A/N: Well, it looks like the lack of ellipses (or …) in my last chapter wasn't my fault at all; it was because of some system error in I tend to use them a lot in my writing for dramatic purposes, so the last chapter looked like my beta and myself had made a lot of grammatical errors. That was clearly not the case. Someone please let me know if I can replace the chapter without losing all my precious reviews
Okay, here is the chapter at the Department of Mysteries you have all been waiting for!
Chapter 21- Conversations with the Dead
Harry awoke as daylight broke the horizon the next morning to find Remus sitting in a chair beside his bed looking after him. Well, to be truthful, Remus was currently slumped in his seat with his head cocked to one side and snoring rather loudly. Apparently Remus thought it would be safer if he watched over Harry all evening, but had fallen asleep during the effort. Feeling rather uncomfortable, Harry shifted his position in his bed. Unfortunately, the springs annoyingly squeaked loudly and Remus awoke with a start. Harry wondered what he might say to him after he had come so close to cutting again. But Remus just looked at Harry knowingly and caressed his messy head softly as he went about encouraging the boy to get up and start the day. Remus knew better to push him to talk about everything so soon after an episode.
Neither of them knew what to say to one another and Remus was looking rather ill about having to take Harry with him to London today. He kept repeatedly asking the younger man if he wouldn't rather go to Hogwarts instead, but Harry insisted that he would be fine.
After a light breakfast, as neither of them felt like eating much, they walked to a distance beyond the cabin in which the wards did not reach. They would have to apparate to a location near the Ministry of Magic instead of flooing because their fireplace was currently only connected to Hogwarts as a security precaution. Upon reaching a safe distance from the wards Harry grasped onto Remus's robes, and they quickly apparated to an alley within the heart of London. Harry recognized their location immediately from when he was required to attend the court hearing two summers ago when he was forced to use magic outside of school. Harry smiled inwardly as he remembered how scared Dudley had been when the Dementors approached them in Surrey.
The pair briskly walked along one of the streets in downtown London passing several shabby-looking offices, an old pub and an overflowing skip. Harry slowed his pace beside Remus when the old red telephone box came into view. The reality of the situation hadn't really set in until he laid eyes on it. This would be the first time he had been to the Ministry of Magic since Sirius's death. Memories of that awful night came thundering back into his head like an enormous rain storm. A whirlwind of emotions overcame him and he swayed slightly.
Remus noticed his distress immediately and stepped before him, gripping each arm tightly to prevent Harry from falling over. He looked deep into his emerald green eyes searching for an understanding. But Harry appeared hollow and sad.
"This wasn't a good idea. Why don't we just go home and ask the Wizengamot to reschedule the court hearing? I don't want to put you through this," said Remus, who was now trying to guide Harry back the way they came.
Harry stood his ground and pulled on Remus's arm. "No, I want to go. I need to go, Remus," he said with as much conviction as possible.
"Are you sure?" Remus asked again for the hundredth time that day. Harry nodded confidently and walked up to the telephone box.
Harry pulled open the red door and noticed that the near ancient muggle contraption was still in a state of disrepair. There were several missing panes of glass and the alley wall behind it was heavily graffitied. Harry was sure that some of the locals had added their own "artwork" in recent months because some of the designs were of a nature that he did not recognize from his last excursion here. It was amazing how efficiently the dilapidated old telephone box disguised the location of the Ministry of Magic. Muggles passing by this location wouldn't give it a second look other than to sneer at it in outright disgust.
Harry grew more anxious as he realized what may happen once he was inside the Ministry. He was determined now more than ever to carry out his plan. Not waiting for Remus, he picked up the receiver inside the phone booth and dialed 6-2-4-4-2. How he had remembered that number he will never know.
"Hello, and welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and what your business is here," said the friendly receptionist on the other end of the line.
"Our names are Remus Lupin and Harry Potter… and we're here for a… er… custody hearing?" Harry asked sounding a little unsure of himself. He turned towards Remus who had now joined him the telephone booth. The older man nodded and Harry understood that he had said the right thing.
"Thank you," said the receptionist. "Please submit to a search and present your wand for registration if you have not already done so at the security desk at the far end of the Atrium."
The line then went dead so Harry hung up the phone. Two small silver badges bearing their names appeared in the coin return, and Remus and Harry promptly pinned them on. Harry then took a deep breath as the telephone booth began to descend below the streets of London towards the subterranean offices of the Ministry of Magic. Remus put a comforting hand on his shoulder and looked at him sadly.
Soon the doors opened to reveal the Atrium, which was the main corridor of the Ministry of Magic. Harry stood unmoving in the telephone lift, completely transfixed at the scene before. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but it certainly was not this. Everything looked exactly the same as when he had been here two summers before, instead of the scene of horror that he witnessed just last June. He closed his eyes briefly trying to block out the memories of destruction and mayhem that had occurred in this very corridor when he battled Lord Voldemort. By the time it had all ended and Dumbledore rescued him from being possessed, the place had been completely ruined. Opening his eyes he could see now that there wasn't anything left to indicate that a battle had ever taken place here.
