Chapter 25:
...You find a way to Rebuild.
Anwen POV:
I glanced at the clock, again, for the umpteenth time today, doing the conversion in my mind. I should have been getting dressed now, Lily should have been helping me into my beautiful wedding gown. I know that I should stop this, but my heart would not let me. Today was to be my wedding day, but it wasn't. The grief over the wedding that wasn't to be was more tolerable than my grief over my lost friends. I was sitting in the small lounge, curled up in a ball on the overstuffed chair, silent again. I knew it was hurting Sirius, to watch me, silent, but it all seemed too much. I was afraid if I moved, if I spoke, the waves of grief would crash over me completely and wash me away. So I closed my eyes, and dreamed of the day that wasn't going to be, at least not any time soon.
"Anwen, love" he was kneeling in front of me, his hands resting on my legs, "let's get married, here in Greece, today. We can be wed anyway," his voice was soft and gentle as his fingers caressed me.
"Darling, we can't. Chauffard and Marise are already married here. We have their marriage certificate. If we use our real names, the British government, and eventually, the Ministry will know where you are. You're safe here, I couldn't even tell Dumbledore what I knew because of the spells placed on this place. We have to keep you safe, Azkaban is no place for you," I said gently, while touching his face. He wanted so badly to fix me, to fix this, to somehow ease my pain and his as well, but it couldn't be done. He stood up and lifted me into his arms, and settled us both back down into the chair. I curled into him, his touch was the only solace that I had right now, and I knew that I was going to have to leave it, leave him soon. The comfortable silence fell upon us again.
"Tell me what you are thinking about, please?" he whispered in my ear.
"Many things," I replied, my head resting on his chest. "I'm trying so hard, but failing miserably, to not think about what we would have been doing if we were home. I keep thinking of the plans that we had made. How simply stunning you would have been in your gray robes, waiting for me on the banks of the lake, James and little Harry by your side. How beautiful Lily would have been; her dress was the most beautiful green, it made her eyes sparkle like emeralds. How I would have held onto Remus for support, because the mere sight of you would have made me want to melt," I was crying again, silent tears that were sliding down my face. "Sirius, I wanted it so badly, I could taste it. I wanted that happiness, just for a moment. I wanted to know that you really did love me, only me. That I would never again have to be afraid that I wasn't enough for you, that I wasn't good enough or beautiful enough..." I couldn't say any more.
"Hey, hey where is this coming from? After all of this time, how could that still be bothering you. It's you, only you that I love," he lifted my chin to look at him in the eyes. "All of that, it would have paled in comparison to the beauty that I have dreamed of. You, walking, no floating toward me, the most beautiful bride that would ever be, it's the stuff of my dreams. Hearing you say that you chose me, screwed up, stupid, reckless me, that you chose me to be with, somehow made me better. You seem to think that you aren't worthy of me, because you don't see yourself as beautiful enough for me; but Anwen, it's me that isn't worthy of you. You are the most generous soul that I have ever known. Without you, I don't know what I would have become. Please, please don't think that because we don't have a stupid piece of parchment with our names on it, makes this any less real," I could see the tears on his lashes, and the honesty in his heart. I pulled myself up, and kissed the tears from his eyes, and I pressed my forehead to his, and sat there, breathing him in.
"Anwen," he finally whispered. "I have our rings here, I was afraid I would loose them if I didn't keep them with me always," I laughed, just a little, at him. He was probably right. He could never find anything he needed. "Marry me, right here, now, just us."
"No," he looked deflated at this, but I continued. "It's not that I don't love you or want to be your wife. It's just, I want it, all of it; the dress, the music, the party and Remus needs to be there too. The promise of that is what will drive me to bring you home. I will marry you, but it will be on British soil, when we have cleared your name. That is the name I want. I need the world to know how proud I will be to be called Mrs. Black," he smiled at me, and I settled myself back down into his lap.
"Then I too shall be waiting for that day," he said quietly. We hadn't really talked about the fact that I would be returning to England, but we both knew that it would eventually happen. Probably sooner than later.
"You said that there were many things rattling around in that mind of yours. What else are ruminating upon love?"
"Ruminating. Good word Sirius. I am very proud of you," he had taken to teasing my vocabulary as of late, he called it 'Ministry speak.' I would tease back, that just because four letter words seemed to make up the bulk of his vocabulary, didn't mean he should forget the rest. I smiled at him, and he returned it.
"I'm glad that has gone for good," he said, his finger touching the curl at the end of my lips. "So tell me, what else has that rather expansive brain of yours been working on?"
