Agony [Draco Malfoy]

14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Three months later..

The Polyjuice Potion, which is a complex and time-consuming concoction, is best left to highly skilled witches and wizards. It enables the consumer to assume the physical appearance of another person. Her usual long brown hair was replaced by fluffy blonde curls. Not that it mattered, whatever was needed for her to look completely different. Her goal was to look the opposite of suspicious.

"Good morning, Wakanda."

She snapped out of her thoughts and forced a smile on her face when she realised one of the employees was greeting her. She had to remind herself she went by the name 'Wakanda' for as long as the polyjuice potion lasted. Wakanda was an elderly witch who worked for the Ministry of Magic, in the department of magical law enforcement.

"Wakanda, the interrogation of that muggle-born Cattermole is about to begin."

Liz' eyes widened realising it was Corban Yaxley speaking to her, one of the wizards she had figured out was a death eater. She nodded sternly and followed him towards the elevator —not knowing where else to go. With all the stress of brewing a polyjuice potion, she had completely forgotten to think about the rest of her plan. Her plan was to get into Yaxley's office but how was still a big mystery to her.

In her pocket she held tightly onto her wand, clamping onto it in case her true identity was revealed. Not that she was a wanted criminal but still, people would question her presence if they saw it was her since she wasn't working for the ministry. She knew it was a risk to take someone else's identity but if it meant finding information on Voldemort she'd take the risk.

An hour later she was seated next to one she dismayed almost as much as Yaxley, Dolores Umbridge. She tried to stop her foot from nervously tapping on the floor as Umbridge interrogated the innocent witch, Mary Cattermole.

"I didn't take it, I got it at Diagon alley, at Olivander's when I was eleven. It chose me."

"You're lying. Wands only choose witches and you are not a witch." said Umbridge in her high pitched voice. 

"But I am. Tell them Reg, tell them what I am." she cried to her husband who stood besides her.

Liz' eyes moved between the woman in pink —Umbridge and the odd wizard whom had just walked inside the room. He wore a long black jacket and a red tie, there was nothing odd about his clothing but the way his eyes were suspiciously watching Umbridge didn't go unnoticed by Liz. Liz wouldn't even be a possible suspect next to him.

"What on earth are you doing, Albert?" Umbridge questioned referring to the wand the odd man just pulled from his sleeve. Instinctively Liz did the same, ready to defend herself.

"You're lying Dolores and one mustn't tell lies."

The strangest thing happened when 'Albert's' face began changing. Transforming back into its usual state. Liz gasped at the sight of the boy-who-lived, never had she been happier yet shocked to see him.

"Stupefy!" yelled Harry Potter, stunning the pink witch. Liz took it as her cue and jumped up sending a jinx towards Yaxley but missed miserably. Harry shot her a look of confusion but understood when Liz changed back into her normal appearance.

"Liz?"

"No time." Liz yelled pulling his sleeve and dragging him away. He, the Cattermoles and Mafalda Hopkirk ran away as dementors were released from their cage. Liz didn't even need to guess who they were, knowing the golden trio never separated from each other.

The dark creatures chased them down towards the elevators but the five were a few seconds faster, escaping the dementors by a hair.

But the soul sucking monsters pressed against the door, trying to consume their souls. For a moment Liz was frozen in place, unable to do anything against the creatures. Her fingernails were pressing into the palms of her hands, nearly cutting her skin open.

"Expecto patronum!"

The five gasped for air, sharing shocked looks at what had just happened. Liz' eyes met Hermione's, seeing she returned to her original state. "I should've known." Liz muttered, then turned towards Reginald Cattermole "Let me guess, Ron?"

Mary Cattermole looked somewhat confused as she eyed between Liz and her 'husband' who nodded hesitantly at Liz as if he wasn't even sure who he was himself.

The elevator came to a stop, arriving at the first floor. Liz rolled her shoulders, preparing herself for what was about to come. She shook her hair loose, trying to cover her face so that others wouldn't recognize her. Especially since there was a serious chance of her father wandering around and people who knew her and her father. They only had a teeny tiny chance to get out unnoticed.

"Try to stay out of sight." Liz whispered. Hermione glared at the brunette. "Oh really?"

Liz rolled her eyes and hung her head forwards trying not to catch anyone's attention as they left the elevator. With Harry present it wouldn't take long for anyone to recognise them.

When Hermione and Harry turned around with furrowed eyebrows Liz did the same, nearly gagging at the sight in front of her. Ron —fake Reginald Cattermole and Mary Cattermole snogging. Liz' nose scrunched up when Ron returned to his own appearance. But Liz found the look on Mary's face when she found out it wasn't her husband even more priceless. She had to contain her laughter knowing it wasn't the right time to laugh.

"Mary, who is that?" real Reginald Cattermole came walking in from behind the trio. Even though they were in a serious situation Liz had to cover her mouth to stop her from laughing which she instantly earned a glare from by no other than Hermione Granger who seemed to dislike the Slytherin girl very much.

"It's Harry Potter." "Harry Potter." People began murmuring, acknowledging the chosen one's presence. Liz took it as her cue along with the others and began running towards the floo network; their only possible way out. But it didn't take long for the guards to notice them. Dozens of guards dressed in blue suits began running, making their way through the crowd of wizards and witches, trying to get their hands on the intruders.

Liz looked over her shoulder, making sure the golden trio ran after her and so they did. Jinxes were being shot at the four but they all missed. Liz' heart was pounding in her throat as she ran as fast as she possibly could, not wanting to get hit.

The floo network passages were closing, metal bars stopping anyone from going in or out. But not all of them were closed yet.

"Here!" Liz yelled running into the nearest floo network. Green flames absorbed her body, taking her away from the ministry. She could only hope the other three made it out there with her in time.