A/N: Liverpool won, mostly convincingly, so we'll allow the happiness here today. This is shorter than usual, and I apologise for that, but you'll see why when we get there. I'll have a long one done by next week. Much love to you all for continuing this behemoth with me xx
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Just as Minerva was about to throw open the big doors with one hell of a flourish, Hermione grabbed her middle and spun her away. She held up her hand as Minerva turned to unload both barrels on her when Minerva paused as well.
"Just wait," Hermione muttered. "Wait. I think -" They let their senses loose and Hermione's eyes widened. "Let's not walk through the front doors," Hermione muttered as she spied a little alcove.
Minerva paused for a long time until she seemed to realise as well. Her eyes widened as she nodded and they slipped along the wall and into the alcove. It was tight with both of them in it, but it was out of the way for the moment. Hermione sat with a sigh while Minerva did her best to Disillusion them.
What do you feel, Leannan?
I don't think they're hurt, necessarily, but they're scared. There's so much fear, everywhere. She swallowed. I think Albus is stuck with something, I don't know whether that means it's physical or magical or what? I can feel that he's here, but I don't know what is wrong with him.
We are not prepared for an assault on the Ministry, love. No matter your power. There could be hundreds of them in there.
I realise that now, Hermione sighed. What do you think?
We need to get our people out, and any others that we can if we can, and then get the hell out of here. I suppose we have our answers now.
Hermione hummed her agreement but didn't reply. She sat against the walls and tried not to wince at the dirty feeling she got when she did that. She closed her eyes and felt Minerva set her feet.
Just for a moment, Hermione soothed as Minerva went on full alert. I want to see if I can talk to any of them. If we have eyes on the inside, that will at least help, don't you think?
Minerva's hand smoothed over her hair instead of giving a reply and Hermione nodded and sank into her mind. She had never tried this and it wasn't the best place to attempt it for the first time but she had to try something.
She could almost feel the evil seeping from the walls and she shivered. She shuffled forward, away from the walls, and leaned against Minerva's thigh instead. Albus' mind was impossible to reach - but the fact that she knew that, meant that she was getting somewhere as she seemed to feel along the dark for something that she knew was there but could not see.
There.
She felt Minerva freeze and Hermione burst into Arthur's mind.
Arthur, it's Hermione. No time for explanation, what's going on, what can you see?
"Herm -"
Though she was a little terrified, Hermione protested in a panic and felt Arthur collapse to his knees. Minerva's hand tightened in her hair.
Shit. Sorry Arthur. Easy. Calm down. Think of the words you want to say to me in your head. Do not say my name out loud. She felt him shudder and she adjusted her tone. Don't react, if you're being held by people, make something up. Minerva and I are here. Everyone else is safe at Hogwarts. Are you alone?
It was tentative, but Arthur's voice eventually managed to speak to her.
Albus is here, at the Ministry. Alastor is somewhere else. He was, there was a pause. Difficult.
Hermione snorted and nodded, even though Arthur couldn't see her. She considered what they could use and how to say it succinctly.
Are you being held? Are you working? Who is in charge? I spoke to Molly, she told me about your call. Just stick to the important bits.
You-Know-Who's cronies, pretending to be Ministry officials. I'm in the new sorting office. They've started -
I know, Hermione soothed. We've encountered a couple of Snatchers. Do you know where Albus and Moody are?
Albus is in one of the offices down the way. There's a woman in charge of the Sorting, she invited him to tea.
Hermione frowned and considered it.
What does she look like?
Ugly, simpering woman. Short.
Wait, Umbridge?!
That's the one.
"Bloody hell," Hermione groaned.
"What?" Minerva hissed quietly, reminding her to keep her voice down.
"Umbridge is here, she's in charge of re-sorting the Muggleborns. She and Albus are having tea apparently. Which is interesting as I cannot reach him."
Minerva's already pale face paled further.
"She is not a powerful witch, Leannan, but she is sneaky. Sly. Vile. I cannot imagine what she has done with him - he is far more powerful than she."
"This is Albus Dumbledore, babe," Hermione chuckled. "Hell be fine. It's Moody I'm worried about. They're not going to let him hang out in the halls, are they?"
"So what now?"
"Do you know any secret ways in?"
Minerva scoffed then a thought crossed her face.
"Actually," she mused as she dipped her head outside the alcove for a quick look. "Ask him what the Auror division is doing, if they're currently barracked, we may be able to get in that way."
Hermione grinned up at her and settled again.
Arthur, are you there?
Yes.
The thought was clipped and she paused. She could certainly feel the trepidation in his mind and she tried to give him the calmness he needed to act as though nothing was untoward.
Sorry, they do patrols through the departments. Hermione, I need you to tell Molly -
I'm not telling Molly anything that you can't tell you herself in a few hours, okay?
Hermione -
Just stay calm. Minerva wants to know what the Aurors are doing? Do you know if they're barracked? Are they training?
I believe they were a little uncomfortable with the change in leadership and they have been confined to barracks, yes.
Okay, thank you. Arthur, I do not know what our plan is, but I will ask you to be ready and ask as many of those around you to be ready as well. Just - She glanced up as Minerva stiffened. Be ready, Arthur.
She didn't wait to hear him agree and she got to her feet as well.
"What -"
Minerva took her hand and she stopped speaking and slid her wand back into her hand. In the end, Minerva pushed her back and pressed her against the dingy brick work.
