Chapter 4 already! I've been looking forward to writing this one, I hope you all like it as well! Sorry it's taken so long, I've been recovering from getting my wisdom teeth pulled. Also, I do not own Harry Potter in anyway. ON TO THE STORY!
If someone was to look at the outside of Sherringford "Ford" Ignatius Sacker, they would see a tall, dusty- blond, good looking young man of about twenty three. They would probably notice his wizarding robes sported a Magical Law Enforcement Squad badge on one side, and a crescent moon pin on the other. Over all, he looked like just another young Ministry employee waiting to give some sort of report to the Minister of Magic.
If someone, however, was to take a look inside Inspector Sacker, they would find a very nervous young Ministry employee; wondering if solving forty three consecutive cases during his five years in the MLES was really enough to get the Minister to take what he was going to say seriously; or if he hadn't better duck out, reschedule his appointment, and solve a few more.
Ford did not get the chance to duck out however, as just then, the door to the Minister's office opened, and Cornelius Fudge called out from inside, "Well, come on in my boy, doors' open!" Ford took a deep breath, adjusted his uniform blue tie, and stepped in.
"Thank you for taking time to see me Minister." Ford began as he took a seat in front of Fudge's desk. "I know you're a busy man." Fudge waved this away with a kindly grin, "Oh, never too busy to take time for the man who solved the Withering Will o' Whisp case! Among many others, so I've heard! Ah, Commissioner Ogden used to speak very highly of you lad, "Makings of Greatness" he said, "Makings of Greatness!" "Fudge smiled at Ford again, who nodded, remembering the old MLES officer fondly. He didn't get on half so well with the new head of the department, one L. Strade Gregston, who found Ford's methods to be too "unconventional".
"So my boy, what is you wanted to see me about? You're memo said it was urgent?" Ford nodded again, choosing his words carefully, given the Ministry's recent behavior, this would have to be done delicately. "Yes Minister, well…it's about…Harry Potter."
One didn't have to be Ford Sacker to notice Fudge's fatherly smile became rather fixed at the mention of this name, as did his friendly tone. "Well…what of him, my boy?" "Well sir…" Ford paused for a moment, wondering how to put what he wanted to say, and decided to just state the facts as he always did.
"Sir, it's been three weeks now since Mr. Potter was reported having failed to return to Hogwarts. Potter was last reported leaving to visit a sick family friend, (namely one Mr. Arthur Weasley, an employee of the Ministry) during the Christmas Holidays. During these three weeks, no orders have been given to the Magical Law Enforcement Squad or Auror's Office to make any attempt at locating and returning Mr. Potter and-"
Ford paused here to take a breath, and also because Fudge's face had most definitely lost any sincere friendliness it might have had. "And…I was wondering…what is the Ministry doing to insure Mr. Potter's safe return?" Fudge looked at Ford for a moment, before clearing his throat, and saying in a nonchalant voice, "Well Mr. Sacker " his 'my boy' abandoned. "Inspector" Ford said automatically, then seeing Fudge's glare, instantly regretting it. "Well, Inspector, rest assured that the Ministry is working on insuring Mr. Potter's wellbeing. We want nothing more than his safe-ah-return." The very word seemed to pain Fudge.
"Yes Minister, but who, if not the MLES or the Aurors, is working on insuring his wellbeing? I'm probably mistaken, but it seems to me no one is in much of a hurry to make sure he does return. Why I remember only two years ago back during the Black scare, when Potter went temporarily off grid. The whole Ministry was in an uproar for hours until you yourself foun-"
"Yes well, we have several more important matters to worry about then where a disturbed teenager has run off to." Fudge interrupted. "But sir," Ford tried again "If Potter is disturbed, doesn't that give us all the more reason to find him? If he cannot be trusted to take care of himse-" "If he is disturbed Mr. Sacker? Surely you cannot deny that he is? Surely you of all people don't believe these insane stories about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returning? Of dementors showing up in Little Whining? Of Sirius Black being innocent?"
Fudge in his rant did not notice that Ford's eyes flashed at this mention of Black. If there was one thing that fascinated Sacker more than solving cases, it was anything that had to do with Sirius Black, the most notorious criminal since You-Know-Who. In fact, Black was part of what he'd come to talk about today, but from the looks of it, Fudge was in no mood to hear anymore about getting Harry Potter back, or anything related to it. Ford knew he had better cut his losses and leave while he still had a job.
