ONE YEAR LATER
Elizabeth sighed as she gently placed her daughter back her crib, kissing her small forehead. The young girl smiled up at her mother, giggling in the low light of the bedroom lamp. Elizabeth bent down to face Esme through the bars of the crib, tenderly taking the baby's hands and squeezing them affectionately.
"Mummy and Daddy love you, Esme," she whispered, as worrying thoughts filled her head. Lily and James were in grave danger and there was nothing she nor her husband could do to help them. Their son, Harry, was only Esme's age, and Elizabeth could not imagine Esme being threatened like young Harry was. She breathed heavily as she watched her daughter gurgling to herself and gently prised her fingers away, hoping that Esme would sleep soon. She swooped and kissed the young girl goodnight, before switching off the lamp, closing the bedroom door as she left.
"Did she go down all right?" Elizabeth heard a voice behind her and turned to see her husband on the stairs, his eyes on his daughter's bedroom door.
"She'll settle soon," Elizabeth whispered, sighing as she rubbed her forehead. Sirius' eyes filled with concern as he watched his wife worry, before taking her hands in his and holding her close. Neither of them spoke, just thankful that they weren't alone, and weren't in the Potters' situation.
They broke apart at the sound of a rapid knocking at the front door, and Elizabeth looked over the bannister, confused.
"Who the Merlin is that at this time?" she whispered, following Sirius downstairs. "They'll wake Esme." The two of them quickly made their way to the front door and Sirius whipped his wand out.
"Who is it?" he called out quietly, his eyes briefly glancing up at the ceiling, where his daughter's bedroom was.
"It is I, Albus Dumbledore," called out a familiar voice. "I am Headmaster of Hogwarts School, where both you and Elizabeth attended, and last week I called here to make sure you both were safe. Elizabeth, you were snacking on strawberry and liquorice ice cream."
Sirius glanced at Elizabeth, who nodded at Dumbledore's answer, and he quickly unsealed the door to reveal the old headmaster, his face full of worry.
"Can I come in?" he asked urgently and Sirius nodded, allowing his friend to pass by. Elizabeth smiled her hello, but knew that Dumbledore wouldn't be visiting this late unless it was an emergency. She suddenly filled with dread as Sirius closed the door and the three of them made their way quietly into the kitchen, so as to not disturb Esme.
"Dumbledore, what's happened?" Sirius asked, eager to learn the intention of the visit. Dumbledore removed his cloak and placed it on the kitchen table, his hands slightly blue from the cold. Elizabeth quickly pointed her wand at the fireplace and hot flames leapt into sight, heating the kitchen.
"It is suspected that Lily and James' hiding place has been revealed," Dumbledore said gravelly. Sirius' mouth dropped open, horror clear on his face.
"Are they in danger?" Elizabeth whispered, gripping the kitchen table hard.
"I don't know yet," Dumbledore admitted, his eyes on Sirius. "You're their Secret Keeper, Sirius, aren't you?"
Sirius did not answer, but looked out of the window in anger. Elizabeth looked from her husband to Dumbledore, surprised at the question.
"Albus, you cannot be serious!" she demanded, her voice rising slightly. "You don't really believe that Sirius would betray Lily and James?"
"Well, somebody has betrayed them," Dumbledore said slowly as Sirius turned around to face his accuser. "You were the only one who knew where they were."
"I didn't betray them," Sirius said threateningly. "James is my best friend."
He looked out of the window again, his dark eyes searching the night sky eagerly as thoughts circulated his mind. He tried to piece together who had really betrayed the Potter's position.
"Sirius?" Elizabeth said gently as Sirius glanced at her, snapping out of his train of thought.
"I've got to go and see if they're all right," he said suddenly, grabbing a cloak from behind Elizabeth.
"I would rather you both remain here," Dumbledore said firmly but Sirius shook his head, lifting a key out of his pocket to make sure he had it.
"I have to know if James and Lily are safe," he said and glanced at Elizabeth, whose blue eyes were wide as she watched her husband prepare to leave.
"Sirius, don't go," she whispered, thinking of Esme, all alone upstairs, oblivious to any outside forces attempting to hurt them. "Not without saying goodbye to Esme first."
"I'm coming back," Sirius whispered, kissing Elizabeth softly. She hung onto him, holding him close to her, not wanting him to leave her. Eventually, she knew that their friends' safety was more important than her feelings, so she released him and smiled weakly.
"Say goodbye to Esme before you leave," she ordered quietly and her husband nodded, kissing her lightly again before leaving the kitchen. Elizabeth kept her eyes on the door, listening to Sirius' footsteps on the stairs as he approached their daughter's bedroom. Then, silently, she turned to Dumbledore, who returned her stare.
