Chapter 2
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BARELY A FEW STEPS IN THROUGH THE DOOR DID HARRY ABRUPTLY STOP, TURNING AROUND AND LOOKING AT HIS FRIENDS. His eyes flickered over their faces one by one, the thought that he was possibly pulling them towards their imminent death hitting him like a pile of bricks.

Last time someone followed him, went along with his spur of the moment, panicky decisions, he died. He was murdered. And Harry wouldn't be able to live with himself if someone else died for him. Because of him.

"Okay, listen. Maybe...maybe a couple of people should stay here as a — a lookout and—"

"And how're we going to let you know something's coming?" questioned Ginny. She was giving Harry a stern look, as though she knew exactly what he was thinking, and she wasn't going to let him get away with it.

Neville and Ron backed her up.

"We're coming with you, Harry."

"Let's get on with it."

And on they went. Regret churned in Harry's stomach. He was starting to question even coming here, and bringing everyone else with him.

Something wasn't right. Harry could feel it in his bones.

━━━

Harry's breath hitched, his eyes glued onto his name on the orb. Cold sweat ran through the back of Harry's neck, making him shiver.

"What's your name doing down here?"

S.P.T to A.P.W.B.D.

Dark Lord

and (?) Harry Potter

What the fuck.

There were multiple tall and looming shelves in the room, all filled to the brim with glass orbs, just like in Harry's dream. There were yellowing labels in front of each one, names written on every one of them. And this one had his name on it.

He had followed his gut feeling this entire time, looking for Adhara. She was meant to be here. They were meant to find her. Instead, he was led directly to this orb, with his name on it. And Voldemort's.

His friends were behind him, all craning their necks to have a better look at the orb. They had all followed Harry here for Adhara, and now she wasn't even here. He didn't know how to face them. Their little wAnder inside the Brain Room had left them frazzled and sweaty.

They were supposed to find Adhara. Not this. Where had they taken his sister?

Despite Neville, Hermione and Roisin's insistence in not touching, Harry grabbed it, feeling miffed.

"Very good, Potter. Now turn around, nice and slowly, and give that to me."

━━━

Spector-like shapes appeared from above, landing in a circle in front of the group. The older students shoved Luna, Ginny and Roisin behind them, with Harry standing right at the front, facing Lucius Malfoy.

He looked dirty, for a lack of better words. Deep bags underneath his eyes, and shaking eyes that never strayed from the orb in Harry's hold. The man pointed his wand directly at the boy with one hand, his other was shimmering silver.

Malfoy swiped it away when he noticed Harry's lingering gaze.

"To me, Potter."

"Where's Adhara?" Harry asked, but something in him already knew the answer to the question. The Death Eaters' very presence confirmed it. Harry just didn't want to accept it.

The man smirked. The other Death Eaters laughed along. "The Dark Lord always knows!"

"Always. Now hand me the prophecy, Potter."

There was a woman beside Malfoy, who was laughing the loudest. She was closing in on him.

"Tell me where Adhara is!"

"Tell me where Adhara is!" mocked the woman.

An icy knot of fear was forming in his chest. Harry could hear his voice turn to shrill. "You've got her! I know you've got her! She isn't at Hogwarts, so where else could she be?"

The woman stepped out of the darkness, revealing her face. Harry heard a gasp from behind him, but he didn't budge as she neared even. Her wand, illuminated by a lumos, touched Harry's forehead, right above his scar.

The woman smiled cruelly. "Protective of her, aren't you?" She bowed her head near Harry's ear, and whispered. "She is of you, too, you know?"

Harry's eyes went wide for a millisecond. He practically dived towards the woman, who backed away instantly. Someone had held Harry back.

The woman was laughing. "I'm afraid Adhara Black will not be joining us, today." Her eyes traveled over those behind Harry, stopping right as it landed on Ron. "You'll be joining her soon enough."

Ron took a step forward, and this time, Harry held him back.

"Wait. Not now."

At that, the woman's brows shot up, smile widening. "Look at him! Giving orders like a little leader. He thinks of fighting us!"

"Oh, you don't know Potter as I do, Bellatrix," claimed Malfoy. "He has a great weakness for heroics; the Dark Lord understands this about him. Now give me the prophecy, Potter, or we start using wands."

