Tannim's blog: "Harry Potter and the Mental War"

Thirty Death Eaters appeared in the fireplaces of the Great Atrium and looked around.  The Atrium clock rang noon.  The Atrium had been under repair since the battle a month ago, and scaffolds were still around the edges as the upper areas had not been finished yet.  They moved into the hall further and headed for the lifts.

Behind them, Tonks and nine other Aurors watched them make their way forward.  Their job today was simply to follow and catch those fleeing the ambushes ahead.

The Death Eaters got into the lifts and exited at their assigned stops.  At the top level, the last ones got out and headed for the offices.  Each target already had an infiltrator in place, so the takeover Voldemort planned would be relatively easy.  Bellatrix Lestrange made her way to the Minister's Office.  She opened the door to the outer office to see the secretary sitting there, waiting for her, per the Dark Lord's instructions.  "He's in there," she whispered.  "The infiltration went perfectly, all of out agents are in place.  He's all yours."  Bellatrix nodded and opened the door.  Fudge was asleep, his head resting on a pile of papers, the window behind him open to the Death Chamber seven stories below.  Bellatrix closed the door.  Outside, the secretary transformed back into Percy Weasley, who drew his wand and waited for the trap to spring.  Nobody else would get inside.  This particular fight belonged to someone else.

This is too easy.  Look at the twit, fast asleep.  My Lord will be pleased.

"Expelliarmus!"

Her wand flew out of her hand and out the window.  She whirled around just fast enough to see a fist hitting her square in the face.  She flew backwards over the desk, jaw and nose broken, and fell through the projection of Cornelius Fudge.  She looked up to see an angry Neville Longbottom towering over her, his wand pointed at her heart.

"Nice to see you again, Bellatrix.  I'm so glad Ron told me you were coming. Portable Projection Charms are so useful.  I've been waiting sixteen years for that, Lestrange.  That was for my Mum.  This is for my Dad."  He lifted her up with his free hand and tossed her in the air, then swiftly punched her in the stomach on the way down.  She folded up and toppled backwards, rolling out the window, but at the last second she was able to grab the windowsill and hang on.  Neville moved to the window and looked down at her.

"If you survive, tell Voldemort he needs better strategies.  In either case, you bitch, this is for Sirius, for Harry, and most of all, for me.  Reducto!"

The windowsill crumbled, and Bellatrix was let go, falling.  She tried to disapparate but failed, and she hit the floor of the Death Chamber with a sickening thump.

Tonks entered the room below and took a look at the body, then up at the window.  Quickly she grabbed the body and picked up the wand, and apparated back to the Atrium, where the rest of the Death Eaters were being held.  As they were being Portkeyed to Azkaban, she called Harry on her coin.  At his instructions she took Bellatrix's body to Grimmauld Place.

Far above, Neville watched Bellatrix fall.  He smiled and left the office.  He opened the door and walked out, never glancing at Percy.  He turned and apparated to St. Mungo's.  Alice and Frank Longbottom needed to know that they had been avenged.

* * *

All through the Ministry the result was the same as the infiltrator substitutes turned on their supposed comrades and quickly rounded them up.  Some put up a fight and tried to escape, but they ran directly into Tonks's rear guard and were quickly stunned.  It was all over in thirty minutes.

* * *

Harry and Ron promptly arrived at Grimmauld Place and Tonks gave her report.  "All thirty Death Eaters captured and sent to Azkaban, save one.  We had several injuries, but they are being treated at St. Mungo's and none are serious.  Neville killed Bellatrix.  As an Auror, I need to ask, should Neville be arrested?" She snapped Bellatrix's wand and handed it to Harry.

"No," Harry replied.  "Fudge gave us a free hand, and besides, for Neville, this is Justice, long overdue.  Severus?"

Snape walked into the room and saw the body.  "Well, I see you got that bitch.  Shall I tell Sirius?"

"Certainly, but a question first.  I wish to send Voldemort a clear message.  Where is he?"  Harry asked.

"Malfoy Manor.  I shall inform Sirius."

Harry looked up.  "Thank you, Severus."  He looked at the others as Snape left the room.  "We'll transport this vermin back to her master shortly.  I have a letter to finish first."

Five minutes later the letter was finished.  Harry pinned it to Bellatrix's chest and called over Fawkes.

"Take this scum and drop her literally in front of Voldemort at Malfoy Manor, then return quickly."  Fawkes grabbed hold of the body and disapparated with a crack.

* * *

Voldemort patiently awaited word.  His three-pronged attack had been meticulously planned, and he should be hearing soon from his lieutenants.  So he waited, and prepared to enjoy his victory.

A crack and a thump, followed by another crack, all behind him, made him whirl around.  Before him on the floor lay the battered and broken body of his most faithful servant.  There was a roll of parchment pinned to her chest.  Voldemort looked at Bellatrix's remains in shock, then took the note and unrolled it.

Hi Tom,

First, how's the foot?  Hope that little prank didn't set you off hopping mad!

Second, you need better gamesmanship.  Here's the score today:

Azkaban:  Death Eaters 1 death, Good Guys 70 captured, and about a thousand DEAD Dementors

Hogsmeade:  Death Eaters 0, Good Guys 40 captured

Ministry: Death Eaters 20, all minor injuries only, Good Guys 59 captured, and 1 dead being the carcass before you.

So let's see now that means so far I've wiped out most of the Dementors, sent 190 Death Eaters total to Azkaban, had 2 more killed, and all you've had to show for it is one dead prison guard and 20 minor injuries!  Oh, yeah, and one burned foot.

You're losing your touch, Tom.  Do you even have ANY followers left for me to toy with?

I'm laughing at you, Tom.  I just exploited a huge weak spot on you, and you have no idea what it even was!  I'll give you a hint, though:  Learn more than you know.

I said it was only a matter of when, Tom.

Riddle me this, Tom: Do you believe me now?

I'll see you soon.  Sleep well, if you can!

Harry

Voldemort let out a blood-curling scream.

He knew exactly what was going to happen and when!  He knew!  But how???  And how did he beat my Death Eaters?

For the first time in a long time, Voldemort felt fear.

I need to get out for a while, regroup, and get more followers.

He summoned Nagini to him, and they apparated to Albania to the forest he had found refuge in, all those years ago.

Harry withdrew from Voldemort's mind and smiled.  Score several for the Good Guys!