The style of writing in this story is strongly influenced by Pooka da Chao's Dark Days Ahead, especially some of the later chapters. So this one is dedicated to Pooka.

CHAPTER 1

The dawn light was creeping over the street as they returned to Headquarters. Bleeding and bone-tired, they trudged down the sidewalk to Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Any Muggles peering out their windows right now would've seen a grizzled looking figure stumping purposefully down the street, followed by a tall black man whose gold earring glinted in the still-burning street lamp and a dazed looking white man who stumbled along in the rear. The group proceeded to number twelve and ducked solemnly into the masterless house.

Molly, Arthur, and Bill Weasley were there along with Mundungus Fletcher. As Arthur opened the door, he realized that two were missing.

"Sirius and Tonks?" he said.

The others froze, listening intently. Even the smoke from Dung's pipe seemed to stop.

"They brought Tonks to St. Mungo's." Mad-Eye Moody said, wincing as he spoke. "She hit her head pretty bad after a nasty spell. But they said she'll be okay."

"And Sirius?"

Mad-Eye bowed his head. "He went through the veil."

Molly gasped, her hands at her mouth. Bill wrapped his arm around his mother and she burst into tears. After a moment she seemed to regain her motherly instinct and swooped down on the ones who had just come back.

"How are you lot?" she asked, wiping her eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Bit of a crick in my neck, nothing much." Said Mad-Eye.

"I'm alright." Said Kingsley Shacklebolt.

The last member of their little group, Remus Lupin, said nothing. He just stared straight ahead, taking shallow, rattling breaths.

"You all go sit down." Molly said, "There's a sitting room down the hall. I'll be down in a second. I daresay Professor Dumbledore will be joining us in a moment."

The three of them, led by Bill Weasley, went down the hall to the sitting room. Though still gloomy, the room was better than other parts of the house. There was a large stone fireplace on the far wall. Two couches faced each other with a low table in between them and two chairs sat at each end of the table. More chairs were scattered throughout the room. Bill conjured up an enormous, crackling fire. Kingsley took one of the chairs, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. Moody sat on a couch and began inspecting the damage to his wooden leg. Lupin curled up on the other couch with his back to the others. He hadn't said a word since the Aurors had wisked Tonks off to St. Mungo's.

Down in the kitchen, Molly's hands were shaking so badly that she could barely control her wand to conjur coffee. She splattered the boiling water all over the counter and her hand.

What happened tonight? She wondered, spraying cold water from her wand to her burned hand. What made Harry believe that Sirius was at the Department of Mysteries? Why had he gone down there?

She didn't blame him for what happened. The very thought of the possibility horrified her. But it had happened and now Sirius was dead. The two of them had never really gotten along but she couldn't imagine the Order without him.

Poor Harry had lost the nearest thing he had to a parent besides her and Arthur. The two of them loved him like a son, but even Molly could see how much Harry looked up to Sirius. And Remus. The poor dear had lost the last of his best friends. What were those silly names they used to call each other? Molly couldn't remember. But Sirius had been a brother to Remus. The others had lost a close friend, but these two, they had lost their family.

Choking back a sob, she filled the last mug and floated the tray upstairs. When she got to the sitting room, Arthur and Mundungus were already there. Arthur paced by the fire. Bill stood in front of it, gazing into the flames and Mundungus sat in the corner, puffing on his pipe. Molly gave him a dirty look and the pipe vanished.

Mad-Eye took a cup, investigated it for a second, then took a sip. Kingsley opened his eyes and took the cup Molly offered him.

"Remus." She said, holding out another mug.

He didn't answer. Perhaps he was asleep? Molly stood over him. He was staring dully at the back of the couch. Molly put the mug down and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Remus?"

"Is Harry alright?" he asked, still not moving.

"Yes. Professor Dumbledore sent him back to school."

"Are you sure?" His voice, though normally hoarse, was barely a whisper.

"Yes." She replied gently. "He told me when he contacted me to come here."

"She got away." He said, his voice flat. "She killed him and got away."

"Not for long." She assured him, squeezing his shoulder. "We'll find her and make her pay."

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Albus Dumbledore arrived at Headquarters about an hour and a half later. Bill let him in.

"The children are fine." Dumbledore said, shrugging out of his cloak. Bill took it and hung it on the rack.

"Everyone's in the sitting room." Bill said, leading him down the hall. "Mum's made coffee."

"Excellent." Dumbledore said.

They entered the sitting room. Mad-Eye, Arthur, and Mundungus were discussing possible plans. Kingsley appeared to be asleep. Remus still hadn't moved from his previous position. Molly sat in the chair next to him, a worried look on her face.

"Severus should be here soon." Dumbledore said to the room. "I've contacted the rest of the order. When they arrive I'll tell you what I've been discussing with the Minister."

Right then, there was a loud crack as Severus Snape Apparated outside the front door. Bill went to let him in and they came into the room a minute later. Snape's black eyes narrowed as he scanned the room.

"So it's true?" he said, "Black and Tonks?"

"Tonks is alive." Dumbledore said. "She was brought to St. Mungo's. However, you heard correctly about Sirius. He was killed tonight."

Severus's eyes darted to Lupin, then back to Dumbledore. "What are we doing now?" he asked.

"We're waiting for the rest of the Order."

Severus took the mug that Molly offered him and sat down on the unoccupied couch. He sipped thoughtfully, watching the immobile man in front of him. But after a few minutes that became monotonous and he looked around at the others. They were all somber and silent, all discussion ceased. There was nothing left to do but wait.

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This is the only chapter not in someone's POV. Each of the next ones focus on a certain person and what they are thinking as they wait. It's a new format for me and I'm hoping I keep everyone in character well. Any constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.