Chapter 11
Fred would like to go on record and say thestrals were the worst method of transportation. Based on the color, or lack thereof, of George’s face, he agreed.
“We’re never letting Harry make plans again!” George shouted from the thestral next to Fred. At least, he assumed there was one there, because Fred could see nothing at all.
“Or Luna!” Fred agreed. He shivered slightly, night had fallen, but he didn’t dare try to take his wand out of his robes for fear it, or worse he, would fall off.
“There’s London!” Ron’s voice carried back to Fred and George on the wind. “We’re almost there.”
Fred muttered some things his mother would kill him for, mostly about the length of the ride and this expedition in general. Soon, he heard the sound of hooves against concrete, and he lurched to a sudden stop. He watched Ron topple off his horse, and shared an amused look with George.
“Nice going, Ronnie.” George said, sliding off his own. He took a few steps forward, and smacked his head into what must’ve been Fred’s thestral. Fred laughed out loud, and glanced over to see Harry hiding his own laughter.
“What was that, George?” Fred hopped off his thestral, and carefully keeping a hand on its side, made his way forward and out of the danger zone.
George shot him an irritated look. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.” He grumbled. He rubbed his head, making his way back to his feet as Harry turned to face the phone booth ahead of them.
“This way,” Harry started making his way to the phone booth, with Luna close behind him. The rest of them followed quickly.
“There’s no way we all fit in that,” Fred hissed to George.
George nudged him. “Could shrink the kids,” He mused. They watched as the fourth and fifth years piled in, and Fred decided there was just enough space for him and George to squeeze in, as long as his arm was in Ron’s stomach. “Never mind. In we go, I guess.”
The twins pressed inwards, Harry piling after them. Fred felt a brief moment of gratitude that he did not suffer from claustrophobia. He listened absently as Ron dialed the telephone, and they received their badges for the ministry. After far too long they had gotten downstairs, which was entirely abandoned.
“This isn’t right,” Fred hissed. “There should be a security guard here.”
“Off shift, maybe?” George murmured, looking ill at ease. They followed Harry, who was really in quite the rush, through the lifts. They rumbled loudly, which did nothing to calm Fred’s nerves. For the first time he felt a flash of fear that they might actually find Sirius there, held captive by Voldemort. He was fond of the man, especially after he’d helped him through his panic attack over Christmas. But worse, Fred had no idea how they were supposed to stand up to Voldemort. He was beginning to wish they’d never come.
“Alright?” George asked. Fred shrugged.
Ginny glanced back at them, looking irritated. “Well?” She demanded. “Still think everything’s okay? The ministry’s empty!”
Fred and George just shared a look, and then with the ease of long practice, ignored her. She huffed, but turned back to the front of the lift just as the doors creaked open to reveal an empty corridor with a plain black door.
“Creepy.” George said.
“Let’s go,” Harry said, softly. He led them down the hallway. Before the door he paused, glancing back. “Maybe a few people should stay as lookouts.”
Fred hated that idea, but fortunately Ginny and Ron shot it down before he could. After a quick argument, Harry turned towards the door. It swung open automatically, and Fred gripped his wand tighter. He felt George shift next to him, and knew he was doing the same. Once within the room Neville shut the door, plunging them into a horrifying darkness. Before Fred’s eyes could fully adjust the room was rotating. George reached out and gripped Fred’s shoulder tightly, and Fred grabbed Ginny and Ron. The room stopped before long, and his younger siblings shrugged him off, clearly irritated the twins had felt the need to protect them. As if they hadn’t been the ones to invite Fred and George along on this happy adventure.
“What in Merlin’s name was that?” George demanded, accidentally cutting Ron off as he did so. He shot Ron an apologetic look.
“I think it was to keep us from knowing which door we came in?” Ginny said, her statement more like a question.
“Well it was a success,” Fred muttered. He had no idea which door they’d entered through.
“Don’t know where we are or where we’re going.” George said. “On that topic, Harry-”
“Where are we going?” Fred finished. Ginny was smiling slightly, while Hermione just looked irritated. Harry shrugged.
“Dunno. The room in my dream was… glittery.”
“Glittery.” Fred said flatly.
