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The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Chapter nine: The Rescue Mission
The thestrals landed lightly behind the Ministry of Magic, well out of sight of any passers by. Hermione slid off of hers gratefully. It felt weird to be riding something she couldn't see.
She looked at her surroundings. They had landed on a small wooded patch at the back of the Ministry of Magic. The woods curved round to the left and right and there was a small footpath which led to the front.
Cho and Ginny were walking over to her. She noted that Cho looked surprisingly calm for someone whose boyfriend was in a serious life or death situation. However as she approached Hermione saw that it was just an act, her eyes were filled with tears and but she blinked to get rid of them. Hermione felt a wave of admiration for the girl.
"What's the plan?" Ginny asked Hermione. Hermione shrugged; in truth she didn't have one. Harry is so much better at this she thought. She now understood how much pressure there was on him and she was impressed by the way he handled it so well.
"Get in there and get him out, I guess." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"How? Didn't you say that the wards were too strong?"
"I hadn't got that far." Admitted Hermione.
"We'll work that out as we go along then. For now we might as well figure out what we'll do when we're actually in there."
"Here's what I think we should do. Ok, the only way to travel around the building is the lifts so two thirds of us should stay to guard the lifts and a third of us should go and rescue Harry or," Hermione gulped, but it had to be said. They had to be prepared for all eventualities, "or get his body out." She watched Cho's reaction carefully. Cho blanched but fought hard not to cry. She nodded her head weakly.
"Yes." Ginny interrupted.
"You say that the only way to travel around the building is the lifts, what happens if we are guarding the lift on the first floor and the Aurors are using the lifts from floor, say three. What do we do then?" For the first time Hermione smiled.
"Auror Headquarters is on the first floor. The same floor we will be guarding the lifts on." Cho and Ginny half smiled.
"At least that's something that has been easy to solve." Hermione was about to turn away when Cho interrupted.
"How do we know where Harry is?" She asked. Hermione looked stunned.
"We don't." She turned away in horror, "we don't. How are we going to get him out if we don't know where he is?" The three of them stood there feeling distraught. It seemed as if the whole operation had failed even before it had begun. For a second Ginny looked thoughtful then hopeful.
"Dumbledore will have thought of that. You don't think he would let us do this alone, do you!" Hermione was so relieved she hugged Ginny tight.
"Gin, you're brilliant!" Ginny smiled lazily.
"I know." She said. Cho smiled.
"So now we wait." Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Now we wait."
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Two hours later they were still waiting in the same place. Hermione, Cho and Ginny had since retreated to the woods where they could plan the rescue mission effectively.
Cho leant back against one of the trees. She stared down at the rough diagram Hermione had drawn on the floor. Satisfied she looked up.
"What are we going to tell the rest of them?" She asked, jerking her head towards the rest of the DA, who were standing around in small groups, clearly bored and waiting for orders. Hermione cocked her head to the side and looked thoughtful. She had told Cho and Ginny why they were here because they had a right, and needed, to know. She had not yet told anybody else anything.
"Nothing hopefully. They don't need to know, they know that they are here to rescue Harry and let's face it, their loyalty to Harry means that they would do anything for him even if they had no idea what they were doing." Ginny nodded her head in agreement.
"Yeah but still, they have a right to know too." Ginny reasoned, "After all, they are the DA." Hermione nodded,
"I understand that. But don't forget the real reason Harry was there in the first place. The more people that know the more chance that Harry will be found out." Hermione stood up. "I'm going to tell them to get relax and try and get some sleep, despite the fact that it is in the middle of the afternoon, the next day or so is going to be difficult and I have a feeling that the next day or so is going to be particularly difficult."
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A few of the DA were asleep but most were too anxious and excited to sleep. Hermione wandered around them, encouraging them to try and get some sleep, although without much enthusiasm. She knew how they were feeling, seeing as she was feeling pretty much the same.
She had just stopped to try and persuade Seamus, Dean, Parvati, Lavender and Padma to try and get some sleep and answer, as best she could, any questions they had when there was the distinct pops of two people apparating and commotion behind her as people yelled out warnings and exclamations of surprise.
She spun around with her wand out to see the DA pointing their wands at Lupin and Kingsley. She walked over to them. When they saw who it was they lowered their wands but kept a suspicious eye on Kingsley whom they had never seen before.
