Currently listening to: Cautioners by Jimmy Eat World
Bracing himself, Ron leaned forward to open the backdoor of the Burrow. Suddenly he paused thinking better of it.
"I think you had better go in first. If there's any chance that Mum overheard us she'll be out for my blood!"
"Geez Ron, some fearless auror you are! "
"You promised to protect me and I'm holding you to it, lead the way Granger!" Ron teased as he ducked behind her to enter the house.
All joking ceased when they opened the door, and took in the scene before them. Molly, George, Harry and Ginny were all seated at the kitchen table. Each one seemingly frozen in shock. Remus had Percy pinned against the doorjamb holding him by the collar of his robe, his wand pointed toward him. Ginny was watching Harry's face intently as she gripped his hand.
Remus growled, "I don't know what kind of sick joke you think you're playing, but you've got about two seconds to explain yourself before I hex your balls off. "
"If you would just calm down for a moment, I'll explain!" Percy said as he struggled to release himself from the werewolf's grasp.
"Blimey! What's going on?" Ron asked.
George turned toward Ron and Hermione and said, "Oh, Percy just popped by to tell us that Sirius is alive."
Hermione gasped. "What?" She yelled.
"He says he was found lying on the floor of the Death Chamber in the Department of Mysteries a few hours ago."
"But – but, that's just not possible. I researched it, over and over, I tried for years to find some way to bring him back!" She turned to glare at Percy. Hermione was mad, no, actually, she was pissed. Where does he get off coming here and teasing us about something like this; and in front of Harry! Doesn't he realize, oh bollocks! I'm going to kill him!
"Remus," Hermione said quietly, "let him go. You," she pointed to Percy, "sit - explain. I'm warning you Percy, if this some kind of joke you better come clean right now." Ron backed away from her and took this as a command for him to sit as well. Really he just wanted to be as far away from Hermione as possible at this moment. He knew that tone, Percy was a dead man if he didn't get to the point, quickly. He could feel her magical aura crackling around her as she struggled to reign in her temper. She was a she-bear where Harry was concerned, especially where the subject of Sirius was concerned. Little did Ron know the real reason Hermione was so sensitive to any mention of Harry's deceased godfather.
During this entire exchange Harry remained silent, his eyes never leaving Percy's face.
"I was leaving my office to meet Penelope in the atrium for lunch. I was about to step into the lift when Kingsley came barreling through shouting at a pair of Unspeakables about how he was going to have both of their jobs for being a couple of 'dim-witted toe-rags.' I followed them into the lift, Kingsley didn't notice me; he was too busy glaring at the Unspeakables. He said, 'let me get this straight. You say you found Sirius Black laying unconscious in front of the veil. Then instead of notifying me immediately, or even calling for a healer, you lock him in a cell for hours until it occurs to you that you might ought inform the bloody MINISTER OF MAGIC?"
George snickered at that, he couldn't help but think of how many shades of red those Unspeakables turned while being dressed down by the Minister himself.
"THEY LOCKED HIM UP!" Harry exploded. This was the first thing he had said since Percy walked in. "Don't they bloody well know that he was innocent?"
"Harry -" Hermione interrupted, "maybe we should find out more before we jump to conclusions. How do we know for sure that it is Sirius? I mean it could be anyone."
"What happened after that?" Remus asked ignoring Harry's outburst.
Percy answered. "I didn't find out much after that, only that the DOM had no clue as to how he escaped the veil and that they want to keep him for testing."
"Testing? What kind of testing? We've got to go. I've got to get to the Ministry. Why hasn't Kingsley sent word yet?" Harry babbled as he stood up, not waiting for an answer but heading for the door instead. Ginny was drug along as she continued to cling to Harry. Without further comment, Remus, Hermione and Ron followed them out. Moments later the quiet was broken by five pops as they apparated to the Ministry.
George, Percy and Molly were left in the Burrow's kitchen looking back and forth between one other. As usual, George was the first to comment, "So I guess this means no Quidditch today?"
Percy gave him a withering glance as Molly burst into tears, burying her face in her apron.
"I know, I'm disappointed too Mum, but really -" George ducked as a wooden spoon was hurled as him from across to kitchen.
A/N: Sorry this was another short one. This was kind of a filler chapter. In the next chapter we'll see Sirius reunited with everyone, and find out exactly what lies beyond that fluttering curtain. Thanks for reading, please RnR!