"James is Sirius' best friend, Albus," Elizabeth said in a low voice, her blue eyes flashing dangerously. "He would not betray their trust."
Dumbledore kept quiet as Sirius crept back down the stairs and out the front door, closing it quietly behind him.
"Why do you think Lily and James have been betrayed?" Elizabeth continued, as her husband's flying motorbike's headlights shone through the window, moving along the wall as Sirius drove away. She flicked her wand at the kettle and then at a cupboard, watching as two mugs flew out and landed neatly on the counter in front of her.
"I received word that there was an altercation at Lily and James' house," Dumbledore said gravely. "There has been reports of an explosion."
"An explosion?" Elizabeth whispered, breaking one of the mugs she was holding. Dumbledore immediately whipped out his wand and muttered, "Reparo," and the mug's broken parts flew back together in Elizabeth's hands. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily, struggling to stay calm.
"Elizabeth, I am very sorry to bring you bad news this late at night," Dumbledore said quietly and Elizabeth smiled weakly.
"I don't think that the time of day dictates the severity of the message, Albus," she said, rubbing her forehead. "Have you contacted Remus yet? He'd want to know about James and Lily being in danger."
"Remus is proving a little difficult to track down," Dumbledore said heavily. "I have sent Elphias Doge to try and find him."
The young witch nodded her head as the kettle sung to announce that it was boiled. She sighed again and prepared two cups of tea, as well as preparing herself for a few hours of agonising waiting.
A few hours later, after a long conversation with Dumbledore about the Potters and Sirius, Elizabeth suddenly heard Esme crying upstairs, screaming for her mother.
"Go and see to her," Dumbledore said as Elizabeth closed her tired eyes. She nodded and slowly went upstairs, switching the lamp on to see Esme stood up in her crib, her pale face tear-stained.
"Sweetheart, Mummy's here," Elizabeth whispered, leaning in to pick her daughter up, bouncing her slightly on her hip. "No need to cry anymore, darling." Esme's sobs ceased slightly as she clung to her mother, tugging gently on her dark hair, and Elizabeth held her daughter close, hoping to calm her down. She kissed the young girl on the forehead, feeling how warm her gentle skin was and a rush of love and hope filled her heart as the baby's big blue eyes peered up at her mother.
Elizabeth was just about to settle Esme back into the crib when she heard a flutter of wings from downstairs, closely followed by a hoot. An owl had arrived. Confused, Elizabeth quickly went back downstairs, Esme still on her hip, and saw a tawny brown owl perched on the living room coffee table, its round yellow eyes watching Elizabeth as she approached. Esme smiled at the animal, pointing at it with her chubby hands, gurgling at the sight of it.
"Albus?" Elizabeth said quietly, suddenly realising that the wizard was holding a letter, no doubt delivered by the owl. "What is it? What's happened?"
Albus turned around, a fixed stare of determination on his face.
"Elizabeth, stay here," he ordered and with a flash, disappeared out of the door, taking the letter with him. Cursing under her breath, Elizabeth grabbed her wand and sealed the door, sighing heavily. She was all alone, with all bad thoughts circulating her mind and an over-tired baby to look after.
"All right, sweetheart," she said quietly, sitting on the sofa and resting Esme on her knee. "Let's see if we can get you settled, shall we?"
Esme gurgled happily, giggling in her mother's arms. However, the task of settling Esme proved difficult, as the young girl seemed determined to stay up. Elizabeth couldn't understand why it seemed as though the baby would sense her anxiety, before realising she was probably delving into her mother's mind.
About an hour later, Elizabeth gave up and instead began tickling Esme, just happy to immerse herself in her daughter's happiness as she giggled and chirped.
Bang, bang, bang!
Elizabeth froze, her hand on Esme's stomach. Somebody was at the door, and it appeared as they desperately wanted to come into the house. Scooping up her daughter and grabbing her wand, she pointed it at the door and said in a clear voice, "Who's there?"
There was a quiet sob outside the door and small voice said;
"Elizabeth, it's Remus. The last time you saw me was three months ago, and Esme took her first steps…"
He broke off, apparently unable to speak. Elizabeth didn't move. If she opened that door, she would hear bad news. She couldn't do it. She didn't want to know.
"Elizabeth, let me in."
Slowly, she unsealed the door and allowed Remus to come in. His face was tear-stained and his dark eyes were filled with devastation. Elizabeth tightened her grip on Esme, who suddenly stopped giggling, responding to the tense atmosphere.
"Remus, what's happened?" she croaked. Remus looked up and she knew. It was over, all over. Still, she wouldn't believe it. She shook her head violently as her stomach twisted and lurched. "No, they can't be. Not Lily and James!" She felt faint and several black spots appeared in front of her as tears sprang to her eyes, her grip on Esme growing slack…
"Elizabeth!"
