**Possible Trigger Warning, Reader Discretion advised**
CHAPTER 34
Lift 1, 7:28PM
A spine-chillingly savage roar of jubilation sounded throughout the freight as Mr. Arachne - in his leviathan spider-man form - grabbed the throat of a petrified Auror Thicknesse with one hand and the back of his neck with the other and twisted hard.
There was an audible snap as Pius' neck broke, rendering him limp and lifeless.
That wasn't enough.
Arachne twisted the corpse's head with enough brute force to separate it from its body, delighting in the spray of blood that coated his face.
"HAH! What a fucking rush!"
Auror Dawlish had practically drenched him in his blood, fitting since Arachne had transformed his arms into pincers that gutted the admittedly-valiant Auror like a carp. A horde of fist-sized acromantula feasted on Dawlish's remains, slurping down his flesh in childish eagerness to finish their meal.
Chittering victoriously, the Death Eater shook Pius' as a gladiator would his prize, laughing as the dead man's tongue lolled uselessly out of his head. He suddenly wished he had the means to keep his unexpected trophy, but now was not the time for such frivolity.
Sighing somewhat dejectedly, he tossed Thicknesse's head in the direction of Dawlish's remains, swiftly kicking the headless body over to his arachnid companions who immediately began devouring their second meal.
Shifting into his human form, Prewett smiled gratefully as one of the acromantulas reverently lifted up Pius' bloody wand.
"...For…Master…"
"Why, thank you little one!" He tenderly scratched the top of its head, chuckling to hear her squeaky clicks of delight.
The wand felt rather similar to his own as its specs - 12 inch larch with unicorn hair - were identical. Of course, with wands, they weren't really identical due to the ubiquitous nature of their creation magicks.
That, coupled with the distinct sensation of the wand recoiling from his touch.
"Unicorn hair, so bloody testy!"
Another killer baby spider offered him Dawlish's wand. "Aaah…hawthorn with dragon heartstring…much better." The wand was considerably less squeamish than Thicknesse's own, considering dragon heartstring was more susceptible to switching allegiance when its original owner was defeated. As such, it would be much easier to yield for offensive purposes.
'Still…I'd prefer my own bloody wands.' Arachne yearned for what was his, and Obediah was determined to get it back.
Plus, he'd have to be on the run for the foreseeable future, and couldn't very well do that without his carefully curated supplies.
Prewett tucked the larch wand into his backpocket and pressed the hawthorn one into the elevator button, redirecting the lift from the Atrium-level back up to the DMLE-level.
As he and his compatriots rose to Level 7 Obediah paused, suddenly struck by an absolutely brilliant idea. Transforming back into his spider-man form, he retreated and allowed Arachne to resume control, immediately instructing his faithful followers to cease their ravenous feeding.
Lifting the hawthorn wand up the Death Eater focused his magic as he stretched out his arms, flexing all his fingers like a spider flicking and winding across a web. It took little time for him to feel the ephemeral Threads of Connection that linked all magical things together, bound so closely to his own magic courtesy of the gifts bestowed upon him by his Wyld Patron. Arachne drew a deep breath, allowing his magic to build and tighten as a Tendril of Connection webbed its way around the wand, strengthening his bellow of "ARANEASEMPRA!"
An almost blinding flash of light filled the space before the spiders began multiplying and expanding in size. A churning sea of acromantula each as large as a grown man's head filled the space as their number rose to almost touch the lift's ceiling, chittering with bloodthirsty glee and the yearning hunger to feed.
Whilst regular acromantula were highly dangerous on their own, those summoned and simultaneously altered by a Wild Spider animagus posed an even greater mortal threat.
DING. "Level 7 - Magical Games and Sports." Twenty of the horde spilled out.
He skipped Level 6 at the faint sounds of spellfire he heard, not wanting to be caught in any crosshairs. After all, he'd have to come back if he intended on escaping the Ministry at all.
DING. "Level 5 - International Magical Cooperation." Fifty of the horde came tumbling out.
DING. "Level 4 - Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures." Another fifty spilled out as Arachne continued his summoning, unable to help the discordant and vicious laugh that erupted from his mouth.
Drawing another deep breath he cast a final spell, pouring more of his power through the hawthorn apparatus.
DING. "Level 3 - Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Hundreds tumbled out, practically skittering over themselves as they set about feeding to their master's will. They raced in the direction of the reception area, a seemingly endless plague of hunger and death.
Transforming back into his human form (it wasn't the time to reveal all his bag of tricks), Obediah whistled a jaunty tune as he ensured that the lift contained hundreds and hundreds more (packed like sardines) to continue its rise to Levels 2 and 1. Practically skipping out of the lift, the Death Eater followed his dutiful little beasties to their destination.
Their arrival at the reception area was marked by Senior Auror Savage screaming bloody murder, though he still had enough sense to strike out with a cry of "ARANIA EXUMAI!" followed by "LACERO!" at the offending arachnids that greedily swarmed him. It wouldn't be nearly enough as a crop surrounded and attacked him from the rear, impaling him with their pedipalps whilst dripping fangs pumped enough venom to kill him.
Naturally, they began to feast.
That horrific sight drew a scream from Auror Brenda Crickerly as she exited from the lavatory, firing off a stream of Knockback Jinxes and Spider-Repellant Charms as she scrambled backwards in abject terror.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" exclaimed terror-stricken Auror Trainee Beth Sallow as she and her fellow Trainee Brando Fungbery oscillated between casting offensive magicks whilst trying (and failing) to retreat. They'd emerged from the Avery Training Room, balking at the heinous sight that met them.
Unfortunately for the four brave souls, their combined efforts would be for naught.
Obediah could only laugh in boisterous delight as he cried out "SUPPERTIME!"
Four Minutes Earlier…
'Something's not right.'
Though he ensured his thoughts didn't register on his face, Corban Yaxley was certain that something was very wrong.
