CHAPTER 26

VOLDEMORT'S LAIR

Morning turned into afternoon. Remus and Sirius were getting up to leave.

Voldemort asked," Bellatrix seems late."

"May be she is having too much fun," said Regulus.

"Too much fun means girls would be dead by now," said Amycus laughing.

"I will go and check." Said Rodulphous Lestrange.

"I will come with you," said Lucius.

Both went and came back after few minutes with unconscious Bella just when Remus and Sirius were saying good-bye to everyone.

"What happened to her?" asked Sirius worriedly.

Regulus healed her. As soon as she woke up Rodolphous asked, "What happened Bella?"

Bella after telling the story started blaming Sirius for the girl's escape.

"How can it be my fault when you couldn't control two wand-less witches," said Sirius angrily.

"Why did you keep such things in your home?" Bella asked with equal anger.

"Bella not many days ago, I was with mudbloods and blood-traitors, such things intrigued me. But are you telling me that such lowly Muggle device was faster than you could conjure a shield. Moreover the girls ran away, why did you leave the door open. It was your carelessness. Now I had to go explain to Order why my house was being used to keep the girls, if the girls took the Order there. Remus, we need to find those girls before anyone else did. Lets go to their home, " said Sirius.

"My Lord, do we have your permission to leave?" asked Remus.

"Yes, I can see its urgent." Said Voldemort

Voldemort was now finalizing the decision in his mind, certainly it had to be this Death Eater.

"Sirius, I need you come to me alone at midnight tonight. I need to discuss something with you." Ordered Voldemort completely ignoring Bella.

Then he saw Peter standing there idly ," Shouldn't you help those two?" said Regulus

"Wormtail, go prove yourself useful, stop being so worthless," said Voldemort.

Peter left after Sirius and Remus. But he didn't know where Bones house was. So he just went to Diagon Alley and sat in Leaky Cauldron for lunch.

Voldemort ignored Bellatrix all day like she didn't exists and this continued for few days until Bellatrix literally begged Voldemort for forgiveness . He knew that for Bellatrix there was no bigger torture. Few Death Eaters seemed quite happy about it.

…...

ORDER OF PHOENIX HQ

Sirius and Remus entered James's house. They too were quite hungry.

Sirius called Kreacher and ordered him to bring them lunch here. Kreacher brought them lunch.

While they were eating James entered with Moody happily.

James announced," Jessica and Joanne escaped from Death Eaters."

"What ? really?" said Remus and Sirius together like they were actually surprised.

Moody however had sat down on table and was helping himself with lunch. James followed suit.

Moody explained," So far we know that they were heavily tortured. As soon as girls reached home, the Bones called for Dumbledore. Dumbledore brought Madam Pomfrey who healed up girls nice and good. They are to take a full of week of bed rest. Dumbledore has asked Frank to stay in Bones Mansion for few hours in case Death Eaters come after girls."

"Today is celebration day for Order, Even Sturgis is feeling better. We just checked on him," said James.

"I heard even Alice, Aberforth and Hagrid are coming back today or tomorrow," said Moody."Anyway I got to go. That Barty crouch is holding a special meeting about his son today. Wasting time like that, when he could be doing something useful."

Moody then got up and left.

"Padfoot has been called by Voldemort at midnight alone." Remus told James.

"Why?" asked James

"May be another task, to kill someone or use Imperius curse on them," said Sirius uninterested.

"Well Narcissa and Lucius are getting married next month," said Remus, " I got personal invitation from Lucius."

"Congrats Padfoot," said James ." But I do feel bad for Narcissa."

"Well, Lucius being unbearable prick still loves Narcissa a lot," said Sirius.

"Even more than the Dark Lord?" asked James

"I don't think Lucius likes Voldemort at all, he was just dragged along with his family. I wont say he is a good guy but he is not a genuine Death eater either, like others there," replied Remus

"Moony, you like always are busy reading people," said Sirius.

"People are the most interesting creation of God," said Remus in a mock philosophical voice.

Many Order people came and go. Even Dumbledore said everybody needs to rest and everybody got a day off except for Moody and Fabian who were pissed off at Barty Crouch. Amelia Bones, sister of Mathew and Edgar, working in Law Enforcement was helping them.

They were crashing at James's place. Remus went to meet Gazelle and others in the evening but returned before midnight telling Sirius and James that Voldemort wants to be alone for meeting with Sirius along with his pet snake.

"I hope he is not planning to feed me to the snake." Said Sirius jokingly

…...

ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK

Severus and Regulus were sitting in lounge drinking tea discussing what could Voldemort want from Sirius.

Mrs. Black entered and smiled at the both boys. She said," How are you Severus?"

She has become fond of Severus seeing how happy Regulus was when he was with his friend. Moreover she found Severus to be a capable wizard.

"Where is Sirius?" said Mrs. Black ." Ever since he has come back, I feel like my world is complete but he is rarely home. And I now realize that how wrong I was sometimes. Orion, your father was right. Sirius is the brightest star, so give him time and he will show his light. But the way we treated him and he still came back smiling. I sometimes feel I have to thank Potters for that." Mrs. Black just realized how much she had said and got up suddenly making lame excuse about some work she had forgotten.

Both Regulus and Severus were speechless for some time. Then Severus hesitantly asked, "Is your mother feeling well?"

Regulus said, "I don't think so."

Mrs. Black was amazed herself about how she was thinking. The peace, she had gotten by seeing both her sons together and happy, that peace had made her soft but she hadn't realized it herself.

…...

VOLDEMORT'S LAIR

"My Lord," said Sirius as he entered the room.

"I was waiting for you Sirius," said Voldemort. "Today I wanted to show you something very special."

"My Lord, I am most pleased that you consider me worthy enough to see something that you consider special. This is the highest honor I could think of, My Lord. Words fail me," said Sirius in a solemn way.

"Sirius, tell me who were the four founders of Hogwarts were?" asked Voldemort like he was taking Sirius's viva.

" Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw,Helga Hufflepuff, Godric Gryffindor, My Lord," answered Sirius.

"And do you know about their special heirlooms," asked Voldemort

Sirius has to ponder whether to answer or not but decided anyway, "My Lord, as being brought up in the pure-blood family, we are taught history from the very start. I may not be accurate but from what I learned from my father, Salazar Slytherin has a locket that was more precious than any other jewel in the world, Rowena Ravenclaw was famous for her diadem, Helga Hufflepuff had a priceless cup and Godric Gryffindor owned a sword."

"Very good, very good," said Voldemort ." What I am about to show you is one of these heirlooms. And it would be your duty to keep it safe. Protect it with your life Sirius."

Voldemort then held out the Hufflepuff cup. Sirius's eyes shone brightly at the sight of cup. Voldemort could see in Sirius's eyes that he truly realized the worth of this cup. This made Voldemort more happy.

Whereas Sirius couldn't believe his luck that he was just being given a Horcrux like that.

"My Lord, I will protect it with all I have got, including my life," said Sirius solemnly and took the cup from Voldemort.

"Now you are dismissed, go and hide this cup in the most safe place in the world," ordered Voldemort.

"As you wish my Lord," said Sirius ,"And I am truly thankful for this honour my Lord. I would rather die than disappoint you."

Then Sirius left and apparated outside Hogsmeade.

Unable to control his excitement, he instantly sent a patronus to James, Remus, Frank, Severus, Regulus and Dumbledore to meet in Hogsmeade right now.