"I don't understand how the potion failed. Ewan was sure of it, and Lily had become just as good as him at brewing it. We tested it on everything, insects and bugs, small mammals. Hell, we even gave it to Molly." Sirius looked at me shocked.
"Yeah, I know she's your dog, but we were nearly certain that it was working correctly at that point, and we needed a complex mammal to test it on. Sorry, she's fine, however. It was weeks ago," I said, trying to make it sound a little less awful than it was.
"I'm glad Padfoot wasn't walking around the house that day. You may have tested it on me," Sirius said in a playfully frightened way.
"Yeah, well do you realize the pain that we could have saved if we tried to test it on that rat. Maybe there wouldn't have been enough of his soul to bind to, and we could have killed him, pro actively," I said, rather maniacally. I've never wished anyone to be dead, but I wished Peter pain, despair and death right now.
"Anwen!" Sirius said shocked. I just looked at him, knowing my face was hard. Sirius was usually the one who was all for action first, thinking later; but in the case of Peter Pettigrew, I didn't care what might be just.
"Sirius, look at all that he ruined. Look at the lives that he destroyed. It's not just the death of the Potters. Remus is gravely ill and a second attack by a werewolf? If it gets out, they'll throw him in Azkaban with no hope of ever being free. The public would assume that he's flesh crazed now all the time. Those damned laws that the Wizengamot has pushed through..." I shook my head in anger. "I wouldn't be surprised if Peter had ratted out Eva as well. She never would have been able to live under the statutes for "near humans". She would have lost her job because she wouldn't be allowed to speak to Wizarding folk. Peter destroyed a family that had accepted him and would have protected him. He doesn't deserve anything but the infliction of as much pain as he caused."
"Anwen, I agree," Sirius told me quietly, and I could see the anger behind his eyes. "Let's not talk about this any more. Tell me more about the potion. I think that you're on to something there."
"Okay, Ewan was eventually confident enough in the potion that he gave it to himself. He brewed up some lethal potions and drank them, and apart from a rather nasty stomach ache, nothing happened. He had us try to stab him, which while disturbing, did nothing as well. We did everything short of the killing curse, and always, Ewan was fine. I couldn't believe that he would test it on himself, but he said that he had confidence in his own skill. He was a little cocky if you ask me," I told him.
"Winnie, do you think that there is a chance that James, Lily and Harry are still alive somewhere?" He asked me tentatively.
"I have been thinking about that a lot. I'm not sure, but my gut is telling me yes. When I get back, I will need to do some investigation. I got the feeling that there may be quite a few things that Dumbledore wasn't telling me, probably because he was afraid that I would fall apart from the stress. His word choices when he spoke to me were odd as well. He said things like, 'No longer with us' instead of dead and he inferred that things didn't go as planned. He always has chosen his words very carefully. I also need to talk with Remus, his memory should be back now."
"So, you're going back soon?"
"I'll stay until tomorrow, but I do need to get back. Remus is alone. In addition, it sounds as if there is so much work to do. We don't even know what is going on with the hunt for Voldemort. I need to get back, if for no other reason than to get better information. I promise I will be back to visit as often as I can," I said, reaching up to kiss him, but he turned away from me. "Sirius, the sooner that I solve this, figure out what is going on, the sooner I can get you home with me; and that is the ultimate goal, love," he smiled at this, and leaned down to kiss me.
The rest of the day and the night passed in much the same way, drained of our energy, we would simply sit and talk, or dissolve into tears again or find comfort in the embrace of the other. I hated leaving him, leaving the comfort of this place, leaving the comfort of his embrace. Sirius had changed the charm on the ring so that it would act as a two way portkey. We stood in our bedroom, barely able to speak.
"I'll be back when I can, I promise love. Let me check on Remus and get some answers, and then I will be back, I swear to it. I'll Patronus when I can as well, they are untraceable," my fingers were frantically tracing his face, as if I needed to remember it, remember the feel of it. "It won't be long, it can't be," he nodded, his face still looked broken, and to be honest, I was filled with fear at leaving him here with his demons. "I love you, forever," I whispered before I kissed him. I could feel myself getting lost in the kiss, and I knew if I didn't break it, I would struggle to get myself away. "I love you. Keep yourself safe. I will be back," I raised my wand and touched the ring, "portus" I whispered, and I saw his face contort as the light swirled around me. I landed in the bedroom of our house in London, and crawled over the mess and flung myself on our bed and wept until I fell asleep.
