HP&SB: The Order of the Phoenix

Chapter 11

I inhaled deeply as the elevator's doors opened, bring us to one of the lowest levels the Ministry of Magic had to offer. The Department of Mysteries.

Neville, Luna, Ginny stepped out behind me while Ron, Hermione and Siri stood by my sides, wands drawn and eyes alert as we stepped off the lift. The gold door slid shut behind us, and there was no turning back now.

We were in a long, dark corridor, no light to show where we were going save for the light that came from our wands.

"Are you sure this is it?" Even as a whisper, Hermione's voice seemed loud compared to the thick silence. I bit my lip, stepping away from the group and further out on my own. This had to be it- Something in me knew this was it. And then Ifelt a small tug on my shoulder, and turning my head I followed Siri's gaze. Looking down at a long hallway with a door at the end, its bronze knob just visible in the light.

"That's it." I breathed. Siri nodded slowly from where she stood beside me.

"How do you know?" Ron asked, coming to join us. Soon the rest of the group did as well.

"I've seen it before. In my dreams." I muttered as I turned, facing everyone in our small group.

"Look, I don't know what's beyond this door. Voldemort could be waiting behind it. Maybe you should go back and get help. Try and contact the Order." I said, taking a deep breath. "Siri and I will go alone."

Apparently this wasn't a very popular idea.

"No bloody way. You've had to face him alone too many times already. We're coming with you." Ron insisted, his expression full of determination. The others nodded in agreement, each looking ready and obstinate.

"Alright." I said, giving a slow nod. "But we have to try and stick together- And of not all together, then find someone to stick with."

And with that I turned, exhaling deeply before I grabbed hold of the door knob and turned it, pushing the door open.

The room was lit up only by glowing blue orbs the size of tennis balls. They sat on row after row of shelves, ominous looking and obviously fragile. Something in my chest felt tight. This was the room.

"Siri.." I mumbled. Siri stood beside me, her mouth dropped open in awe. But there was something in her eyes, too- fear. Carefully I reached over, hoping I wasn't over stepping boundaries by taking her hand and squeezing it gently. I was reassured when she gave a soft squeeze back, and then I let go completely, walking down the main aisle.

"Sirius! Sirius Black!" I yelled as I marched past the rows, fearing risk of whiplash as I turned my head to look down each row.

"Dad! Come on, if you're there please show! This isn't funny!" Siri cries from behind me, her voice breaking. She followed after me, pulling anxiously at the sides of the baggy gray pants she wore.

"Dad! SIRIUS ORION BLACK! Dad!" Her voice became more panic the more she called, and it sent another flash of urgency through me. With Siri running left I turned right, while everyone else searched wherever.

"He should be near- somewhere about? He might be... no, no, maybe over.." I was mumbling to myself, running about the large room. Every time I thought I had reached the end of the room there was another aisle, another corner. After about a minute though I ran into Hermione, who looked breathless and very concerned.

"Harry," She said gently, "I don't think he's here."

"No- He has to be!" I insisted, gesturing to the area a little further away. The one place in this room I definitely recognized. "Hermione. He was on the ground right here!"