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Balance Factor Chapter 33

Year Five

Battle at the Ministry

A/N: I'd like to thank Firehedgehog! Thanks for reviewing!

This chapter was easier to write than I thought~

Read and review, as always.

Harry spit out a mouthful of blood, sneering at Umbridge. Goyle had punched him in the face when he caught him in Umbridge's office, but Harry wasn't too worried. The damage that Goyle did was negligent, even if he had cut the inside of Harry's cheek.

"The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue," Umbridge said. Hermione gave a start.

"It's illegal!" she cried.

"What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him," Umbridge said. Ryuuko was gripping Harry's pocket so hard that Harry almost feared that Ryuuko was going to rip a hole in it. "I'm sure he'll understand. There was all this talk at the Ministry about expelling you, but no one did anything. Not until I sent those dementors…"

"So it was you," Harry said, not a hint of fear on his face. Umbridge grinned, her toady smile even wider than usual.

"Cru-"

"NO! Harry! We have to tell her!" Hermione said, crying. She burst into tears, but Harry could see that there was not a single tear falling.

"Tell me what dear?" Umbridge fell for it. Harry almost laughed in relief. She fell for it. Harry listened to Hermione's simpering about a weapon that they were building for Dumbledore in the Forest and then about their 'attempts' to contact him.

"Take me to this weapon," Umbridge demanded. "You're coming too, Potter!" She prodded him in the back with his own wand and forced him and Hermione to take the lead.

Harry walked into the Forbidden Forest, sighing deeply. Hermione's strides were confident and sure, although Harry knew that she probably didn't have any idea where she was going.

There was the sound of an arrow being released. Harry stopped dead as it landed in front of him and then he looked up.

Centaurs… There had to be a hundred or more of them. Umbridge prodded him in the back with his own wand. Harry hesitated and then glanced at her.

"I demand you move, centaur! You are allowed to live in this forest by Cornelius Fudge," Umbridge demanded. "As creatures of near-human intelligence…"

That was as far as she got.

"Near human intelligence?! Our intelligence far surpasses mere human!" A centaur spoke sharply. Harry stepped away from Umbridge, as Umbridge had brought this on by herself.

"Incarcerous!"

Harry saw the spell as it was being fired. He quickly ran in front of the centaur she was aiming for, throwing up a barrier. The ropes twisted around the barrier, wrapping it, but did not reach Harry or the centaur.

"You've got some nerve, Umbridge," Harry said quietly. "To attack a centaur is suicide here."

Umbridge was having none of it though. She shot off spell after spell at the shield, screaming about "filthy half breeds". Eventually, a Crucio shattered the barrier and Harry tackled the centaur to the ground to avoid the spell. The centaur herd had enough.

They surrounded Umbridge, grabbing her violently and dragging her off. The centaur that Harry had saved twice looked at Harry quietly.

"What did you come here for, Balancer?" He spoke quietly. Harry smiled a little and offered his hand to the creature. The centaur took it and got to his hooves. "Have you come to ask for assistance?" He glanced at Hermione and then back at Harry.

"Your herd took care of the problem I needed assistance with," Harry said softly. "Please thank them for me. I… also wish to meet Bane and the peaceful one with the soft voice." He looked up at the centaur and then slid his hand into his pocket, pulling out Ryuuko and setting him on his shoulder. Ryuuko sat there comfortably, looking up at the centaur.

"Thank you for protecting my son, centaur." Ryuuko bowed his head, though only lightly as he didn't want to fall off.

"The pleasure is all mine, Light One. Though he was the one to save me," the centaur said. Hermione gripped Harry's hand and Harry held up his other hand.

"It would be rude not to thank the centaurs for their help, Hermione. No matter what kind of danger Sirius is in," Harry said calmly. "We must pay our respects."

"My name is Magorian," the centaur introduced. "You wish to speak to Bane and Ronan, correct?"

Harry nodded and Magorian stepped back to fetch them. He was only gone all of five minutes before the sound of hoof beats reached their ears again. Magorian reappeared with Bane and Ronan, looking quite proud.

