Invisible String

6.

"What the hell do you mean gone? Where could he possibly go? How?"

Severus stood up.

"I had gone to locate Potter and his friends, when I had a run in with Professor Umbridge who demanded I provide her with Veritaserum for them. I was not sure why, but regardless, I had run out, and I informed her of so. She returned to her office, enraged. I then went outside, thinking that perhaps they would be at Hagrid's hut. Had I been minutes earlier, maybe I could have stopped them. But I noticed precisely 6 individuals flying on Thestrals out of the forest, headed to Merlin knows where. Since no one that I asked had seen Potter since I returned from outside, I have no choice but to assume that the boy has once again, risked his life, along with his friends lives, for something that..." Severus trailed off; he could not finish his statement without her answer.

"Sirius is safe. Fuck..." said Aurora, worried. "He wouldn't be stupid enough to go to the Ministry, would he?"

"I believe he is stupid enough. You must go, Aurora. Go back to the headquarters and inform them to reach the Ministry at once, as the Dark Lord awaits Potter's arrival. I will contact Dumbledore immediately," said Severus.

"You've had contact with him this whole time?" She questioned, close to being furious about it.

"Yes, for emergencies only; and this clearly seems like one. Now, go on," Severus replied, walking up to Aurora and embracing her. She leaned in and silently sobbed.

"It's exhausting... it's so exhausting. I failed Harry..." She choked out, as Severus ran his fingers through her hair.

"I know, darling. But believe me when I tell you that you did not fail him. You may be all-powerful, but you still are, at the end of the day, young. Nobody can carry out any task flawlessly, and in these times, when the Dark Lord has returned, everything is uncertain. You mustn't blame yourself, Aurora. Now, take a deep breath, regain your strength and do your best. As the Dark Lord, Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore will all be in the same location tonight, a battle is bound to happen. Be safe." He kissed her head and pulled back from her clasp.

"Thank you, Severus." said Aurora, weakly smiling up at him. He, too, managed a comforting smile before Aurora disappeared into thin air for what seemed like the hundredth time today.

Aurora made her way into the main lobby of the Ministry. She looked around and could only wish that she had the time to gape at how grand it all was. She familiarised her way around the Ministry due to Harry's dreams, and following said path led her to the Department of Mysteries. As she opened the door that Harry had spent his entire fifth year longing to open, she had seen Hermione, Ginny, and Luna passed out, Ron entangled in something that looked like an opened brain, and Neville had just stood up, though he was bleeding badly. Harry was not present.

"Oh my— what the hell? Who did this to you lot?" Aurora gasped, helping Neville up.

"Da death ea-ers... they over there... 'arry there too..." said Neville. Aurora held both his hands and allowed him to sit back down.

"Stay here. Try get help, if you can." said Aurora. She walked through the door Neville pointed at.

Inside was a long stone staircase, and at the bottom was Harry Potter, along with Lucius Malfoy, who had his wand pointed towards Harry. He was holding the prophesy. They were next to an arch that homed something Aurora had familiarised herself with.

Aurora would have preferred to sneak up on them, but she instead instinctively yelled, "LUCIUS!"

The accompanying Death Eaters that Aurora did not know, along with Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, and Harry, all looked up and saw her.