The Noble House of Black lay still. Its only human occupants were stood in the hall reading a book or sitting in the kitchen skimming through the newspaper.

The elf, Kreacher, made its way glumly over to where Remus Lupin was reading.

"Master Sirius, the scum of the Earth, friends with blood traitors and half breed animals like this one before me-"

"Kreacher, could you just tell me what it was he wanted?" Remus asked, looking down at the elf as it muttered its usual taunts and jibes. Remus ignored the final jibe, made towards him, for he knew it to be true. Nevertheless, he wanted to know what 'Master Sirius' wanted.

"The half breed spoke to Kreacher. Kreacher was told by Master Sirius to do what the half breed wants, and Kreacher must. Although Kreacher would rather be serving one of the loyal members of the noble house of Black" Kreacher continued.

"Kreacher, please..." Remus went on. He, much like Hermione, thought the house elves should be treated with respect, no matter what.

"Master Sirius wants to see the half breed upstairs," Kreacher said after a while.

"Me?" Remus asked. Kreacher did not answer, and instead, started to walk away clutching at one of the Black heirlooms.

"When?" Remus asked the retreating figure.

"Fifteen minutes ago," The elf replied, looking up at the clock. He went on, muttering, "If the half breed had stopped to talk to Kreacher sooner, he would have known sooner. But he didn't."

Ignoring this, Remus turned to go up stairs. With a small snigger, Kreacher headed off to the kitchen, where Sirius Black sat, unaware.

"What do you want?" Sirius asked, looking up from a Daily Prophet page, suggesting that he was plotting to help more Death Eaters escape.

"Master Sirius is never thankful to Kreacher. And Kreacher wonders whether to tell him what the half breed wanted." Kreacher's words had the effect he had hoped for. Sirius put down the paper at leaned over, becoming eye level with the elf.

"Don't call Remus a half breed," he began sternly.

"Master Sirius orders and Kreacher must obey. What his poor mistress would think if she saw what filth was coming through this house, Kreacher will never know."

Ignoring this, Sirius continued, "What did Remus ask?" He put a big emphasis on the 'Remus' so as to back up what he had said moments before.

"The half-" Kreacher shook his head disgusted, "The half-blood wants to see Master Sirius upstairs. Kreacher had to deliver the message immediately, but now Kreacher can go back to his mistress and be happy."

But Sirius was no longer listening. He had already got up out of his chair to go and find Remus.

Upstairs, Remus sat on the edge of Sirius' bed, wondering where Sirius was. A moment later, Sirius walked through the door. His hair, straggled as though he had run up the stairs, hung in an uneven manner. His sharp blue eyes, now with a kind, hopeful look as he looked over at his 'half-breed' friend.

Likewise, Remus sat rigid. His own, soft milky brown eyes looked up at Sirius curiously.

The two of them observed each other. Slowly, Sirius walked forward and sat on the edge of his own bed, beside Remus.

"What was it you-" They both began, simultaneously. They stopped and chuckled, looking at each other. Sirius motioned for Remus to begin.

"What was it you wanted?" He asked. As a frown began to form on Sirius' forehead, Remus continued, "Kreacher said you wanted to..." Remus trailed off as the frown began a light, humoured expression.

"Was that all he said?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow briefly.

"After the usual jibes and insults; yes."

"Ignore him," Sirius said, knowing exactly the kinds of insults Kreacher was bound to have used around Remus. "So, we've been played. Why?" Sirius asked.

Shrugging, Remus replied, "I can't say I know, particularly..."

As the frown formed once more, Sirius went on, "What could he want us out of the way, for?"

"I don't know," Remus replied honestly, "Probably just so he can steal back more of the 'Noble house of Black' family treasures."

Sniggering, Sirius decided this must have been the reason, and he turned back to his friend.

"So..." Remus began awkwardly. Sharing the awkwardness, unusual for Sirius, he nodded thoughtfully.

"I should go and finish what I was doing, the others will be back soon," Remus said rising from the bed.

"Wait..." Sirius said, reaching out for Remus' hand.

"Sirius I thought we'd agreed-"

"-We aren't getting together when there are more important things to do," Sirius mimicked in the perfect style of Remus' voice, "I know, I know."

Remus nodded, attempting to go to the door once more as he pulled his hand from Sirius'. As he reached the door, it swung shut. Turning, Remus saw Sirius sat with his wand out, a smug expression on his face.

"You are impossible sometimes," Remus said with a happy sigh, as he gave in and went back over to Sirius.

"I know," Sirius answered, sounding almost proud. Remus rolled his eyes with a small chuckle, kneeling beside Sirius as the bed creaked.

"That is going to be awkward..." Remus pointed out, motioning to the creaky bed.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Sirius replied, putting his arms around Remus with a hungry expression.

"Meaning, you don't care, so long as you have your wicked way with me?" Remus replied sceptically.

"Something like that." The whispered reply came just before Sirius crushed his lips to Remus'.

"Sirius?" Harry's third call echoed throughout the house. "Sirius, are you there?"

"It's the Potter boy's head in the fire," Kreacher announced, appearing suddenly in the empty kitchen. "What does he want, Kreacher wonders."

"Kreacher, where is Sirius?" Harry asked, trying to calm his breathing and mask his panic.

"Master Sirius has gone out," Kreacher replied, as gleefully as Harry had ever seen him.

"Where's he gone? WHERE'S HE GONE, KREACHER?"

Kreacher merely cackled.

"I'm warning you..." Harry threatened, struggling to keep the desperation from his voice. "What about Lupin? Tonks? Mad-eye?" Harry went on.

"Nobody here but Kreacher," Kreacher grinned, and turned his back on Harry, walking away.

"Where has Sirius gone?" Harry asked, terrified, "Has he gone to the Department of Mysteries?" Harry suggested.

Kreacher stopped in his tracks. "Master Sirius does not tell Kreacher where he is going," he commented quietly.

"But you know!" Harry shouted, "You know where he is, Kreacher!"

All was silent for a moment, and then a sly smirk lit up the elf's face as it turned back to Harry, his anxiousness evident amidst the flames.

"Master will not come back from the Department of Mysteries. Kreacher and his mistress are alone again."

Had Harry stayed a moment longer, he would have heard the echo of the bed creaking, from the floor above them...

A/N I should just point out, the scene between Harry and Kreacher came from the Order of the Phoenix book, and wasn't exactly my idea. I needed something cannon. However, I didn't copy it word for word.

To Be Continued...