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Chapter Twelve – Preparations

Coddiwomple (verb) To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination

"Mr Malfoy extended an invitation to me for a ball that'll be held in my honour. I have a list of people that I'd like to attend."

The last few days had been stressful, in a ridiculous way. Who would have thought that preparing for a ball could be such a bother? I was in constant contact with Goldsnipe, inquiring about the progress regarding the safety preparations in Malfoy Manor. The goblin also handled most of the invitations, assuring me that all of them had accepted of yet. I wanted to deliver a few of them personally. Furthermore, I got really frustrated with my dress. The dressmaker was an artist, all her sketches were beautiful, but she was unhappy with my meddling. I had a clear picture of the dress a wanted: a fusion of Muggle and Wizarding World, a blend of dark and light. Unsurprisingly, she was disgruntled with the changes I wanted from traditional dress robes to display a more Muggle style of a dress gown. But I made it quite clear that I was the one who paid a ludicrous amount of money for her service, so I was the one to call the shots. After that, she was even more annoyed with me. Her loss.

Shaking my head, I snapped back into reality. I stood in front of Grimmauld Place number twelve, a few letters in my hand that I wanted to deliver personally. I was convinced that quite a few of them wanted an explanation and it was likely that they wouldn't attend without one. Unfortunately I needed them to attend, which meant I needed to explain myself. I hated to explain myself.

Making up my mind I strode up confidently to the door and knocked firmly. Seconds later the door was wretched open and a wand pointed at me.

"Al, it's me, Riga", I said, turning the palms of my hand upwards, to show him that I was holding nothing, except a few letters.

"Why do you call me Al?" the moody ex-Auror asked the security question.

My lips twitched. "Because I was pretty afraid of you when I first met you. You didn't want to scare me and wanted me to be more comfortable, so you allowed me 'what no one else is allowed'. Calling you by a nickname. I decided on Al. It stuck."

He nodded sharply and ushered me in, closing the door behind me.

"Listen, about the other day…" he started gruffly, but I interrupted him.

"I'm not here because of that. Maybe we could go to the kitchen? I've to explain something, ask something."

Eyeing me for a moment, the turned his back to me and limped towards the end of the corridor.

"Not everyone's here", he said over his shoulder.

"That's alright", I replied, as I made my way into the kitchen.

"Riga!" A beaming Sirius jumped to his feet and engulfed me in an exuberant hug. As always, he looked a bit dishevelled and restless, but seemed to be in a good enough mood.

"Happy to see you, too", I muffled into his chest, returning his hug with one arm. It felt good to be hugged. Disengaging from him, I swept my eyes over the other occupants of the kitchen. Just Lupin and Tonks. I nodded a greeting which earned my smiles in return.

"The three are upstairs. I can get them", Sirius offered.

Supressing a grimace and shook my head. "No, that's not necessary. Doesn't really concern them."

"But, with what happened…" Sirius started, trying to talk about the same issue just as Al had tried.

"Maybe later", I shook my head again and sat down at the kitchen table, waiting till everyone else had taken a seat.

Drifting my eyes over the few Order member again, I sighed and put the invitations on the table.

"You remember the last time I was here, we had a… falling out, because of the invitation that Malfoy forwarded to me?" They nodded. "You have to take into account that he simply changed the battlefield to a political level. They no longer just want to capture me, they want to make a statement. Throwing that ball, however stupid it may seem, shows the public that the Malfoys and I are on good terms. It shows that I am acquainted with a family that openly supports the Dark Lord."

I held my hand up before they could interrupt me.

"Which I certainly do not, but at that moment I wasn't in the position to decline his offer." I resisted to throw Al a nasty gaze. I hadn't forgotten that he accused me of being stupid. I was still convinced that I had made the best out of a dire situation, I acted as little stupid as possible.

"So I have no other choice than to attend. But I was able to tweak the conditions and the framework a bit. The security is in the hands of Gringotts, under my instruction, so there is as good as no chance for anyone to get hurt. Furthermore Malfoy and Mulciber swore a wand oath to keep the peace during the ball. And lastly I was able to invite some sympathizers, which for one thing includes Skeeter. She'll make the whole ordeal a public event, which means that neither the Dark Lord nor some of the really nasty Death Eaters are able attend." Hopefully that was true for the Death Eaters.

I nodded when the others seemed relieved.

"On the other hand I invited some of the families that openly declared themselves supporters of the Light side. Longbottom and Bones, just to name two. I was also able to invite neutral parties. That reduces the political repercussion for my person."

Sirius leaned back in his seat, looking satisfied.

"If I can say so, I think you did bloody well!" he laughed, "seems like you got the better of Malfoy!"

"Yeah, well handled!" Tonks added enthusiastically while Lupin just nodded.

"Thanks", I said smiling, "but I don't thinks that enough."

I regarded them with serious eyes. "I've to make my political standing much clearer. Yes, Malfoy is hosting that stupid ball, and yes, the guests are from all political camps. But I think I need more. I think I need some Order members to attend that are publicly known."

They looked at me with shocked faces. I shrugged my shoulders.