When I awoke, I spent a few hours cleaning the house. There was a great mess, but the damage was minimal. There were a few things broken beyond repair, but nothing of great significance, thankfully. Once the house was in a livable condition, I changed into my work robes and I went to the back yard and apparated to Hogwarts to check on Remus and to get whatever information Dumbledore might have. The headmaster must have seen me coming up the walk, since he met me at the front door. Things seemed oddly jubilant inside the school, and I questioned him about it.
"Up in my office, Anwen. There are a many, many things that you need to know," I nodded at him.
"How is Remus now?" I asked him as we climbed the great staircase of the castle.
"Improving. He has been worried about you, and I believe that seeing you will give him some much needed comfort," he told me, we reached the statue that guarded the door to his office. "Butterscotch Creams," and the stone creature moved aside, granting us passage. Once we were inside, the headmaster pointed toward a chair and I sat, as he sat down behind is desk.
"First things first, did you find Sirius?" he asked me.
"Yes, he was where I expected him to be. I can tell you that he's out of the country, and safe. I don't believe that there is any way that he can be traced there."
"Good, that is one less thing to worry about. Now, have you been back to the Ministry?" He asked looking as if he was trying to put together a mental puzzle.
"No, I went to our house in London when I arrived back from ..." and I froze again. Damn spell. "from where I was and cleaned it up and then came straight here. Why? What aren't you telling me?"
"A plethora of things, my dear, but I will share them all with you. I wasn't sure what you might have learned along the way. Most importantly, Voldemort is gone," as he said this, he didn't really seem happy, more concerned. A smile flitted across my face.
"Gone!" I said excitedly. "How is he gone? What does gone mean? What happened? When did it happen? Who did it?" I said, in quick succession.
"Anwen, relax and I will you what I've deduced. There are a few holes, which I hope you may be able to help me with." I nodded at him. "Voldemort went to the safe house that we had James, Lily and Harry in. It was an old Potter family house in Godric's Hollow, unused for decades. James only had the slightest memory of ever being there as a young child. It belonged to his maternal grandmother's family.
"As we now know, Peter was made the secret keeper. I watched me memory of the decision to make Peter the secret keeper through Remus' mind. I was an ingenious plan, making the least likely the secret keeper, and it would have worked had he not been a double agent. Peter then betrayed them to Voldemort," I could feel my hands clench as he said this, I hated Peter more than I had hated anyone in my life.
"I knew that James and Lily had used Ewan's binding potion, and they were bound to each other as well as Harry. When Voldemort used the killing curse on them, the spell didn't work the way that it was supposed to." What does that mean? My face must have given away my thoughts because Dumbledore smiled at me and continued.
"Anwen, the potion worked." Wait, what did he just say? If the potion worked then...they weren't dead. My head was racing, I realized that Dumbledore was speaking again before I could say anything "...and it had an added benefit. Ewan always believed that love, true love, would make the potion stronger, and that it did. When Voldemort tried to curse each one of them, the waves of magic rebounded on him, and with each successive curse, he became weaker and weaker, finally, when he tried to kill Harry, his soul was ripped from his body."
"Wa...Wa...Wait," I stammered, "let me understand what you are saying. First and most importantly, James, Lily and Harry are not dead, correct?" I asked, hope filling my voice.
"Yes, they are alive. The were knocked out from the curse, but they are all fine and alive. They have been moved again, and are all safe. They are eager to see you, Sirius and Remus as well," happy tears flowed from my face, most of my adopted family was safe. The only one we didn't know about was Eva. Dear God, please let her have just fled and not been killed.
"If they are alive, then I can bring Sirius home right, there is no reason to believe that he betrayed them if they're alive?" I was starting to hyperventilate.
"Anwen, they're still in hiding. There are still many, well most, of the loyal Death Eaters out there, and the Potters are still marked. If any of them knew that they were alive, they would still be in grave danger. Their death has given them the ultimate protection," I nodded at him, knowing that he was right, it should only be a little while for us to be able to catch the Death Eaters now. "Furthermore, Sirius is still believed to have betrayed them, and that is a punishable crime. We have no evidence to the contrary."
"What about Remus' memories? They prove that it wasn't him."
