Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I wish I did coz that'll mean I'll have lots of money but I fortunately I don't so... please don't sue ^^.

Dark Order Rising
Chapter 2: The Old Crowd
by ARaZhi

June 1995. Britain.

Sirius Black, currently in his Animagus form, trudged silently beside his best friend, Remus Lupin. Remus is also quiet, undoubtedly pondering on their worsening situation.

Sirius arrived in Remus' house past midnight. It had a long time since they last stood face to face. The last time they saw each other was in Harry's third year. That was the time when Sirius had Pettigrew within his grasp but, unfortunately, Pettigrew escaped and robbed Sirius off his freedom and the chance to be with Harry.

Sirius and Remus remained in contact throughout the year, but there are things that cannot be said in letters. One of which is the fact that his relationship with Remus hadn't been at its best. He had brooded on it during his boring stay in Azkaban and came to the conclusion that its roots was that incident with Snape entering the willow and seeing Remus in his werewolf form. But now isn't the time to discuss this. Other more important matters need to be discussed.

Sirius longed for a comfortable bed, long hours of sleep, lots of food and rest but time cannot be wasted on such things. Not when Voldemort is back.

The sun was almost up when Sirius finished telling Remus the events that had happened in Hogwarts. Cedric Diggory dead. Wormtail bled Harry. Voldermort was resurrected. Harry and Voldemort dueled. Harry nearly died, again. Lily and James echoing out of Voldemort's wand. The whole bloody crap. Oh, yeah, and Bartemius Crouch, Jr. impersonating Alastor Moody. The bloody git.

Now, they have a mission: contact the old crowd, also known as the Order of Phoenix. Sirius and Remus are not part of the Order. The reason they knew about it was because of James. It wasn't a secret that James was to succeed Dumbledore as head of the Order, because Dumbledore have no heir. Sirius had often wondered if the old man even married.

The Order has twelve members: Albus Dumbledore, Alastor Moody, Frank Longbottom, Francis Prewrett (former Minister of Magic and older brother of Sirius' mother), Cassandra McKinnon and her husband Nicholas McKinnon, James Potter (after James' father died), Mundungus Fletcher, Arabella Figg, Michael Bones, Richard Travers, and Phoebe Rayne (after Phoebe's mother Athena died). All of them came from old wizarding families and are undoubtedly powerful wizards and witches. The order was created by Dumbledore during Voldemort's rise to power. James had told Sirius that Dumbledore was trying to summon some sort of energy that could help them get rid of Voldemort. But whatever that energy was, none of the twelve, alone or as a group, could summon it.

Francis Prewrett, the McKinnons, James, and Michael Bones died in Voldemort's hand. Frank (and his wife) are insane because of Voldemort's Death Eaters. The whole family line of McKinnons are dead. Harry is the only surviving Potter just as Sirius is now the only remaining Prewrett.

That means Sirius and Remus have to contact only Fletcher, Figg, Travers, and Rayne. Moody is probably still in Hogwarts recuperating. Fletcher and Figg will be easy enough to get hold of. Travers is a problem since he seems to have developed a liking towards Muggle tourist spots. And Phoebe...

Sirius grunted. Phoebe was his girlfriend and talking to her will probably be just like talking to his other former girlfriends --- not good.

Sirius had insisted that they set off at once to Mundugus Fletcher, since his place was nearest but Remus wouldn't hear of it. Remus insisted that he get some sleep first. It was already mid-afternoon when they left Remus' house and it's seven in the evening when they finally caught sight of Fletcher's house. Apparating wasn't an option since the Ministry alarms would set off if Sirius Apparated or Disapparated. Both of them figured it would be best for Sirius to remain in his Animagus form and let Remus do the talking. Fletcher, despite his age, have always been a quick draw, if he sees Sirius he'd hex (if not kill) Sirius on the spot.

Remus knocked on the door interrupting Sirius' thoughts.

"Coming," Fletcher yelled. A moment later, an old man opened the door. He is a tall man, balding with silver-white hair, short and neatly trimmed beard, and piercing grey eyes. For a man who seems so old, he was still quick on his feet.

"Well. What have we here? I must say I'm surprised to see you, Remus," Fletcher looked down at Sirius, "And you've brought your pet." Fletcher's eyebrows shot up a bit, "I've always had the impression you don't like to keep pets around, Remus."

Remus smiled at their first year Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, "How've you been, sir?"

