Chapter 79

Where there is Death…

Note from J.M. Jackson: And now we have the big fight at the Ministry. I took the title from a quote from Men in Black 3, "Where there is death, there will always be death." But you'll have to read on to see what that means...

As Lily stood facing Lucius Malfoy, she could hear the Death Eaters cheering, and laughing. "Now, Miss Potter, it is time for you and your friends to return to your school. I will tell my Lord how you acted with decency," Malfoy promised.

"Not that it'll matter to him," Lily replied.

"You do not understand him at all," Malfoy said. "He will win, Potter, and the world will be better for it."

"Kill him, Lucius," Bellatrix hissed. "Kill Pervy Potter."

"No!" Malfoy snapped, turning and facing Bellatrix. "We have the Dark Lord's prize; we need not waste time here."

"Coward!" Bellatrix declared angrily. She launched an attack at Lily, who was shocked as she was pushed aside by an unseen force, the attack missing her.

"You dare!" a familiar voice hissed. Lily's eyes widened as she saw Barty Crouch Junior emerge from the group. He immediately launched an attack at Bellatrix, who dodged it as Crouch walked over and stood next to Lily. "You dare break a word of honour? You are a disgrace!"

"Honour! You betray our Lord!" Bellatrix hissed. She launched a curse at Crouch, who immediately dodged it, grabbing Lily and pulling her back. Lily watched what was happening, shocked at everything.

"You okay, Potter?" Crouch asked.

"I… guess?" Lily was confused as she spoke.

"Potter is the Dark Lord's enemy, but you will not act like a coward, Lestrange, or is that all you know how to do?" Crouch demanded.

"Kill Potter and the traitor!" Bellatrix screeched angrily. Several Death Eaters launched attacks towards Crouch, and Lily, and as both dodged the attacks, Malfoy had to move to prevent being struck. As he did, the prophecy slipped from Malfoy's hands, shattering on the ground.

"YOU FOOL!" Malfoy screeched angrily at the Death Eater who had nearly killed him. Lily recognised him from one of the old files that she had researched; it was Dolohov.

"Potter, get back with your friends," Crouch demanded.

"Why… why are you…" Lily tried to ask, stunned.

"I never lied about honour," Crouch replied. "If I'm going to kill anyone, it won't be when they're unprepared, or when a truce has been given," he said, before launching an attack at Bellatrix.

As the Death Eaters began to race from the area, flashes of light filled the hall, just as Sirius, Fleur, Remus, Arthur, Bill, and Percy Weasley, Kingsley, Moody, and Tonks all appeared.

"Did we miss the invite?" Sirius asked, smirking. "Hello Bella."

"YOU DARE ADDRESS ME?" Bellatrix demanded, firing a killing curse towards Sirius, who dodged it.

The air became filled with curses as Sirius and Crouch pulled Lily back.

"Don't ask," Lily said, as she saw Sirius look at Crouch.

"Black, you need to get these kids out of here, they shouldn't bloody be here," Crouch said. Sirius nodded to Tonks, who began to lead the students out of the hall.

"Thank your damned boss," Sirius replied bitterly, the group hiding behind a large bookcase as the battle went on.

"Oh, I will, but kids should never be involved in a damned war," Crouch said angrily. "I assume you let her come here?"

"You taught her for a year, you really think I'm able to stop her?" Sirius demanded. Crouch chuckled.

"Good point," Crouch agreed.

"Why are you doing this?" Lily asked.

"I may work, or had worked, for the Dark Lord, but I do have honour, despite what your people believe, Potter," Crouch replied. "I don't kill unarmed or underaged people."

"You could help us," Lily said. "Why do you follow Voldemort?"

"Lily, are you insane?" Sirius asked, as Ginny took Lily's hand.

"He could have killed me any time last year, but he never did. I don't think he wants me dead," Lily said. Crouch looked at her.

"You're a damned kid, so no, I don't want you dead. Hell, you remind me a little of me," Crouch admitted.

