In The Next Life - Theodore Nott Fanfic

Chapter 35

When we had arrived to the Ministry, I was a little taken back once I realized we were all by ourselves. "I'm starting to think you were right about this being a setup, Mione," I confessed, as the elevator suddenly stopped.

"Department of Ministries," the woman's voice dinged, and we each slowly crept out onto the marble floor. As I stepped towards the front with Harry, I couldn't help but notice how familiar the place seemed, even though I knew I had never seen it in person before.

"This is it," we both sighed, quickly turning to look at each other, before we focused in on the task at hand. Hesitantly, we all followed Harry into the long, dark hallway, until we had reached another door. "Are you sure we --" Ginny began, but Hermione quickly offered a look that said 'please don't ask.'

With a nod towards Harry, he slowly turned the doorknob and offered the door a great big shove, before we all stepped inside. "Holy shit," I gasped, as I began to turn in circles, glancing at all of the different orbs that surrounded us. "There's thousands in here," I sighed, but Harry just continued to walk down the multiple shelves the room had to offer.

"Lumos," he said, as he nodded towards us to do the same, before he began to pace down the shelves. "Ninety-two, ninety-three -- ninety-five," he stopped, as he began to frantically turn around.

"He should be here," he explained, and I couldn't help but feel a pit grow into my stomach. Something was wrong; I just knew it. "Harry, Flo," Neville called out, and I quickly made my way towards him. "I -- it's got your names on it," he said, his voice shaky and uncertain.

"Let me see," I ushered, as I softly pushed him to the side. As I looked up at the orb, I watched as it began to illuminate more, almost as if I was setting it off. "Harry's name, I understand," I started, as I carefully lifted the orb off of the shelf. "But why the hell is my name on it?" I asked, but they all just stared at me blankly.

"Maybe there's some kind of connection, you know, with your dreams," Hermione tried, but I knew that wasn't right; this felt like something deeper. "Here, let me see it," Harry said, as he slowly grabbed it from my hands.

All of a sudden, an eery voice began to whisper from the orb: "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. And the Dark Lord shall mark him as his equal, but he shall have power the Dark Lord knows not. For neither can live while the other survives."

"Hermione, please tell me you might have the slightest clue about whatever the hell that just prophesied," I hinted, but she just shrugged her shoulders, before her eyes grew wide once she looked my way. "Florence!" she yelled, as he pointed her wand behind me.

I quickly turned around, pointing my wand towards the masked figure's way. Slowly, the hooded figure made its way closer toward our group, almost as if it was taunting us. "Where's Sirius?" Harry asked, but they just kept walking forward, causing us to back further and further into the shelves.

"You know, you really should learn to tell the difference between dreams, and reality," the man sneered, as he slowly waved his wand over his mask, revealing his face. As soon as I recognized him, my heart began to poud out of my chest, and a cold chill spread across my body.

"Lucius?" I asked, stepping forward a bit from the group. "Florence -- wha-- what are you doing here?" he hissed, suddenly distraught from seeing me. "You should be at Hogwarts, somewhere safe," he tried, but I just shook my head.

"And then what? Leave my friends in danger? I saw what you did to Sirius!" I yelled, my anger beginning to rise and take over.

"You saw only what the Dark Lord wanted you to see," he snapped, his voice rising out of annoyance, as he crept closer towards me. "Now hand me the prophecy," he demanded, but I just shook my head.