The weekend arrived and gave Reena and Sirius more time together. Or
so they thought. Creaking steps in her flat woke her up. She saw Sirius
leaving the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
"Lumos" she groggily said as she walked out of bed, armed with her wand, and into the corridor.
"Sirius, where are you going?" she called out softly.
Sirius turned around, cursing under his breath for waking Reena up. Before she had time to say anything more, Sirius walked up very close to her.
"I have to go. They're closing in," Sirius told her in a slightly paranoid way.
"Sirius, who exactly are 'they'?" Reena asked, thinking her husband was off his rocker.
"Aurors, investigators, dementors, the police. I can sense when they're close," Sirius said not wasting breath on more detail.
"This is a Muggle neighborhood. It's not uncommon for the police to drive around at night," Reena reminded him.
"I'm not stupid," he snapped. "I've spent the last few years sensing when they're coming close. It's a sixth sense I've picked up. If I stay any longer, I'll be re-arrested and you'll go to jail too."
"Where are you going?" she asked quietly.
"I can't tell you. I'm not putting you in that position if they question you again. Fingerprints, hair, clothing,. It's all been cleaned. I haven't left any magical residue 'cause I haven't used any except to disapparate."
"Well then, I guess you should stop delaying and leave," Reena said, keeping up a strong face.
There was an uncomfortable pause. Sirius wasn't moving anywhere because he felt awful for leaving Reena again. Reena had spent a great amount of time mentally prepping herself for Sirius' next exit. Finally, someone said something.
"Er, I have to go," Sirius said, breaking the silence.
"Alright. Take care of yourself," Reena told him as she embraced him.
There were no more parting words. Sirius disapparated silently. Reena went back to bed, trying to stay unaffected by they rush of emotion cause by his absence. *
"In conclusion, I believe that Jeffery Zane should be released for his lack of assistance in finding Peter Pettigrew," Reena addressed her Cabinet colleagues in a short, yet concise speech.
"Do you know what the financial drain of Mr. Zane has been to the Ministry?" a mild mannered wizard asked.
"As of now, Zane is being paid 50 galleons a week. The Ministry is covering housing and food expenses as well as any materials needed to track Pettigrew," Reena answered.
"These are very serious advantages Mr. Zane has been taking. What do you suggest we do with him?" Mr. Julius asked.
"I think it would not be harsh to fine him, fire him, and take further actions," Reena answered quickly.
"The man's been working here for 11 weeks, do you think it wise we do this?" another wizard asked.
"11 weeks should be enough for him to file a few progression reports. He has not done this nor has he given any proof that he's been working. 11 weeks of pay is 550 galleons. That's only 5 less galleons than what we make a week as Cabinet members. He has no evidence that he's been working," Reena answered thoroughly.
"Is there any personal angle to this Reena?" Cabinet member Rick Dawson asked, clearly trying to find out if Sirius was involved.
"Rick, I separate my personal and professional lives. But since you mentioned it, Zane has acted inappropriately. Even after being told to go away, he continued to act inappropriately. He went against common workplace etiquette," Reena pointed out.
"The fact that he hasn't proved he's been working is proof enough to release Zane. I'll set up a hearing at a later to day to see if the fines are really necessary," Mr. Julius said.
"Thank you," Reena said stiffly as she left the meeting with the other wizards. Revenge was hard to get when you followed the rules. Reena sat down in her office to analyze a stack of papers that Maggie had left on her desk.
These were reports that Remus and some other wizards had prepared. All reported that Peter had not been seen for the last eight months, except for the few sightings in July. A note from Remus said that Peter might be protected by the Fidelious charm. Another report also noted that Peter's brother was still missing.
This case was the most perplexing Reena had ever come across in her career. The most solid evidence didn't make any sense. Why would a man who wants to stay hidden reveal himself across in random areas? Reena was no Auror and she knew it. She needed outside help, but there were few people she could trust for this situation. * Hogsmeade was deserted on the Wednesday evening. There hardly seemed to be a soul on the streets. Reena caught herself wishing for that feeling of someone watching her, but it didn't come. She ridiculed herself for thinking that Sirius would seek refuge in the wizarding village.
The walk to Hogwarts allowed Reena to organize her thoughts. She used the gigantic knocker on the door. Professor Snape answered.
"Please come in Ms. Delton," he said as she walked into the school.
"Thanks. I need to see Professor Dumbledore," she told Snape as he closed the door.
