𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞

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chapter twelve | department of mysteries

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The wind burned Stella Mason's eyes as she tried to keep them open on their way to London. The Threstrals moved fast and with purpose as they soared through the air. The Mason looked around to see her friends in the same predicament, some of them not even seeing the creature at all, Stella could only imagine that experience.

The group finally made their way into the Ministry without detection as it grew darker and darker outside the building. They sprinted down the halls of the Ministry and made their way to the elevators, which was a trip on its own. Coming to a stop, the group reached their destination.

"Department of Mysteries."

Once it was announced, the doors slammed open and the group of teens hesitantly filed out of the elevator. The machine left as soon as the last person came off it. They looked forward, the hall so quiet they could hear each other breathing.

Harry spoke, "this is it."

Stella held her wand tightly as she looked around, her friends doing the same. They continued to walk, now seeing shelves and shelves of orbs. They were bright when contrasted with the walls of the building. Stella gave a shaky breath as her wand gave her more light to work with when walking deeper and deeper into the hallway.

"He should be here," Harry walked through the room frantically.

"Harry," Neville called out, the boy pointed to an orb that sat on the edge of a high shelf, "it's got your name on it."

The Potter reached for the glass ball and simply stared at it, not knowing what to do, until it spoke.

THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD APPROACHES. AND THE DARK LORD SHALL MARK HIM AS HIS EQUAL. BUT HE SHALL HAVE THE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT. FOR NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES.

"Harry," Stella spoke after a few seconds, "I have a bad feeling about this."

As soon as she finished her sentence, another voice rang out, "you know, you really should learn to tell the difference between dreams," the man waved his wand to reveal his face, Lucius Malfoy, "and reality. You only saw what the Dark Lord wanted you to see. Now, hand me the prophecy."

"If you do anything to us, I'll break it."

A sickening laugh echoed through the hall, "he knows how to play! Itty, bitty baby. Potter."

The voice belonged to Bellatrix Lestrange, one of the Death Eaters that escaped from Azkaban. The woman was terrifying, and the stories about her told to Stella by her father didn't help.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," Neville acknowledged shakily.

"Neville Longbottom, is it? How's mum and dad?"

"Better now they're about to be avenged."

Stella shot out without thinking as Neville raised his wand, causing the Death Eater to do the same, "Neville, no..."

"Now, let's everybody just calm down, shall we," Lucius calmly put his hands up, "all we want is that prophecy."

"Why did Voldemort need me to come and get this," Harry asked without hesitation.

"You dare speak his name," Bellatrix sneered, "you filthy Half-Blood!"

Her voice echoed around the room as Lucius spoke again, "it's all right. He's just a curious lad, aren't you? Prophecies can only be retrieved by those about whom they are made. Which is lucky for you," black forms of figures moved from out of the shadows, blocking any exit for the teens as they raised their wands defensively, "haven't you always wondered the reason for the connection between you and the Dark Lord? Why he was unable to kill you when you were just an infant? Don't you want to know the secret behind your scar? All the answers are there, Potter, in your hand. All you have to do is give it to me. Then I can show you everything."

Harry sighed as he looked down at the prophecy, "I've waited fourteen years."

Lucius sympathized with him in a fake manner, "I know."

"I guess I can wait a little longer. NOW!"

At his yell, the teens all casted, "stupefy," before running down the halls, looking for a way out.

Stella's lungs burned as she ran with all her might, fighting off Death Eaters who dared to come her way. She let out a small scream as she bumped into her friends, who regrouped and looked around frantically for a threat, or a way out.

As the Death Eaters grew closer, the lot started to push the orbs on shelves down to the floor to create a diversion. The voices of the Death Eaters sounded, making everyone antsy as the teens shot spells every which way.

In the caos, they heard Harry yell, "get back to the door!"

The group started running again, never looking back as they reached the door. Harry wrenched it open, only to fall into another room. Before they could smash to the ground, they all stopped a couple feet above before they landed with a thud.

"Department of Mysteries," Ron muttered as he and his friends got up from the ground, "got that bit right, didn't they."

Stella, still with her wand out, looked around the room. They were placed on a stone of some kind where an archway was standing in front of them. The Mason furrowed her brows as she started to hear meer voices sound from the archway, and it appeared she wasn't the only one to hear them.

"The voices," Harry moved closer to the archway, "can you hear what they're saying?"

"There aren't any voices, Harry," Hermione stated as she watched not only Harry walk toward the archway, but Stella and Luna as well, "let's get out of here."

"I can hear them, too," Stella nodded, somewhat in a trance.

Scared for her friends, Hermione tried again, "guys, it's just an empty archway. Please, Harry."

Suddenly, the green eyed boy yelled, "get behind me!"

His friends followed his order only to be captured by Death Eaters. Stella could feel the hot breath of the Death Eater who had his arm around her neck, cutting off her circulation from time to time. She struggled when she saw Harry still in the middle of the room, Lucius Malfoy in front of him.

"Did you actually believe, or were you truly naive enough to think, that children stood a chance against us," the man drawled as he drew closer to Harry, "I'll make this simple for you, Potter. Give me the prophecy now or watch your friends die."

"Don't give it to him, Harry!"

Green met blue as he looked at his friend being held tighter by her neck as she yelled at him.

After some deliberation, the Potter sighed as he began to place the orb into Lucius' hands. The man took in a deep breath as he observed the prophecy, before he was interrupted by a glow coming from the archway. Stella and her friends smiled in relief to see who it was.

"Get away from my godson."

After that, all hell broke loose. After punching Lucius to the ground, causing the prophecy to smash to pieces, Sirius and the rest of the Order began to fight as they hurled the teens into safety, hiding them against the stone. As they were watching the fighting from below, Stella couldn't help but look around for her father, but came up short when she couldn't find him.

The duel between Sirius Black and Lucius Malfoy was the last duel standing. Everyone watched in anticipation as to what was going to happen. It wasn't until Bellatrix Lestrange came out of nowhere and shouted for everyone to hear.

"Avada Kedavra!"

It all happened in slow motion.

Sirius Black floated into the archway after sending a smile toward his godson for the last time. Stella felt tears streaming down her bruised face as she watched a family friend leave the Earth. She watched her friend, Harry Potter, hold onto Remus Lupin for dear life as he struggled and screamed for his godfather to come back. She watched as Harry ran after his godfather's murderer in a fit of rage. And before her or her friends could follow him, the Order got to them first. The members started to check everyone and ask them what happened, but Stella wasn't paying attention. The Mason kept her gaze forward, not muttering a word about anything to anyone.

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edited: 6 april 2021

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