Harry braced himself, wand raising. "Go on, then." The wands of his friends followed: Ron, Millie, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Luna and Roisin. Together, there were eight wands raised.

Harry tried not to think about how that was seven lives that were on him. Seven lives that would be sacrificed for nothing. His grip around his wand tightened.

"Hand over the prophecy and no one need get hurt."

Harry scoffed. "Yeah, right. I give you this — prophecy, is it? And you'll just let us skip off home, will you?"

Suddenly, a hand reached from the dark, grabbing for the orb — or the prophecy — in Harry's hand. Harry reacted right away, more so out of instinct than anything, and elbowed the figure.

The man stumbled back, his hand on his jaw. He snarled at Harry, his wand right at the boy's face. Millicent pushed him back, her own wand directed at him.

Harry heard a small gasp, then very disappointed voice.

"Oh, Uncle Victor..."

Slowly but surely, Harry's anger made its way out, warming him up. All the stress that had been building since the summer, about the dreams, about the Ministry and every bloody thing that had been going on weighed down on him in one go and Harry released it all.

He looked at Victor Rosier with a cruel glare, suddenly realizing how Adhara could have disappeared from Hogwarts.

"Petrificus—"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," warned the man. "Black's life is still within my hand.È He looked smug as he informed the kids, at the same time confirming Harry's suspicions.

Harry heard the woman called Bellatrix — the one from the newspaper, he just remembered — hiss at the man.

"What are you doing here? You are meant to keep an eye on the girl!"

Rosier looked unfazed. "Wormtail can take care of that by himself."

Bellatrix Lestrange tsked. "You forget yourself, Rosier. Your place remains with Wormtail! Just because the Dark Lord chose to reside in your—"

"Would you two—" tried to cut in Malfoy.

"And does the Dark Lord know about your little visit to the girl? Weren't you meant to remain here with Lucius, Bella?"

Lestrange glared at him.

Rosier returned his gaze on Harry. "Now, boy. If you want to see your sister alive, I suggest—"

"Accio Proph—" shrieked Lestrange, suddenly.

"Protego!" defended Harry, right away. He almost dropped the glass orb as he did, though he managed to cling onto it.

"Oh, he knows how to play, little bitty baby Potter," said Lestrange. The woman was insane, that much Harry knew. He didn't remember that from the newspapers, no. But from the stories Neville had told him, from the way Sirius looked alarmed at the mention of her name, from the haunting look in Adhara's eyes when she remembered they were related. Bellatrix Lestrange was not one to be taken lightly.

"Very well, then—"

"I TOLD YOU, NO!" Lucius Malfoy screamed at the witch. "If you smash it — !"

Bellatrix Lestrange didn't seem to care. Her focus was on Harry's friends, Rosier's focus was on him, and Malfoy was eyeing the prophecy warily.

At that moment, something clicked. He remembered his time with Adhara at the Dursleys, he remembered her first time at Privet Drive. He remembered blackmailing the Dursleys with empty threats, and it worked because the play was in Harry's hands.

Harry held the glass globe away from him. "Step the fuck away from my friends!" he roared. "Or I'll drop it!"

The Death Eaters stilled, all of their focus shifting to the sphere.

"I don't think Voldemort will be too pleased if you come back without, will he?"

"...you dare speak his name?" started Lestrange, voice going high. "You dare to besmirch his name with your filthy, half-blood—"

"Yeah, I dare. And didn't you know that he was half-blood, too? With a muggle father and—"

Lestrange lunged again, but Malfoy held her back. Rosier looked at him in shock.

"Now," said Malfoy. "Let's all calm down."

Something in the corner of Harry's eye shifted. He glanced to his side and noticed the other Death Eaters closing in on them, very slowly. Harry's gaze wandered around, an idea forming in his head.

These shelves were useless to him.

He needed to buy more time.

He nudged his foot behind him, feeling for someone's feet. At the same time, he kept the madmen in front of him busy.

"You haven't told me what's so special about this prophecy I'm supposed to be handing over."

Harry felt someone's toes, and heard Hermione's sharp inhale.

Malfoy, Lestrange and Rosier looked confused.