"Good," Fletcher moved aside and motioned them in. "What brings you here? It's been quite a long time since I last saw you."

"Yeah. Well, I---"

"Tea?"

"Oh, alright."

A tray containing a pot of tea, tea cups, and crumpets appeared and revolved in midair for a few seconds before settling down the table.

Remus took the cup Fletcher offered and sipped it in silence.

"Well?" Fletcher prompted. "You didn't travel all the way here just to have tea with old me, did you?"

Remus placed down his cup on the table and looked at Fletcher in the eye. "It's Voldemort, sir," Remus said, clearly deciding that the direct way is the best approach. "He's back."

Fletcher's lips tightened into a thin line and he seemed to age a decade in front of them. "Well... he wasn't truly gone was he? Evil git sure took his time. What happened? I what to know everything."

Remus gave a slight nod and began to speak.

Nearly an hour later, after Remus have finished explaining how Voldemort returned and Wormtail's betrayal, Sirius was in his human form, drinking tea and trying not to doze off. Fletcher was cursing Wormtail in numerous languages and Remus was biting back an amused smile.

Fletcher was in the middle of cursing Wormtail in Mermish when a knock sounded on the door. Fletcher frowned, "Who'd come here at a time like this?" he grumbled. He took his wand, waved it in front of him, mumbled a few words and the image of an impatient Lucius Malfoy appeared. Fletcher curser, "Stinking Death Eater!"

Fletcher's sharp eyes turned to Sirius, "He'd know you're here, if he doesn't know already. There's a backdoor in the kitchen. Go to the forest and hide. We'll come get you when we've gotten rid of the evil git."

Not wasting time for explanations, Sirius quickly transformed and ran off.

~*~

Remus tried to keep his expression neutral as he and Fletcher came face to face with Lucius Malfoy.

"Good evening, Fletcher," Malfoy said, his voice silky smooth and his eyes cold and calculating. Malfoy's eyes shifted to Remus and his lips curled a bit. "Lupin," Malfoy said with a cool smile.

"What brings you here, Malfoy?" Fletcher asked, skipping all pleasantries.

"I came here because I heard rumors that Sirius Black was spotted near this area. I thought he might come here and give you trouble. So, I decided to come here."

Remus bit back a frown. Who could have seen Sirius? From the moment they left his house Sirius remained in his Animagus form.

"Why? You think I cannot handle Sirius Black on my on?" Fletcher demanded.

"My dear man, you're no longer in your prime. Do remember Black killed thirteen people with just *one* curse."

"A curse I'm sure you know as well."

Malfoy merely smiled. "Since Lupin is here, I don't doubt Black is far."

Several pops announced the arrival of ten wizards. Remus felt a cold chill spread throughout his body. Hit Wizards.

"I haven't seen Black since last year!" Remus said, injecting what he hoped is the right amount of annoyance in his voice. "If I'd seen him, don't you think I'd turn him in myself? He killed three of my friends!"

Malfoy's smile did not reach his cold eyes, "Perhaps."

He knows I'm lying. This realization shocked Remus. He's probably after Sirius because of the order of Merlin he'll surely get if he catches Sirius.

"I'm sure neither of you will mind if we conduct a search of the area. In fact, I'm sure the Ministry will be glad if you two will assist them in their search. After all, none of us would want a repeat of that dreadful massacre, would we?" Malfoy gave them the smallest of smirks before turning away.

Remus turned to his former professor. Fletcher sighed. The best they could do now is pretend to look for Sirius.

~*~

Sirius, in his Animagus form, moved deeper into the forest. His heightened senses could hear and smell the approaching wizards.

Careful not to create any noise, he moved on, being as quiet and as quick as possible.

Then, it happened. Out of nowhere, razor sharp claws clamped around his neck and a soft alto whispered, "Black."

Sirius fought back his panic. How did she know? Only Dumbledore, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Remus, and Peter know. He growled. Peter! Of course! He probably told his death eater friends!

Using all his strength, Sirius successfully threw off his captor and ran as fast as his four legs can. He could feel blood running down his neck.

But whoever is after him is just as fast. He saw fire colored eyes, felt an explosion of pain from his back before blackness engulfed him.

~*~

"Good, you're awake. I didn't want to drag you through the forest all day," the same soft alto and deceptively harmless voice said.

Sirius groaned and tried to shook off the dizziness in his head. He felt a sharp pain from his side.

