Chapter One

Secret Temptation

Morgana Skylar Bloodburn stared in minor confusion and interest at the two wizards that lay naked on the stone floor in front of her. It had been an accident, a mere idea that had settled in her mind seven years ago when she'd begun her training to become an Unspeakable and had stepped foot within this chamber everyone called the Death Chamber. Inside it had held the veil, a mysterious doorway that had seemed to whisper to her. Driving her to the edge of her sanity, while none of the other trainees or co-workers had never mentioned the quiet indecipherable words making her curious while shattering that fragile young woman she'd been. Of course, finding an old book while on one of her frequent trips to Romania in a rundown bookstore about possibly bringing someone back from dead, someone who'd died an unnatural death. It'd finally convinced her enough to come back to London and at least give it a try. Except, there wasn't anyone she could think of who'd deserve that kind of second chance if she succeeded. Her mother had died a natural death and her grandfather…. she loved and adored the man who'd taught her more than her years at Hogwarts had ever done, but he had done too many questionable and harmful actions to deserve it. However, then she'd remembered all those old rumors about the battle that had taken place in this very room and of the man who'd been killed by Bellatrix Lestrange and had fallen through the Veil. A man who'd spent thirteen years in Azkaban for a crime he hadn't committed is what had swayed her to pick him. It had sparked the flame in her mind further to help the young man who'd lost so much in a war that had nearly taken everything from him. Harry Potter deserved to have the man who'd been his godfather in his life. Which was why the wizard on her left looked like the pictures that had graced the town of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley when she'd been twelve. Kneeling Morgana leaned over him to brush strands of ebony hair from his face, he looked younger than those pictures up close. It must have been because he was clean shaven, and his hair wasn't long and matted around his face. He could have been considered handsome if one liked their men to be all hard angles and aristocratic breeding. Sleeping he appeared peaceful and if luck would have it, he should remain so for another thirty minutes if her magic held. Glancing along his bare chest she stared curiously at the dark swirls and runes that covered his upper torso, down to his stomach, to trail down his entire right arm and upper left arm. Brushing a finger across a familiar futhark rune, she wondered who had taught him the old language when it was no longer used, not even at Hogwarts. So, the question that burned briefly was who had shown him? Shaking her head, Morgana pushed herself away from him, it was only a matter of time before one of her former mentors recognized the unusual heavy feel of magic that shouldn't be in this room. But then again for men and women who were considered to have the brightest minds in the Ministry, they tended to be a little dense when it came to the shift of magic. Flicking her gaze to the next man, Morgana stood up carefully to pick up the athame she'd used to cut her palm during the rite and shrunk it down to allow her to put it in the back pocket of her jeans. It made her feel safer knowing that she had it closer to her. Walking around Sirius Black and towards the other wizard who'd been…. unexpected making him a threat or maybe not she wasn't sure what to make of him. Short black hair stood out in every direction, his body was slightly more muscular than Sirius', but just as pale. Looking along his naked form, her eyes paused on his chest where two small footprints were tattooed. Kneeling, her knees touching the cold floor through the torn fabric of her jeans, Morgana leaned over him to stare at his face more closely, he looked vaguely familiar. He wasn't as handsome as Sirius, but in his own way he was attractive with thick eyebrows, noticeable cheekbones that made his face appear slim and a sharp chin. Bloody hell, who did he remind her of? Brushing a finger across his cheek, she felt the same warmth from his skin as Sirius and -shriek- jumping Morgana winced at the loud mental alarm that alerted her to someone breaking down the first of her wards in the Hall of Prophecy.

"Pity." Murmured Morgana, leaning away she tried to stand up, but she'd only lifted herself up an inch, when a hand encircled her wrist and pulled her back down to where she had been kneeling to stare into hazel colored eyes that appeared a little disoriented. Eyeing him warily, Morgana attempted to shake her wrist free from his hold to no avail, his grip tight. She had at most ten minutes to get out of the room unseen…maybe fifteen if the person heading towards them got lost in the ever-shifting rooms, but that wasn't likely to happen. One of the thing's an Unspeakable learned was how to navigate the shifting rooms quickly and without getting lost.

"W-who-," Pausing mid-sentence he attempted to clear his dry throat, his eyes blinking rapidly to get them used to the soft lighting in the room, allowing her to notice when they became more focused and stared into her spelled dark blue ones. "Who are you?" he asked, his eyes flicking away from her face to glance around the large stone chamber, to turn his head and notice the still figure of Sirius Black, his fingers slacking and shock filling his expression. Using his confusion to her advantage, Morgana pulled her wrist out of his hold and stood up quickly. Backing up a step, Morgana shook her head to clear it when the alarm in her head reached a higher pitch, someone had broken through the second ward in the Time Room. Meaning there was only one left and whoever was coming was going to be here soon.

