Harry Potter: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 5

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Six thestrals, their dark, skeletal forms cutting through the evening sky, burst through the treetops, their wings beating with an eerie grace. Evelyn clung tightly to Harry as they ascended, her arms wrapped around his waist. The chill of the wind bit into her skin, but she tried to focus on the steady rhythm of Harry's breathing rather than the dizzying height beneath them.Harry's face was a mask of determination as he guided the thestral through the twilight, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The sun dipped lower, its last rays casting long, eerie shadows over the landscape below. Evelyn felt a shiver run down her spine, a mix of fear and adrenaline fueling her resolve.

The ride was swift and silent, the only sound the whisper of wind against their ears. Evelyn's grip tightened each time the thestral dipped or turned, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and anticipation. She tried to avoid looking down, focusing instead on the solid presence of Harry in front of her. His determination was a source of comfort, anchoring her as they hurtled through the sky toward the unknown.

As the sun finally disappeared, leaving the world cloaked in twilight, the towering silhouette of the Ministry of Magic came into view. The thestrals began their descent, gliding smoothly toward the ground. Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest, each moment stretching into what felt like an eternity as they approached their destination.

With a final sweep of their wings, the thestrals touched down gracefully on the pavement outside the Ministry. Evelyn let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her arms slowly loosening their grip around Harry. The thestrals snorted softly, their glowing eyes watching the group with an unsettling intelligence before they faded back into the shadows.

Harry slid off the thestral first, turning to offer Evelyn a hand as she dismounted. Her legs felt shaky, but the firm ground beneath her feet brought a wave of relief. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she looked up at the imposing structure of the Ministry.

The group gathered close, their faces illuminated by the faint light of the streetlamps. Evelyn exchanged a glance with Harry, her eyes reflecting the same mix of determination and trepidation she saw in his. There was no turning back now. With a final nod, they silently stepped forward together, making their way into the ministry. 

The seven friends stood side by side in the deserted atrium, their breaths echoing in the vast, eerily silent space. The only sound that accompanied them was the gentle bubbling of the fountain in the center, its water reflecting the dim, flickering light of the chandeliers above.Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest as she took in the grandeur of the Ministry, now devoid of its usual hustle and bustle. The emptiness made the place feel even more imposing, and the cold marble floor beneath their feet sent a shiver up her spine.

"It's this way," Harry said, his voice barely more than a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might break the tension hanging in the air. He stepped forward, leading them toward a golden lift that gleamed dully in the low light. The group followed him, their movements synchronized in a shared sense of urgency and dread.

They filed into the lift, the doors closing behind them with a soft thud that seemed to reverberate through the silence. Inside, the tension was palpable. Ron's knuckles were white as he gripped his wand, while Hermione bit her lip, her eyes darting around as if mentally preparing for what lay ahead. Luna, in contrast, appeared serene, though her usual dreamy expression was tinged with a hint of seriousness. Evelyn stood close to Harry, feeling the electric charge of anticipation in the air.

The lift rumbled downward, the sensation making Evelyn's stomach lurch. It seemed to go on forever, each second stretching into eternity. No one spoke, their nerves keeping them in a heavy silence. Finally, the lift came to a shuddering halt, and the doors slid open, revealing a dimly lit corridor that seemed to stretch into the unknown.