"You jest, Potter."

"I'm not."

"Dumbledore never told you? About the prophecy? Your scar?"

Hermione whispered clandestinely. "What?"

"Smash shelves—"

"Haven't you ever wandered, Potter, why—"

"—when I say go."

"—the Dark Lord is so interested in you? Why did he go after you?"

Harry furrowed his brows together. "What do you mean?"

"Prophecies can only be retrieved by those about whom they are made. Which is lucky for you," continued Malfoy. He left Rosier and Lestrange behind, approaching Harry with small steps. "Haven't you ever wondered what was the reason for the connection between you and the Dark Lord?"

Harry took a step back, beckoning those behind him.

"Why was he unable to kill you when you were merely an infant? Don't you want to know?"

"Harry," he heard Millie whisper carefully. She probably noticed the other Death Eaters, the ones surrounding them, drawing nearer, too.

"I can tell you. Just give it to me, and I can show you."

It wouldn't be the first time Dumbledore kept important information from Harry, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. The truth would be revealed at some point or another. Or, they could simply blackmail someone into telling them. Right now, though, the prophecy was not one of his biggest concerns.

"I'd rather have my sister back, thank you."

Malfoy blinked, taken aback.

"Now!" Harry yelled. "Reducto!"

━━━━

Millicent grabbed the first hand she could get a hold of and ran, making her way towards the first room that they found. She ducked underneath the falling shelves and the glass globes using her other hand, hoping her companion was able to brace themselves as well.

Once inside the room, Millie and her companion, who turned out to be Ginny Weasley, pushed the door closed. The red-headed girl then accioed a large shelf in front of the door to keep it shut, but Millie tried to resist.

"Wait — the others!"

"They went another way!" she explained hurriedly.

"But I thought we were meant to assemble in the room with the brains?"

Ginny shook her head. "Instructions were unclear. I didn't even hear Hermione properly when she told us what we were supposed to do."

Dazed from the quickness of it all, Millie nodded. She eyed the shelf protecting the door, broken around the edges from falling and being hurtled through the air to summon it here.

The mission was a failure. Not only did they not find Adhara — leaving her to be in danger wherever she was — but they also led the Death Eaters to exactly what they were searching for and put their lives in danger.

However, there was no one to blame, really. Despite Harry's insistence, Millie herself wanted to come. She didn't want to take a chance on whether Adhi was here or not, it was just bad luck that she wasn't.

She would do it all over again, though, if it meant ensuring her best friend's safety.

They hadn't even had enough time to take a breath when there was a loud knock on the door. Millie instinctively grabbed Ginny's arm, who didn't wait a second and pulled the blonde girl towards a large tank, full of an semi-opaque green liquid.

There were a multitude of pure white brains inside the tank. Millie couldn't help but follow the floating organs with her eyes once they were hidden behind it.

The door to the room exploded as someone yelled a loud bombarda! making Ginny flinch. Millie maintained her hold on her. She observed the two Death Eaters that entered the room through the tank of green liquid. Their figures appeared all wiggly and not fully visible, but they could still watch them as they searched inside the room.

One of them spoke to the other. "Remember, we only need to keep Potter safe. The others, we can—"

"Careful what you say there. You better keep your hands off my daughter."

Millicent froze, instantly recognizing the voice. She could feel Ginny shift beside her. They were both holding onto each other's arms, and she must've felt Millie's go still because she gave her arm a squeeze.

Millie forgot to breathe. Her mind went blank. Her eyes fixed on who she now knew to be her father. When she saw him get near them, she couldn't help but choke.

The sound made the Death Eaters go still. Ginny dragged her down on the floor, ducking away. The girls held their breaths, hearing footsteps close in on them. Millie silently hoped it was her father and not the other man, another part of her stricken by the thought that this was her dad that she was hiding from.

A man with a mask rounded the tank, meeting them face to face, and it was not Myllward Bulstrode. He laughed behind the mask, probably recognizing Millie if he was close to her dad.

"Well, what do we have here? It's your bloodtraitor daughter, Bulstrode. And her bloodtraitor friend."

Millie scooted away from the man, still on the floor. She could feel Ginny getting on her knees behind her, her wand outstretched.