“I’ll know it when I see it,” Harry said. “Let’s try a few doors.” He started towards a door not far from them.
“Absolutely not!” George held up a hand. “Those doors could have who knows what through them-”
“Would you rather stay in this room forever?” Ginny asked snidely.
“Fine.” Fred said, after a pause. “But George and I open them first.”
Ginny and Ron both protested, but George cut them off. “You wanted adults, we’re adults. Listen to us.”
“Fine.” Harry said. “Be my guest.” He stepped aside, allowing Fred and George access to the door. Fred stepped forward and placed his hand on the door, George just behind him with his wand raised. The door swung open easily, revealing a room with a giant tank that was full of something Fred couldn’t identify.
“What is that?” Ron asked, peering around Fred. Fred shrugged.
“Oh, they’re aquavirius maggots!” Luna exclaimed delightedly. “Daddy said the ministry-”
“No,” Hermione said, her voice strained. “They’re brains.”
Fred glanced back at the tank again and could see Hermione was right. “This isn’t the right room then.” He said. “Let’s leave it. Immediately. Before our brains join those ones.” He heard Harry chime in an agreement.
“There are doors here too,” Ron said softly.
“In my dream, I went through the dark room into a door. I think we should go back and try again.” Fred would do anything to get out of this room, so he agreed quickly, backing out of the room with George besides him.
“Wait!” Hermione raised her arm, and cast a quick spell. There was a fiery cross on the door now, and Harry nodded appreciatively. The room spun again, but now the door they’d just been in was marking. “Good thinking Mione,” Harry said. “Let’s try this one.” He nodded towards the door now in front of them, and Fred and George stepped forward again, George opening the door this time with Fred behind him. This room had a veil in it, and for some reason that made Fred more nervous than the brains. Harry pushed past them to investigate, but Fred stayed rooted to the spot by the door.
“Harry, this isn’t right, let’s go.” Hermione said. Harry ignored her. “Harry! We’re here for Sirius.”
“Hey Harry, I think Hermione’s right.” Fred said, when Harry leaned closer to the veil. “We need to go.”
“Someone’s whispering. Are you whispering?” Harry asked Ron. Ron shook his head, his freckles standing out on his pale skin, and Fred stepped forward.
“No one’s whispering, let’s get out of here and go find Sirius.” He tugged on Harry’s arm gently, George pushing Luna, Neville, and Ron out of the room.
“Next one then?” Fred asked, once they were all safely back in the main room, and the door was marked with a fiery cross.
Harry nodded, pointing out a new door. “Try that one.”
Fred pushed on the door, only to find it locked. “It’s locked.”
“Alohomora.” George said. Nothing happened.
“Here, let me try.” Hermione cast the same spell to no effect. “Odd.”
“This must be it!” Ron said with glee. “But how do we get in?”
“Oh!” Harry exclaimed, after a pause. “Sirius’ knife!”
“Sirius’ what?” Fred demanded. Harry slid a knife out of his robes. “Woah! Why do you have a knife?”
“Sirius gave it to me.” Harry said.
“That doesn’t explain why it’s on you.” Harry pulled the knife back to reveal it was melted.
“Not that room.” George decided, while Fred gaped at the knife. “Better yet, step away from that door.”
“But what if it’s the one?” Ron asked, looking longingly towards the door.
“Can’t be. Harry got through all the doors in his dream.” Hermione said decisively.
“You know what could be in there?” Luna asked, clearly excited about the prospect.
“Something blibbering, no doubt.” Hermione said crossly under her breath. Fred snorted, and George elbowed him.
“Be nice,” He hissed.
“I didn’t say it.” Fred replied. They both jumped as Harry beat them to the next door, pushing it open with a triumphant cry. “That kid,” Fred groaned, hurrying after him, George a step behind him.
“This way!” He led them down a narrow pathway between lines of desks towards a crystal jar. There was an egg inside, which rose and cracked open to reveal a hummingbird. The bird fell, being enclosed in its egg again before it reached the bottom.
“Keep going!” Harry said. Ginny had stopped to watch the egg, and Fred watched as George lightly grabbed her shoulder.