Remus grabbed hold of Esme as Elizabeth fell, clutching the young girl as she started crying. He held her tight, trying to calm her down as Esme realised something was wrong with her mother, who was curled up in a ball on the floor, holding her face in her hands, unable to contain her grief at her friends' death.
"Elizabeth, please," Remus soothed over Esme's blood curling cries, her chubby arms reaching out for her mother. "Elizabeth, Esme wants you. She wants her mother."
Fighting back the raw feeling of grief that was quickly overcoming her, Elizabeth sniffed hard, furiously wiping away her tears as she glanced at her daughter, who was still screaming. Elizabeth lifted herself onto her knees and gently took Esme from Remus, kissing her cheek and rocking her tenderly, whispering that everything was going to be all right. She couldn't meet Remus' eye as she pushed back any thoughts of the Potters, focusing entirely on her daughter's needs.
"I'm taking her to bed," she whispered softly and, still with her bottom lip quivering, she carried a snivelling Esme back up the stairs, breathing in the innocent scent from the gentle baby.
After Esme was settled, Elizabeth reluctantly went back downstairs to find Remus talking in low whispers to Dumbledore. He saw Elizabeth approaching and the red rings around her eyes told him that she had been made aware of her friends' death.
"Albus," Elizabeth said in a low whisper, praying that he was there to tell her that there had been a mistake. The concerned look in his blue eyes told her she was wrong to hope.
"How is Esme?" Dumbledore asked quietly and Elizabeth nodded her head.
"She's sleeping," she said quietly, a fresh wave of tears exploded out of her eyes at the thought of telling her daughter that she might never see her godparents again. "Albus, please tell me that you were wrong about Lily and…"
She trailed off as Dumbledore lowered his head.
"What happened?" she whispered. "I don't understand what happened? He can't have found them. Sirius would never have given up their location!"
"We don't know the facts yet," Dumbledore said gravelly. "I can't locate Sirius at the moment."
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked sharply. "Why can't you find him?"
"Hagrid told me that Sirius arrived at James and Lily's house and gave him his motorbike," Dumbledore said slowly, watching Elizabeth. "For some reason, he wanted Hagrid to have it."
"But, Sirius loves that bike," Elizabeth said, half to herself. She glanced at Remus and was stunned by his harsh expression. His eyes seemed to darken at the mention of Sirius' name and Elizabeth quickly thought of what Dumbledore had almost accused Sirius of earlier.
"Sirius didn't do this," she said sharply and Remus looked at her in surprise. "I know what you're thinking, Remus, but my husband loved James like a brother and he didn't betray him."
Remus didn't reply, but Elizabeth grew angry at the look of pity in his eyes. He obviously thought her very foolish.
"Elizabeth, I will be back in the morning," Dumbledore said heavily and after giving Remus a pointed look, he left the house. Elizabeth sealed the door behind her and turned back to Remus, who she realised was very grey and very tired.
"I'll make some drinks," she said quietly, and more out wanting to occupy herself and less out of thirst, she went to the kitchen and fixed two mugs of tea, taking her time and without using magic. She glanced at one of the pictures fixed to the fridge and choked back a sob. It was of Elizabeth and Sirius' wedding party. Lily and James were stood arm in arm, incredibly happy, shining in the sun. They couldn't be dead.
The dam broke. Elizabeth leant against the kitchen counter and sobbed heavily, not caring about the noise she made, clutching her heart as she felt it break. Her friends, dead. Her husband, under suspicion. Her daughter, innocent and alone upstairs. The salty and bitter tears stung her eyes as they flowed down her already stained face, and she fell to the floor in devastation.
"Elizabeth?" Remus' voice carried from the living room and he appeared at the door, confusion set in his face. He saw Elizabeth on the kitchen floor, sobbing uncontrollably into her arms, which were tightly wrapped around her knees, the two mugs of tea left forgotten on the counter. He rushed over and crouched next to her, gently trying to prise her arms away.
"Elizabeth," he said softly. "Elizabeth, don't cry –"
"Don't cry?" Elizabeth scoffed, pulling herself out of Remus' grip. "We've just found out that Lily and James are dead, I have no idea where Sirius is, and you're telling me not to cry?"
"I don't want you to upset yourself," Remus tried to explain but Elizabeth pulled away again, burrowing her head in her arms, shielding her face with her dark hair.
"I think I've got enough to be upset about," she sobbed, her voice muffled by her arms. She didn't understand. James and Lily had been two of Remus' best friends, so why wasn't he reacting? Why was he behaving as if mourning for them was wrong?
