SuperPotterLock - The Order of the Phoenix

Out of the Fire

Harry was escorted out of the Great Hall by Professor Tofty, and John squirmed in his seat until the timer for the exam ran out. He and Sherlock were the first ones out, John hurrying out into the Entrance Hall for some fresh air, then to pace around near the base of the marble staircase.

'Did you see it?' Sherlock asked, but John shook his head.

'What happened?' asked Dean as he too exited the Great Hall, followed by Cas, Ron and Hermione.

'I don't know,' John said anxiously, feeling his heart thumping wildly in his chest. 'It feels bad. Let's go, we should meet him on his way back.'

They hurried up the marble staircase and ran into Harry on the next floor. He didn't say anything, just gestured for them to follow him to an empty classroom.

'Voldemort's got Sirius,' he said.

Everyone burst into dismayed shouts and the blood drained from John's face.

'How?' Ron demanded, aghast.

'I don't know how, but I know where,' said Harry. 'There's a room in the Department of Mysteries full of shelves covered in these little glass balls.'

John started. 'You've seen it too?'

'He's trying to use Sirius to get whatever it is he wants from in there,' Harry said desperately. 'He's torturing him... says he'll end by killing him!'

Harry sunk onto a desk and there was a ringing silence for a moment. 'How're we going to get there?' he asked them.

'Get - get there?' said Ron.

'Get to the Department of Mysteries, so we can rescue Sirius!' Harry said loudly.

'But - Harry...' said Ron weakly.

'What? What?' said Harry.

'Harry, let's just think about this a minute,' Dean said calmly. 'As much as I think your Ministry sucks, it's five in the afternoon, there's no way Voldemort would be able to get past a building full of Aurors, especially not ones on their way home.'

'He and Sirius are probably the two most wanted wizards in the world,' Sherlock added sceptically.

'I dunno, maybe he used an Invisibility Cloak or something!' Harry shouted. 'Anyway, the Department of Mysteries has always been completely empty whenever I've been-'

'You've never been there, Harry,' said Hermione. 'You've dreamed about the place, that's all.'

'They're not normal dreams!' Harry shouted. 'How d'you explain Ron's dad them, what was all that about, how come I knew what had happened to him?'

'He's got a point,' said Ron.

'But this is just - just so unlikely!' said Hermione. 'How on earth could Voldemort have got hold of Sirius when he's been in Grimmauld Place all the time?'

'Sirius might've cracked and just wanted some fresh air,' said Ron, sounding worried.

'But why? Hermione persisted. 'Why would Voldemort want to use Sirius to get the weapon, or whatever the thing is?'

'I dunno, there could be loads of reasons!' Harry yelled at her. 'Maybe Sirius is just someone he doesn't care about seeing hurt!'

'Sirius's brother was a Death Eater, wasn't he?' Ron pointed out. 'Maybe he told Sirius the secret of how to get the weapon!'

Sherlock frowned and glanced at John, who shook his head.

'We've got no proof of any of this!' Hermione cried.