Ministry of Chaos
- Are you sure this is where you saw him appear?
- For the third time, yes, groaned Ron. Gray found out the other day, and I confirmed it yesterday morning. Just next to that closed door.
- Oh crap! The door.
Panicked, Hermione quickly escaped the crowded embrace of the Invisibility Cloak where she, Ron and Lucy had been waiting for twenty minutes now. With a quick twist of the wand, she blew up the lock that kept it shut
- Three hundred rants about the plan, and she forgets the one thing she's supposed to do, complained the wizard.
As she came back to hide by his side, Hermione pretended she didn't hear him. Maybe she didn't.
- Let's go over it once more, she said.
- Oh Merlin... complained her partner.
She ignored him.
- When Runcorn apparates, we stun him and hide him in the old theatre. We tie him up, take his hair, and Ron drinks the Polynectar. Then you go in, and I apparate back to the Sirius and Erza. The others are already with Loki. If something goes wrong.
- We invoke them, we know.
- And if you need a diversion...
- I used our old DA coin. I know!
The young wizards had realized, after their friend's passing, that he had left the Master Coin in his belongings before going to what would be his final battle. Using the Protean Charm that Hermione had put on it, they used to use this as a communication device, to know when their next secret meeting would take place. Now it would serve as a "panic button". It was likely that some other members of the D.A. might pick it up and try to understand what it meant, to no avail, but Hermione didn't have time to create a new one, despite her relative mastery of this complicated spell.
A slight *pof* cut her recap, and a tall man with large shoulders and dark hair appeared out of thin air right in front of them.
- STUPEFY.
Hermione's reflexes were quick, precise and impressive.
- Nice shot! complimented her friend. Come on, let's move.
They carried the unconscious body inside the abandoned place, as Lucy kept the door open for them.
- Merlin, he's heavier than I thought! We.. should... have used... magic!
He dropped him on the ground with no delicacy whatsoever, and Hermione feared it might wake him up. She cast a couple of spells to make sure he wouldn't move for the day. She picked some of his hair and dropped them in a vial, watching the potion taking a dark green colour, with a rancid smell of old wet cardboard.
Ron was classy enough to not complain and gulped the whole thing in a single sip.
Lucy watched him go through the painful transformation with a certain awe, and also some gratitude that she was not the one having to go through it.
She took down the old backpack from her shoulder and lifted the cover.
- You alright in there Happy?
The blue cat groaned, with a sound between complaint and pain.
- I don't want to do this...
The Exceed hated being separated from Natsu, especially when going on a mission. But he was a member of Fairy Tail after all! He was going to be brave, and to complete the quest! But there was no rule to say he couldn't complain the whole way about it.
- I'm sorry, apologized the blond mage, empathetic. We'll do it as fast as we can, and Erza promised you a nice big fish when we're back.
The cat shrugged. It was squeezed like a plush inside this bag and it really wasn't a fan of the plan. It would take a while before he stops pouting.
- I'm ready, claimed the Gryffindor with a newly found deep, rough voice. Lucy?
- Lead the way.
- Wait! screamed Hermione.
She was inspecting the unconscious body and pulled something out of one of his interior pockets. A handful of small coins marked with the symbol of the Ministry of Magic.
- I think you might need this, she said, dropping some on their hands. Please be careful.
- You know it, chuckled Ron with Runcorn's distorted smile.
Lucy addressed her with a more heartwarming, hopeful grin. The smile of Fairy Tail, the one Natsu always had, that meant "We got this."
Ron led Lucy into the alleyway, leaving his friend behind, as she *popped* away, back to Sirius and Erza. They looked awkward, unsure, and definitely not like they were family. Maybe more like an old pervert heading for a hotel room with his escort. They followed the crowded street down to a black-iron gated toilet. One marked for Ladies, the other for Men.
- See you on the other side, I guess, whispered Ron, opening his own door before the old man behind him had a chance to ask him to hurry.
For Lucy, it was the first time she was truly alone in this wizard world, and she crossed her fingers as she followed the dirty white and black floor tiles. Her two sources of comfort were the heavy bag on her shoulders, Happy hidden in there, and the weird-looking lady in front of her who would hopefully show her whatever she had to do.
She noticed her entering the cabin using a small gold coin and mentally thanked Hermione for her sharp wits.
She was not expecting to find an actual toilet, however, neither did she expect to hear the flush of the neighbour's cabin.
