At long last, more Double Trouble! If you were hoping for more with the twins, well, there's some, but not a lot. We're almost to the end of this story, as well. Read on! And thanks to Blaise and Peeves is Peeved both for making good suggestions and writing very distracting stories. Shouldn't have taken me this long, but I got delayed by the crossover Blaise and I are writing (that's an advertisement – if you haven't read it, it's under my name). Go ahead and read now.
Remus looked up as the door to his cell opened. He expected to see a guard or perhaps a Ministry official, but the woman in his cell was no guard, and she wore bright robes quite different from those the Ministry used. She was a rather attractive woman, probably his own age or a bit younger, with brown hair and green eyes. She smiled at him.
"Mr. Lupin, I'm Gillian Prewett. Professor Dumbledore asked me to help you. I've already talked with Jenny Black, a few days ago, and have gotten started on your case."
Remus smiled back.
"Please, call me Remus," he said quietly. He leaned back his head, which still hurt from the transformation that had taken place this morning. She looked at him, sympathy in her eyes.
"Then you must call me Gillian."
"All right, Gillian," he agreed. " So, what sort of help are you providing?"
"I'm going to prove that you are not working for Voldemort," she said simply. "And then I'm going to prove that Sirius Black didn't kill those Muggles, or betray your friends."
"Rather ambitious," Remus said. "That's no easy task."
"If it were easy, you wouldn't need me," she said, winking at him. "I will admit, though, the prospects are not that bright…"
"Of course they aren't," he agreed bitterly. "Who'd believe a werewolf and a convict, over someone nice and respectable like Snape?"
"I would," she said quietly, looking right at him. He didn't answer. "I think we can convince the Ministry, too."
"How?" Remus asked. "The evidence is pretty damning. That letter, the way Sirius has acted… everyone will think that we're guilty. I'd think we were guilty!"
"But you aren't. So stop being pessimistic and let's get to work." She opened her briefcase and pulled out some papers. "I'm trying to get you and Jenny released until the trial, right now – it's actually going well. I think you'll be out of here this time tomorrow."
"That would be nice," Remus said, glancing around the cell. "I'm starting to get claustrophobia." He shared a slight smile with Gillian.
"I'm collecting evidence, too. I've got your story, and Jenny's, down on paper here. Read over it, please, and tell my if they got everything down right." Gillian handed Remus a sheaf of paper, and he flipped through it.
"Yes, this is right," he said.
"I didn't really think they'd mess up what you'd said, but it's always best to check," she replied, taking the papers back. "They've not been half as hard on you as on Jenny, by the way."
"What's been happening to her?" Remus looked up sharply.
"They've questioned her a dozen times. They keep asking the same questions, and I think Jenny may explode if they keep it up much longer. She's very frustrated, I can tell."
"Yes, I think she would get irritated," Remus agreed. "They –er, haven't been able to question me for the past few days, of course."
"Of course," she said, still smiling a little. "But it's not right, the way they're treating you and Jenny. After all, you are innocent until proven guilty."
"Legally, yes. But everyone believes we're guilty."
"But you haven't been proven guilty, and you won't be, because I'm here now." She put away another sheaf of papers, then looked Remus right in the eye. "I've had a lot of cases before. I've seen a lot of people who needed my help. But I've never been so determined to win a case before, never wanted so much to make everything right." Her words came out jerkily, as if they were being pulled from her against her will. Remus looked at her for a moment, then asked slowly,
"Why?"
"Because," she hesitated, turning away from his gaze, "because –well, for one thing, I feel for you and your friends. You've all had a pretty tough time, haven't you? And I like you, all of you. I've spent a lot of time over the past week or so, studying your past, watching Jenny in particular, talking to people who've known you. Most of my adult life, I've been around, well, criminals. People who you can't really get to like, because they're not decent human beings. But you are different." She blushed. "I'm sorry, I know that sounds absolutely ridiculous."
"No, it doesn't," Remus said, looking her in the eye. "Although I think a lot of people would wonder at you calling me and Jenny and Sirius 'decent human beings'." They both laughed briefly.