It was because of that very night that the Ministry of Magic had to openly admit the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It would have been too difficult to deny his very existence when he had so boldly stepped foot on their very own turf.
"Come along, Harry," said Remus, who had gently nudged the boy forward with his hand that still rested on his shoulder. "Let's get this over with so we can go home."
Harry loved hearing Remus say that word… home. Besides Hogwarts, Harry could never remember having any place to really call home. He smiled up at his new guardian and gathered his courage to will himself to keep moving. He would never forgive himself if he wasn't able to carry out this self-appointed task.
They quickly moved across the long hallway, their heels tapping ever so lightly against the highly polished, dark wood flooring. It was fairly quiet this time of morning and hardly a witch or wizard could be seen down the long corridor. The first time he was here, there were people bustling about everywhere and they were even popping in and out of the gilded fireplaces that line the Atrium's walls. Harry wondered if the Ministry was always this slow during the weekends.
Glancing upwards, Harry was startled to see a peculiar message written in golden lettering against the peacock blue ceiling that served as a large bulletin board. "Death Eater attacks in the United States have been mistaken for terrorist activity. No reported casualties at this time…"
Harry had only seen the message for a fleeting moment, but it was enough to shake him thoroughly. Because of his isolation, he had almost forgotten about the systematic attacks that Voldemort had been planning and executing around the world. A part of him wished he still had his connection to the Dark Lord. The Order of the Phoenix had no way of knowing what was going on now that Snape had been discovered as a spy.
"What is it?" asked Remus with concern. Harry hadn't noticed that he had stopped completely in the middle of the long hallway and was staring transfixed at the ceiling, his eyes not focusing on any thing in particular anymore.
"Oh… er, sorry… it's nothing. I just saw a posting about some Death Eater attacks," said Harry solemnly. Remus nodded in understanding and continued to walk forward, leaving Harry behind. An air of sadness seemed to follow him as he proceeded. Harry sometimes forgot that he wasn't the only one affected by this war. He hurried his pace to catch up to Remus, and fell in step just behind him.
Harry quickly diverted his eyes as they passed the Fountain of Magical Brethren half way down the hall. The golden statues circling the pool had been the site where he had confronted Bellatrix Lestrange and later fought Voldemort. He was still ashamed of himself for trying to use the Cruciatus Curse on that evil witch, but he had been so overwhelmed with despair he hardly knew what he was doing. He need not be reminded of that awful night anymore than necessary, so he looked away purposefully.
Upon reaching the golden gates at the far end of the hall, Remus and Harry stated their business to the security desk. Their wands had already been registered from before, so they were free to pass through the small hall that led to the lifts.
Remus and Harry entered the first lift they found available. Remus pressed the button that was labeled Level 10: Courtrooms. Harry quickly took notice that the Department of Mysteries was on Level 9, one level below their current destination. When he had been here last year he had been running on a lot of adrenaline and had mainly navigated this place on autopilot. He was thankful that it was still located where he had remembered it. He hoped that he would just as easily find his way later on. He wouldn't have a lot of time to search for the place he had to go today when he slipped out of the hearing.
Harry felt the lift ascend to Level 10 quickly. They stepped out into the corridor, which was lined with rough stone walls and torches placed in intricately carved wrought iron brackets. Heavy wooden doors with iron bolts and keyholes lined the darkened hallway. Harry briefly wondered if the hearing would take place in the largest courtroom, number 10, at the end of the hallway like last time.
Seeing Professor Dumbledore, Arthur Weasley, and Madame Pomfrey waiting for them in front of the second courtroom, he sighed in relief. At least this time he wouldn't have to be paraded around again in front of a full court. It had been quite terrifying last time to be scrutinized by so many members of the Wizengamot.
Dumbledore and Pomfrey were quietly talking to Mr. Weasley as Remus and Harry approached them. Noticing that they had arrived the headmaster turned to his young student and smiled softly. "Ah… Harry, I am glad to see that you are faring much better than when I last saw you…"
Harry did not know what to say in response so he simply shrugged. Madame Pomfrey looked down at him, also smiling softly, and gave a small sigh.
"Hello, Harry," said Mr. Weasley. His presence here, although unexpected, was comforting to Harry. He looked up to the man like a father figure, and he had a lot of respect for him. Harry truly had no idea where he would be today if Ron's family hadn't taken him in last summer.
"Hi, Mr. Weasley. I didn't know you would be here," said Harry sounding somewhat confused.
"Too be honest, I didn't either. I had some work I had to do today in my office, and Molly mentioned that the custody hearing will be today. I decided at the last minute to stop by. I thought you might like some company during all of this," he offered.
"Thank you," said Harry. "I'd appreciate that, but you don't have to."
"I think I will stay just the same," Mr. Weasley replied. He smiled down at Harry and he couldn't help but smile back.
It had been agreed upon earlier that Harry would sit in the back of the courtroom where the spectators would normally sit. He hadn't wanted to be alone, but he also needed to be in order to slip out of the hearing unnoticed. Mr. Weasley now presented an unexpected twist in his plans. How was he going to leave without the others noticing?
