Chapter 19: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Despite the mention of Calamity's father and the prison break, 1979 started with an explosion of joy as James proposed to Lily. Sirius only just made it back in time from the North where he had been asked to follow a lead on Regulus. He hadn't found any word and had been feeling sour when he got the owl.

Padfoot,

Hurry back. I'm doing it on the 1st. I need my best man.

-Prongs

Sirius burst through the floo network and into his flat to see Calamity looking at her watch, makeup done and in formal attire. Despite the edge The Order missions always gave him, he couldn't help but feel his heart leap as she rushed over to him, dusting off his shoulder and kissing him.

"He's doing it tomorrow," Sirius said hurriedly.

"Sirius," Calamity said in an exasperated tone. "He's doing it 's New Years Eve."

"Bloody Hell!"

Sirius nearly jumped back into the floo network but Calamity grabbed his collar and pulled him back, forcing him to fall onto his back, staring up at her baffled.

"Change," she demanded.

"You look lovely from this angle," he told her and her stern face broke into a smile, despite her efforts. He changed hurriedly and they rushed over to James and Lily's flat.

James was nervous all evening, spilling champagne and having to apologize profusely. Lily was gracious as always, though admittedly confused until James dropped suddenly to his knee and revealed the ruby red engagement ring. They were all swept in the happiness of wedding plans. The future, as it always does at such time, seemed bright, even to Sirius who had felt himself slipping farther and farther away from everyone.

"It's the missions," Calamity said as they waited for James to finish his "surprise dessert" for his fiance and guests.

"They have been using you a lot," Lily agreed. "We can ask Dumbledore to give us some missions."

"It's because of Regulus," Sirius said. "Dumbledore won't tell me what he suspects exactly, but it's about Regulus. If anyone can talk to him it's me."

He had let down his brother already, if there was any chance to save him, he wanted to do it. He kept the extra thought to himself as James leaped from the kitchen with a crooked cake, practically falling over itself from his energy. He had clearly not added enough flour.

Six months of bliss passed with no real word on Calamity's father, or Regulus. The war raged on, but Sirius almost forgot as he lived and laughed and loved. When June came and the weather warmed, Calamity and he considered a trip to see Margaret in France. Even as they planned it, a gnawing feeling in Sirius' stomach wouldn't let him be. It had been so long since he had been given a mission- too quiet. As if they were in a calm before the storm.

Sirius walked into the Order meeting and right into the storm just a week later.

"Dr. Erza-Mahoney had been spotted," said Mad-Eye Moody simply. The room was silent and Sirius knew they were all waiting for more.

"We believe that he is in Belfast, but where exactly we can't say. We need to send someone to investigate."

Again Moody paused looking sternly around the room.

"Any experiments found," asked James seriously.

"No, he seems to be behaving, but that doesn't mean he isn't getting into trouble. If he isn't, a bigger question is what he is waiting for? That's what worries me."

"Was he spotted with anyone," asked Peter.

"The description sounded like Regulus Black and Bellatrix Lestrange."

Silence again.

"I'll go," Remus said finally. He was watching Sirius. "I have a connection in Belfast who might be able to assist."

"No," Sirius said. "I'll go. Remus can tell me who to reach out to. But, if it's Regulus, Dumbledore would want me to go."

"Your trip, Sirius," Remus said quietly, though everyone could hear.

"Calamity will understand," Sirius said. "Especially since Dr. Erza-Mahoney was spotted."

"Good," Moody said gruffly. "Remus, tell your contact to anticipate meeting Sirius. Keep your ear to the ground and don't do anything reckless. You'll leave tomorrow."

Sirius nodded.

The next morning, Sirius kissed the sleeping Calamity before leaving. The moon was still in the sky when he arrived in Belfast, pulling his hood more tightly around his head and moved to the meeting locations Remus had disclosed. Cave Hill Country Park was empty, though still lush and green even in summer. Sirius moved silently to an outlook bench. He sat, putting his left arm out as if reclining comfortably. He ran his fingers across the back of the bench and felt the crescent moon carved there.

This was the spot. Now, he would wait. In the silence of the early morning, Sirius was left with his thoughts.

What would he say if he saw Regulus? What could Regulus have gotten into? He tried to imagine Regulus as a deatheater, but could only see the leering smile of Bellatrix- the odd twinkle of savage power-lust when she had a mindset for something especially wicked- whether it was breaking a rule or wrestling her sisters to the ground to get her way.

Sirius heard steps on dirt. He turned slowly, discreetly, to see a figure hurrying by taking no notice of Sirius on his bench. Sirius watched.

