A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands
A/N: Still same day at the beginning, but this happened at the same time as the ball. Also
Chapter 34: A Desperate Plan
December, 1994
Amelia Bones struggled to keep the smile off her face. She had just come from meeting with her niece before the ball. Susan was a bright young girl, and Amelia loved her to death. But she was still learning and growing, and Amelia was not about to be tricked by her niece. Susan had tried her best, but when she left to go to the ball, there was an unstated understanding that Amelia knew Susan was lying
Susan gave Amelia some ridiculous story about why she could not go to the ball with her "boyfriend" Harry Potter. Amelia was not about to fall for that lie. Amelia knew her niece had a longstanding interest and potentially a crush, on Harry Potter. For her to act on that for no real reason this year would have been unusual. Susan was methodical, so when Susan told her the story about Sirius and then told her it was because she and Harry were dating, Amelia instantly knew it was a lie.
The real question was how did Susan know so much about Sirius? It was possible that Dumbledore knew as much as Susan said, but there was no reason that Dumbledore would share information with Susan. At least, there was no reason one that she could see. Dumbledore always had his own agenda, and key to the agenda was keeping information to himself.
The only possible answer was that somehow, becoming a Lord had allowed Harry Potter to dig on Sirius. Of course, Sirius had escaped after meeting Harry last year, and Harry had survived that meeting, so perhaps the ridiculous story Susan span for her was true. In which case, Amelia desperately needed to talk to Sirius. There was a part of her that wanted to see the dashing rogue she had fallen for regardless.
She had not thought about Sirius for years. He was part of her past, a painful part but a key part of her growth. He was the first man who made her feel desirable, and the man who showed her she could change someone. Sirius had wanted to become a man who deserved her, and their split had been painful. Even if Sirius was entirely innocent, she was afraid of how he would react to her joining the auror corps especially since their final fight that led to the breakup was based around that.
Amelia was so deep into her thoughts that she couldn't react to the spell that grabbed her and hauled her into an empty classroom. By the time she got to her feet and drew her wand, the person who had grabbed her had moved into the shadows. She was angry and fired two quick stunners at the mysterious figure. They were both easily deflected. Amelia took a deep breath, ready to fight for her life. The next thing that happened stopped her cold.
"Hello, Amelia." The voice was familiar, and it took Amelia a second to process what she was hearing. It was impossible, which made it take longer. But eventually, her subconscious won out, making her acknowledge the impossible.
"Sirius?" Sirius Black stepped from the shadows, and Amelia Bones saw her first and greatest love for the first time in 15 years. He looked good for a man who had spent 12 years in a prison designed to drive men mad. It was probably the year and a half he had spent out of the prison. The humor was still in his eyes, although it was much deeper. He looked underweight, and the smile barley reached the eyes. But he was still Sirius Black.
They took a few steps towards each other, and that smile that disarmed her all those years ago did it again, and Amelia sheathed her wand and ran into Sirius's arms. They held each other with a passion and fury, and Amelia could feel his tears running down his cheeks and into her hair. Sirius had never cried in front of her, even in their fights, and the tears made her hesitate. But his arms were the same, and the tension in his back as she hugged him was so familiar.
"Sirius, what are you doing?" Amelia said, drawing back from him. He gave her a cocky smile she knew so well, and leaned in. Amelia took a half step back, but Sirius was persistent, and within seconds Amelia was in his arms again, their lips glued together in a desperate and passionate kiss. It took quite a few minutes for them to get the passion out of their system. As they withdrew Sirius stumbled, and Amelia helped him to the floor.
"It's nice to see you," Sirius told her. "I think we have a lot of catching up to do, although I'm sure my story is far less interesting."
"Look, Sirius," Amelia said, standing up. "It's clear we both have some unresolved feelings, but I think I should go. I'm the head of the DMLE, and I can't be seen with you. I think its best, for the time, if we don't see each other."
"I can't do that," Sirius said, drawing his wand. "I lost you 15 years ago. I won't make the same mistake."
"Don't make me do this," Amelia said drawing her wand. "If we fight, I'll have to call Fudge. I don't know I'll be able to get the kiss on sight order removed. Don't make me be responsible for your death," Amelia pleaded, her voice shaking. "You can't beat me, Sirius. Not after 12 years in Azakaban."
"Only one way to see," Sirius said. "Know that whatever happens, I love you Amelia. I have since I was 16."
"I love you too Sirius," Amelia managed to get out in between sobs. "I really hope you beat me.
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O-
December 1994
"So, your aunt beat him," Harry said. Almost his entire friend group was crowded around Harry in the Gryffindor common room.
"Yeah," Susan told him. "I mean, she is the head of the DMLE for a reason."