Remus had peeked into the courtroom while Harry greeted the others. "It looks like they are ready for us. Harry, are you still sure about all of this?"
"Yes," he said confidently.
"Okay then, here we go," said Remus following the headmaster and the school nurse into the courtroom. Mr. Weasley and Harry went in as well, close behind the others.
Like the corridor just outside this room, the walls were made of a dark stone and dimly lit by torches. This courtroom was nearly half the size of the one he had originally been in. There were benches on either side of the main aisle way and a set of taller benches at the head of the room. Shadowy figures had already been seated in accordingly to their ranking positions within the Ministry. Harry quickly noticed that only 10 members of the Wizengamot were present for his hearing. Like before, they wore plum robes with a "W" embroidered in bright white on the left hand side of the chest. The only other difference from the last courtroom he was in was the lack of the odd chair that had been in the centre of the larger courtroom. There seemed to be no need to have a chair covered in chains and shackles in this smaller room.
Arthur Weasley directed Harry to a bench in the back of the room while the others made their way towards the benches nearest the Wizengamot members. Percy Weasley was seated at the farthest end of the room, poised, waiting to take down notes about the hearing. He winked at Harry as he caught his eye, and then returned his gaze to the piece of parchment in front of him.
Harry took as seat and placed the shoulder bag that he had been carrying on the floor beside him. Mr. Weasley eyed it carefully wondering why Harry had brought it with him. Seeing Mr. Weasley's inquisitive look, Harry simply stated, "I brought some homework in case I got bored. We have no idea had long it will take to make their decision." Mr. Weasley nodded in understanding.
Soon the hearing was underway. A representative of the Wizengamot, seated at the center of all the others rose and began to speak. "A panel of members from the Wizengamot has been assembled for a custody hearing for Harry James Potter. I will act as chairman over this proceeding. Would the person or persons representing Mr. Potter please step forward and state your case?"
Harry watched as Remus rose from his seat and stepped into the center of the room. "Chairman, my name is Remus Jonathon Lupin. I am an old friend of Harry Potter's deceased parents and godfather, and current Professor of the Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. I feel that I have gotten to know Harry quite well over recent years, and I feel that his current living situation is unacceptable. I have only his best interests at heart when I say that I wish to obtain permanent guardianship of him."
The Chairman looked down at him curiously and then began to rifle through some pieces of parchment littering the desk in front of him. Finding the document he was interested in, he replied "This court currently acknowledges that Harry James Potter has been placed into the custody of his only living relatives, the Muggles living in Little Whining, Surrey…. Vernon and Petunia Dursley… by Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and current Headmaster of Hogwarts," said the Chairman. Harry shivered unconsciously at the sound of his relative's names. He really didn't want to be here, so he grabbed the Potion's textbook he'd brought out of his bag and tried to block the hearing out by re-reading one of the chapters. Mr. Weasley rubbed his shoulder lovingly, seeing Harry's distress.
Dumbledore then rose from his seat to aid Remus in the hearing. "If I may be so bold as to interject here…. I did in fact place Harry Potter at his Aunt and Uncle's house as an infant when his parents were killed, but I did not realize at the time that by doing so I had placed the young man in danger."
"Headmaster… Mr. Potter was sent there for his own protection by you. What do you mean by placing him in danger? Do you make it a habit to do such a thing?" asked the Chairman in a patronizing tone.
"It has recently come to my attention that the Dursleys are unfit to care for Harry Potter any longer. He has received the proper medical attention needed by our school nurse Poppy Pomfrey and is currently undergoing emotional therapy under the care of Remus Lupin. I will not disclose the nature of Harry's stay while with the Dursleys, as it is confidential, but I will say that I will do everything in my power to see that he never has to go there again," said Professor Dumbledore.
As hard as Harry had tried, he couldn't block out what they were all saying. The Chairman was currently probing the three adults looking for answers as to why it was inappropriate for him to stay at the Dursleys' any longer. His heartbeat had increased significantly and he found that he had trouble breathing.
"Harry, are you alright?" asked Mr. Weasley in a concerned voice.
Harry squeezed his eyes tight and shook his head no. "Well, c'mon on then… let's go out in the hallway for a bit until this thing is over."
Harry nodded and gathered up his things. They slipped out quietly as Remus and Dumbledore began to argue with the chairman. Harry leaned against the cool wall and took some deep steadying breaths. Mr. Weasley was kind enough not to say anything as Harry tried to get a grip. He probably knew that Harry wouldn't talk to him even if he did try questioning him. After fifteen minutes or so, Harry had calmed down significantly.
Trying not to think about what was happening in the hearing; Harry began to pace the long corridor trying to figure out how he was going to get away from Mr. Weasley in order to carry out his plans. There was no place to sit, so pacing sounded like a rather good idea. Harry found that it was best to keep active during troubling situations. Poor Mr. Weasley was looking rather dizzy following Harry's progress back and forth. "I'm sure everything will be okay, Harry," Arthur tried to reason. Harry didn't seem to be able to answer or indicate that he had even heard him.
