SuperPotterLock - The Order of the Phoenix

The Department of Mysteries

John was a mess and he grabbed the front of Sherlock's robes.

'Why did you do that?' Sherlock asked gently.

John shook his head, barely breathing. 'I saw what Hermione was planning. I thought I could help, but - but I - I -'

'It's all right,' Sherlock murmured. 'We don't have to go, we can stay here.'

John shook his head again. 'No, no, no, we have - have to help Sirius - I have to save him.' John stumbled over to the nearest Thestral. He couldn't quite see it, but he groped around until he felt its mane beneath his fingers. 'I can do this,' he sniffed.

Sherlock didn't say anything, but John could feel his doubt.

'Don't you want to see what Mycroft has got hidden in there?' John said, giving Sherlock the best smile he could manage.

Sherlock rolled his eyes, but allowed John's weak convincing to work, and felt his way to another one of the Thestrals.

Dean went over to Cas and put a hand on his shoulder before he could mount his Thestral.

'You sure about this?' Dean asked him.

Cas took a deep breath and his eyes glowed very briefly, but to Dean's surprise, he gave a small smile. 'I can handle it,' he said. 'You're right, I should harness my power, and I think some Death Eaters will be good target practice.'

Dean grinned. 'Well all right. Stay close to me. I've got your back, okay?'

Cas nodded, but caught Dean's sleeve before he went to his own Thestral. 'Are you sure about this?'

Dean shrugged and sighed. 'No, but I'd hate myself if y'all went without me and something happened to you.'

Cas squeezed his hand. 'It'll be fine,' he said. 'I'll protect you.'

Dean smiled again. 'Is that right?' he said, returning Cas's squeeze. 'You know what? I feel much better now.'

Cas beamed and mounted his Thestral.

'We all ready, then?' Harry called once they had all finally climbed onto a Thestral each. Then he addressed the horse he was sitting on. 'Ministry of Magic, visitors' entrance, London,' he said uncertainly. 'Er... If you know where to go...'

For a moment, the Thestrals did nothing at all. Then with one sweeping movement, they extended their wings and rocketed upwards one after the other. In moments they were over Hogwarts grounds, passed Hogsmeade, and as night began to fall, they passed over small collections of village lights.

The sky turned to a light, dusky purple littered with tiny silver stars, and soon only the lights of Muggle towns gave them any clue of how far from the ground they were, or how very fast they were travelling.

On they flew through the gathering darkness, faces stiff and cold, legs numb from gripping the Thestrals tightly.

Abruptly, they began to descend, the Thestrals hurtling towards the pavement. Despite their great speed, the Thestrals touched down lightly, quiet as shadows.

'Never again,' Ron said breathlessly, after toppling from his Thestral. 'Never, ever again.'

'Where do we go from here, then?' Luna asked, smoothly dismounting her Thestral.

'Over here,' Harry said, pointing them towards an old, vandalised telephone box.

'We can't all fit in there,' Cas said, eyeing the box dubiously.

'Sure we can,' said Dean. 'Come on.'

It was a tight squeeze, and more people than should have been possible all fit themselves into the box.