"Sorry about the rib. The ministry idiots attacked us and unfortunately for you I accidentally broke one of your ribs."

"Where are we? What do you want?" Sirius demanded trying to ignore the pounding in his head. It was already morning, judging by the rays of light entering the cave.

"We're safe for now. We're in a cave, somewhere in the middle of nowhere," she sighed.

The unknown woman's blonde hair fell over her lavander eyes and quickly pulled her hair into a messy ponytail in irritation. She is beautiful. Gorgeous even.

"Any idea where we are? I must admit I don't know this place. I avoid Britain whenever possible."

Sirius tried to get up and realized his hands and legs are bound tightly. Sudden movements only served to increase his dizziness.

"What do you want?" Sirius repeated, trying to sound intimidating despite his current predicament. Lots of wizards and witches are scared of him because they think he's Voldemort's second. Now is the perfect time to make use of that reputation. "Release me now or you'll be sorry."

"Oh. I'm so scared I'm about to wet myself," she leaned over him and her face gave way to a vampiric visage: fire red eyes, pointed fangs. She gave him a smile as she ran a sharp fingernail across his cheek. "And what will you do?"

A vampire! Damn! He'd had more than enough of vampires to last him a lifetime. His first ever date was with a vampire and he didn't like that one bit!

"I'm heir to the Dark Lord Voldemort! Release me now and you will be rewarded or suffer a most painful death!"

She laughed, "No you're not. You reek of humanity, Black. The stench is so strong I can almost taste it. Your heart if full of revenge but none of evil."

Sirius glared at the vampire and willed himself to transform but nothing happened. He gritted his teeth and tried to fight back his panic. He's not going to end up being just another vampire's breakfast!

"Don't wear yourself out trying to transform. The Ministry placed Anti-Magic, Anti-Portkey, and Anti-Apparition/Disapparition wards over the forest."

"How did you know about that?"

"About you being an Animagus? I'm a vampire. I can tell apart a dog from a human. Even if you're in your Animagus form your smell is different."

The vampire moved closer to him.

"Wait just a moment! Didn't it even occur to you that I've spent twelve years in Azkaban? I haven't eaten much these past few days as well! Surely that'll affect how I'll taste. I bet my blood taste just awful. I wouldn't bite me if I were you."

The vampire stared at him and laughed.

Great. What are the odds that this vampire is insane?

"You're worried that I'll bite you?" the vampire asked still laughing.

"That's what vampires do."

"Don't be silly. I have no intension of biting you. The moment I start drinking, I can't stop. There's a good amount of money for your head, Black. And the old man wants you alive. I'm not going to satisfy my thirst by drinking you. I can go for several days without blood. The money for you will be more than worth it."

"You're a bounty hunter?" Sirius didn't know there was a bounty on his head.

"Yeah," she cut the ropes binding his feet. "Get up."

Sirius allowed the vampire to pull him onto his feet and cut his hands loose.

"Now. I'll make you a deal. You behave yourself and I won't turn you over the Ministry who'd give you to the Dementors for a good snogging."

"You--you're not giving me to the Ministry? But then---who would---?" Then, it hit him like a runaway muggle truck. Voldemort. He probably wants me just to get to Harry! Sirius tried to fight back his panic.

She smiled. "Boy are you scared. I can smell you fear.... your anger... so much..."

He leapt towards her and grabbed her shoulders. "I'd die first before you turn me over to Voldemort!" he hissed at her angrily.

She laughed. "Voldemort? Don't be a prat. Voldemort is dead. Gone. I'm giving you to Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore?" Sirius whispered in shock.

"Yeah. Beats me why the old man wants you. But since he's paying more for your life, who am I to complain?"

"How much?" Sirius asked, curiously.

"I'm not really sure. Old Bumblebee kept on upping the bounty every time the Ministry increase theirs. Last time I checked it was 150,000 galleons. Dumbledore's offer would be five or ten thousand galleons more than that."

Sirius jaw dropped. He was shocked that the old man cared enough to pay that much money for him and insulted that the ministry thought he's worth only 150,000 galleons. Insult won over shock.

"I'm worth more than that!"

"File a complaint to the Ministry," she replied with a shrug. "Now, enough talking. We've got to move."

"But the sun is up!"

"Your concern for me is so touching," she said sarcastically. "If you must know, I'm a daywalker. Never had problems with the sun except for the fact that it never gives me enough tan."

