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.
Well, this is the chapter that leads to the end. I know I mentioned something about 6 chapters but I realized it will be much smaller. What the hell….I'm sure hardly anyone will care. So here you have the chapter before the big finale. And it's a cliffy…….a bitchy cliffy…
Chapter 40 – The calm before the storm
Time went by sometimes slowly, others really fast. Soon another school year was over and Harry, Ron and Hermione had done their best on their N.E.W.T.s. Iris had also informed Dumbledore of her decision to leave the school and the Headmaster accepted her decision. Her reasons were valid in his opinion and he had even convinced her to keep herself available in a couple of years to perhaps return once more. She had been one of the best DADA's teachers and the one who lasted the longer on the job. She would be more than welcome.
So it was without worries that the Black family celebrated Katherine's first birthday and Harry's 18th.
" So, what does it feel like to reach the age of 18?" Sirius asked Harry while they were in the kitchen having a special lunch.
" It feels normal. And great too. I have survived Voldemort all these years. And I plan on surviving for longer."
" I hope we all continue to survive him." Sirius said.
" Let's ask Kat what it feels like to be 1." Harry said smiling.
Sirius laughed and looked to the other side of the kitchen where Katherine was monopolizing the attention.
" Such a cute girl she is." Said Mrs Weasley.
" She's going to be a hell of a witch. I mean she does have Black blood." Tonks said proudly.
" I can see mischief all over her. Don't you Fred?" George Weasley asked his brother after a quick look.
" Yup. Loads of mischief." Fred agreed.
" Now, now boys. Katherine is a very well behaved girl and will never be anything like you two for example." Mrs Weasley said sternly.
Iris almost chocked on her drink.
" Molly I wouldn't exactly say that. You are aware of who her father is, right?"
" Yes, well I don't think that because her father is who he is she will be like him."
" Molly, Harry is the son of James and he turned out to be rather like him. I'm not saying that Kat is going to be exactly like Sirius when he was young, but I'm also not saying that she won't." Iris argued smiling.
" Clearly Molly, you don't know our family." Sarah joined in the conversation.
" If she turns out to be anything like our great-great grandfather then I'm in trouble." Iris said and started laughing with her older sister.
Not finding the conversation about her the least bit amusing Katherine put to practice her new skill. Walking. So she silently left the premises, leaving her mother and aunt laughing and the rest of the people around them looking at them like they were nuts. Walking slowly and steadily Katherine left the kitchen completely, abandoning her own lunch party. Looking behind her shoulder to make sure no one was following her she made her way to her special place. She sat down on the floor and concentrated on what was behind the pair of long, moth-eaten curtains that lay in front of her. No one knew she did this and no one would ever know. Or so she thought. For she had missed a pair of brown eyes that were set on her.
4 years. 4 quiet and uneventful years. The kids grew nicely, Harry and Ron became Aurors, Ginny finished Hogwarts, and Hermione started working for the Ministry in a department for the welfare of house-elfs and other magical creatures. Voldemort made no moves, except for some attacks here and there which the members of the Order stopped. And the weapon was going through some hard times. Snape and Sarah had reached a dead end. There seemed to be an ingredient missing but they just couldn't find it. But that would change soon and in a most peculiar way.
Sirius had found out that Kat didn't like when he transformed into a dog. She seemed to think he was scary and bad. Of course he did it just to mess with her. One day however his play turned against him. 5 year-old Rosh was laying on his bed while Kat was drawing beside him. Suddenly she stopped and turned her attention to her cousin.
"Wanna know a crazy idea I got?" she asked beaming.
"When aren't your ideas crazy? You can just say you got an idea and I'll already know it's crazy."
"Shut up, wolf boy. So wanna hear it or not?"
"Sure go ahead." He said and sat. He was already taller than she was and his long sandy coloured hair fell to his brown eyes. Katherine moved her long pitch-black hair away from her brown/green eyes to show him his was bothering her. He quickly got the point and pulled it back. She smiled before continuing.
"Basically I wanna teach my daddy a lesson."
"And how will you do that?"
"If he transforms again and comes to scare me I'll do the worst thing a dog can think of."
"You're going to bathe him?"
