Trial of Time: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

(P2) Chapter 10 - The Prophecy

The plan itself had been laid out, and it was clear enough.

Around midnight, we were to sneak into the Ministry. Secure the prophecy, hopefully undetected. Floo to Keenbridge, and make the rest of the trek via broom to the nearest Floo outside Hogwarts, where Sebastian would resume his duties as normal and Ominis and I would hide in the Room of Requirement. The Gaunts had a few more days journey before they would be expected at Hogwarts. Ideally, we would have a day or so to plan where to move next. And at some point, I'd have to report back to the Ministry with my findings at Hogwarts.

In preparation for our mission, I'm forced to have an uncomfortable conversation with none other than Professor Weasley. While Sebastian and Ominis are scouring Knockturn Alley, I find myself sitting with her for tea in her office.

I tell her about my concerns regarding the Dark wizards, choosing specifically to omit the binding of the basilisk and the impending break-in to the Department of Mysteries.

"Professor, I am mostly afraid of what the Gaunts may do if they know we are still here. Especially to Ominis. They cannot know that we are continuing to utilize the Room of Requirement, and we must make them believe that we have left Hogwarts and are elsewhere."

"I see. I'll make it a point to have a meeting with Professor Black to inform him of your abrupt departure," she nods with a glint in her eye, "however, this means that you and Mr. Gaunt must not be spotted by any students or other faculty in the castle whilst you remain here. And please, notify me if you do decide to depart."

"I understand. Thank you, Professor."

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Under the cover of night, we Floo ourselves to my conveniently unguarded Ministry office. I am more than grateful under these circumstances to have my own private Floo. Most of the Aurors do, though now I can see how this would pose a giant security risk overall. Perhaps a discussion about this would be necessary once the threat of the Dark wizards is neutralized. I push the concerns out of my mind and try to focus on the task at hand.

We land with a loud thud in the office. Ominis throws the Invisibility Cloak over his and Sebastian's heads just as we hear a gentle knock on the door. I rush over to my desk and try to pretend to look busy.

"Cirilla? Is that you?" The door creaks open to reveal Hector Fawley, senior assistant to the Minister himself. I shrug off the annoyance and muster a charismatic smile. I can feel Sebastian and Ominis shift to hide behind the cover of the desk in front of me.

"Hector! So good to see you. Sorry if I startled you, I was just... collecting some items from my office." I nervously brush a strand of loose hair from my face.

"Ah, yes! You're on that assignment at Hogwarts, correct? It was mentioned in one of the morning briefings, but they never told us much about it. What are you doing over there?" He takes a couple of steps into my office.

"Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to say right now. Top secret," I insist, covertly kicking Sebastian in front of me as I hear a slight snort.

Hector looks slightly suspicious as I cough loudly to cover up the sound, "So sorry! I apologize for the cough. I am... getting over a bout of the flu. Must've caught what's going around the school."

Hector nods and steps back to the doorway, "Children, yes. Disgusting little creatures. I always hated being one myself," he clears his throat in understanding, seemingly buying the explanation.

We stand there in awkward silence before I clear my throat. "Well, I should get going. Always nice to see you though, Hector!" I say cheerfully. He smiles in response, "Of course, my pleasure, Cirilla. I'd love to have dinner with you sometime when you're available. I heard about Jamie... Let me know if you ever need to talk."