"I know," Remus said, his voice breaking and Elizabeth slowly raised her head, glancing at her friend. He had beads of tears forming in the corner of his eyes, and he was avidly rubbing his forehead, as though something was pressing on his brain. Guilt tore into Elizabeth's heart and she gently pulled Remus into a tight hug, closing her eyes and choking back even more tears. Her heart and throat were aching as she struggled to hold on to the last minute amounts of strength she had left.
They sat like that for some time, just holding each and crying, taking it in turns to comfort the other until the cold kitchen floor began to hurt their legs. Remus was the first to draw away, wiping his heavily lined face with the sleeve of his cloak.
"Do you want to stay here tonight?" Elizabeth whispered, sniffing hard through her block nose. Remus looked as though he was about offer up an excuse, but Elizabeth didn't give him chance, getting to her feet and pouring the cold tea away. "I'll go and make up the sofa. You can sleep there."
"Elizabeth?" Remus said softly, getting to his feet and taking the empty mugs out of her hand. He took a deep breath, his eyes filling again, but said nothing. Elizabeth smiled weakly and nodded her head, turning away.
"I know," she said simply and left him in the kitchen.
After an incredibly restless night, having been forced to comfort Esme several times, who undoubtedly was channelling her mother's devastation, Elizabeth finally gave up trying to get some sleep and traipsed downstairs to the kitchen. Waving her wand idly at the cupboard, she leant against the counter and put her head in her hands, sighing. Her head felt as though she had been hitting it against a brick wall all night, and her eyes felt rubbed raw. She knew she looked a state, but for once, it didn't matter.
The kitchen door opened and Elizabeth slowly lifted herself off the counter, turning back to the mugs of tea. They had filled themselves and she eagerly sipped the scorching liquid, warming her scratchy throat.
"Are one of those for me?" Remus asked, moving into the room. The only colour in his face were his red eyes, and his hair seemed considerably greyer than the previous night. Elizabeth nodded, handing the remaining mug over. She took another sip of her own, and heard a familiar cry from upstairs. Esme had woken up again. Sighing heavily, she put her mug back down and rubbed her eyes.
"I'll go if you want," Remus offered and Elizabeth was tempted. She wasn't sure whether the Potters' death was affecting her more, but Remus seemed more composed than she was, and this might calm Esme down.
"Thank you," she smiled weakly and Remus nodded, patting her shoulder as he left. Esme's cries became louder as the kitchen door was opened and Elizabeth's lip wobbled. She bit it hard and took a deep breath. She had to stay strong. Today, she was going to find Sirius and get some answers. Remus had been right in thinking that Sirius had been James and Lily's Secret Keeper, so only he could have revealed to You-Know-Who where they were hiding, but that didn't make sense. Sirius wouldn't betray them.
Through the window, Elizabeth could see somebody moving towards the house and she grabbed her wand, slowly walking towards the front door. Esme was still crying upstairs and she prayed that Remus would be able to calm her down soon.
"Elizabeth, it is I, Albus," the old headmaster called quietly through the front door. "I am here with more news."
"What was I doing last night?" Elizabeth asked, although she already knew it really was Dumbledore outside.
"You put your daughter to bed and protested your husband's innocence when you suspected that Remus doubted him."
Satisfied, Elizabeth flicked her wand at the door and it swung open.
"Albus, what have you heard?" she asked urgently as she ushered the old wizard into the house, magically sealing the door behind him. "Have you found Sirius?"
Dumbledore shook his head gravelly, shaking off his travelling cloak and placing it on the coffee table. He didn't say anything, however. Elizabeth studied his eyes and saw that they looked aged, and there was a desperate look of pain shining out of them.
"Albus, what's happened?" Elizabeth whispered, twisting her fingers absently.
"Elizabeth, Peter Pettigrew has gone missing," Dumbledore said heavily as Remus came down the stairs.
"Esme's fine –"
He stopped at the sight of Dumbledore, but Elizabeth was undeterred.
"What do you mean, missing?" she asked quietly. "Why would Peter be missing?"
"Elizabeth, I understand that this will be difficult to hear," Dumbledore said softly, "but you need to listen. Sirius was the only one who knew where Lily and James were hiding, so only he could have told Voldemort –"
Elizabeth shook her head and tried to speak but Dumbledore simply held up his hand and she faltered.
"Only he could have revealed their whereabouts. Now, it appears as if Peter realised this and has gone after Sirius."
"Gone after him?" Elizabeth repeated, almost laughing as angry tears filled her eyes. "Peter thinks he can take on Sirius? He thinks that Sirius is a Death Eater. This is ridiculous! None of you seem to remember how close Sirius and James were…"
She trailed off as Remus glanced at her, pity in his eyes. Dumbledore lowered his head and shook his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," he said gently and Elizabeth shook her head violently, tears falling down her cheeks.