"Maybe there's good in him, Uncle Sirius. Remember Rita Skeeter?" Lily asked.

"Your friends are fighting out there, and you're trying to save me?" Crouch asked, incredulously.

"I guess so," Lily shrugged, smiling. Her smile faded as an explosion filled the air. "Uncle Sirius, has Tonks got everyone else out?" Lily asked.

"Looks like," Ginny interceded, pointing to where Tonks was leading the group out.

"Good," Lily replied. "We stopped Voldemort's plan and the prophecy's destroyed."

"Now we need to get you out of here," Sirius told her. As he looked around the bookcase, Sirius pulled his head back to avoid being struck with a curse.

"Okay, so this isn't what I had in mind," Lily admitted, as she looked at the others. "I think… okay, I might have screwed up with this."

"We can deal with that later," Sirius said. "Right now, you need to focus on getting out of here."

"Black, get her out of here, I'll give you some cover," Crouch said. Sirius looked at the man and nodded.

"Thank you," Sirius said. Sirius took Lily's hand and ran from the bookcase, heading to the next set of cover. As the two of the ducked down behind their cover, they looked at saw Kingsley, Remus, and Moody fired a killing curse at a Death Eater, all three beams striking the man, sending him flying backwards.

Crouch launched an attack of his own at Bellatrix, who dodged it.

"TRAITOR!" Bellatrix screamed in anger. "YOU'LL DIE FOR THIS!"

"You're not that good, Lestrange," Crouch called back, and Lily could see a smirk on his face.

"We need to get out of here!" Malfoy called out, as he grabbed Bellatrix's arm. "Before Auror's arrive!"

"The traitor dies!" Bellatrix hissed.

"He will die, at the Dark Lord's hands," Malfoy said, pulling Bellatrix away, just as Sirius fired a curse towards them. Bellatrix ducked, pulling Malfoy with her.

"Come on Potter, let's move," Crouch insisted, grabbing Lily's arm. "You too, Black."

"No need to tell me twice," Sirius agreed, as the two of them fled the room, followed by the last of the Order. As they did, they slammed the door shut, running down the corridor, quickly, away from the screams of anger.

"Crouch, I can't believe I'm saying this, but… thank you," Sirius said, as they were forced down a corridor, to avoid several Death Eaters.

"Thank me later when we get out of here," Crouch replied, as they forced a door open. All three of them dropped a few feet to the ground.

"Where are we?" Lily asked.

"Stay away from that bloody archway; anyone who goes through it won't be back," Crouch warned, leading Lily and Sirius to a large rock, as several Death Eaters, including Bellatrix, Malfoy, and Narcissa Malfoy entered the room.

"Not very clever, coming in here, was it?" Bellatrix sang, laughing as she fired several shots towards the rock where the three were hiding. "You betrayed our Lord, for a child?"

"For Honour, Bellatrix, something you'll never understand," Crouch snarled. "Something I've been seeing for ages that he lacks. I should never have joined him!"

"I think I've got a lot of questions later," Lily said softly.

"If we have a later, I'll answer them," Crouch replied, just as softly. "Black, you go to the left, I'll go to the right."

"Works for me," Sirius replied, as more Death Eaters arrived. "Lily, soon as you have an opening, get out of here."

"I won't leave you, Uncle Sirius," Lily replied, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'll help keep him alive Potter, but you need to leave. I didn't just switch sides to let you die here," Crouch told her firmly. Lily looked at the two men and nodded.

As Lily prepared herself to run, an explosion to the left-hand side of the massive room caught their attention, as Remus, Arthur, Tonks, Moody, Kingsley, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Fleur, Cedric, and Victor Krum entered through the gaping hole!


"Hope we're not too late," Bill smirked, before the Order launched multiple curses towards Bellatrix and the Death Eaters. Sirius laughed as he and Crouch joined in the attacks.

"Crouch?" Remus asked, as he joined them.

"Long story short, he's on our side," Sirius replied.

"We'll be having a discussion later, Padfoot," Remus replied.