Unsure, she pressed hers and watched the water disappear down the drain, but nothing more happened.
- I guess that's not it, she muttered to herself.
She couldn't really find any other solution. Someone banged on the door of her cabin.
- Hey, hurry up in there, I don't have all day. Afraid to get your feet wet?
- My feet wet...?
On a hunch, she climbed into the toilet and knew she had it right. Neither her feet nor the bottom of her borrowed witch robe were wet. She pressed the flush again, and her world vanished into an absurd twirl of darkness.
When she reappeared on the other side of whatever the hell that was, she almost crashed into the legs of Ron-Corn, standing in the middle of the atrium, immobile amongst the crowd of wizards and witches hurrying to their work station.
- What's wrong ? she asked him, almost startling him.
- Oh euhm... Nothing sorry. It's just... the statue. Wasn't there last time I came by.
The statue in question, gigantic, carved in an ominous black stone, pictured a richly dressed couple, a wizard and a witch, sitting on a decorated throne, towering over the working people of the ministry.
As she looked closer, Lucy understood that the thrones were not actually decorated, but a gruesome pile of bones, faces, bodies, of men, women, children, and what seemed to be other humanoid creatures.
The shining words sculpted underneath, Magic Is Might, were impossible to miss, and to misinterpret.
- If Harry was here to see this, whispered the young wizard, he'd lose it.
- So would Natsu, answered the mage. I'm glad he's with Loki, there's a good chance the whole place would already be reduced to ashes... Come on let's go. We need to find Umbridge.
Ron took the lead and headed toward a queue of people, waiting for their turn to use the elevators.
- Albert! hailed a voice from behind. Have you seen Cattermole? It's still raining in my damned office and...
Lucy felt Ron tense by his side and saw a glimpse of hate flicker in his eyes.
- Well well, who's this beauty? asked the man.
He was dressed in a sumptuous robe, covered with gold threads, but nothing would be luxurious enough to improve the painful mediocrity of his traits.
- Hello Yaxley, greeted a man passing by with a faely cheerful voice. Yaxley ignored him, his eyes locked onto Lucy.
- I don't think I've ever seen you around, Miss...?
- Miss None-of-your-business, Yaxley, cut Ron with a severe, commanding voice. I need to bring her to Dolores Umbridge right away. Do you know where she is?
Slightly taken aback, the man looked now suspicious.
- Did your cat piss into your morning porridge, Albert?
- I am in a hurry. Do you know, or not?
- Merlin, what's going on with you? She's probably on her way to interrogate Mrs Catermo...
He snapped his fingers with a newly found, terrifying grin.
- That's where the little weasel must be! With his dirty-blooded of a wife! Well if you see him, tell him I need him to fix my office by the hour. Or his wife's status might be even shadier!
The man left with a thunderous laugh, and without sparing a last look at Lucy.
- Come on, let's go, grunted Ron by putting his hand on her shoulder.
- You know this Yaxley guy?
- He's a Death Eater. Was here a few months back, when they killed Dumbledore... That's the type of people they got in the Minsitry now... By Merlin.
A few passers-by addressed them with a curious look, reminding Ron that walls had ears in this place, and that time was limited. Thankfully, it was finally their turn to enter the elevator. The iron gate closed behind them with a scary sound, and the whole thing started moving without their consent.
Around Level Four, one man congratulated Ron/Runcorn about some play he might have made on a bloke called Dirk Cresswell. Not that it rang any bell in Ron's mind, so he just nodded.
The man left the elevator as they stopped on Level Two, HQ of Aurors among other things.
- I hope we won't have to search for her too long, muttered Lucy, more and more scared in this unknown environment.
After all, she was not the bravest of Fairy Tail. It was likely that she was actually too smart to not be scared. I could feel the deep pressure of being so far behind enemy lines, even if she could summon her friends in a second. Natsu would be way too braindead to even bother with this stress. He'd just go straight forward, yelling Umbridge's name and burning everything in his path.
- Level One, claimed the mechanical voice. Ministry of Magic and Minister's Office.
As the gate opened, four persons waiting in line to enter, the two young folks found themselves face to face with a toad-looking, pink-wrapped small woman.
- Umbridge, whispered Ron, unable to stop the word from escaping his lips.
- Runcorn, she greeted back.
Next to her, a tall wizard with long hair and a superb gold and black robe looked deep into Ron's eyes as if he were expecting something.