"He wouldn't!" she whispered. "James was his best friend! Sirius wouldn't! He loves James!"
"Only Sirius knew where James and Lily were staying," Remus said softly. "He was the only one who could have told You-Know-"
"No!" Elizabeth growled, furious at the allegations. "I am telling you, Remus. Sirius is not in league with You-Know-Who. He loved James and Lily! He hates the Dark Arts! He would not betray them, especially not to You-Know-Who!"
Elizabeth stood trembling with fury, her blue eyes glaring at Remus, who was obviously shocked at the witch's outburst. How could Remus, one of Sirius' old friends, possibly believe that he would set out to get James and Lily killed? He was determined to comfort her, Elizabeth, but still believed the worst of her husband.
Something suddenly struck her as she thought of her friends.
"What's going to happen to Harry?"
Remus was caught off guard by her question, evidently thinking she would still be focused on Sirius.
"Who will he live with?" Elizabeth asked.
"His mother's sister," Dumbledore told her and Elizabeth snorted.
"Petunia Dursley?" she asked and the old wizard nodded. "But, she's a Muggle! She can't teach Harry about magic. I'm his godmother, he should live with me."
"No," Dumbledore said firmly, his grey eyes full of sorrow. "He is to live with his aunt.
"All right, fine!" Elizabeth said harshly, grabbing her travelling cloak form a hook on the wall. "If I can't look after my godson, then I am certainly not going to let him grow up believing that his godfather betrayed his parents, and if I am going to succeed, I have to find my husband."
"You can't leave," Remus protested as Elizabeth buttoned up her cloak.
"I have to find Sirius," she replied, grabbing her wand.
"What about Esme?"
"She can stay here with you."
Remus wildly looked at Dumbledore, exasperation written all over his face.
"Aren't you going to stop her?" he demanded of the old wizard, but Dumbledore simply looked at Remus over the top of his half-moon spectacles.
"Do you truly believe that you can stop Elizabeth when she is this determined?" he asked, and Elizabeth swore she saw a flicker of a smirk cross his face. However, a second later it was replaced with a pitiful frown, directed at her.
"Remus, stay with Esme until I get back," Elizabeth ordered and she left, pushing away any thoughts of her daughter and focusing on her husband's innocence.
After several hours of searching, checking Sirius' local haunts and personal connections, Elizabeth grew tired and disappointed. Her husband was nowhere to be found, and worry was quickly creeping up inside her throat. Despite everyone around her celebrating the disappearance of You-Know-Who, who seemed to have died at the hands of young Harry, Elizabeth couldn't join in.
"Elizabeth Black!" one wizard squeaked in shock at the sight of her, running around the Leaky Cauldron, praying she would find Sirius drowning his sorrows. "I'm surprised to see you here!"
"Why?" Elizabeth asked sharply, her eyes scanning the smoky room.
"Well, Sirius passed by a moment ago, and said that you were at home with your daughter," the wizard replied and Elizabeth's head snapped around to look at him.
"Sirius was here? When?"
"A moment ago," the wizard repeated, looking towards the front door that led out onto a Muggle street. "I couldn't understand why he looked so glum, what with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named vanishing, but then I realised that –"
"Where did he go?" Elizabeth quickly asked, finally feeling she was getting somewhere. The wizard looked slightly offended at being interrupted but answered her question anyway.
"That way." He pointed his bony finger at the door leading to the Muggle street, and Elizabeth rushed off, slamming the door behind her as she ran. Out in the cold air, she pulled her cloak further around her and scanned the abandoned road, desperate for some clue as to Sirius' whereabouts. Up ahead, at the very end of the street, there as a crowd forming, most likely of Muggles, and they were all watching something intently. Breaking into a run, Elizabeth could just make out her husband. He had his back to her, but she could see that he was shouting at someone.
"Sirius!" she yelled, and her husband briefly looked around, surprised at his wife's presence. Elizabeth smiled, but faltered when she saw the anger on Sirius' face. Something else had happened, she was sure of it.
Suddenly, an orange, fire-like light exploded through the street and the force of the spell hit Elizabeth like a brick wall. She flew through the air and landed some twenty yards from where she had previously been. Gravel flew up into her face and speared her skin, and her arm exploded with agony. Spitting blood out of her mouth and clutching her wand, she rolled onto her back and looked up. There was a large crater in the middle of the street and several small fires burning casually on the sides of the pavement, crackling loudly in the destruction.
"Sirius!" Elizabeth croaked, slowly getting to her feet, coughing painfully. The air was filled with smoke and screams from people lying in the street. Black shapes were scattered all over the road, all different shapes and sizes, and as Elizabeth looked closely at them, she realised that they were the burnt remains of the Muggles who had been watching Sirius' argument.