"The security measures will prevent attacks from either sides, but no prevention is perfect. I know what I'm asking is a lot, but I'm really trying to move this war in a direction where we can win it. The Light side has to appear stronger in the public eye. I know, you do fight and you pose a resistance, but you're not as ever-present as the Dark side. That ball could be an opportunity to show the Wizarding World that we're not afraid and that we're willing to face our opponents without any sign of fear. I can show, that I'm allied with lots of different people, and that division of all wizards and witches is not the only answer to this war. But you can show, that you are a force to be reckoned with and there's hope for an opposition to the Dark Lord."

Taking a deep breath in, I slid an invitation to each Sirius, Lupin and Tonks.

"You three are all openly announced members of The Order." I looked at Sirius. "And you represent the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black", I said with a smirk. "I would really like you to attend, to show them what're able to do when we're united."

I put the rest of the letters in the middle of the table. "I would also like to ask Shacklebolt, the Weasleys and Aberforth Dumbledore, among others, to attend. I don't think it would be wise to ask your Golden Trio to attend, or even you, Al, regarding your history with some of the people that will come." I grimaced. "It's your decision. And I don't want an answer straight away. Think about it. You can contact my Account Manager at Gringotts, Goldsnipe. I told him that he could forward the information about the security precautions to you. You can also get the list of all the people that will make an appearance. But please, keep in mind that the precautions that the goblins took will prevent anyone from doing anything stupid."

I looked at Sirius when I said that. He gave me the most innocent impression he could, batting his eyelashes at me.

"I'm in."

I looked surprised at Tonks, not having expected an answer from anyone today. Before I could say something she continued.

"I really want to see the whole set-up and have words with your Account Manager, but…" she shrugged her shoulders and looked at Lupin a bit helplessly. "She changed more about the atmosphere here in Britain in a few weeks, than we were able in months. I'm sick of sitting and planning and doing nothing in the end. It's time to act."

Sirius and Lupin exchanged a glance and nodded. "We're in as well", Sirius said determined. "I could never say no to a bit of action", he added with a wink. "But I want you to talk to Harry."

I snorted. "I would have, either way."

Al pushed his chair roughly back, standing up. "I'll contact the others, telling them to meet up. We'll talk this through."

He grabbed the invitations from the table.

"I'll get Potter", he said, while he walked out of the kitchen, looking grimmer than before.

"I'll have to go as well," Tonks said, jumping from her chair and knocking it over in the process. "Stuff to do!" Bending over, she gave Lupin a quick peck on the cheek and rushed out of the kitchen. I was left alone with Lupin and Sirius.

"Are you sure you're making the right decisions?" Lupin asked me quietly.

I regarded him without wavering. "I'm sure I make the best decisions in the given situation. There's little else I can do."

He nodded slowly and opened his mouth, no doubt to admonish me for one thing or another. But before he could say a thing, the kitchen door opened again and Harry, Ron and Hermione walked in, looking surprised to see me.

"Hey", I said neutrally. "Seems like-"

Harry interrupted me. "I'm so sorry, Riga! It was wrong to accuse you and… yeah… I'm sorry", he said uncomfortable, scratching the back of his neck.

I waved his apology away, not in the mood to really talk about it. "Forget it." His accusations had hurt and pretty words wouldn't change the fact that he'd made me cry. It was a beginning, but I was still kind of angry with him.

The three of them sat down and an awkward silence stretched out. I opened my mouth to ask them how they had been, but Harry interrupted me again.

"They know!"

I raised my eyebrow. "Who knows what?"

"Why we went to Umbridges' house", Hermione supplied.

That made me snort unladylike. "Well, that's nice. But considering that I still don't exactly know why we were there, doesn't make it any better for me."

"The locket", Harry began. "We were after the locket. Because it's a Horcrux."

I cast a glance at Sirius and Lupin, watching their faces as they grew darker and grimly, but not surprised. It seemed they really knew.

"Okay…." I said uncertain. "What's a Horcrux?"

"Dark magic", Sirius answered for the three teens. "A Horcrux is an object that contains a part of your soul, after you split it."

"That sounds like really foul magic", I replied.

"It's not like you haven't used Dark magic before", Hermione said accusatory.

I looked at her, knowing exactly that she meant the night in Umbridge's home.

"You used Dark magic?" Lupin asked alarmed. Sirius regarded me with a stern gaze.

"Yes", I admitted, without trying to explain myself. There was nothing to explain. I was attacked, I responded with Dark magic, I hurt another human being.

"What was it?" Lupin pressed.

"Slow-working decay curse."

Hermione gasped for air, but Sirius just nodded. "So he most likely survived it, when his brethren cast the counter curse."

I shrugged my shoulders. Most likely. I didn't want to think about it, so I contemplated the Horcruxes again. Why would someone do something as stupid as splitting their very soul? A part of your soul, outside your body contained in an object. That sounded risky to me. Then it finally clicked.

"So that's why he didn't really die?" I asked amazed. "Because a part of his soul survived in an object, when the Killing Curse he threw at Harry rebounded?"