He was currently in the office of the Auror Department with junior Aurors Stuart Stebbins and Eliza Robins alongside with Senior Aurors Brody Williamson and Leighton Berrycloth, all of whom had been taxed to watch over the Auror Offices whilst Kingsley, Mad-Eye, and the rest of their team responded to the escapee crisis.
The urgency of Bones' Patronus had caused intense unease, much of which had been directed towards Corban on (unspoken) suspicion of him being a Death Eater. While he'd also made use of Berith Selwyn's Imperius conspiracy during the Death Eater trials a decade prior, Mr. Misericorde had never been officially unmasked or caught on a raid, and thus Lord Yaxley had skated by with relative ease.
Berrycloth and Williamson also thought the same, since they'd refused to stop glaring at him for the past 10 minutes.
Still, Thorfinn's arrest and subsequent confirmation as Mr. Tyrfing was a serious cause of concern. The Lance of the Dark Lord was as dangerous as he was ruthless, and Corban was certain there'd be a very long and bloody trail of dead bodies in his wake. Lord Yaxley wasn't too concerned if he succeeded in killing a few of the Auror shites, mentally sneering at the visage of Mad-Eye Moody.
Prewett had been an unexpected though not unwelcome surprise. He's always assumed the soon-to-be ex-Potter Seneschal was one of the 'good guys' despite his unctuous overeagerness, but wonders truly never ceased. Corban bit back a snort at the pale and horrified sight of James Potter after his conversation with the Hufflepuff, requesting the remainder of the day off to "handle some personal affairs". It seemed both he and Prewett had been running the same gambit on Lord Potter, though Lord Yaxley would garner that his campaign had been more successful considering the mudblood Evans' current predicament with the life-force draining Scarlet Letter Curse.
His pleasant musings were interrupted by Savage's spine-chilling scream, a sound none in the office would have ever thought the brawny and gruff man even capable of making. Spellfire and more screams followed as a distinctly disturbing crescendo of click-buzz-purrs and strange chittering.
Like a horde of very massive and hungry critters.
"What the hell is going on out there?!" exclaimed Stebbins with visible panic as Robins immediately unholstered her wand despite rapidly paling. His question was immediately answered by the panic-stricken yelling of Crickerly, Sallow, and Fungbery. A terrifying and completely random exclamation brought them all up short.
"Blimey!" exclaimed a horrified Berrycloth. "I think it's the Death Eater!"
"How the hell did he even get up here?!"
"As if you don't know, Yaxley." Williamson's tone was as cold as it was snide, causing Corban to sneer.
"Since I've been here with you four practically all day, I wouldn't have any way of knowing about any Death Eater's plans. Especially since I'm not one." Brody's replying sneer showed that he clearly didn't believe the man, but he wisely chose to respond as yet another chorus of screams sounded, followed by that same hair-raising chittering.
"We need to see what's going on out there," whispered Robins urgently.
"You mad?! We can't go out there!" Her partner looked scandalized.
Yaxley snorted. "There's no need to do that." He strode to the door with confidence, registering Williamson doing the same. Rolling his eyes, Corban softly incanted "TRANSLUCIDA," waving his elm wand in wide sweeps. The door softly glowed before a foot-wide viewing pane appeared at eye-level, allowing the two men an unobscured view of the reception area.
Nothing could have prepared them for the sight.
"SWEET CIRCE ABOVE!" Auror Brody staggered back in horror as Yaxley visibly paled.
Hordes of acromantulas filling every bit of space…
Gorging on their fallen comrades…
And some speaking whilst they savored the flesh of the dead…
"What's going on out there?!"
Corban shakingly answered Stuart's question, causing the latter to choke. A pale Eliza bit back a shudder, psychically pushing away her arachnophobia as she tightened the grip on her wand.
"...What do we do now?" rasped Leighton as Brody continued to reel at what he'd just witnessed, fighting back his mounting nausea.
"Our jobs," Yaxley replied as he retreated behind his shields and dampened any emotional response. While Mr. Misericorde would be useful in this situation based on the gravity of impending danger, it wouldn't do him any good to overpower his fellow Aurors and murder them as well. Besides, this was about survival, and if he had any intention of being useful to The Family or the Dark Lord, he needed to live through the night.
"Right. As the senior-most auror of our number and per our Rules of Engagement bylines, I hereby command you to initiate the Hedgehog Defense Protocol."
To his mild surprise, his four colleagues immediately cast Vestamentarum on their uniforms before assuming defensive strategic positions throughout the office, transforming the cubicle walls into shell domes reinforced with protective magicks as they took cover. Desks were pushed up against the wall to provide a defensive barricade from the creatures that were perfectly capable of climbing up walls. As one, WIlliamson and Berrycloth transfigured portions of the floor into tar pits to act as additional traps.
With a deep breath, Auror Yaxley cast Fianto Duri thrice at the door, along with Salvio Hexia and Protego Horribilis. They were followed by Inmobullio to seal the room's door to be as impervious as possible. He wasn't sure how well that would work against a horde of ravenous, venom-secreting, human-eating killer spiders, but he supposed it couldn't hurt. Task complete, Corban took shelter behind his own desk that he reinforced with additional protective magicks.
It was good timing too; a foreboding and rhythmic thump-thump-thump sounded over the door and grew louder in volume.
"Brace yourselves."
At the Same Time…
Hidden behind the impregnable mask of Galahad, Tom began the necessary preparations.
"LABIASsS OBSCURASsS. SsSERPENSsSORTIA."
Ensuring his vocalized spells wouldn't be heard or recognized, the Knight summoned several kingsnakes he camouflaged to blend in with the blackish-gray rock that comprised the Ministry's walls. With another more complex mental spell, he linked the serpents' visual receptors to the basilisk's eyes on his cuff, which would feed a direct and uninterrupted stream into his mind as he mentally commanded them to observe everything. As one, they all set a path to catch a Death Eater.