Elizabeth felt suddenly sick and her hands flew to her mouth as she fought to compose herself. She heaved violently, shaky tears clouding her eyes.
"Sirius!" she spluttered again, looking around desperately for her husband. He was a little further up the road, his back still facing her. Elizabeth wiped her mouth and staggered down the street, still coughing in the choking smoke. She was getting nearer and could just see Sirius' face. He was grinning manically, as though finding the situation hysterical.
"Sirius!"
She grabbed him, clinging onto his arms, her wand dropping to the floor.
"Sirius, what happened?" she demanded, still choking back dirt ridden tears. Sirius didn't reply; his eyes were strange, as though far away and manic. "Sirius!"
She shook him, still crying but he didn't reply. His face was stretched into a crazed grin, and there were traces of smoke and ash on his forehead.
Suddenly the air around them erupted with bursts of light and Elizabeth instinctively ducked, terrified and confused. Half a dozen wizards had Apparated into the street and were aiming their wands at both her and Sirius, their faces filled with anger.
"DROP YOUR WAND!" one yelled at Elizabeth, but she ignored him as she launched herself back to her feet, her eyes on Sirius. There was another burst of light and Elizabeth was thrown back once again, landing with an 'Oomph!" on the hard city street. She tried to lift herself up but she was in too much pain. She watched as the wizards pounced on Sirius, who was now cackling madly as they arrested him, his eyes glinting evilly. He looked completely deranged.
"Sirius!" Elizabeth yelled, scraping herself off the road and shakily getting to her feet. "No, let him go!"
"Stay back, Mrs Black, or we will arrest you too!"
Elizabeth's gaze momentarily flickered away as that voice sounded familiar. She found its owner and saw that it was Cornelius Fudge, the Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. No doubt, he had been alerted to the explosion on the street. His eyes were fixed on Sirius, who wasn't even resisting his captors as they dragged him, still laughing, away from his wife.
"No, let him go!" Elizabeth screamed, running forward. "He's innocent! He didn't do anything! Let him –"
"MRS BLACK, STAY BACK!" Fudge bellowed and Elizabeth felt strong arms seize her, pulling her away.
"Sirius! Sirius, no!" Elizabeth sobbed, clawing at her captor but Sirius didn't even look round. The twenty wizards holding him, all with solemn expressions on their faces, Disapparated, leaving Elizabeth screaming in the street.
"Dawlish, if you wouldn't mind releasing Mrs Black," a firm familiar voice said from behind her as Elizabeth still tried to free herself. She squirmed in her captor's arms and saw Dumbledore, the fire from the street lighting up his grave face. The wizard holding Elizabeth instantly eased his grip and stepped away, but before Elizabeth could run towards Fudge and demand he release her husband, she felt a strong grip on her wrist and everything twisted out of sight. She closed her soaking eyes as she felt her feet hit the ground again, knowing exactly where Dumbledore had taken her.
"Let's get you inside," the old wizard said, gently leading her towards the house. He knocked three times on the door and waited for someone to reply. Elizabeth was still choking through her sobs, her legs slowly growing weaker. This couldn't be happening. They couldn't honestly believe that Sirius would betray James and Lily. Sirius and James were practically brothers; they were godfathers to each other's children, they were best man at each other's weddings – they loved each other.
"Who is it?" Remus called from inside the house.
"Remus, it is I, Albus. I have Elizabeth with me, and you, Remus, are particular gifted when dealing with Dementors, although you will never let anyone see your corporal Patronus, because of its form."
The door made a squelching noise and it opened, revealing a worried Remus, his eyes still red. He ushered both Elizabeth and Dumbledore into the house, sealed the door again and wheeled around to face them, his tired face full of worry lines.
"What happened to you, Elizabeth?" he exclaimed as Elizabeth collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. Remus rushed over, taking her face delicately in his hands and examined it carefully.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked quietly, although she didn't really care about the answer. She glanced in the mirror and her eyes widened. At least, they widened as best as they could, as one of them was bruised and swollen. As well as that, her face was covered in soot, her bottom lip was bleeding and there were several shallow cuts on her cheeks. She looked a mess.
Remus disappeared into the kitchen as Elizabeth closed her eyes and wiped away stray tears, her head pounding as it fell into her hands.
"Albus, I don't understand," she whispered into her wrists. "What happened on the street? Where did the explosion come from?"
"Cornelius Fudge is looking into it," Dumbledore replied, sitting down next to her. "There will most likely be an investigation."
There was movement by the kitchen door and Elizabeth felt her arms being moved away. She reluctantly lifted her head up and found a steaming goblet full of a red liquid in front of her, being held up by Remus.
