The Department of Mysteries
I was exhausted, so I went to bed a little earlier. However, I couldn't sleep as my nightmares proved to be worse and Madame Pomfrey's Sleeping Draughts seemed to be useless now, so I had only one other option, Professor Snape. It was eight o'clock, an hour before curfew. I had some time. I went down to his office and knocked on the door. The door opened to reveal Professor Snape looking very displeased.
"Potter, what're you doing here at this hour? Your lessons aren't until morning."
"Professor, I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you had any strong Sleeping Draughts. Madame Pomfrey's aren't working for me anymore and I thought yours might work better."
He raised an eyebrow and then nodded as he beckoned for me to come in, which I did. "I find it strange that you were willing to come to me for help. I was under the impression you didn't trust me."
I sighed. "Regardless of our differences and contentions, Professor, I do trust you." Somewhat, I added silently.
"Really? You failed to show that trust when you attacked me two years ago."
I narrowed my eyes. "With all due respect, sir, I only did what I thought was necessary. You weren't willing to listen to Sirius or Lupin, let alone four students. Sirius could've been given the Dementor's Kiss if I hadn't intervened."
"Perhaps. So, out of curiosity, what is keeping you awake at night? You haven't had more visions, have you?"
"No, I haven't."
"Then, what, pray tell, is it?"
I hesitated, but then said, "My nightmares. Everything that I've gone through my entire life intensified a thousand fold and my worst fears. Sometimes, I even feel the pain again. At first, I ignored it, but I keep waking up screaming these days. I can't sleep anymore. I'm going mad."
"I'm sorry to hear that." He handed me an entire case of potions. "Take one of these before you go to sleep at night and you come to me if you need more or if you require something stronger, understood?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
I went back to the common room and drank the potion before I fell asleep. The following morning, we went on with my lessons. I was getting better, but it wasn't good enough to please Snape.
"You need to concentrate! If the Dark Lord invades your mind, you won't last two seconds!" he barked.
"I'm doing the best I can!" I snarled. "We've been at this for hours, if we could just stop for a moment—"
"Your best isn't good enough!" he snarled. "And the Dark Lord isn't resting! Every memory, every tiny little thing in your mind is a weapon he can use against you, so for your own sake, concentrate!"
"I am!" I snapped.
Snape let out a growl. "I see so much of your father in you! His laziness, arrogance—"
"Shut up!" I shouted. "Insult me all you want, but don't you dare insult my father! He wasn't perfect, but he was a great man!"
"Your father was a swine!" he shouted. "You're like Black, always whining about how bitterly unfair your lives have been, well it may have escaped your notice, Potter, but life isn't fair! Your father saw to that! Now, prepared yourself!"
He aimed his wand at me, but then I raised mine at his, and said, "Protego!" And then suddenly, I was in Professor Snape's mind. I saw him when he was fifteen. He was a friend of my mother's, but an enemy of my father's. I saw my father and Snape have a fight where Dad ended up hoisting Professor Snape up by the ankles and my mother defended Professor Snape, and then the memory ended and I found myself back in the office with Professor Snape looking both shocked and angry.
"Get out, Potter. Your lessons are at an end," he ordered.
"No, I'm not leaving! Not until I get some answers," I said, sternly. "That's why you hate me, isn't it? Because of what my father and his friends used to do to you when you all fought? Because I'm James's daughter, is that it?"
"That's not—"
"Then what is?" I interrupted. "Tell me!"
Professor Snape looked both angry and upset, but said, "I never hated you. I disliked you to some extent, but I do not hate you. I never could. Your mother was the most perfect woman I ever met. She was beautiful, clever, kind and gracious to some extent. I loved your mother with every fiber of my being. I love her still. We were childhood friends. But my love for her was unrequited. She only saw me a friend. Then we chose different paths and she discontinued our friendship after that incident you just saw because I called her a Mudblood when I was angry. Because of that, I had to watch as your mother, the only woman I ever cared about married my enemy, your arrogant swine of a father and see what should've been mine becomes his!"
I didn't think, I just slapped him so hard it knocked him down. "My father died trying to save me and my mother! When Voldemort came for us, he told my mother to take me and run while he tried to fight him off, even though he wasn't armed!" Tears were streaming down my cheeks as he just looked at me in shock. I ignored this. "My dad was killed by Voldemort first because he loved me and my mother and was willing to die for us! So don't you dare, don't you dare insult my father's memory like that! He didn't join Voldemort, he was willing to risk his neck by staying with Lupin during the full moon, he was willing to fight and die for those he loves, he was everything you're not and he was a greater man than you'll ever be!" I stopped to take a breath. "I'm sorry I can't be my mother and that I represent what you lost and could've had."