"And look. They want to fight. Oh, how sweet."

"Stu — stupi—" Ginny's wand went flying. The man was pointing his wand at them.

"Let them go," Millie heard her dad say. She couldn't dare to turn and face the man. She didn't want to see him with that mask.

"Now, the Dark Lord's instructions were clear. And besides, isn't a taint on your honour to have a bloodtraitor for a daughter?"

"I'm warning you, Rookwood."

Rookwood smirked at her dad. "You've lost your sight on our noble aim, Bulstrode. There's only one way to fix this taint. And it's by killing it directly from the source—"

A jet of green light hit Rookwood directly on his chest. His eyes seem to freeze in time as his body twisted. He fell backwards like a plank of wood.

Millie heard Ginny breath hitch as the spell hit the Death Eater.

There was a moment of silence. Millie could hear voices from outside the door approach. She still hasn't turned around to face her dad.

"Mill—"

"Go," she cut him off.

She heard her dad take a deep breath. Ginny still hadn't said anything, though Millie wasn't sure if it was because she didn't want to disturb the moment between father-daughter, or if because she just witnessed death for the first time.

"Go, Dad. Go before the Order gets here. Go home. Take that mask off, and then come and pick me up at King's Cross. We can pretend like none of this ever happened."

"We can't pretend anymore, darling. Things...things are changing."

Millicent closed her eyes tight, refusing to believe it but knowing that it wasn't possible.

"Just for a little while more..." she whispered.

She still hadn't turned around to face her dad. She didn't want to see him with the mask. Millicent heard the ruffle of clothes, a soothing hand in her hair, then a kiss on the top of her head. Her dad didn't say anything else. Millie heard the swoosh of the air, like someone had apparated away.

Then she heard the commotion of the others bursting inside the room.

━━━━

Adhara opened a bleary eye at the sound of the ruckus. She was lying on the ground, her cheek squished with the wooden floorboards.

Bellatrix Lestrange left a while ago, not without giving Adhara a taste of her second Unforgivable of the day. She absentmindedly wondered if she was going to taste the third one too, but that could also simply be her frazzled brain, too exhausted from the cruciatus curse.

The curse was called the torture spell for a reason. Adhara's boggart might just take a new form now. She couldn't feel her limbs properly, nor was she very aware of her surroundings, only vaguely remembering that Pettigrew should be in the room with her.

But the sound of glass breaking and objects toppling over pulled her out of her hazy thoughts. She saw Astoria Greengrass run towards her, which made her scrunch her brows together.

Adhara watched the girl say something, but she couldn't hear her properly, only registering her moving mouth. Then, Graham Montague appeared from behind and kneeled beside her.

It was official, Adhara had lost her mind. Maybe they'll put her in the same ward as the Longbottoms and her friends could and visit her.

Montague grabbed Adhara by her armpits, hefting her up. Adhara's vision went white for a second, making her close her eyes. After a moment, she felt something touch the tip of her nose, and a wave of cooling comfort rushed through her. Adhara finally took a long inhale of relief.

She opened her eyes. Her sight was still teetering at first, but then it slowly settled. Adhara noticed Nymphadora Tonks in front of her, a gentle smile on her face and the tip of her wand touching Adhara's nose. Greengrass and Montague were flanking her, both donning looks of concern. It was odd.

"Feeling better?"

Adhara nodded. She did feel much better. There was still a ball of fear shaking in her chest, but she ignored it.

"It's a calming spell," explained Tonks. "Similar to the drought but much less effective. It'll have to do until we get you to the Hospital."

Adhara parted her mouth to speak, but found her throat felt too dry to speak. She cleared her throat, licked her lips and shook her head to get her thoughts in order.

"Where are we?" she finally asked.

"Knockturn Alley," explained Montague, making Adhara's gaze dart to him.

"Not to offend you, but what are you doing here?" Tonks, she could figure out. Even Greengrass wasn't that astounding if Adhara didn't think too much of it. But Montague's presence is what caught her completely off guard.

The boy shrugged. "Bumped into Malfoy, and he spilled everything."

"Can't believe you fell for his trick," commented Greengrass, rolling her eyes.

Adhara didn't dignify that with a response.

