HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.

Chapter 21 – Goodbye Forever?

            The days that lead to the 27th of November were spent with a mixture of fear and longing. Fearing that Sirius might try something Remus and James had decided to appear at his house sometimes during the day to check on him. He didn't seem to mind and actually ignored them utterly.

On the 23rd Remus made his way to Sirius's house to find it apparently empty. He checked the kitchen, the room, the backyard and finally the living room. When he was getting ready to warn James he saw a bear-like black dog lying on the couch. The animal was peaceful and appeared to be sleeping. Remus approached the animal and smiled. He understood what Sirius was doing.

" So, Snuffles is taking over, Padfoot?" he asked to the dog.

 The dog turned into Sirius. His hair was untidy and he was a little pale. He looked at his friend.

" It helps. I find it easier to bear the day as Snuffles." He answered calmly.

" I understand. Your alter ego doesn't think. Sometimes I actually like my wolf alter ego. His emotions get over mine. It can be nice."

" My point exactly. It has its advantages being an Animagus."

 They both smiled.

" What brings you here, Moony?"

" I'm checking on you. As usual."

" It's good to know. I'm fine, you can go with worries."

" All right. Nice talking to you." Remus said smiling.

" Yeah, it made a nice change. Usually you pop in and five seconds later you pop out. This was refreshing."

" Totally. Gotta go now. See you tomorrow."
" Bye."

 Remus disappeared and Sirius gave his place to the bear-like black dog.

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            The 25th arrived with a surprise. After 'torturing' Dumbledore for five whole days Sarah managed to get two hours with Iris and Sirius could come as well. So Sirius woke up with a renewed spirit. He was going to see Iris.

 Because she wasn't a high security prisoner and she was going to leave soon the Minister of Magic with accordance with the Head of the Wizengamot had authorised Dumbledore to allow two visitors for two hours in a room at a house near the island.

 In the morning of the 26th Sirius woke up at 8 o'clock and took a long shower. Then he picked his best clothes and got dressed. At 12 o'clock he was ready even though the visit was at 3 p.m. He lunched very well and then waited in his living room. At a quarter to three he made his way to Sarah's house. She smiled at him when she met him at the door.

" Sirius, look, I have lot of work to do and I can't stay the two hours. I'm leaving you two alone. I'll probably stay like twenty minutes, just to say goodbye. You don't mind right?" she told him knowing exactly what he was going to say.

" If you say so. I don't mind."

 She nodded and they both disappeared to the house where they were to meet Iris.

 The room was very simple. It was white and had a small couch near one of the walls. There was also a fireplace but it was closed. It had no windows and the door was plain. Unless it had a spell no one could see to the inside. Sirius sat down and Sarah leaned against the wall near him.

 At 3:15h the door opened and Iris entered. Sirius got up. The three smiled at each other. Iris didn't look like she had been in Azkaban. She was pale and a little thinner but otherwise she looked normal. She was wearing dirty robes and her hair was a bit entangled and almost elbow-length but she beamed at the sight of Sirius and her sister. She immediately ran to them and they hugged. When they broke the hug Iris rested her arm on her sister's shoulders and used her free hand to caress Sirius's face.

" What are you guys doing here? You are making a mistake." She told them.

" We are here to say a proper goodbye. I couldn't just let you go with saying a real goodbye." Sarah told her.

" You are one crazy girl. You just have to be insane to come and say goodbye to your soon not so alive sister."

" I love you and I just couldn't live with myself if I knew I hadn't been with you on your last days." Sarah said, her tears fighting to come out.

" I love you too, sis. I'll miss you like hell."
" No I'll miss you more."

 The sisters hugged again and Sirius just backed away a little.

" Well, I'd love to stay and chat but I have work to do and I have to go. Sirius is staying so…Bye sis." Sarah said after they broke the hug.

" Thanks. Don't massacre Remus too much, ok? He's a good guy. He deserves the best."

" I'll try." Sarah said and turned to Sirius. " I'll see you tomorrow. Enjoy."

