To think that they were sent to the Ministry to retrieve the prophecy from a bunch of school kids; he'd expected little resistance and the ability to easily overpower them. He'd forgotten that they were going against the teenager who'd survived the killing curse when a mere babe and his friends. He hadn't forgotten in the sense of the word; merely forgotten to consider that he was powerful enough to survive it instead of being a teenager who was still being educated on simpler charms and jinxes.
That was his mistake.
I wouldn't say it was his first mistake because that was used when he went and joined Voldemort in his quest to kill all mudbloods. (Though he wasn't quite smart enough to realise that.)
He believed that they'd had the upper hand; Potter had been cornered, confronted by Malfoy whilst his delinquent friends were each held accountable and hostage. He'd been too confident and only moments later, Aurors and the blasted Order of the Phoenix had burst into the room.
Jets of light caused everyone to scatter, take cover and return the attack. The measly children took advantage of the disturbance and joined in, turning on their captors. Many Death Eaters fell down quickly, the stronger and quicker ones being able to defend.
Antonin was confronted with the bushy haired mudblood, a girl that he would have asked the Lord to enjoy. But now wasn't the time or place and so he sent a curse, a curse that would've caused unimaginable pain that would've had her wishing for death only moments before it came. She, however, was incredibly smart and silenced him, only allowing herself to experience the quarter of the pain.
The moment she was done, he was accosted by Lupin and Tonks - two people who'd heard about and only seen from a distance. They were aiming for a takedown, he was aiming for death. It was two on one, and the odds weren't in his favour at all. He was getting weak and tired, his curses barely impacting anyone.
He watched Sirius Black disappear into the veil and winced as Bellatrix' evil cackle reached his ears. It was like listening to nails dragging on a chalkboard. Lupin was distracted and nodded at the Auror, before rushing over to restrain Potter from doing something stupid.
He felt his Dark Lord getting closer and closer, aimed a last stunner at the Auror before apparating away from the havoc. He wasn't going to be arrested today. He was going to wait at home before being called to do his Master's bidding.
Chocolate Frog Card - (Bronze) Evan Rosier - Write about any dark wizard resisting arrest or capture.