"No silly. I'm going to shear him." Kat announced with a wicked grin.
"Ah! You won't even go near him. How do you plan to do such a thing?"
"Well that's where you came in."
"Oh I see. So I'll be the one doing your dirty work?"
"Of course, wolf boy."
"I'm not going to shear uncle Sirius. I happen to like his dog form."
"Yeah because he doesn't scare the hell out of you." Kat said crossing her arms and pouting.
"Poor baby Kat is afwaid of the big bad dog."
"Stop doing that, wolf boy. And you are going to do this for me." Kat said now clearly angry.
"Or what, ice princess?"
"I'll…..I'll….destroy one of your toys."
"You wouldn't." Rosh said, his eyes narrowed.
"Try me."
"Fine. I'll do it. But you are so paying for it."
"Name your price."
"I'll have to think about that with extreme care."
"You do that. In the meantime think of a way to get a shearing machine. Or something."
"Whatever, ice princess." Rosh said and returned to his previous position. Kat could be such an ice princess sometimes.
Later that day Rosh went to the bathroom to look for something his father might use for getting rid of facial hair. Once he found it he took it with him downstairs were Kat was on the kitchen having an afternoon snack.
"I got what we need." He whispered in her ear so Iris wouldn't listen.
"What are you too gossiping about?" Iris asked when she saw Rosh leaning towards Kat's ear.
"Nothing. I was just telling Kat about how lovely you look today Aunt Iris." Rosh said with a nice grin.
"Sure. Suck up so I get distracted." Iris said smiling. He just grinned more.
A while after Iris had left the kitchen a black dog entered. Kat shrieked and Rosh assumed a protective position. He relaxed when he saw what had scared her.
"Now it's your chance." She said to the boy in front of her.
He sighed before taking out the shaving apparel.
"I'm sorry Snuffles." He said and moved to grab the dog.
With some struggling Rosh shaved some of Sirius's dog form's fur. Kat was delighted and Sirius was whimpering under Rosh. After a bit the sandy haired boy gave the shaving apparel to Kat who took it and moved for the kill. When the two kids stepped away to gaze at their handy work Sirius transformed back. For some odd twist of fate Sirius had now very little hair. He was going to comment on the situation when Iris returned.
"Sirius?" she asked frowning.
"Look what your daughter did to me."
Iris started laughing and Kat hurried to pick up the fallen fur. She gave it to Rosh and went to get an empty jar. After placing the fur inside the jar she turned to her father. Iris was still laughing.
"I'm sorry daddy. I just wanted to teach you a lesson." She said softly.
"Forgive her Sirius. You actually look good that way. I like it." Iris said calming down from all the laughter.
"You think so?" Iris nodded. "Ok then. I forgive you." Sirius said and took the jar from his daughter's hands. Kat snatched it right back and took off running. Everyone shrugged and Rosh took off to follow her. The two adults followed after.
Rosh caught up with her after she entered the room where the weapon was being made.
"What are you doing with that?" Rosh asked as Kat spin around the room as if looking for something.
When Sirius and Iris got the door Kat was so dizzy she was now swaying. Iris eyes widen with shock as Kat fell to the side and the jar flew from her hand. Time slowed down as the jar touched the side of the cauldron and shattered to pieces while its content fell on the liquid inside it. Sirius went to Kat as Iris ran to the cauldron to try and prevent disaster but found herself arriving too late. The transparent liquid was absorbing the fur. Sarah arrived on the scene a little after that.
"What happened? I heard glass break."
"We have a slight problem." Iris said turning to face her sister.
"What?"
"Something fell on the cauldron."
"What something?" Sarah asked in near shock.
"Dog fur." Iris said simply.
Sarah walked to the cauldron and looked inside. The liquid was no longer transparent but a soft brown. She quickly made her way to her notes and read them carefully. At the end of the notes the name of a colour stood out. Light brown, almost cream. She returned to the cauldron. She inspected it carefully before reaching the conclusion it was light brown/cream coloured.
"Oh my! This was it. The missing ingredient was dog fur. How did I miss it?" Sarah said excited. Iris raised an eyebrow.
"So you're saying that it was a good thing the fur fell in there?"