Waving his wand over his person, he cast a series of specialized and Parsel-enhanced Anonymous Glamor spells that would render his identity completely unknowable save a very mundane wizard…or witch's…appearance. His plain black robes were reinforced with multiple protective and stealth spells, the best-possible substitute for his Knight suit.
Satisfied, Galahad briskly made his way to the emergency stairwell adjacent to the Wizengamot seat holders' offices, quickly tracing in a distinct runic pattern that caused the smooth marble wall to recede. The stairwell was a sinuous corkscrew spiral of multiple flights framed by an impossibly tall ceiling, about three flights between each level. He scaled down one flight before pausing as the basilisk symbol on his cuff thrummed in warning. At the same time, three messenger-snakes showed a truly horrifying sight before they were summarily devoured.
Acromantulas.
Almost thirty in number, and already spinning thick dome-shaped webs to entrap their would-be prey. The creatures were hidden in the dark shadows of the ceiling and thus would escape the unsuspecting eye, if not for the infernal clicking of their pincers. As terrifying as that was, there was a keen sense of hunger that tickled the edge of the wizard's psyche, as though the ravenous appetites of the beasts had taken on life of their own.
Of course, at that exact moment, more messenger-snakes projected the equally appalling sight of several hundred of the man-eating arachnids rushing the halls of Levels 1 and 3.
Suddenly, a singular chorus of inhuman arachnid voices issued a terrifying greeting in the hallway:
"SUPPERTIME!"
And then the creatures raced to feast.
Dilating his perception and casting the Night Vision Charm, Galahad deftly flicked his wand at the webs, succeeding in unfurling and repurposing them into thick net that stopped at least half of the horde in their tracks.
"RESsSINA CONCALFA!"
Thick blasts of ichor-colored resin poured out of yew to coat the net, seeping through the holes of webbing.
"INCcCENDIO HORRIBILISsS!"
Serpentine gouts of fire impacted the napalm-soaked net, setting the creatures aflame. Their ghastly shrieks were deafening, but not enough to distract Galahad as the surviving beasties leapt from the walls about ten feet above in attack.
THUMP.
He dropped down into a prisiadki-style squat and spun, using his crouched leg as a fulcrum. The resulting propulsion momentum of The-Spinning-Salp created a rotational column of air that sent the acromantulas scuttling backward, though not enough to properly blast them away.
Non-verbal Irretios caused the remainder of the webbing to wrap around half of the descending number, holding them in place. Aguamenti saw them drenched before a hissed "GLACIUSsS MAXxXIMUSsS" turned them into ice blocks that were summarily blasted apart.
THUMP.
A trio rushed Galahad from the rear, the click-click-click of their pincers all the more ominous due to his slowed down perception. Using the railing for extra balance the Knight hoisted his body upward and somersaulted behind the charging arachnids, a hiss of "ARANIA EXxXUMAI!" blasting the beasts apart with enough force to send them crashing into the wall. A Parsel-enhanced Epoximise saw them stick before Mactasses bludgeoned them into pulp.
Lapsing his dilation, the Knight gathered all of the remains behind more webbing he transfigured into a metal dome, marking it with a glowing hazard rune the Aurors used to denote the presence of Class XXXX and XXXXX creatures.
Proceeding down the remaining steps, the Knight paused at the horrifying mental images his messenger-snakes relayed to him before they were summarily devoured.
Lips thinning, Galahad continued onward to Level 2.
DMLE Detention Center - Level 3, 7:41PM
Entire body wracked with agonizing pain from Obediah's lingering Cruciatus, Senior Auror Thistlewood slowly raised his trembling wand-hand to tap the Evidence Locker, successfully registering his magical signature and popping it wide open.
He began coughing blood as the acromantula pedipalps hoisting him up in the air began moving and thus critically damaged his heart and lungs. He felt more than saw another one of those vile beasties sink its fangs into his neck and pump him with venom, drawing more screams.
The mocking laugh of the Death Eater scum who'd ambushed him pounded through his skull alongside his screams, vision beginning to fade as the excruciating pain ratcheted in intensity and drew more of his life force. He'd put up a considerable fight, killing a handful of the creatures set upon him whilst bravely repressing his horror.
However, one wizard in the face of multiple Class XXXXX beasts was a fool's errand.
Obediah had properly worked him over with a few choice torturing techniques, having to resort to Cruciatius in the face of the Gryffindor's willful obstinance.
Hansel was a bit more compliant after ten seconds under the Unforgivable.
"Thank you for your cooperation Thistles!"
Hansel's screams turned to a furious roar on instinct at the scum's audacity, using the last vestiges of his strength to bellow "PISS OFF!" at Obediah before spitting in his face.
That obviously was the wrong thing to do and say as Prewett's blood-splattered face turned violently red.
Movements a blur he viciously snapped the auror's neck, finally putting the man out of his misery. As his soldiers began to work over the corpse, Obediah reached into the Locker and retrieved his wands and his personal satchel, a fanny-pack style of Ukrainian Ironbelly dragonhide with a hidden compartment (containing multiple subsections) modified with an Undetectable Extension Charm and locked with a Verbis Diablo password.
Within its confines was almost 200,000 galleons (slowly embezzled from the Potter vault over the span of a decade), a lockbox of jewels, his two million nest egg of muggle currency, a multitude of healing, rejuvenation, and other…exotic potions, phials of choice hairs for Polyjuice, the Potter Heir Ring, several of Mr. Toymaker's creations from his personal library, a select handful of dark texts, and a plethora of other cursed knick-knacks.
The most important of all was his master's wand, the 13½ inch vine and phoenix feather apparatus contained in a blood-warded lockbox.
"Seems like all's in order!"
Sighting Rowle's wand, he grabbed and tossed it into his satchel, knowing his fellow Death Eater would owe him one.