And with that, I ran from the office and didn't stop running until I was outside just as it grew dark. It was pouring rain and freezing, but I didn't care as I sat there crying until it became too much and I went to bed.
From that point on, Professor Snape and I only spoke when necessary in class or if I needed more Sleeping potions. We'd never exactly been friends, but now there was a definite rift in our lukewarm relationship. I told the others I didn't want to talk about it when I was asked and silently fumed and wept for weeks afterward. The Occulumency lessons had been discontinued as we weren't really speaking and because I didn't seem to need them anymore.
When the time came for our O.W.L. exams, everything went fine and was dull and quiet until our last written exam which was being supervised by Umbridge. There was the sound of something booming outside and when the door opened, Fred and George burst in on their broomsticks setting off fireworks that made the entire school cheer and laugh. Fireworks of red and blue, some that chased or stung the Slytherins, one that made all the Educational Decrees shatter and fall to the ground, and another shaped like a dragon that chased Umbridge and seemed to eat her as the students ran out of the hall and watched the twins fly away.
I joined in the cheering until I collapsed to the ground when another vision hit me. I saw Sirius in the Department of Mysteries being tortured by Voldemort who was going to kill him soon. I jerked back into reality and to Cedric's worried face.
"Helena, what is it?" he asked.
"Sirius is in trouble! Voldemort's got him!"
I started running as the others came after me.
"You're sure Voldemort has him?" said Hermione.
"Yes, I'm sure. It's just like with Ron's dad! Sirius said Voldemort was after something he didn't have before and it was in the Deparment of Mysteries. It's the same place I've been dreaming about for months, only I could remember where I saw it before until now."
"Helena, hang on a moment. What if Voldemort meant for you to see this? What if he's only hurting Sirius to get at you?" asked Hermione.
"What am I supposed to do, just let him go through with this?" I shouted. "I can't just let Sirius die! He's family!"
"Well, how're you even going to contact him?" asked Ron.
"The Floo Network. The only one not being watched is Umbridge's," I explained, as we burst into her office. "I'm going to call Sirius. You three stay here."
"Helena, not way," said Cedric. "When are you going to get it into your head that we're in this together?"
"That, you are," said Umbridge, startling us.
She had me bound to a chair and the others, including Neville, Ginny and Luna, who'd come up to help us were being held by the Inquisitorial Squad. Cedric, having beaten off two members, was being held by both Crabbe and Goyle after being weakened with a spell. Umbridge glared at me.
"You were trying to contact Dumbledore, weren't you?" she demanded.
"Go to Tartarus," I snarled.
She slapped my cheek, I didn't even flinch, I just kept glaring as Professor Snape came in and said, "You called for me, headmistress?"
"Yes, I want answers, Snape. Whether she wants to give them to me or not," said Umbridge. "Did you bring the Veritaserum?"
"I'm afraid you've used up all stores interrogating students, the last of it on Miss Chang," said Professor Snape. "I won't have anymore until the next full moon, which is, I'm sorry to say, a month away."
"A month?" said Umbridge. "But I need answers now, Snape!"
"You have my deepest apologies, headmistress. I am good with potions, but not good enough to defy the natural laws of potion-making," he said, stiffly. "I'm afraid of no use to you at the moment."
"He's got Padfoot! He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!" I blurted out, hoping he'd catch on. "He's got Padfoot! Padfoot needs help!"
"What does she mean Snape? What's Padfoot? What's hidden? What's she talking about?" asked Umbridge.
For a brief second, Professor Snape seemed to know what I was talking about, but he had to lie to Umbridge. He said, "No idea," and then left the office. I silently prayed he was going to get help.
Umbridge looked furious. "Well, if Snape won't help me. Then I'm forced to take matters into my own hands. The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue, Potter."
"Professor, you can't!" said Hermione. "It's illegal!"
"What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him. He never knew I sent Dementors after Miss Potter last July," said Umbridge."
"It was you? You sent those Dementors after me?" I said, furious. "Why?"
"They were all talking about silencing you, discrediting you somehow, but I was the only one who actually did something about it."
"You vile, evil gargoyle, you nearly got Helena killed!" Cedric shouted as he struggled against Crabbe and Goyle. "When I get my hands on you, there won't be enough of you to fill a teaspoon!"
