Chapter Fourty-Four
Confronting the Faceless 💀 CompleteMay 2, 1998
"There are all kinds of courage"
Audrey is in the middle of burning parchment when the Goat messenger bursts through her wall.
The burning is a regular part of her daily routine now, and she's pretty sure her neighbors think she's a bit mad, having a fire every day when it's nearly the summer. But no one questions it either; in this environment no one dares ask questions - you never know who's willing to kill you to keep you quiet.
It works in Audrey's favor, since it means she's never interrupted, and this is one of the more delicate aspects of her entire part of the operation.
The parchments being burned contain the names and locations of the rescued Muggleborns currently being housed by the Underground, from those recovering in their local safehouses to the ones successfully smuggled across the border. No trace can be left so Audrey each day memorizes any new locations and then destroys the evidence entirely.
She's just starting on her second to last parchment when the messenger (or patronus, no one can actually tell which one Aberforth is using since they're the same) appears. That is definitely not part of her usual routine, and of course she's immediately on high alert - changes in routine means something big has happened, whether that be the safehouse raid from a few months back or the Floo Network completion (even in war not all news is bad news).
However, it's never been Goat sending the message before - usually it's Python or Lion who contact her, so the unexpected intrusion is that much more alarming.
"They're getting ready to fight at Hogwarts. This is the final showdown." The messenger (she's going to just assume it's a messenger, they're easier than Patronuses) announces before vanishing in a swirl of silver, and Audrey blinks. She hadn't told it to speak, which means this isn't just a standard message - it's an emergency one, something that must be conveyed immediately regardless of where the recipient is.
Anonymity doesn't matter anymore.
Audrey stands up, throws the rest of the parchment into the flames (they can deal with the fallout of that later if there is a later) and grabs both her wands up from her desk. It's then that the second Messenger arrives, this one much more familiar in shape.
"We're taking back the Ministry. If things don't go well at the school we need our government back." The Python declares, no-nonsense and precise as ever. Audrey hums - another emergency Messenger. She already knows where she'll be heading - she never cared much for school after all (and if her brother is there she won't be able to focus on anything else). But obviously things are coming to a head, and if that's the case she has a stop to make before heading to the Ministry.
Despite having not been there for a month, apparating to Percy's flat is easy and familiar, and she blasts open the door ready for a fight.
Inside the flat is an absolute mess, and for a brief moment Audrey panics - until she sees her boyfriend standing in the middle of the disaster zone over two unconscious forms.
Percy sees her at the same time that she sees him, and he breaks out into a relieved smile and closes the distance between them in only four steps. Audrey grabs him as soon as he's close enough, dragging him down into a tight hug.
"I hate you a little." She tells him, muffled against the front of his robes. "Being Rat is exhausting."
"But necessary?" He asks, and she hums. Honestly after a month she's getting used to the role, but she still knows if given the choice she wouldn't want to do it again. Still, she does know that what she's done is a good thing and the Underground would have been in a far worse position if she hadn't been around to step up after Percy was dragged from his desk.
"Still glad it seems to be over, one way or another." She says when they finally pull apart. "I assume you got both Messengers?"
Percy nods, looking a little uncertain, and Audrey frowns. That looks means Percy is about to say something that she isn't going to like. "What?" She prompts, stepping back slightly though keeping a hand gripping his robes. "What are you thinking?"
"I need to go to Hogwarts." He says, and she frowns.
"The Underground needs to take back the Ministry. You're a founder, Perce, you need to be there." She points out. Unspoken is her fear that if they part here she won't ever see him again, and this month has been bad enough knowing he's still alive.
Percy shakes his head. "Maybe, but you're Rat now Audrey. You're more their leader than I am. And..." He sighs. "My family will be at Hogwarts."
Audrey bites her lip. She knows plenty about the Weasleys, and if she's honest she isn't quite sure how she feels about them. But she knows Percy loves them despite everything, and she gets what he isn't saying. Any of them could die tonight, and he wants to make up with them before that happens.