- Mi... Minister, finally stuttered the Gryffindor, recognizing the face from the newspaper after an urgent and quick effort of memory-searching.
- Albert, nodded the Minister with a quick smile, satisfied the etiquette was respected. What do we owe the pleasure?
With more mastery and cool than he ever thought himself capable of mastering, Ron put his hand on Lucy's forearm.
- Actually, I was looking for you, Dolores. This is Margaret, the niece of the cousin of my aunt's husband. She comes from Sweden, and... well, We have something to show you, urgently.
The witch didn't seem intrigued, but rather annoyed.
- Albert, do we really have time for these games? We have ten interviews ahead of us, one being the wife of one of our employees, if you'd believe it!
The Minister, however, seemed more receptive, even playful.
- Oh, that sounds intriguing! What is it? I want to see it too!
Taken aback, Ron froze and paled.
- Not here, Madam, Sir, intervened Lucy. It's not for prying eyes.
The Universal Language Spell gave her a slight accent, reinforcing her cover identity.
- Is it dangerous? squeaked the pink-dressed witch.
- Not at all, but it's... unique. It could stir up some unwanted attention.
- Even better, smiled the Minister. Let's get to my office! Those mudbloods can wait some more, Dolores. It will do them some good. Follow me!
He turned back and walked down the alley without waiting for the crowd he just invited, Umbridge on his steps.
- Merlin's beard, cursed Ron under his breath. What do we do?
- We follow. Didn't you see? She's got the medallion on her chest... Luck's with us.
Not necessarily reassured or convinced, Ron followed. He missed Hermione by his side. He missed Harry. Improvising was their strong suit much more than his.
The Minister's office was, of course, sumptuous. It seemed to have been recently redecorated, with colours and tones clearly inspired by the Slytherin House. The desk was made of rare wood and decorated with a black stone, maybe onyx or obsidian, while green curtains on the walls, embroidered with silver and gold, framed the luxurious chair as if it was a throne.
Minister Pius Thicknesse closed the door behind them.
- So what is it you got for us, Albert? Why so much secrecy?
Fake Albert Runcorn looked a bit embarrassed.
- Well I'm not sure if this will be of any interest to you, Minister, but I thought it would be for Dolores. Margaret, my dear?
Lucy gently nodded and took the backpack off her shoulders. Umbridge, suspicious and unusually silent, took a step back, her hand slowly reaching for her wand. The same hand first lowered, then reached her mouth when she saw the adorable blue cat jumping out of the bag.
- Oh my... It's...
- A cat ? groaned Thicknesse. Did you make such a fuss for a damn cat?
- Hey! That's mean! complained Happy with his cutest voice possible.
Now the Minister looked interested, and Umbridge even more speechless.
- He can talk? What kind of magic is this?
- It's not magic, answered Lucy/Margaret. And he can do a lot more than that. Happy, why don't you take a lap around the room and show them.
- Aye Aye!
The Exceed spread his white wings, and started flying in circles around the room. Dolores Umbridge had tears in her eyes, and never in his life would Ron have ever thought this possible, to see any emotions other than pure sadism on this toad's face.
- STUPEFIX!
No way he was going to leave anything more to chance. His former DADA teacher fell on the floor almost instantly.
- Albert? What in Merlin's...
The Death Eater's reflexes took over as he grabbed his wand with impressive speed., but Lucy, faster than him, deployed her whip and stopped him in his track, the leather wrapping around his wrist with strength.
He looked at her completely stumped, for a second, before Ron sent him back to the shadow realm with the stunner spell.
- Well played, he congratulated both Lucy and Happy. Come on, let's grab the thing and get out of here!
Lucy welcomed Happy back in her arms while Ron ripped the locket off Umbridge's neck, breaking the thin silver chain in the process.
- Let's go!
At the same time, the door burst open, revealing a pretty young witch, her nose into the pile of documents she was holding.
- Minister, I got the reports you asked me and...
She froze, looking up from her parchments and realizing what unfolded before her eyes, the minister and the Head of the Muggleborn Commission, lying on the floor, with Albert Runcorn standing over their bodies.
- Shit, muttered Ron.
Before he could move, the young woman turned back and left, screaming.
It had been a few minutes since Natsu and Gray had sait their bosoms on a literally divine couch provided by Virgo, Lucy's maid spirit, as they had entered the Divine Realm.
- Man, sighed Natsu, the Spirit World knows hospitality. I could spend eternity in that stuff.
