I spend the next week at Hogwarts. Exams are just finishing up so there are many students just hanging around the grounds. There seem to be thousands of rumours going around the school as to why I'm here, but everyone seems to know that I'm an Auror.
I'm surprised when Harry comes up to me the day before the feast. "Everyone says you're an Auror."
"I am."
"Neville was saying that you're just as good as Mad-Eye Moody."
I shrug. "I've heard people say that."
"Are you?"
"It's a matter of opinion."
Harry frowns at me. "How come I've never seen you at Headquarters?"
I look over at him and again I'm struck by how much he looks like James. "I've been out of the country for the past ten years. Dumbledore recently asked me to come back. Any more questions?"
Harry looks embarrassed. "No. It's just everyone's been talking about you but no one knows anything."
"It's been a long time since you would have seen my name in the Prophet," I say evenly. "So it's understandable that no one knows much about me. I'm not too surprised Neville does though, his parents were fantastic Aurors."
"He was saying…he was saying that you were really good friends with Sirius."
"Yeah. I went to school with Sirius. We were good friends."
"What about now?"
"I don't know anymore," I admitted. "It's been 15 years since I last saw him and a lot has happened since then. However, before you say anything, I know he isn't guilty I've never thought he was which made me a little unpopular with the ministry."
"Did…I know you know Sirius so, err, did you know my dad?"
"Yes," I said softly. "We were good friends in school, the three of us played Quiditch together on the house team that won everything." I pause choosing my next words carefully. "He was a good man your father, a little arrogant I suppose but then so was I. Both of your parents were good people and undeserving of what happened to them. I only wish I'd thought to spend more time with them, I got too wrapped up in becoming and Auror and simply assumed that they'd be there once I had the time. But time doesn't wait for you, things happen first and your powerless to stop them." I study Harry, "The last time I saw you, you were four months old. Since then you've become an extraordinary wizard, Harry, your parents would be very proud."
Harry looks like he can't speak, I know the feeling. Then after a moment he says, "thanks."
I don't need to ask what it's for.
The next time I see Harry is when I'm on my way to the end of year feast. He and Malfoy Jr. have their wands pointed at each other, Malfoy Jr. is flanked by a pair of rather large and stupid looking boys. Before I can say anything Snivellus voice booms across the hall;
"Potter for the third time this week what do you think you are doing."
Harry looks furiously at him. "Practising my hexing ability."
I hold back a snort of laughter, now that was a comeback worthy of James.
"10 points from Griffendor Mr. Potter." Snivellus sneered.
"Interesting how you seem to forget that a member of your own house is equally guilty," I say jumping down the last few stairs and walking over to stand to the left of Harry and slightly behind him – where I'd always stood when James was hexing Snivellus.
"Seeing as you are not a teacher in this school you don't have any authority over house points," Snivellus sneers though from the way he twitched it's obvious he recognised my position next to Harry.
"Until next September," I say enjoying the look of shock on Snivellus' face. "So there is no need for you to apply for the Defence Against the Dark Arts position this year."
Snivellus looked furious.
"Come with me Mr. Potter, we are both missing at the end of year feast."
Harry grinned and stuck his wand in his pocket before following me into the great hall.
'Unfortunately', I reflect as I take a seat at the head table, 'with Snivellus in the Order as well I will probably be seeing a lot more of him'. I don't like the thought.
Two days later I am following Dumbledore into Headquarters partially dreading being reunited with Sirius. We go into the kitchen where we're greeted by Molly Wesley. She and Dumbledore walk out talking in low voices leaving me in the room with Remus.
"Hey," I say feeling awkward. "Long time no see."
He smiles and gives me a hug. "You're all Sirius has talked about since coming back from the ministry."
As if on cue Sirius walks into the room. I'm surprised how much the past fifteen years has changed him, his once handsome features have been dulled by his stay in Azkaban, and he's pale from all he time he's spent indoors. He's also slouching, Sirius never slouched, if anything he always had a bit of a strut to his walk. He looks up and sees me for the first time.
"Hey, Sirius," I say to break the silence.
"Ruth, when did you get here?"
"About five minutes ago."
A long silence falls between us.
"Well this will never do," Remus says suddenly making me jump. I'd forgotten he was there. "For two people who wont shut up about one another when the other persons not there you seem to be at a loss for conversation."
Sirius scuffles his feet on the floor. "I didn't know. I just…just figured you didn't care anymore being an Auror and all."
"What does being an Auror have to do with anything?" I ask.
"Well…I figured…I mean you work for the Ministry so…I just thought you think I was guilty."
I snort. "Did you not think I knew you better then that?"
Sirius looks at the floor.
Remus sighs. "Listen Padfoot, in the time you were in prison Ruth's become just about the best Auror we have, in fact people were comparing her to Mad-Eye Moody. Now Ruth can correct me if I'm wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if the Ministry has been bombarding her with letters ever since your escape to come and track you down."
I nod and he continues;
"Point being she's here, she saved your life a week ago obviously she doesn't think you're guilty. Actually if my memory serves correctly she got in a lot of trouble at the ministry trying to convince them that you were innocent after you were arrested."
"I almost lost my job for that," I mutter. "The only reason I didn't was Mad-Eye vouched for me which got me out of trouble as long as I kept my mouth shut."
"Sorry," Sirius mumbles.
I sigh. "Actually I would have thought the same if our positions were reversed."
"Now would you kiss and make up?" say Remus.
I look around for something to throw at him and settle on a spoon that's sitting in the sink. He ducks and it bounces harmlessly off the wall above his head.
Sirius laughs walking over to stand beside me.
I give him a quick kiss.
"Jezz, I help out and get stuff thrown at me. Last time I try to help you guys." Remus grumbles good-naturedly.
"Don't worry," I say. "We love you too."
"If this is love, I don't know how much more of it I can take."
I'm about to reply when who should walk into the room but Snivellus.
"Well, well," he sneers. "I see it hardly took any time for you to get back together. Though I thought an Auror would prefer someone who wasn't a coward."
"Say that again, Snivellus," Sirius snarls drawing his wand. "I dare you."
Snivellus draws his own wand about to curse Sirius but I'm faster.
I send him flying upwards so he smashes his head on the doorframe, which makes and odd echoing sound throughout the house and causes him to drop his wand. As hits the ground in a heap Sirius yells;
"Impedimenta."
Then Dumbledore appears in the doorway. "What is going on?"
I've never seen Dumbledore angry before and frankly I never want to see him angry again.
"He started it," Sirius says sullenly. "He provoked us."
"That is no reason for you to let loose your juvenile temper." Dumbledore says sternly. "I expected better from you, Ruth."
I think it would have been nicer if he'd hit me.
Snivellus craws across the floor and retrieves his wand then uses a chair to pull himself to his feet. It would have been funny if Dumbledore hadn't been standing there glaring at us.
I put my wand away and look over at Remus who's intently studying the ceiling.
"I think it's best that you shake hands for a truce," Dumbledore says.
Shake hands with Snivellus? No thanks. Unfortunately that had been an order. Grimacing I hold out my hand as soon as our hands touch I feel a jolt run up my arm and look over at Dumbledore to see he has his wand out. Undoubtedly if we tried to hex one another again something would happen to make us regret it. 'Nice,' I think grimly 'though' I reflect as the same thing happens to Sirius (Snivellus has been hit twice) 'I do have to complement Dumbledore on his ingenuity'.
A/N: okay, I made up the bit about the hand shake, no idea if it's possible but hey if it moves the plot along…