She sighs. "I need to be at the Ministry." She says after a moment. "But you better be careful Percy Weasley, or I'll bring you back to life just so Python can poison you."
He laughs and leans over to kiss her, deep and promising. "You be careful as well." He says once they break apart for air, "I love you."
And this is happening way too fast - they've been dating for four months, one of which they didn't see each other during, but Audrey knows he means it. Percy feels things intensely, but he never puts those feelings to words unless he's thought about it carefully.
She just kisses him because she doesn't know yet if she can honestly return the sentiment, but she hopes that they'll have time enough after this to figure it out.
"I'll see you on the other side." She promises, then they both step away from each other and pull out their wands.
When Audrey appears in the Ministry Atrium she's almost immediately dragged into cover, narrowly avoiding a stunning spell in the process.
"Thanks." She says, glancing over at the woman who'd saved her. She's a skinny strawberry-blonde who Audrey doesn't recognize from the Ministry so she must be with the Underground.
"No problem." The woman says. "The Deatheaters still here have figured out that we're trying to kick them out so they're sieging the Atrium. That blonde lady has a few of us down here gathering up the stragglers."
"You mean Python?" Audrey guesses, figuring a blonde giving orders is probably the other leader.
The woman shrugs. "Weird name, but I guess so?"
Audrey blinks, and suddenly realizes this woman isn't Ministry or Underground.
"Um, no offense, but who are you exactly?" She asks, and the woman grins.
"That message about the fighting went out to every safehouse you guys are running - I was staying with Evie and Fitz and decided to come help out here at the Ministry. I'm Cassie Ingram, by the way."
"A Muggleborn." Audrey breathes, recognizing the name. She remembers moving Cassie from Deer's place over to Fox and Owl (Evie and Fitz, apparently) after the woman had been cleared. It's strange putting a face to one of the names on the parchment. "Then... are there other Muggleborns here?"
"Yeah, some guy called Gryphon was helping people Floo to the right areas depending on if they wanted to help here or at Hogwarts. Or if they're underage or don't want to fight they just hole up at that big mansion we go to first after being picked up."
"Deer's place, smart." Audrey says, more to herself than to Cassie. "It's easily defensible and unconnected to a majority of our operatives, it'll likely still be safe even if both attacks fail spectacularly."
Cassie shrugs. "If you say so. We should probably get out of here though, doesn't seem like anyone else is coming in so the other side will probably start trying to move on our position here. The blonde said we should regroup in the Minister's offices."
Audrey flinches. "I know where that is." She says heavily. She understands Python's choice, but the idea of going back into those offices isn't something that ever sits well with her. At least this time, she muses as she and Cassie break cover and run for the stairs, she might get some positive memories out of the visit.
She deflects a few hexes and curses as they run, but fewer than she'd expected. "Don't seem to be many people." She observes to Cassie, who shrugs.
"Most went to Hogwarts." She agrees. "I think it's where the grand showdown will be, you know? More allure to go to that one. We have a decent force here though, from what I saw."
Audrey hums. Most likely a majority of the Ministry Underground had come here, just like she had. After all, they've been fighting this war within the Ministry walls from day one - it would feel wrong to finish it anywhere else.
"Do you know who we're fighting against?" She asks, and then quickly adds, "I mean names, obviously we're fighting Deatheaters."
Cassie shrugs as they finally reach the stairs and magically barricade the door behind themselves. "No idea on names. I think one girl said there were some Snatchers? They'd know more than me."
Audrey nods. "Alright, let's keep moving then. That barricade won't hold forever."
They move up to the second floor silently, Cassie in front and Audrey at the back, wands up and ears perked for any sound that's out of place.
They push open the door to the Minister's offices and are immediately confronted with several wands.
"Just me! Back with another friend." Cassie chirps, and the wands lower again. Audrey weaves around Cassie and immediately scans for Python and Lion, finding the two women by Percy's desk (it's never really felt like hers, even a month later) speaking rapidly back and forth. She immediately makes her way over - she's supposed to be the original Rat, after all, they need to show a united front.
