It's Sirius Time
Chapter 12
"Harry, Sirius," said Dumbledore as he took a seat at his desk in his office. "I'm glad you could set aside some time for us to talk," he said meaning every word. He was glad they had trusted him, and he would do anything to make sure that newfound trust stayed in place.
"Get on with it Albus," said Sirius grumpily. "I missed a very important meeting with the head of the DMLE for this, so you better make it worth my time."
"Important meeting Sirius?" asked Dumbledore, smiling knowingly. "I thought it was something far personal," he said knowing very well that Sirius had a date with Amelia Bones.
"Same difference," said Sirius refusing to blush. "So, why did you need to see us?"
"I need to talk to you about the horcruxes," said Dumbledore, his light mood vanishing instantly.
"You know about them as well?" asked Sirius instantly sitting up straighter. "Did Harry tell you?"
"He did indeed. Yesterday itself, after the both of you had conferred about this meeting."
"So, what do you know about them?" asked Harry interrupting the two. "I know you know about the one that was in my head, but what about the others?"
"I believe Voldemort has made 7 horcruxes in total," said Dumbledore calmly, flicking his wand to create astral projections of 7 darkened objects. "He only intended to make 6, but the one in Harry's head was an accident. Its has been removed so we can count that one off," he said waving his wand so one of the projections disappeared.
"I destroyed the diary- that was a horcrux, wasn't it Professor?" asked Harry.
"Indeed," said Dumbledore vanishing another projection. "Unfortuanately, I only have suspicions about the other 5 so why don't you two enlighten me with your knowledge first?" asked Dumbledore gesturing to Sirius and Harry.
"Well," said Harry uncomfortably, "there was one in the school," he said and that was all he got to say before Dumbledore interrupted him.
"One in the school?!" replied Dumbledore, his face fixed with horror. "Which one?"
"Ravenclaw's Diadem," said Sirius. "It's been destroyed, luckily."
"Dear god," said Dumbledore sinking into his chair. "For Tom to desecrate an ancient treasure- unimaginable."
"That wasn't the only treasure he ruined," said Sirius. "He made one out of Hufflepuff's Cup and Slytherin's locket. The cup was in Bellatrix's vault, which I claimed after my trial. I did give the contents to the Longbottoms but they heartily gave the cup when we told them it was an object too dark to left in open vicinity. Regulus found the locket, and destroyed it- he's been looking for the horcruxes ever since he faked his death."
How did you destroy them?" he asked sitting up straight again and making another 3 projections vanish so only 2 remained.
"With some help from goblin curse-breakers. They were the ones that got the horcrux out of Harry's head in the first place," said Sirius repressing a shudder.
"As I suspected. Unfortuantely, that was never an option for me to consult them. Let's just say the Dumbledore family has been on rather awkward terms with them ever since a drunken Aberforth slapped one of their chiefs," said Dumbledore, chuckling softly at the memory. "Moving on, are there others you know about?"
"The snake," said Harry simply.
"The one that attacked Arthur?" asked Dumbledore and Harry nodded. "I suspected it to be one, and luckily Alastor was there to kill it," said Dumbledore making a rather slender projection disappear.
"We don't have any clue about the last one," said Harry.
"Yeah- so we thought maybe you'd know," echoes Sirius.
"Matter-of-fact I think I do," said Dumbledore waving away the final projection. "I have been looking into Riddle's past ever since you brought me that diary, Harry, to see if I could gain any slivers of knowledge concerning the horcruxes."
"So, did you?" asked Sirius.
"I did. I suspect the final horcrux to be a ring," explained Dumbledore as he made a projection of an intricate ring with the Peverell crest appear in the air. "Do both of you see what is on that ring?" asked Dumbledore calmly.
Harry and Sirius squinted at the floating image, realisation dawning on their faces. "Is that the Peverell crest?" asked Sirius beating Harry by a millisecond.
"It is," said Dumbledore solemnly. "Voldemort is in fact related to the Peverells, through his mother's family- the Gaunts."
"So me and Voldemort are related?!" asked Harry shuddering.
"Indeed you are," said Dumbledore. "Though, if it's any consolation, most of the wizarding world is related," explained Dumbledore.
"Well that makes dating very awkward," said Harry hoping him and Katie weren't related.
"It makes no difference," said Dumbledore his eyes twinkling. "Unless you marry an immediate relative, the rest of the relations are so distant that it no longer matters. Now, to the matter at hand," he said bringing everyone back to focus.
"So, do you know where it is?" asked Sirius.
"I do, and I would like you two to accompany me there," said Dumbledore. "I am on the path to make amends, and if to do so I have to allow you to accompany me there then so be it."