We have to stop meeting like this.
Minerva placed a delicate finger on her lips and pleaded with her with her eyes.
A whole party of Snatchers walked by and Hermione realised why Minerva needed to concentrate. She waited until they were clear before she pressed a kiss to Minerva's hammering pulse in apology. It was testament to Minerva's prowess that she did not attempt to communicate at all. Instead, she squeezed Hermione's forearm and turned back to the world. She glanced up and down before flashing Hermione a smile and a nod.
Hermione took her cue from Minerva and followed without question. They raced, as quietly as possible down the side of the building and beyond, into a car park. It had been so long since she'd been in a car, she paused momentarily.
Hide.
It was said quickly and Hermione leapt over a barrier and pulled Minerva behind a car.
Okay?
Fine. Concentrate.
Minerva's professor's voice didn't often make an appearance between them anymore but Hermione took her meaning. She could feel her magic begging to be unleashed but as they lay low, she did her best to ease the desperation to defend her people.
Minerva's little finger hooked with hers as they heard the scuff of boots draw closer.
Don't move. Breathe slowly, through an open mouth.
Hermione looked at her sideways and made a face when Minerva showed her what she meant, but she ducked instinctually as two voices suddenly sounded very very close. Minerva's finger tightened on hers and she squeezed back just a little to tell her that she understood.
"Where the fuck have they got to?"
"I dunno but I'm not telling him. No way. Let's just pretend we 'aven't noticed. Someone else can go and find him."
The other man scoffed and they walked away.
Who do you suppose they're talking about?
It doesn't matter. We're going to do our best not to meet them.
Hermione nodded and she was the one to pick her head up first. She nodded and they leapt to their feet.
Quickly and quietly. Down here and to the right. There's a statue of a dog just outside the entrance. We need to get inside and we just might be able to do it that way.
What's there?
Traditionally the Auror's barracks. If I cannot open it, we might be able to make enough of a racket that someone will.
She followed Minerva but kept an eye on their backs as Minerva led them on. Just as they were rounding the corner, Hermione grabbed her middle and pulled her backwards yet again.
Minerva made no noise but her hand gripped Hermione's steel-like forearm and glanced over her shoulder. It was Hermione's turn to shush her, this time as they listened. There was some sort of argument going on and Minerva's eyes widened as she listened to the raised voices.
"WHO ARE YOU?"
"YOU WILL IDENTIFY YOURSELVES IMMEDIATELY. BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY!"
"Ain't no Ministry lackey to you, is we. Who the hell are you and how did you get out here?"
"We don't answer to you, you little cretin, get out of our way."
There was a flash of magic and that acrid taste it always left and Minerva didn't hesitate. She pushed off Hermione's hand and started running.
Go!
Hermione followed her around the corner with their wands raised.
"Gentlemen!" Minerva snapped. "On your guard!"
Minerva's voice was undeniable but the Aurors looked as though they were already one step ahead of them. One of them had a wound on his arm and the other looked perturbed he'd been interrupted mid-cast. Minerva's presence, however, changed their stance and instead, they raised their wands and pointed them directly at the two Snatchers.
"Who the hell do you think -"
"I would be quiet, if I were you," Minerva hissed. She waved her wand and both of them fell silent as their wands were removed from their possession by the Aurors.
"Auror Elliot, Auror Sanderson, I take it you are returning from orders?"
"Professor," one of them greeted her kindly. "We were due back yesterday, unavoidably delayed of course, and then these idiots tried to tell us we were no longer allowed for admittance."
"Gentlemen, the short version is that the Ministry of Magic has fallen into enemy hands. These two are part of a roving patrol of men designed to collect the Muggleborns for expulsion from our World."
"Professor, I mean this in the nicest of ways, but what the fuck?"
"Quite," Minerva chuckled, despite the situation. "I fear as though those inside are in just as much danger. Hostile takeovers rarely go well for the civil servants."
"Lovely as this is," Hermione muttered. "Might we go inside?"
"I don't know if our passes will work?"
"I think they will," Minerva nodded. "I don't rate the magical prowess of the enemy - this enemy, at least - to change it. I don't think they will have thought about it, to be honest."
One of them withdrew a card case and placed it on his wand. Both were touched to a nondescript brick in the wall and a door opened with a squeak.
"Perfect," Minerva chuckled. "Now, if you gentlemen don't mind following us, we will detour to the barracks where your comrades are being housed and then Hermione and I have three people to free in the Ministry proper before I will leave you to whatever you'd like to do. I would encourage you to either collectively and overtly oppose them, or gather an many as you can and do your best to do so covertly. You are bound to the Ministry and they know it. They can use you, to a point."
"I think we'll be following you, Professor," they said quietly as they walked purposely down the corridor. "Damn the promotion they promised. I'm not going down without a fight, at least."
His friend agreed as the door shut quietly behind them and Minerva stunned the two men and had the Aurors place them in shackles.
"We will detour them to the holding cells, I think," one of them said.
"Daniel, perhaps you could do that while we head to the barracks and meet us there?"
The one Minerva clearly knew best nodded and levitated both bodies with him as he slipped away down a side-corridor. Minerva turned to Hermione and squeezed her hand before they, all three, turned down the main corridor and took a deep breath.
"Then," Minerva muttered resolutely. "To war."