"Anwen, while they are proof, the stronger proof is the listing in the Department of Mysteries. Until we can prove that the list is wrong, the memory does us no good; memories can be tampered with, and are not considered conclusive evidence," I nodded at him, I knew this from my legal work at the Ministry as of late. "Additionally, given Remus condition and the second attack, I think that we should shield him from Ministry involvement." He was right, and I knew it. If the order to catch Remus came through the Auror department, I could stall or at least get him hidden, but then my career would be at risk. If it came through any of the other law enforcement sections, I'd have no access to it. I hated that I'd be leaving Sirius in Greece longer, but if it kept him and Remus safe, then it was the best choice.
"All right, I understand," I regretfully acquiesced. "I'll be able to see my family through? I mean, Remus and I can go?"
"Yes, but for the time being, the three of us will be the only people who know. I need the world to believe that Voldemort succeeded in killing them, to keep them safe."
"Okay, so, what happened to Voldemort? What exactly is left of him?"
"That is a difficult question to answer. We found some residue, for lack of a better word, of his body, but I don't believe that he is completely dead. We have a spy within the ranks of his most trusted followers, and they believe that his soul is no longer within his body. From the evidence that I was presented, I agree with them. Apparently, some of them have see the small, frail form that was once Voldemort. It would seem that he sent certain members of his inner circle on some rather important missions after his disastrous attack on the house in Godric's Hollow. One of them being Peter Pettigrew. Hagrid saw him coming toward the house, and then there was nothing. Sirius disappeared at about the same time. Do you know anything about those missing minutes."
"Yes," I said, trying to figure out just how much I could tell Dumbledore. "Sirius told me all about his experiences at the house that day. He saw Peter coming toward the house, and he went to intercept him, when something happened, and it became difficult to do so," I waited for the question that I knew would follow.
"What exactly happened?" he asked me, just as I thought he would.
"Sir, Peter is an Animagus."
"Are you certain?" I grimaced at the question. I didn't want to have to sell the others out, so I decided to lie.
"Yes, sir. He told me when I was registered," I said, hoping that he would believe me.
"Anwen, we both know that Peter couldn't have figured that magic out on his own. He was never that good at his spell work. Can I assume that you know who taught him?" I sighed before I answered.
"Please don't be upset at them, but both James and Sirius are as well. James becomes a stag, Sirius becomes a great black dog and Peter, well, he's a rat. There is an astounding level of irony there," I said rolling my eyes. Dumbledore smiled at me. "They're all unregistered, obviously. They did it so they could help Remus at his changes," I said rather sheepishly. He looked at me with understanding, and a bit of respect at the lengths the young men had gone to for their friends.
"Anwen, how long has this been going on?"
"I believe that they started the magic in their second year, but it took them another year to gain the necessary control. Mr. Potter had started them on the training, well at least James and Sirius anyway. When I mastered the skill in my fifth year, they shared the story with me. Please, don't be upset at them. Their hearts were in the right place. I've tried to get them to register, but they preferred to have their Animagus identities be hidden."
"That is quite something. To have done it so you. Andrew Potter was one himself, became a large owl if I remember correctly," he looked off into the distance as he talked.
"You're remembering correctly, sir. I had the pleasure to fly with him once, a few days before James and Lily's wedding. He took sick not long after and..." I stopped to take a deep breath. "He'd wished the boys had registered as well."
"That would have been prudent. We will deal with that oversight at another time. Back to what Sirius saw at the house the next day."
"Yes, sir. Anyway, Sirius went to intercept Peter, but he changed into his Animagus form and went into the house. A few minutes later, Peter emerged with a wand between his teeth. Sirius didn't recognize the wand, so it was probably Voldemort's. He followed him down the street, Peter changed back, and when he was getting ready to apparate, Sirius tagged along on the ride. There was an altercation when they re-materialized. Sirius once human, lost his temper and hit Peter, knocking him out. Peter had told him how the listing in the Ministry would implicate him. When he realized that he was going to be blamed, he headed for the safe house he had set up. He had created it in case the Death Eaters should ever come after me again. That's where I found him."
"I see," he sat quietly in thought for a moment. "Anwen, I need to ponder a few things here, but I do want to take you to see James and Lily presently. You however, need to get to the Ministry and make an appearance; they are going to want to question you, your fiancée is a wanted man. It would seem that the spell that you are under will keep you from diverging anything. I just hope that they don't use Legilimens or Veritaserum on you. Even if you can't tell them where Sirius is, you know too much."
"I realize that sir. My Occlumency skills are very strong, I can keep Alastor out of my mind with little work. You're the only one that I can't block anymore. I have my phial of Veritas antidote as well. If I have to use it, I can get Lily to brew me more so that no one is the wiser. It's all in my little purse here."