“C’mon, Gin. Dunno how that’ll curse you but I’m sure it will.”
“Harry got to see that old arch.” Ginny grumbled, but she followed them all to the door behind the jar.
“It’s through there,” Harry said, suddenly looking very anxious.
“Right.” George said, rolling his shoulders back. “Fred, front or back?”
“I’ll take back,” Fred shifted to the side so the fourth and fifth years could pass him. They stared at the two of them, baffled.
“Cheers.” George moved to the front of the kids, with Fred bringing up the rear. “Wands out, first sign of danger you run and let me and Fred handle it.”
“No!” Ron said crossly.
“Yes.” Fred said firmly. Ron and Ginny glowered at him, and he glowered right back.
“Fine.” Ginny said.
George nodded. “Good.” He pushed on the door and it swung open, revealing a room with tall shelves filled with small orbs. Fred swallowed. He had a very bad feeling about this.
“Which row?” He heard George ask Harry softly. Fred absently cast a spell to silence them from the room in general, feeling very exposed. He added a shield spell around each of the kids for good measure.
They slipped quietly through the rows, Hermione counting softly as they did so. When they reached row ninety seven there was, not to Fred’s surprise, no Sirius Black.
“He’s not here.” George said. “We should go now.”
“But-” Harry ran up and down the row. “I saw him.”
“He- he might’ve been baiting you.” Fred murmured. “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, that is.”
“But why-” Harry was cut off by a strangled cry from Ron. “Ron?”
“It’s got your name on it.” Ron said softly, staring at one of the little orbs. Fred moved closer to them for a better look.
“My name?” Harry stepped towards both of them, craning his head up for a better look.
“Why’s your name on it? What is it?” Ron demanded. Fred remembered something his father had told him years earlier, about a department in the ministry that held prophecies. He made eye contact with George over Harry’s head, and knew that he was thinking the same thing.
“Fred? George?” Ginny had obviously noticed their glance. “What is it? Do you know something?”
“No.” Fred said, looking away. “Nothing for certain.” He looked back to Harry. “Don’t touch it, just in case.”
“Why?” Harry demanded. “What is it?”
“If it’s what we think it is, it’s best you don’t touch it.” George said. “Just- leave it, please? Let’s get out of here.”
“On the contrary,” Came a silky voice from behind them, and Fred stiffened. “You will not be leaving until Mr. Potter grabs that orb, and hands it over to us.”
George’s eyes were wide, and Fred turned around slowly to see black shapes emerging from the shelves around them. There was nowhere they could run. His hand tightened around his wand and he stepped forward, putting himself in front of Harry and Ron.
“Malfoy.” Fred said evenly.
“Mr. Weasley.” Fred couldn’t see it, but he knew Malfoy was smiling. “I’m not concerned with you right now. Grab the prophecy, Potter, unless you want to see a second Weasley bled out in front of you in a year.”
Ginny made a strangled noise behind him, and Fred heard a shuffle as Harry must’ve grabbed the prophecy. He didn’t dare take his eyes off the death eaters in front of him.
“Good.” Malfoy said. “Now, hand it to me.”
“Don’t,” Fred cut in. “Don’t give it to him, Harry.”
“Where’s Sirius?” Harry asked.
The death eaters chuckled, and Fred heard a female voice cry “The dark lord always knows!” with significant glee.
“Always.” Malfoy agreed. Fred took a small step backwards, creating space between Malfoy and himself. “Now, give me the prophecy, Potter.”
“I want to know where Sirius is!” Harry snapped.
Fred heard George mutter ‘let it go, Harry, he’s not here,” as the death eaters echoed Harry’s words mockingly.
“Dreams and real life are different, Potter, you should learn to distinguish them.” Malfoy said when it became clear Harry wasn’t going to speak anymore. “Now, the prophecy, or I start using my wand against the Weasley in front of me. There’s too many of them anyways.”
Harry didn’t speak, so Fred decided he was going to. “He’s not going to give it to you.” He said firmly.
“Hand over the prophecy, and no one needs to get hurt.” Malfoy said. Fred wondered if he was too scared to do anything against them, knowing they were in the heart of the ministry of magic.