Suddenly the door to courtroom number 2 opened and Remus poked his head out into the hallway. "They've gone into a recess to discuss their decision," said Remus. "Are you alright?" he asked Harry who had suddenly stopped in the middle of the hallway and was staring at him wide eyed. Harry nodded, and then continued his pacing.
Remus was then called back into the courtroom by Dumbledore. Arthur and Harry were left alone again. The large red headed man sighed, seeing that Harry was looking rather irritated with his presence.
"I'm going to talk to the others and find out what is happening," said Mr. Weasley. "Do you want to come with me or stay out here in the hallway?'
"I think I'll stay out here for a bit," said Harry.
"Okay, I will be back soon. Holler if you need me," said Mr. Weasley, who had keenly sensed that the boy needed to be alone. He walked through the open courtroom doors looking for his colleagues. Little did he know that Harry wanted to be alone for different purposes entirely.
Harry couldn't believe his luck! He was finally alone! He knew now what he needed to do. He quickly grabbed his invisibility cloak that he had safely hidden in his bag and threw it over his head. Checking to see that he was completely covered, he ran down the hallway to the stairs and the far end of the corridor. He didn't want to risk taking the lift and someone becoming suspicious when it stopped at their floor without any passengers.
He descended the stairs to the floor below the courtrooms. Reaching Level 9 he realized that the entrance to the Department of Mysteries was just as he remembered it. He looked back and forth trying to gain his bearings. The walls were completely bare except for the torches that illuminated the hallway, and there were no windows or doors apart from the plain black door directly left of the small flight of stairs. The lift was directly opposite the black door at the other end of the hallway.
Taking a deep breath he turned left and walked toward the shiny black door, which opened automatically as he approached. It vaguely reminded of the electronic doors found in Muggle supermarkets that swung open when they detected movement.
He entered the large circular room that lay beyond the door and marveled once again at the feeling of being in a bottomless pit. Everything in here was black including the floor, ceiling, and the unmarked handleless doors that were set at intervals all around the perimeter of the room. Blue flames flickered from candles that were staggered between each door. Their eerie glow shined down upon the dark marble flooring making it appear as if there was dark water beneath his feet. Like before, the place appeared to be completely deserted. Harry vaguely wondered if anyone worked at the Ministry on weekends.
Harry stared at the dozen or so doors trying to decide which one would lead to the room that contained the veil that Sirius fell through. Like before, the circular room began to rotate as if trying to purposely confuse and disorientate Harry further. Trying desperately to remember the order of events that took place that fateful evening last spring Harry walked forward purposely. If he could just find that mysterious room that contained all those weird brains where Ron was attacked he could find his way to the room he needed.
The Department of Mysteries was a frighteningly odd place, and Harry felt a sense of anticipation and fear being back where he battled the Death Eaters not so long ago. Harry knew that the Order was now skeptical of the shady dealings at the Ministry of Magic, and he felt the need to be more guarded than usual. It was believed that Cornelius Fudge, the Minister himself, was no longer on the side of the Light so there could always be some unforeseen dangers when treading on "enemy" territory. Percy knew that lesson better now than anyone. Knowing that he always needed to be prepared for anything, he gripped his wand tightly in his right hand. He decided to keep his invisibility cloak on a little longer until he found what he needed.
He tried a few doors, finding them all locked as they wouldn't budge from their frames. Finally, he found a door that appeared to be unlocked. He lightly pushed open a door to find a narrow room lined with odd looking tanks of water. Each one contained a few grotesque looking brains. The grayish hued brains were had long tentacles and were swimming about listlessly as if they were some hybrid jellyfish. Harry grimaced as he remembered the awful scars that his best friend had received when he mistakenly tried to pick one up. The angry red welts that he received never did heal completely. Harry was amazed that the Ministry didn't keep this room better guarded. Then again, who would willingly stick their arms in a tank full of brains unless they were hit by some curse to cause confusion and outright silliness?
Stepping away from the "Brain Room", the door closed soundlessly. He knew that one of the doors in that last room led to the Veil room, but he wanted to avoid that awful place as much as possible. He tried the next door and was relieved to find the very room that he was looking for. It was just as he remembered it. Harry's breath quickened slightly as he began to descend the stone steps that led to the dais at the center of the room. Like the Atrium, there were no signs to indicate that a battle had ever taken place here.
Although rectangular in shape, the stone "benches" were set in a circular fashion facing the sunken pit at the center of the room, like some type of ancient amphitheater. It was oddly reminiscent of the courtroom he was just in, minus the raised benches where the Wizengamot sat. Harry absentmindedly thought about what the room might be used for.
Harry slowed his paced and was mesmerized by the sight in the center of the pit. On the raised stone dais stood the veil archway looking almost regal in its central position. Harry felt a lump in his throat as his eyes settled on the very placed where Sirius had fallen to his doom. Its spiraling columns looked so ancient that they appeared as if they would crumble at the slightest touch. They were completely unsupported by anything in the rest of the room and Harry imagined that they must be held up by some unseen magic, like the rooms at the Burrow were. The tattered black veil swayed in the archway slightly although there was no breeze in the room. Harry suddenly realized for the first time that even though the archway was placed at the center of the room, you could not see through to the other side. Behind the billowing fabric was only darkness. It truly was a portal to another realm… Limbo!
