It was September 2nd, 1997.

After a full month of detailed planning, the quartet had finally decided it was time. Ellie and Hermione hadn't had much time together, considering every day was packed with things that needed to be discussed. On top of that, Hermione lead the group with her critical thinking and excellent potion-brewing skills. Meanwhile, Ellie helped Ron and Harry with their defensive spells, attempting to perfect them in preparation.

Though the four of them agreed to split up at the Ministry, Hermione had insisted she pair with Ellie, claiming her girlfriend often acted upon her emotions, which could possibly interfere with their mission.

—

Ron and Harry rounded the corner, carrying the last of the unconscious Ministry workers needed to be impersonated. Hermione and Ellie stood together as the Gryffindor plucked the final hair from the woman's head, dropping it into the last vial of Polyjuice potion.

"Right, remember what we said. Don't speak to anyone unless absolutely necessary. Just try and act normal. Do what everybody else is doing. If we do that, then with a bit of luck, we'll get inside." Hermione ordered as she handed out the vials to her friends. "And then..."

"It gets really tricky," Harry interrupted.

"Correct," Hermione confirmed.

"This is completely mental," Harry shook his head.

"Completely," Hermione confirmed once more.

"The world's mental," Ron added.

"I wish this potion didn't taste like absolute shit," Ellie muttered as she scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"Come on... we've got a Horcrux to find," Ron finalized.

The four of them took one final look at the unconscious workers and took a sip of their respective vials. Within seconds, they started to morph into different people, changing into their clothes.

The four of them made their way to their respective portals, Ron and Harry splitting with the two girls.

Upon their successful entrance inside the building, Harry met up with Ellie and Hermione, who were staring at the stone statue in front of them, showcasing muggles being squashed by the stone.

"Are those..." Harry trailed.

"Muggles," Hermione confirmed in a disgusted tone. "In their... rightful place."

Ellie clenched her fists tightly. "I swear I'm gonna hex the Minister and his goons..."

Hermione inconspicuously placed her hand over Ellie's, squeezing it. "Emotions, Ellie. Don't let them get to you."

Ron came up beside them. "Gotta tell you, I'm starting to freak out a bit."

"How long did you say this batch of Polyjuice would last, Hermione?" Harry asked.

The curly-haired girl paused for a moment, a sheer face of panic flooding her consciousness. "I didn't," Hermione replied nervously.

They looked to each other in fear, their eyes wide. The quartet eventually found their way to the elevators, stepping inside. Just before the gate was to close, a man with braided hair appeared.

"Cattermole. It's still raining inside my office. That's two days now," He said, staring at Ron menacingly.

"Have you tried an umbrella?" Ron gulped.

"You do realize I'm going downstairs, don't you, Cattermole?"

"Downstairs?" Ron squeaked.

"To interrogate your wife. Now, if my wife's blood status were in doubt... and the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement needed a job doing, I think I might just make that a priority. You have one hour," the man warned before leaving the group.

The gate closed in front of them, Ron's face in utter fear. The elevator started to move backwards, everyone grabbing the handles above them as Hermione held onto Ellie fearfully.

"Oh, my God. What am I gonna do? My wife's all alone downstairs," Ron stuttered.

"Ron, you don't have a wife," Harry confirmed.

"Oh, right."

The elevator stopped as the announcement stated they were on Level 2.

"But how do I stop it raining?" Ron pursued.

"Try Finite Incantatem," Hermione suggested.

The gate opened for the quartet.

"This is you, Ron," Hermione announced.

"Good luck," Ellie wished.

"Finite Incantatem," Ron repeated. "Okay. And if that doesn't work...?"

The elevator closed, sending them backwards once more before Hermione could answer. It slowed to the stop, the announcement reading, "Level 1: Minister of Magic and support staff".

"I say if we don't locate Umbridge within the hour we go find Ron and come back another day," Harry suggested. "Deal?"

"Yes," the girls answered in unison.

The gate opened abruptly and there stood a terrifyingly familiar face. Dressed in all pink attire, Ellie clenched her jaw in anger.

"Ah, Mafalda. Travers sent you, did he?" Umbridge said as she stepped inside the elevator. "Good, we'll go straight down."

The elevator stood still. "Albert, aren't you getting out?"

Harry stepped out slowly, turning to look at the girls one last time, a bead of sweat breaking on his temple.

Hermione took Ellie's hand and interlaced their fingers, holding onto them tightly in attempt to keep her girlfriend from hexing the lady.

Hermione and Ellie arrived at the courtroom, their faces fear-stricken. Umbridge sat at her desk, conjuring a small Patronus to rest by the papers, much to the girls' surprise. Ellie and Hermione assumed their positions next to the high desk, not daring to make eye contact.

"Mary Elizabeth Cattermole?" Umbridge asked to the lady sitting at the chair planted in the middle of the room.

"Yes."

"Of 27 Chislehurst Gardens, Great Tolling, Evesham?"

"Yes."

"Mother to Maisie, Ellie and Alfred? Wife to Reginald?" Umbridge continued.

The lady turned to look at the door, seeing her husband, who was really Ron in disguise.

"Reg?" the woman squeaked.

Harry pushed Ron out to the center of the room, earning a "thank you" from Umbridge.

"Mary Elizabeth Cattermole?" Umbridge pursued.

"Yes," the woman cowered.

"A wand was taken from you upon your arrival at the Ministry today." Umbridge held up a wand for her to see. "Is this that wand? Would you please tell the court from which witch or wizard you took this wand?"

"I didn't take it," the woman whispered shakily in defense. "I got it in Diagon Alley, at Ollivander's, when I was 11. It chose me."

"You're lying," Umbridge decided. "Wands only choose witches, and you are not a witch."

"But I am," the woman pleaded. "Tell them, Reg. Tell them what I am. Reg, tell them what I am."

Harry slowly started to approach Umbridge, his face full of spite. He withdrew his wand, though Ellie tried to warn him silently.

"You're lying, Dolores. And one mustn't tell lies," Harry spat, his face morphing back into his original form. "Stupefy!"

Ron fired a spell at one of the workers as Hermione climbed the desk to yank the locket from her neck, throwing it to Harry. Ellie helped her down, firing another spell at another worker.

"It's Harry Potter," the woman squeaked.

"It is, isn't it? This'll be one to tell the kids," Ron said as he rushed out the door.

A flood of dementors rushed their way towards the group, their screeching screams piercing their ears. They narrowly made their way to the elevator, their hands reaching between the openings of the cage. Just as they started to suck their souls, Harry fired the Patronus charm, sending the dementors flying backwards.

By now, Harry, Hermione, and Ellie's potions had worn off, with the exception of Ron. They made their way out of the elevator, their heads hung down to avoid being seen. They realized they were missing someone and turned to look back at Ron, who was kissing his "wife". Though by now, Ron's potion had worn off mid-kiss. The four of them shared the same shocked expression as the real Reginald Cattermole appeared.

Ron quickly departed with with the rest of his friends, pushing their way through the lobby. Many spells were fired in their direction as Ministry workers continued to pursue the quartet. Ellie pushed Hermione ahead of her, not wanting her to be in the direct crossfire of hexes.

Now breaking into a full sprint, the four of them made their escape through one of the last few chimneys open, apparating their way out of the Ministry building.