 Sarah left the room and Sirius and Iris hugged. It was a strong hug and they didn't even notice that Sarah was back.

" Sorry to interrupt but I just have one more thing to say." She said.

" What is it?" Iris asked concerned because Sarah had tears running down her cheek.

" I was wrong. This isn't goodbye. It's until next time. We will see each other again, sis. Even if it's the last thing I do."

 And with that said she left. Iris and Sirius looked at each other confused.

" What did she mean by that?" Sirius asked.

" I don't know but whatever it is she will put her heart and soul in it."

 Sirius kissed her cheek and smiled.

" Why are you here?" she asked him.

" Because I believe our goodbye wasn't a decent one." He said seriously.

 They kissed.

" This would never have happened if I had explained everything to you." He said.

" No. It has nothing to do with that. I was frustrated, yes, but I did that because honestly I think he was deserving it."

" You didn't have to kill him because he tested one of the Unforgivable Curses on me."
" I did what I thought was right in that moment. I know now it was a mistake, but it was meant to be. I knew I would do something that would allow my dreams to come true. I already know my destiny. It's behind a strange looking veil." She told him.

" Let's not talk about this." He said.

 They kissed again and sat on the couch.

 They spent the remainder of the visit sitting in the couch holding each other. They both knew that in less than twenty-four hours Iris would no longer be in this world.

 When the door opened they had enough time to a quick goodbye.

" I hope your sister is right and that we will see each other again. I love you and I always will." He said.

" I hope so too, but I do not put my faith in it. It's a dream. But I also love and always will."

 She placed her hand over her chest where Sirius's pendant was.

" I still have the pendant you gave me. Do you want it back?"
" No. Take it with you. I bit of me is going to die anyway."

 They kissed again, this time their last one. Then a Ministry official took Sirius away from the house and a Dementor took Iris back to Azkaban.

 Sirius was felling better but it wasn't going to last.

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            On the 27th Sirius wished he could erase that day. He didn't feel like leaving his bed or doing anything. But he had to because his friends arrived. Remus, James, Lily, Sarah, William and Peter were going to spend the day with Sirius to comfort him. Dumbledore was to visit after the execution.

 They all had lunch together but neither Sirius nor Sarah felt much like eating. They spent the afternoon in the living room watching the clock. At 3 p.m. they all closed their eyes and remembered Iris in the best way they could.

Meanwhile on the Department of Mysteries Iris was standing on a dais, right in front of an archway with a ragged veil on it, being supported by two Unspeakables. Around her stood the members of the Wizengamot, the Minister of Magic and some other ministry officials. The Head of the Wizengamot got up from his seating place and spoke to the room.

" Wizards and witches we are present here at this moment to witness the first death penalty in the wizard world. We are here to execute Iris Rachel Renata for the murder of Aldebaran Black. Any last words miss Renata?"

 Iris raised her head and turned to look for Dumbledore. He was standing not far from the Head.

" Professor Dumbledore, this isn't totally your fault. I'm to blame for most of it. But please take care of my family and my friends."

 Dumbledore nodded and the Head resumed his speech.

" Very well. Let's proceed. Gentlemen." He said to the Unspeakables.

 The two men nodded and lead Iris to the veil. She looked into Dumbledore's eyes and then closed her eyes. That was the last thing she saw. The men pushed her inside the veil. It was all over. Dumbledore closed his eyes and when the people in the room started to leave he made his exit quick. He had to go and do what he had told Iris he would do. Look after her friends and family. Or at least he would try.

            In Sirius's house the death of Iris was announced by the fainting of Sirius. Everyone went to his aid and they all realized what it meant. Their friend was gone. When Dumbledore arrived they already knew. He told them about her last words and they all cried. It was their first loss. But it wouldn't be the last.

TBC

            There. Another chapter finished. Later you'll probably have another one, a small one.

            Hope you liked it. Thanks for the reviews. I love you all.

            Cheers.