"Yes Minister, I mean no, no…of course not." Ford replied, the picture of humility."Good." Fudge straightened his tie, which had come loose during his tirade. "Well then, I have a lot of work to do, and I'm sure you do as well. Good day Inspector Sacker." And with a flick of his wand, he opened the door. Ford gave the Minister a polite nod, took the hint, and left.
Ford entered one of the lifts that led down from the first floor, but instead of traveling down to the second, where his office was located, he punched in the button for the eighth. The doors opened a moment later, and Ford stepped out into the Atrium. He walked past the Reception desk and various witches and wizards mulling about during their break, and took a seat on the side of the Fountain of Magical Brethren.
A few minutes later, a lift came up to the Atrium from the floor below, the Department of Mysteries. A small group of Unspeakables filed out, ignoring everyone else, as usual, as they headed off for home. One however, a pretty witch with short blond hair, noticed Ford waiting by the fountain, and came up to him.
"Hey Amy." Ford said, giving her a small smile and a quick hug. "Hi, how'd your meeting with the Minister go?" Ford gave an exasperated sigh, and she sat down next to him with an understanding smile. "That good huh?"
"I just mentioned Potter's name and he closed up. I've said if before and I'll say it now, I don't think he cares if Potter's alive or dead, so long as he doesn't have to hear that You-" he cut himself off as a witch walked close by. After she was far enough away, he whispered, "That You-Know-Who is back in business." "So what are you going to do?" Amy whispered back, "You can't publicly defend Potter; you'll be sacked like that." She snapped her fingers for emphasis, earning her some questioning looks from the passersby, which she ignored.
"I know I know…but look, I've got an idea." "Oh boy-" "Hey, it's a good idea, just hear me out. I'm going after Potter myself." Amy stared at him, "I thought we just discussed how that get's you fi-" "I'm not going to ask to look for Potter, I'm going to take that vacation time Bob was always telling me I needed, and look for Potter on my own time."
Amy pursed her lips, thinking about this. "Well…if anyone can find him, it's you." "You know it. Say, why don't you come with me? Heavens knows you could use a break as well." He gave her a playful punch on the arm, which she returned with a small laugh. "I think you and I have differing opinions on what constitutes a break. Besides…" she said, suddenly becoming serious. "I don't feel good leaving the Department unguarded. The bigwigs are so set in pretending everything's peachy, they refuse to post guards, even after what happened to that Weasley guy." "How is he anyway?" Ford asked as he stood up to stretch, he had had a long, stressful, disappointing day. "Well… it seems that he's recovered alright." "That's good, I was hoping to question him, apparently his son's pretty close to Potter. " "Bode's dead though." "Oh…I'm sorry."
Amy shrugged, trying to look unbothered. "It's alright, it's not like I really knew him, but…" She looked up at Ford, her eyes hard. "I do know he was too good an Unspeakable to have an 'accident 'like they say he did. Someone did something to him to get him to try to take that-"Amy's mouth suddenly clamped shut, and her face became tight, like she was in pain. Ford sat back down quickly and placed an arm around her shoulder. "Amy! It's ok! Just—just back track, ok? I know you can't tell me." Amy nodded, and her mouth opened again. She took a deep breath, and growled out "Stupid Unspeakable Jinx…"
"Look, I don't think Bode tried to do-whatever it was, of his own accord either. But that's why I want you to come with me. If someone is targeting the Department of Mysteries, I don't want you to get caught in the crossfire, ok?" Amy shoved his arm off good naturedly, "Ah, you just don't want to lose a free place to crash when that land lady of yours kicks you out again." Ford shrugged, and then nodded in agreement. "Well, having a relative with such a nice flat is a perk, I admit. But besides that, what would I do without my favorite cousin?" "Sherringford, I'm your only cousin." "Yeah, Yeah, a small technicality, and don't call me Sherringford ,'Amaryllis'." Amy smirked at the weak jab.
"So, do you actually have an idea as to where Potter might be? Or are you just going to start at the top of England and work down to the bottom?" "Ha ha, no. Actually, it's not so much a matter of finding Potter, as a matter of finding who has Potter." Amy raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" "I mean, I don't think that Potter disappeared on his own, I think he's with someone." He looked at his cousin, his eyes grave. "I think he's with Sirius Black."