"It's been a while, Bane, Ronan," Harry said. "I wish to thank you for your assistance."

"Bah! We didn't do that for you," Bane said gruffly. "We dragged her off for what she said about us."

"Even so," Harry said patiently. Ronan smiled as he spotted Ryuuko.

"Light One… You have returned," Ronan said, holding a hand out to Ryuuko. Ryuuko took a finger and shook it.

"For a short period of time, yes," Ryuuko said.

"Magorian," Harry said, looking at the centaur herd leader. "I have a request to ask of you. I will definitely repay it sometime."

"What is it?" Magorian didn't sound offended so Harry pushed on.

"I need a beast that can fly and is good with directions," Harry said softly. Magorian nodded slowly and spoke.

"The beings you ask for are Threstals," Magorian said. "Shall I summon some for you? How many do you require?"

Harry hesitated before speaking. "I would like to say five. Thank you for this, Magorian."

Magorian nodded and vanished back into the woods. Harry glanced up as Ron, Neville, Luna, and Ginny all ran up to them, panting hard.

"We escaped!" Ron panted, looking exhausted. "Finally!"

"I guess our training did pay off," Harry mused. "Ginny, what are you doing here?"

"I freed them," Ginny said proudly. "Whoa! It's that little guy from that one meeting! Who is he?"

"Hello, young lady, my name is Ryuuko," Ryuuko introduced. Ronan smiled and looked at Harry and then Hermione. Neville looked at Ryuuko and then at Harry.

"Young fouls," he said quietly. "It would be best to leave here soon."

Harry nodded at Ronan, but Ryuuko spoke.

"That woman who insulted your herd… Do you mind leaving her alive and… sane. I wish to introduce her to my counterpart when I see him again."

"The Dark One? Ah, I will tell the others then," Ronan said, nodding, a smile on his face. He galloped back into the forest.

"Harry…? Ryuuko looks awfully like you," Neville said. Harry gave a small start.

"I suppose he does," Harry agreed. He turned to Bane and said, "Bane?"

Bane turned to look at Harry and Ryuuko. He gave a low sigh and nodded slowly.

"Balancer, I do not wish to make an enemy of you," he said evenly. "But I must ask you. Why do you assist humans? You are far more powerful than they are. You have both the Light One and the Dark One on your side. You are an entity above us. Why lower yourself to this level?"

Harry's surprise showed on his face clearly. He smiled a little and shook his head. "That is a story I will reserve for another time," he said softly. "Please be patient. I will explain to you later."

Magorian arrived with five threstals. He stopped in front of Harry and nodded to him. "Here you are."

"There are only five of them and six of us," Luna said calmly. Ron looked at the group of centaurs as Harry thanked the centaurs for their help. The centaurs left, bowing to Harry and Ryuuko.

"Only take those who you are confident in protecting, Harry," Ryuuko reminded. Harry nodded.

"Ron, Hermione," Harry said. He hesitated and then said, "Neville and Luna. Ginny, I want you to stay behind."

"What?! No!" Ginny looked indignant. "Why me?! The reason they're all free is because of me! I'm part of the DA too!"

"Yes. And that is why I wish for you to stay behind. Keep an eye out for the squad and make their lives hell," Harry said calmly. "Except for Draco. He was kind of forced into it by his dad." He gave a curious look to Ginny. "I don't mind if you tie him up though and dump him in Fred and George's swamp."

Ginny paused, considering this. Finally, she nodded.

"Alright. I'll stay behind and make sure the Squad doesn't do anything stupid before Dumbledore returns," she said. "But I expect full details!"

"I would give nothing less," Harry said, mounting the threstal. "Ryuuko, you should hide in my pocket for a while. At least until we get there."

Ryuuko nodded, slipping off Harry's shoulder and onto his hand. Harry slid him back into his pocket.

-0-

Harry clamped his hand down on the orb-like Prophecy containing his name and Voldemort's. He raised an eyebrow at it and then looked at Hermione.

"I assume this little round trinket is what Voldemort wanted," Harry said calmly.

"Very good, Mister Potter. Now turn around and hand the prophecy to me."