"I – I do hope that someone manages to capture Pettigrew," Gillian said. " Firstly, it'll make my job a lot easier. But I don't think anyone who works for Voldemort should be allowed to walk around in the sun." She frowned briefly, as at a stray memory.
"Voldemort killed your family, didn't he?" Remus asked gently. "I know your name, I recognized it…"
"Yes, he did," she said softly. " I was only twelve. I had a mother, father, three older brothers, a little sister. My aunt and uncle and cousins died at the same time… I was the only one to survive, because I wasn't there. Voldemort killed them all. He killed everyone who stood in his way until little Harry Potter stopped him, somehow." She looked at Remus, noted the pain in his eye. "I'm sorry, I'd forgotten for a minute that your friends died that night, before Voldemort was stopped."
"We've both lost loved ones to that monster," Remus said softly. "I'd just like to make sure that he doesn't kill anyone else."
""I'd better be going," she said, rising from her seat. "I've got a lot of work to do… but I'll be back soon to let you know how things are going."
"Thank you," he said. She knocked at the door; it swung open, allowing her out, and Remus heard the key turn in the lock. He grimaced sourly, running a hand through his hair. No matter what Gillian said, he didn't think they'd get out of this situation. It was just too bleak. Not that that's an excuse to give up, of course. Even if it is futile, I still can't just give in. That would mean Voldemort had won.
Jenny sat against the wall of her cell, knees drawn up to her chest. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It had been hours since she had seen anyone, and that had only been a guard, bringing her a meal and a letter from her children. She smiled at the memory of the letter. James and Lily seemed to be having a good time at Hogwarts. Jenny let her mind wander over her own years at Hogwarts, her friends and classes. Some trains of thought were too painful, and she pulled back from them, but she recalled with pleasure the Quidditch matches and Hogsmeade trips that had occurred in her seven years' there, the good times she had had with her friends, the pranks that Sirius and Remus and James had pulled...
Her head swung up as the door opened. Gillian Prewett stood in the door of her cell, briefcase in hand. She smiled at Jenny.
"I've managed to get you and Remus released on bail," she said, giving Jenny a hand up. "You can come with me. We'll get Remus, then go somewhere where we can talk."
"Thank you," Jenny said. "How did you manage that?"
"I'll explain everything soon. Why don't you come with me?"
"Of course." Jenny stretched her weary limbs and followed Gillian through passages. They stopped outside another door, and Gillian motioned to the guard to open it.
Remus was pacing his cell. He smiled broadly as he saw Jenny and Gillian.
"Can we go, then?" he asked.
"Yes," Gillian answered. Remus followed the women out. Gillian led the way out of the Ministry building, and Jenny and Remus blinked in the bright sun. Jenny took a deep breath of fresh air and looked at the sky.
"It seems forever since I've seen the sun," she commented. "Where are we going?"
"Part of the condition of your bail was that you did not leave Diagon Alley," Gillian explained. "I've taken rooms for you at the Leaky Cauldron."
"I think I need a change of clothes," Jenny commented ruefully, looking at hers. "And a good bath."
"Both can be provided," Gillian said, smiling. "All part of my job."
"Look, I didn't ask this before, but how much are you charging for what you do?" Remus looked at Gillian. "Don't think I'm ungrateful or anything, but I don't know if I can really afford all this."
"Remus, don't worry about that at all," Jenny cut in, glancing sideways at Remus. "We have –Sirius has, that is – the money."
"I never charge more than my clients can afford, anyway," Gillian said. "Don't worry about that until after we get you off."
"What about Sirius?" Jenny asked anxiously. "Has anyone heard anything from him? Is he all right?"
"Nothing's been heard from or about him," Gillian said. "That's definitely good news at this point." They entered the Leaky Cauldron together, and Gillian took them to a private parlor. "Already arranged everything, as you can see," she said cheerfully. "Now, no more talking until you two have something to eat." They complied willingly, and Jenny found herself eating far more than she usually did. Remus glanced at her.
"Hungry, are you? They didn't exactly give me gourmet food, but they didn't starve me either."
"I haven't been eating much recently," she explained. "I've been feeling a bit off. And so tired."
"Worried, I suppose," Gillian said.