Amy's eyes widened. "Black?" she said in a breathless whisper. "Yep." Amy pondered this for a moment, and then shook her head. "But that's crazy, I mean, no offense or anything Ford, but the Aurors are certain Black's in Tibet or somewhere. Besides, why would he come back to England after he finally managed to escape the country?" "Because he didn't get what he came for the last time. And he's not in Tibet. Here, look at this-"He took a newspaper clipping out of his pocket, and handed it to Amy. She could tell it was from a Muggle Newspaper, as the picture didn't move. The headline read:
HOUND OF BAKERSVILLE STRIKES AGAIN!
The abnormally large stray the citizens of our fair town have taken to calling, The Hound, has indeed struck again. This time seen breaking into the butchers shop on Adler Lane; the beast made off with two strings of Italian sausage before disappearing again into the night. Police are baffled as to how an animal this large has managed to evade discovery, as well as seemingly open locked doors, as none of the shops hit by this curious canine show any signs of broken windows,or holes.
A picture was included of a huge black dog running past a streetlight into the mist, sausages swinging from its teeth, which were curled back into what looked like a smug grin.
Amy looked back up at Ford, "Uh…so?" Ford looked disappointed, "So? So sighting just like this one were frequent when Black was loose last time, and always in town Black was also seen in! That's not a coincidence, no matter what those clodhoppers in the MLES Department. think." He grumbled this last part.
"Sirius Black is an Animagus?" Amy asked skeptically. "You have to admit it would explain a lot," Ford said with a shrug, "I'm just amazed no one else has figured it out yet, I mean, the clues are all right there." He tapped the paper. Amy sighed. "I don't know Ford, I mean, it all seems so…" She stopped suddenly, thinking, "Actually…that would explain a lot…and not just about how he's managed to stay hidden so long…I always wondered how my shoes managed to get in the state they did." She mumbled. "Alright, you've convinced me."
Ford beamed with pride. "Great, I figured if I could get anyone to see it was Black, it'd be you. After all…" He said with a grin. "He did leave you at the altar." Amy glared at her cousin. "He did not leave me at the altar." She turned away from Ford, lost in thought. "He didn't get a chance to. He was too busy getting arrested and shipped off to Azkaban."
Ford blushed uncomfortably, feeling guilty at bringing up the subject. "Well…look, I'm sorry…but…I really could use your help Amy. The longer Potter's gone, the harder he'll be to find. You know Sirius Black better than anyone alive-" "Wrong, I knew Sirius Black, I haven't seen the man in fourteen years, except when I bump into his wanted poster." "Still, you're my best hope at finding him. Can you think of anywhere he might go? Any old friends who might still be willing to help hid him? Or might just know something that could help?"
Amy was silent for a long while. Ford wondered if she didn't want to talk to him anymore. He tried one more card, "You do want to help Harry, don't you? I mean, the kid was almost your godson…" Amy remained silent. Ford mentally kicked himself. He shouldn't have mentioned Black's connection to her at all; it was a mista-"Well…there is one guy." Ford's head snapped up at this. Amy's voice was stern as she turned back to her cousin. "I'll take you to the house, but after that I'm out, ok? You run around looking for Black if you want, I've got other things to worry about."
Ford nodded, understanding. "Great, who's the guy?" Amy thought for a moment, trying to remember the name. "It's something Latin… Regus…Romulus…Remus…Remus! Remus Lupin!"
Far away, in a field several miles outside Bakersville, Harry Potter shot up from sleep with a gasp, clutching his scar. Lillie whipped around, concerned, "Harry? What is it?". "Scar…burning…" Lillie's eyes widened, "Is it-are you going to-?" She could not say it, but Harry shook his head. "No, no I-I don't think so…It's him, he-he's really…happy about something…" Lillie stared at him incredulously. "You-Know-Who? Happy? About what?" (Harry had told her weeks ago about his scar's strange connection to Voldemort's moods.) He shook his head, "I don't know…but whatever it is, you can bet it can't be good for any of us."
Harry sighed, and rubbed his forehead, erasing the last traces of pain. He looked back at Lillie, who still looked worried. He smiled halfheartedly at her. "Look, you get some rest ok, I'll take watch." "No, my time's not up yet, you-" "Lil, I'm up anyway, I'll take watch."
Early on, the pair had realized it would be impossible for Harry to stay awake the entire time they searched. It might take them months to find Lillie's father. So Lillie had suggested they sleep taking watches, Lillie first, then Harry, and back and forth. This way, Lillie could keep an eye on Harry as he slept, and they would never be surprised by anyone. So far, the plan was working quite well.
