(55) Dark Angel

The setting sun cast a long orange streak over the ocean, making it sparkle so much it was nearly blinding. Despite the beautiful view, the large stone gray mansion looked as foreboding as ever as it rose up on its small island in the salty waves. The snowy layer added an even bleaker coldness to the place.

James stood at the edge of rock jutting out of the sea & looked up at the walls. The small boat was tied nearby. He was alone, staring at the place, working up the nerve to go in. Dementors floated around the top & glided in & out of a few large holes to allow them passage. James shivered & pulled his large fur cloak closer. How Sirius survived this place for twelve years was anyone's guess. He slowly made his way towards the main doors.

James held up his wand in one hand & a white gleaming card in the other as he moved forward. Two Dementors floated near the door. He held the card out, letting the soft silverish light shine onto them. An Auror's card with his identification written on it. The Dementors cared not who he was, only the what of it. The soft light on the card was based on Patronus powers. Once a Dementor felt it, they knew instantly an Auror was with them. The pair of vile creatures cringed & drifted aside to let James through.

Once he had passed inside, James pocketed both card & wand. The swarm would know instantly to leave him alone. No one knew how but once one Dementor knew one thing, it seemed like the rest of the swarm understood it, most likely through telepathy. The other Dementors inside merely moved aside & caused James no trouble.

On the first floor in the hall of the entrance doors, was a pedestal with a book chained to it. The book bore the names of each prisoner, where they were kept, their crime & sentence, the years since they had been brought in & if they were still alive or dead. James flipped to the B section & scanned down until he found Black. There were several. Some were from centuries ago. There was even one Black Potter there. A Potter who was more Black & Dark than Potter & Light. Dementor's Kiss followed that name. James soon found a much more familiar name.

Black, Sirius. Prisoner Number { Y 390 * Floor 13 C Section. Cell 1256. Responsible for 15 murders, including James & Lily Potter. Death Eater of the Dark Lord. Life sentence.

Run away. Attempted murder of Harry Potter at Hogwarts. Attempted murder of Remus Lupin at Hogwarts. Possible other attacks as well. Dementor's Kiss upon recapture.

Dementor's Kiss on sight.

James could hardly believe what he was reading. There was a line through it all & underneath was one simple word. "Acquitted" & that was it. "At least you're out," He turned away from the book & glanced at the myriad of stairs leading away from the main hall. There was a Dementor at each entrance along both sides of the hall. Each stairwell led away to large bars behind which were the prison cells. He moved to the nearest Dementor. "Take me to the cell Sirius Black was in." The Dementor promptly glided down the hall & up the farthest stair. James followed behind.

After ages of climbing (& floating) it seemed, the Dementor finally stopped across from one cell door hanging loosely on one hinge. After a slight hesitation, James entered what had been Sirius's home for so long. He put on hand over his mouth as he looked the place over. The scratches over the walls were crude imitations of a life lost. A small bed with a thin useless blanket that was half off was in one corner. The barred window overlooked the sea away from the mainland. The glass in it was broken. James wondered for how long & hoped it wasn't broken while Sirius had been here.

James moved to the bed & picked up the blanket to lay it back properly. While tucking in one edge, he noticed another scratched out picture on the wall hidden by the bed. He pushed the mattress out a bit to see better. He stared at it for a long time, then put the mattress back & turned to leave. Passing through the door, he noticed a tuft of black fur jammed in a notch of one bar. He carefully pulled it away & pocketed it. Not one bit of Sirius was allowed to be here. He would make sure it was all taken away.

Once back in the hall outside that cell, James stood silent for a long time. The Dementor moved closer to him, thriving on the storm of his emotions but not daring to touch an Auror without permission. Unconcerned by the Dementor's antics, he finally turned to it. "Alright. Take me to Orion Black's cell." The Dementor glided away.

Again it stopped across the hall from the cell door. This time the door was closed & locked firmly. A Dementor was on either side. James stayed just far away enough so that he could not see in just yet. His Dementor guide soon floated towards him expectantly. It stopped directly in front of James, waiting for the next order. "Can I go in?"

Instantly, the other two Dementors by the door turned & unlocked it. The one that had been on the left pulled it open & held it so. The guide floated in & off to the side. James didn't follow. He waited so long that the guide soon reappeared in the doorway. James finally moved closer. Still staying out of sight, he addressed his guide in a low whisper. "Do not leave my side please." The guide floated towards him once more. "I trust you more than I do that monster in there." The Dementor turned his head a little, curious at the statement. It was not used to such conduct from people. Like a Dark Angel, it glided to James's side & followed him inside.

Orion lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The chains were slack on him. He could get up & move around a little. The Dementor pointed to the floor. There was a straight line from one side to the other part way in from the door. Orion could not cross that line. He could only move around the back half of the cell. Along all four walls inside, were sixteen more Dementors, four against each of the four walls.

James & his guiding Dark Angel moved to within an inch of the line. James watched the man for a while. Orion still stared at the ceiling. Whether he knew they were there or was so out of it with the Dementor swarm constantly around, James didn't quite know. He did know that Orion had to be lucid enough for the first trials with Sirius. "So," James began in a loud voice to gain Orion's attention. "you ready for the final showdown?"