Tonks stood up, holding Adhara's arm, but the action caused her to notice a figure laying on the ground that was previously obscured by Tonks herself.

"It's Pettigrew. He'll be back in Azkaban in no time."

"He's an animagus," Adhara thought it important to remind, "he can easily escape." The man laid unconscious on the ground, a green wire like rope binding him.

"Oh, thrust me, he isn't waking up anytime soon," assured Tonks. She helped Adhara to her feet, holding most of her weight. "Let's get you to St-Mungo's."

Right away, Rosier's words echoed in Adhara's mind. "Wait. What happened to Harry?"

Tonks waved her off. "He's fine. We need to get you to the hospital, your hands are still shaking, Adhara."

Adhara nearly pushed her off, knowing Tonks' words to be untrue. Rosier had mentioned something about baiting Harry, and knowing her brother, he definitely would fall for it. Especially if Adhara was the bait in question.

She turned her attention to Greengrass, trusting her to give her the right information.

The girl met her gaze straight on. "They're at the Department of Mysteries. Potter apparently had a dream that they were keeping you there."

"Astoria!"

Adhara let go of Tonks fully. She wasn't upset with her, but she needed to get to the Department of Mysteries, and the woman obviously wasn't going to help her.

"Adhara—"

Adhara was able to stand on her own, but when she tried to take a step, her legs almost gave out. Montague caught her.

Tonks reached for her, too. She was looking at Adhara almost painfully.

"The Order is on their way there as we speak. In fact, they might actually already be there. You need to get to St-Mungo's, you're shaking like a leaf!"

Adhara was not shaking like a leaf, thank you very much. Tonks was being dramatic. Only Adhara's fingers trembled slightly, but all was good. She was fine.

And even if she felt a bit sick, even if she felt as though she needed to peel her skin off to remove the prickly feeling, Adhara wasn't about to just leave her brother to fend for himself. He'll end up doing something stupid and getting himself killed if Adhara's not there. And Adhara refused to have Harry be dead. Absolutely not.

"If you're not going to bring me there, it's fine. I've got another method."

"What—"

"Kreacher!" Adhara called, and in an instant, the elf appeared in front of her.

Tonks jumped, but Montague and Greengrass were quite used to the action.

Kreacher's eyes went wide when he noticed Adhara's state. "Miss Adhara, what is happening to you?"

Adhara shook her head. She released Montague, taking a step and finding herself much more stable than before.

She advanced towards Kreacher, putting a hand out. "I need you to bring me to the Department of Mysteries—"

"Adhara, I really do think—"

"Certainly, Miss," thought the elf didn't look very certain. He eyed Adhara with concern as he took her hand.

"We're coming with you," declared Montague.

Again, Adhara was left confused. "Why? Better yet, why are you even here? You don't owe me anything."

The boy looked offended, the audacity. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Why would I need to owe you to help you?"

"Alright...then what do you get from helping me? From helping Harry." This time when Adhara spoke, she addressed both Montague and Greengrass, noticing the little 'we' he was talking about. "I'm not sure if this was implied, but you do know who exactly we will be facing at the Department of Mysteries, right?"

Montague and Greengrass exchanged a look.

"You don't get it, do you?" questioned Greengrass.

Adhara furrowed her brows.

"This isn't just your fight. Nor is it only Potter's," explained Montague. "If the Dark Lord comes to power, then we are all fucked. Muggle or not."

Adhara didn't know what she expected, but it definitely wasn't that. "But your families—"

"Montagues are neutral. We aren't even fully pureblood."

"And I never cared about my family's opinion, you know that."

Adhara looked at her teammates, a rush of warmth settling in her chest. She looked away.

"Fine, then."

Tonks cleared her throat, making the Slytherins turn to her. "Does my opinion not matter here?"

The three snakes exchanged looks briefly before Adhara addressed the Auror. "Are you coming with us, or are you staying here?"

Tonks' gaze flickered over that kids' face, but she must have seen the determination that made its way there because she sighed exasperatedly.

Even Kreacher looked ready to fight. Adhara has to make sure to tell him to leave right as he apparated them to the Department of Mysteries before they leave.

"Fine," conceded Tonks. "But first I need to message a coworker to pick up the bloody rat."

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