Disclaimer: All the characters in this story is taken from J.K. Rowling's work. I do not own any of them.
Sirius felt the red light hit his chest painfully. He staggered backwards. He tried but couldn't find his balance and fell through the veil behind him. He could hear Harry was calling for him desperately. He wanted to assure him that he was okay. However, a moment later everything silenced. He briefly thought that he went deaf before hitting to the floor on the other side of the veil. He groaned and got up, rubbing his chest.
Sirius lifted his head and looked at the chamber. The room which was full of people just seconds ago was completely empty now. "What the fuck?" he whispered to himself in disbelief.
He quickly searched the room again and made sure he was alone. An uneasy feeling that something was horribly wrong filled him. The fact that he was in the Department of the Mysteries, a place where the borders of magic were pushed to the extreme, was fully supporting this feeling.
He quickly turned into Padfoot and left the chamber. He saw nothing that indicated there was a vicious battle happening in there just moments ago. Sirius listened intently but couldn't hear anything. He looked around for a while but couldn't find anyone in the department.
Sirius gave up from hope to find someone in there and left the Department of Mysteries. There was no one in the Ministry by the looks of it. When he reached the Atrium however, he noticed two security guards sleeping soundly on their chairs near the fireplaces. The big clock hanging from the ceiling was showing it was nearly 3:00 am. He tried not to make any noise.
Sirius stood for a minute and thought his options. He couldn't use the floo or the lift in the Atrium since the both of them were bound to wake up the guards and before he could make his exit he would be caught. Also, he hadn't got a portkey with him. Therefore, the only option left would be to apparate out of there. The problem with it was that there were anti-apparition wards in the Ministry to prevent anyone apparating directly in.
While he was thinking what to do Sirius' eyes caught the statue that stood in the middle of the Atrium. It wasn't the same, golden statue he saw with the corner of his eye when he barged in the Ministry with the Order just a few hours ago. Sirius' blood went cold when he perceived the meaning on the statue. It was made from black stone. There were sculptures of a witch and a wizard, sitting on thrones that stood on dead bodies of apparently muggle people. "MAGIC IS MIGHT" words were engraved on the foot of the statue.
'What the fuck is going on here?' Sirius thought furiously. He had to get out of there immediately, find Harry and learn what was happening. He decided to go to the other levels and find a fireplace to floo out.
He tried nearly every level and found that the fireplaces were not connected to the floo system. He hadn't expect them to be connected. He supposed only the Minister's fireplace was connected and maybe some other administrative staff's.
When he reached the first level he entered the nearest room and for a moment his heart stopped. On the wall there was a big poster of Harry. Sirius stared at it incredulously. His godson was looking older than he last saw him but not much. Sirius mused maybe one or two years. On the bottom of the poster in big, bold letters was written 'UNDESIRABLE #1.' Underneath with smaller letters was written 'Contact the Ministry of Magic immediately if you have any information concerning his whereabouts. Failing to report will result in imprisonment. Reward: 10,000 Galleons on his head'.
Sirius' knees buckled and he had to grab the nearest chair not to fall. No, this had to be a nightmare. "I'm losing my mind. This is not real. Not real." he shook his head frantically. He went and tore out the poster from the wall before stucking it to his pocket. He frantically searched the room for something that could explain him the situation. Obviously the Ministry had fallen into Voldemort's hands but when had that happened? And where the fuck was Dumbledore.
He found a newspaper in one of the drawers. He grimaced as he read the headline. 'THE SUCCESS OF MUGGLE-BORN REGISTRATION COMMISSION: HUNDREDS OF MAGIC THIEVES ARE SHIPPED OFF TO AZKABAN' "Bastards!" Sirius muttered under his breath. When he caught the date his eyes went wide. It was 28 November 1997. He was one and a half year in the future! 'Everyone must have thought I'm dead.' he thought as the shock wore off. Then he remembered Harry shouting his name before he fell through the veil. "Oh Merlin! Harry!" he groaned.
Sirius couldn't handle to be in this ominous place anymore and he wanted to see some familiar faces. He went straight to the fireplace. To his relief he spotted a pot of floo powder in the mantelpiece. He decided to floo directly into Grimmauld Place. Fidelius would prevent the Deparment of Magical Transportation to track his destination. However, if people were thinking that he was dead, surely it would be bad for him if he were to appear suddenly in the Order Headquarters. Still, he was ready to take the risk.
He stepped out from the fireplace in the kitchen of the Grimmauld Place. There was no one on the sight. He cast a homenum revelio which quickly revealed he was alone in the house. He saw some newspapers in the table and took the one which was on the top. It was dated September 1. Sirius stared unbelievingly to the headline. 'That greasy git became the Headmaster?' he thought furiously.'What happened to Dumbledore?' He began to scan the other newspapers. He got his answer when he saw one of the headlines. 'HARRY POTTER WANTED FOR QUESTIONING REGARDING THE DEATH OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE'
'So, Dumbledore's dead.' he thought grimly. Sirius had to find Harry immediately or he would go crazy with worry. Apparently he was in hiding but where? He briefly thought the Burrow but quickly dismissed the idea. It was too obvious. Maybe he was with Remus or one of the other Order members.