"Are they always like this?" Crouch asked, rolling his eyes.

"Pretty much," Lily confirmed, firing a curse towards a Death Eater.

"Not like that Potter, you're putting too much emphasis on the thrust," Crouch said, pulling Lily down. "Watch and learn," he added, firing a curse without thrusting forward as much. Lily nodded.

"Yes Professor," she teased. She then chuckled at the absurdity of the situation. Crouch had been acting as a professor the year before, but he had taught Lily a lot, and now he was teaching her again.

They were quickly joined by Arthur Weasley and Moody. Both glared at Crouch but didn't do anything.

"We need to get Potter out of here," Crouch said.

"First smart thing you've said in your life, boy," Moody said bitterly.

"Argue later, get out of here first," Arthur told them.

"Fine," Moody replied, shooting another curse towards Bellatrix, who was screeching orders to the Death Eaters.

Lily fired another curse at a death eater, causing them to fall, before she was pulled to the ground by Crouch.

"Potter, I thought you learnt situational awareness last year?" Crouch hissed.

"Yeah, kinda distracted," Lily pointed out, rubbing her elbow where she had struck the ground.

"You need a lot more training," Crouch warned her, before firing a curse towards the Death Eaters.

"Is that an offer to train me?" Lily asked, a smirk on her face.

"Merlin's beard, I'm clearly insane, but yes," Crouch replied. "So long as we survive."

"Make friends with the maniac later, Lass," Moody hissed.

"Aim for Bellatrix," Crouch said. "Take her out, the rest won't know what to do."

"You better be right, boy," Moody said, before everyone in the group aimed at Bellatrix. Unfortunately, she leapt out of the way, avoiding the blasts.

The group moved from where they were hiding to another large rock closer to the hole in the wall, where Arthur, Bill, and Charlie were hiding and stopping the Death Eaters.

"Is Ginny okay?" Lily asked.

"She's out in the main hall with the others," Arthur replied. "They're summoning help from the Auror's."

"Good. I can't lose her," Lily replied. "We need to get out of here."

"You go first Potter," Crouch said. Lily nodded, turned and ran for the hole in the wall. As she neared the wall, she let out a gasp as she made contact with a piece of rubble, causing her to twist her ankle.

As she fell, she let out a cry of pain, but quickly rolled over. As she did, however, she made eye contact with Bellatrix, who seemed to be salivating at the sight. For Lily, everything seemed to be going in slow motion as a green light shot out of Bellatrix's wand, her eyes widening.

She was reminded in that moment of the night in the graveyard, but this time her life was flashing in front of her eyes. She could picture everything that would happen, with Voldemort succeeded in his plans after she died.

She wanted to move, but was frozen in place, knowing that she was about to die, with her pain and suffering about to end. One part of her felt relief, knowing she wouldn't need to fight anymore, but she wanted to keep going somehow.

As the light came close to her, she felt herself moving, but not under her own power. As Lily flew to the side, she turned, a feeling of horror surging through her as the green light struck the one who had pushed her, sending him flying backwards. Lily could see the light leaving his eyes immediately as he struck the floor. Lily let out a scream of anguish as she looked at the second person to die for her, protecting her.

Lily let out a roar of anger as she turned around, seeing Bellatrix laughing and dancing. She was clearly thrilled with her success of killing one of the Order as she led the way towards the exit. Lily felt frozen as she watched Bill and Charlie Weasley, both letting out a splitting roar of anger themselves, fired killing curses towards Bellatrix. Lily could scarcely believe it as she magically grabbed hold of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, who were the nearest Death Eaters to her, and threw them both into the path of the oncoming curses.

Lily watched as both Lucius and Narcissa died immediately as the curses struck them. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. A part of her felt bad for Draco Malfoy; how would he react knowing that his aunt had just killed his parents.

But that didn't matter to her. No, what mattered was that Bellatrix had just killed someone Lily cared about. She turned and saw the victim, scrambling to him, but it was too late. Bellatrix had just killed Arthur Weasley!