Harry glanced at Lucius Malfoy, his eyebrow raised. "You want this junk?" Ah, so Ryuuko was right. They were outnumbered.

Gripping the inside of Harry's pocket tightly, Ryuuko's eyes narrowed. Harry didn't respond to it, though he felt his hold. Ryuuko was being unusually expressive these days. Though that may be because of his hatred towards Umbridge and her tyranny.

Malfoy scowled. "Potter, you don't know?"

"About the prophecy concerning me? Apparently not. It matters not though." Harry threw the prophecy in the air and shattered it with a burst of magic. The numerous Accios did nothing to summon the shards of glass. "I make my own future. I will not be controlled by something as weak as destiny."

Harry dived out of the way of the stunners, landing on his feet a couple feet away. Hermione and Ron both shot powerful disarming spells at Lucius and Bellatrix. Luna shot a Reducto at the glass shelves, smashing them and buying Hermione and Ron time to flee.

"Hold on tight, Ryuuko," Harry murmured. Ryuuko gripped Harry's clothes, wishing the potion would just wear off already.

Harry dodged the curses, blocking a few with the shield spell. Both Bellatrix and Lucius ran after him, so Harry grabbed Neville and jumped into the air. Neville whimpered a little, but held on to Harry tightly.

Harry knew that Hermione, Ron, and Luna could hold their own in battle, but Neville probably wouldn't be able to.

"Running away, little baby Potter?" Bellatrix mocked. Harry grinned a little, stopping inside a room the Death Room.

"Just getting into my environment," Harry said lightly. "It's dreadfully hard to swing a weapon in a crowded area." He slid his wand away, but pulled out the cane head. It was pulsing with Darkness, almost vibrating. Ryuuko gripped the edge of Harry's pocket, looking at the concealed weapon apprehensively.

"Neville... stay still," Harry ordered.

The cane head cracked a little, pouring out Darkness. Bellatrix sent out a stunner and hit the wall behind Harry. Harry raised the weapon, the blade still only made of Darkness only he could see, but every bit as deadly.

Neville looked at Harry wide-eyed, his jaw dropping a little. Lucius took a step back in shock, recognizing the cursed cane head Harry held as the one Harry had bought in the beginning of second year.

Ron, Hermione, and Luna all burst into the Death Room from the opposite side. Harry beckoned them over, throwing up a visible shield around them. The Death Eaters ran into the room, but Hermione stunned two and Ron disarmed two more.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix screamed at Harry. The red light soared through the air, but suddenly a bright burst of light from Harry's pocket engulfed the curse. Ryuuko stepped out from behind Harry, in his adult form, his red eyes narrowed and angry, his mouth set into a very displeased expression. Bellatrix gasped at the sight, able to see Ryuuko due to the amount of magic in the air.

"Aim to incapacitate, but if necessary, kill," Ryuuko said, summoning his scythe. Bellatrix screamed, shooting curses at Ryuuko as Ryuuko launched himself at her for a battle.

Harry didn't even bother pulling out his wand. He used the sword he had summoned to slice through Lucius' curse and instantly engaged him in a furious battle. Lucius backed away, shooting curses at Harry, who dodged them. Three other Death Eaters joined the fight, but Ryuuko swung his scythe, cutting the air sharply and sending stone and rock from the floor into the air.

Macnair shot a Crucio at Harry and Harry beheaded him swiftly. A shower of blood rained on the stone, but Harry didn't even flinch.

The doors banged open. Order members poured into the room. Among them were Sirius and Remus.

Harry didn't flatter. He parried two curses and shattered a third. Ryuuko was doing marginally better than Harry, having knocked out two Death Eaters and killed none.

Bellatrix was still fighting Ryuuko though, having backed away enough where she wouldn't be in reach of his deadly blade. Ryuuko's back suddenly pressed against Harry and Harry gave a small start.

"Ready?" Ryuuko asked. Harry glanced at him and nodded.

"Ready," Harry confirmed. He slipped Shirogane's katana away and grabbed Ryuuko's scythe, holding it with his father. "On three?"