“Go on, then.” Harry said. Fred raised his wand in defense before the words had completely left Harry’s mouth. “You really think I believe that if I hand over this, prophecy, was it- you’ll just let us leave?”
“Accio prophecy!” The woman cried.
Fred jerked his wand. “Protego!” He yelped, hearing Harry do the same behind him. The spell sank into Fred’s shield, and he kept his wand up. The woman, and Merlin, it was Bellatrix Lestrange, yanked off her hood, fury in her eyes.
“Fine.” She snapped, ignoring Malfoy’s orders to not smash the prophecy. “He needs more encouragement. Grab one of his friends, a Weasley preferably, best if it’s the girl, and he can watch while we torture them.”
“George-” Fred started.
George cut him off. “I’ve got Ginny.” He promised.
“I’ve got Ginny” Bellatrix mocked. “You Weasleys think you’re so heroic, don’t you?”
“We taught one of them a lesson last year,” Malfoy said. “It will do them good to teach the rest of them one now.”
“You’ll have to smash this to get any of us,” Harry said, stepping up next to Fred with the prophecy clutched close to his chest. Fred was grateful for him, because all the mentions of his brother were making him nervous and angry, and he couldn’t afford to be anything other than focused right now. “I bet your boss won’t be too thrilled about that, would he?”
Bellatrix hissed at him, like a cat. Harry kept barreling onwards, because he had no sense of self-preservation. It was something Fred could sometimes appreciate, but he hated a lot right now. “What kind of prophecy is this, anyway?” Harry asked.
“What- you jest?” Bellatrix demanded.
“No jesting.” Harry said. “How come Voldemort wants it?”
Fred winced as the death eaters hissed at Harry’s use of his name, and he watched Bellatrix’s eyes get wide in fury. “You dare speak his name?”
“Yeah,” Harry shifted his grip, and Fred took the moment to fix his footing. It looked like they might be dueling. “Yeah, I’ve got no problem saying Vol-”
Bellatrix lost it at that, spewing curses at Harry furiously. Harry continued onwards, with information about Voldemort’s blood status that Fred had not known, but felt very dangerous. This upset Bellatrix more than it upset Fred though, and she threw a stupefy at them before he could react.
“NO!” To Fred’s surprise, Malfoy was the one to block it. The spell ricocheted into the shelf, setting two prophecies free. Fred felt Harry shift, and knew he’d come up with another one of his inane ideas. Fred watched as the two death eaters argued, trying to subtly pull Harry backwards.
“I’ve got a plan,” Harry hissed, before they turned their attention back to them. He switched his attention from Fred back to Malfoy.“You haven’t told me what’s special about this prophecy I’m supposed to be handing over.”
“Do not play games with us, Potter.” Malfoy said, and Fred could tell he was losing his patience.
“I’m not playing games.”
“Dumbledore never told you that the reason you bear that scar was hidden in the bowels of the Department of Mysteries?” Malfoy asked, only a tad mockingly. Fred was very glad Dumbledore hadn’t, because then they might’ve gone on this ill advised adventure much sooner.
“I- what?” Fred wished Harry would elaborate about this plan of his, because Fred sure didn’t have one, and this whole situation was making him very nervous. “What about my scar?”
“Can this be?” Malfoy sounded delighted, and anything that he enjoyed Fred hated, just on principle. And that was before Percy’s run in with him a year ago, this was a long standing policy of Fred’s.
“Smash shelves.” Harry hissed to Fred. Fred lowered a hand to stick behind his back, signing the message to George quickly. They’d learned it briefly when they were younger, hoping to get away with pranks at the dinner table, but Percy had caught on to what they were doing and had learned it out of spite, cheerily translating for their parents whenever they tried. Fred only hoped George both remembered the signs, and was paying attention to him right now. He wouldn’t blame him if he wasn’t, Fred’s eyes were pretty trained on the death eaters. To his relief, he picked up on whispers making their way through the group behind him.
He turned back into the conversation in front of him to hear Bellatrix loudly declaring Voldemort would never enter the ministry when they were doing such a good job of ignoring him, and Harry coming back with remarks clearly designed to drive the death eaters onwards.
