A.J RYAN IN THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Chapter 43 - The Vision Unfolds

A.J spent the day in St Mungo's between reading and falling asleep in the chair beside Professor McGonagall's bed. She was brought here yesterday, after being hit in the chest by four stunning spells. Professor Dumbledore arrived under disguise late that evening to check in. A flash of red, and a piece of parchment dropped from the sky above their heads. Dumbledore caught the note while A.J's stomach plummeted further.

Grimmauld Place immediately

Dumbledore took A.J's arm and apparated them onto the doorstep of Grimmauld Place. A.J bent over and threw up, before gaining her balance and rushing inside after him. They found Kreacher alone in the kitchen, with a gleeful smile on his face, and heavily bandaged hands.

"The Potter boy's head appeared in the fire. Kreacher wondered what he had come for." Kreacher said with a wheezy chuckle.

"Where is Sirius, Kreacher?" Dumbledore ordered in a dangerous tone.

"Master has gone out, Professor. He told Kreacher to stay behind and wait for you."

"What's the message, Kreacher?"

"Master will not come back from the Department of Mysteries. Kreacher and his mistress are alone again!" he croaked happily.

"Kreacher. The rest of the message please."

Kreacher laughed hysterically.

Does Vertitaserum work on house-elves Professor? A.J thought the words threateningly. Kreacher stopped laughing to survey her.

"We won't need to go quite to those lengths yet." He answered calmly.

A.J scanned Kreacher's mind as Dumbledore started on the questions.

Between laughing hysterically Kreacher listened and responded.

"The Potter brat gave Professor Snape a message", Kreacher quoted. "Snape found Master was fine here. But he didn't see the Potter boy and the Mudblood return from the Forest and told the others here that Potter must have had a vision of Master at the Ministry. They have gone to the Ministry to rescue the Potter Brat." Kreacher's laughing grew louder. "Master didn't stay behind like Snape said he should, now he won't be coming back. Kreacher can be alone with his Mistress once more."

"How long ago did they leave?" A.J spoke.

Kreacher struggled against answering the question, but his orders were too strong and he reluctantly answered, "Less than five minutes before you arrived here."

"Who was here Kreacher? Who went to the Ministry?"

"Kreacher saw Mad-Eye, Tonks – fifthly blood-traitor she is –"

"Kreacher." Dumbledore warned.

"Yes, yes. Kreacher saw Kingsley, and the Werewolf." His mad cackling started up again, "Master did not want to stay behind. He told Kreacher to stay behind and explain. Now Kreacher wishes to speak to his Mistress, Master had kept me away from her, but not anymore."

A.J waved her wand and the elf froze on the spot. She conjured a chair under him while Kreacher glared back at her.

"Where did Professor Snape go?" Dumbledore asked.

"Searching the Forest for the Potter brat." Kreacher laughed.

"Do you know who is really at the Ministry?" A.J prodded.

"No." Kreacher lied.

Professor Dumbledore shared a glance with A.J, who pulled a vial from her small purse and handed it to him. Kreacher eyed it wearingly.