"No boyfriend?" Python says in lieu of a greeting, and Audrey shakes her head.
"He's out, but he went to Hogwarts. His family." She says briskly, wanting to move on. "What do we have so far? Who's on the other side?"
"Yurina Nakayashi for one." Lion makes a face, and Audrey winces as well. Great, that's a massive point in favor of the other team. "And Branwen Avery, most likely, though no clear confirmation one way or another."
"There are some Snatchers, but quite a few of them seem to have been sent out to Hogwarts for that offensive." Python adds. "Overall I think our numbers are about even with theirs, so we're going to have to be smart about this." She shoots a look at Lion, and Audrey realizes she had probably interrupted an argument when she'd come over. Slytherin tactics versus Gryffindor spirit, definitely a dangerous combination when handled poorly.
"I agree, tactical decisions are probably our best bet here." She agrees with Python though, and though Lion scowls she nods. Somewhere down the line the three of them seem to have figured out a comfortable balance in their shared leadership.
Lion hums. "I figure since I know most of the recruits here I can divy up teams that will work best together?" She offers. "You two can figure out the attack plan - Rat knows the Ministry layout better than I do and you're the grand tactitian Python."
"Sounds good." Audrey says quickly before Python can snipe back. "Thanks Lion. We'll get back to you once we've got a clear outline and you can help select which teams should cover which areas."
Lion tilts her head and then turns back to the room, shouting to gather together their ragtag bunch of volunteers (though Audrey has to admit there are more people here than she would have expected considering how cautious the Underground is with its recruitment).
Python watches the other woman for a moment before turning back to Audrey. "Alright then Rat, which areas of the Minstry would you say are the best places for Deatheaters to be hiding out?
Audrey takes a somewhat shaky breath - yes she'd volunteered for this, but that doesn't mean she isn't internally screaming and definitely not ready - and then hops up onto the side of the desk, right where she'd always sat while chatting with Percy about life and work and dates.
"I think they most likely will be in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, on the floor above this one - it's large but very precisely laid out, easy to defend and ideal for ambush attacks." She decides after a moment. "Also, if Yurina is here and Yaxley isn't she's the highest ranking officer present, and that's sort of home base for her, where she'll be most familiar with the layout." She then pauses, frowns, and corrects herself. "Actually Yurina also would be familiar with the Department of International Magical Cooperation on Level Five, so we probably need teams at both departments."
Python nods briskly. "We'll make sure to put people familiar with each of the Departments into those groups." She agrees. "The teams covering the Law Enforcement area will have to be a little more cautious considering the layout, but we have a decent number of people from that floor on our side."
Audrey's eyes flick across the group gathered in front of her and realizes that Python is right - she recognizes two relatively prominent Law Enforcement officials just from a simple scan - Auror Trainer Clary Travers and the recently promoted Investigator Finn Lopatkina-Paluch. To her somewhat ashamed additional surprise she recognizes both as former Slytherins. She also spots Hugo Longbottom from International Cooperation so that's helpful as well.
"Alright, so those should be our main targeted areas, but I think we should send a team down to the lower levels as well. They're keeping a number of political prisoners down there and I think we should evacuate them out in case things god poorly." Audrey says, turning back to Python, who's nodding.
"Agreed, and we've got a Wizengamot lawyer here as well so she can be part of that bunch." Python says firmly. "Let me just tell Lion about that, so she can optimize the teams with it in mind." She pushes off the desks, which she'd been leaning against, and heads over to Lion and the other people in the room. It's a lot of young people, and Audrey recognizes quite a few from her rounds in the Ministry. There's Eloise Taylor from Records, Sarah Poole from the Wizengamot (she must be the lawyer Python had just mentioned), a few Muggleborns she knew before they'd vanished and who's names she'd seen on the parchments she memorized each day. There are even some Ministry workers who aren't associated with the Underground or the Muggleborns who are still standing with the group and listening to Lion's directions, clearly ready to fight now even if they hadn't before.
