The Darkness Within: A Harry Potter Sequel

Chapter Five

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The Resurrection Stone was hidden within the deepest recesses of the Ministry of Magic building. It never stayed in one place for long, and its disguising box was regularly altered. Being one of the most powerful magical objects in existence, it was immune to most spells; it could not be summoned, charmed, or manipulated in any simple way. Voldemort had, of course, placed a powerful curse on it, but he had been an unusually powerful wizard.

Very few people knew where the Stone was at any one time, and that ensured that in nineteen years, no witch or wizard had come close to retrieving it, though many had tried.

However, this time was different. Teddy had the Elder Wand, and as a Metamorphagus—a rare natural ability—he was able to change appearance at will. The possibility that he could sneak into the Ministry unnoticed was very real.

Harry and Hermione swept through the Ministry building, their statuses as Department Head and Minister for Magic ensuring that no one stopped them when they were clearly in a hurry. Along the way, Harry conjured a paper aeroplane, etched a note into it with his wand, and sent it flying off. The message was simple: 'Gather the Aurors and find me. HP'.

Harry had sent the note to his assistant, Barnabus Prewett. He was a cousin of the Weasley's, and not the brightest, but his determination to prove himself useful made him an asset in times like these. Harry trusted him completely.

As Harry and Hermione entered an elevator, Barnabus and two Aurors stepped in after him. Barnabus was gasping for breath.

"Mr Potter," he wheezed. "Minister, what's—"

"Not here, Barnabus," said Harry. He nodded stiffly to the Aurors. They had guessed what this was about.

"Department of Magical Law Enforcement," Hermione said. The elevator, after a second's pause, whizzed sideways, backwards, and finally, down.

"Department of Magical Law Enforcement," said the smooth female voice of the elevator. "Please step out for Auror Office, Improper Use of MAGIC OFFICE, AND WIZENGAMOT." The voice raised itself to shout after them as they sprang from the elevator in a group.

The collective sprinted down the corridor towards the courtrooms, Harry and Hermione in the lead. On the way, more Aurors appeared from various doors and joined the group, until there were more than a dozen of them. They burst through the entrance to Courtroom nine. Harry had not entered this room since the last Death Eater trials, years ago, but he knew exactly where the stone was hidden.

"Spread out!" he yelled. "Form a perimeter." The Aurors did as commanded, taking various places among the rows of seats.

Hermione sidled up to Harry and muttered to him, "What's our play? We're just going to stand here and wait for him?"

"This is where he's coming, I know it," Harry replied. "If we wait here, he'll come to us, and we'll have him trapped."

Hermione nodded, but added, "We can't stay here forever, Harry. These people have other jobs to do."

"We'll put them on shifts. Have this room guarded, 24/7."

"Like we always should have," Hermione said.

"I told you, guarding it would attract attention to it," Harry replied. "No one would know to look here unless we gave them the direction." One by one, he met the eyes of the Aurors in the room, Barnabus, and finally, Hermione. He was about to reveal the exact location of the Resurrection Stone. The trap was set.