Harry looked at the door that was past the jar. "This is it," he called loudly to his friends. "This is the door," He turned to look at them one more time. After making sure each had their protective hats in place, he gave them a quick smile.
"Ready?" He asked in a low voice and though Neville swallowed hard, a look of determination settling in his eyes as he nodded with the rest.
"Wands," Harry said as he pulled out his own. When the others all had theirs in their hands, he gave a quick nod and opened the door. The room was just as he remembered it; cold and filled with shelves of blue orbs. Each of them knew exactly what they were.
As they entered the cold room, Hermione tried to keep the scenario the same by whispering. "You said it was row ninety-seven Harry."
"Yeah," Harry replied and he looked at the familiar shelf that showed number fifty-three.
"We need to go right," Hermione continued. "See that says fifty-four."
"Keep your wands ready," Harry said. They had visited this portion of the memory so many times, the wording came naturally.
After they had slowly moved down the aisle, Hermione once again said. "Here it is. Row ninety-seven."
"He's right down at the end," Harry said quietly, again using the same words since he knew they were Death Eaters listening. "You can't see properly from here."
Trying to mimic what had happened last time, they walked down the row until they got to where Sirius had appeared in the vision. "He's around here somewhere," Harry said trying to put a hint of desperation in his voice.
"Harry," Hermione said gently.
"What?" Harry snarled in the same tone as before.
"I don't think Sirius is here," She said. The nervousness in her voice quite real since she knew a dozen Death Eaters were watching them right now.
They had decided to forgo the running up and down the aisles, but had Neville 'find' the prophecy at this time.
"Harry," He called nervously. "Have you seen this?" He pointed at one of the shelves on row ninety-seven.
"What is it?"
"I...I don't know but it has your name on it," Neville said. His voice broke in genuine nervousness though in the dim light Harry could see the determination in Neville's eyes as he quickly made his way back to his friend's side. He glanced at the shelf and felt a wave of disgust at the yellow label that sat under the blue orb that read.
S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D.
Dark Lord and (?)Harry Potter
"What do you think it is?" Luna asked.
"I don't know," Harry replied as he reached out for it.
"I don't think you should," Hermione said.
"It's got my name on it Hermione," Harry replied. "I've got a right to know."
"Don't Harry," Hermione pleaded one more time, but they all knew what was going to happen.
Harry grabbed the blue orb and pulled it from the shelf. The others moved closer waiting for the voice and a couple of seconds later it happened.
"ʹVery good, Potter. Now turn around, nice and slowly, and give that to me."
Harry whirled around as if surprised and found the expected twelve wand tips pointed at them. Fred and George had assured them that the hats would stop at least two stunners or disarming spells. Even so, seeing that many wands aimed at them was disturbing and Harry felt a trickle of sweat emerge on his brow as he gazed at the masked Death Eaters.
"To me," Repeated the voice of Lucius Malfoy coming from behind the mask of the closest figure.
"Where's Sirius?" Harry asked.
Time repeated itself as several Death Eaters started chuckling. The voice that Harry instantly recognized as Bellatrix Lestrange emerged from the midst of the robed figures. "The Dark Lord always knows!"
"Always," echoed Malfoy softly. "Now, give me the prophecy Potter."
"I want to know where Sirius is!" Harry repeated as he mentally said to Hermione. "Don't think the Dark Lord knew about this."
"I want to know where Sirius is," mimicked Bellatrix.
"I know you have him," Harry yelled trying to show panic in his eyes. "I know he's here."
"The little baby woke up fwightened and fort what it dweamed was twoo," Bellatrix said in the same horrible baby voice.
Harry knew he had to play this out. He needed Lucius to mention the prophecy, but he couldn't wait for the bitch in front of him to die.
Hermione moved up to just behind Harry and he muttered to her. "Don't do anything yet."
Bellatrix let out a peal of laughter. "Yet? You hear him? Giving instructions to the other children as if he's thinking of fighting us?"
"Oh, you don't know Potter as I do, Bellatrix," said Malfoy softly. "He has a great weakness for heroics; the Dark Lord understands this about him. Now give me the prophecy, Potter"
"THERE," thought Harry. "The magic word," He looked at Lucius questioningly. "This thing?" He asked.
"Hand it over," Lucius snarled.
"What is it?"
"Just hand it over now or we'll start using wands," Lucius said.
Harry's wand came up instantly as did the others.
"Go on then," Harry bluffed again this time. He knew, or at least hoped the Death Eaters would react the same, though they were all ready to bolt if necessary. He wasn't surprised when no spell from the Death Eaters was forthcoming.
"We only want the prophecy Potter," Lucius replied. "Give it to me and you and your friends won't get hurt."
It really was funny and Harry laughed as he did the last time. "Yeah right. I give you this and you'll let us leave peacefully will you?"
He was waiting for Bellatrix and wasn't disappointed as she started the summoning charm. "Accio Prophecy."
Harry's 'Protego' was in plenty of time and the orb didn't even quiver in his hand.
"Oh, little bitty baby Potter knows how to play," she said, "Very well, then ‐"
"I TOLD YOU, NO!" Lucius Malfoy roared at the woman who had started another spell. "If you smash it…"
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