"Where are we heading?" Sirius asked after several hours of walking in silence. There were no ministry wizards in sight. The anti-magic wards meant the ministry wizards can't use magic inside the forest as well. They're probably too scared of me to come in here without magic. Sirius' lips curled in contempt.

"See those little flying lights?"

Sirius nodded.

"The ministry placed them there so that we'd follow it."

"What? Have you lost your mind? You're leading us straight into their trap!"

"I know. But we have the element of surprise in our hands. They don't know you're with me. And they wouldn't think you'll be crazy enough to walk to them."

"But you are," Sirius hissed in frustration.

"Yeah. And there's nothing you can do about it. Because that's where I'm going and I will drag you there if I have to. Who knows the range of the anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards? If we follow those lights we've got a chance of getting out using a portkey. Their wards will have no effect around them or else they'll be unable to use magic as well. They'll be able to apparate or use a porkey several meters from where they're leading us. Wizards never liked walking too far."

"You got that right," Sirius grumbled.

"So you agree with my plan?"

"Do I have a choice?"

She grinned, "No."

~*~

Night was already falling when it happened. The vampire, whose name Sirius realized he still didn't know, fell on her knees and began to shiver uncontrollably.

Sirius had a moment of indecision before he knelt down beside her. "What's wrong?" She maybe just here for the bounty on his head but he must admit that she could help him get out of this situation he got himself in.

The vampire didn't reply and continued to twitch. Her face changing to her vampiric visage then back again. The vampire won and with a hair rising snarl she tackled him.

Sirius glared, "Get off me! What's gotten into you?"

The vampire was panting hard, gazing at him with increasing hunger. And loathing.

"Stop looking at me like that! I don't think Dumbledore would be too happy if you bit me."

The vampire smirked, "He doesn't have to know. Besides, you might like it."

"I don't think so."

"I haven't tasted blood in two days, Black."

With all the strength that he could muster, Sirius was able to push off the vampire. "Have you lost your mind? Why attack me so suddenly?"

"Because you destroyed my life!" she replied, glaring at him hatefully.

"What? How can I destroy your life? I've never even met you!"

"We've met. But you didn't know I was a vampire. Neither did you see me in this disguise."

"When---"

She laughed, "I just remembered you and that Potter laughing at the rat and asking him what he did to get himself such a tall and beautiful date..."

Wormtail? With a date? That's definitely new... Sirius' eyes narrowed in thought. His head jerked up as the memory struck him. Wormtail showing up at James' 21st birthday, an exotic beauty with dark brown eyes holding his hand. He remembered shaking hands with her... the electricity that seemed to have formed between them at the slightest touch... the shock that crossed her face mirroring his own shock...

"...I was supposed to kill you then. But this soul inside me broke free. She ruined everything! She caused us to suffer the lord's wrath for hours. Filthy, idiotic soul!" The vampire spat on the ground.

This crazy vampire was her? But she seemed so nice. True they didn't get to talk much but that was because she seemed to be hanging on to Peter's every word. That doesn't happen always so they let Peter enjoy a bit more privacy with his new friend. How did Wormtail call her? Anne? Anna? Wait a moment... a vampire with a soul?

"What---what happened?" he managed to ask despite the turmoil in his mind.

"You happened!" she hissed viciously. She glared at him in anger. "You, those Marauders, and that Mudblood graduated from the Muggle-loving fool's school and ruined my life! I had everything. Wealth. Power. Warlocks of all ages feared and respected me! I had a purpose in life. I was my lord's most trusted servant. I was his second. His word was mine and his word was law.

"I've spent my whole life preparing for the day that we will rule the world. Everywhere else was ready the only place resisting was Britain because of that crazy old fool Dumbledore. All that's needed is one signal... Dumbledore's death and with that the Dark Order shall rise.

"But before that we had to get rid of that bloody Order of Phoenix. Without them Dumbledore is nothing but an old man extremely past his prime," her lip twitched, "I was to infiltrate your annoying group. Pettigrew was an easy target. He played right into my hands, who wouldn't?"

"I wouldn't," Sirius countered.

"You know your friend. He'd always lived in the shadows of the great James Potter, the handsome Sirius Black, and the clever Remus Lupin. He simply loved the idea of showing up with a gorgeous (as he called me) date especially since you kept on arguing with that Order of Phoenix girlfriend of yours and Remus is not allowed to have romantic entanglements.