"It was a wonderful thing. It's complete. It's finished."
"Finished?" Iris asked not quite believing her sister's words.
"I must talk to Snape. Give him the good news." Sarah announced and went to give Kat a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks kido."
The Black family stood in shock as Sarah left the room with the biggest smile ever. Kat was recovered from her dizziness and was as surprised as anyone else. A few seconds after Sarah left she returned and turned to Sirius.
"Nice hairdo. I like it. Looks good on you." She said and left again.
After the news that the weapon was ready spread an Order meeting was scheduled. Not only because of the weapon but also because there was the possibility of an attack. For the first time ever Iris got to see a meeting. Every member of the Order were present as well as Iris, Sarah, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the twins who were now a part of the Order as well.
Dumbledore started the meeting.
"We are all here today for two reasons. One is the possibility of an attack conducted by Voldemort and his Death Eaters somewhere in the south of London and the second is the completion of a weapon that can help us achieve victory, once and for all. Mrs Lupin if you would be so kind."
Sarah nodded and got up from the chair she was sitting on.
"Members of the Order I have the pleasure of announcing the completion of the ultimate way to destroy Voldemort. This weapon was built with the assistance of Professor Snape, without whom this would have not been possible. I present to you the 'Breath of Death'." Sarah said and placed over the table a jar filled with a light brown/cream liquid. All eyes fell upon it.
"What does it do?" asked Hermione.
"Simple. The name may confuse you a bit because I say death when in fact this potion acts against death. This potion is the antidote for the killing curse. No killing curse known to wizards can get past this. Immortality in a jar."
"Has it been tested?" Shacklebolt asked seriously.
"Care to try it yourself?"
Silence fell on the room. Everyone seemed to be afraid to test the potion. That was until a voice broke the silence.
"I'll test it." Dumbledore said calmly.
Everyone exchanged concerned looks as Sarah gave the jar to Dumbledore. He took a swig of it and smiled.
"Now if anyone would be kind as to try and kill me." He said still in a calm tone.
Mad-Eye got up, took out his wand and pointed it to Dumbledore. Everyone was now shaking in fear of losing Dumbledore in such a stupid way. With a long sigh Mad-Eye muttered the killing curse and the green light filled the room. After a moment of silence everyone turned to see the Headmaster standing in the same place, alive and well.
"Very good work Mrs Lupin. And you too Severus. Are you satisfied Kingsley?"
The tall black wizard nodded.
"Now let's the discuss the information we have regarding an attack. Kingsley?"
"Yes, well, we found out that there will be a gathering of Death Eaters at an abandoned warehouse in the south of London. They are supposed to meet with You-Know-Who there and then take off to a major attack at the city. The details of the attack we don't know but we do know the exact location of the gathering." Shacklebolt explained.
"I suggest we attack at the gathering. Kill the attack before it happens." Suggested Mad-Eye.
"I would have to agree with Moody." Said Lupin.
"I think we all agree. When will this gathering happen?" Dumbledore asked.
"In less than a week."
"Very well. Tomorrow we shall meet again to plan every single detail of this operation. It may very well be the last thing we plan against Voldemort and his Death Eaters."
Everyone nodded with enthusiasm. It would be something to look forward to.
The plans to stop the attack were discussed over and over again until everyone knew exactly where to be and what to do in any case. The time passed faster than anyone really wanted and before they knew it the day before the attack arrived. It was early night and Sirius was sitting on the living room couch just thinking. Iris entered the room and quietly sat down beside him.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly while her fingertips caressed his almost inexistent hair above his ear.
"Nothing really. Just that tomorrow is the big day. The final battle against Voldemort."
"Yeah. Sirius do you believe everything is going to go well?"
"Why are you asking that? Of course everything will go well. We will be invincible. And Harry will dispose of Voldemort easily. It's going to be a piece of cake."
"I just have a bad feeling." Iris said, a tone of worry in her voice.
"Did you have a dream?"
"No. It's just a feeling."
"It's probably nothing. We should get some rest." Sirius suggested.
"Yeah, we should. But before we go let me just say something."
"Ok, what is it?" Sirius asked frowning.
"Sirius I love you and I wanted to say I'm sorry for everything I ever did that hurt you."
