"Ten and three quarters with a Dragon Heartstring core. Been in use for four years."
Gabrielle followed her and her wand was quickly registered and a visitors badge given.
Finally Remus went through the same procedure and the guard said to the eye patched Auror. "Anything else?"
"No," She replied curtly.
Harry and the others were led through the gates as another group had queued behind them. Harry looked back in time to see the guard had picked back up his newspaper and was ignoring the next set of people needing to get through security.
They walked down a small corridor where at least twenty lifts were located. All with gold wrought grills.
"We can't all fit in the same lift, so Mr. Potter and you..." He pointed to Gabrielle. "You come with me and Tonks. You two," He pointed to Fleur and Hermione. "Go with Remus along with William and Sonja."
A lift opened and as Harry started to get on it, he was startled to see Arthur, Percy Weasley and another man he'd never seen before standing there. "Remember to do your part and I'll..." The unrecognized man was saying as the lift opened. He immediately became quiet as he saw all the blue robes about.
"Harry," Arthur said at once. He was smiling but it was obvious he wasn't in his normal jovial mood. "Remus, hello Hermione and nice to see you again Miss Delacour," He said to Gabrielle. "And of course you as well Miss Delacour," He finished to Fleur.
"Fleur please," Fleur responded.
"Thank you. I see you've got your guards," He stated as he saw all the blue robes standing around.
"Weasley," Shacklebolt acknowledged.
"Headed down for the trial?" Arthur asked.
"Yes sir," Harry replied.
"We were too."
Harry looked at Shacklebolt who motioned for him to enter the lift. Seven people were a tight fit but they did squeeze in. Harry saw a bit of motion above him and stared up in wonder as he saw two paper aeroplanes flying above them. They were light purple in color and as they flapped their wings above them, Harry could see the words Ministry of Magic written on them.
Arthur saw what Harry was looking at and said. "Those are inter-departmental memos. We find them to be cleaner than owls."
"I can imagine," Harry replied still watching the memos circling.
The lift clattered to a stop a short time later. As the doors opened a female voice announced. "Level Nine Department of Mysteries."
"Department of Mysteries?" Hermione said. "That's where your father said the prophecy was located. What are we doing here?"
"I don't know...I don't think a courtroom would be there would it?" Harry replied. He suddenly grew nervous at the thought that they were being lead somewhere besides the courtroom. "Uh...what is the Department of Mysteries?" He asked to no one in particular but observed those around him as they exited the lift. Several other lifts were stopped there as well and witches and wizards were exiting those as well causing a backup.
"It's where they study various unusual magic things," Arthur replied.
"Is the courtroom in the Department of Mysteries?" Hermione asked. She had already palmed her wand and knew Fleur and Gabrielle had done the same.
"No," Shacklebolt laughed. "Courtroom Ten is called the dungeon by most people and there is a good reason. You take the lift as far down as you can go...which is here and then still have to take stairs even further down."
Harry relaxed at the explanation but still watched the people around him carefully.
"This way and stay behind us Potter," Shacklebolt said quietly. They had paused to wait for the corridor to clear of most of the people. He led the group down the corridor where a single black door stood. Right before they got there, he turned left and started down a staircase.
"Why are we in that courtroom?" Hermione asked still curious about 'The Dungeon'.
"Largest courtroom there is here at the Ministry," Shacklebolt replied over his shoulder. "Seems every witch and wizard around wants to attend this trial knowing Potter will be here," The steps had ended onto another corridor. Harry could definitely see why he courtroom had the nickname it did. It reminded him of the dungeons at Hogwarts. Here though. witches and wizards congregated in various spots all along its length. "Excuse us, move aside," The deep voice of Shacklebolt commanded to one group and then another as he and Remus pushed through the people. The other Aurors flanked the group of young people as they followed the two men.
As they walked past, the conversations the people had been engaged in ceased and heads turned in their direction. He could hear 'Potter', 'Harry', 'Boy-Who-Lived' and 'there he is' from the groups as he passed. Gabrielle pressed herself closer to Harry and his other bondmates comforted him as they continued toward the end. Finally they arrived at an open door where a rumble of many voices could be heard. As Harry entered through the doorway he felt himself returning to Dumbledore's pensieve. He instantly recognized the courtroom where the Lestranges had been sentenced. He stopped as he looked around. Ahead of him he could see the chair with the chains and rising all around were bench seats made of stone. Many witches and wizards were already seated. On the bench directly in front and above the chair were a few witches and wizards all wearing the plum colored robes with a silvery 'W' woven on the left side.
"We need to keep moving..." Shacklebolt started.
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