"Drink this," he ordered and Elizabeth took several gulps, knowing full well that she was taking Calming Draught. It didn't take long for the potion to kick in, and she suddenly felt less hysterical as her head started to clear a little.
"Where's Esme?" she asked quietly as Remus set the goblet down on the coffee table.
"She's asleep upstairs," he told her. There was something in his voice that also told Elizabeth there was something he wanted to ask. She glanced at him and saw that he was staring at Dumbledore.
"They arrested Sirius," Elizabeth said bitterly. "So, you'll be pleased, won't you, Remus? You said all along that Sirius betrayed James and Lily, so you must be thrilled."
Remus shook his head but didn't say anything. He was still looking at Dumbledore, who slowly got up from the sofa.
"Elizabeth, I think you should get some sleep," he said softly and with a wave of his wand, another goblet soared in from the kitchen. It flew over to Elizabeth and nudged her shoulder slightly. One quick glance at the liquid and she realised it was a Dreamless Sleep Potion. She raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore, annoyed that he expected her to just do as she was told, especially after the night she had had, but Dumbledore looked unusually stern.
Sighing heavily, Elizabeth lifted the goblet and drained it, tiredness hitting her the second she swallowed the last drop. She tucked her legs up and let go of the goblet, watching it dreamily as it soared away back into the kitchen. Remus and Dumbledore were now blurry and her eyes were fighting to close. Her head hit the sofa cushion and she fell into a deep sleep.
"… We need to take Mrs Black into custody, Dumbledore. She was at the scene. She has been living with him for three years so we can't rule out her involvement in his plan."
"You're not seriously suggesting that Elizabeth is a Death Eater! That is ridiculous! You need to understand that she has just lost her two best friends, her husband has been arrested and she is now a single mother –"
"Mr Lupin, I don't have time to understanding! Two people have been murdered and Sirius Black deceived them to the Dark Lord! I need to question his wife and determine whether she was a part of it!"
"Elizabeth has my full support over this, Barty. I do not believe that she knew what her husband had done."
"That is all very well, Dumbledore, but I am still here to a job."
Elizabeth's eyes slowly flickered open as she listened to Dumbledore and Remus argue with someone. They were in the kitchen but the door was slightly ajar, enabling their voices to travel through to the living room.
"You mean, you are here to harass a young woman who has just about lost everything she has!" Remus protested as Elizabeth slowly lifted herself into a sitting position. She rubbed her stiff neck, cursing under her breath as pain set in her black eye.
"I simply wish to interrogate her!" the unwanted visitor hissed and Elizabeth recognised him immediately as Barty Crouch, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He sounded angry and determined and Elizabeth knew there was no point in hiding. She left the sofa and silently opened the kitchen door, to where the three men were still arguing.
"Gentlemen, if you wouldn't mind keeping your voices down," she said wearily, and Barty Crouch whipped around, "my daughter is upstairs and I don't want to alarm her."
Remus looked surprised to see her awake, stopping halfway through his whispered sentence. He was also evidently tired, his hair pushed back as though he had been running his hands through it all night.
Barty Crouch's dark brow furrowed deeply at the sight of the bruised Elizabeth, standing in the doorway, with her arms folded tightly around her.
"Mrs Black, you need to –"
"Answer your questions?" Elizabeth asked sharply. "Be taken into custody? Get arrested for a crime I didn't commit?"
"We need to investigate every angle," Crouch said harshly.
"Whatever questions you have for me, you can ask here," Elizabeth said firmly, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt. "My daughter has just lost her father and I am not about to leave her."
Crouch looked as though he was about to arrest her right then and there for refusing to leave the house, but Dumbledore smiled broadly at him, his eyes twinkling.
"Excellent," he said happily, rubbing his hands together. "Remus, if you wouldn't mind making some tea. Two sugars, I believe, Barty?"
Crouch looked furious, his face going a deep shade of red, but Remus had already set about with his order, and Dumbledore was chatting too loudly to hear the ministry official's complaints. As Crouch was ushered back into the living room, Elizabeth quietly thanked Dumbledore and followed him to await her questioning.
"Relax, Elizabeth," Dumbledore said as she slowly sat back down on the sofa. Despite the reassuring tone of his voice, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel slightly sick as Crouch sat stiffly in her armchair, drawing his wand and conjuring a piece of parchment and a quill.
"What do you need to ask me?" Elizabeth asked quietly as three mugs of tea came soaring into the room. Only Dumbledore took hold of his; Elizabeth anxiously bit her nails and Crouch stared at her, as though expecting her to burst into a full confession. She stared back as hatred built up inside her. This man might be here doing his job, but he still wanted to tear her family apart.
"Did you know your husband was Death Eater?" Crouch asked her suddenly and Elizabeth almost laughed at his lack of subtlety.