He made his mind quickly. He would go straight to Remus now. He would know where Harry was. He went out from the front door and fortunately he was able to notice the strange men guarding the house before he descended the steps. There was no doubt they were Death Eaters. Sirius had half a mind to curse them into oblivion where they stood but he refrained himself. It wouldn't be good if he attracted any attention to himself.
Sirius turned on the spot and apparated to the front yard of Remus' cottage. He nearly run to the front door and knocked rapidly. It was a few minutes before he heard someone was other side of the door. "Who is it?" asked Remus without opening the door. Sirius cursed under his breath. What would be the reaction of Remus when he told him who he was. He hadn't got any other option though.
"I'm Sirius, Moony. I'm not dead. l'll explain. Just open the door."
There was no sound for a minute but then Sirius thought he heard a woman's voice inside. The door opened abruptly and Sirius's wand flew from his hand and went straight through the door, into the house.
Remus Lupin was standing in front of him, his face was showing a rage that Sirius had never seen on his friend's face before. Beside him Tonks was standing, her hair crimson and looking coldy at Sirius. Both of them had their wands pointed directly to his chest.
"WHO ARE YOU?" Remus shouted sharply.
Sirius swallowed to get rid of the lump on his throat. He raised both of his hands in surrender. "I'm Sirius Black." he said carefully. Remus was looking like he was one step away from cursing him.
"I suggest you do-not-lie. Answer the question truthfully now. Who are you?" Tonks nearly hissed. Sirius had never seen both of them this dangerous.
"It's really me. Remus, Tonks. Just ask me something!" Remus and Tonks exchanged a look. Was it hope Sirius saw in their eyes?
"Change into Padfoot." ordered Tonks. Sirius didn't hesitate. He changed into Padfoot and allowed them to scrutinize him for a minute before returning to his human form. Remus and Tonks looking at him disbelievingly. Tonks lowered her wand but Remus didn't.
"What was the thing that we remembered about James when Harry floo called us?" he asked. Sirius answered calmly but there was a ghost of smile on his lips. "His annoying habit of ruffling his hair whenever he was around Lily."
Remus lowered his wand slowly, all the while staring at Sirius like he was going to disappear if he blinked. "Sirius?" he whispered. Sirius nodded. "The one and only." he answered with a small smile. Remus practically threw himself at Sirius and hugged him tightly. Sirius returned the hug with the same enthusiasm. Tonks was blinking as she was trying to hold her tears back. Her hair had changed to pink again. When Sirius hugged her too, she let her tears run down.
"How?" asked Remus hoarsely as he ushered Sirius into the living room. Tonks went to make tea but Sirius suspected she was trying to give them some time alone. "I've got no idea. That blasted cousin of mine hit me with that curse and I simply fell through the veil to the other side. When I got up there was no one. I found some newspapers that told me I traveled to the future. Or I simply lost it at last." he said bitterly. Remus clasped his shoulder as he sat down. "No, it's true. It's been over a year since that battle in the Ministry. You went through the veil and disappeared. We all thought you died."
Sirius nodded. Then he took a paper from his pocket, straightened it and showed it to Remus who had sit across him. "I found this in the Ministry. Apparently a lot of things have changed." he said scowling. "Where is Harry?" he asked not wanting to lose another moment without knowing if his godson was safe.
Remus looked at the wanted poster of Harry, grimacing. Sirius also saw something flickered in his expression. Guilt? He couldn't be sure.
"Dumbledore died in June, Sirius. You-Know-Who took over the Ministry in early August. They blame Harry for his death but it's just a pretence of course." Remus said nervously. Sirius didn't miss that he hadn't say anything about Harry's whereabouts or if he was safe. He squinted his eyes suspiciously. "Where is Harry, Remus?" he asked trying to keep his voice calm.
Remus was looking worried, nervous and guilty. He refused to look at Sirius. "We don't know. The last I saw him was in August. He's on some mission Dumbledore left him with Ron and Hermione."
Sirius' heart began to hammer in his chest. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Are you saying you let three barely of age kids wander off around the country on their own while there is a prize on their heads?" his voice shook resulting from his suppressed anger.
Tonks had returned from the kitchen and looking at them apprehensively. Remus was looking at the floor rather than Sirius. "I offered to go with him Sirius. But we argued. I got angry and left. When I went to see him again they weren't there."
Sirius got up and run a hand through his hair, pacing. "What's the mission?" he asked crossly. Remus sighed. "They didn't tell anybody. Only those three know."
Sirius stopped pacing and stared at Remus and Tonks with wide eyes. "ARE YOU BLOODY OUT OF YOUR MIND?" he exploded at last. "YOU WERE SAYING HE'S TOO YOUNG TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROPHECY JUST THIS MORNING. OR A YEAR AGO IN YOUR TIME. WHAT CHANGED THAT YOU'VE GOT NO QUALMS ABOUT SENDING HIM A FUCKING SUICIDE MISSION ON HIS OWN NOW?"