"No one you know, but you're safe. In a few minutes there will be someone here to help you sort everything out." Keeping her tone gentle, Morgana attempted a smile, but rubbing her wrist to get rid of the burning warmth his touch had left, she knew that it had appeared more forced than she'd meant it. Taking another step back, Morgana headed towards the other door that only a few knew about, but with the last ward weakening quickly she had no choice but to use it. If she left by the commonly used door she'd be spotted and then she'd be in some serious trouble. Blood Magic was looked down upon and considered to be Dark Magic thus she'd be sent to Azkaban. Stopping in front of the stone wall, she ran a hand along the rough cool stone until she felt the hidden doorknob. Opening it she paused and looking behind her, she noticed a pair of grey eyes reminiscent of storm clouds, Sirius Black had awoken. Slipping out of the room, Morgana felt the third ward fall a second after she closed the door, she'd cut it too close. Navigating her way through the silent rooms and chambers of the Department of Mysteries without being seen was easier than leaving the Ministry itself. The man who'd taken over the Minister of Magic position after Fudge had incorporated a few security protocols to ensure that no one would be able to break into the heart of the Wizarding community again. However, she'd planned this for nearly three months and was able to avoid all of them without being detected. Walking out of the large building, Morgana wrapped her cloak tighter around her and lifted the hood to cover her face, it wouldn't do her any favors to allow those who were beginning to wake in the early morning to describe her to the Auror's the Minister might send to find who'd brought back Sirius Black from the dead. Not that the descriptions anyone would tell them would help, she'd mastered illusion spells at the age of twelve, and as such no one would be able to link her to this. Throwing thoughts of Sirius Black and the unknown wizard out of her mind, Morgana slipped through the empty muggle streets, the street lamps lighting her way. It was unlikely that she would see either of them again, considering this was the first time in seven years that she'd come back home.

…

Staring after the young woman in confusion, a groan from beside him had James Potter looking away from the stone wall, where she had disappeared through a hidden door in the craggy stone. It took him a few seconds to realize that the reason he felt chilled to the bone was because he wasn't wearing any clothes. How much had she seen? In fact, now that he thought about it, they both were nude and what was with the soft whispering that filled this room? If he was correct it wasn't in his head, it sounded as if it was coming from behind them. Groaning as well, James pushed himself into a sitting position, his muscles felt stiff and unused, worst of all the room kept spinning making the pounding in his head hurt even more. Fighting the urge to lose whatever was in his stomach he glanced around the room to notice a door on the other side of the barren room and that the chill seemed to seep into his skin. Shivering, he turned to look behind him and stared in awe at the lone stone archway that looked like the inside of it was swaying if he stared at it hard enough and the whispering seemed to be coming from there.

"W-what the bloody hell happened?" Groaned Sirius, his lean figure pushing itself off the floor to stare around him, his eyes widening when they landed on him and coming to some conclusion that James was unsure of. "We're supposed to be dead, aren't we?" At his strange question, James looked way from Sirius, the difference in height making it a bit awkward to look up at his best friend. It also had him attempting to think of the last memory he had, he'd been putting his son to bed when…protective wards around the house had fallen, he'd raced downstairs to see a cloaked figure coming through the front door and then….running his hands across his chest, he pinched himself only to wince at the sharp pain it caused.

"What the heck is going on here?" At the sound of a rumbling bass voice that brought with it a sense of familiarity, both James and Sirius turned to stare at the two men who'd entered the room and were staring at them incredulous. Almost as if they had seen a ghost. 'Which is true…. if what Sirius said is correct and we're supposed to be dead.' Thought James, his gaze flickering back over to Sirius wondering what had caused his best friend's death. Throwing that thought away he noticed that the slightly younger man appeared familiar, his skin like ebony and eyes a deep golden brown that stood out, they flicked back and forth between them. "Mr. Walker, can you explain to me why two men, who are supposed to be dead mind you, are in this room starting at me alive?" He asked the shorter, older gentleman who just stood there with wide watery blue eyes, while the other man untied his robes and taking a few steps forward threw it into James' lap. Taking the hint, he put it on glad to feel some of the chill leave his bones and making him feel less exposed. He motioned for the older man to do the same for Sirius, which he did reluctantly, his gaze wary.

"I-I'm not sure M-minister." The man stuttered nervously, blue eyes flicking to the stone archway and back to them, a hint of fear on his face. "There is strong magic here, but it is unfamiliar to me. As are the runes on the floor." He said more clearly, his hand pointing to the floor where James sat, and Sirius stood, his plump figure straightening underneath the younger man's gaze. His name kept escaping James' grasp, though he could feel it fluttering around the back of his mind, like a butterfly.