Considering recent information it was most likely that the Locket was another Horcrux. Possibly not the last one.

"How many did he make?" I inquired tensely.

"He made six", Harry said strained.

I gaped. "What?!"

I looked around. The teens looked tired, the two men fierce.

"Well", I continued, "at least that explains why he's so bloody crazy." I shook my head. "Was the locket the first one that you got your hands on?"

Harry negated. "No, that's our third."

I narrowed my eyes when I realized something. "Wait a moment. Why did we have to hide that form the Order?"

Harry looked uncomfortable while the two adults seems even grimmer.

"Dumbledore wanted us to keep it a secret."

I was only able to stare at him. Was he bloody serious?

"With the Order of the Phoenix you have incredible resources at your hand and you decided that you would just march out into a bloody war on your own, to look for little soul pieces from the Dark Lord, because Dumbledore told you to?! What?! I mean… What?" That must've been the dumbest thing I've ever heard! I couldn't wrap my brain around it.

"Just how I reacted", Sirius interrupted my inner turmoil.

"No wonder Sara never trusted that old coot", I murmured darkly.

Ignoring the stares from the others I turned towards the three teens.

"Maybe you should explain from the beginning."

Twilfitt and Tatting's, London

I sighed, standing on the little pedestal to get the last measurements for my ball gown. While the measuring tape and the pins swirled magically around my body, I examined the hand that I had cut in the Forbidden Forest. The cuts looked much better, almost all closed up and no puffy at all. They weren't quite healed yet, but they would be soon. Unless I did something stupid as to fall on them and reopen them. I huffed. That would be typically me.

I let my hand fall limply to my side and barely avoided a swivelling pin that had been in the process of tightening the waistline of my dress. Grunting, I tried to shoo the pin away, unsuccessfully.

"Young lady, you mustn't interrupt the fitting!" the old dressmaker scolded me.

I swallowed another unladylike grunt.

Frankly, I was ready to wear a bloody potato bag, as long as it meant I could flee from the pedestal. The whole ball-outfit-thingy did cost me way more time than I had anticipated. I was told that the gown was not enough. Oh now, you also needed fitting jewellery and the perfect hairstyle. And shoes. Which I hadn't forgotten at all. It was only days to the ball and I wanted to finish the whole outfit today. I couldn't be bothered with it anymore, I had really no idea how other witches handled stuff like that.

"I'm done, dearie, you can come down."

Before she even finished her sentence I stumbled from the pedestal towards the changing rooms. It felt like I had stood up there for hours, my body was stiff. I changed into my plain robes and grabbed my bag. Making my way to the register I contemplated if I even wanted bloody jewellery. I had the necklace from Sara, the bracelet from Moody and the signet ring from my family. The signet ring I would wear in plain sight. The ball would mark the end of my hiding. The other stuff? That I would need to hide somehow.

I paid for the dress and ordered it to be delivered to Goldsnipe when it was finished. Exiting the shop I strolled down Diagon Alley, towards one of the overpriced jewellers, where I had seen something earlier that could maybe compliment my dress gown. Reaching the shop, I felt a shiver down my spine. Masking my discomfort I looked at the necklaces in the shop window, while I slid my wand into my hand from its holster, hiding it in my pocket. Trying to detect something in the reflecting window, I saw a shape behind me, not moving. Considering the height of the shape, I would bet that it was a man. Was it a Death Eater? Contemplating it for a few seconds I decided that I was tired of games. The stupid ball was in a few days. I was relatively safe from Death Eaters and I still had my emergency Portkey around my neck.

Taking my hand out of my pocket I held the wand in between the folds of my robes, so it would be concealed from curious eyes. I turned round and looked calmly at the man, raising an eyebrow in an unspoken question. What do you want?

The man approached slowly, moving carefully like he didn't want to scare me off. Examining him I tried to recognize him. He was tall, but for me everyone was tall. I estimated that he was in his late twenties or early thirties. Slim in built, but not weak looking. He displayed handsome features, with dark brown hair that was combed out of his face. As he closed in I could see that his eyes were just as dark as his hair, almost black. I remembered those eyes. They had looked out from beneath a mask when he had healed my burnt neck. Knowing what he looked like gave me enough information to classify him from the reports back in my Safe House. Rabastan Lestrange.

He came to a halt, a few feet away from me. He sized me up and ended staring deeply in my eyes. Staring right back, I tried to not show any weakness as well as strengthening my Occlumency shields. His file hadn't said anything about possible Legilimency abilities, but I wasn't going to take any chances.

He bowed his head slowly and smirked at me. "Rabastan Lestrange, at your service."

He extended his hand in an old fashion way. Unwilling to give him my right hand, that still clutched my wand, I offered him my left hand. Without breaking eye contact he ghosted his lips over my knuckles, just the slightest hint of a touch. He straightened himself up, but held onto my hand. I stifled the need to rip it away.

Undisturbed by my silence he addressed me. "What a coincidence to meet you here in Diagon Alley", he said relaxed. "Shopping for the ball, I guess?"