"But something about you made this filthy soul inside me break free. I shook your hand and the next thing I know, I was battling for control. I won in the end. Nevertheless, I can no longer go back. I can't risk running into you again. My lord was livid. But I did gain something...

She gave him an unpleasant smile, "I successfully turned your weakling friend. And in the end it ruined all of you."

Sirius clenched his hands into tight fists, his fingernails digging into the palms of his hand, drawing blood. This woman... this vampire was responsible for ruining more than a decade of friendship. "Voldemort. Your lord is Voldemort," he hissed through clenched teeth.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice deadly calm, "and you and your damned friends are the reason why he's now dead. And for that you deserve to die."

Something snapped inside Sirius, without thinking, he launched himself at the vampire. Not caring if she's stronger. Not caring if she's faster. Not caring if she has fangs. All that matter is he beat her up. She who destroyed his life. His friends' lives. Turned one of his best friends into a traitor. A traitor who betrayed Lily and James. Causing their death and making Harry an orphan.

Sirius tried to kick her in the stomach but she easily blocked it. He'd always been good in hand-to-hand combat, he'd taken self defense lessons when he was a kid because one of his uncles (a muggle) is a martial arts expert. They continue fighting, the vampire undoubtedly gaining the upper hand.

Sirius doubled over in pain as the vampire punched him in the stomach. Wheezing in pain, Sirius tackled the vampire down the rocky ground. He pulled back his arm, ready to beat the unlife out of the vampire, but stopped at the sight of her eyes. She had dropped the vampire visage, her eyes were back to lavander. The hatred is gone, replaced by a haunted look. A deadened look no different from the one he saw when he looked at himself in the mirror at Remus' house. It was like looking at himself. At his own soul.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly, her voice trembling. "Go on. It'll make you feel better."

Shaken, Sirius pushed himself off her, "You're not worth it," he said, angry at himself for losing his resolve to beat the crap out of the vampire who destroyed their lives.

They stare at each other silently.

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "I know nothing I say or do can undo what I've done."

"You should be," he snapped, tired and angry.

The vampire sat down and leaned back against a tree. She hugged her knees close to her chest and continued to shake. A shocking contrast against the vampire glaring at him with murder several minutes ago. What's going on?

"I didn't know..."

"You didn't know?" he repeated incredulously.

"I lost my memories when Voldemort died. Lately, I've been having... nightmares. Flashes of my memories, I guess. Sometimes they come even when I'm awake. It's nothing short of a nightmare. I had to relieve all the..." her voice shook. "Everything."

"You make it sound like you didn't like what you did," Sirius hissed disdainfully.

"I don't know if I liked it then. I do know that I don't like it now," she gazed up at him with such tortured eyes and Sirius got annoyed with himself for being unable to hate her. At her current state, she looked so... so helpless. "I'll help you out in any way that I can. I'll get you out of this forest. I swear my life to it."

Sirius stared at her, unable to ignore the sincerity in her tone. Could this be a trick?

"It's not a trick! I meant what I said! I don't care if you believe me. But for now, you're stuck with me. I'm getting you out of here or die trying."

"What if I just stake you right here, right now?"

"Suit yourself," she shrugged, picked a piece of wood off the ground and handed it to him. "But I must say, I don't think you have it in you to kill anyone, even a vampire, in cold blood." She positioned his hand so that the stick was pointed at her heart and locked gazes with him. "Do it."

"You're not worth it. Your conscience is making you suffer, isn't it?" he threw the makeshift stake away.

She nodded.

"I hope it makes you suffer throughout your whole immortal life," he muttered.

"I deserve it, I guess. If I was Voldemort's second I probably did a lot of... things.

Sirius laughed harshly. "Tortured lots of people I dare say. Killed several more most likely." He winced at the pained look on her face.

She didn't respond and they continued to walk for several minutes in silence.

"How'd you get a soul anyway?"

"I don't know," she replied quietly.

"Why did that vampire in you surfaced like that and attacked me?"

"I don't know," she paused and looked around the clearing, "Would you like to spend the rest of the night here?"

"Alright."

As they settled down for the night, Sirius remembered that he still didn't know her name. "What was your name again?"

"I don't know if I had a name before Voldemort came into my life. I do know that he called me..."

"What?"

"Anya."