He led her through the corridors and stairways until they reached the gargoyle. It was very tense between Snape and Reena. They had despised each other in school and had never been on friendly terms. The fact that Reena was Sirius' love didn't help either. Through the corridors, Reena silently remembered the days when Snape would taunt and harass her for her Muggle lineage and Lily for being a Muggle-born.
"Peanut Brittle" was the password. The gargoyle moved and Snape led the way in.
"Headmaster, Ms. Delton from the Ministry is here to see you," Snape told Dumbledore.
"Thank you Serverus," he thanked kindly and Snape left. "How are you Ms. Delton?" Dumbledore asked, turning to Reena.
"Fine, thanks, Professor, I have a cause that I'm working on and I'm not sure where to start. Can you help me?"
" I can try my best. What is the case?"
"It's the Peter Pettigrew case. There's been no trace of him, then he suddenly appears all around the country. Is there any explanation for this?"
"There's an infinite number of answers. I only have a small scope of what may be a possibility. My personal belief is that Peter is trying to bring attention to himself. He may want to be captured. If Voldemort is growing physically stronger, he has no need for Peter. As is his nature, Peter will be trying to find someone to protect him. The other possibility is not as nice. Voldemort could be using Peter as bait to draw people closer. It would be another murdering technique. Either way, you have to approach the case very carefully."
"Do you think many people would fall into the trap?"
"I don't think so. Regular wizards would think it a hoax and all the Auror know to be careful with any dealings with Peter. Why are you so concerned with this case? Isn't there someone specialized working on it?"
"Not for long if I know my audience," Reena said ambiguously.
"I take it that you plan to send Mr. Zane back to America," Dumbledore concluded.
"Exactly. I don't want the case to disappear, so I'll pick it up for a time."
"May I make a suggestion Ms. Delton?"
"Please do Professor."
"Let Remus take the case. He has a background in Defense against the Dark Arts. He also doesn't have a job at present."
"I'll give the case to Remus, but what about the task force? Isn't he still on that?" Reena asked concerndly about her friend.
"The task force doesn't pay very well, close to nothing. Almost everyone on the task force is holding their regular job. Due to his condition, Remus didn't have a job to begin with."
"Thank you professor."
"Your welcome."
"Lumos" she groggily said as she walked out of bed, armed with her wand, and into the corridor.
"Sirius, where are you going?" she called out softly.
Sirius turned around, cursing under his breath for waking Reena up. Before she had time to say anything more, Sirius walked up very close to her.
"I have to go. They're closing in," Sirius told her in a slightly paranoid way.
"Sirius, who exactly are 'they'?" Reena asked, thinking her husband was off his rocker.
"Aurors, investigators, dementors, the police. I can sense when they're close," Sirius said not wasting breath on more detail.
"This is a Muggle neighborhood. It's not uncommon for the police to drive around at night," Reena reminded him.
"I'm not stupid," he snapped. "I've spent the last few years sensing when they're coming close. It's a sixth sense I've picked up. If I stay any longer, I'll be re-arrested and you'll go to jail too."
"Where are you going?" she asked quietly.
"I can't tell you. I'm not putting you in that position if they question you again. Fingerprints, hair, clothing,. It's all been cleaned. I haven't left any magical residue 'cause I haven't used any except to disapparate."
"Well then, I guess you should stop delaying and leave," Reena said, keeping up a strong face.
There was an uncomfortable pause. Sirius wasn't moving anywhere because he felt awful for leaving Reena again. Reena had spent a great amount of time mentally prepping herself for Sirius' next exit. Finally, someone said something.
"Er, I have to go," Sirius said, breaking the silence.
"Alright. Take care of yourself," Reena told him as she embraced him.
There were no more parting words. Sirius disapparated silently. Reena went back to bed, trying to stay unaffected by they rush of emotion cause by his absence. *
"In conclusion, I believe that Jeffery Zane should be released for his lack of assistance in finding Peter Pettigrew," Reena addressed her Cabinet colleagues in a short, yet concise speech.
"Do you know what the financial drain of Mr. Zane has been to the Ministry?" a mild mannered wizard asked.
"As of now, Zane is being paid 50 galleons a week. The Ministry is covering housing and food expenses as well as any materials needed to track Pettigrew," Reena answered.
"These are very serious advantages Mr. Zane has been taking. What do you suggest we do with him?" Mr. Julius asked.