"I don't know what he was thinking!" Harry snapped. "Of all the stubborn pigheaded things to do, he had to do the one thing Remus asked him not to do." Harry rubbed his head. "Look, I appreciate everyone turning out to help. But right now I need to focus on preparing a legal defense for Sirius, so that he doesn't get kissed on sight."
"Just let us know if you need help," Neville said as the crowd dispersed.
"I'll talk to my aunt, but she is distraught," Susan said. "I could barely get the story out of her. Whatever she and Sirius talked about before they fought really hurt her. I didn't expect emotional depth from a member of the marauders." Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw one of the twins jump and little. Since that twin was closest to Angelica, he must have been George. He nudged Fred, and they moved away and started whispering.
Harry took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. When he opened his eyes, he saw that despite the late hour there were a few people remaining. Victor was sitting across from him, and Daphne was sitting next to him. The twins had stopped their whispered conference and were standing behind the couch Daphne and Krum were seated in.
"You know who the marauders are." George said. Harry nodded. There was no point it keeping it a secret. "How do you know?"
"Professor Lupin was Moony," Harry admitted. "He was very good friends with my dad, who was Prongs. The man who got captured is my godfather, Sirius Black. He's the person I need to stopped from kissed. He is Padfoot. Of course, you know Wormtail."
"What?" Fred said.
"He was the pet for both Percy and Ron," Harry said.
"How can a rat be a marauder?" The twins asked in unison.
"All of the marauders could transform. 3 of the 4 were unregistered animagi, and the fourth…" Harry trailed off.
"Professor Lupin was a werewolf," Fred said. Harry looked at him sharply. "Ron isn't great at keeping secrets. We put it together ourselves. Don't worry, we won't tell."
"Yeah," Harry explained. "My dad could turn into a stag, and Sirius could turn into a dog. The last marauder could turn into a rat named Wormtail. He killed my parents," Harry said, his voice going flat. Daphne stared at Harry as his voice lost emotion. She saw something in his eyes that worried her. She had no doubt that if the mysterious Wormtail appeared at this moment, Harry would kill him without hesitation, consequences be damned. She didn't truly understand what was going on. But perhaps if she stayed around, she could stop her friend from making a mistake he would regret forever.
"Huh," George said. "So Sirius is one of the good marauders, and you are the son of a marauder?"
"That's a pretty good summation," Harry agreed. The twins looked at each other and nodded.
"So what's the plan?" They said in unison.
"Plan?"
"The plan to bust him out and set him free," George said.
"You have marauder blood in your veins. I expect you already have a nefarious prank in the works," Fred said.
"As the inherits of their spirit, we'll help out, of course," they said in unison.
"Guys, I don't know what you are talking about," Harry said. "It's 2:00 in the morning. The only thing I can think at the moment is what books I'm going to read tomorrow to prepare Sirius's defense."
"Feel free to insult their intelligence, but don't insult mine," Daphne said. "If you were really planning a legal defense, you and Hermione would be in the library right now. You remember why I got mad at you? You take stupid risks because you are a man of action." She sighed, running her hand through her hair. "A lot of students are leaving on the express tomorrow. Can you at least wait until they leave at 9:00 to try your daring rescue? I guess I can floo back later."
"Harry, we would be disappointed if you didn't try," Fred said.
"We have not had a real chance to help you this year," George said. "Let us help you with this."
"Victor, can you tell these idiots that it's madness to take on a troop of aurors and the head of the British Department of Magical Law Enforcement?"
"This man is important to you?" Victor said, speaking very slowly.
"He is my godfather. If he was declared innocent, he would become my guardian. That's why I'm going to defend him in court, not try and break him out."
"Your minister is rumored to be stubborn," Victor said, still speaking slowly. "We will plan to save him first, then maybe we go to court."
"Guys, this is insane," Harry said.
"Harry, like you said, a troop of aurors and Amelia Bones is a tough task." George said.
"You'll need help," Fred said. "Someone who is great at planning."
"You need someone to keep you in line," Daphne said.
"Some extra muscle might be useful too," Victor said.
"Not to mention, if things get really sticky, my position as heir to the seat of one of the sacred 28 will be extremely helpful to you," Daphne said. "You will need me to back you up."
"Nothing I say is going to dissuade you from getting involved?" Harry said.
"So you admit you are going to break him out?" Victor said.
"Yeah," Harry said. "He's my godfather. I have to."
"That is how family should be," Victor said. "This is all good. So, do you have a plan?"
"I had a plan if it was just me and Remus," Harry said. "But I guess it's going to have to change now. He was able to scout out the room they are holding Sirius in." Harry took a piece of parchment and a quill and started scribbling. He drew a rectangle and put a capital A in each of the corners. Then he drew a capital S in the center, with a few squiggly lines on it.