"You're in no position to make such threats, Mr. Diggory," said Umbridge. "Now, Miss Potter, you managed to escape the Dementors and your trial, but you shan't be so lucky this time." She looked at me as if she was trying to decide which place would hurt the most when she performed the Curse.
"Voldemort couldn't even get me to scream when he used it on me. Do your worst, you self-centered, foul, loathsome evil oversized cow!" I growled.
Umbridge's face turned purple with rage. "Cru—"
"NO!" Hermione shouted. "No, Professor, stop! Helena, we have to tell her!"
"Hermione, no!" said Ron.
Hermione ignored him, took a deep breath and said, "We were trying to contact Dumbledore and tell him about the weapon. It's ready."
Ron, Cedric, Ginny, Luna and I all looked shocked at this. That hadn't been what we were doing! What was Hermione up to?
"So there is a weapon?" Umbridge looked interested. "Where is it?"
"I'll take you there, but I'm not taking them," Hermione pointed to Malfoy's gang.
"Fine, but Potter comes too," Umbridge said.
I rose up and glared at Umbridge as Hermione led us to the Dark Forest. This surprised me. Whatever Hermione was planning, it had to be dangerous. What else besides trouble lay in these woods?
"How much further is it?" Umbridge asked loudly.
"Not much!" Hermione said. "It had to be somewhere students wouldn't stumble on to it accidentally."
We finally stopped walking and came to a tree with a broken rope. I realized it was Grawp's rope. He'd broken free! Oh, crap, not good! Hermione also looked pale with fear. Her plan had gone wrong.
"There wasn't anything out here, is there?" Umbridge said. "You were trying to trick me." She seemed to be losing her mind. "You know, I really hate children."
"Really, I had no idea," I said, sarcastically.
She raised her wand but then, out of nowhere came Grawp.
"Grawp!" Hermione yelled. "Stop her!"
Grawp seemed to understand and picked up Umbridge with one hand as if she was as light as feather.
"Put me down!" Umbridge yelled. She began blasting Grawp with spells which bounced off him. Grawp finally put her down as an arrow flew into his skin; he took it out as if it was just a small sliver in his skin.
"That can't be good," I said.
Hermione and I looked to see dozens of angry centaurs standing a few feet away. They were armed and dangerous.
"No, it's worse, it's bad," Hermione said softly.
"How dare you attack me!" Umbridge yelled. She cast a spell, which made rope strangle a black centaur with brown hair.
"Stop it!" Hermione shrieked.
I whipped out my wand and undid the centaur's binds, which allowed him to stand up as he walked towards Umbridge with the rest of the herd who seemed beyond furious. If there was one thing centaurs hated, it was trespassers and people like Umbridge.
"Law Fifteen B states that any creature with near-human intelligence—" said Umbridge, but she was cut off.
"You dare say that to our face, woman?" Bane yelled.
"Filthy half-breeds!" she shrieked.
Hermione and I shook our heads. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.
The centaurs attacked her, disarmed her and carried her off.
"Helena, tell them I mean no harm!" she yelled.
"I'm sorry, Professor," I said, smiling. "But I must not tell lies."
The centaurs carried her off into the distance as she yelled in fear.
"We need to get back. The others…" said Hermione.
"Oh, crap, come on!"
They started running as fast as they could, back to Umbridge's office and met up with the others on the bridge. Cedric immediately hugged me.
"How'd you get away?" asked Hermione.
"Easy, I told them I was hungry and they took away a Puking Pastel," said Ron. "Then Ginny did a brilliant Bat-Bogey Hex."
"That's great," I said.
"Wait, so who is it you're looking for?" asked Neville.
"Long story short, Sirius Black's innocent of those charges and he's my godfather. He's in danger. I sent Snape a warning, though," I said, deciding they were trustworthy to know the truth.
"Since when does Snape listen to you?" said Ron. "We have to go!"
"Ron's right," said Ginny. "We need to go."
"There is no 'we,' here. Look, I really appreciate all you've done, but I've got you all in enough trouble. I'm going on my own," I said, firmly.
"Helena, you promised you wouldn't do that anymore. You promised you'd let me protect you!" said Cedric.
"Ced—" I began, but I was cut off.
"Cedric's right. Dumbledore's Army was all about standing up against You-Know-Who. Did you really mean all you said, or was all of that just a bunch of talk?" said Neville, as the others nodded in agreement.
I was severely annoyed and touched by their devotion. "Even if I do let you come, how on earth do we even get to the Department of Mysteries? They're watching the Floo Network, Apparation can't be done here, and brooms are too much of a risk."