It wasn't until this very moment, staring at the utter blackness that lay in the Veil before him that he realized he had known all along that Sirius had been in Limbo with him. He always remembered feeling another presence in the darkness, one that he was not afraid of, but could never understand it entirely. While in its undefined depths, Sirius had silently willed him to go back and had effectively helped save his life.
Tearing off his invisibility cloak, Harry sat down on the stone steps still some distance away from the veil. Soon he felt hot tears course their way down his tired face. He was sad and angry as he thought about Sirius last moments here on earth. After all this time he still missed his godfather desperately. He then began to reflect on his odd connection that he had developed with him over recent months. There had to be a reason for everything that had happened. A million questions entered his mind as he thought about reliving Sirius's memories in his dreams, and the voice that had called out for help from beyond.
Why? Why did Sirius have to die? What was the veil used for anyway? Why did it even exist? Why would the Ministry have something so dangerous left unguarded? Why was the veil even here at all? It seemed so old that Harry began to speculate that it may have been here all along in some subterranean cave, and that the Ministry had been carved out of the rock surrounding it. But why? What hidden purpose did this mysterious object hold?
Knowing that he would not have much time here once the others realized that he was missing, he hastily wiped away his tears and set out to do what he had come here for. He descended the rest of the stone stairs that were left and took a few hesitant steps forward. From this distance he could hear the shadowy whispers coming from beyond the veil. The voices were indiscernible from each other and it was near impossible to hear what they were saying, but they were as alluring nonetheless. He felt oddly drawn to the veil like he did before. The whispery voices were like sirens calling out to lost ships, guiding them into the rocky precipices that would inevitably sign their fate. Harry shook his head slightly and forced himself to focus on the task at hand.
He was determined to not only talk to Sirius, but also find some type information that may help understand what had happened, and even possibly bring his beloved godfather back. He didn't care what Remus said. There had to be a way!
Although the room was dimly lit by torches it was hard to see much of anything. He walked around the dais slowly searching for anything that may help him. Upon closer examination Harry could make out some ancient runes on the arch above the veil. They were completely unfamiliar to him, but he could sense their importance. He quickly got out his journal and a Muggle pen from his shoulder bag and stashed his invisibility cloak inside.
He drew a rough sketch of the veil and archway and then copied the odd symbols as best as he could. Some were too faded with age to be of much use, but he copied them anyway. He planned on asking his bushy haired friend to aid him in deciphering their significance once he returned to Hogwarts. He also planned to make use of the school library's extensive research section to study anything that may pertain to the Veil. He was going to help Sirius if it was the last thing he did; even if it meant leading him to rest in peace if he could not bring him back to the land of the living. His godfather deserved that much after everything he had done for him.
Finishing the drawing he quickly assessed the rest of the arch and the dais. He walked all the way around the raised platform again, but found nothing of significance. He hid the journal and pen back into his bag and placed it on the floor beside the platform. He really didn't know what he was doing, but he felt the overwhelming need to be closer to the veil. He climbed up on the dais and kneeled before the large archway about two meters away. The whispery voices were beckoning him to draw nearer, but he forced himself to remain a safe distance away. He wouldn't be of any help to Sirius if he fell through too.
Harry didn't really know what to do now that he was here, so he said his godfather's name aloud hoping for a response through the Veil. "Sirius?"
Nothing happened so he tried again. "Sirius? Hello?"
Again he received no response from his godfather. He was very disappointed because he truly thought that his godfather would somehow sense he was here and greet him at the veil or something. Apparently his expectations had been too high. The whispers on the other side of the veil were getting a bit louder with excitement and Harry tried his best to ignore them.
He thought about the dreams he'd had about Sirius and when they had first started occurring. Although he fell through the Veil last June, he couldn't remember having a single "memory" dream about Sirius until after he received the pensieve from Dumbledore at the end of November. If he had made some sort of connection to him from being in Limbo why hadn't they started sooner? The more Harry thought about it the more he realized that he had been so overcome by the memories of his own experiences after he returned that there was probably no way for the dreams about Sirius to come through. He had simply been overloaded with his own grief until he received the pensieve. The connection must have been too weak to get through all of the other stuff going on in his head.
Maybe simply thinking about Sirius was the key. Harry remembered that when he first heard Sirius's voice calling to him, he had been thinking about the dream he had about his cousin Bellatrix and what he said to her before he fell through the veil. Maybe by thinking about him Harry could somehow establish a connection so that they could communicate.
Trying a new tactic, Harry closed his eyes in order to concentrate and tried to calm his racing heartbeat. He hoped that he could "tune" into Sirius somehow. He tried focusing on thoughts about Sirius, but he found that his mind was skipping from one idea to another in anticipation. He then tried one of the yoga breathing techniques Remus had taught him to calm himself. Maybe by focusing on his breathing instead of everything else his mind would be more open, and he could reach out to Sirius with his mind.
He took slow steady breaths, inhaling and exhaling through his nose, trying to clear his mind of all thoughts. Yoga breathing was a lot like his Occlumency lessons in that it calmed him and rid his head of all thoughts.
