's right," said Luna, smiling.

Harry glared at Neville, Ginny and Luna as his teeth grinded together. He let out a huff of frustration and said, "Well, it doesn't matter anyway because we still don't know how to get there –"

"I thought we settled this?" said Luna, crossed. "We're flying!"

"Look," said Ron, unable to contain his anger, "you might be able to fly without a broomstick but the rest of us can't sprout wings whenever we –"

"There are other ways of flying than with broomsticks," said Luna.

"How?" Arabella asked quickly. "No rhymes or riddles. Just tell us how."

Luna pointed to the clearing behind her. Arabella whirled around and saw two thestrals standing between two trees and staring at them. She let out a small laugh and shook her head. Of course… of course Luna wanted to use the thestrals.

"Is it those mad horse things?" Ron said uncertainly. "Those ones you can't see unless you've watched someone snuff it?"

"Yeah," mumbled Harry.

"How many?"

"Just two."

"Well, we need four," said Hermione.

"Five, Hermione," said Ginny with a scowl.

"I think there are seven of us, actually," said Luna.

"Don't be stupid, we can't all go!" said Harry angrily. "Look, you three" – he pointed at Neville, Ginny and Luna –"you're not involved in this, you're not –"

They burst into protest and Arabella rubbed the side of her neck that was aching.

"Shut up!" she said loudly. "Arguing is going to get us nowhere. You want to come? Fine, but you've got to find your own thestrals –"

"Oh, more will come," Ginny said confidently.

"What makes you think that?" said Harry.

"Because in case you hadn't noticed, you and Hermione are covered in blood and we know Hagrid lures thestrals with raw meat, so that's probably why these two turned up in the first place…"

"Okay, then," said Harry. "Arabella and I will take these two and go ahead, and Ron and Hermione can stay here with you three and –"

"I am not staying behind!" Ron and Hermione said furiously.

"There's no need," said Luna. "Look, here come more now… You two must really smell…"

Arabella turned and no fewer than six or seven thestrals were making their way through the trees. Harry relented, having no choice now and didn't say anymore on the matter of Ginny, Luna and Neville coming with them. Arabella placed her hands on the nearest thestral, pushed herself up, and swung her legs over on the other side. It was exactly like riding a horse, or so Arabella had to keep telling herself as the thestral stretched its wings. She placed her knees behind the joint of the wings and secured herself. Harry and Luna were now perched on top of their thestral, Neville was having trouble swinging his legs over, while Ron, Ginny and Hermione were standing motionless, staring with their mouths open.

"What?" said Harry.

"How are we supposed to get on exactly?" said Ron weakly. "We can't see the things."

"Oh, it's easy," said Luna, sliding off her thestral. "Come here…"

She pulled them over and helped them onto the backs of their mounts one by one. They were all extremely nervous. Hermione was gripping her horses' mane tightly, her knuckles turning white, as Ron looked sick. He kept muttering underneath his breath that this was absolutely insane and that he couldn't see anything. But it was good. They wanted to be invisible. This was a rescue mission after all. They were going to break into the Ministry of Magic, save a man that was wanted for mass murder and go up against one of the most powerful and dangerous wizards of all time. Of course this was insane.

"We all ready then?" said Harry. "Okay…"

He whispered something to his thestral and they were off into the air, its wings stretched out. Arabella looked up and felt her stomach drop. Her thestral gazed after Harry and did nothing for a moment. Then, with a sweeping motion that nearly made her empty the contents of her stomach, the horse extended its wings and hurtled upward. Arabella clenched her arms and legs tightly around the horse and closed her eyes. They burst through the top most branches of the trees and Arabella finally opened her eyes when the last branch hit her cheeks.

The sunset was bloodred and it was absolutely beautiful. The thestral flew over the castle, the Hogwarts grounds, and Hogsmeade. She could see mountains, valleys and little huts with smoke coming out of their chimneys. With darkness falling, lights began emitting as they passed over more villages and the wind became cold. A winding road appeared and a single car was racing its way home through the hills. The sight of the tiny green car was spectacular and Arabella began laughing. She was destined to never have a dull year at Hogwarts, but this single moment took the cake. There was a rush of excitement as tiny, silver star began appearing over them. The light emitting from Muggle towns gave them indication as to how fast they were traveling and how far from the ground they were.

But the joy of flying in an unusual way wore off and Arabella was brought back to the matter at hand. Her smile faded as she thought back to Sirius, who was lying on the floor of the Department of Mysteries. How long had he been there? How long will Voldemort keep him alive? Or was he already gone? No, she thought definitely. No, Harry would have said something to her. Harry would have told her if he felt his scar burn with fury. She trusted him, as she always has, and he's never failed her before.

But what if we're too late, came a nagging voice in the back of her mind.

"No," Arabella whispered, pressing her face against the mane of her thestral. "He's a fighter just like mum. He's fighting… I can feel it. He's fighting like her… He has to…"

Her throat started to close and she pressed her face deeper into the thestral's mane. She didn't want the others to see her cry or show any weakness. She needed to be brave and strong, like her mother, her aunt, her grandmother and those that came before her. She needed to be brave and strong like her father, who risked everything by breaking out of Azkaban, and her godfather, who raised her despite everything.

But I'm afraid, she thought to herself. I'm afraid and scared. How can I be brave?

You have to be…

Arabella's stomach gave a jolt and they were finally descending. The thestral's head was pointing to the ground and she could hear someone shriek behind her. Bright lights were growing larger around her and she could see the tops of buildings, pale yellow windows and headlights rocketing. They were hurtling towards the pavement and Arabella braced herself for a sudden impact, but none came. The thestral touched the ground softly and Arabella slid from its back, her legs shaking and her stomach queasy. Ron landed a few feet away from her and staggered to his feet, whispering in horror to himself. Hermione and Ginny landed on either side of him, looking relieved, and Neville jumped down, shaking. Luna dismounted smoothly and Harry, who was the first to land, was looking around the overflowing dumpster street.

"What now?" Arabella asked Harry.

"Over here," he said.

He led the way over to a battered telephone box that was covered in graffiti and opened the door. Arabella gave him a fleeting look before entering the box. They all squashed themselves in and somehow found a way to close the door.

"Whoever's nearest the receive, dial six-two-four-four-two!"

Ron bent his arm and reached for the dial. A moment later, a cold female voice said, "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."

"Harry Potter, Arabella Black, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood… We're here to save someone, unless your Ministry can do it first!"

"Thank you. Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes."

Seven badges slid out of the metal chute. Hermione scooped them up and handed them out. Arabella reached beside Neville's head and grabbed her badge.

ARABELLA BLACK
Rescue Mission

"Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."

"Fine!" snapped Harry. "Now can we move?"

The telephone box shuddered and they began descending into the ground. The last thing Arabella saw before sinking down into the depts of the Ministry of Magic were the thestral's white, glittering eyes staring at her.

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know what you guys think of this chapter!