"Yes, very. Not about me, just about Sirius and the children." Jenny sighed and pushed back her plate. "You said you were trying to make sure that he – he won't be given the Kiss if they do catch him."
"I am." Gillian looked at Jenny. "I don't think they will, now, at least not until after a trial. You also have indicated that any other punishment would be preferable?"
"Anything." Jenny's face grew very white. "I know I speak for Sirius when I say that death would be preferable." Remus stared at Jenny for a moment, then turned to Gillian.
"Excuse me for just a moment." He pulled Jenny over to a corner of the room and spoke in a whisper.
"Jenny – if Sirius dies, you'll die too!"
"I know," she said quietly. "But it's better than the Kiss, for both of us. How do I know what would happen to me if that happened to him? It's not in any of the books on Life-bonds. I checked, after Sirius escaped. Apparently it's never happened."
"Not surprising… but Jenny, what will happen to your children?" Remus looked hard at her. She dropped her eyes.
"I don't know," she said slowly. "I hope it doesn't come to that, of course… I know that Dumbledore would do what he could, and of course if you get off you'll care for them… but I owe Sirius that much." She smiled bitterly. "He gave me his life, years ago. Now I might have to give him mine." She returned to the table, Remus following her, shaking his head.
"All right?" Gillian asked. Jenny nodded.
"You'd just best get us all off," Remus said tiredly.
"I plan to." Gillian flashed him a quick smile. "I'll let you two go now- I'm sure you can use a good night's sleep. I'll be back tomorrow, bright and early, though."
"Am I allowed to write to my children now?" Jenny asked hopefully. Gillian smiled more broadly.
"Yes, you are. I managed to squeeze that out of Fudge… actually, I think the way they've treated you two may work in our favor if comes to a trial."
"If?" Remus asked sharply.
"Well, there are several possibilities…. One is that something turns up, like Pettigrew, and the charges against you are dismissed. Another is –well, they don't try dead people." Jenny shivered. "I'm not saying anyone's going to try to kill you –they'd have a job trying, I think – but there are always accidents, and there are plenty of people who'd like you out of the way – on our side and Voldemort's." She looked at them. "So be careful."
"We're not the ones you should tell that," Jenny commented. "We are careful. It's Sirius who isn't."
"Well, as I told you, he seems to be being cautious now." Gillian stood. "Why don't you two go now?" Jenny and Remus stood as well.
It's so nice to be free again, Jenny thought. And to be really clean. She'd had a long, hot bath and was feeling much better. Now she sat down at the table in her room and picked up a quill. For a moment she thought, and then began to write.
Dear James and Lily, I'm glad to hear from your letters that you are fine and having fun. I am fine as well. Remus and I have been released on bond, and I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron.
She stopped and considered what to write next.
I am so pleased that both of you are in Gryffindor, and your father will be too when he learns of it. Don't worry about me; Professor Dumbledore sent someone to help and I'm sure everything will be straightened out soon, for all of us.
If anyone gives you a hard time about your parents being criminals, just remember that we are innocent and ignore them. I'm very glad to hear that you've made some friends, and that they know the truth. Do try to stay out of Professor Snape's way, though; I doubt he's going to like you.
I love you both very much and hope to see you soon.
Again, Jenny paused. She knew very well that she might not see the twins again. What could she say, though? Finally, she just decided to sign the letter and be done. She was very tired. I'll try to write more tomorrow, she promised herself.
The next morning, she and Remus ate down in the bar. They got quite a few stares from people who had evidently recognized them from newspaper photographs. Remus seemed to be able to ignore the staring eyes, but Jenny shivered every time she noticed someone watching her closely.
At half-past nine, Gillian Prewett walked into the bar and up to the table where Jenny and Remus were sitting.
"You must rise early, or live nearby," Remus commented, taking in her immaculate appearance.
"Both," she said, smiling. "No trouble, I trust?"
"None," Remus confirmed.
"Good. Now, we're going to go and sit down and talk about all these papers I have here." Gillian patted her briefcase, and the other two rose to comply.
"These papers represent most of the evidence against you," Gillian said. "Of course, these are only copies." She pulled a sheaf of papers out. "Now, the most damming evidence is the letter, of course. Everything else could be discredited fairly easily."
