They arrived in the atrium of the Ministry, tension thick in the air. Dumbledore had ensured a safe landing, but the threat still lingered just beyond their sight. Ahead, a group of Aurors stood ready, wands raised, eyes sharp. The old wizard Apparated beside them, giving a solemn nod to the Advanced Guard before vanishing into the swirling mist with the Aurors.
Moody paused at the edge of the mist, his magical eye whirling, scanning for any sign of danger. From his pocket, he pulled out a strange metal rod, thrusting it into the pink fumes that filled the air.
Elphias and Dedalus began casting detection spells, their whispered incantations the only sound in the suffocating stillness of the deserted Ministry halls. This place, usually alive with activity, now felt abandoned, haunted by silence. It unnerved Shepard. Silence, in her experience, was rarely good—it either meant the aftermath of a massacre or an impending ambush. Shepard's pulse quickened, memories of her time with the Collectors flashing through her mind—too familiar, too dangerous.
"We're not detecting anything close, no magic, no life," Dedalus said, his voice tight with unease. "There's movement below, but it's not the Aurors…"
Moody removed the device from the mist, examined it, and declared, "No sign of poison or harmful potions. Let's go."
Shepard hesitated only briefly before stepping into the mist. Relief washed over her when she didn't drop dead on the spot, though her heart still raced. She trusted the filters in her armor, but experience had taught her that equipment doesn't always work as intended. Dumbledore had enchanted her armor to bolster its magical and physical resistance, but warned her that many battle spells target the person, not just the armor. The thought gnawed at her, though the familiar weight of her armor provided some comfort.
Dumbledore and the Aurors were already in the elevator, descending to the Department of Mysteries, where they hoped to find the Minister and Heads of Departments. A session had been scheduled around the time communication was lost, and it made sense that they'd all be together. Convenient for a rescue, Shepard thought grimly, but also for a kidnapping.
Moody gave orders. "Sturgis, Dedalus, hold the elevator. Keep us updated with the mirrors. The rest of you, move out."
The team moved with precision to their positions. Shepard found herself oddly comforted by it. She was used to the clear lines between soldiers and civilians, but these wizards blurred that line with surprising competence.
The descent in the elevator was jarring, much rougher than the sleek transports of the Citadel. Moody assigned Shepard and Remus to guard the elevator while he led Elphias and Hestia deeper into the mist.
"You alright?" Remus asked, his voice gentle, concern in his eyes. Shepard realized her hands were trembling.
"Yeah," Shepard admitted reluctantly. "It's just… strange, being back in the field, but in a completely different universe than I'm used to."
Remus smiled, understanding.
"I know what you mean. I didn't want to vote you into this war for this reason. I've been through one already, and if it weren't for Harry, I'd have left long ago. I can't imagine how it feels to be plucked from your universe and dragged into a fight that isn't even your own."
"It didn't feel like you were that understanding in the first place," Shepard retorted.
"I had time to think," Remus said, acknowledging the little jab with a small nod. "Harry and Hermione also helped me see things differently."
"Glad to... Wait!" She cut herself off, her senses suddenly on high alert. "Did you hear that?"
Remus nodded, his face growing serious. "You have sharp hearing for a human."
Shepard filed this remark for later reflection, focusing instead on the faint sounds of battle reaching her through her helmet.
"Can you contact Moody?" Shepard asked.
"Yes, but I have to wait for him to do it. A wizarding duel is very demanding, and I don't want to distract him at the wrong moment."
"At least, warn the others on the top floor."
"I'll tell Sturgis," Remus replied.
He was already holding the mirror, speaking softly to warn the others. Shepard activated her biotics, the familiar energy crackling around her hands. She hated how exposed she felt.
"They're coming," Remus said, his voice barely above a whisper.
She nodded, eyes fixed on the end of the corridor. The sounds grew louder. Suddenly, two Aurors appeared, running toward them, a dozen unconscious bodies floating behind them. Moody and Hestia were close behind, their wands holding a shimmering shield that filled the corridor as they moved backward, guided by Elphias.