It's enough to make her hopeful that maybe, even if this goes badly, there are more than enough people ready to stand up for what's right that a loss today won't mean a loss forever.
Cassie Ingram happens to glance up and catch her eye as she looks around, and the woman gives her a grin that Audrey automatically returns, though she's not sure if hers was very genuine.
Python walks back over then so Audrey doesn't have too long to linger on how she looked and resumes her position against the desk. "Lion's on board. We're going to go in three teams, so each of us will be leading one. I volunteered you to head the team going to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and Lion is taking Magical Law Enforcement."
Audrey raises an eyebrow. That means... "You're heading the rescue group?"
Python snorts. "I am a licensed Mediwitch, and seeing as both our actual on-team healers went to Hogwarts I'm the best option available to deal with the physical trauma we're likely going to find down there. And being a Slytherin doesn't mean I don't want to help people." She adds wryly.
Audrey doesn't counter the assumption - it had been subconscious on her part, but Python isn't wrong. "Sorry, that sounds, well, sound. I'm guessing Lion doesn't have any real experience in any other departments?"
Python tilts her head. "Precisely. She's only ever worked in Law Enforcement. You, on the other hand, have experience throughout the entire Ministry so we figured of the three of us you'd know the other departments best. Lion should be done with the groups soon so we can get more detail done then."
Audrey hums slightly in response, as ever not totally sure how to talk to Python if she isn't making reports for the Underground.
The younger girl usually is content to leave them in silence, but Audrey supposes today is unique, as after a moment Python speaks again.
"You knew my sister, right? You were in her year, her House."
It's not the first time Audrey has spoken about Saundra with a member of the Underground - heck, she's a common topic of conversation with Percy and Lion - but it is the first time Python has brought her up. Audrey has admittedly always avoided talking about Saundra with the other woman's sister, almost scared of what she'll see in Python's expression if she does.
But she's not going to lie, even if she knows the conversation is probably going to get awkward. "Yeah, I roomed with her. She talked about you a lot."
Python hums. "You weren't friends." She says, an observation, not a question. She shakes her head after a moment. "You're dating Percy now. He's the one who sent her to the courts. How do you reconcile that?"
Audrey shifts uncertainly. Does Python not know? No, she does - she's the only one other than Percy and Audrey who was in on the plan that got Saundra killed but solidified Percy's place as a spy.
Or, it had until a month ago.
Audrey huffs out a breath. "Well, I did know Saundra. It's a very her thing to do something stupid if she thinks she's helping. And Percy still hates himself for it - I think he always will, on some level. I don't need to hate him too."
Python nods slightly, staring out at their small team of freedom fighters as Lion wrangles them into groups. "That's fair." She says after a moment. "I'm mostly mad at Saundra, I think."
Audrey doesn't know what to say to thank, and thankfully she doesn't have to figure it out as Lion chooses that moment to walk back over and announce that the teams are complete.
"There are smaller groups of two and three within each bunch, so you can split them off - they know who they are." She adds. "So what's next oh fearless leaders?"
"You're one of us, accept it." Python shoots back, pushing off the desk and then hopping up onto it to address the full group. "Alright, Lion has sorted you all into one of three teams. The group heading into the lower levels are with me - our main goal is to get any prisoners out and safely back to Deer's home. If you don't know where that is, take them to the main meeting area and I'll check there once the cells are cleared. We will have to fight to get down there - I doubt the Atrium has entirely cleared of enemies, so don't think we have the soft gig. The other two teams will either be going with Lion to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement or with Rat to the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Our job is to incapacitate all aggressors. Don't kill if you don't have to, but your lives always come first."
She pauses to think, then continues. "You may run into other Ministry workers as you go - either recruit them into your teams or get them somewhere safe to hunker down. Do not tell them more than they need to know to stay safe or try to send them out of the building - they could turn on us or be killed."