Suddenly he was swept into a vision of the night in which he had first come here. Only this time he was seeing everything from Sirius's point of view. He soon realized that the vision began at the entrance of the Department of Mysteries. Sirius sprinted through the open door that led to the room containing the veil. Close behind him were Remus, Moody, Tonks and Kingsley.
He bounded down the stone steps seeing "himself" near the base of the stone dais trying to assist Neville. They were crawling along the ground trying to get to safety. Lucius Malfoy turned, raising his wand, but Tonks quickly stunned him. The Order quickly became engaged in an all out battle with the Death Eaters, throwing spells and curses left and right. Completely distracted by the Order's appearance, the Death Eaters had all but forgotten about the two students at the centre of the room.
Pieces of stone were flying across the room as powerful spells caused giant craters in the floor and walls. The room was filled with utter mayhem as the battle ensued. He was now only a few feet away from "Harry" fighting off one of the Death Eaters who had tried to surprise him.
He soon became aware that "Harry" was currently being attacked by another Death Eater. The large man had one arm wrapped around his neck, effectively cutting off his supply of oxygen while reaching for the prophecy that was clutched in his outreached hand. He desperately wanted to go and help his godson, but it appeared that this Death Eater was going to kill him as soon as he turned his back. He was relieved to see Neville tackle the guy, allowing Harry to then stun him.
His duel with the Death Eater before him increased significantly. So fierce was their battle that their wands were merely blurs of activity. He finally was able to subdue the mindless idiot on the far side of the room, when he saw Dolohov bearing down on Harry and Neville. He ran across the room at lightning speed and tackled Dolohov with his shoulder like a line backer from an American football team.
Dolohov was on his feet again quickly, as any trained warrior would, and began firing spells at him. Sirius fired back, their wands flashing like swords as the dueled. Sparks flew from the tips of their wands like a myriad of fireworks. Just as the Death Eater began to form the intricate wand movements needed to perform a debilitating curse "Harry" petrified him.
"Nice one!" he shouted as he forced Harry's head down as a pair of Stunning Spells flew towards them. "Now I want you to get out of ¾" he began.
They both ducked again as a jet of green light had narrowly missed Sirius. Across the room they saw Tonks fall from halfway up the stone steps, her limp form toppling from stone seat to stone seat.
His cousin Bellatrix had just injured one of his favorite members of the Order with a sadistic look on her face. He had to take her down and see that Tonks was alright. She was one of the few members of his strange family that actually accepted him openly over the years.
"Harry, take the prophecy, grab Neville and run!" he yelled, dashing to meet Bellatrix.
Somehow or another, Sirius had known that the day would come in which he and his cousin, and once childhood friend, would ultimately duel. When he chose to side against the Dark Lord, she had disowned him much like the rest of his family. Their affection for one another had tarnished dramatically over the years and now only hate was left.
He jumped on top of the stone dais facing his cousin defiantly. They began dodging and throwing curses at one another, much like they did as youngsters in one of their childhood games. As he ducked from one of the curses she had thrown at him, he saw Malfoy smash into the dais they were standing on.
Sirius was about to leave his duel with Bellatrix, to help Harry who Malfoy had been attacking, but Remus thankfully came to the rescue. Harry and Neville appeared to be making their escape, just as Dumbledore arrived on the scene. The powerful wizard single handedly began to round up every last Death Eater as Sirius continued to fight his cousin. The stupid bitch didn't seem like she was going to give up for anything!
He knew that the only way to defeat her was to taunt her into near frustration. She was a very skilled dueler so he had to maneuver quickly. If he could only break her concentration he might be able to get past one of her shields and stun her.
He ducked a jet of red light, laughing at her efforts boldly. "Come on, you can do better than that!" he yelled, his voice echoing around the cavernous room. That little phrase had always been a favorite of hers, and he could see the look of utter hate that blazed in her eyes as he said it.
Suddenly, a second jet of light hit him squarely on the chest. The laughter had not quite died from his face, but his eyes widened in shock.
Slowly, he felt himself fall backward, not really comprehending that Bellatrix had finally hit her mark. His body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through the ragged veil hanging from the arch.
He was more surprised than anything, but he quickly realized that he should be afraid. He had no idea what was happening to him, but he knew something wasn't right.
He heard his cousin scream triumphantly, and then his godson yelling for him desperately, calling for him over and over again. An odd sensation overcame him as he continued to fall. He felt weightless as if his entire body as simply vaporized. He was suddenly surrounded by pitch darkness and could no longer hear the sounds of battle. He desperately tried to get back to Harry and the others, but he had no sense of movement where ever he was. In fact, he could no longer tell if he even had a body. He screamed for the others in despair, but he found that he had no voice at all. He cried out in agony and felt the weight of his soul as he was overcome by grief. But there was nothing he could do. He was lost!