Hermione greeted them enthusiastically.
"So you're our reinforcements." Lupin grinned at her.
"Yep. Dumbledore holds the DA in high esteem. He decided to send only us." Hermione cast a proud eye over the DA.
"So he should. Harry trained us well." Lupin nodded in agreement. He nodded towards the woods.
"Shall we go over there? Kingsley and I have something to tell you." They walked over to the woods and gathered around the diagram. Kingsley cast a critical eye over it and then nodded in satisfaction.
"Makes sense." He said in his deep voice, "But we have something to tell you."
"What?" asked Hermione.
"We know where Harry is being held." Lupin said. He grinned when he saw the looks of delight on the three girls' faces.
"We didn't know what to do about that." Confessed Ginny.
"Well now you do." Said Kingsley. Hermione looked at Lupin and jerked her head, indicating that they should move away from the other three.
"What are you doing here, professor? You should be in the hospital wing." Lupin shrugged.
"I wanted to help get Harry back. I felt partly responsible that he was captured. Besides, Madam Pomfrey gave me a potent strength replenishing potion and healed most of my wounds. The potion is only temporary and apparently I'll be floored when it wears off." He shrugged, "But if it gets Harry back then I'm prepared to do anything." He looked at Ginny and Cho. "Why have you told them?"
"I'm not a strong leader like Harry is. He can make the right decision on the spot without any help. I can't. I take time and I need help doing." Lupin smirked.
"That's quite a confession coming from you, Hermione." She looked at him contemptuously.
"Very funny." They stood in silence for a moment.
"Is there any way we can get in there now?" Hermione asked looking at the Ministry of Magic. Lupin shook his head sadly.
"Afraid not. The wards will come down at dawn the day after tomorrow. Until then we will have to wait." Lupin said sadly.
"That's a long time to be tortured." Hermione said softly. Lupin nodded and said nothing. He wanted to tell her that Harry was probably beyond feeling it. Wad either dead or insane, or simply too far gone to feel anything anymore, and if by some miracle he wasn't now then by dawn the day after tomorrow he certainly would be. He turned back to walk towards Kingsley, Ginny and Cho who were talking animatedly and looking down at the drawing on the floor.
"All we can do is hope. But I'm sure he'll be fine." He wasn't sure if he was reassuring Hermione or himself.
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The next day and a half passed very slowly. Hermione and Lupin knew that with every minute that passed, Harry was being pushed closer to the brink of insanity. If he wasn't there already of course.
However dawn on the second day finally came and the DA roused themselves from their fitful sleeps, throwing off the conjured blankets, putting on the cloaks and pulling up the hood then walking over to Hermione.
Eventually everyone was awake and was waiting with increasing anxiety for Hermione to tell them what to do.
"Ok. You know why we're here. Or at least you know what we are doing here. You don't know why we're here and I'm not going to tell you. We need to get Harry out of the Ministry of Magic. I'll tell you what I can. First of all Harry was doing something for Dumbledore and got captured by Aurors." The DA shared uneasy looks. If Harry was doing something that meant the Aurors were his enemy then it was obviously something very big. Hermione held up a hand to draw their attention. "What Harry was doing is of no concern to you. He was doing what was right and now he has been captured and we need to get him out. Here's what we are going to do. We're going to enter the Ministry building and get to the lifts. Then we are going to form a semi-circle in front of them. Anybody not in the DA is an enemy. If an Auror runs towards you then you attack them. The Aurors are your enemy." Hermione paused to add emphasis to her next sentence, "It is vital that we get Harry out today. If we don't then he won't get out of there."
Without waiting for the DA to say anything, Hermione turned and led the way round to the front of the building. The DA quickly followed and Lupin soon appeared next to her, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"What are you looking so pleased about?" She asked him angrily. She didn't see how he could be smiling at a time like this.
"No pressure, huh Hermione? Get him out or he's dead. That's going to inspire lots of confidence."
"Shut up. I'm doing my best."
"I know. I'm not complaining."
"Not much anyway." They walked around to the front of the building and the phone box soon came into view. Hermione stopped them outside of it. She was starting to get the feeling of fear that was common before a battle.