Though everyone is clearly listening to Python speak, several are also craning to get a glance at Audrey, who shifts uncomfortably under the attention, her skin crawling. She understands the interest, of course - no one has ever seen Rat before other than Python and Lion, and Percy was a bit of a legend among the earliest Underground recruits. These people have no idea she isn't one of the founders.
"Alright then, Dungeon team, we'll head out first. The rest need to move fast after that, we've already given them time to plan their attack and we don't want them to have any more." Python commands, hopping off the desk and heading straight for the door, clearly expecting her team to follow her without further instruction.
And to Audrey's slight surprise they do - a group of six including Cassie Ingram and Sarah Poole follow close on Python's heels, wands drawn as they vanish through the door in single file.
Lion waves her crew over next, and Audrey is a bit put-off to see that most of the people she knows decently well, like Eloise and Clary, are on that team, leaving her with a crowd of curious strangers (and Hugo Longbottom - she thankfully has at least one ally here).
She clears awkwardly, realizing abruptly she's still sitting on the desk like a school girl and she quickly jumps down so she's on her own two feet when she addresses the group.
"Alright, so I'm sorry to say I don't quite know all of you so if we can do introductions before heading out it would be appreciated." Hopefully that sounds commanding and not pathetic but Audrey honestly figures it's more likely the latter. "Code names for those who have them, first names for everyone else." She adds quickly. "And what your job is or was so I know who's best with what skills."
She's careful to focus as each person offers their introductions so that if she needs to give orders later she'll be able to do so quickly and efficiently. Hugo, or "Panther" as he introduces himself as, mentions both his job in the International Cooperation Department as well as his time honing his dueling skills as a Field Agent. He also offers Audrey a slight smile as he does and Audrey can honestly say that if she wasn't already very much infatuated with a certain red-haired, insecure, self-sacrificing, brilliant man she probably would have blushed.
As it was she just smiled back thankfully as all the people after follow his example, explicitly stating what they're good at.
The last person to speak is Finn, the only Law Enforcement employee who hadn't gone with Lion's group. "Horned Owl, though most people just say H.O. since it's too long." He rolls his eyes at nothing, a vague smile on his lips. "I'm an Investigator for the Auror Division in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and I can do just about anything you need me to."
Audrey nods, figuring that despite how braggadocious the introduction had been, Finn probably isn't exaggerating. Investigators are only one step below Hit-Wizards in terms of how thouroughly they're trained, so Finn is almost certainly their best fighter.
She nods tightly. "Alright then. Our target is the fifth floor - Panther, you're the one here who would best know the layout, how many entrances and exits are there?"
"Three, including the lift." He says immediately, "There are two stairwell exists, one near the lift and one at the back by the Magical Office of Law, which is where I work. That entrance is less likely to be guarded as not many people know about it unless they actually work that far back."
Audrey nods. "Alright, then we're going to go in teams. Hugo, since you know the back areas best you'll take one team up the back entrance, while I'll lead an assault on the front. We'll hopefully catch any Deatheaters there by coming in from both sides."
"Classic pincer move." Finn says approvingly. "I assume I'll be with your team Rat? Since I'm the best fighter here."
Audrey sighs, already wishing he'd gone with Lion. She understands why Finn is with her of course - they need the best trained fighters divided evenly between the teams - but she rather wishes she'd gotten Clary instead. The other Auror at least is known to be polite when she isn't shouting her students into emotional breakdowns.
"You will, yes." She confirms, and then quickly divides the other five people between herself and Hugo - Panther, she needs to remember that - based on skillset. Her and Finn - Horned Owl, whatever, that code name is dumb and there are too many of them in her opinion - take the two Muggleborns in the group as they're both better in defense than offense, and the other three head out with Hugo.
The Muggleborns - Aidan and Felicity as they'd introduced themselves - are both scrawny and worn as all the rescued Muggleborns still in the country would be, but they have a determination about them that puts Audrey somewhat at ease about their ability to fend for themselves should things go very wrong.