"You're the epitome of prepared, my dear girl. What ever story you use about Sirius, make sure that it's simple. You're going to have to repeat it many times over the next few weeks. I would also be prepared to be called before the full Wizengamot, to give testimony in this matter."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," I said, not feeling all that confident at the moment. I am really not good at lying, really lying. I guess I had better get good at it, and right soon. Maybe I should just think of it as a part that I have to play? I sighed aloud, and then gave Dumbledore a small smile. He returned it. "Um, if its all right, I think I will go and look in on Remus, as long as you don't mind?"
"I think that is a capital idea. Let him know that he'll be going home later today; since you are here to take care of him now, he may return to your London home. The Manor has been secured again, but I have Blood Warded it, and for the time being, I don't think that any of us should go there."
"I understand. It's fine, Remus and I will be safe in the London house. Sirius and James added more Wards, and it's quite safe now. I'll be back in a few minutes. Thank you sir. Thank you for everything, but especially for believing that Sirius didn't do this," he smiled at me, and then again his face was taut with thought. I turned and ran upstairs, I needed Remus to know that our family was safe, and alive.
When I arrived in the hospital wing, he was sitting up and the privacy screens had been shifted aside. His face broke into a great smile when he saw me, and I ran over to him, embracing him tightly. He seemed a little surprised by my embrace, but I held it.
"Remus, you can't react to what I am going to tell you, it's a complete secret. James, Lily and Harry are alive, they are in another safe house, we'll go see them tonight. If you understand me completely, give me a little squeeze," I felt him squeeze my waist and I smiled. "We can see them later, but I can't say any more of this. Just agree with anything else I say," he nodded against me, and I released him, sitting down on the edge of his bed.
"You're looking much better than the last time I saw you. Are you feeling better?" I asked him, trying to act natural.
"Um, yes," he said, his eyes dancing. "Have you been to the house?"
"I was there for a few minutes. Both of the dogs are okay," I said, hoping that he would catch my message. I didn't see Molly while I was there. The last time I saw her, she was at the Manor. I do hope that she's all right?
"Good, I was concerned that they wouldn't have been fed while I was away."
"Fed, watered and in good shape. Padfoot was especially happy to see me," he nodded. "I can't stay long, I need to go in to the Ministry. They have some questions to ask me about my MIA fiancée. Right now, he should be far more worried about me, than about the Aurors that are tracking him. Hell hath no fury and all that," I said, adding a wink. I wasn't sure if we were being listened to, so I thought it was best to keep up the charade of my being angry with him.
"Well, um, when you are done, can you come back? Madame Pomfrey came over, just before you came in, to tell me that I would be allowed to go back to London today. Will you make sure I get home okay?"
"Of course my friend. I guess that we'll have some arrangements to make. We can talk more when I get back, but for now, I need to go and assist the people looking for that man I was to marry," I almost laughed at the idea. I looked away from Remus to regain my composure. I stood and kissed his cheek. "I promise to explain everything, just pretend your still sad while you are here. We're all fine," I whispered in his ear. "I'll be back later," I said, standing and turning to leave. I waved at the school nurse as I walked out, and again bounded to Dumbledore's office. The statue was still turned aside when I reached the entrance to his office.
"Sir," I said as I knocked and he motioned me in. "Remus is happier now, and glad that we will be going home. Is there anything else that I should know before I put in my appearance at the Ministry?"
"Yes, Before Voldemort went after the Potters, he had Bellatrix Lestrange pay another visit to the Longbottoms. They didn't fare as well. Alice and Frank are both in St. Mungo's, they have been severely cursed, and are still in comas. The healers are cautious right now," I suddenly felt saddened. My friends had been left unprotected, even though we could have helped them too. Guilt washed over me.
"Anwen, you couldn't protect everyone. The potion protected against death, not against insanity. I thought that we had made them as safe as we could, but it would seem that I was wrong. Please don't trouble yourself on this matter right now. You need to go and hide Sirius' whereabouts as best as you can." I nodded at him, and tried to focus my mind. "Go ahead and floo from here, and then return the same way. I connected this fireplace, but it's a private connection. No one will know where you came from," I nodded at him, and grabbed a handful of the powder from the mantle. I watched as the headmaster dissolved in green flames, and the lobby of the Ministry appeared.
I went to my office immediately, and was assaulted by half the senior staff within moments. The worst was Cornelius Fudge. He was apparently put in charge of the hunt for Sirius, and started interrogating me as I entered the office. He's not even an Auror, what is he doing working on this case? He's over in Magical Accidents and Catastrophes? This doesn't qualify as either. I was never really impressed with him before, he seemed a little disorganized and far to willing to suck up to people who he perceived as having power for my taste. Thankfully, Kingsley Shaklebolt came along rescued me.