Lillie sighed, recognizing defeat. "Oh, alright…" she flashed a small at him as she settled onto the ground, trying to get comfortable. "Ugh…I swear my back must be completely black and blue from all this roughing it. I can't wait till we get back to my place; I just hope the Deatheaters didn't get the same idea and decide to show up as well." About a week and half ago, they'd decided that they weren't making any progress in London, and Harry had suggested going back to Lillie's house, to search for any clues she might have overlooked.
"Well, " Harry said with a sigh, "I guess we'll just have to take our chances." Lillie laughed humorlessly, turning onto her back. "That's us, Lillie and Harry; fearless searchers, we laugh at the face of danger, never mind we're cold, dirty and completely out of Muggle money, living off pies people leave on their windowsills. Never mind we're on the run from Deatheaters (she began counting on her fingers) the Wizarding World in general and the Ministry in particular, though they haven't been very conspicuous have they? And now with your godfather on our heels-" "Let's not talk about Sirius, ok?"
Another reason Harry had been eager to leave London, was that they had narrowly avoided Sirius several times while there. Harry had recognized his godfather's shaggy form instantly, and only luck had kept Sirius from noticing them on their several near run- ins. After the first three, Harry had been forced to tell Lillie why he was so nervous of the large dog. She had surprised him by instantly believing him when Harry insisted Sirius was innocent of betraying his parents and murdering the fourteen Muggles. "Dad was at school when Sirius and your dad where there Harry, and he always said only an idiot would believe Sirius Black could sell out James Potter. He said anyone could see Sirius thought of James as more his brother then he did his real brother. Man you're lucky though, you get a godfather and a dog. I always wanted a dog, but Dad would never let me get one."
Since then, they had been extra cautious to avoid Sirius. So far they had been lucky, they even thought they had lost him, until they'd picked up a Muggle newspaper one day, and noticed an article about a strange large dog ransacking butcher shops. Obviously, they hadn't been as discreet as they'd believed. They had taken to zigzagging, covering their tracks and leaving false trails. But they still didn't feel very safe.
Harry pondered on the irony of it all. A year ago, he would have been happy that Sirius was making such an effort to find him, and the year before that…well, Sirius had been making an effort then, and Harry had been less than ecstatic. Why couldn't Sirius just give up? It would be better for both of them. He was putting himself at too much risk; if he was caught…Harry didn't want to think about Sirius being caught, in fact, it was just easier and less painful not to think about Sirius at all.
"Lil…" Harry turned at the sound of Lillie's voice. "What?" "Hmm? Oh, I was just thinking, Lil, that's nice. Nobody's ever called me Lil before, I like it, I'll have to find a nickname for you." Harry grimaced, "You won't have much to go off of, my name's pretty much as short as it will go." Lillie clicked her tongue, thinking about this. "Well, I suppose so. Oh well, I can always call you Harold, when I'm cross at you." She turned her back to him, grinning. Harry gave a humph "Only if I get to call you Lillian." She rolled over to stick out her tongue, and then rolled back on her side, snuggled down into sleep.
Harry smiled to himself, getting into a comfortable position to wait out his watch. He looked up at the stars, you could never see stars like that in Little Whinging. Not for the first time, Harry was grateful that he had met Lillie. He looked over at her sleeping form; there was just something about her, she just felt so…right. Liked he'd been waiting for her for a long time, but had never known it. Harry's brow wrinkled in thought. How did he feel about Lillie? He wasn't sure; he liked her, very much, but, did he…
Harry shook his head, clearing it. He had to keep an eye out for anyone who might see them. And there were more important things to worry about then how he felt about a girl, things like Voldemort. Harry rubbed at his hand as he pondered, feeling the scars left by Prof. Umbridge. What was the Dark Lord planning? What had happened to make him the happiest he'd been in fourteen years? Harry shuddered, and whispered again to himself, "Whatever it is, it's no good for any of us…"
Done! Wow! Writing this took a lot longer than I wanted it to, sorry guys. Well, I hope this long chapter makes up for making you all wait so long for an update. I'm afraid you'll have to wait awhile again, as I'm going on vacation with my family. But don't worry! I have this whole story planned out, I just have to write it and get it up. Well, until next time, thank you for your reviews! Keep um coming!