Disclaimer: I do not live in England and therefore I cannot own Harry Potter or any recognizable characters.

Chapter Nineteen

A Sirius Problem

Kingsley Shacklebolt was extremely bored with the everyday paper pushing that was the Minister of Magic's job. Sure the Auror's had to do paperwork but at least as an Auror he got out into the field and do something other than paperwork. Now that's all he is doing and so he would welcome a good fight to break up the monotony; well that was until the new head of the Department of Mysteries busted into his office.

"Minister, the Veil has been acting odd for the last twenty-five hours and not ten minutes ago it spit out a person; well a man but still I don't have any records of anybody coming back through the veil." The Unspeakable said in a rush. He looked like he was about to ramble about possible research avenues when Kingsley up and calmly asked, "Have you asked the poor man who he is?" While waiting for the answer Kingsley thought back on the past year to two years of who has gone through the veil; trying to figure out who the man was.

The Unspeakable had a light pink color in her cheeks when Kingsley asked that question. "Well," she stumbled, "I would have but…um, he is unconscious." Seeing the Minister about to interrupt she continued, "The man is breathing and he is alive. He just isn't conscious." When Kingsley still didn't look happy she nervously asked, "Would you like to accompany me to find out who he is and how he came to be here?"

Kingsley quickly weighted his options. On the one hand he could stay here and be bored to death with paperwork or on the other hand he could go and find something-. "Yes, I will accompany you but I already know how he came to be here. The DOM did a study about twenty-five years ago when an Unspeakable fell through the veil and came back eighteen months later alive."

Kingsley and the Head of DOM headed down to the DOM's infirmary. They walked towards the lifts in silence; one thinking about the possible research this would bring and the other back to wondering who the man waiting for them is.

"The Department of Mysteries." The cool female of the lift said. Kingsley was wondering who it was that came back through the veil; when the Unspeakable came to an abrupt stop outside the door to the infirmary wing of the DOM and turned to face him. "Minister, I feel like I should warn you." She began but Kingsley interrupted her. "Why? Why would you feel the need to warn me? I thought you didn't know who the man is?"

"Well, you see sir, I have an idea but I did not really know for sure. However the man looks like Sirius Black but no one besides you sir and Author Weasley know how he died. So I am not sure if it is Black." As she was saying this she was also opening the big heavy black door that lead to the infirmary wing of the department.

As soon as the door was opened Kingsley heard a voice he thought he would never hear again. "What do you mean I can't leave? I have to check on my godson. He has a mad man out for his blood." Another voice tried to calm him down by asking him how he is feeling only to set the man off again. "I want to speak with Crocker or Kingsley Shacklebolt! After all Kingsley is in charge of my capture!" Sirius Black screamed.

Kingsley chuckled as he rounded the corner of the white hospital curtains. Sirius looked up and looked like he was going to start yelling at whoever came around the corner. Well he was till he saw one of the people was asking (yelling) for, for the last half an hour.

Sirius was staring at Kingsley and the new head like a fish out of water. Well he was until he saw Kingsley laughing. Yes, Sirius could only see Kingsley Shacklebolt laughing so hard that absolutely no sound was coming out. When Sirius turned to the new head he scowled because the new head was in the same predicament as Kingsley. Finally not being able to take the laughter any longer Sirius exploded, "WHAT IS SO FUNNY? Does someone want to explain what is going on?"

After a couple more moments Kingsley had his laughter under control and said, "Well, Sirius you are a bit behind the times. Lord Voldemort was vanquished back in May. Harry won." Kingsley stopped and chuckled a bit but started to speak again when he saw Sirius to start yelling. "Harry reminds me of you and James with some of his actions."

Sirius interrupted, "How so? I mean I'm proud of him whatever he did. Well as long as he didn't propose-"

"After a battle like you and James did?" Kingsley finished suppressing another bout of laughter.

Sirius looked horror struck and choked out, "He didn't!" When Kingsley nodded he asked, "Who? Did he get slapped? Like Tabby bitch slapped me. Oh yeah did she say yes and what ring did he use?" By the end of the wave of questions Sirius was practically bouncing on the hospital bed.

Turning to the young man watching the ex-convict with amusement he asked, "Has he been like this the entire time, Higgs?"

Terrence Higgs chuckled a bit before he addressed the Minister, "Yes, sir. Mr. Black has gone from yelling to being giddy and jumpy."

"Mr. Higgs?" Sirius asked.

"Yes, Mr. Black?"

"First, call me Sirius; Mr. Black was my father and second weren't you the one who my godson played against first."

Terrence laughed, "Yes, sir. I had wanted to end my Hogwarts career with six straight cup wins and after that first match I thought I had no chance. Of course I accepted that I lost fair and square but I had to tail that boy for a month afterwards to protect him from my team mates." Terrence stopped talking to think on how cruel his classmates were.

"Thank you, Mr. Higgs for watching out for him." Sirius said somberly.

"I looked out for the younger players when we lost. I felt one of the snakes had to so the others wouldn't hurt them. I tried to stop them without the teachers seeing but of course Minnie and Flitwick would ultimately be around to see and award points even when I said that I was just doing the right thing and didn't want points."

Sirius interrupted him saying, "That's why they gave you the points; for watching out for your fellow students."

Terrence blushed and said shyly, "Thank you and give your godson my congratulations on the engagement. Excuse me, Head Unspeakable, Minister, and Sirius. I have other Unspeakables to treat."

"He is one of the best." Kingsley said. "Now to answer your questions. Terrence already answered one. Yes, your godson is engaged so therefore Ginny Weasley will become Ginny Potter one day. As for if she slapped him. I don't think she did. I haven't seen the ring so I don't know which ring he used." Kingsley paused trying to figure out how to tell the man that his dead fiancée is actually alive.

AN: I need a bit of help with my next chapter. If anyone has an idea for how Kingsley should break the news Sirius either leave it in a review or PM me or iscarascaresyou (my muse and lovely beta). Like always I thank you for sticking with me even with my long absences. I hope this longish chapter is good and please read my other stories I have up.