Lily stood up, anger surging through her and let out a loud roar, calling Bellatrix's name. She ran towards the exit, across the battlefield, ignoring the cries of the people behind her as she leapt over Lucius's body, and heading into the corridor, where she saw Bellatrix laughing and running.

Lily knew that Narcissa Malfoy had been Bellatrix's sister; how insane was she to have sacrificed her own sister and brother-in-law like that? How could anyone do that? Lily's mind was racing as she fired several curses at Bellatrix, who continued to laugh as they reached the main hall.

Lily saw that it was, thankfully, empty, meaning Ginny and the others had escaped. Lily managed to get a clear line of sight of Bellatrix, and remembered what Moody… no, Crouch… had told her the previous year, about the intent behind the curses and the power needed.

"CRUCIO!" Lily cried out, sending the curse at Bellatrix, who fell to the floor, gasping briefly for breath, but smirked as she got up.

"Poor Pervy Potter, not strong enough, are you? You need to mean it!" Bellatrix cackled.

"Like you sacrificing your own sister?" Lily taunted, before firing a tickling curse at Bellatrix, who kept laughing, from her own hysteria, and from the curse.

"The brat… wants… to tickle… me?" Bellatrix laughed maniacally.

"Wait a while," Lily replied. "Your boss sent in Crouch Jr last year, and he taught us a lot, including what happens when someone is constantly tickled. First, they gasp for breath, then they'll need to wet themselves, before gasping for breath," Lily explained coldly, the darkness in her voice causing Bellatrix's eyes to widen in fear.

"Master… please… help me," Bellatrix pleaded. The sound of Bellatrix pleading made Lily chuckle.

"Your boss can't hear you in here, Bellatrix," Lily said. She froze, a cold chill running down her back, as she heard someone else speak.

"Can't I, Potter?" Voldemort asked from behind her. Lily turned and saw the face of Voldemort, smiling at her as he ended the spell Lily had cast on Bellatrix. "Such an epic battle in here, Potter. I didn't know you had it in you."

"Didn't know you'd be dumb enough to come here yourself," Lily replied coldly. "I guess we were both wrong."

"Indeed. You've turned one of my most loyal followers away from me, destroyed my prize, and shown a new power. I did not foresee any of this happening, but no matter. I shall end this here and now," Voldemort said. "There is no one here to save your life, Potter."

Lily watched as Voldemort raised his wand, but was sent flying past Lily, hitting the ground near to Bellatrix.

"I'd like to test that theory," Dumbledore spoke calmly as he walked over to Lily.

"Dumbledore!" Voldemort hissed.

"It was foolish of you to come here tonight, Tom," Dumbledore said calmly. "The Auror's have been summoned."

"You will be dead before they arrive," Voldemort spat angrily, sending another killing curse, but this time at Dumbledore, who simply flicked his wand, summoning the security guard's desk, which burst into flame.

Lily held her wand, and launched an attack of her own towards Voldemort, who simply created a shield to block the attack. In response, Voldemort sent a killing curse towards Lily, but Dumbledore sent a statue to intercept it, destroying the statue in the process.

"You think you and the boy can defeat me, Dumbledore?" Voldemort taunted. Lily glared at Voldemort.

"So you're evil and stupid, are you?" Lily asked, before launching another spell.

"I am the only one who can make the world better. If those like you need to die, then so be it," Voldemort replied.

"You still fail to understand, Tom, that you are ignorant of so much," Dumbledore said, and Lily heard a trace of sadness and regret in his voice, which surprised her.

"Of what? Your precious ideals of love?" Voldemort mocked. "Is that why you haven't tried to kill me tonight?"

"We both know there are other ways of destroying a person, Tom," Dumbledore was speaking calmly, as though simply taking a stroll, whilst looking at Voldemort. "And there are fates far worse than death."

"There's nothing worse than death, Dumbledore," Voldemort countered, his scarlet eyes narrowing as he stared at Lily and Dumbledore.