"My husband is not a Death Eater," she replied, attempting to keep her face impassive. The quill immediately wrote down her answer.
"Were you aware of any illegal activities that your husband was taking part in?" Crouch continued, undeterred.
"He didn't take part in any illegal activities," Elizabeth replied, twisting her fingers as she struggled to keep calm. Again, the quill scratched at the parchment.
"Are you yourself, a Death Eater?" Crouch asked, his voice getting a little louder.
"I am not, nor have I ever been, a Death Eater," Elizabeth said, also raising her voice, "and as I just said, neither is my husband."
"Your husband gave away the location of James and Lily Potter to You-Know-Who, a decision which caused their death," Crouch yelled, now getting to his feet.
"He didn't do that!" Elizabeth screamed, also raising from her seat.
"And, what's more," Crouch bellowed, his face turning the same shade as a beetroot, "when cornered by Peter Pettigrew, who was determined to get revenge for his friends' deaths, your husband blew him to pieces, along with thirteen Muggles!"
Elizabeth froze, her mouth wide open as the reality of what Crouch had yelled hit her. Peter Pettigrew was dead. Their friend was dead. Sirius was accused of killing him, and thirteen Muggles.
"What?" she whispered, sinking down onto the sofa. There was a piercing cry from up above, but for the first time in her life, Elizabeth ignored the shrieks of her daughter. "Peter's dead?"
Crouch nodded, his face slowly returning back to its natural colour. It seemed that Esme's cries had forced him to realise just where he was.
"The explosion site where we arrested your husband," he said slowly as Remus rushed upstairs to deal with the baby, "was where Mr Pettigrew was killed. From witnesses, we can gather that when he learned of your husband's betrayal, he hunted him down and confronted him on the city street. When Sirius Black realised he was cornered, he used the Blasting Curse to kill Mr Pettigrew and the Muggles watching in the street."
Elizabeth said nothing. There seemed to be nothing to say. Everyone was certain of Sirius' guilt. There were witnesses who could testify to Peter's murder, and she herself had seen Sirius arguing with someone in the street.
"Elizabeth, nobody is saying that you had anything to do with this," Dumbledore said softly. Elizabeth saw Crouch's eyebrows raise but he seemed to be resisting from retorting. "Barty just needs to get all the facts for the trial."
"Actually, Albus, there won't be a trial," Crouch said calmly.
Elizabeth's focus and anger returned.
"What do you mean, 'there won't be a trial'?" she demanded, her heart bubbling with rage. "You can't just send him to Azkaban without a trial! That's simply unjust!"
"I think you'll find that killing fourteen innocent people and being responsible for the deaths of two others is simply unjust," Crouch shot back. "We have several witness statements all testifying that they saw your husband commit murder tonight. Mrs Black, you were even at the scene yourself. Surely, you can't deny the truth."
The quill was hovered in mid-air, no longer being able to write as Crouch was no longer asking questions. Elizabeth looked at him, studying his demeanour. It was obvious that if she continued to protest Sirius' innocence, she would be arrested and sent to Azkaban for being a Death Eater as well, and as Remus came back downstairs, having just settled Esme, Elizabeth made an incredibly hard decision.
"You're sure that my husband is guilty?" she asked quietly and although a little surprised, Crouch nodded his answer. Sighing heavily, Elizabeth bit her lip and closed her eyes, praying her plan would work. "Then, he is responsible for the deaths of two of my friends. He is no longer my husband."
Opening her eyes again, she snuck a glance at Remus, who seemed thoroughly shocked at her words.
"Barty, you have plenty of evidence that Sirius Black betrayed James and Lily Potter, and that he killed Peter Pettigrew and thirteen Muggles," Dumbledore said slowly, a deeply grave look burning in his blue eyes. "However, you have no evidence pertaining to Elizabeth's guilt, and you won't find any, because she was completely unaware who her husband was reporting to."
Crouch looked doubtful, but whether it was Dumbledore's presence, or the truthfulness of what he had said, he questioned her no longer. Instead, he waved his wand and his parchment and quill vanished from sight, leaving a slight trial of smoke floating up to the ceiling.
"I have everything I need," Crouch said, and with a curt nod at Dumbledore, he left the house. Elizabeth sighed heavily again, and finally looked at her daughter, who was squirming in Remus' grip.
"Do you honestly believe that Sirius is guilty?" Remus asked as Elizabeth quickly lifted Esme into her arms, bouncing her slightly. "You seemed so adamant that he was innocent."
"He is," she said quietly, shushing her daughter softly. "Sirius is innocent. Crouch doesn't believe that, though. If he honestly thinks that I had something to do with any of this, he could put me in the cell next to Sirius. From now on, I have to put Esme first."