Malfoy had clearly caught on the fact they had a plan, but it was too late. “Now!” Harry yelled, and Fred cast a reducto, hearing the group behind him do the same.
“Time to go!” Fred said, grabbing Harry’s hand and pulling him out of the aisle. Hermione was close behind them, Fred could feel her at his back, and he heard the other five scurrying after them. Hands grabbed at them, and Fred stopped to stupefy them.
“Go!” He yelled. “I’ll catch up!” He shoved Neville onwards, and doubled back towards where Ginny, Ron, Luna, and George were running.
“This way!” George yelled. Fred ran after them, slipping in behind the door just behind them. “Fred! Where are the others?”
“Other direction!” Fred yelled as they ran from the four death eaters who burst through the door not seconds after they closed it. “Protego!” He managed, as stupefys hurtled at them. “Got a plan?”
“Thinking!” George turned down another hall and Fred ran with him, making sure their siblings and Luna were right with them. He heard a spell cast that he didn’t recognize, and Ron stumbled.
“Ron!” Fred caught him, and Ron giggled. “Merlin. We’ll deal with that later, come on!” He dragged his brother along.
“Is he alright?” George asked, as they turned towards another door.
“Dunno, gone a little funny.” Fred gasped. They burst inside the room and found themselves floating in the dark, planets floating around them. “What is this?”
George shrugged, and tried to usher Ginny and Luna past him. A death eater tumbled in the room behind them, grabbing at Ginny’s foot. “Reducto!” Luna screamed. Pluto exploded, pushing the death eaters away, and also grabbing a sickening crack in Ginny’s ankle. Ginny screamed. “Oh, Gin, I’m so sorry!”
Ginny just sobbed, and George picked her up. “Nice job, Luna.” He gasped. “Come on.” They moved forward as best they could, each of the twins practically carrying one of their younger siblings with them. Fred kept tossing spells behind him when the death eaters got close, and after what felt like an eternity they found a door and rolled out of it, finding Harry, Hermione, and Neville on the other side.
“What happened to him?” Harry gasped as Ron pulled at his robes.
“Dunno,” Fred said. “They hit him with some spell, I’m sure he’ll be fine.” He gestured Neville forward, and tapped at his nose. “Episkey.” He said firmly, hearing George cast a stronger healing spell on Ginny’s ankle behind him. They were very good at healing spells, having gotten themselves into loads of trouble that required it over to years, without even including the quidditch injuries.
“Everyone else alright?” George asked after a brief pause. “What’s wrong with Hermione?”
“Unconscious.” Neville said. “Has a pulse though.”
“Bare minimum, that’s good.” Fred muttered. He moved to help Neville with her when noises came from behind them. “Let’s go.”
Harry dragged Ron towards a door, Neville and Fred carrying Harry and the rest following behind them. Before they reached it, Bellatrix burst out of a door across the room.
“There they are!” She cried. Harry threw himself and Ron forward and they all tumbled into the room, Harry sealing the door behind them just in time.
“Help me seal them!” He said, as Bellatrix’s words made them realize they were back in the brain room. George, Luna, Neville, and Ginny helped Harry, while Fred crouched over Hermione, trying to help revive her.
They nearly succeeded, but Bellatrix burst through a door just before Luna could seal it, and that was about when it all went to hell in a handbasket. Luna flew across the room, slamming into a desk and staying as still as Hermione was. Moments later, Ron’s temporary insanity caused him to summon the brain.
“No!” George was quicker than Harry, and managed to tackle their brother away before he could catch the brain, but the tentacles wrapped around them regardless.
“Harry, it’ll suffocate him!” Ginny screamed, before she was stunned and knocked unconscious. Neville, Fred, and Harry were the last two left standing.
“The prophecy!” Fred yelled. “Harry, toss it here!”
Harry obeyed without hesitation, clearly coming to the same conclusion as Fred. Fred caught it, grateful for all the drills where Oliver had made him handle the quaffle despite being a beater, and turned and ran before the death eaters could process what was happening. “Help them!” He yelled as he ducked out of the door. Footsteps pounded behind him, and Fred tumbled into another room. He stumbled forward, landing on the dais where the creepy arch Harry had been obsessed with earlier sat. Glancing to the left he saw another door open, leading directly to the room he’d just left.