"What is this?" Fred asked.
"It's a floor plan, idiot," George said.
"Right now, they only have 4 aurors," Harry said. "Reinforcements are scheduled to arrive, potentially with Fudge and a Dementor, tomorrow at 11:00," Harry said. "We will attack between when the students leave at 9:00, and 11:00. I was planning 9:10. They will be relaxing with the students gone. It might give us the second advantage we need against trained cops."
"So there is an auror in each corner," Victor said, looking at the drawing. "And the prisoner in the middle of the room. It is a good plan. They can attack from 4 angles at once."
"If we can get Sirius free and get a wand into his hand, we can change the tide," Harry said. "He's actually a pretty powerful wizard. If it was just him, me, and Remus, we could beat the aurors in a straight fight. But I don't know I can break those chains in one shot."
"He is bound by chains in the middle of the room?" Victor asked. Harry nodded. "If you can get me close to the chains, I can break them all with one spell."
"So how do we get you into the room free and clear?" Daphne asked.
"Harry, if you went into the room, all 4 aurors would fire at you with no hesitation," George said.
"Good thinking," Fred said. "Could you dodge the attacks if they are all at one spot?"
"Maybe," Harry said. "Only if you are sure they will fire at the same spot."
"They are professionals, but they think the same way" George said. "They see something, they fire. You'll have to avoid upwards, but you can do that, right?"
"Probably," Harry replied. "But whoever is at the door will be hit."
"Not if Ms. Greengrass throws up a shield. Her shield will break, but the four attacks will collide and cancel out. If George and I time it right, then we will have a free shot," Fred explained.
"Two good stunners, and all the sudden it is 5 on 2. Amelia hears the commotion, but we have Professor Lupin block and stall her." George added.
"Then you two and Harry engage the remaining two, I shield Krum, and he breaks the chains."
"Ms. Greengrass is it?" Victor asked. She nodded. "My friends call me Victor."
"Are we friends?"
"We could be, if you shield holds up."
"Ok Victor," Daphne said. "My friends call me Daphne."
"Daphne's plan is good," Krum said. "If I know that she is blocking any attacks against me, I can make sure that I will break the chains instantly. If you give me an extra wand, we can arm your godfather quickly."
"Ok, so that is how we break Padfoot out," George said.
"How do we get him out the castle?" They said in unison.
"Even if the reinforcements arrive early, they will come in the front of the castle. We get Sirius up to the top of the castle, I guarantee we can get him free," Harry said.
"Can he fly?" Victor asked.
"No," Harry said. "But let's just say I can get him a ride out of here."
"Good," Daphne said. "So once we get him, we run as fast as possible up to the top floor."
"Good plans are often the simplest," Harry said. "This might actually work. That would be crazy. Two escapes in one year."
"You will have to tell us the whole story of the marauders and Sirius after this," Daphne said. George and Fred nodded eagerly.
"Absolutely." They all stood at the same time.
"Let's get some rest and meet in the great hall at 8:40. We won't all leave together, but we will meet on the landing outside the classroom at 9:05, and then go in," Victor suggested.
"Look, I appreciate you guys helping me plan, and to be honest I don't know I could get him out on our own, but you are helping an accused murder and fugitive from justice escape," Harry said. You could go to prison. Potentially even Azkaban for a long time."
"Hey, if a single marauder can break out of Azkaban"
"They don't have a chance of holding two," The other twin said. "We'll be out in under a month," they said in unison.
"They might get mad at me, but they won't arrest me," Krum said. "I'm at the least risk here."
"Don't worry about me either," Daphne said. "If it gets bad, I'll just turn and stun you."
"Sirius Black is accused of killing 12 people," Harry noted. "You are all just taking my word he is innocent. What if I am trying to break him out, and he is actually a bad guy."
"You are Harry," Fred said.
"You are also Harry Potter," George added.
"Neither of those guys would help a murderer escape," they said together. "Besides, if we don't help, we won't have a seeker next year and our girlfriends would murder us. Not to mention Oliver. Can't have you going to prison, not yet at least."
"I agree," Krum added. "Family needs to stick together. This is a good thing you are doing for your godfather."
"Harry, I would be shocked if this was all an elaborate con," Daphne said. "But even if it is, I'm sure you have your reasons, and that I would never be able to understand them. Besides, it would look bad if my ex-boyfriend went to prison. It would really hurt my social standing."
"So we are all in?" Harry said. They all had grim faced. No amount of posturing was allowing at this point. "No one will hold it against it against you if don't show up at breakfast. But if you wake up and still want to assist me in this madness, then I'll see you tomorrow morning."