"Hold on a second Kingsley you're the Minister?" Asked Sirius curiously, his hands reaching towards the ceiling, probably to ease his sore muscles, thankfully Mr. Walker's robes kept his friend from flashing everyone again though it barely reached his knees. Following Sirius' example, he pushed himself up, his hands holding the robes closed. When his legs almost gave out on him, he glanced down to notice the spot where he'd been sitting had white chalk scrawled on the stone. Some of the words he recognized having studied Latin for year as a child and if he wasn't mistaken a few of the symbols were even older than that. "How long have I been dead exactly?" Sirius asked grimly, looking back at the man who was the Minister of Magic, his name finally coming to him thanks to Sirius. Kingsley Shacklebolt had been a young Auror, who had also been a part of the Order of Phoenix with them.

"Almost eight years, but before I tell you anything else. Tell me something that only the real Sirius Black would know?" Shacklebolt asked, causing James to notice for the first time that he had his wand pointed at them. 'I must not be as sharp as I used to be.' Shaking his head, he winced when the pounding in his head started up again.

"Other than I was killed by Bellatrix in this very room and yet somehow I'm standing here talking to you with my best friend James Potter beside me, who I might point out is also supposed to be dead?" Sarcasm laced his words, however it had both him and Kingsley smile at his rant. He watched his friend take a deep breath before staring directly at Kingsley. "I'm an illegal Animagus, my form that of a large black dog, which is also the form of my patronus and the last time we met was the night before the battle that took place here. Can't really remember what sort of strategies we were discussing to keep Harry safe against Voldermort on the account that I'm supposed to be dead." Arching an eyebrow at his friend's rambling's he felt his heart skip a beat at the mention of his son's name. Although, it might have been because Kingsley turned his wand on him next, making him feel more naked then he had without clothes. He wished he had his wand.

"And you?" Growled Kingsley, causing his head to pulse dully at the sound. Sighing, he attempted to remember anything after the night of his death, but nothing seemed to stick in his mind. The memories flowed past his grasp and all he could think about was that Harry had survived that horrifying night, making his knees weak with relief.

"I'm also an illegal Animagus, my form that of a stag, the same as my patronus. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what to tell you to convince you of my identity. We hadn't exactly known one another. The only thing I do know is that I had been killed by the Dark Lord while protecting my son and wife." He watched the man looking at him thoughtfully before nodding his head and putting his wand away.

"Why don't we go to my office, so we can get this situated and at least get you some clothes. I'm sure my secretary can transfigure a few things for you both, she quite good at that." Smiling Shacklebolt motioned for the two of them to follow him, which they did, but he'd only taken a few steps when he stepped on something wet and sticky. Looking down he moved his foot to notice it was blood, turning around his gaze traced the large drawn circle that covered half the floor. Symbols and runes were traced inside and outside in a pattern he couldn't make out, but what he was sure about was that the type of magic that had been used was very old and linking with Blood Magic.

"Isn't there another door that leads of here?" Asked Sirius, causing James to start walking again. He watched Mr. Walker scramble over to Sirius, his actions reminding him of another old friend, one he hoped was long dead. His blue eyes stood out of his plump face, but that was the only thing remarkable about him. He looked to be about in his late seventies, from the wrinkles that creased along his face and the way he leaned heavily on the cane in his grasp as he walked.

"That door leads to many of our more dangerous rooms is only used by our more senior Unspeakable's. After all, it's quite easy to get lost through these twisting corridors." He told them, exchanging a look with Sirius they both smirked over the old man's head. Unknowingly, the man had given them a clue as to find he young woman who may have the answer's as to how they had come back. The long trek through the Department of Mysteries and through the long corridor that led to the elevator and further down towards the Minister's office was quiet. With each passing floor he noticed that the building appeared to be completely empty, meaning it was either early or late. Stepping off the elevator, he noticed an older woman sitting behind a large wooden desk in front a door with a plaque that had Minister of Magic plastered to the door. He heard her small gasp when she caught sight of him and Sirius.

"Cancel my early morning meetings Rayna and if you wouldn't mind transfiguring a few items into some clothes for my guests?" He asked the woman he'd called Rayna, who promptly nodded her head, he could feel her gaze following them as they entered Shacklebolt's office. There were only two seats that sat in front of a cluttered oak desk that had a bunch of parchment, quills and ink strewn about its surface. Taking the seat on the right, he noticed Sirius walk behind him to take the other chair while both watched Mr. Walker conjure his own chair a little enviously. It appeared far more comfortable than the overly plush chair that he'd chosen.

"Do the two of you have any idea how you are sitting in front of me right now?" Asked Kingsley when he finally sat down behind his desk and stared at the two of them with open curiosity.