"Yes", I said tight-lipped.

"Ah", he intoned. With a swift motion he tucked my hand in the crook of his arm and steered us closer to the shop window. The moment he'd moved, I'd raised my wand and aimed it at his midriff. The human belly was a weak spot after all, I could seriously harm him.

"Hm", he gave another noncommittal sound. "Sadly I don't know what you're going to wear", he winked at me, whereupon I my eyes narrowed, "but I think those earrings would complement your lovely neck, irrelevant which gown you chose to wear."

Without looking at away from him I gave him my response.

"Thank you, I will consider your suggestion."

He inclined his head and gave me a small smile, while he turned towards me. I used his movements to untuck my hand from his arms, but was unable to fully detach myself from him, as he was holding on my left hand with both of his hands now. My right hand still pointed my wand roughly at his belly button. He was entirely unimpressed.

"Would it be too forward of me to ask you with whom you plan to attend the ball?" he asked

My neutral mask almost slipped, as I suppressed the need to raise one eyebrow.

"With no one. I decided to go on my own", I said steadily.

He nodded and gave me a sad smile that screamed 'fake' from a mile away.

"I understand. Well, I had to try at least."

He bowed over my hand and gave it another kiss, this one less ghostly and much touchier. Raising himself, he pointed his chin towards the display in the window.

"You should really consider the earrings."

With that he turned around and walked relaxed and in the most casual fashion down Diagon Alley, until he disappeared in one of the side alleys. No one had noticed that a Death Eater had strolled among them. The people were just too unperceptive, considering that a war was going on.

Checking that no other unwelcome surprises lurked in the shadows, I turned toward the shop window. And rolled my eyes. Well, seems like Mr Lestrange had the same taste as I did. He'd pointed out the earrings that belonged to the set that perked my interest earlier. Lovely. Sure as hell I wouldn't buy them now.

Rolling my eyes again I pocketed my wand, without losing my hold of it and made my way to Gringotts. Maybe I could find some trinket in my vault.

12th Grimmauld Place, London, later that day

I stumbled over the threshold and gave my best to sneak up the stairs without making any sound. I was in no mood to get yelled at by good old Mrs Black.

"Shopping spree?" a familiar voice asked near my ear.

Flinching violently I barely held onto my numerous bags while threw a murderous gaze over my shoulder.

"Merlin, Sirius, you almost gave me a heart attack!" I hissed.

"Come on, let me help you."

He removed half the bags from my grip and squeezed past me, towards my room. Huffing I followed close.

"So you've been to Diagon Alley?" Sirius asked suspiciously indifferent.

"Yes," I said, while I dumped the bags on the bed. The gown was in a huge clothes bag, but the other bags were filled with shoes, purses - hell would freeze over before I'd take one with me - , jewellery and other nonsense. Goldsnipe had 'helped' me with my outfit. He's had way too much fun for my liking.

"Successful trip?" he asked grinning, eyeing the absurd number of bags.

"Would you believe me when I'd say I have no idea?"

He barked out a laugh.

"Probably, you don't seem to be that kind of bird that likes to doll all up."

He regarded me seriously. "Even with your fragile truce with Malfoy it's dangerous out there."

"I know, Sirius."

I made my way downstairs again, in the kitchen. This time Sirius had to follow me. It gave me a weird sense of victory. Opening the kitchen door, I greeted Ron and Harry with a smile.

"Where's Hermione?" I asked, fixing myself a coffee.

"Library," the boys said in unison.

I laughed. "Should've know."

Taking a seat, Sirius addressed me again.

"Riga, you really shouldn't go out without someone from the Order. It's just not safe."

I knew that, but I was taking care of myself for as long as I knew. Even when Sara and Mike had been still part of my life, I was incredibly independent. I hated the feeling of being restricted. It wasn't that I didn't know that it was dangerous. But I was convinced that being accompanied by an Order member raised the possibility to be attacked. Considering all threats objectively, the risk to be kidnapped was incredible low. The fact that Voldemort wanted me for himself pretty much protected me from attacks from his followers. The Order was on my side, so no danger from there. And assaults from the general population shouldn't be a problem for me. If I couldn't handle that, Mike had wasted all his time with me.

"I know, but I can take care of myself."

"What if a Death Eater had attacked you?" Sirius asked hotly, angry about my casual dismiss of his worries.

"Then I would've bolted", I said, staring in my coffee, trying to relax my features. I could warp the press around my little finger, outsmart Lucius Malfoy and talk myself out of the direst situations. But with people I liked? I couldn't lie, even if my life depended on it. For the people I respected and I really liked, I was an open book. I didn't know why, but it was bloody annoying.

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "What happened in Diagon Alley?" he asked dangerously low.

"Nothing." I took a big gulp of coffee, scalding my lips and tongue.

"You've been attacked?" he continued.

"No," I rolled my eyes.

"But there was a Death Eater?"

I hesitated for a millisecond. "No."

He slapped his palms on the table, making me grateful that I had my coffee in my hands and not on the table, where it would have surely spilled over.

"Riga!"