"Why won't people believe the truth?" Jenny wondered.
"Well, it really isn't a very convincing story," Remus said. He stretched and yawned. "I don't know if I'd believe it myself."
"There must be some way," Jenny began, almost to herself.
"There may be." Gillian had the air of someone about to pull a rabbit from a hat. "I'm in contact with someone who might be able to get us evidence that you are not on Voldemort's side."
"Really? Who?" Jenny leaned forward, excited.
"We'll call this person 'Agent Z'," Gillian said. "I can't reveal anything much – not the person's name or where Z is, but Z plays the same role as Pettigrew did, but in reverse. Z may be able to get documents that show that you are innocent."
"Does Z expect any payment?" Remus asked, leaning forward as well.
"Of course," Gillian said, smiling a bit and shrugging.
"What does Z want?" Jenny asked, seeing that Gillian wasn't really volunteering much information.
"Z wants out, having worked the role for long enough –several years, in fact, ever since it began to seem that Voldemort might not really be gone. So this person is going to need help – mostly money. It's a risky task, getting this information, and our side doesn't pay that well in money." She smiled and smoothed her hair down. "A thousand Galleons."
"A thousand?" Remus looked incredulous. "That -that's-"
"We'll get it, somehow," Jenny promised. "I don't care how, don't care what we have to do –if Z can get evidence proving that all of us –including Sirius- are innocent, I'll get it somehow."
"I thought you'd say that." Gillian grinned. "I'll tell Z tonight, I hope." Jenny smiled widely, too.
"I feel very confident now," Gillian said, standing up. "Do you need anything else from me? If not, I want to get going." Jenny and Remus shook their heads, and Gillian left the room.
Gillian sighed as she left the Leaky Cauldron. She liked Jenny and Remus both. It was a pity she had to lie to them like this… but they could be her key out of a bad situation. And she couldn't tell them the truth; she knew that. Not if she valued her life. Which she did.
James and I were eating breakfast in the Great Hall about four weeks into term. The owls flocked in as was their custom. By now we had grown used to the sight, and as they never brought us any mail, didn't much care about them. But today a large barn owl swooped and dropped a letter on James' head. I pulled it off.
"It's from Mum!" I exclaimed. James and I glanced at each other and left the room, abandoning our breakfast to see what our mother had said. We hurried up the stairs, down a corridor and into an empty classroom. James shut the door as I ripped the letter open and read it aloud.
"It's about time they let her out," James said, standing and reading over my shoulder. "I wonder where Dad is."
"Well, he's got to be all right," I said, folding up the letter carefully. "We'd know if the Ministry had caught him, after all." I started for the door. "I'm going to put this up in my room so it's safe." Somehow it made me feel much better to have something tangible from my mother. James nodded.
"Shall I get your books from the Hall?" he asked.
"Oh, thanks. Yes." I was about to open the door when it was opened from the other side. I shrank back as Professor Snape's angry countenance came into view. We'd managed to avoid him, mostly, and he'd ignored us in class, but now his cold eyes flashed our way. James came up behind me; I noticed that his fists were clenched.
"So," Snape said coldly and slowly. "You received a letter from your mother." His lip curled. I gulped and didn't say anything.
"Yes, we did," James said boldly, stepping forward. "Why shouldn't we?"
"Most people would be ashamed to have criminal parents," Snape sneered. "No doubt you don't see why that should be."
"My mother is not a criminal, and my father isn't either!" I didn't realize that I'd said it until I found myself shaking a fist in Snape's face. His eyes narrowed, and before I realize what was happening, he'd seized Mum's letter from my hand. "That's mine!" I shrieked, trying to reach it, but he held it out of my reach and pulled it open. James' face had gone dark with rage, and I felt totally helpless. A moment later, Snape had finished the letter and let it drop. James grabbed it before it fell to the ground.
"I always knew that your parents and their friends would come to bad ends," he hissed softly. Fear washed over me; I felt that he was now more dangerous than if he had been screaming. I was petrified, rooted to the spot by his basilisk gaze. "Working for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, in jail…" He stared at us. "I'd be careful if I were you. Otherwise, you could end up just like them."