"Not a clue…Though you are welcome to ask the young woman who was there when we woke up." Sirius told him a bit hesitantly, his hands struggling to make the robes cover the vital parts of his anatomy. James noticed Shacklebolt glance at Mr. Walker who merely shrugged.

"If they described the woman could you place her as one of your Unspeakable's Mr. Walker?" Questioned Shacklebolt, causing all of them to turn to look at the pudgy wizard expectantly, who started to twist his hands together nervously in his lap.

"I-I'm not sure. As you know Minister Shacklebolt that after the Second Wizarding War that there were more strict policies put in place in the Department to allow my staff to keep their identities hidden. The few who are comfortable with the Ministry knowing their identities are men and women who have worked there for decades." He finished softly, his gaze flicking around the large room, though because of the mess it didn't appear that large. Turning to Sirius he noticed the small nod he gave him, Sirius wanted him to them and what could it hurt?

"She was young, no older than her early twenties. Her hair was short, the color a soft golden-blonde with dark blue eyes. About 5 feet 4 inches with a slim build and freckles along her cheeks. Though I'm not certain it was her true appearance, out of the corner of my eye it felt like her appearance flickered." James told them honestly, as he attempted to remember the tiniest detail about her. It seemed a bit inappropriate to tell them that her skin had appeared to be soft or that in the dim light it had appeared as if she was glowing. However, he hadn't been able to notice her clothing or if she'd been wearing any jewelry considering he'd been fighting to keep from vomiting and hoping that the room would stop spinning.

"I'm afraid that doesn't sound like any of the women I personally know." Mr. Walker mumbled, just as a light knock sounded on the door and opened to reveal Kingsley's secretary Rayna, who walked over to each of them and handed over a stack of clothes.

"I'm not sure if these will fit very well, but I'm sure it'll be much better than just those robes," She told him softly, before nodding to the Minister and left, closing the door quietly behind her.

"Care to explain what's happened since I've been gone?" Questioned Sirius, standing up he unashamedly dropped the robes and started to dress in the black slacks and white dress shirt that Rayna had given him. Shaking his head in amusement, James stood up and much more carefully put on his own slacks without flashing anyone. He only removed the robe to put on the shirt and button it up a bit clumsily. His fingers weren't as agile as they once had been.

"Voldermort was defeated about six years ago during the last battle that took place at Hogwarts. Albus was killed a year after you and- "Stopping mid-sentence Kingsley jumped to his feet and walking around his desk shuffled towards the door, opened and leaned out. "Rayna contact Mr. Potter and have him come to my office straight away." They heard him tell Rayna, causing anxiety and worry to fill his mind at meeting his son. His grown son, who he didn't even know how old he was. Sitting down he still couldn't wrap it around his head that he was here, alive and well.

'Right, getting back to the topic at hand. Mr. Walker do you know of anyone in your Department who has the type of knowledge and magical strength it would require bringing someone back to life?" Asked Kingsley, his bulky frame sitting back down in his seat, his attention once more turning to Mr. Walker.

"There are possibly three that might have the sort of power you speak of. One is currently Egypt researching the hidden tombs. Another quit nearly a month ago and would no longer have any access to the Department of Mysteries and the last is a ninety-year-old woman. The spells and magic needed to be used would most likely kill her." For the first time since meeting the older man, he didn't stutter. Instead, he seemed like he was lost in his train of thought. "Many years ago, there was a young trainee, she never made it past the recommended training period, but she'd shown potential in the early days. The only thing I remember about her was that she was most unusual in the way she spoke."

"Do you know why she left? Or the reason for why you thought of her now?" Asked Kingsley, his bulky frame sitting back down in his seat, his attention once more turning to Mr. Walker.

'No sir. I remember hearing she'd been one of the students caught in the battle for Hogwarts, but there was something about her not being quite right. Saul Croaker had been forced to let her go. There were rumors that her mind wasn't right and maybe a rumor or two that she'd been admitted to St. Mungo's or she'd died." Mr. Walker muttered the last part thoughtfully, before looking up at the Minister who seemed to have paused in his search.

"So, there is no way to find her?" asked Sirius, the disappointment in his voice obvious to James, since he felt the same way. Turning to look at Sirius, he noticed the he'd gotten better at keeping his emotions off his face.

"I'm afraid so. The war caused many of our Unspeakable's to want assurances that their identities would be protected, and she was just a trainee. I doubt there would even be a record of her and even if we did, we aren't at liberty to even go through their files due to the Wizarding oath we take to make them feel safe." Mr. Walker nodded his head at Shacklebolt's explanation, causing both men's flicker of hope at finding the woman to falter. Sighing James slouched in the chair, only to jump when a knock sounded on the door, this time it was a lot harder, which told the occupants of the room that it wasn't Rayna. His son was finally here,