Remus' shoulders sagged at last. His hands were trembling. All the guilt he felt could be seen on his face at that moment. Tonks went to his side and squeezed his shoulder. "I understand you're worried Sirius but it was Dumbledore who gave him the mission. He wouldn't do that if he had thought he wasn't capable of achieving." Tonks said softly.
"I DON'T CARE WHAT DUMBLEDORE THOUGHT OR IF HARRY COMPLETES THE MISSION OR NOT. THERE IS TEN THOUSAND GALLEONS REWARD ON MY SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD GODSON'S HEAD, A MASS MURDERER MANIAC AFTER HIS BLOOD AND HE'S ALONE MERLIN KNOWS WHERE TRYING TO COMPLETE SOME MYSTERIOUS MISSION. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT HIM. NOT SEND HIM TO HIS DEATH." He was breathing furiously.
Remus spoke with a weak, trembling voice. "You're right Sirius. I'm sorry. I failed you and James and Lily so bad. I'm sorry." He said miserably. Tonks shook her head. "No, it wasn't your fault Remus. Even if you didn't argue he would never let you go with them and you couldn't stop him either. Don't blame yourself."
Sirius glared at them. "What are you talking about? Why wouldn't he want Remus' help?"
Remus and Tonks exchanged a look. "We married in June." Tonks explained as she pointed her finger indicating herself and Remus. "And we're expecting a baby."
Sirius' eyes widened and he looked towards Tonks' stomach. He hadn't noticed before but now he could see a slight bump protruding from her thick pajamas. His mouth opened and closed trying to find something to say but he was in shock. He hadn't expected this. "Is that why you argued with him?" he asked at last.
Remus was looking ashamed. "When I learned Dora's pregnant I panicked. I thought they would be better off without me endangering their lives." Sirius snorted bitterly. It was typical Remus. Stupid git... "I knew Harry, Ron and Hermione were going to go on a mission. I thought I could go with them. They were already on the run since the Ministry's fall. I found them in Grimmauld Place one night. I offered to go with them. First they considered my offer seriously but when Harry found out Dora's pregnant he was furious. He told me I wanted to abandon my kid and go on an adventure with them. Then he accused me of being a coward and I lost it." He grimaced. "But he was right on that one. I was being a coward. When I realized it I returned home. I tried to find Harry again but they'd just disappeared. Nobody knows where they are."
Sirius felt a surge of pride of his godson and an urge to curse Remus. He took a deep breath to clear his mind and sat down. "Tell me what've happened since that battle in the Ministry." He had to learn everything he could and then go, search for Harry.
Remus and Tonks told Sirius everything that had happened. How Fudge accepted Voldemort's return after seeing him with his own eyes, the Death Eater attacks, the Ministry's incompetence, the battle in Hogwarts, Dumbledore's death at the end of Snape's wand, Harry's rescue from the Dursley's, Mad-Eye's death, the coup, Muggle-born Registration Commission, snatchers, the taboo...
At the end Sirius' head was throbbing. He rubbed his face. "Did you hear any news, rumours about Harry?" he asked.
"They broke into the Ministry in September and helped several muggle-borns escape. We don't know the real reason why they were there but it's obvious they wanted something from Umbridge. They broke into her office and were with her in the courtroom under polyjuice potion. That was the last time we heard anything about them." Tonks explained. Sirius paled.
"What would they want from that hag?" he asked.
"We don't know Sirius. It might be anything. According to Kingsley there was nothing missing." Remus replied.
Sirius rubbed his eyes. He was exhausted but he knew he couldn't rest properly with Harry on his mind. So, he got up. He went to Tonks and hugged her much to her surprise. "Congratulations for the baby." he said with a small smile after kissing her cheek. Remus too had got up. He gave him a brief hug. He was preparing to leave.
"What are you doing Sirius?" Remus asked frowning. "I'm going to search for Harry." he replied. Remus sighed and Tonks shook her head in exasperation.
"You can't go Sirius. The whole country is looking for them right now and we haven't got any clue of their whereabouts. They simply vanished into thin air. You've got no chance of finding him. You'll only get captured." Tonks said.
"And when thinking You-Know-Who lured Harry into the Ministry using you last time, it wouldn't be a bad assumption he would do the same again." Remus said.
"Also, you've got no money this time, remember? You're dead. All your assets passed to Harry and you don't want to go to the Goblins right now." Tonks continued.
Sirius knew they were right but he had to do something. He had to find Harry and ensure his safety. "But Harry..." Remus interrupted him.
"If you leave now we can't contact with each other easily Sirius. What if word comes that Harry needs help? You won't know anything."
Sirius felt that damned feeling of despair in his chest and a moment later it turned into fury. He punched the wall with all of his strength.
Tonks put a hand on his arm. "Harry will be fine, Sirius. He'll be back soon. Just trust him." she said.
Sirius grimaced like he was in physical pain. Of course he trusted his godson but that didn't mean he was okay with him roaming around just with his two best mates while there is a reward on his head. "He'd better come back soon or I'll kill him myself." he growled.