The figure was hooded, around Sirius' height- certainly a wizard. A breeze was blowing passed Sirius and the figure touched it's hood as if concerned it would be exposed. The hand revealed was pale and young. As if sensing it was being watched, it turned to look around, but Sirius crouched into the shadows. The figure seemed satisfied and hurried on, but Sirius had seen the pale frightened face of Regulus Black. Sirius didn't need to think twice.

He leaped from the bench and rushed after the figure, around the bend of the hill. The figure had disappeared. Sirius moved on silently, watchfully. He came to a landing that opened to an ocean view. Still, no Regulus.

"Where are you, Reggie," Sirius hissed.

He heard a sound behind him and turned, pulling his wand out to duel whoever might be sneaking up behind him, but he wasn't fast enough. The red light flashed as it hit Sirius straight on and he fell back, stunned.

In his minds eye he could see Calamity looking exasperated and saying, "Don't do anything reckless is exactly what Moody told you and you went rushing off into the hills?"

Sirius smiled to himself, but ti faded. He had run onto the hill and been stunned. His wrists felt contained now that he attempted to move them. Bloody Hell.

Sirius opened his eyes to see he was in a stone kitchen of some kind,the stove top was lit and a kettle was on it. Glancing around he saw that the room seemed to be carved into the hills themselves. Out of the window he could see the place he had followed Regulus to before being stunned. He heard a sound and turned quickly as an older man came into the room, his robes hanging more loosely than they should- as if he had lost weight rapidly, or had been forced to wear a strangers robes. He spotted Sirius watching him and a smile broke across his face, though it didn't seem to reach his dark eyes. The eyes seemed familiar. Almost like Calamity's eyes.

"Can I offer you tea," asked the man in his American accent. "I also have Fire Whiskey, but I haven't decided if the company is worthy of it."

"Dr. Erza-Mahoney," Sirius said calmly.

"Sirius Black," Dr. Erza-Mahoney nodded. "Thank you for the formality, but surely Clara told you my certificate was revoked after I was convicted."

"She doesn't talk much about you."

"Understandable. Of course, I have heard nothing about you since she and I haven't talked since the court room. American judicial system, you know how it is. Well, maybe you don't."

He placed a tea cup in front of Sirius, but made no motion to loosen whatever was keeping Sirius' wrists attached to the chair.

"You'll have to forgive me. I heard you would be coming and couldn't risk not meeting you. I'm afraid I may have overstepped my boundaries by pretending to be your brother, but a father must make sure his daughter is safe."

Sirius felt his stomach sink into the floor. No Regulus. It had been a trap.

"So, what do we make of Mr. Black then," asked Dr. Erza-Mahoney watching Sirius. His eyes were calculating. "Brave, certainly. Loyal to family, though a complicated relationship from what ti seems. Both are very important. Not too bright, perhaps, falling into such an easy trap. It's a war, after all. You can't just let your guard down. Then again, it's been a challenge to figure out where you and Clara are living, so obviously you have some is she?"

"You ought to ask her yourself," Sirius snarled. Dr. Erza-Mahoney put his hand on the table. Under his palm were 2 wands- one of them belonged to Sirius.

"Yes, I ought to," agreed Dr. Erza-Mahoney. "Can't just show up at St. Mungo's though, can I? And obviously I haven't found where you are both living so, this will have to do. How rude of me."

Sirius felt his left hand loosen and he pulled it from the chair.

"Drink your tea."

Sirius put his hand on the table, but didn't touch the tea.

"I don't think Clara wants to talk to you," Sirius said.

"All fathers are disappointments to their children, until they grow older," Dr. Erza-Mahoney said with a sigh.

For a moment he looked as tired as he sounded- a man looking for the connection lost so many years ago. Sirius almost felt sorry for him, but the moment passed and the cold eyes looked at Sirius once again and Sirius could understand how those eyes could mutilate muggles.

"Orion likely wasn't much of a joy for you, but now that he has passed, you'll see him in a new light," he said.
"I doubt it," Sirius said.

"This is news to you," Dr. Erza- Mahoney observed. "I see you are a bit disconnected form your family as told you about my experiments? She's not pleased, I know. Apparently my work has become rather popular in some circles."

"Popular enough to get you out of jail."

"Yes! What a surprise that was! Your cousin has a bit to do with that. Here she comes now."

Sirius could tell that she was in the room before she spoke. The room darkened with her entrance- a force had entered and was brooding, looking for its next victim.

"I told you we couldn't do it, the Dark Lord will be furious," Bellatrix snarled, but she was silenced by a cold look from Dr. Erza-Mahoney.