"Iris I love you too and you have nothing to apologize for. Past is past and I'm over that. Why exactly are you saying these things?"
"No reason. Just wanted to say it."
"Let's go to bed."
Iris nodded and the two of them got up and went to their bedroom.
The following day the Order gathered at Headquarters before departure. In the middle of the currently empty of furniture living room were several goblets all of them containing the 'Breath of Death'. All the members moved forward to grab a goblet when Iris noticed Kat wasn't around. Rosh was standing beside Remus but Kat was nowhere in the room. So Iris went to look for her. The young Black was sitting in front of the moth eaten curtains and Iris wasn't a bit happy to see her there.
"Katherine Black what do you think you are doing?" she asked strictly. The little girl jumped.
"Mommy…I was…I…"
"You can explain later. Now we are all getting ready to go. You are not going to wish luck to your father?"
"Yes of course." Kat said and got up. Her mother had her hand extended and she caught it.
However Iris stopped before re-entering the living room and crouched down to reach her daughter's height.
"What's wrong mommy?"
"Kat you're aware that we are going on a very dangerous mission."
"I know. Do you think you won't come back?"
"I don't know."
"You have to come back. Promise me you'll come back." Kat said almost tearfully.
"I can't make a promise I don't know if I can keep. I'll try my best to come back. That I promise."
"All right. I love you mommy."
"I love you too."
"There you are. We should go now." Harry said appearing from the living room.
"Yes. Go inside and wish good luck to uncle Remus, aunt Sarah, daddy and the rest of the Order." Iris told Kat and the little girl nodded and placed a kiss on her mother's cheek. Then she did the same to Harry and entered the living room.
"Daddy, good luck." She said when Sirius picked her up.
"Thank you sweety."
"Do you promise to come back to me daddy?"
"Yes. I promise I'll come back."
Kat smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Afterwards she did the same to Remus, Sarah, Hermione and the Weasleys. She grabbed Rosh's hand as the two children watched the members of the Order of Phoenix leaving the Headquarters for what could very well be the last battle. However everyone failed to notice something. A full goblet amongst all the empty ones.
The warehouse was huge. It had two stories and tall columns. In the middle a wide, open space where the Death Eaters would meet up with Voldemort. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore and Tonks were hiding behind the columns on the first floor. Iris, Sirius, Remus, Sarah and the others were on the second floor, hiding behind anything they found. Iris and Sirius were rather close, she hiding behind a column and Sirius behind a box. Due to the fact they were on the side of the building they had no one between them and Remus was a bit far from their location. They had ways to communicate with each other so they could be far apart. While Iris was almost at the edge Sirius was on the corner, but he had a somewhat clear view of the space below them. Between Iris and Sirius's location was a door. From that door a stranger silently made his way behind Sirius, completely out of sight. Downstairs the first Death Eaters appeared. There were only three so everyone remained where they were.
Sirius was looking intently at the scene in front and below him and didn't notice the stranger fully dressed in black standing behind him. A soft Imperio! came from that person and Sirius became really stiff. The tip of a wand could be seen coming out of the stranger's robes as he commanded Sirius to move somewhere else. Quickly, as if afraid Sirius could fight the curse, the stranger made him go to the place where Iris stood. She was as focused on the scene ahead of her as Sirius had been. However she heard the movement beside her and turned to face her husband.
"Sirius what do you want? Did you see something?" she asked.
He didn't answer, instead choosing to take out his wand. When he pointed it to his wife she frowned.
"What are you doing?" she asked in fear.
She couldn't see or hear the man controlling Sirius so she missed when he announced softly.
"Kill her."
Sirius nodded and without a second thought uttered a killing curse. A clear green light erupted form his wand and hit Iris like a rock. It was like time had stopped when she very slowly fell back, eyes open and emotionless. She hit the floor silently and at that moment the curse placed upon Sirius was removed. He shook his head to clear his mind and the sight he now faced was enough to make his blood freeze and his mind go blank. Iris was dead.
Ok maybe it's not a cliffy…or maybe it is…I'm not sure anymore. I only ask one thing: don't hate me too much. Even though things will not get better. nervous laughter