"I think it would not be harsh to fine him, fire him, and take further actions," Reena answered quickly.
"The man's been working here for 11 weeks, do you think it wise we do this?" another wizard asked.
"11 weeks should be enough for him to file a few progression reports. He has not done this nor has he given any proof that he's been working. 11 weeks of pay is 550 galleons. That's only 5 less galleons than what we make a week as Cabinet members. He has no evidence that he's been working," Reena answered thoroughly.
"Is there any personal angle to this Reena?" Cabinet member Rick Dawson asked, clearly trying to find out if Sirius was involved.
"Rick, I separate my personal and professional lives. But since you mentioned it, Zane has acted inappropriately. Even after being told to go away, he continued to act inappropriately. He went against common workplace etiquette," Reena pointed out.
"The fact that he hasn't proved he's been working is proof enough to release Zane. I'll set up a hearing at a later to day to see if the fines are really necessary," Mr. Julius said.
"Thank you," Reena said stiffly as she left the meeting with the other wizards. Revenge was hard to get when you followed the rules. Reena sat down in her office to analyze a stack of papers that Maggie had left on her desk.
These were reports that Remus and some other wizards had prepared. All reported that Peter had not been seen for the last eight months, except for the few sightings in July. A note from Remus said that Peter might be protected by the Fidelious charm. Another report also noted that Peter's brother was still missing.
This case was the most perplexing Reena had ever come across in her career. The most solid evidence didn't make any sense. Why would a man who wants to stay hidden reveal himself across in random areas? Reena was no Auror and she knew it. She needed outside help, but there were few people she could trust for this situation. * Hogsmeade was deserted on the Wednesday evening. There hardly seemed to be a soul on the streets. Reena caught herself wishing for that feeling of someone watching her, but it didn't come. She ridiculed herself for thinking that Sirius would seek refuge in the wizarding village.
The walk to Hogwarts allowed Reena to organize her thoughts. She used the gigantic knocker on the door. Professor Snape answered.
"Please come in Ms. Delton," he said as she walked into the school.
"Thanks. I need to see Professor Dumbledore," she told Snape as he closed the door.
He led her through the corridors and stairways until they reached the gargoyle. It was very tense between Snape and Reena. They had despised each other in school and had never been on friendly terms. The fact that Reena was Sirius' love didn't help either. Through the corridors, Reena silently remembered the days when Snape would taunt and harass her for her Muggle lineage and Lily for being a Muggle-born.
"Peanut Brittle" was the password. The gargoyle moved and Snape led the way in.
"Headmaster, Ms. Delton from the Ministry is here to see you," Snape told Dumbledore.
"Thank you Serverus," he thanked kindly and Snape left. "How are you Ms. Delton?" Dumbledore asked, turning to Reena.
"Fine, thanks, Professor, I have a cause that I'm working on and I'm not sure where to start. Can you help me?"
" I can try my best. What is the case?"
"It's the Peter Pettigrew case. There's been no trace of him, then he suddenly appears all around the country. Is there any explanation for this?"
"There's an infinite number of answers. I only have a small scope of what may be a possibility. My personal belief is that Peter is trying to bring attention to himself. He may want to be captured. If Voldemort is growing physically stronger, he has no need for Peter. As is his nature, Peter will be trying to find someone to protect him. The other possibility is not as nice. Voldemort could be using Peter as bait to draw people closer. It would be another murdering technique. Either way, you have to approach the case very carefully."
"Do you think many people would fall into the trap?"
"I don't think so. Regular wizards would think it a hoax and all the Auror know to be careful with any dealings with Peter. Why are you so concerned with this case? Isn't there someone specialized working on it?"
"Not for long if I know my audience," Reena said ambiguously.
"I take it that you plan to send Mr. Zane back to America," Dumbledore concluded.
"Exactly. I don't want the case to disappear, so I'll pick it up for a time."
"May I make a suggestion Ms. Delton?"
"Please do Professor."
"Let Remus take the case. He has a background in Defense against the Dark Arts. He also doesn't have a job at present."
"I'll give the case to Remus, but what about the task force? Isn't he still on that?" Reena asked concerndly about her friend.
"The task force doesn't pay very well, close to nothing. Almost everyone on the task force is holding their regular job. Due to his condition, Remus didn't have a job to begin with."
"Thank you professor."
"Your welcome."