As Sirius fell through the veil in slow motion, Harry opened his eyes and yelled for his godfather as the memory dissipated. Although he could not see it, Harry was suddenly aware of something's presence on the either side of the veil. Immediately he felt a pull on his solar plexus; it felt like there was an energy coursing between him and the Veil. It was very uncomfortable, but not painful. He could vaguely feel what felt like an invisible web-like connection that had been made with him and the spirit in the unseen in the darkness. Closing his eyes tightly he saw spidery like stands of white light emanating from his chest. The feathery strands than began to encircle his head and shoulders, but he felt no fear. The being that he was connected to on the other side of the veil threshold began to take shape. Behind his closed eyes, Harry soon saw a ghostly form that was very familiar to him. Sirius….
"Sirius?" Harry called out with his mind.
"Harry?" a voice answered back as the ghostly spirit reached out to him. Its ghostly fingers were unable to reach across the divide. Harry could now clearly make out the features of the soul before him. It really was Sirius!
"I'm so sorry, Sirius, I didn't mean for you to fall through the veil…" he said desperately. Harry somehow sensed that his time with Sirius would draw shorter than expected, so he said the first thing that came to his guilt ridden mind.
"I know…" Sirius replied. His voice is soft and wispy like the wind.
"Are you okay?" he asked, unsure of what he should say with his precious little time. Sirius's eyes were filled with sadness and through their connection Harry could feel the weight of what Sirius had been experiencing while existing in Limbo.
"Harry you have to help me…I don't want to be here…" Sirius's voice pleaded. Harry wished that he could touch his godfather as well, but he was happy to have at least made a connection to him.
"I don't know how? What do I do?" Harry asked of him.
"Use the veil…" Sirius replied, his voice sounding fainter and fainter. The edges outlining his ghostly shape were beginning to fade. It appeared as if there connection was breaking.
"What? I don't understand! What do you mean?" Harry pleaded. If there was something he could do to unleash Sirius from his imprisonment in Limbo he would, but Sirius wasn't being very clear on what he had to do.
"Use the veil!" Sirius seemed to shout, but his voice was only an echo of his words from before. His shadowy figure faded into nothing, and Harry cried out at the loss. The spider strands of light connecting them in the darkness seemed to snap in half. No!
Suddenly, Harry was ripped from his trance-like conversation with Sirius as he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders. Someone had grabbed him roughly from behind and was now pulling him away from the veil and setting him down on one of the stone benches. Harry opened his eyes and found himself still in the room containing the veil. He was sweating profusely as his heart raced in his chest from the exertion. What just happened!
Slowly he looked up into the man who had shaken him from his stupor. Remus's eyes were filled with utter worry and were searching his own green eyes carefully to see that he was okay. He was kneeled before Harry searching him over making sure that nothing had happened to him.
Turning his head away in frustration, Harry saw that Dumbledore, Pomfrey, Mr. Weasley and Percy were standing around them, and were all looking rather anxious about the situation. Why are they here? They ruined everything!
"What were you doing?" Remus demanded as he shook Harry's shoulders fiercely. He was so tired and weary that he barely had the strength to look him in the eye.
"…" Harry decided to remain silent as he tried to process everything that had just happened. Had he really just talked to Sirius? Was he still in Limbo?
How am I going to save him? Oh, gods…Everything happened so fast. I didn't even get a chance to tell him I love him! He became aware of the wetness on his cheeks and brought his hand up to his face. Had he been crying?
"Do you realize what would have happened if you fell through the veil?" said Remus, his voice seemingly laced with anger.
"…" Harry looked up at him apprehensively. Of course he knew what would have happened if he fell through! He had only been thinking about Sirius's "death" since it happened. Although Harry had heard the anger in Remus's voice before, the expression on his face told Harry that he wasn't angry at all. He was desperately afraid for his young ward.
"I don't know what I would do if I lost you too!" Remus suddenly said. Harry felt himself enveloped in Remus's large arms in a bone crushing hug. Although his embrace was warm and comforting, it did nothing to quell his thoughts about Sirius and his pleas for help.
What am I going to do? How am I going to explain all of this?
Remus pulled Harry back to get a good look at him. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Harry finally managed weakly.
"What are you doing down here? Why did you leave the hearing?" Remus asked once again. The man was now demanding answers and it was clear that they wouldn't be going anywhere until he got some.
Harry looked up at him, tears still evident in his eyes. "Can I talk to you alone?"
Remus turned to look toward the others as if to communicate that they all should leave. They all looked at both of them searching and nodded in response. The two Weasleys and Madame Pomfrey all left wordlessly understanding Harry's need to be alone with Remus. Dumbledore, however, didn't seem to think that he needed to leave.
"Professor, may I ask if I could please speak to Harry?" asked the headmaster of his DADA teacher. Since the night Harry discovered the truth about the prophecy he had never fully learned to trust Dumbledore again. He looked at Remus beseechingly, hoping that he would understand that this was something he could only talk about with him.
"I understand, headmaster, why you may wish to speak to Harry, but given the current circumstances I feel that it is best if Harry and I are left alone. Maybe we could save this conversation for when we return to Hogwarts," said Remus understanding how important it was for him and Harry to be alone. It was only just last night that Harry learned the truth about the Veil and Sirius. That conversation alone had sent Harry into such a state that he almost cut himself again. He should have suspected that it was in Harry's nature to try something foolish like this.