Snapping his stolen wands in half and tossing them aside, Prewett strapped the bag to his person and issued a sharp click-purr-buzz of instruction, rallying the horde to the exit.
Suddenly Obediah paused, turning to address the remaining detainees who sat trembling and horrified in their cells at the inconceivable sight of the killer arachnids swarming as they were led by a maniacally-grinning Death Eater drenched in entirely too much blood.
"Don't worry you lot, I didn't come here for you! Just needed to make a quick pit stop to gather supplies, but now, it's time to bid you adieu! Escapes to make, plots to revive, cabals to execute, blah-blah-blah." He laughed exuberantly, the sound more frightful as the acromantulas perfectly mimicked it. Detainee Corey Dickers began weeping in earnest as he cowered in a corner of his cell, wishing he could just melt into the ground.
"Anywho, I'm off! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" And with that sing-song declaration, Obediah merrily waved before marching to the lift with his arachnid fleet.
Jonny Shells - arrested for grand larceny - burst into tears of relief as the last of the creatures scuttled off, rocking back and forth in his cell to self-soothe. He'd nearly pissed himself a few minutes earlier at the frightful sight of so many spiders who, inexplicably, reeked of hunger. Despite Jonny's reputation as a rakish and generally unflappable wizard, he'd crumpled at the thought of being supper to those beasts, instinct screaming at him to flee.
Further curling in on himself, Jonny vowed to every deity he could think of that once he was released, he would stay far far away from a life of crime.
And possibly all of Wizarding England.
Thirty Seconds Later…
Reaching the reception area, the Death Eater noticed a curious sight.
"What's going on here my pretties?"
One of their number scuttled up to his master and said: "...More food… in there…" A hairy leg pointed to the door of the Auror Office. "...Can't reach…door magic… too strong…" Its expression became noticeably dejected as its black pebble-like eyes turned downward, before perking up at the surprisingly tender scratches on its head from its master.
"Don't be sad, little one! Papa will make it all better!"
And with that, he shifted into his Wild spider-man form as he unholstered his hornbeam wand and cried out "ARANEASEMPRA!", focusing his magic on a Thread of Connection to call forth the creatures he required.
A bright flash of light emanated from his wand, before ten massive burrowing spiders appeared. Focusing more of his magic Obediah waved his wand over their legs, transforming them into thick steel-like apparatuses.
Perfect for burrowing through floors.
As one, the summoned ten did exactly that, creating tunnels that emerged on the other side of the magically barricaded door for the spiders to fit through. In a surprise show of rank and file the acromantulas began their descent towards their next meal, horrifying the aurors on the other side of the door with their arrival.
Then came the screams.
At the Same Time…
Auror Trainee Tonks had often fantasized about being in a showoff with a dark wizard.
She wouldn't be alone, as it was a rather standard fantasy for anyone who'd ever considered the Auror program. Facing off against a dark enemy, wand brandished bravely, firing off powerful spells that would rebuff an opponent and render him or her cowering in the face of justice.
As a young girl, the Hufflepuff alumnus collected Prophet clippings detailing the heroic efforts of her mentor Alastor Moody in keeping Wizarding Britain safe, alongside other heroes such as Senior Aurors Albert Penrose, Diana MacDougal, Erec Dearborn, and Carradine Peppers (all retired or deceased). Learning of the Knights of Walpurgis in her Third Year (some years after You-Know-Who's defeat) had spurred her interest and admiration, childishly wishing to cross paths with the warriors who - despite criticism from the government - had done the brave and honorable thing in protecting their society from Death Eaters.
For Nymphadora's ninth birthday her mother purchased a very rare second-edition copy of Le Morte d'Arthur bearing Sir Thomas Malory's signature. Tonks treasured the book above almost all her possessions, using her prodigal metamorphmagery abilities to turn herself into the characters that decorated the pages, much to the amusement and delight of her parents. She'd even looped the family's house elf into her youthful shenanigans, convincing Iris to enchant life-sized dolls she could battle with.
Conscription into the Ministry had been inevitable given her abilities, and once she'd entered the Auror Academy and really began training, practicing, and preparing, the younger Tonks eagerly awaited her first major battle to prove she was as capable as the knights in the tales of her youth.
This night marked her biggest dream coming true.
It would now be her greatest nightmare.
A human shield of department personnel provided cover of Thorfinn Rowle on the easternmost wall of the expansive common space. Tears ran down the bloodied and bruised faces of many as they desperately cried out, but Silencing charms ensured they wouldn't be heard.. Their hands glued together by powerful sticking charms, feet forced apart and glued to the ground.
Like a macabre rendition of a gingerbread paper chain.
Alastor, Proudfoot, and Tonks had attempted to overwhelm the Death Eater with coordinated Avis Oppugno attacks (some with Horribilis modifiers) aimed directly above his head, as a means to circumvent the civilian barricade. Shacklebolt had taken to transfiguring some of the room's debris into stinging beetles bewitched to blend into the floor marble and attack the Death Eater from below.
Rowle successfully circumvented both attacks by rendering the critters to dust, his reaction time incomprehensibly fast. Thorfinn had them charmed the dust into razor sharp needles he aimed at the aurors, forcing them on the defensive.
As recompense for that failed gambit Rowle impaled the hearts of Darina Twycross and Louis Oggspire - Co-Heads of the Portkey Office - with his dagger, killing both instantly. Petrificus ensured their corpses remained upright as blood flowed from their gaping chest wounds, continuing their joint utility as a human shield.
Violetta Edgecombe had become absolutely hysterical at the sight, shaking with the force of her sobs as a quivering Thomas Edgecombe tried (and failed) to calm her. It didn't help at all that their voices were Silenced thus rendering their efforts futile. Tonks and Shacklebolt had recoiled at the sight, fighting against their mounting bile. Proudfoot's face turned green in horror, very nearly vomiting on his person. Moody's jaw tightened as the urge to smite the Death Eater scum surged to dangerous levels, but he wasn't willing to risk any more civilians to do so.