"So, you're asking us to go with you to a random place where a ring is hidden?" asked Harry slowly. "And is it going to be dangerous?" Dumbledore nodded but before he could explain Harry had already made up his mind. "I'M IN! Sirius, what about you?"
"Of course I am- you really think I'd let you go hunting for a cursed object all by yourself?"
Harry was about to respond but was stopped by Dumbledore raising a hand. "So it's decided. I will come to collect both of you at the start of the summer holdiays that are coming up. I'll send an owl in advance," said Dumbledore standing up.
Harry and Sirius stood up as well, taking this as an invitation to depart. "Professor," said Harry nodding as he and Sirius walked out.
"So," said Sirius once they had gone down a floor or two. "Now that I'm in Hogwarts, do you mind introducing me to your girlfriend?" he asked with a michevious grin.
"Fuck no," said Harry grinning as well.
"Know what, you've told me her name so why don't I see if I can find her myself," said Sirius. Harry chose not to respond and covertly placed something inside Sirius' pocket.
"It's gonna be hard trying to find her if you're not at Hogwarts," teased Harry removing his hand from Sirius' pocket.
"What does that me-" Sirius was cut short when he was suddenly portkeyed away to Grimmauld Plcae, landing unspectacularly on his arse. "Fuck," said Sirius when he saw the familiar surroundings and heard the laughter of Remus and Regulus.
Harry was sitting at the Great Hall the next day eating breakfast with his friends when an owl dropped the newspaper in front of him. As he looked around, he saw that others had received the same one and many of them were reading it with horror. Harry picked his one up, and when he unfurled it he could see why.
MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN
MINISTRY FEARS VOLDEMORT IS BUILDING UP ARMY
Below the headline were 6 different photographs- 5 showing the sunken and gaunt faces of wizards (Antoin Dolohov, Rudolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, Augustus Rookwood and Thorfinn Rowle) whilst the other showed the face of none other than Bellatrix Lestrange herself. As Harry spread the article onto the table in front of himself, Ron and Hermione, he began reading it aloud.
The Ministry of Magic announced late last night that there has been a mass breakout from Azkaban. Speaking to reporters in his private office, Amelia Bones, Minister of Magic, confirmed that six high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening, during the switch when aurors were taking guard of Azkaban instead of the dementors. Voldemort himself was sighted at the scene and killed 3 aurors before he fleed with 6 high security prisonners. However, he had attempted to break out 10 of his followers but 4 were killed during the exchange between aurors and escapeed. Minister Bones was available to comment.
"After being informed of the danger posed by the dementors by Albus Dumbledore, I made the decision to replace them with aurors. During the time, this switch was being made Voldemort attacked and escaped with several prisonners. The dementors aided him, but are now under control and we are developing ways to end them for good. We are, however, doing all we can to round up the criminals and beg the magical community to remain alert and cautious. On no account should any of these individuals be approached."
"At least 4 of them were killed," snarled Harry as he finished reading the article. "What?!" he asked when he saw the pointed looks from Ron and Hermione. "I'm being serious- they were mass murderers!"
"We know Harry, but you don't have to be so vocal about it," said Hermione. "Now, at least Bones is listening to Dumbledore and they're actually doing something."
Harry looked around at the hushed whispers of everyone in the hall- they'd all been brought up with the horrific tales of Voldemort and his death eaters, and they knew that they were almost as sadistic and evil as Voldemort himself.
"What d'ya think the staff are gonna do about it?" asked Ron gesturing to the staff table who were deep in conversation. Dumbledore and McGonagall were leaned over the same paper and in obvious deep conversation, Flitwick was reading his with horror etched across his face, Sprout had hers propped up against a bottle of ketchup whilst Snape was reading his with his customary scowl.
"Probably fortify the school and add more protections," said Harry deep in thought. He was about to say more when he was interuppted by Hermione.
"Oh god," she said her hand covering her mouth. "It's...horrible."
"What's wrong Hermione?" asked Ron, worry stretched across his face.
Hermione breifly blushed when she saw him get worried before she regained her compusure. "Someone at St Mungo's died- Broderick Bode," said Hermione passing the newspaper so them, open at the right article.
TRAGIC DEMISE OF MINISTRY OF MAGIC WORKER
St. Mungo's Hospital promised a full inquiry last night after Ministry of Magic worker Broderick Bode, 49, was discovered dead in his bed, strangled by a potted-plant. Healers called to the scene were unable to revive Mr. Bode, who had been injured in a workplace accident some weeks prior to his death. Healer Miriam Strout, who was in charge of Mr. Bode's ward at the time of the incident, has been suspended on full pay and was unavailable for comment yesterday, but a spokeswizard for the hospital said in a statement, "St. Mungo's deeply regrets the death of Mr. Bode, whose health was improving steadily prior to this tragic accident.