Orion turned his head to look at him. He didn't say anything, only stared for nearly a minute, then returned his gaze to the ceiling.

"What's this?" James taunted. "You won't speak to me? After all you've done, nothing?"

Orion got to his feet & headed to the line. James stepped away almost to the door, the Dementor floating backwards to stay with him. "What do you want?" Orion finally spoke in a bored voice.

"I came to see you," answered James.

"Missed me?" Orion teased.

"You wish," James snarled. They glared at each other before James went on. "I went upstairs first."

"To his cell?" Orion derided.

"I can't even begin to comprehend what you did to Sirius," James shot back.

"What I did?" Orion scoffed. "Who was the one who agreed to his ludicrous plan of two Secret Keepers for the price of one? Hmm? It was all you, wasn't it?"

"Oh don't turn this around on me," complained James.

"Why not?" Orion went on. "It's true. You should have insisted on using him. You should have stayed home."

"You should be dead!"

Orion glared at him. "Well you should learn how to murder people properly."

"Unbelievable," James muttered under breath.

"Well, you didn't kill me," Orion explained. "I told you I'd make you regret it."

"You're going to get the Kiss in a few months," James fought back angry tears. "I have you trapped. I won! Yet you stand there as if everything's ok."

"No Jim," Orion began. "Everything is not ok, but there's nothing I can do about that right now. But a lot can happen in a few months. You better pray I don't find out how Sirius got out." He shot a dark glare at James. "Because if I do, I will make you even more miserable than you can ever imagine."

"We'll see about that," James snapped. "When you're strapped down one last time & a Dementor leans over you, I'll hear you scream!" James put a hand on the Dementor's arm like a friend. "These creatures. Amazing talent. I'm going to watch it, Uncle," He snarled out the word in a patronizing tone. "I will enjoy it as much as you enjoyed hearing me scream & cry for mercy. Just wait for summer. Then I will never ever see you again!"

"I'll see you in hell," Orion said. "You're no saint! I know what you did to Peter Pettigrew, using a slave crown to control him; though, I don't know how you managed to hide him from the world all this time. But it couldn't be good, coming from you. Plus your attempted murder of me on top of whatever else you did."

"Even if I do end up in hell, I doubt we'll see each other again," James snarled through gritted teeth. "Surely there is a special spot reserved for the likes of you alone!"

Orion suddenly half smiled. "You & I both know about special spots, don't we?"

With a shout of rage, James shot forward & punched Orion so hard across the face that he stumbled backwards & fell to his knees. James stood glaring down as Orion put one hand over his face, making the chains rattle. "I hate you!" James gasped hoarsely as the Dementor put both hands on his shoulders & pulled him back. James fought against it. "You hear me? I HATE YOU!" The Dementor continued to drag James back across the line while those along the wall slowly began to press in. James had stepped over the line with the force of the blow.

Orion slowly stood up as James was pulled out the door. "Not as much as I hate you!" He shot back. The door slammed closed & locked into place. They glared at each other through the bars. "You know as well as I that you ought to be right here in this place next to me, waiting for your own Kiss. How much money did you pay to weasel your way out of it? Huh? You coward!"

James smiled lightly. "Someone's getting scared." He began to walk away.

"If you can do that, so can I," Orion warned. "I know all your secrets Jim. I'll tell them about that little Stag of yours."

James stopped walking but didn't turn around. "They already know."

"So you're registered now?"

"No I bought my way out of that," James answered.

"Do they know about that werewolf of yours?"

"Long long time ago. He's registered," James shrugged. "You have nothing."

"We'll see," Orion retorted.

James huffed & headed down the stairs. Orion was just trying to rattle him. James decided that from now on, he wouldn't allow that. Orion was finished. James had only come to see for himself. It had been hard to get away from the constant mother hens named Remus & Sirius, but at last he had managed to come here on his own. He knew the pair would rip him to shreds for it, but James had wanted to see Orion one last time if only to make sure that he was rid of him.

The Dementors stayed behind at the main entrance while James got into the boat alone & after setting it in motion, he lay down across the bottom. The trials were starting up once more very soon & James felt that he was finally nearing the end. Once on the mainland shore, he apparated to the Ministry Of Magic; planning to work more on the Hallow magic in his family. He barely got through the door before he was caught.

"There you are!" Remus put a hand on James's arm. "Where were you? We've been looking everywhere."

"Sorry. Busy," James shrugged, trying to look innocent. "Lost track of the time."

"What were you doing?" Sirius asked as he joined them.

"Never mind," James said. "What are you two doing here?"

"We were about to send a party out to look for you," Sirius answered.

"Guys I'm fine," James tried to calm them. "He's in Azkaban now. Surely I can move about a little?" He pushed past them.

Remus grabbed his arm again, more firmly than last time. He pulled James back & glared into his eyes for a long time. "You didn't!" Remus finally hissed, eyes slightly gold.

"Did what?"

"You went there, didn't you?" Remus demanded. "You went to see Orion. Damn it Jim! Why?"