"I hope I do turn out like my father," James said bravely, glaring back at Snape. "And he's not working for Voldemort!"
Snape's face darkened, and he opened his mouth to reply, but just then the door banged open, right into Snape's backside. He turned around and seized both Weasley twins by the arms.
"Sorry, sir," Fred said. "Didn't know that anyone was in here." He tried not to grin, and almost succeeded; his brother failed.
"Detention," Snape hissed. "Detention for all four of you." He glared around at us, a bit wildly, I thought, released the Weasleys, and left.
"What was that all about?" George asked. "If I've got detention, I ought to at least know why."
"We got a letter from our mum," I said. "He didn't seem happy about it." James handed me the letter, now sadly rumpled. I smoothed it as best I could.
"Well, I'd love to know what could get him that upset, but I'm afraid we're all late for class already." Fred glanced at his watch. "Not that that's a problem, usually, but since I've got one detention already today, I think I'll try to avoid another."
"Right," James said. "Coming, Lily?"
"Yeah." I folded the letter and held it carefully as my brother and I hurried off to get our bags.
"But, I say, Severus, we've had no sign of Black these past few weeks." Fudge was almost trotting beside Snape, trying to keep up with the other's long strides. The Minister was totally unaware of how ridiculous he looked, but no one else was. Ministry workers half-grinned as the pair passed; a few shook their heads sadly, wondering how such a bumbler had become Minister. Snape glared at him, despising the little man for his stupidity.
"You know as well as –better – than I do how He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is gaining strength," Snape said coldly. "I'm sure he'll be making an attempt to regain power soon. And I think we both would prefer that Black is not helping him when he does so."
Cornelius Fudge shivered. "No indeed. Such a shame that Black isn't on our side; he is a powerful wizard. But we haven't a lead on where he might be."
"No we have not. But we have his wife, and his children." Snape smiled coldly and wondered what Fudge would make of that. Was he as big an idiot as he seemed, or might he see the wisdom in the idea? Black had to be recaptured. Snape wanted that more than anything else, to see his old nemesis get what he so richly deserved…
Fudge halted. "But, Severus, what are you suggesting?" So Fudge was an idiot. Or a coward.
"I'm sure you know what I'm saying." Snape turned and glared at Fudge. He couldn't be that thick. "We have to capture Black before he kills anyone else. We have levers to use against him, and we're not. You're not, that is. If Black does kill anyone else, it'll be your fault, Cornelius. Your fault." Perhaps that would make the idiot realize how important this whole business was.
"But- Severus- we can't threaten – I mean, his children are just children, they're not Dark wizards…"
"His wife is, though. If her life was threatened…." Not that he cared what happened to those children. Not Black's children. And his wife deserved no pity, no pity at all. No doubt she was just as involved in Dark circles as her husband.
"We can't do that!" Fudge looked horrified. "She's not been found guilty – she's not even had a trial!"
"So give her a trial," Snape spat angrily. He glared at Fudge in rage and contempt. "There's no doubt that she's guilty. I'm sure you can have her sentenced to death rather than Azkaban… after all, treason is a capital crime."
"But- but-"
"Cornelius, think about it." Snape softened his glare. He'd used the stick; now time for the carrot. "You are responsible for protecting the innocent, not the guilty."
"I – I suppose," Fudge said slowly. "And of course, I could change her sentence to something lighter after we have Black…"
"That's right," Snape said silkily. Perhaps Fudge was finally catching on. "You could." He smiled crookedly. "And when it's known what you did to protect people, your re-election will be certain."
"Yes, I think that was an excellent idea." Fudge brightened. "I think I'll ask Dumbledore's advice." He turned.
"No!" Snape seized the back of Fudge's robes and whirled him about. He had to prevent Dumbledore – he was no doubt cracked – would interfere for sure. "I already told you that I believe that he thinks Black may be innocent. Dumbledore's old, Fudge. He's not the man he once was, and we can't ask him to make crucial decisions like this one. He'll balk. This is something you have to do without his help."