"Ok, we get into the Ministry of Magic through this phone box. Dial the number 62442 and state your business as 'visitor'. I'll see you all down there." There were a great number of confused looks but Hermione assured them that it would all make sense when they did it. She grabbed the people nearest to her and pulled them into the phone box. She dialled the number and listened to the cool female voice welcoming them to the Ministry as if nothing was wrong. When it came to it Hermione curtly stated her business as visitor and felt the hidden gears began to turn, taking them down into the Ministry. The doors opened and she led her small group out. They hid behind a corner and Hermione nervously peeked around it. There were only a few Aurors standing there, most of them bleary eyed and hardly alert. She smiled slightly, that would make the first part much easier.
Gradually people began to trickle through the phone box. They crouched down behind Hermione and waited for everyone else to arrive. Finally Lupin and Kingsley brought up the rear. They nodded at Hermione indicating that everyone was there.
She turned around so she could whisper to them.
"There are only a few sleepy guards standing there. Kill them and get to the lifts. Don't stop moving for anything. This has to be done quickly." She stood up and they followed her example. "Ready?" Without waiting for a reply she sprinted around the corner.
There were only about ten guards there, Hermione fired two stunners at one of them and the man, caught by surprise, crumpled to the ground.
The surprised Aurors were no match for the DA and thirty seconds later they were formed around the lifts catching their breaths, seven of the Aurors were wounded and three were dead. Hermione turned to Lupin.
"I'll give you six of the DA. Go." She turned around to order six of the DA to follow Lupin and Kingsley. Before she could open her mouth an Auror stepped out of some double doors at the end of the corridor, he saw the DA and turned to shout a warning to his comrades.
"Parvati, bring him down!" Hermione shouted desperately. It was well known that Parvati was the marksman in the DA. The only person more accurate than her was Harry. The cry came too late though. A multitude of Aurors were pouring out of the double doors. Parvati's spell struck the Auror in the throat a couple of seconds later, the Auror fell to the floor spasming for a few seconds before lying still. The shot brought whistles of appreciation.
"Jesus, Parvati that must have been four hundred paces!" Lupin stepped in front of Hermione.
"Twenty minutes and we'll be back. Now I need six of the DA." He said urgently. Hermione looked at the mass of Aurors swarming towards them.
"I can give you four and fifteen minutes. Now go." She grabbed Dean, Lavender, Justin and Anthony Goldstein. Cho shoved her way over to Hermione.
"I'm going with them." She insisted. Hermione shoved her back to the line of DA fighting off the Aurors.
"No! I need you here." Cho stared at Hermione angrily.
"In case you've forgotten, Hermione, That's my boyfriend down there!"
"Cho, you're quick with you wand and your shield charms are strong. Right now you are making a greater contribution to Harry by being here then you would by going with Lupin." She gave the unwilling girl a hard shove back towards the line and turned to Lupin.
"Go. You're wasting time." Lupin turned and with Kingsley and the four of the DA, sprinted towards the lifts. Hermione watched them go.
"Good luck" She yelled after them before running to the front of the DA line and shoving herself between Terry Boot and Padma Patil. The spells were flying thick and fast and the Aurors were desperately trying to force their way forward. However the DA were holding fast. They refused to fall. Not when Harry's life was the price of failure.
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The four DA, Kingsley and Lupin ran into the lift, Kingsley waved his wand and muttered a few words. The second panel appeared and Kingsley pressed one of them. Dean looked over to see what he had pressed.
"Torture Chamber! What the hell's going on?" Dean exclaimed. Lupin and Kingsley stared straight ahead. Dean looked around demanding an answer.
"What's going on?" He demanded again.
"When the lift stops and the doors open there will be a few Aurors standing outside. Not many and they won't be expecting us. As soon as you see them, kill them. You four are to cover our backs. If we go through any doors then you do not follow us unless we tell you to. Do you understand?" Said Kingsley, still staring straight ahead. The four DA swallowed and nodded. The lift gradually slowed to a stop and the doors slid open. The four DA heard voices coming from outside it.
"That'll be Blackrock and his boys." Said one.
"About time. We've been standing here for years." The Aurors turned towards the lifts and saw six wands facing back at them.