Death Eaters started to flee. Harry glanced at his friends, who the Order was tending to and then looked back at Ryuuko. Ryuuko's eyes were determined, Light crawling from his feet and swirling into his scythe. Bellatrix shot a curse at them, but missed, hitting Sirius who was dueling someone else behind them.

Harry didn't even notice. He swung the scythe with Ryuuko, a blade of Light detaching from the scythe and knocking Bellatrix into a wall. Bellatrix went through the wall, causing it to crumble on top of her. She was then still.

Turning, Harry spotted Sirius just as he was falling through the veil. He gave a quick, "NO!" and dashed forward to try to catch him as Ryuuko engaged Lucius Malfoy and two others into a fight. Moody and Tonks ran over to help Ryuuko, though they looked slightly apprehensive about the deadly weapon he was holding.

Remus grabbed Harry before he could reach the veil. "He's gone, Harry. Gone."

"SIRIUS!" Harry screamed, his anguish almost palpable. "HE'S NOT DEAD! SIRIUS!"

"He is, Harry," Lupin said, looking somewhat distraught. Harry perked up a little as he heard an "OW!" come from the veil and then Sirius's body was slammed back into the cracked and heavily damaged Ministry concrete ground.

"What in the-" Lupin started.

"Alright, who was that?!" A man demanded, storming out of the veil in a towel. He took one look around, spotting Harry first. "YOU! It's your fault!"

Harry did not recognize this man. He had three scars that ran down his face, over his right eye, blinding it, though his other eye was bright gold. Wild, spiky blue hair was on his head and he had a few scars on his arms and torso, most likely from battle.

The man didn't give him a chance to speak. All of a sudden, he lunged at him, materializing two twin forked sais. Darkness collected on his body and the man was suddenly dressed.

Harry's mind screamed shin as he launched himself backwards, materializing his spear in a burst of light to block. Unfortunately, he was only able to block one sai. The other sai sank into his abdomen.

Almost immediately, an electric shock ran through him. Harry screamed in agony, causing Ryuuko to jerk back in alarm and twist around to see what was going on. Lucius' stunner hit Ryuuko's shoulder, sending him crashing into the wall, but not stunning him like it would a normal human.

"You have such a pretty voice," the man said, his single gold eye glinting. Harry grit his teeth from the pain and grabbed the sai with his right hand. The man jumped back as the sai started to decompose.

"A rei!" The man growled. Harry pulled the weapon out of his body sliding to his feet, gripping his spear. The man summoned another sai from the Darkness.

Dumbledore had arrived, but barely anyone noticed. Harry was engaging in a battle with the unusually bad-tempered, used to be half dressed man. Lupin had rushed over to help him, but was electrocuted and knocked out quite quickly. Ryuuko was still in a rather fierce battle with Lucius Malfoy, dodging and slicing his way through. Lucius was being pushed back.

Moody and Tonks rushed to help Harry, but they both suffered the same fate as Lupin. Harry met the man in battle, blow for blow. He was starting to feel the effects of being in a vessel versus his true form.

Voldemort arrived. Harry was far too busy fighting the man to spot the Killing Curse fired straight at him. Dumbledore intervened, took one look at the bloody Harry, and engaged in a duel with Voldemort.

Ryuuko finally knocked out Lucius Malfoy, hurrying to Harry's side to assist him. Harry was bleeding badly, but he hadn't bothered to worry about his wound in the heat of battle. Harry parried a blow from one of the two sai before the other sai sank into his chest.

Ryuuko's heart stopped in his chest. His ruby eyes were wide as the man grinned sadistically, holding Harry up in the air by the sai in his chest. Harry dropped his spear, blood pouring out of the wound and onto the floor. The spear vanished into particles of Darkness.

Furious, Ryuuko swung his scythe at the man. The blue haired man's eyes widened as he saw the blade of light come straight at him, obviously not expecting another rei. He crashed into the wall, dropping both Harry and the sai on the ground. Harry gasped through mouthfuls of blood, gripping the sai and pulling it out of his chest. But it was too late.