Instead she turned to Sirius, knocking his tea into his lap where it burned before turning into an uncomfortable wetness. She twirled her want nonchalantly, though the expression on her face made Sirius feel unusually young, as if he were back in Grimmauld Place and seven again, waiting to find out if Cousin Bella was in a rage and looking to pester her younger cousins, or if she were there to be affectionate. She was always one or the other. Never both.

"Blood Traitor," she said finally, bringing her wand down his cheek.

It didn't hurt, but Sirius could feel a stream of blood appearing where she touched. He didn't move, staring at her.

"I thought it was bad enough you were a Gryffindor, but I should have given up hope then and there. Thank goodness you're an idiot as well."

"Now Bellatrix, this is our guest," Dr. Erza-Mahoney said. Bellatrix pulled her wand back and an expression of hate flashed across her face. Sirius had the sneaking suspicion that on some almost animalistic level she wanted to kill him.

"He is a captive, at best,"Bellatrix snapped. "A captive that I explicitly told you not to get. I knew you were spotted on purpose. You will ruin everything."

"Everything," Dr. Erza-Mahoney repeated, staring at Bellatrix as one would a small child. "is not ruined. I am exercising my right as a father. You wouldn't understand. You don't have children. The ones you are assigned to watch have gone missing."

Dr. Erza-Mahoney did not move his eyes from Bellatrix, and her face was hidden from Sirius, but the silence seemed to last for ages before Dr. Erza-Mahoney looked at Sirius again.

"Sirius, tell me about Clara. Did she do well in school?"

Sirius glanced at Bellatrix again, who had not moved,though her hand was clenching and unclenching.

"Yes."

"She had friends?"

" had similar friends."

"Friends," scoffed Bellatrix turning suddenly making her hair fly around her. She stared at Sirius with eyes dancing in a wicked way and for the second time Sirius got the strong sense that she wanted nothing more than to reach out and hurt him- beat him to death with her bare hands. "Friends who send you to a meeting spot to get caught?"

"Not sure what you mean, cousin," Sirius said nonchalantly.

"Of course not," Bellatrix said and she laughed for a moment. Sirius had heard his cousins laugh before, but it had been years since he saw Bellatrix. This laugh was not the same explosion of joy it had once been. Now it sent chills down his spine.

"You trust everyone- every filthy half breed and mudblood you meet," Bellatrix said, She turned suddenly to Dr. Erza-Mahoney. "The Order will come."

"I expect so, I took down the protection," he said.

Bellatrix' expression contorted again.

"Then let's leave," she demanded. "Leave him here to starve if that's what it takes. We have things to do."

"I expect the Dark Lord would like to meet our friend first," Dr. Erza-Mahoney said. He looked at his wristwatch. "He ought to be here any moment."

There was a series of bangs outside, as if people were apparating. Bellatrix' face pulled into a sneer.

"Let that be Rodolphus & Rabastan! Let them see who you have brought," she said.

For the first time, Sirius considered his predicament. Bellatrix hurried from the room. Sirius turned to Dr. Erza-Mahoney, but he was already watching Sirius.

"It's not the Lestrange boys," he said and Sirius could not help but feel a chill run down his spine at the stare.

"It's your friends, they'll be meeting the Dark Lord now, but I have no more need for you. Our conversation is over and I have made my decision. Perhaps we'll meet again, perhaps not."

Sirius felt his other wrist loosen. He dove across the table for his wand. Dr. Erza-Mahoney did not attempt to stop him. There was shouting outside, a string of curse words that Sirius recognized as James' voice. More pops.

Sirius nearly fell over his chair in his rush to exit the room, leaving Dr. Erza-Mahoney standing in the room behind him. Sirius burst through the door to see Lily and Frank Longbottom crouched over Alice, comparing notes on an injury she had- deep cuts across her arm in zigzag movements. No one else was there.

"Padfoot!"

Sirius turned just as James reached him, searching his person as if he were looking for a bruise. Satisfied he smacked Sirius across the back of the head. "Moody says be diligent and this is what you do? You almost ran into You-KInow-Who himself!"

"You have all the fun," Sirius said.

"Right, right, second times a charm," James said. "Third time for Alice & Frank. Blimey we got lucky though. They weren't ready for us."

"Is Alice okay?"

"She will be," James said with a smile, patting Sirius on the back. "Calamity will fix her up."

"Calamity!" Sirius said. He turned and rushed back inside, but the whole place was empty.

The only thing left behind was a letter that had brick like letters spelling out the words To Clara.

A/N: Review!