- Flamehead, I couldn't agree more, breathed Gray in the same tone.
Wendy would have agreed as well if she wasn't half passed out, drooling of ease on her own side of the couch.
The purple-haired maid came back with a platter in her hands, crystal glasses filled with golden liquid resting in balance on top of it.
- Would the masters appreciate a drink? she asked.
- I already told you not to call them Masters... groaned Loki. That's gonna go to their head.
- But they are Mistress Lucy's trusted friends, and therefore...
She did not finish her sentence, as something seemed to catch both her and Loki's attention. They gazed at the star-filled sky above them.
- Ah, it seems Lucy's calling for us!
- Oh no! Already?
Before they could all finish their protest, Loki and Virgo grabbed them all by the arms and a white light engulfed them, stretched them and pulled them up to the skies.
- How can you be so calm, asked Hermione, biting her nails off.
- I trust Lucy, simply answered Erza.
In front of the witch's unconvinced look, she added :
- She's resourceful and cool-headed. I even think it's going to go smoother without Natsu and Gray in the way.
- Still, it's the Ministry of Magic we're talking about... Last time we were there, Harry...
She didn't finish her sentence. Erza understood nonetheless.
- I trust her, she repeated. I trust them. And if they need help, we're ready.
Hermione just shivered and pulled up her cloak against her neck, protecting herself from the cold bitter wind of autumn. Her stomach was still tight, gripped by the iron hand of fear and twisted by her feeling of uselessness.
- I know, added Erza, noticing the way she kept twisting and biting her finger. I hate to sit back and wait as well. Sometimes what's best for the plan is also the hardest: letting others take the risk.
- Hum, Erza?
- Yes?
Hermione darted her eyes towards Erza's gloved hand, mindlessly scratching and petting the head of Padfoot as she was talking.
- Oh!
She took back her hand promptly, to the evident displeasure of the big dog.
- I keep forgetting he's not a real pet.
She kneeled in front of him.
- Although you do smell like one, she added with a deadly grin. If you're nice, Mommy will give you a treat...
She scratched his throat and only stopped after Hermione loudly cleared her throat a couple of times.
- Don't make me witness that, she muttered under her breath.
Padfoot barked and Erza raised an eyebrow. Could it be that she really didn't see how it looked like?
- Anyway, I wanted to ask you... How did you get this done? All this. Leading this squad, controlling Natsu and Gray.
The redheaded mage looked at Hermione fondly.
- You mean how do I not crumble every time I feel like a single mistake could cost my friends their lives? How did I keep walking when I'm paralyzed by the fear of losing them?
Hermione lowered her head, both relieved and ashamed that Erza read through her question.
- It's a heavy burden on our shoulders. One that those men could never bear. Mostly because they're often too stupid to do so.
She snickered but added with a gentle smile, her eyes lost, looking at nothing.
- But the truth is... It's just because I'm lucky. I know they're stronger than me. Yes, I know that they fear me like the devil when they think I caught them bickering, but when things get serious... I truly believe in my heart that nothing could kill Natsu or Gray. And if anything could, well... I wouldn't be able to stop it. I would still give my life trying, don't get me wrong. But I know in my heart that they're indestructible and that the only thing they need from me, the only help I can bring them... Is to fill that role. To lead them. I know they'll do the rest.
Hermione sighed with despair and sadness choking her like an iron scarf around her neck.
- I used to feel the same about Harry. Nothing could get him. He couldn't open a damn book to save his life, and I know he relied on me so often... But I knew that, at his core, he didn't need me. Not really. He could do anything. He just... wanted me around. Because I was his friend. That's all he needed. Except...
She couldn't finish her thought, the coin in her pocket suddenly burning against her thigh.
- Merlin! They need help!
Erza smiled with the warrior's grin.
- Then help we shall give them!
- What do we do ? asked Ron in panic.
- We get the hell out of here !
Lucy expertly grabbed the medallion and ripped it off the neck of the former teacher, breaking the thin metal chain and leaving a clear mark on the skin of its former owner.
- We go, she repeated, and we walk like everything is normal, back to the elevator. Happy, back in the bag. Now!
Although Happy would usually either complain or make a snarky remark, Lucy's voice didn't leave any room for anything other than obediance. He complied and flew back into the small opening before she tossed it unceremoniously on her back.
- Go first.
Just like the Exceed, Ron obeyed and walked through the door.
On their way back to the elevator, Ron's eyes kept twitching left and right, looking in every single corner, ready for any attack or alert.