Professor Dumbledore looked as if he wanted to say something more, but merely nodded and said "As you wish…" Harry watched as the aged frame of the headmaster appeared to float above the stone steps and out of the rectangular room. He briefly wondered what the headmaster wanted to say to him, but soon dismissed his curiosity so that he could focus on what he would say to Remus.
"Why did you come here?" asked Remus looking into Harry's eyes.
"I-I wanted to see the veil again. I just wanted to be in the last place where Sirius was alive…" he said softly as another tear cascaded down his pale face.
"Is that all?" Remus asked. "Did something happen?" he asked taking Harry's face in his hands.
Harry tried to shake his head no, but Remus's hands held his head firmly in place. He looked back at this friend's face and knew that he could not lie. He nodded his head slightly.
"So what happened?" asked Remus wiping the tears from Harry's face. "Why did you come here?"
"After I learned the truth about the Veil, I started thinking about Sirius calling out to me for help. I just wanted to see if I could somehow communicate with him…" Harry tried to explain.
"And did you?" Remus whispered almost hopefully.
"Yes…" Harry whispered back. He looked past Remus at the Veil and thought about his strange conversation with Sirius. When he looked back at the older man's face he was surprised to see he had shed a few tears. His chin was slightly trembling as well.
"Please tell me Harry…" he asked. The pain was evident in his voice. Harry debated even telling him anything. It was clear that Remus needed closure as much as he did, but he didn't want to give him false hope either.
"I tried one of the breathing techniques you showed me and I relived one of his memories…"
"Which one?"
"The last night he was alive… the night he fell through that veil…"
"Oh gods…" said Remus as he brought his hands up to his face.
"But Remus…"
The older man looked up at Harry, who was still seated before him.
"I talked to him too… that's what I was doing when you found me…"
"You spoke to him?" asked Remus in disbelief.
"Yeah… I could see him too when I closed my eyes… he seemed younger…"
"What did he say?"
"Not much…. He said that he didn't want to be there anymore and he wanted my help… He said 'Use the Veil'…" Harry voice was now cracking with emotion.
"That's it… that's all… " asked Remus.
"I'm sorry… we didn't have a lot of time…" Harry tried to explain.
Remus saw the sadness in his eyes and leaned forward and kissed Harry on the forehead near his scar.
"Harry… I want to ask you to do something… but I don't think you should…" Remus whispered into his raven locks.
"What?" asked Harry.
"Will you try again… to talk to Sirius…."
"Okay…" said Harry relieved that Remus had actually believed him.
"You don't have to… I know this is painful for you… but if there is a way…" Remus seemed so sad and lost, that Harry couldn't help but feel his pain.
"I know…" said Harry. He stood up and walked purposefully towards that dais, and climbed up. He took his position before the veil like he did before and closed his eyes. He could feel Remus sit down beside him waiting anxiously.
For several minutes Harry tried to re-establish the link he had created earlier, but to no avail. Sirius seemed farther away from his mind's reach and he was emotionally exhausted to say the least. He finally gave up when it seemed all he was doing was giving himself a headache. He cried out in frustration at his failure to contact his godfather once again.
"I'm sorry Remus… I tried… I just can't…." said Harry crying once again.
"Shhh….. I'm sorry… I shouldn't have asked you, but I just wanted to believe that there was a way to bring him back," said Remus who was hugging him tightly.
"I know… me too…" said Harry hugging him back.
"I miss him so much…" said Remus. Harry was somewhat shocked by his honesty. It was rare for him to confess his feelings to Harry unless it had something to do with him.
"Me too…"
"I know it hurts… but we can't hold on to something that will never happen…" Harry didn't say anything one way or another. Remus could believe that there wasn't any way to bring Sirius back, but that didn't mean Harry would stop trying.
"Harry, you have to promise me that you won't run off like that again, okay? I was really worried about you. I thought someone had taken you…" said Remus confessing his fears.
"I know… I'm sorry…" said Harry genuinely.
After a few minutes, they stood up carefully and gathered up Harry's things. They climbed the stone steps looking back at the Veil one last time. As they reached the lift at the end of the Department of Mysteries it finally dawned on Harry that the hearing must now be over.
"Remus…" asked Harry as the lift descended to the Atrium, where they were to make their way back out to the street.
"I forgot to ask earlier… I left so soon that I didn't hear the verdict… what did they say about the custody hearing…" asked Harry softly.
Remus smiled down at him for the first time that day. "We won!"
Harry hugged his new guardian and breathed in his comforting scent. He finally had a real family.
A/N: This was a hard chapter to write, not only because of what occurred in the veil room but also because of the amount of detail necessary to write a scene at the Ministry of Magic. It's not a common location in fandom and I wanted to be sure that I was as accurate as possible to the description used in Book 5. My beta did some research for me, so some of the descriptions are pretty close to those found in the canon. In fact, most of the dreams Harry has about Sirius were researched by Drae. Let's give her another round of applause for all her hard work. I did take some liberties with some of the scene descriptions so that they would work better with my story, so please don't point too many mistakes unless it affects the plot. Thanks!
Many thanks to all my reviewers!