Spells and Handcuffs (Remus Lupin)

Reckless

I don't remember clearly how quickly Remus and I got in front of the Ministry of Magic and went inside. We hadn't said a word to each other so far. But there was no need. We both knew what could happen if Harry took the prophecy and it fell into Voldemort's hands. We both knew that the Mystery Department must be full of Death-Eaters and Harry's life was in danger.

There was no one in the atrium. We were about to cross the room when we heard hurried footsteps behind us. We both turned with raised wands at the same time, but to our relief, they were actually Tonks, Mad-Eye, Kingsley, and Sirius.

"What happened, Alastor?" Remus asked quickly as we all got into the elevator.

"I have almost no further details. I received the same message from Severus as all of you. A minute later, Dumbledore contacted me. According to him, Harry thinks that the Dark Lord has captured Sirius and is torturing him down there ... Can't this damn thing move faster?" Mad-Eye growled, slapping one of the elevator walls with his hand.

"But how...? " I began, looking at my uncle, who was surprisingly silent until then. Then I came to my senses and turned to him: "Sirius, you should not be here. If anyone sees you? "

"You don't think I'll stay in the house while Harry is in danger and you're all here. " He answered through gritted teeth. Just then the elevator doors opened and we all rushed to the Mystery Department.

"Sirius, please ...! "I shouted at him, grabbing his hand. He turned and looked at me. There was something between rage and excitement in his eyes. I was shocked. That look did not bode well. "Please don't be reckless! " He did not answer me and rushed with the others.

Mad-Eye reached the big black door first, pressed the handle, and went inside. We followed him.

We were standing in a large, circular room. Everything in here was black including the floor and ceiling — identical, unmarked, handle-less black doors were set at intervals all around the black walls, interspersed with branches of candles whose flames burned blue, their cool, shimmering light reflected in the shining marble floor so that it looked as though there was dark water underfoot. Three of the doors were marked with large red X. Judging by thе others' looks, no one knew what the X's meant. Tonks closed the door behind her. Just as I was gazing ahead at the doors opposite me, trying to decide which was the right one, there was a great rumbling noise and the candles began to move sideways. The circular wall was rotating. For a few seconds, the blue flames around us were blurred to resemble neon lines as the wall sped around, and then, quite as suddenly as it had started, the rumbling stopped and everything became stationary once again.

"Now we know why are those X's. But let's still try one of them." Remus suggested, pressing the door handle with the X closest to him. Nothing happened. "It's locked," he continued. Something strange was written on his face, illuminated by the light of our wands - astonishment, and awe.

"We are losing valuable time. " Moody growled. "Let's split up into pairs. Me and Tonks, Remus and Ash, Sirius and Kingsley. In case any of us find something or someone, you know what the signal is. If no one finds anything, in 15 minutes we will all meet here again. "

No one said anything, I looked at their faces. There was determination in all eyes.

"Vestigia filo! " I whispered before entering one of the rooms with Remus. A thin thread, like a rope, came out of my wand, began to lengthen, and follow me. "In case we get lost. To find the way back."

Entering the next room, it was as if someone had snatched almost all of my energy from me. I felt terribly exhausted and helpless. It was as if I felt dizzy and had to lean against one wall. In front of me, Remus was rubbing his forehead.