"That's easy," said Luna, pointing the Threstals who'd come up to us.
I smiled at Luna and we all got on them. Hermione, Ron and Ginny rode on one, Neville and Luna rode on the other and Cedric and I were on the next. We flew off to London and to Ministry of Magic.
As soon as we were inside the Department of Mysteries we ran down the numbered aisles, searching for Sirius. Soon we arrived at number ninety-seven, but there was no sign of Sirius, nor was there any sign of any other human beings besides themselves even there.
"He should be here! This is where I saw him." I said.
"I don't think Sirius was ever here, Helena," said Hermione.
"Helena," said Neville. "Why does this have your name on it?" She pointed to one of the orbs. On the tag it read,
Helena Potter
?
The Dark Lord
A.P.W.B.D.
I looked at it. "That was in my dream," I breathed. I picked it up and listened as I saw Professor Tralawny in the orb and heard her distorted voice.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approches…Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh months dies…and the Dark Lord will mark her as his equal, but she will have powers the Dark Lord knows not…and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…"
This was why Voldemort wanted me dead? Because of some stupid prophecy? This was why my life had been what it was? I couldn't believe it. Why hadn't anyone told me about this before now?
Just then, out of nowhere,several Death Eaters in masks Apparated and surrounded us.
"Where's Sirius?" I demanded.
"One must learn the difference between reality and dream," said a very familiar male voice. The Death Eater slipped off his mask to reveal a smug Mr. Malfoy. "You saw what the Dark Lord wanted you to see."
"You come near us or do anything, I'll drop it," I threatened.
"Ha, she knows how to play! Lookie here, it's itty-bitty baby Potter," said a female's voice. A crazy looking woman appeared from behind Lucius. Her hair was a tangled mess and she wore a skanky black dress.
"Bellatrix Lestrange," said Neville, disgusted.
"'Ello. Neville Longbottom, isn't it? How's Mum and Dad?" she asked.
"Better now that they're about to be avenged!" Neville yelled.
"Neville, don't!" Cedric hissed.
"Yes, take Diggory's advice and wait, Longbottom," Mr. Malfoy sneered.
"What does Voldemort want with this?" I demanded. "Why did he need me to come and get it?"
"You dare speak his name?" Bellatrix hissed. "You filthy half-blood!"
"Did you know Voldemort's a half-blood too? Or did he lie you and claim he was a pure-blood?" I growled.
"Now, now, that's enough. She's a curious a girl, aren't you?" said Mr. Malfoy. "Let's just keep things calm. All we want is the prophecy."
"And why does that scumbag want it?" asked Cedric.
"It's all to do with Helena," said Mr. Malfoy.
"Excuse me?"
"Haven't you ever wondered why Voldemort targeted you, a mere half-blood with no real talent? Haven't you wondered what makes you so special in the Dark Lord's eyes? That prophecy in your hand is the key. Hand it over, Potter."
My eyes glazed over it.
"Helena, don't give it to them," said Ginny.
I looked up. "I already know why. Now! Stupefy!"
We all shouted this and began running. Spells flew and we all tried to escape and defend themselves. I eventually ran into Ginny who shouted, "Reducto!" and sent a Death Eater crashing into a shelf, which caused all of them to fall as we regrouped. The shelves began falling and the prophecies smashing.
"Run!" Ron yelled.
We fled for our lives and arrived in a circle-shaped room. A huge gateway stood in the center. In the gateway seemed to be whispers of familiar voices past. The only one of them intrigued by this was me.
Then, without a warning, the Death Eaters came back and had Ron, Ginny, Luna and Hermione, Cedric and Neville against the wall in hostage position. Mr. Malfory appeared before me.
"Were you really so naïve to think you could win? I'll make this simple for you. Hand over the prophecy or your friends will die, Potter," he growled.
Having no other choice, I was about to hand over the prophecy when Sirius appeared.
"Stay away from my goddaughter!" he said. He punched Mr. Malfoy square in the face as members of the Order of the Phoenix appeared and the prophecy fell to the ground, and smashed to bits.
"Sirius, watch out!" I yelled.
Spells flew everywhere as the Death Eaters and Aurors fought each other. The fight was terrible. Death Eaters were Stunned, hurt, or captured. Sirius and I fought Mr. Malfoy together. Just as we seemed to be winning, Bellatrix Lestrange yelled, "Avada Kedavra!"
Sirius was launched into the doorway and disappeared. He was gone.