Voldemort whipped around when the air became heavier, thicker. Harry was bleeding heavily on the floor, coughing up blood, but grasping his chest as if there was something still stuck in there. Darkness was almost pouring out of Harry's body, but Ryuuko ran over to help. Dumbledore pulled Voldemort's attention back to himself.

Ryuuko pressed his hand against the wound, trying to stifle the blood flow. He looked around and then spotted Sirius' body. Then he looked back at Harry and plunged his black gloved hand into Harry's chest. Harry screamed.

The blue haired man's eyes widened. He had been dazed, but not knocked out. He stared at the two, wondering why the scene looked so familiar. And then, he remembered.

They look just like Akira and Shirogane that one time!

Except instead of shin, they were rei. The man struggled to his feet, his body heavily damaged by the blade of light. Ryuuko's face was screwed up in concentration and suddenly he pulled a small black orb from Harry's body and thrust it into Sirius' chest.

Harry coughed once more and then was still, completely passed out from blood loss and pain. The blue haired man gave Ryuuko as disbelieving look and Sirius jerked up, awake.

"What happened?!" Sirius asked, looking shocked, jolting awake. "OH MERLIN! HARRY!" He scrambled up, but was still unsteady on his legs. He crumpled to the floor. "Whoa… why do I feel so weird?"

"Try not to move, Mr. Black," Ryuuko said, his hand over Harry's chest, healing him. Harry's breathing was shallow, but no longer in pain. "You've been through a lot." His eyes were focused on Harry's wounds, the humanly lethal wounds stitching themselves up. Ryuuko glared at the man he had dazed.

"You! Name!" Ryuuko ordered. The man gulped.

"Uh… Nanaya," the man said slowly. Ryuuko glared at him, causing Nanaya to flinch. Ministry officials were now pouring onto the scene. Voldemort fled and Dumbledore rushed over to Harry and Ryuuko's side.

"How is he?" Dumbledore asked. He gave a small flinch as he saw the blood, ignoring Cornelius Fudge who was stuttering like a fool. "This is serious."

"He'll live," Ryuuko said confidently. "Leave him to me. Nanaya, I currently would really like to kill you right now. But since I need you to do something for me, I'll spare your life." His eyes hardened. "Take Mr. Black to Shirogane and tell him that he is Kazuki's Child. Shirogane will understand."

"Wait, you know Shirogane?!" Nanaya asked in disbelief.

"Nanaya… NOW!" Ryuuko ordered, his voice raising just a little. But a little was enough.

Nanaya gave a small curse and grabbed Sirius around the waist, slung him over his shoulder and jumped into the veil, ignoring Sirius' cries of protest. Harry coughed once and opened his eyes, hazy.

"Ryuu…?" Harry murmured. Ryuuko shushed him.

"Rest, Harry," Ryuuko said, squeezing Harry's shoulder with his free hand. "You earned it. Rest."

Harry's head slumped against Ryuuko's chest. Ryuuko allowed this until Dumbledore offered him a Portkey. Ryuuko shook his head.

"No. Traveling that way will damage Harry's body," Ryuuko said. He had closed the wounds superficially, but the internal wounds definitely needed more attention. "That would not be ideal." He picked Harry up and glanced at the Minister of Magic and the many Ministry workers. He pursed his lips and walked over to where Lucius Malfoy was, bending down and taking his wand.

"Headmaster, do the honors?" Ryuuko asked. Dumbledore did it without question, reviving him, ignoring the many protests. Lucius looked up and gasped, spotting Ryuuko and Dumbledore staring down at him. Ryuuko threw Lucius' wand down at his feet.

"I spared your life in honor of your son," Ryuuko said calmly. "It's what Harry would have wanted. I do not wish to see a friend of Harry's cry over your imprisonment. I suggest you rethink your loyalties." He turned away, ignoring the outrageous cries.

Lucius staggered to his feet, holding his wand. "Wait!" Ryuuko stopped walking, glancing at him over his shoulder. "Who are you?"

Ryuuko didn't answer, opening a portal of Light and walking through it to Hogwarts.