"They're right on us!" Moody bellowed. "Watch out, they're fast!"
As he finished his sentence, the creatures came into view, and Shepard's stomach turned. Flying brains, tendrils whipping through the air, slammed into the force field. The shield flared bright white.
"The shield won't hold much longer," Moody warned. "On my signal, drop the shield and blast them back. The rest of you, aim high. And if anyone hits me, I'll make sure you regret it. Fire is ineffective against them; cast to cut or crush!"
Shepard watched, breath held tight, as the shield flickered.
"Three, two, one—drop!" Moody yelled.
As soon as the shield dropped, Moody unleashed a controlled blast from his wand. The force sent the swarm of brains slamming into the wall, their tentacles flailing. Hestia, Elphias, and Lupin immediately followed with a barrage of spells, but the old Auror hadn't exaggerated their speed. Several brains dodged the attack with alarming agility.
Shepard responded with a biotic Throw, precisely guiding it toward the closest target. The brain attempted to evade, but the trajectory shift of the biotic attack caught it off guard. The impact sent it splattering against the wall.
Moody and Hestia wasted no time reinforcing the shield. The remaining brains hammered against it. The team regrouped near the elevator, waiting for Sturgis and Dedalus. Moody's mirror suddenly buzzed to life.
"Moody, it's Sturgis. Security enchantments detected foreign entities near the elevator. It's locked down to contain them. We're working to override it, but it'll take time. Best to eliminate them if possible."
"Roger that. Keep me updated."
The shield was taking a beating as the remaining dozen brains pounded on it. Hestia winced as her strength waned.
"I won't be able to hold this much longer."
"Same here," Moody growled, eyes fixed on the swarm. "We're going on the offensive. We drop shields on three. Lupin, Elphias, you'll shield next."
Lupin hesitated, visibly concerned. "I don't know how to cast interwoven shields."
Elphias clapped him on the shoulder. "That's Auror-level training. No reason for you to know."
Moody cut him off with a curt nod. "Offensive it is. Shields will only wear us down at this rate."
Shepard, silent until now, took a step forward. "What's their strength?"
"Individually, not much," Hestia replied. "They use their tentacles to immobilize and strangle. Why?"
Shepard activated her Omniblade with a hiss. The orange blade ignited along her left forearm. The group blinked in surprise.
"I'll take them. My armor will hold. Just cover me."
"You're crazy!" Hestia protested, her face pale with fear.
Shepard cut her off. "I've survived far worse. We need to hit them hard now, or you'll be too exhausted to hold the line."
Moody's scarred face cracked a small, grim smile. "She's right. She knows her limits better than we do. Shepard, you take the front. Hug the wall so we have a clear line of fire."
Shepard repositioned herself at the front, next to the right wall. She felt the familiar cold grip of fear tightening in her gut as Mad-Eye counted down. Her heart throbbed in her ears, drowning out other sounds. Her muscles tensed, adrenaline surging through her veins.
Three. Two. One. The shield dropped on Moody's count. Shepard charged forward.
A biotic Throw punched a hole through the mass of tentacles. Swift slices from her Omniblade severed more. One, two, three steps, and she was in range. Her right fist buried itself into the squirming brain mass. Her blade cut through another, lopping off its tentacles. Tendrils shot out, trying to pull her down, but she stayed on her feet, her back pressed against the wall. Her arms blurred as she hacked and slashed, more brutal force than refined technique. CQC against Hanar weren't a thing.
Four left.
A spell bisected one. Another brain slammed into the wall, crushed under force. A biotic Warp consumed another. The final one impaled itself on Shepard's blade in a desperate charge.
Panting hard, Shepard fought to regain her breath. The closed helmet provided protection but greatly complicated breathing. Burst activities left no time for her body, implants, or armor to regulate the influx of oxygen, leaving her gasping for air. She resisted the urge to remove her helmet—this was still a combat zone.
Moody placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "You good?"
Shepard nodded. "I'm good."
Behind them, the elevator chimed.
"Finally," Hestia muttered, her shoulders sagging in relief.