As horrified as they were, Senior Auror Varens and Robards were unable to help, having to focus all their efforts on Black and Montague. Any attempts at traditional even some advanced healing had all failed, watching helplessly as death encroached on their fellow aurors. In a pique of joint desperation they'd resorted to Advanced Stasis Charms, having to maintain constant concentration to uphold the spells thus they couldn't spare their wands to help their comrades.
Their only feasible exit was through the Emergency Floos positioned on the northernmost wall, but that would require not breaking their stasis spells as they walked through the battle zone. None were foolish enough to believe that Thorfinn wouldn't attack them and incur more fatalities. Their DMLE-issued emergency Portkeys were also out of the question due to the Reichenbach Protocol being in play.
Every scenario was a disaster, and they were all running out of time.
"C'mon c'mon auror friends, isn't it time to give up?" Alastor's responding growl echoed angrily through the room. "We can end all of this madness if you allow me to go my way. All of these fine wizards and witches can be remanded to your custody, death free!"
Tonks regained some of her bearing. "Stop cowering behind them like a filthy yellowbelly you are and FACE US LIKE A REAL MAN!" Proudfoot's eyes briefly widened as Alastor and Kingsley smirked.
"Strong words for a weak little girl," replied the Death Eater, tone and expression leering. Tonks snarled and started forward, only pausing at the hand Mad-Eye laid on her shoulder. She made to speak again before pausing, acute hearing picking up a new sound. In fact, her ears grew to almost four times their size as she zeroed in on the noise, causing Thorfinn's eyes to slightly widen as he'd never seen a Metamorphmagus up close before.
Well…not that he knew off.
"What is it?" asked Mad-Eye urgently.
"The lift…it's moving."
The grizzled auror turned in the direction of two lifts, causing Robards and Varens to go on immediate alert. "...You sure about that?"
"Not that lift, the other one!"
DING.
The doors of Lift 1 opened, a discordant cacophony of click-buzz-purr swelling in volume as it rained acromantulas.
"MERLIN'S SAGGY BALLS!" "BLOODY HELL!"
"RETREAT! RETREAT!" cried Alastor and Shacklebolt in unison, herding Tonks and Proudfoot in the direction of Lift 2.
Mad-Eye struck the floor thrice with his mage staff, creating a force-field Protego shield that kept the four relatively safe from the ravenous and unrelenting spiders that filled every inch of every bit of available space. Multiple Spider-Repellant Charms provided more of a reprieve as the four aurors scrambled into Lift 1. Michael wasn't completely spared as his right calf was slashed by a pincer, drawing a scream. Kingsley slammed the emergency button that caused the lift doors to begin closing as Tonks and Mad-Eye each maintained an Arania Exumai.
"Is that Prewett?!" cried Tonks, her ability rendering her eyes comically large. Six sets of eyes turned in the direction, making out the madly cackling Death Eater's blood-soaked form as the lift doors finally closed.
Five Minutes Later…
As soon as a sobbing Violetta Edgecombe activated one of the emergency Floos with her wand and passcode, Tyrfing broke her neck and tossed her aside with the rest of the corpses. He tossed in some Floo powder, pleased to see the eldritch green flames roar to life.
Turning to his unexpected partner, a nonplussed Rowle watched the acromantula make quick work of the DMT personnel as Obediah amusedly looked on. The former wasn't exactly sure how the newly-revealed Death Eater had been able to achieve such a feat, but he absolutely was in no rush to find out.
Plus, Prewett had retrieved his wand, so he could cut the man some slack.
"I imagine it's time for us to leave?"
The soon-to-be-ex-Potter Seneschal laughed exuberantly, the sight rather garish given the still-wet blood that stained his face, his teeth, and almost all of his body. Thorfinn was surprised at the frisson of disquiet that raced up his spine as the acromantula mimicked his actions, laughing as one.
"I don't suppose you have a safehouse in mind?" asked Rowle casually.
"Of course, partner!," causing Thorfinn to snort. "Proper planning prevents poor performance!" With a cheeky wink Prewett transformed into his spider-man form, startling Rowle whose eyes widened a fraction at the heinously macabre sight. Mr. Arachne unholstered his wand and made sweeping motions over the horde, incanting a spell that sounded as though he were speaking entirely backwards and causing the hair on Thorfinn's neck to rise unexpectedly.
To Rowle's well-hidden shock, the creatures shrunk until they were all thumb-sized, before coalescing into one palm-sized Acromantula that scuttled into Arachne's six hands, clicking in delight at the gentle scratches on its head. The spider was gently deposited into his knapsack which was summarily spelled shut.
"Alright then!" exclaimed a now-human Obediah. "Time to party on!"
And with that, he and his partner entered the Floo and went onward to his super secret safehouse in the forests of Silesia.
Level 2 - Grand Fête Hall, 7:42PM
Fighting to remain calm, Hecuba increased her grip on her wand, hoping her palms would just stop sweating as she fought to keep from crying out in panic.
Flanking her were Winifred and Tauria, both of whom mimicked her actions. The former's expression was perfectly blank save the faintest tinge of green to her skin, while the latter's face was near bloodless at the incomprehensible sight before her.
Lord Greengrass stood protectively in front of his wife, though he was close enough to the others to provide cover if need be as their husbands weren't in attendance. A few feet away was Lord Malfoy, expression perfectly blank with his wand at the ready, back ramrod straight. Lady Brown was the same, jaw tightened and ticking. Gathered behind them were the remaining guests, some of whom whimpered piteously whilst others shivered and quaked in growing dread.
The entire party of almost forty guests had been trapped for almost 20 minutes, a huddled and terrified mass as they gazed in varying degrees of dread, revulsion, and sheer fright at what lay ahead.