Fudge looked absolutely terrified; whether from Snape's words or the fact that Snape was holding him by the collar was hard to tell. He opened his mouth; a small noise escaped it. Finally, he closed his mouth and nodded. Snape relaxed and let go.
"Good. I'd suggest you get working on it immediately." He turned and walked off, black robes swirling about him. Glancing back once, he saw Fudge, walking slowly back to his office. Let's just hope he doesn't mess things up too badly. Perhaps I should take a hand?
Jenny and Remus was eating dinner together in the Leaky Cauldron when a half-dozen Hit Wizards entered the room. They both looked up. The leader of the squad stopped beside their table.
"You'll have to come with us," he said to Jenny. Jenny glanced nervously at Remus.
"Why?" she asked.
"Order of the Minister." He stood straight and didn't offer anything else.
"I thought I was to be allowed to stay here until trial," she said. Her heart was pulsing with fear. Remus stood.
"May I accompany you as well?" he asked.
"There's nothing in our orders concerning you," the guard said brusquely.
"Then it doesn't say I can't." Remus gave Jenny a hand up. She tried to smile at him, but the expression fell flat.
They walked through the darkening Diagon Alley to Ministry headquarters, up the stairs, and into a room empty but for a high table at one end. A few men sat in chairs along one side of the table. The lead Hit Wizard motioned for Jenny to step forward. Remus tried to follow, but was prevented and forced to stand near the back of the room.
The man in the middle of the table was Cornelius Fudge. He looked decidedly uncomfortable. Most of the other men Jenny did not recognize, but one she knew.
"Lucius Malfoy," she said coldly. "I saw your sister not long ago and was rather surprised not to see you as well."
"I have not seen my sister in many years," Lucius said coldly. "Not since after the defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"Really." Jenny didn't believe him at all. "I do remember you came crawling back to our side; I suppose she did not."
"I am not the one on trial here," Malfoy said smoothly. "You are. And at least I was on the other side only because of enchantments." He stared at her. "Unlike you and your husband."
Jenny wanted to retort angrily to his words, but Fudge motioned for silence. The impact of Malfoy's words hit her.
"Am I on trial, then?" she asked. "I think these proceedings are not legal. If I am on trial, I should have a lawyer." She glared at Fudge.
"We are following old customs for trying traitors," Fudge said. He did not meet her eyes.
"Old, and, I am sure, not used in the past three hundred years."
"We have examined the facts already," Fudge said. "And we are unanimously agreed that you are guilty of treason." He still didn't look at her.
Jenny stared, mouth open, arms spread wide. "What kind of a trial is this?" she asked incredulously. "You decide I'm guilty before you even hear from me? Did you listen to anyone supporting me? This is a sham!"
"Nevertheless, it is legal. We have found you guilty," Fudge repeated. Jenny's heart seemed to turn to ice in her breast. Her hands dropped to her sides and curled into fists.
"Then what is my sentence?" she asked softly, not daring to look at their faces. It was Malfoy who answered her, in a soft, cold, drawling word.
"Death."
The word reverberated through the room, somehow. Death. Remus, watching from the rear, could not see Jenny's face, but her head came up and she stood unbowed. Nor did she fight when guards came to lead her to a cell. But when she passed, Remus could see that her face had gone white and expressionless.
Death. Remus could not fully accept that yet, could not accept that, with a single word, the lives of his last two friends had been thrown away. Something inside him wanted to scream at the 'judges', the men who had overseen this sham trial and committed this deed. But he could not, could not say anything or do anything as the men filed out of the room. Finally, though, he turned and walked without true aim, back toward the Leaky Cauldron.
It was evening now, evening of the day after Jenny had been sentenced, the day before she was to be executed. They certainly waste no time, Remus thought bitterly as he sipped his drink, his finger tracing patterns in the wood of the table. He'd tried to see Jenny today, but she was not permitted visitors. Remus was surprised that he had not yet been hauled up and sentenced to death as well. The Daily Prophet had screamed out the news, of course. No doubt every wizard in England knew that Sirius Black's wife was to be executed for treason. The children! Remus thought suddenly. He'd forgotten them completely. What would they be thinking? No doubt they'd heard the news. How terrible for them….