The next few moments passed in a haze. I vaguely remember Lupin trying to hold on to me before I broke out of his grasp and chased down Bellatrix angrily as she said in a sing-song voice, "I killed Sirius Black! I killed Sirius Black!"
"Expelliarmus!" I shouted, knocking her down and throwing her wand away. I flung her into the wall with another spell and then I held my wand up to her throat and she looked petrified and shook with fear. "I should make you suffer the same pain you've caused so many others! I should kill you for what you did to Sirius!" I raised my wand and she shut her eyes, but I didn't perform either curse. I just performed a Stinging Hex and then magically bound her with chains she could never break free of. "But Sirius wouldn't want me to become a killer and nor do I want to become like you or Voldemort. Those are the only reasons you're still alive."
I lowered my wand, my heart aching with grief and anger. I had been ready to make her suffer or worse yet, kill her, and almost lost control of myself. But I had maintained that control because as I had told Lupin and Sirius two years ago, that sort of act is what made us different from Voldemort and his followers and succumbing to those dark desires would only make us like him, something I never wanted to be.
"Helena!" shouted a voice.
I spun around and felt tears roll down my cheeks when I saw who had spoken. "Sirius?" I said, shocked. "Sirius, is that really you?"
He was leaning on Cedric for support and looked exhausted, but he was alive. He was alive! He just nodded as I lost control over my emotions and I ran into his arms, sobbing and forgot Bellatrix.
"I'm sorry," I sobbed. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. It's okay," he whispered. "It's alright. I'm so proud of you."
"But how—?"
"The gateway," said Cedric. "It's beyond confusing, but it takes you to other places and keeps you alive. It saved him from Bellatrix's curse."
"Well, I'm glad it did. I—ah!" I clutched my forehead as I felt my scar burning. I spun around to see Voldemort behind me.
"Why not kill her, Helena? She deserves it after all she's done," he hissed. "You know the spell, now do it!"
"I will not!" I growled. "Cedric, get Sirius, out of here, now!"
Right after Cedric hid Sirius, Professor Dumbledore appeared in the Floo Fireplace. "It was foolish of you to come here, Tom. The Aurors will be here soon."
"By which time, I shall be gone and you shall be dead," said Voldemort as they engaged in a duel.
There were flashes of red and green light, then Voldemort attacked with fire which Professor Dumbledore conquered with water. He made all the glass in the Ministry shatter and then have the shards fly towards us, but Professor Dumbledore turned it to dust after I covered him with my body to protect him. Voldemort kept coming after us with one thing after another, but all of it was conquered and then he vanished for a moment.
I felt him enter my mind and collapsed to the ground as he spoke to the others. "You've lost old man. You're weak. You shall die, all of you!"
I regained control for a moment. "Professor, it's not me, it's him! You need to get away from here!"
"Helena, Helena!" said Cedric, as he knelt beside me. "Helena, look at me. I will never leave you. I love you. You're not the same! You're not! I love you!"
I clutched Cedric's hand tightly and felt tears sting my eyes. "I love you too, Ced. Help me," I gasped.
He held my hand tight. "Focus on me. I'm right here. I'm not leaving you!"
"Helena, listen to me. It's not the ways you are alike, it is how you are not," said Professor Dumbledore. "What matters is the path we choose."
I thought of everything I held most precious. I thought of my parents, Sirius, Ron, Hermione, my friends in the D.A., everyone who had ever tried to protect me; and my first kiss with Cedric, how much I loved him. "You're the one who's weak," I whispered. "You'll never know friendship or love. I feel sorry for you."
I felt Voldemort leave my mind and then saw him before me. "You are going to die, Helena Potter. And you will lose everything," he hissed, as he disappeared in a whirlwind of dust.
Just then, Cornelius Fudge and other Ministry officials arrived.
"I can't believe it," he gasped. "He's back. He's really back!"
"Caught on, have you, Minister?" said Cedric, coldly, as he scooped me into his arms. "It's about time! We were all nearly killed because of your blindness!"
"What the devil is going on? Why's Potter here? Was that Pettigrew I just saw along with You-Know-Who?" said Fudge.
"Yes, it was, Minister," said Professor Dumbledore. "And if you'll give me a moment, I'll be more than happy to talk to you and perhaps gain a pardon for Sirius Black, who has been innocent this whole time. Provided, of course; you're willing to listen to reason this time, Cornelius."
Fudge looked like he was going to faint. "Oh, I am going to regret this. But come along, Albus. We'll have a little chat."