I closed my eyes at his frustrated and angry tone. I knew he was angry and I knew he had reason for it. But I wasn't like I was careless or rash. I always had my wand and a spare on me and I had my emergency portkey. Currently the risks were pretty low and objectively I was relatively safe. Just because I was seventeen didn't mean I wasn't aware of the graveness of the situation.

"Sirius", I began, "I know you think I can't take care of myself. But that is not true. I'm brutally aware of the situation the Wizarding World finds itself in right now. I know the risks and I know my own abilities. I would never do something that would endanger myself needlessly. You have to trust me with that."

He scoffed. "Your abilities?" he raised his voice and stood up from his chair, pacing the kitchen restlessly. Why was always someone angry at me in this bloody house?

"Yes", I replied through clenched teeth.

Looming over me, he asked. "What abilities would that be, treasure?"

Standing up I regarded him calmly. I knew he was just worried, but I've had a long day. The bloody pedestal and the swirling pins and measuring tape was still too fresh in my memory.

"You know, she's really impressive when she duels", Harry chipped in.

Sirius eyes snapped to him, angry, that Harry would take my side.

Nodding once, I gestured my hand in a 'see?'-motion.

"'Really impressive' doesn't mean she can hold herself against a bloody Death Eater!" Sirius snapped.

"Well", Ron butted in as well. "I'm pretty sure she didn't take out more Death Eaters in Umbridge's house, because she had to shield us. She even held herself for a decent amount of time, when all of us were down." When Ron saw Sirius face, he shrugged his shoulders. "We discussed it afterwards", he added meekly

I smirked. "Thanks!" I whispered. It's always nice when people recognise your skills.

Sirius gaze landed on me, his eyes narrowed to slits. "Then it shouldn't be a problem to prove it, now, should it?"

"No?" I said unsure. Did he want me to go out and blast a Death Eater off the streets?

"Then we'll duel!"

My jaw fell open slightly. "We?" I asked surprised. "Like, you and me?"

"What, don't think you can take me?" he grinned handsomely.

"Eh…" I said unintelligent.

"Marvellous!" he grinned, his mood totally changed. "I'll get Remus as our referee. Change your clothes. You can't duel in those robes."

With that he left the kitchen with a bang and a yelled 'Moony!', which awakened Mrs Black. The hallway was filled with yells and I was just able to stare at the door.

"Yes!" Ron hissed and pumped his fist in the air. "That'll be amazing!"

"What are you talking about?" I deadpanned. "It'll end in bruises and tears."

"But it'll be action and entertainment and so cool!" Ron jumped from his seat. "I'll floo Bill. And Charlie. Maybe even the twins!" He stormed off.

Harry laughed weakly while he stood up. "Don't worry about Ron, he means well. It's just so bloody boring here and I can't research 24/7 without going mental…." He moved towards the door.

"You're getting Hermione, don't you?" I asked unimpressed.

He cleared his throat, shrugged his shoulders apologetic and bolted out of the door. Idiots, all of them. A smile crept on my face. There was a war going on and most of them risked their lives every day, trying to safe others, trying to make this world a better place. And although it seemed hopeless form time to time, they found joy and happiness in each other. And in little things like this mock duel. I returned to my coffee, still a smile on my face. Sara would've loved this.

"Is most precious Lady Riga fine?" an old voice croaked next to me.

"Sure", I replied smiling. "Join me, please?"

Kreacher hesitated just for a short time, before he climbed onto the chair next to me.

"Tell me, Kreacher, how've you been?"

"Bastard Master brought more shame over the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black!" he hissed angrily.

Steering him towards another topic I asked him about the Boggart in one of the desk, how he dealt with the cooking and cleaning and other unimportant stuff. He was happy to tell me all about it and I just finished my second cup of coffee, when the door to the kitchen was wretched open and two redheads stormed in that looked exactly the same. They were breathing heavy and their eyes were sparkling. My eyebrows climbed up in wonder.

"You must be…"

"… Riga!"

My eyebrows raised higher. Ending each other's sentences?

"Yeah. You must be Weasleys." I let my glance flicker to their shockingly red hair, grinning.

"The lady is not just…."

"… a pretty face, oh no!"

Whipping their heels together, they bowed deeply.

"Gred…"

"… and Forge…"

"… at your service!" they ended together.

I laughed heartily. "I have absolutely no idea who's who."

They scrambled to take the seats opposite of me. "Don't worry, not even mum can distinguish us from each other."

Kreacher grumbled something and I leaned closer to him, catching the end of his sentence, when I was close enough that he could whisper in my ear.

"Yes, you're right. Thank you."

The old house elf hopped of his chair and made his way into one of the kitchen corners busying himself with Merlin knew what.

"Well, I guess Ron asked you, if you wanted to see the duel with Sirius?"

They both nodded eagerly with wide eyes. I laughed again. I already knew that I would like them.

"Well, Kreacher just reminded me that I need to change before the duel. Did anyone say when Sirius wants it to take place?"

One of the redheads shrugged his shoulder.

"Maybe in an hour?" the other one said.

"Great, I'll just pop home to get some workout clothes."