"What the-" exclaimed one he never finished his sentence as volleys of slashing curses flew at them and cut them down. When the final Auror lay still in the pool of blood, Lupin yelled at them,
"Come on!" They ran out of the lift, Kingsley and Lupin in the lead.
"That one!" said Kingsley, pointing at a door at the end of the corridor.
"Sure?"
"Positive."
"Come on then." Lupin turned and looked at the four DA members. "Guard this door. If Aurors come out of the lift then it means Hermione hasn't been able to hold and they're likely dead or captured. If that happens then you four will have to get us out. Understand?" The DA nodded and stood in front of the door.
Kingsley put one hand on it and looked at Lupin.
"Ready?" Lupin nodded and Kingsley threw open the door. They burst inside; time seemed to slow down for Lupin.
Inside were three Aurors, two standing at the back and one standing next to a figure slumped forward on a chair in the centre of the room, hitting him repeatedly. Lupin fired two quick slashing curses at the figures at the back of the room and the fell to the floor. Kingsley grabbed the Auror next to Harry and knocked him unconscious with a massive punch around the face. Lupin cut Harry's bonds and knelt in front of him. The moment of truth thought Lupin anxiously.
"Harry?" He asked tentatively, "Harry?" Harry stirred but did not open his eyes. "Harry, come on!" Lupin said urgently. Harry stirred again and opened his eyes slightly. Lupin looked into them. They were vacant, expressionless. Lupin felt terror and disappointment flood through him. He swore. They were too late. He was alive but insane.
"Lupin?" Harry muttered slightly. It was barely audible, spoken through a broken jaw and bleeding lips but to Lupin it was like the singing of all the angels in heaven. Lupin looked into his eyes again, there was recognition there. Lupin could have screamed for joy.
"Kingsley! He's all right! Harry's all right!"
"He's all right?"
"Yes!" Kingsley's face broke out into a broad grin.
"Well, well. Potter's made of tougher stuff than most Aurors." Lupin took a good look at Harry. The boy was a mess. His clothes were ripped and torn, they were soaking wet and smelled salty. His body was a mass of cuts and bruises. His robes were soaked with blood and his face was one mass of blood. His nose looked broken and the hood of his cloak had been mashed into the wounds. He was in a terrible state. His breathing was shallow and laboured, indicating broken ribs. Lupin lifted him up and when pressure was put on his right leg Harry screamed horribly. Kingsley stepped forward and lifted Harry into his arms.
"Bloody hell!" Harry was unconscious but his face was twisted in agony.
"Kingsley, we have to get him out of here!" Kingsley nodded and ran towards the door. He kicked it open and the DA waiting outside were caught by surprise. When they saw who it was they ran after him. Lupin ran after them.
They got to the lift and ran inside it. Lupin pressed the button and the door slid closed. The four DA looked at Harry and horror and shock took over their faces.
"Oh my God!" screamed Lavender.
"Why'd they do that to him?" Demanded Justin angrily, his face horrified and angry. Lupin and Kingsley ignored them. Eventually they got to the floor where Hermione and the DA were holding of the Aurors. The battle was still going on outside and Lupin closed his eyes and prayed to whoever was listening that they would get Harry outside safe.
Down in the torture chamber the unconscious Auror got to his feet smiling. Harry Potter, huh? Who would have guessed it?
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The six of them ran out the lift towards where Hermione and the DA were holding off an ever dwindling number of Aurors. Several of the DA were on the floor but they were all breathing and being revived and healed by their colleagues.
"Hermione!" Yelled Lupin. Hermione turned at the voice. She stared for a moment at the figure lying limp in Kingsley's arms and her face turned to an expression of utmost terror.
"He's alive! He's alive and sane!" Lupin yelled at her. The feeling of relief was so strong in Hermione that she felt herself go light-headed. She turned to the DA.
"Three volleys of slashing curses then turn and sprint to the exit, they've got him!" The DA gave a huge cheer and fired off the volleys. They turned and sprinted after Kingsley, Lupin and the other four DA members.
The Aurors did not follow. They knew they were beaten. They had been beaten by a much smaller force but a force to be reckoned with. So they turned and walked away to tend to their wounded.