A roiling sea of acromantula, hundreds upon hundreds in number. The swarm reached the ceiling, altogether emitting a horrifying and nigh dissonant chorus of click-purr-buzz sounds that sent shudders racing down all of their collective backs. There was also the distinct sensation of hunger that licked at the minds of every person within the hall despite whatever level of Occlumency they possessed.
The beasts were only held at bay by the combined efforts of Director Bones, DIMC Director Barty Sr., Aurors Tristan Brown, Siobhan McLaggen, Oscar Prewett, and Melusine Pepper, alongside Jackson Fortescue (grandnephew of Florean) casting overlaid protective magicks spanning Protego Horribilis, Repello Inimicum, Cave Inimicum, and Fianto Duri, creating a glowing blue-white barrier that succeeded in keeping the creatures at bay. The strain of maintaining such powerful shields was obvious, as visible sweat trickled down each of their faces. Oscar, Siobhan, and Tristan's hands shook with the effort, but in true Gryffindor fashion they held fast.
While the others were expected given their professions, the latter was a surprise. An Associate Employee for the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects (under purview of the DMLE), Jackson was well-versed in all sorts of defensive magic, and was a Gryffindor to boot.
(In actuality Jackson (a.k.a. Number 28) had received the alarm notification on his charmed communication mirror and being present, decided to lend arms.)
"When the hell are we going to get out of here?!" cried Lord Avery, huddling next to his wife Beverly as she sobbed and whimpered.
"I imagine when the acromantula swarm magically disappears, Director Bones will give us the clear," was Lucius' clipped reply, causing a few nervous snickers to sound.
"Indeed Lord Malfoy." Though her voice quivered with the strain upon her magic, a tiny smile ghosted her lips.
The shield-bearers continued their spells, but all were approaching the cusp of magical exhaustion and knew they wouldn't be able to hold much longer. Suddenly, Melusine stumbled and keeled, dropping to her knees as her spells failed.
"S…S…Sorry Madam Bones," she panted, face pale from exertion. "But…couldn't hold on…any longer." As if on cue McLaggen's wand hand began shaking as his spells started to falter, with Tristan not far behind. Though his expression was resolute, Barty Sr. had to grasp his wand arm with his right hand to keep it steady as Jackson mimicked his action, teeth gritting from the effort. The shield started to fade and buckle, causing the Averys and Runcorns to moan in horror.
Grunting Amelia made her decision. "Listen up, new plan of attack. Defensive charms won't hold for long, too much of a drain and those…things aren't going to let up. We'll drop the shields and attack them back; Arania Exumai won't be enough, we'll need to paralyze them however we can and exterminate them."
"Are you mad?!" exclaimed Avery. "They'll devour us!"
"He's right, we can't do that!" "They're going to rip us apart!" "Oh no no no, this can't be happening!" "I'm too bloody young to die!" "How did this even happen?!" "This is the damn Ministry for Merlin's sake!" "What are we going to-"
"ENOUGH!" Fudge bellowed with the aid of a Sonorous, startling the occupants into shocked silence. "YOU HEARD THE WITCH! RALLY UP, PREPARE TO IMMOBILIZE AND OBLITERATE IN EQUAL MEASURE!"
Many gawked at the utterly unexpected display of power and authority, nonetheless following his lead. A pale yet determined Umbridge came to his right, chin up and wand aimed to fire.
"ON YOUR MARK BONES!"
"In 3…2…1…NOW!"
As one her team lapsed their shields and allowed the creatures to surge forth.
Desperate and horrified screams intermingled with shouts of spellfire. A mix of Colloshoo, Immobulus, and Petrificus filled the hall, along with cries of Duro, Confringo and Expulso.
The plan was working, but it wasn't enough.
The insatiable beasts crawled over each other and leapt at their prey, succeeding in killing some with their first strikes.
Kelly Runcorn's screams filled the air as three of the creatures set upon her, killing her with their venom. An enraged Albert dispatched him with a bellow of "REDUCTO!", before he was summarily attacked and brought to his knees.
Maxwell Pritchard and Gretchen Nettles - frozen with fear - succumbed to the creatures almost immediately.
Envenomed arrows flew from Daniel Greengrass' redwood wand, his aim precise as he successfully took out four of their number. Winifred mimicked her husband, eyes aglow with determination. A relentless stream of Aguamenti poured from Tauria's wand as Hecuba countered with Glacius Maximus before blasting them apart with Expulso.
Edrea Fawley and Charity Burbage - huddled in one corner of the back wall - opted for more non-conventional options, casting Jelly-Legs jinxes and Acid Hexes in equal measure as they turned their attacking horde into melting gelatin.
Unlike most in the room, Horace and Amos were hidden underneath one of the buffet tables, obscured by Disillusionment, Scent Dampening, and Foot-Silencing spells, casting Notice-Me-Nots to divert the acromantulas attention away from them.
Some may have called it cowardly, but in truly desperate times a Slytherin and Hufflepuff understood the necessity for survival.
Despite all of their brave efforts, it still wasn't enough.
Lady Acacia's pained screams filled the air, immediately diverting Tristan's attention. Without hesitation he barreled through and leapt protectively over the older witch, bodily shielding her with his own form as the acromantula tore through his back.
"NO! TRISTAN!"
A chorus of screams sounded from Daniel's section as a dozen or more of the creatures succeeded in overpowering the quartet, intent on devouring them whole. One launched a pincer through Daniel's shoulder drawing a scream. A panicking Winifred succeeded in blasting two away with a history "ARANIA EXUMAI!", but it wasn't enough as even more descended upon them.
"FLAGELLA FLAMMUM!" bellowed Lucius, conjuring a flame whip that bisected three of the spiders' heads, giving the four magicals a chance.
An arachnid duo tripped Lord Malfoy, causing him to crash onto the floor with an audible grunt. More of the horde took advantage as they leapt on top of him, only barely rebuffed by his Protego. The creatures were relentless as they bore down on their would-be meal.