I jumped off the seat and made my way to the guestroom I stayed in. Grabbing the too many bags I stumbled down the stairs and woke Mrs Black who instantly started to yell. Over the 'Filthy Mudbloods, worthless Blood Traitors, shame of the House of Black'-screams I yelled an even louder 'Sorry' and disappeared out of the door. Crossing the wards I immediately apparated to my Safe House and let the stupid bags fall onto the floor. Picking up the clothes bag with my gown, I hung it on one of the doors, so it wouldn't crumble. The rest stayed at the floor in a heap.

Hopping under the shower for a quick refresh, I knew exactly how I would ruffle Sirius feathers. I grinned. Mike would be so proud and Sara probably a mixture between displeased, condemning and also proud. Drying my hair with an easy charm I squeezed into skin-tight sports pants and a sports bra. Grumbling I switched the sports bra with another one, that had a fitting colour to the pants. Black and dark blue. That would go lovely with my dark hair and blue eyes. Thrusting my feet in light sneakers, I slipped into a sweater. My spare wand disappears in the pants at my clave. My actual wand was in my holster at my lower right arm. Hair tie on my left wrist.

Glancing one more time at the mirror I tousled my hair a bit, to make it more just-out-of-bed-style. Grinning mischievously I apparated back to the headquarters. Lupin opened the door and smirked when he saw my outfit. Heh, it would only get better.

"Who was the first one of us to accept your invitation to the ball?" he asked.

"Tonks", I answered grinning. Entering the house I looked at him.

"So, how thrilled is the Order about this duel."

Lupin laughed quietly. "Let's just say that even Minerva found time to be here."

Looking at him with wide eyes I laughed loudly. "Lovely. Well, I hope we'll put on a good show for you!"

"I'm pretty sure you two will."

He guided me downstairs.

"The basement?" I asked, crinkling my nose.

"Don't worry, we use it for training. It's pretty well equipped and actually one of the cleanest places in this house."

When I reached the end of the stairs I could see a huge room that seemed to extend all under the house. It was well equipped indeed. In one corner were treadmills, weights and other gym equipment, mats leant on the wall. There were punchbags - I had to try them! - and even something like a little boxing ring. One of the walls near the pumping area had mirrors. But it seemed that most of the room was kept empty, to provide space for a duelling area. There were runes on the floor that would create a protective dome to keep all kind of spells within the duelling area once upon activation. Quite a crowd of people had formed a circle around that area, most of them sat on the floor, and some were still standing.

"This is bloody amazing!" I breathed.

My exclamation was heard and all eyes turned to me. I could see Sirius already standing inside the circles of the runes, talking to one of the redheads. Not as tall as most of them, but burly in build, with strong arms and some tattoos. Charlie, if I remembered correctly.

"Seems like we've attracted quite a crowd", I laughed, as I made my way towards Sirius, greeting some of the people I already knew.

"They want to see you skills, treasure", he winked at me, wand already in his hand, pointing loosely in my direction.

I laughed again and turned my back to him, walking close to the edge of the duelling circle, where a bench stood. Still with my back to Sirius I let a grin appear on my face for a split second, before I started into my prank, on top of the duelling challenge. Grabbing the sweater by its hem, I lifted it confidently over my head, leaving me in just tights and a sports bra. I set the sweater down on the bench. Putting on this show made me actually quite nervous. I knew I was a pretty girl, but I had way more confidence in my skills, than in my looks. Considering that I'd just earned a few new scars on my shoulder made me a bit more insecure. But I relied on the fact that Sirius was holed up in this house most of the time, without an outlet for his tension. Trusting the stories Sara told me about that man, he had a lot of tension to loose. That meant, that having a pretty girl flirting with him could make his concentration crack. Hopefully. I knew a lot of girls hesitated to use all their weapons, when it came to get the upper hand, but if I could win a fight to the death, because my opponent was distracted with my pretty smile or my boobs, then that was alright with me. Survival was always my first priority.

I turned around and walked slowly to Sirius, starting to collect my hair to make a messy bun. Swaying my hips just a tiny bit more than normally, I pushed my chest out, as my hands worked in my hair. Catching Sirius gaze, I never wavered away from his eyes, as I slowly made my way towards him. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see him drop is wand just a few inches as he continued to stare at me. Finishing the bun, I let my hands fell to my neck, tracing a finger over my collarbone while I still swayed towards him. The wand dropped even more. Lowering my hands, I did not trace the shape of my body. That would be too bold. I just used the deliberate movements of my hands to guide his gaze all over my body, away from my face. When his eyes teared away from mine and followed the movements of my hands, his wand lowered even further. I was almost within his reach, when I made a small sound in my throat, which made his eyes snap back to mine. I licked my lips. As his glance dropped to my mouth for a split second, his hand fell fully to his side. Not breaking eye contact I gently caressed his wand-hand. Letting a smirk appear on my face I tapped my index finger sharply on his hand two times.

"Don't get distracted."

Seemingly unaffected I continued my way and took position a few feet behind him, ignoring my unusual quick heartbeat.