"We'll give Hu- Panther and his team some time to make their way up and then launch the distraction from the front." She instructs, again hoping she sounds like she knows what she's doing because she does not know what she's doing.
"Well then we have some time to kill! So Rat, you're supposedly one of the founders of this whole shebang." Finn immediately starts talking, that unnerving grin still on his face, and Audrey wonders if he somehow knows that she isn't the original Rat. He certainly phrased his question in a way that implies it. "How did all that happen? What was the big idea that launched all this?"
Audrey doesn't think she'd answer him even if she did have an answer, which really makes her wonder how he became an Investigator in the first place. "You only need to know what directly relevant to your work." She says, reciting something she's heard from all three of the actual founders. "If this goes poorly the less you know the better for everyone."
Finn raises an eyebrow, but he looks impressed rather than insulted. "I've heard that one before. It's smart though, I commend that. One of you all is definitely a Slytherin, though I don't think it's you."
It hits Audrey then that Finn isn't asking out of curiosity or nosiness, but rather a deep-seated, genuine want to piece things together. Which does explain his career choice quite well, though it doesn't make him any less annoying.
"You're one of the founders?" Felicity asks curiously. "Well then I want to say thank you. My little brother is still at the main safehouse recovering - he would have died for sure if Kitten hadn't found us when she did."
"That's Clary Travers." Finn tells her brightly. "She's a top Auror trainer so she's got basic medical training as well."
"Do you not?" Audrey can't help asking - Finn still seems annoying but he also seems very willing to chat about pretty much anything and Audrey is curious about his phrasing.
Finn shrugs. "It's not needed so much if you're not field active, so I haven't renewed my certifications this year. I can still do everything, just not legally." He replies.
Audrey still files that knowledge away - she doesn't know if anyone else in the group has any medical knowledge, so an expired liscence is still likely to be the best they've got.
Finn ends up being distracted talking to Aidan - apparently they were in the same year in school and had been friends for a brief period of time which is... interesting considering Audrey remembers Aidan being a Hufflepuff prefect while Finn was definitely a Slytherin. Not a common friendship, but she supposes Finn isn't very common.
She eventually shakes herself back to the present and calls the group to heel.
"Everyone ready? Remember we're primarily a distraction, so focus on safety first - only attack if you've got a clear opening." She orders, and internally grimaces when only two of the three with her nod.
Finn shrugs. "I can see a lot of openings, it's kind of the job." He notes.
Aidan rolls his eyes. "Good to see you haven't changed at all." He sighs.
Finn grins. "Not true, I expect people to disappoint me now." He declares grandly.
"Shush you two." Audrey snaps, and they at least have the decency to look apologetic. "We don't want to alert anyone any earlier than needed."
It's almost impressive how quickly Finn shifts at that - his amused aura drops almost instantaneously, replaced by pure professional determination. Aidan and Felicity also fall silent, though they look nervous despite their attempts to be as resolute as Finn.
Audrey can only hope she looks confident - inside she's definitely starting to panic. She's about to lead three other people into a literal battle, and only one of the four of them has any fighting experience - and it isn't her.
This is officially insanity.
Still, she leads the group to the front staircase and focuses on keeping her breathing even and her ears peeled for the sound of any possible attacks by their opponents and Merlin she didn't sign up for this. She just wanted to impress a cute boy, not lead a strike force!
But... she could have gone with Percy to Hogwarts. Or even stayed at his flat. She didn't have to be here. She knows that.
So why is it only now that she's thinking about backing out?
She takes a few shaky breaths, careful to keep the others at her back so they can't see. Squaring her shoulders she pulls out both her wands. She can be scared later - she has a war to win.
Author's Note: Bunch of H:aH cameos in here! And also what is effectively the final plot point for the Underground - the Battle of the Ministry~
Next Time: Being bored would be infinitely preferable to this
So I'm thinking I might do a final 'afterwords' chapter to share my thoughts and feelings on writing this story, if that's something people would be interested in? I'm also open to answering any lingering questions people might have there as well!
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