But nothing came. Nothing, but the looks of employees, stopping their tasks to stare, aware that something strange was going on. Yet none of them dared say a thing nor make a move, probably too unsure and too scared of Runcorn to risk any mistake.
Still, Ron pressed on, moving slightly faster, but fast enough to be noticed and raise a couple more eyebrows.
Unable to call him out in public, Lucy scoffed, hoping to catch his attention and make him slow down, in vain.
Finally they could see the elevators in front of us. Just a little more.
Sounds rose behind them, the ministry's employees talking in their backs. Someone shouted, far behind.
Ron pressed the button to call the machine, six times in three seconds.
More voices rose. Some footsteps. Ron Weasley didn't dare look back, sure in his core that the second he would turn, he would catch a spell in the face. He pressed the button twice more.
- Calm down... whispered Lucy.
- The Polyjuice...
Before he could add another word about the weird feeling he started to feel across his skin and bones, the cabin finally arrived and the metal door opened in front of them with the characteristic *ding* sound.
They stepped in and pressed the buttons to the main floor twice as many times.
As the gate closed, trapping them in the cage with no escape, and yet a massive feel of relief, they could see him running at them, wand out. Yaxley, shortly followed by the young woman who had walked in on them, her fingers unmistakenly pointed at them.
- Shit, whispered Ron again, just before a red spell crashed just above them as the cage finally moved up.
- I think we're going to call for help, breathed Lucy.
- You think?! pestered the wizard, pointing at his face with both index fingers.
It was morphing back into its original shape.
All hell broke loose at the same time. Out of the elevator, Ron moved quickly, keeping his head as low as possible, almost hidding behind Lucy.
He had used the very brief time of relief they had in the lift to use the Charm Hermione had taught him on the old D.A coin, warning their backup to get Plan B into motion.
As they were halfway to the closest Chimney, his heart racing and beating more erraticly than ever, an incredibly loud alarm rang through the whole Ministry. Then another one. Both overlapped in a unsufferable cacophony.
A horde of Aurors appeared out of nowhere, but not running after them, they were running with them
- There's been a terrorist attack! yelled one. Come on everyone, this is not a drill!
- There's been an explosion on Diagon Alley !
Inaudible to most, there was also another *ding* as Yaxley came out of the lift and yelled orders around, mostly about catching the imposters.
Everyone was running, Ron and Lucy more than any others, the young blond managing to slip a small apology to the poor cat being shaken around in the backpack.
A spell flew by and missed Lucy's shoulder by a hair, turning stones into rubble a few steps in front of her.
- Close the gates ! screamed the Death Eater behind them.
Some Aurors who were yet to fly away into the Chimney were now slowing down or stopping, surprised to see spells flying around in the own Ministry.
- Close the damn gated ! he repeated.
- But Sir... The terrorists...
- CLOSE THE GATES !
Iron grids started to fall violently in front of the Chmineys, trapping some folks inside, but Ron could see his exit not far in front. If only he could make it in time...
He grabbed Lucy's hand and ran just a little bit faster, with everything his body was able to give him. The change of pace unbalanced Lucy who slipped and almost fell.
Dragging her, he jumped into the opened fireplace on his right, and let the green flames consume him away, hanging tight to Lucy's hand.
They got expulsed from a toilet seat with strengh, splashing water around, even if they wouldn't get wet.
Ron wanted to feel safe, relieved, but he didnt get a chance. A huge noise in the booth next to them and the face of Yaxley, unrelentless, appeared. Grabbing Lucy even tighter, he apparated away with all the focus he could master, ignoring the scream of surprise from his companion.
Ron saw the door of 12 Square Grimmauld. Home. Relief finally swelled in his heart as he turned to Lucy.
- We made it ! Lucy we made it ! Merlin, I can't believe it ! We actually did it.
Lucy's lips streched into an uncomforable smile.
- Well played Ron. Now if you don't mind, I'll rejoice with you as soon as I've puked my guts out...
She didnt get the chance to relieve herself. The very recognizable sound of Apparition was followed by utter chaos. A purple spell flew just above her head again.
- Ron! screamed Hermione.
Out of nowhere, the young witch crashed into them with violence. She felt her hand being grabbed with the strength of an titan, and her guts twisted once more as, ignoring her scream of protest again, she was apparated away against her will.
A/N : Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Leave a comment if you did, it always helps :) See you soon with another story !