"Bloody hell", I heard him whisper.

The Weasley twins exploded in catcalls and whistles, most of the audience was laughing and Alastor nodded in a silent praise. Prank complete.

Sirius turned towards me, still a mesmerized expression on his face, which was soon replaced with a huge grin.

"This is going to be so much fun!" he barked.

Lupin walked up to the two of us, looking stern.

"I don't want any spells that causes long-time damage, or dark spells, or even borderline dark spells."

I nodded at that, I knew it was directed at me.

"Otherwise everything's fair game. This duel stops when one of you can't continue fighting or when one of you yields. Understood?"

This time both of us nodded.

"Alright, I'll bring the wards up. On the count of three you'll begin." We nodded again.

Lupin left and began to activate the runes, McGonagall helping him.

I gave Sirius a sweet smile. "So, how are the odds?"

Sirius flashed his teeth. "Pretty much all of them put their money on me, except Ron, Hermione, Harry and the twins. Seems only they think you can win"

"We'll see how it goes."

"Ready?" Lupin asked from the side-lines.

Sirius and I got into our fighting stances. He was standing tall and proud, wand right in front of him. I balanced on the balls of my feet, crouching slightly and angling my body a bit, to make a smaller target.

"One… Two…."

Nonverbally I shot a stunner at Sirius, laughing at his surprised face, when he barely brought a shield up in time.

"You didn't wait for Moony to count down!" he accused me baffled.

"Welcome to reality, treasure", I drawled in my best Sirius-Black-voice.

"Three, you two idiots!" Lupin concluded.

The smile slipped from my face and I went into fighting mode instantly. The hold of my aura loosened a bit, as a standby for emergencies.

A red stunner broke from Sirius wand that I sidestepped easily. He followed with another one, under which I ducked, while taking one step closer to him.

Stupefy, I thought highly concentrated. Following my stunner with another two that flicked from my wrist in abnormal speed, I crept forward. Blocking a full-body bind from Sirius, I send a freezing charm his way. Our spells were pretty basic, nothing too offensive and I realized I wanted to step the game up.

Sending another stunner in Sirius direction, I used the time he needed to sidestep it, to move my wand in semicircle from behind my back to over my head right in front of me. Accompanying the wand movement with a broad step forward I thought Ignis with fierceness. A flame broke free from the tip of my wand, rolling towards Sirius in high speed.

Throwing up a quick shield, Sirius nonetheless leapt out of the way. Rolling over his shoulder he sent arrows my way, still crouching on the floor.

Crossing my arms in front of my face, I dug my feet into the floor and conjured a mighty shield that could not only stop spells, but also physical attacks. Catching the arrowheads in my shield, I threw my arms outward, sending the projectiles back the same way they had come.

"Finite", Sirius yelled the first verbal spell in the duel.

Approaching fast I thought Flipendo, but Sirius jumped out of the way and his stinging hex missed me by inches.

I answered with a Depulso that send Sirius sprawling unto his back. Approaching and ready to cast an Expelliarmus, I stopped right in my tracks when I heard a beloved voice.

"Morrigan?"

Whipping my head in the direction of the voice, I saw Sara standing not too far from me, a serene expression on her face. My mind went blank.

"Sara…" I choked. Sara?

"Expelliarmus!"

My wand was ripped out of my hand and I stumbled a few steps back. Sara's manifestation wobbled and disappeared, and I could finally think again, breathe again. Sirius had conjured it. Sara was still dead. It was just a trick. She was still dead. And now I was wandless. Because Sirius had made my dead aunt appear.

My mind slipped right back into fighting mode. Most wizards and witches were unable to continue a fight without their wands, but Mike had trained me to be better than most. Sara had trained me better.

Twirling on my footballs, I used Sirius surprise to attack him physically. I jumped towards him and planted a fierce uppercut at his belly. I followed his folding forwards with a violent knee to his face, and he stumbled backwards. Not ceasing, I fell down into a low crouch, kicking one leg out to sweep it under Sirius' legs, whacking his feet from the floor. Landing hard on his back, he lost his grip on my wand. Diving over Sirius lying form, I grabbed my wand and rolled over my shoulder, using the momentum to get to my feet, facing Sirius again in a fluid motion.

He was already squatting low, baring his bloodied teeth at me. A maleficent smile appeared on my face. That's what you get, when you play with me. My ears were ringing almost too loud to hear the cheers and yells from the spectators.

Not waiting any longer - my benevolence was depleted for this day - I used an Oppungo jinx to send the bench, which held my sweater, Sirius' way. He blasted it out of his way with a strong Reducto, but I was only warming up.

Whirling light-footed out of the way of a spell that I had no idea of its identity, I pointed my wand at the floor under Sirius and thought Rapid Quod Regio. The concrete floor seemed to bubble and reach out for Sirius. Sirius scrambled away and send a blind Confringo that caught me on my left side. I felt my bones break again, just like with the Death Eaters, but this time, the damage was greater.