"We have strict guidelines on the decorations permitted on our wards but it appears that Healer Strout, busy over the Christmas period, overlooked the dangers of the plant on Mr. Bode's bedside table. As his speech and mobility improved, Healer Strout encouraged Mr. Bode to look after the plant himself, unaware that it was not an innocent Flitterbloom, but a cutting of Devil's Snare, which, when touched by the convalescent Mr. Bode, throttled him instantly. "St. Mungo's is as yet unable to account for the presence of the plant on the ward and asks any witch or wizard with information to come forward."
"Isn't he an unspeakable?" asked Ron when he'd finished reading. "Dad was saying something about him and some other guy- maybe Croaker."
"Oh yeah," said Harry realisation dawning on his face. "I saw him at the Ministry when I went there for Sirius' trial- he is an Unspeakable."
"We saw at St Mungo's as well. You know, the nurse saw the plant and everything. Though why would someone want to kill him?" asked Hermione.
"Kill him?" asked Ron feeling very confused.
"Of course- no one sends Devil's Snare unknowingly. It has to be a murder attempt, and maybe because of his job. Being an unspeakable's very secretive," said Hermione knowingly like she'd read it in a Ministry Approved Travel Brochure For Aspiring Muggleborns TM.
"Yeah," said Harry agreeing with her. "There's something hidden in there, and I bet Dumbledore knows. Sirius does as well, so I'll ask him."
"How can be so sure mate? It could just be regular old Ministry business?" asked Ron.
"Over the holidays I heard several people talking about stuff in the Department of Mysteries, though I couldn't get anything out of that," said Harry. "I dunno, something about a orb or a round object."
"You don't think- it could be a prophecy orb!" said Ron as realisation dawned on her face. "I've heard of those, and I've seen a couple. My great aunt Muriel got one about her, though hers was about how she would trip over her cat next week. Anyway, they're apparently always true and the Department of Mysteries is super touchy about them."
"It could be true," said Harry. "But we shouldn't think about that too much. We have Creatures with Hagrid to get to, don't we?" he asked and the 3 of them all stood. Harry kissed Katie goodbye and the 3 walked out of the hall and into the direction of Hagrid's hut.
"Bring it closer," said Gareth Greengrass, unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries.
3 aurors, all casting weak patronus charms herded a dementor in chains towards the man. There were several more aurors around the room in case things got hairy. Gareth was standing next to the Veil of Death in a secret room- it was a stone arch with a thin shimmering fabric stretched through it. While it looked harmless, it most certainly was not. A shimmering veil of death that would snuff out your life faster than you could do to a candle's flame. Even the slightest touch could kill you, but it was time to see what it could do to a dementor.
As the dementor was herded towards the veil, it lunged at the Unspeakable with a screech, determined to get a goodbye kiss. Luckily for him, the aurors were alert and increased the potency of their patronuses. The dementor was flung back, directly into the veil with a deafening screech. It screamed and yelled and screeched as it tried to escape the veil but ultimately couldn't, choosing instead to release its magic into the room bringing back the worst memories of everyone present.
When it had finally gone through the veil, all was left of it was a black hood that shimmered with death magic. Gareth Greengrass got to his feet, having dropped to his knees during the dementor's final attempt to break free. "Bring in the next one," he said in the middle of deep breaths to an auror. All throughout that night, and into the day, all anyone in the Ministry could hear were the screeches of dying monsters.
AN/ I know it's been over a month, but I've been writing for my other stories as well and this chapter for some reason took far too long. Anyway, I've hinted at a Ronmione in this chapter, and I'm wondering if I should make that the other main pairing. If not, who should I pair Ron and Hermione with?
There's not a lot of Harry and Katie interaction in this chapter, but the plot is progressing nicely. The story itself will probably be only about 50k words, though I'm not too sure about that. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and please leave a review!
Review Responses:
griffin blackwood: Yeah, I'll try exploring some gray Malfoy next chapter
thunderofdeath97: firstly, there isn't hinny but i will not be killing off ginny. Lily isn't delusional- in heaven she is screaming for Snape's death. Harry ddin't actually interact with Dumbledore before he decided who would be prefect, so it's Ron. And finally, Harry doeth the flippeth to land on his back.
Vance McGill: But I don't like Harmione as I think it's a bad ship. I wouldn't be able to write it well and I'm not doing it for the views. Harry and Katie is clearly superior.
christjp05: I know, and I'm working on my character interactions. My writing has already improved a lot since the 4-5 months I've been on ffn, and I will try to get the dialogue and conversation more common and free better.