The next couple of hours passed slowly. The hands of the clock seemed to never move as Harry looked at the clock time and time again. Finally it was one o'clock and time to start toward the Ministry. After a quick pepper up potion for each of them, Harry and Hermione disappeared under the invisibility cloak as Fred and George walked out with them, Neville and Luna. The Leaky Cauldron now was deserted except a sleepy barmaid behind the bar who only nodded at Fred and George before going back to reading her copy of the Witch Weekly.
The Ministry of Magic was within walking distance of the Leaky Cauldron and the four teenagers, after saying good bye to the twins, slowly made their way to the correct street. When Harry spotted the vandalized telephone box on the dingy street he stopped.
"Last chance guys," He said to Neville and Luna. "You don't have to do this. Just because you came last time doesn't mean you have to this time. You know what we're up against this time."
"You're not getting rid of us that easily Harry," Neville said.
"The Wrackspurts are starting to nest in your mind again," Luna said. "Remind me tomorrow to make a funnel for you."
Harry smiled at his friends as he silently hoped no danger came to them. "Then you know the plan," He said. "Put on your hats now so we don't forget later."
The four of them donned their Weasley's protective hats and made their way to the telephone box. With only the four of them in the box this time, it wasn't nearly so bad. Harry had made sure he was closest to the phone. He quickly dialed six-two-four-four-two and as the last number dialed the female voice started. "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood… we're here to save someone," He stated the same reason he had used before in case someone checked the entry.
"I'm sorry but one of the names is incorrect," The voice said. "Please hang up and try again," The phone went dead.
Harry looked at Hermione and they both realized the mistake. Harry quickly dialed the number again. The voice again asked the same question.
"Harry Potter, Hermione Potter, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood. We're here trying to save someone."
"Thank you," said the cool female voice. "Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes."
Harry once again saw his had the reason 'Rescue Mission' again.
"Visitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wands for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."
"Okay," Harry replied and the floor of the telephone box started sinking into the ground.
As the elevator finished its downward trip, the female voice from the phone spoke up one more time. "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant evening."
As the doors opened Harry looked around. He and Hermione were remembering the last time they had been in this Atrium several months prior, trying to find Umbridge and the locket. He looked at the Fountain of Magical Brethren that stood in the center and remembered the Black Stone thrones that had been erected in the Voldemort led Ministry. A chill ran through him. He turned and looked at Hermione. "Not this time."
Hermione only nodded before moving down the hall past the fountain. Once again the security desk was empty. Another silent gaze at Hermione, they both knew that meant the Death Eaters were below. They turned and looked at Neville and Luna and a flick of their eyebrows toward the security desk, they too knew what it meant.
A sudden thought came to mind. "Do you think they killed the guard? Someone we could have saved?"
Hermione looked again at the security desk before returning her eyes back to her husband. "I don't know, but we'll save a lot more lives by eliminating the Death Eaters," Both of their eyes returned to the desk as any last doubts of what they were about to do left them.
"This would be a good place for Dobby," Harry said quietly. "He can hide behind the desk until Voldemort shows up," He turned to face an open spot and called. "Dobby," Softly and the little elf appeared with a crack.
"Stay behind this desk until Voldemort shows up," Harry said indicating the spot. "Try to not let the Order see you when they arrive."
"Dobby understands."
Harry gave the elf a pat on the shoulder and a smile. He then turned back to his friends and with a jerk of his head indicated they should proceed on. The continued on until they passed through the golden gates that led to the lifts. They entered one of the lifts and the grilles clanged noisily shut as they had before. Harry pushed the button labeled nine and the lift began its descent.
As the elevator crawled to a stop the female voice said. "Department of Mysteries."
They left the lift and moved down the torch lit corridor and stopped just short of the plain black door. "Everybody ready?" Harry whispered as he looked at his friends and wife. Two nods and a mental "Yes," answered him. Harry took a deep breath and let it out and then closed the distance and the door swung open in front of him.
"Remember to close your eyes once the wall starts spinning," Hermione reminded everyone unnecessarily as they entered the circular room. Before she closed the door, she reached into her bag and removed a simple muggle crayon and wrote a small 'x' on the door. As before, when the door closed the wall started to spin.
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