Struggling and increasingly desperate Lucius saw key images of his life flash before his eyes, highlighted by precious moments with his beloved Cici and his one and only Draco.
Elm flashed as Lord Malfoy cried out "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
A bright light poured from the wand…before resolving into a mighty glowing lion! A recovered Daniel and Hecuba gawked at the incredulous sight of the premier Slytherin summoning the enduring totem of Gryffindor!
Christos roared in a fury before leaping at the offending creatures, mighty fangs puncturing through flesh and mortally wounding them.
Without hesitation a battered and bruised Amelia summoned Hippolyta, almost crying in relief as the beasts were recoiled. Dolores - hunched over a bleeding Cornelius - did the same, relieved beyond measure to see a hissing Wilberforce angrily charge forth. A hummingbird raced from Jackson Fortescue's alder wand, just as Prewett's blackthorn apparatus produced a growling Rottweiler that didn't hesitate to jump in the fray.
The reprieve brought hope as the Patronuses and their casters fought fiercely, allowing the room's occupants to catch their breath.
But like most things, it would be fleeting.
The effort of having to maintain a corporeal protector proved to be too great of a drain on cores already stretched thin. Less than a minute later, the Patronuses started to fade.
Barty Sr. and Melusine - each maintaining a shield over Amelia - stumbled as an acromantula pair tripped them, causing each of their heads smack against the floor with an audible thwack as their Protegos lapsed. This allowed a circling trio to leap on Amelia who cried out at the punctures in her shoulder and torso, forcing her to her knees.
A strange and sudden spell echoed throughout the room, causing many of the horde to freeze before being turned to ash as the remaining survivors gawked in varying degrees of shock and amazement.
Massive serpentine gouts of blue black flames encircled the entire room, slithering up the walls and burning many of the dark creatures in their wake. The strange wizard's ploy worked as the acromantula redirected their ravenous - and now enraged - attention onto the new player, descending with lethal intent.
Drawing his power onto himself, the unexpected hero hissed "AGUAMENTI TEMPESsSTASsS!" Rainclouds coalesced in the room's ceiling with audible claps of thunder as though the wizard had summoned the wrath of the sky itself.
Rain twisted downward in snakey sheets, soaking the dark creatures. It was quickly followed by "GLACcCIUSsS MAXxXIMA!", turning the acromantula into blocks of ice that were summarily exploded.
A sharp flick of yew transformed the icy shard remains into razor sharp arrows launched at the rest of the critters, his wand guiding the projectiles' direction like a conductor would his orchestra. Waves of high-pitched shrieking sounded as the arachnid scourge were gored, insides bursting out in a gory spray of bloody offal that the Knight somehow prevented from splashing on his audience.
Vision swimming from venom poisoning as she gazed at the incredible and nigh incomprehensible sight, Director Bones was able to make out the tall silhouette and nondescript face of their savior.
"Galahad…"
And with that reverent whisper, Amelia's world faded to black.
Level 4 - Beast Division Office - Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, 8:23PM
"Why. Won't. Ye. Juist. Bloody. DIE?!"
Immobulus flashed out of Sinéad Prewett's wand followed by a Duro, before Confringo saw the hardened acromantula blasted into smithereens. She repeated the combo thrice more, allowing for a bit of reprieve.
'And just my bloody luck, I'm the only one left in this damned place!' Both Stump and Lee had taken a half day, and Diggory hadn't bothered to come in at all.
'Made time for that damned fundraiser though, that eejit raggedy jimmy!' The thickening of her brogue (even mentally) let Sinéad know that she was well beyond the cusp of irritation.
Finishing up paperwork, the witch had startled at receiving an alert on her charmed Unspeakable mirror from Control alerting her of the situation. Barely a minute passed before the front door of the office caved in as the beasties poured in. Only quick thinking saw her transform into Laela as she raced into the sanctuary of her cubicle, transforming back into her human form in order to transfigure her desk into a thick metal dome that the creatures' limbs couldn't penetrate.
There was a Floo in Director Diggory's office, but it was directly behind her. Plus, with the Reichenbach Protocol in play, none of the floos in any of the offices were accessible save for the Emergency Floos on Level 6. Her emergency DoM-issued Portkey was also a bust as the wards prevented anyone from leaving or entering the premises.
"ARANIA EXUMAI!" A trio were sent screeching backwards as they got entirely too close. Sinéad was smart enough to realize that these critters had been magically modified in some capacity, though she wasn't sure how that was even possible with a Class XXXXX beast.
But, she supposed, a committed Death Eater could come up with all sorts of creative means to make nasty things truly vile.
A clicking pair of dripping mandibles distracted her from her thoughts, a flick of chestnut thrusting them away. The lull was brief, but there were still too many. She needed a better defensible position and a chance to catch her bloody breath.
Eyeing Diggory's door, the witch calculated that there was about three feet of distance between it and her cubicle barricade. Quickly weaving together a plan, Sinéad prepared her next move.
Brutally repressing her urge to shudder violently as the infernal clicking grew louder, Sinéad quietly whispered "CORPUS HOMOGENUS" on her person, biting back a grimace at the feeling of raw egg covering her head as she became Disillusioned.
'This had better bloody work else I'm spider food.'
A deft flick of her wand lowered the reinforced cubicle wall, encouraging the killer spiders to begin breaching. In a blink Laela reappeared and crouched low before leaping up and high, body aimed straight at Diggory's door. The crup yelped as several pincers slashed through the air, a hair's breadth away from ripping into her shaggy canine body. In a split-second she was mere inches from the door and transformed back into her human form as she cried out:
"PORTABETO! LIBERARE! ABERTO!"
She could hear the lock splinter from the other side as the other locking magicks were overpowered and nullified. The last spell blasted the door wide open as Sinéad tumbled through, having enough wherewithal to tuck and roll into standing form.