“Well, Weasley, you’ve certainly got spirit.” Malfoy laughed. “Hand it over. Or we’ll kill you. The dark lord doesn’t want you alive like he wants Potter, and I’ve been itching to kill a Weasley for a year now.”
“Bet you have.” Fred stood, raising his wand.
“What, are you going to take all of us, alone?” Bellatrix laughed.
“He’s not alone!” Harry and Neville appeared at the door way, and Fred barely bit back a groan.
“No!” He cried, as the two were brought into the death eater’s grips easily. He held the prophecy out to his side. “Let them go, or I’ll drop it!”
“You’re in no place to bargain, Weasley.” Malfoy said, but motioned for Bellatrix to lower her wand from where it was pointed at Neville. “Hand it over, or you’ll watch us torture them.”
Fred didn’t really see another option, but fortunately one was made for him. Sirius, Moody, Lupin, Tonks, and Kingsley burst into the room, bringing with them a rush of relief. Fred dove off the dais and made it to Harry and Neville.
“Alright?” He asked.
“Yes.” Neville said, Harry nodding in agreement.
“Ron? And George?”
“Fought off the brain. Ron’s still loopy, but George is waking up the rest.”
“Good. Here.” Fred returned the prophecy to Harry. “Watch that, I’m going to help Kingsley.” He stood, stumbling towards where Kingsley was dueling two death eaters at once. He stunned one, catching them by surprise, and Kingsley made quick work of the other.
“Ever considered being an auror?” Kingsley asked him as he caught his breath.
“Not for me.” Fred turned around to see Harry being held by a death eater. “Ah, Harry!” He lunged forward, but was beat by Neville flinging himself into the man, revealing him as Macnair. Fred still tried to help them, but was struck by a curse against his arm, pushing him to the ground. His arm opened up, blood gushing out immediately.
“Fred!” Kingsley knelt beside him, trying to heal the wound. “Cursed.”
“No kidding?” Fred pushed himself up. “Just, bandage it, I don’t know.”
Kingsley did so, and then tried to help him to his feet, but Fred stumbled, feeling a bit woozy from the hit. “Go help them,” He gasped, as he realized Neville and Harry were failing to escape. “I’ll be fine.” Kingsley rushed forward just as Dumbledore entered the room. There were two more people behind him, George and Hermione maybe, but Fred didn’t get a good look as a death eater pulled him to his feet as he passed.
“If we get caught, they’ll have to kill you first,” The man, Dolohov, whispered, pressing a wand against Fred’s forehead. He pulled him up onto the dais. “Let them go, Dumbledore, or I kill the boy!”
Dumbledore lowered his wand, releasing the spell that held the other death eaters back from escaping. They slipped out the doors, leaving only Sirius and Bellatrix dueling.
“Release him at once, Dolohov.” Dumbledore ordered. Fred gasped for air as Dolohov’s grip around his neck tightened, and he saw Harry’s horrified face out of the corner of his eye. He went to look for George, remembering having seen him enter the room, and was surprised to find it was Percy and Audrey behind Dumbledore, not George and Hermione. Percy looked horrified, and Audrey had a grip on his elbow like she was stopping him from doing something stupid.
“He’s coming with us,” Dolohov said. “And once we escape I’ll leave him somewhere, you can pick him up then.”
“Release him now, Dolohov.” Dumbledore said. Dolohov stepped back and the room stiffened. Fred heard Bellatrix cast a stupefy, and he twisted to find Sirius falling towards the arch.
“No!” Fred stomped on Dolohov’s foot and wormed his way out of his grasp, lunging to catch Sirius.
“Fred!” He heard Percy cry. “No! Stupefy!”
Dolohov made a sound of pure fury, and Fred heard him cast a spell. “Avada kedavra!”
Fred felt a spell hit him, and he was flung to the side, away from Sirius. As darkness claimed his vision he saw a green light flash through where he’d just been, and followed it to see it vanish, along with Sirius, through the veil. His last thought was that Percy stunning him had likely just saved his life.