"Cornelius, there will be time for that. Give the girl a chance to come into the office and get herself together. Clearly, she doesn't know where he is, or she would be with him or bringing him herself. She is still wearing the engagement ring after all. They were to be wed two days ago," he said pulling me aside and leading me toward my desk area. He stood over me and whispered. "Dumbledore has told me everything, just follow my lead, dear," I smiled up at him. He was several years older than me, I guessed that he went to school with Frank and Alice. I had heard rumors that he was friendly with Dumbledore, and was nearly ready to join the Order before I was sent to Canada with Ewan.
"Why don't you gather your thoughts, check your desk for messages, and meet us in the conference room in about ten minutes," he said loudly; we reached my desk and he quietly added, "put up that infamous bubble of yours so no one can use Legilimency against you? I will make sure that they don't try anything else. Oh, and some tears will go a long way in there, no one wants to see a crying Auror," he smiled down and me and I couldn't help but return it.
I checked the messages on my desk, and I saw that I had received a message from Ewan. I grabbed the parchment and stuck it in my pocket, I was supposed to be away on my honeymoon this week, so no one was expecting me to be here. It reduced the paperwork that would have otherwise greeted me upon my return. I took a deep breath, and pictured my mind as an open door, I then closed the door, and built a brick wall around it, and surrounded it with a bubble.
I took another deep breath, and grabbed my bag and headed to the conference room. Most of the Senior Aurors were in the room already, and there was only one open seat, thankfully, next to Kingsley. I quickly thought about the wedding that wasn't, and the sadness that filled me while I was in Greece, and tears came near to the surface. I would be able to call them if needed. I hated being seen as a weak girl, but in this case, it might serve me well.
"Auror Hodgson, did you see Sirius Black when you returned from Canada?" Fudge started in at me before my bottom hit the chair.
"No," I knew enough from doing my own interrogations that short answers were better.
"Did you know that he was to be the secret keeper for the Potter Family?" Head Auror Roberts asked me, much more politely than Fudge had.
"No sir."
"Why didn't you know?" he followed up.
"The plans were made after I had left to take Ewan duChamp to Canada," he nodded at me. I was sure that he had already spoken with both Dumbledore and Remus; he was checking my story.
"What can you tell us about that day?" he asked me, and I recounted my day from the time that Sirius awoke me until I boarded the train with Ewan. From that point on they had my official reports that I had sent home on my mission with the Potions Master.
"One question; we went to meet you at the airport when your flight was to arrive. None of the Aurors could find you. Where were you?" Fudge interjected with a sneer in his voice.
"Sir, I had believed that there someone had been feeding Voldemort information, possibly for years. Due to this, I was concerned for my safety and chose to purchase my own ticket and fly home on a different flight."
"It turns out that your fears were well founded. When we arrived at the airport, we ran into the Lestranges. They were your greeting party apparently. They slipped away from us however," Kingsley said in a calm voice. I nodded at him. I was right. The only reason I wasn't attacked was because no one knew where I was. The Senior Aurors started talking among themselves and I took the opportunity to look at the magic in the room. A man I didn't know was sitting at the table next to Alastor, his magic didn't look normal to me. Instead of the usual cloud that usually existed over someone's head, his looked like a great hand that was stretched out toward me. He must be trying to get into my mind. I checked my bubble, and it was holding strong. I need to ask Moody about him, the next time that we are alone.
"Where have you been then for the last few days?" Auror Roberts continued.
"When I arrived back in London, I went to our house, and found it in great disarray, like there had been a struggle there. I did some investigative work, and there were magical residues from both Bellatrix Lestrange and Sirius. I think that they must have dueled in the house at some point while I was away. I was also quite concerned about Remus Lupin. Our roommate was missing, and the only other place that he would ever stay had been destroyed." I could see people digesting the idea that Sirius and Bella had fought in our house. It was only a sort of lie. They needed that information too, and it was plausible.