"COLLOPORTUS!" The door slammed shut with considerable force, squishing some of the spiders who tried to barge in. A series of transfiguration spells rendered it to an impenetrable steel door layered with Fianto Duri and Protego Horribilis.
She plopped down in her boss's chair, taking a minute or so to catch her breath. Retrieving her charmed communication mirror she tapped it thrice, speaking when Control's face appeared.
"This is 045, reporting thirty-five minutes past the eighth night-hour. This is a Code 25, mass infiltration of Class XXXXX beasts. Creatures are acromantula...magically-altered acromantula. Currently taking refuge within Office of Level 4, will need backup if possible."
"Confirmed 045. Number 078 will be re-routed to your location." Sinéad shuddered at that statement as the mirror went dark.
While super killer spiders were bad enough, a pissed off Demonobscurus was an infinitely more frightening prospect.
Two Hours Later…
Gulping down the last of his healing potion, Lord Gaunt took a deep breath as he reclined in his highback office chair, basking in the delightful sensation of the multiple Cushioning Charms against his tired limbs. He registered Nobby's concerned murmuring in the background, quietly asking the portrait of his old friend to inform Lily and Severus of the night's events.
Once Galahad succeeded in dispatching the remainder of the acromantula horde he'd disappeared, not wanting to stick around for any additional questions or concerns the DMLE Director would have even amidst the carnage.
It'd taken considerable effort to claw out a path through yet another horde of acromantula scuttling about in the hallway of the Wizengamot lords and ladies offices, but he'd succeeded and was currently resting in the confines of sanctuary. The protective parselmagic woven into his office door's security matrix (invoking the Basilisk's gaze) kept the acromantulas away.
'Thank Merlin for that small mercy.'
A few minutes passed before he registered a subtle shift in the air, the basilisk symbol of his cuff tingling as the wards were released from Amelia Bones' control.
The Reichenbach Protocol had been officially lifted, meaning he could go home and properly rest, recuperate, and review all his memories of the evening's hellish events.
POP!
"Mab?" The elf's deep blue orbs glistened with nervous excitement.
"It's the Mistress, sire! She's in labor! It's time!"
Exhaustion immediately forgotten, he gripped his valet's hand as she spirited them away.
31 March 1994
From the front page of the Daily Prophet
By Rita Skeeter
CARNAGE AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC!
MINISTER FUDGE GRIEVOUSLY INJURED!
THE DEATH EATER MENACE CONTINUES! OBEDIAH PREWETT AND THORFINN ROWLE AT-LARGE!
ACROMANTULA SCOURGE ATTACK OUR LORDS AND LADIES! KNIGHT GALAHAD INTERVENES!
MULTIPLE CASUALTIES - AURORS BLACK, YAXLEY, MONTAGUE, ABBOTT, BROWN, AND MOODY IN CRITICAL CONDITION!
STRANGE HAPPENINGS - EMERGENCE OF A SPIDER-MAN?
Witches and gentle-wizards of England, there are truly grave times ahead. Two nights ago the Death Eaters Thorfinn Rowle and Obediah Prewett launched a daring escape from the Ministry of Magic, leaving behind a bloody trail of human wreckage both civilian and Auror alike.
Aurors Black and Montague were overwhelmed by Thorfinn Rowle aka Mr. Tyrfing, leaving the two in serious critical condition in St. Mungo's. It is not known exactly how the two Aurors lost control of their prisoner, but they were not the only ones. Aurors Dawlish and Thicknesse also lost control of Obediah Prewett, who successfully murdered his two handlers before staging his grand escape.
Eyewitnesses Corey Dickers and Jonny Shells swore that Obediah Prewett - Seneschal to House Potter - was the one in control of the acromantula death horde, directing them to do his murderous bidding as they swarmed the entire Ministry. Dickers insists that the Death Eater is some form of 'spider-whisperer man', and was responsible for the majority of the death toll. Surely, the ability to control such wretched beasts is the mark of a truly Dark wizard.
However, even in the midst of the darkness, there were brief flashes of light.
Galahad - the defacto leader of the Knight of Walpurgis - made a surprise reemergence in the Ministry, almost single-handedly defeating the swarm of acromantula with a myriad of spellbinding magic that none of our eyewitnesses can aptly describe. It was good timing too, as the dark creatures nearly succeeded in killing Minister Fudge, Directors Bones and Crouch, several Ministry personnel, and quite a few of our Lords and Ladies. As with the infamous and elusive Knight-protector of Wizarding Britain, none of the witnesses at hand could pinpoint his true identity.
Overall, this unforgettable night has left an indelible mark on all of us as we witness Wizarding Britain plunged into yet another Death Eater Crisis.
This time, however, the stakes are much higher than before as our very government - our very Minister - lies in the balance of life and death. I am certain our upcoming Wizengamot summer session will be our most intriguing one yet!
For quotes from the DMLE, refer to page 3.
For an in-depth interview with survivors Acacia Lady Brown, Horace Slughorn, and Amos Diggory, refer to Page 5.
For photos of the aftermath, refer to page 6.
Regarding the birth announcement of Lord and Lady Gaunt, turn to page 13 of the Society Section.
AN 1: I could not resist making Lucius' Patronus a lion; if you recall, he's expressed some mild embarrassment at his protector before. While lions are totemic to Gryffindor, they are not exclusive to Gryffindor. A lion patronus represents one who is the 'king of beasts' and strongly affiliated with nobility and power, just as Lucius would be in his stead as Lord Malfoy and Prince Emeritus. He is fiercely protective and loyal to those he loves (i.e. Draco and Christina, even in death of the latter), and is supremely confident.
AN 2: Silesia's...curiosities will arise soon enough.
AN 3: 078 lies in the purview of Number 13, i.e. the super mysterious Director of Division 13 of the DoM. Their whole schtick will be revealed in a future chapter very soon.