"That's where you are, once again, wrong," Dumbledore said, as Voldemort sent a serpent made of fire towards them. Dumbledore cast a spell, as did Lily, to block it. Dumbledore was able to create a large wall of water, whilst Lily summoned the water from the fountain to strengthen the wall. As the serpent struck it, there was a loud hiss as it turned into smoke, vanishing.

A jet of green light struck the water, destroying it, with a second jet flying towards Dumbledore. Before either Lily or Dumbledore could react, Fawkes came flying down with a screech, and essentially swallowed the jet of green, before bursting into flame, falling to the floor, small, wrinkly and hairless.

As Voldemort sent another killing curse towards them, a centaur statue moved in and took the spell, blasting into pieces as it did.

Without hesitation, Dumbledore summoned a long thin flame, which wrapped itself around Voldemort, who had created a shield, but the flame simply wrapped around the shield as well, trapping Voldemort.

Lily briefly thought that Dumbledore had won, but the fiery rope quickly turned itself into a serpent. Lily launched a spell at the serpent, thinking of the spell that Snape had used in her second year, during the duelling lessons with himself and Lockhart.

"Vipera Evanesca," Lily called out. Her spell struck the snake, turning it to ash. Dumbledore briefly met Lily's gaze, and she could see pride in his eyes, which made her smile.

As Lily heard noises from behind her, a large snake made of water emerged from the fountain, swallowing both himself and Bellatrix, just as Auror's began to fill the area, as well as Ministry workers, all of whom were talking loudly among themselves, as several Auror's approached Dumbledore.

"Was… was that…" one of them began.

"Lord Voldemort, yes," Dumbledore said. "I regret to tell you that Minister White is a Death Eater, and is currently in the Death Chamber, sealed by several spells, along with a few Death Eaters, both dead and alive."

"What the hell happened, Dumbledore?" a man who looked, Lily thought, like an old lion. He had tawny hair, with streaks of grey. He had yellow eyes, covered by a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, and he walked with a slight limp. The man immediately noticed Lily but turned to keep his attention on Dumbledore.

"I will first need to ensure that Lily, and her fellow students, are returned to Hogwarts, and to safety, whilst we deal with the aftermath of tonight. After that is done, I will explain everything and ensure all the salient points are understood," Dumbledore stated.

He then created a Portkey as the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix emerged from the hallways, with Bill and Charlie magically carrying Arthur's body, although covered with a white sheet.

"White… he's a Death Eater?" the man asked.

"I am afraid so, Rufus," Dumbledore said kindly. "He, as I said, has been detained in the Death Chamber."

"Dawlish, take everyone and get there now," the man called Rufus ordered firmly. The Auror's headed off quickly, with Dumbledore turning to Lily, who had been joined by Bill, Charlie, Fleur, and the others.

"All of you, please take these portkeys," Dumbledore said, creating several more. "I will be with you as soon as I can, but you should be reunited with your friends. And… I am sorry for your loss."

Lily heard the pain and remorse in Dumbledore's voice, but it did nothing to help ease Lily's guilt. This was her fault; it had been her idea to come to the ministry.

She felt herself pulled into Sirius's arms, who held her, just as Barty Crouch Jr was revealed. Rufus aimed a wand at him, but Dumbledore held up a hand.

"Whilst he was working for Lord Voldemort, Mr. Crouch here is responsible for saving Lily's life, and indeed helped save many lives tonight. He has joined our side, and is no longer a Death Eater," Dumbledore said,

"I know I can't make up for what I've done," Crouch began, looking at Rufus. "But I want to help, in any way I can, Mr. Scrimgeour," he finished.

"We'll see. I want him to remain here, for questioning," Rufus said. Crouch nodded.

"Lily, I will see you when I return to the school," Dumbledore said, as Remus, Moody, and the others all grabbed their portkeys. Lily nodded, tears streaming down her face, as she felt Sirius grab the portkey, whilst still holding onto Lily.

She felt herself pulled upwards, and away from the Ministry, leaving behind the scene of the worst night of her life.