Remus was interrupted in his thoughts by a shadow falling across the table. He looked up. Gillian Prewett stood over him. He looked down again. Gillian pulled out a chair and sat.
"It's not over yet," she said quietly.
"Do you have evidence to clear us, then?" Remus didn't look up.
"No," she admitted. "But we're going to get it."
"In twenty hours?" Remus now looked her in the face. "You know, when I met you, I thought we might have a chance. But now, my friends are going to die, and I frankly don't care to win."
"They aren't going to kill Jenny if I can help it," Gillian said grimly. "We're going now. I need your help."
"Going where? I can't leave Diagon Alley."
"I know what I'm doing. Now, do you want to help Jenny or not?" Gillian stared at him. He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze.
"Of course I do."
"Then come on. We're wasting time."
Jenny held her head high as she was marched from her cell to a room some ways off. She had not slept or eaten in the past two days. The night before, she had asked for pen and ink so that she could write a farewell to her children. She had wept many tears while writing it; not for herself, but for her children, who would soon be without mother or father, and for Sirius, who was doomed as well.
"If I could just see them one last time," she whispered to herself. Perhaps Gillian would be able to get Remus off. He'd look after her children, if he could. And they'd have enough money… but she would never get to see them grown, with families of their own. She'd never see them again. But she refused to weep in front of her executioners.
There were several men in the room; the late sun sloped in through a huge stained glass window at the end of the place. She held her head high. She noticed that Fudge kept glancing around nervously, as if he were expecting someone to appear at any moment.
The moments flew past as she did not listen to words being read. Then, suddenly, everything was ready.
Were you so terrified, Lily when you defended your son from Voldemort? she wondered. Mum, did you feel this fear when they killed you? Elsie, were you such a coward? Her mind reflected on all the people who she had known who had been killed. Now it's my turn. For some reason, she was beginning to feel calm. There were a few things that made me sad, but I've had a good life. I've had wonderful friends. I married the man I loved. I had two wonderful children. After all, I should have died years ago. I've had all these extra years. She straightened her head, closed her eyes, and waited.
There was a great crashing, and confused shouts from men. She opened her eyes and saw-
"Sirius!" she cried. He had flown his motorbike right in the stained glass window, which lay in shards all over the floor. Several of the Hit Wizards were down, apparently knocked out. He froze another mid-curse. Jenny ran, picked up the wand the wizard had dropped, and began to use various spells on others. Finally, Sirius put the Full-Body Bind on Fudge, who dropped like a stone, and there were no more to deal with.
Jenny ran and embraced Sirius, tears running down her face.
"I was so scared," she whispered. He patted her back gently.
"Let's get out of here," he suggested.
"How touching," a cold voice said from the door. Jenny and Sirius turned and saw Snape standing there. "I thought you'd come for her, Black. That's why I took the liberty of hiding a few dozen wizards in that back room." As he spoke, they heard a door open behind them.
"Freeze!" a voice yelled. "Drop your wands and put your hands up." Jenny glanced at Sirius, who looked at her and almost grinned.
"Well, it was fun while it lasted," he said quietly. "I knew it probably wasn't going to work… but there wasn't anything else I could think of."
Snape smiled cruelly. "Put them both in cells," he instructed the hit wizards. "I'll be speaking to the Minister about them as soon as I take this spell off him." He bent over the frozen Fudge, who had an expression of surprise fastened to his face. Jenny heard him muttering the counter-charm as the guards led her away.
Oh my, another cliffhanger. I wonder what might happen next? (Don't worry, Moon, Remus will not go to Azkaban.) Do Jenny and Sirius live? Is Remus alive? Who is Z? Tune in next time to find out the answers, in the startling conclusion to Double Trouble! That's right, just one more section of slush and you can all go home happy. Or miserable. Anyway, all LIR members please review, along with the League of Pettigrew Haters – but that's everyone, to answer several questions, as I don't think anyone likes the rat. That's all for now, people!
Oh – and before I forget, you better know who this belongs to by now. It's J.K. Rowling, of course – and less than five weeks left until the big day! Hope you have it marked on your calendar as I do.
Katie Bell