"From there I went to Hogwarts; Dumbledore had been in charge of hiding Lily and James and Harry. I needed to see them, they were the whole wedding party, and I hoped that Sirius would indeed be with them. I was told however, the awful news that they had been killed by Voldemort," My wedding dress and Sirius in his robes and the setting sun, and tears came to my eyes. I swallowed hard. "The Headmaster also told me of his suspicions about Sirius, and where Mr. Lupin had gone to grieve. I lost it in his office, and he gave me a potion to calm me. I stayed at the castle for a while, and went to see Remus," I stopped there; I would let them ask me for more details. Everyone was quiet for a moment. They are trying to figure out how to ask me, in the most delicate was possible, if I thought that my fiancée was capable of betraying his and my best friends.
"Anwen," it was Kingsley who spoke up, "I know that there are conflicting reports whom the secret keeper was. We have one record here at the Ministry, but Mr. Lupin remembers with complete certainty that it was someone else. Do you think that it was Sirius?" Good job wording that sir.
"No, I believe that it was Peter Pettigrew. Sirius would have died rather than give up his friends. James was like a brother to him, and he loved Harry as if he was his own child. I know him, he would have never betrayed them. I am sure of it," I wasn't lying; I never believed that he had done it.
"That is all well and good, but there is still time missing. Where have you been for the last few days?" Fudge was loosing his temper. How does he ever do interrogations? You have to be more patient than the criminals. Time for the waterworks, wedding, beautiful vows, singing to the mermaids for my husband. "With all due respect, my fiancée was accused of setting up the murder of my best friend, her husband and their child. I wasn't exactly in any condition to be chatting with people," I said, tears falling down my face and my voice getting irritated. Maybe I shouldn't have given up the acting. "When I wasn't grieving with Mr. Lupin, I went to places that I thought Sirius might be. I obviously had no luck, since I am not married yet. I cried through what was to be my wedding day, sir," I swallowed hard and buried my face in my hands. I took several deep breaths, as if I was steadying myself. The room was silent, save the uncomfortable shifting of people within their chairs.
"This has obviously been traumatic for you, so I only have one more question for you," Kingsley was speaking again. I raised my head and looked at him. "Can you tell us where Sirius is?" clearly, he knows everything Dumbledore knew, because that question was too perfect.
"No, I cannot," I laid my head down again, and pretended to sob.
"Why don't we leave her alone for now?" The Head Auror said; I breathed in deeply, thankful for his not pushing this. "I think that we should take into account what she has said here, perhaps the list in the Department of Mysteries has indeed been corrupted. Moody will you go and have a look at it?" I heard Moody grunt, and I was thankful that it was him, he was more thorough than anyone. "Miss Hodgson, um, take as much time as you need in here. When you are ready to return to work, we can use you, we are short a few Aurors right now."
I raised my head and wiped the tears from my face. "Sir, I'll be back tomorrow. I believe in Sirius' innocence. The sooner I clear his name, the sooner I bring Peter in, the sooner I can wed my fiancée." There was a calm resolve to my voice. I had nothing to fear in my statement, it was the honest truth of my heart.
"Well, then, we will be in a race to see who can bring the guilty party in first, since I believe that it was indeed Sirius Black who betrayed his friends to he who must not be named," Fudge said standing up. Idiot.
"May the truth be the precursor of justice then," I said sternly. Everyone else filed out of the room, and I was left with Kingsley. When we were alone, I waved my hand to throw up a silencing charm on the door.
"They've made you and I partners, since Frank is well...he won't be back to work any time soon. You had been working alone for the last year, and we were the only ones without partners. I think that they want me to pump you for information," he said smiling with understanding, I returned it. "Good job back there. I knew you had been in the theater, but you were very convincing," I think I blushed at him.
"Thanks. How are Frank and Alice?"
"Not good. Honestly, I don't think that they will ever be back. There...isn't...they aren't there Anwen. Their minds have gone completely," he sighed. I knew that he and Frank had been close. I reached over and grabbed his hand.
"I'm so sorry. I know that you and Frank have been close for years. You were friends at school?" He nodded. "Poor little Neville. Where is he now?"
"His grandmother has taken him in. She'll raise him well," we sat in the quiet for a moment. "I should be the one comforting you. You were very close with Lily and James."
"I've pushed it from my mind. It's just too much to deal with. I need Sirius home. I'll grieve with him, when we are finally together," I'm not really lying here. I let out a deep sigh and asked him, "Do you know anything else about Voldemort or the Death Eaters?"
"Everything I know, Moody knows, and therefore, Dumbledore knows," I nodded at him. "Anyone in particular you want to catch?"