Hissing the breath between my teeth, I ignored the pain and aimed my wand at Sirius face. The well-aimed Obscuro stroke him right between his eyes, leaving them swollen and crusted over. Deprived of his eye-side he was easy prey now and I was determined to bring him down. I still heard Sara's voice ringing in my ears.

After I numbed my left arm, I opening the palm of that hand under great pain and difficulty towards the floor. Conjuring a physical shield I never stopped moving, flicking my left hand each time to conjure a small shield that would work as a step above the ground. Deflecting a curse that Sirius sent desperately my way, I saw no need to crouch anymore. Walking on my shield with my head held high, above the ground, I retrieved Sirius of his wand with a powerful Expelliarmus. Concentrating on the wand for a second, I let it hover in the air. I didn't want to damage or destroy it.

Sweeping my wand over the ground of the duelling area in an all-encompassing motion, I let my spell that turned the ground into grabbing quicksand, spread all over, turning the whole duelling area in quicksand. Praepando. Sirius, blinded and without a wand, held little resistance and soon his hands and feet were under the viscous concrete.

Approaching his shape on my step-shields, I took his last form of defence and sealed his mouth with a Sigillum Oris, that created smooth skin where his lips should have been. Wandless and voiceless it was incredible difficult to cast spells. Crouching down, still hovering over the quicksand concrete, I rested my wand at his throat.

"Do you yield?"

He stopped struggling and nodded once with distinctive movements. Not trusting that the duel was really over - Al's paranoia seemed to become my paranoia - I glanced at Lupin. He nodded frantically.

"You lost", I breathed. Sirius nodded again. I felt no real victory.

"Finite Incantatem", I moved my wand from his mouth to his eyes, where I started with a spell that lessened the swelling. Pointing my wand at the ground I reversed the spell and Sirius was slowly released from the floor. Trying not to move too much, because of my shattered left side, I started chanting, moving my wand over his eyes again. A few seconds later, his grey eyes focused on me. They would still need real medical treatment, but at least he could see again. Checking the floor, I glided from my shield and vanished it. Sirius stumbled to his feet next to me, grabbing his wand out of the air, where it had still floated.

I looked over the crowd, where I was meet with shocked silence. Shacklebolt broke it first.

"I call dips for the Aura department!"

The twins jumped up, hollering and cheering, infecting the others with their good mood, whereas some of them were still too shocked to react. Seemed like the crowd had been entertained.

Turning towards Sirius I caught his cautious gaze.

"Fancy a Firewhiskey?"

12th Grimmauld Place, London, hours later

Washing down the foul taste of Skelegrow with another shot of Firewhiskey, I was convinced that that mixture was a bad idea. My hammered brain couldn't care less.

"Sorry I conjured your aunt", a faint voice mumbled next to me.

Turning my head, I waited till the world stopped moving. "'s okay. Somehow glad ya did."

"Eh?" Sirius asked inarticulate.

"Imagine it happn'd in the field like that. Would've been bad. Real bad. Now 'm prepared", I slurred.

"Still sorry."

"Hm", I hummed in acceptance. "Sorry 'bout your eyes."

"'s'right."

I felt an arm move around my shoulders, pulling me towards a strong chest that smelled like leather, aftershave and healing salve. Letting go of my bottle - was it the Skelegrow or the Firewhiskey? - I curled my hand in Sirius shirt, careful of my aching left side. My poor left side. It would be as good as new in less than twelve hours according to that nice, scary nurse, but right know it hurt like a bitch.

Laying his cheek on top of my head, Sirius hugged me carefully to his body. "I know how you feel", Sirius murmured almost inaudibly in my hair.

"Hm?"

"Losing someone so close to you… I know how that feels."

Struggling to an upright position, I peered into his face, meeting his eyes carefully. There was so much pain in them that it took my breath away. I had no idea what to say, so I held my tongue. I hated it when people tried to console me with empty words, so I wouldn't disregard Sirius feelings with something like meaningless phrases. My intoxicated brain fought hard to keep up with the conversation.

"When James died…" it seemed like he couldn't finish the sentence.

Trying to comfort him, I reached for his hand and held onto him so tight, that it almost hurt, trying to ground him. It seemed to work, as he turned towards me, focusing his teared up eyes on me.

"When he died, I felt like a part of me had died as well", he whispered in a pained voice.

Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the still fresh pain from Sara's image in my head, but I felt tears trickling down my cheeks. I started to cry silently for both Sirius and myself. There was so much pain in his voice and his face, that I couldn't bear looking at him. I felt like a coward when I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see another one suffering, as I was too occupied with my own overwhelming emotions.

"I felt like I was all alone after he was gone. Now I know that I still had Remus." He lowered his head until his forehead touched mine, his breath fanned over my face, washing the smell of Firewhiskey over me. "Please, never forget that you're not alone in this."

We stayed like that for a few painful heartbeats, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Shifting our weight, Sirius pulled me closer to his chest again, his hold on me tight and secure. I buried my face in his neck, letting my tears soak his shirt, while I felt sick from the alcohol and the emotional uproar. Holding onto each other, we tried to keep the other one from breaking apart, while only barely holding it together ourselves.