"What?" Sirius exclaimed. "Jim that isn't true, is it?"

"What makes you think that?" James tried to play dumb.

"Mr. Lupin?" A young Auror came up to them.

"What?" Both Sirius & Remus yelled, still glaring at James.

"We just got a report in," the Auror went on. "Mr. Potter was seen at Azkaban."

James rolled his eyes, hating that prat. Remus closed his fingers tighter around James's arm. Sirius looked ready to explode. "We'll take it from here," Remus snarled through gritted fangs. The young Auror stepped back, well away from him. "Merci (Thank you)!"

Sirius watched him retreat, then rounded on James. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Sirius," Remus hushed him.

Sirius ignored him. "Going there to that place, to see that man? Trials are starting up again soon. Why didn't you wait?"

"I wanted to see him."

"WHY?" Sirius demanded.

"To make sure he's fully secured," James glanced at Remus. "I had to see it for myself."

Sirius sighed heavily & in a more normal voice he asked, "Why didn't you let one of us go with you?"

"The Dementors were there," James said. "I didn't think you would."

"Jim," Sirius shook his head. "I'd have gone back if you asked me. Remus could have been with us to."

"You shouldn't have gone without us if you absolutely had to go at all," Remus said. He slowly released James. "I wish you didn't do that."

"Look, I did what I had to do. I'm fine," James shoved past them again. "Can we not talk about it any more?"

"I don't understand you," Sirius went on talking about it anyway. "I thought you hated Orion. Afraid of him?"

"I do hate him," James said. "But I am no longer afraid of him. He is well-guarded & secured. We'll be rid of him soon."

Sirius opened his mouth to say more but Remus intervened. "Let it go."

"He's not telling us something," Sirius muttered under breath, watching James like a hawk as he headed towards the great fountain. "Something's wrong."

"I think so to," Remus agreed. "But you can't expect him to tell it all in one go, can you?"

"I guess not," Sirius admitted. "What are we going to do with him?"

"For starters, we aren't going to badger him," Remus looked pointedly at Sirius. "I know you're worried for him. So am I. But we have to wait until he's ready or we'll only end up driving him away. Is that what you want?"

"Of course not!" Sirius snapped.

"Alright then," Remus said. "Give him space." He glanced around for James but saw another man coming round the fountain. Remus instantly turned back, wrapped his arms around Sirius & kissed him right then & there.

"What was that for?" Sirius asked as Remus held him close.

"Nothing," Remus laughed softly. "Distraction, mostly."

"Like that will work," said Sirius. "I'm still worrying about Jim."

"Yeah, not you," Remus growled under breath. Still keeping a firm hold on Sirius, he sent an amber gaze at someone.

"Are you still mad at me, Ray?"

"Oh I'll be mad for a long time, Papa," Remus glared. "After all I have twelve years to account for."

"Ok," John Lyall Lupin walked by without another word.

"Don't you think it's time for you two to talk?" Sirius looked between father & son a few times.

"I don't have anything to say to him," Remus said stubbornly.

"You're getting to have a bit of a Black in you," Sirius patted his cheek, ignoring the glare.

John waited a moment before finally speaking. "I heard the news," He nodded in Sirius's direction. "You changed your name to my family name."

"I hope you don't mind," said Sirius.

"Not at all," said John, trying to catch Remus's eye. Remus didn't exactly look at him, but begrudgingly held out his left hand. John noticed the band. "That's quite nice, Ray."

"Mhm," Remus grunted, still not impressed.

"Come on Ray," John coaxed.

"It's a werewolf thing," Sirius explained as Remus clicked softly, irritated. "Slow to forgive. Believe me, I know what it's like being on the receiving end of that."

"I was only trying to protect him."

"Will you stop it?" Sirius dug his fingers into Remus's ribs. "Bloody annoying." Remus hissed softly. "Shut up! Isn't that the Marauders' job? Protect the werewolf? Hmm?"

"Sirius, you must be the only person in the world stupid enough to poke a werewolf's ribs like that," John muttered under breath.

Remus finally looked at his father & smiled. "Oh that's not the only way he pokes me."

"REMUS!" John groaned as Sirius doubled over, hands on knees, sobbing.

"I can't believe you'd say that to your dad!" Sirius gasped.

"I haven't spoken to him for several months," Remus replied. "So excuse me while I file that one under 'Who cares?'"

"Sirius, feel free to kill him whenever you like," John glared as Sirius wiped away tears.

"Gladly," Sirius wheezed. Remus smacked him. "Maybe I'll let you watch." Sirius went on.

Remus smacked him again as John declared, "I'm leaving." Both knew exactly what Sirius was referring to.

Remus watched him leave, hesitating before suddenly calling out. "Papa?" John stopped & glanced back. Remus moved towards him. "We will talk later perhaps?"

"When you're ... not so busy," John pointed at Sirius. Remus turned bright red as John left at last, laughing his head off.

"Or I'll just go back to being mad at him," Remus grumbled.


* From Prisoner Of Azkaban movie, it is not exactly quite like it. I spent almost half an hour google-ing various keyboard symbols but the first two symbols that Sirius has didn't pop up, so that's the best I can do. :/