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The DA, Lupin and Kingsley ran to where the thestrals were. They had never been so happy to be in the open air. They had done it! Kingsley and Lupin did not celebrate though. Harry was in serious trouble. They had to get him back to Hogwarts as quickly as possible. Hermione yelled to the DA to get on the thestrals. She had seen the seriousness of Harry's wounds and she understood the importance of getting him back as quickly as possible. The DA heard the urgency in her voice and so obeyed quickly.
She walked over to Lupin and Kingsley.
"Apparate to Hogsmeade. Tell Dumbledore we've got him and get Madam Pomfrey to get the hospital wing ready. We'll bring him back." Lupin and Kingsley nodded.
"Who shall I give Harry to?" Kingsley asked. Hermione looked around.
"Cho. Give him to Cho. She'll get him back." Kingsley nodded and walked over to her. She looked down at him as he silently placed Harry on the thestral in front of her. She choked down the sobs that threatened to spill over.
"Get him back safely for us." He said. Cho nodded.
"I will. I promise." Kingsley nodded at her and disappeared with a 'pop'. Cho bent down and softly kissed Harry on the lips. She hugged him to her tightly. His eyes fluttered open.
"Cho?"
"Hey." She smiled down at him tearfully. He tilted his head slightly and she gave him another kiss. He kissed her back.
"Don't cry, it'll be alright." She smiled again.
"I know. Now stay with me. We're getting you back to Hogwarts." Harry felt a moment of intense relief and joy at having been rescued before he fell into unconsciousness again. Cho's features turned to determination. She hugged him to her again.
"Stay with me, Harry." She kicked her thestral into the air and the Hermione led the rest of the DA up into the air.
Harry had been rescued.
A/N FAIRLY IMPORTANT
Ok, another chapter done. The 'fairly important' thing is that this is the end of the action/adventure for a while. The next few chapters are romance, very Harry/Cho with a fair bit of Ron/Hermione. So all you people who have been wanting me to bring back the Harry/Cho are to have their wish fulfilled! Harry is going to have to recover from this and who do you think will help him? That's right. Cho. So lots of Harry/Cho coming up.
I hope you have enjoyed these past few chapters, of Harry's fight inside the Ministry. I've enjoyed writing them but that's it finished. The next few chapters are romance.
Next chapter out next Friday. Thanks for your patience.
Dragon Swords Master – Thanks for the review. Ok. A difficult review to reply to. I agree with what you are saying about twists but you have to remember that there is a fine line between too many and too few. Enough twist should stop the story from becoming predictable but equally too many just become irritating. So I see what you mean, I'm sorry I used too many but I am not a professional writer so I will make mistakes. However, reviews like yours allow me to correct them. Voldemort will come soon; next it is Harry/Cho then Voldemort. Harry being tortured was a necessary part of the story, you will see why in the next few chapters. And you promised us some Harry/Cho romance. Where has it all gone? You better spend a whole section on a chapter I am trying really hard not to get angry or offended by this comment. Maybe it is just me or is it that you are demanding I write my fic to fit with how you want it. I am the one writing it and I do not appreciate people demanding I do what they want. I appreciate and like constructive criticism but I do not appreciate people making demands. However, rest assured there is a lot of Harry/Cho coming up. I'm sorry if I sound angry and I apologise but I am not very happy at the moment and your review didn't help me, which is not your fault. I'm really sorry, so forgive me.
Miliardo Peacecraft - Thanks for the review. That was a nice review to receive.
FSI - Thanks for the review.
El-permanente - Thanks for the review. Cho will play a much larger part in this fic in the next few chapters. I am glad you enjoyed that chapter so much.
The Phoenix King - Thanks for the review. Sorry I left you hanging… You will be seeing a lot more of Cho in the next few chapters.
Goddess Usaqi - Thanks for the review. Siblings, huh? That's really cool. What does Matthew Reilly write? I'm glad it was a good thing. It's good to know you love this story.
Anonymousy - Thanks for the review.
Colm - Thanks for the review. You will find out how Wizarding torture works soon.
Aizan19 - Thanks for the review. They've got him back. No more twists for a while, I've used them too much!
HoshiHikari - Thanks for the review. They saved Harry!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed.
Keep reading and reviewing 'cos I'll keep writing.
Fireboy