"You mean, besides Peter," he nodded. "I would love to get my hands on the Lestranges. They were behind my attack two years ago in Hogsmeade, and they have been after Sirius and I since then. She is crazy and I really don't like her!" I said. He smiled at me. "Furthermore, I was working on bringing down the Malfoy's through their bank accounts before I left for Canada. He's quite twisted in his own right, and he was the one that..." I hated thinking about that day in Hogsmeade, but it wasn't ever that far from my mind. "Has there been any progress on that front?"
"Not really. We are meeting some resistance from within the department. Things are moving slowly, it takes forever to get the right paperwork completed, and then when we finally do, the money has been moved and we have to start all again," he said, sounding a little frustrated.
"Sounds like there is an informant in the office. Let's concentrate on Peter and Sirius' whack job cousin and then turn our attention back to Malfoy. If he thinks we've stopped trying to get him, he might get sloppy," I surmised.
"You know, I like the way your mind works. Have any other questions?"
"Yes, Who was the guy next to Moody? I didn't recognize him, but he was trying to get into my mind."
"Rufus somebody. He's only just back in the country. He's been part of the diplomatic service core for the last few years. Wait, how did you know what he was doing?" he said in a deep, soothing baritone.
"I'm sorry, there are so few that know my secret, but those closest to me always have. Kingsley, I'm a projecting visualist. I can see peoples magic, conjure things, do wand-less magic. I'm really good at Transfigurations and an Animagus."
"Wow. I think I just ended up with the best partner in the department," I smiled at him. "Come on, let's go do some work, and then you can head home. I understand that Remus is well enough to leave the hospital wing."
"Yes, I can take him back to London tonight. Please, don't say anything about his attack. The new werewolf laws are hard enough on him; having sustained a second set of bites would give the Ministry the right to put him away, forever."
"Anwen, I like Remus. I knew him when he was a kid at school, and while I didn't know what it was that made him different at the time, I knew that he was carrying a great weight with him. When I did find out, I was impressed at your group of friends and how they rallied around him. Delores Umbridge and her new laws can just go suck a lemon for all I care. They're stupid and hateful rules, especially for someone like Remus, who has never done anything to anyone." A tear pricked at the corner of my eye as he spoke.
"Thank you," I said not only for myself, but for Remus. "He'll be touched to know that you think of him like that. Most people don't realize just how gentle he is. Come on, if we're in here too long, people will get suspicious."
We left the conference room, and went over to Kingsley's desk. Mine had magically been moved to across from his, but everything seemed to be in order. Thankfully, all of my personal things were in my purse, which I kept on me always. I don't trust Fudge as far as I can throw him, and if there is someone working against the department in the department, I really need to be careful.
We went over everything that we knew about the Lestranges, and decided that we would raid their home the next morning, early. Kingsley would walk the paperwork through himself tonight, making sure that no one knew about it that except those that must know. We had at least fourteen verified acts of torture recorded against each of them, including the use of Unforgivable curses, the foremost of which was what they'd done to Frank and Alice. There were also several counts of Murder and Attempted Murder. We could arrest them and send them to Azkaban right away.
"How did you end up in charge of the Longbottom case? Wouldn't they have deemed you too close?" I asked.
"I fought hard for it," he explained. "What they did to my partner and Alice, it was unspeakable. She wasn't even working anymore. She'd decided that she wanted to stay home with the baby for a few years, maybe even have another child. No one ever deserves to be treated that way. I will bring in the people who hurt them, so that when Neville is older, I can look him in the eye and hope that he forgives me for not protecting his Mum and Dad better when I had the chance." I understood the guilt that Kingsley had put himself under, for I felt the same thing. I was so concerned about protecting Lily, James and Harry and planning my wedding that I left my other friends without adequate security. It wasn't something that I would ever do again.
"Alright then, let's get to work."
After a few more hours, and a mountain of paperwork, I left the Ministry of Magic, transforming my appearance before I entered the lobby so that I was sure I would be left alone. I walked to one of the fireplaces and flooed myself back to Dumbledore's office. He barely looked up when I entered, instead studying the charts and maps on his desk.
"Everything go all right?"
"Yes, sir, I can block my mind well. Thanks for giving Kingsley the heads up on everything. He made the whole process a lot smoother, and we ended up paired with each other. Cornelius Fudge is in charge of the hunt for Sirius, I am sure that he is hoping to make his career on it. I gave them nothing useful, but I did insist that Sirius was innocent, and that we needed to catch Peter. Kingsley and I are going to be working on that."
"The two of you should have a good working relationship. You will compliment each other well. Now, shall we go upstairs and get your friend so that we can take our little excursion?"
"Yes, sir, I would very much like that. I could use a distraction right about now."