"Don't leave, I told you I wouldn't. So why are you?" Hermione's voice croaked, a mixture of desperation and sorrow in her tone.
"I can't, you know I can't," Y/N murmured, her brows furrowing with a heavy burden of guilt. She felt the weight of her...
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Y/N and Harry stood upright inside the elevator, their frustration from not finding the Horcrux in Umbridge's office still fresh in their minds. Tensions were still lingering from their earlier disagreement. However, their focus shifted when a familiar man entered the elevator.
"Morning," the man greeted them. Y/N and Harry quickly recognized him as Ron in his transformed appearance.
"Ron, it's us!" Harry whispered urgently.
Ron's face lit up with recognition. "Harry! Y/N! Blimey, forgot what you looked like," he said wearily. "Where are the girls?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"They've gone down to the courtrooms with Umbridge," Y/N whispered. The elevator door began to retract as they all pressed their respective buttons.
"I remember this all too well," Y/N mused as she tapped her foot, recalling her past experience with the Ministry's courtrooms during her near expulsion from Hogwarts.
"It was mental, a whole court session with the Minister just for an expulsion they didn't even win," Ron chuckled, sharing a knowing look with Y/N.
"Got Hestia to thank for that," Y/N whispered, raising her arm to reveal the hidden watch where Hestia was hibering in. The Manifestaion the cause of reason for the multiple of times she had saved been saved in multiple situations.
They walked out of the elevator with a ding, passing by a man being restrained by guards, a clear indication of the strict policies being enforced against anyone suspected of being Muggle-Born. The Ministry accused them of stealing magic from Pure-Bloods and Half-Bloods, leading to such severe consequences.
Harry, Y/N, and Ron exchanged glances but continued to move forward, entering the courtroom. Umbridge was seated in the judge's position, and she began to address the person on trial.
"Marry Elizabeth Cattermole?" Umbridge read aloud.
"Yes," Mary replied.
"Of 26 Chslehurst Gardens, Great Tolling, Evesham?"
"Yes."
Y/N couldn't help but glance upwards, her heart skipping a beat when she noticed what hung from the ceiling—Dementors.
"It's here," Y/N whispered, her gaze shifting to Umbridge, who was wearing the Horcrux necklace, radiating an aura of evil and malice.
"Mother to Maisie, Ellie, and Alfred? Wife to Reginald?" Umbridge continued, seemingly oblivious to the dangerous necklace she was wearing.
Mary, from her chair, glanced around as if looking for her husband, Reginald. "Reg?" she said softly, puzzled by his absence.
Ron, unsure of what to do, looked over at Harry and Y/N, who exchanged a determined look. Harry pushed Ron forward, prompting him to take action. Ron, though confused, reluctantly stepped forward.
