Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters. I get tired of saying that! .... I don't own Megumi Takani, who appears here as a Healer. She belongs to the esteemed Mr. Watsuki.
Warning: Contains major *OOTP SPOILERS* and *SB/RL SLASH*. If you wish to avoid those things, please turn back now.
Notes: *PLEASE READ!* This story is COMPLETELY AU, meaning it never happened and probably never will (sadly). This is just me trying to bring back the character I love the most.
~*~*~*~*~
Back from Beyond the Veil, Part 2
The entire group jumped and whirled around in surprise. As they did, the veil twitched aside, and from behind it emerged three long-haired, black-robed women.
At the sight of them, Sirius went white and choked down a scream. He struggled in Hagrid's grasp, clawing at the giant's shoulders in a futile attempt to get away. Hagrid just gripped him tighter, to stop him from falling and hurting himself again, but Sirius took no notice. The others raised their wands and watched the slowly approaching women warily.
The women stopped a few feet from them.
We will not harm you, said Rei, As long as you give us Sirius Black.
Remus responded instantly. You can't have him!
He fell through the Veil! Umi cried. He is dead, and must be escorted to the Afterlife!
He doesn't look dead to me, muttered Tonks, watching her cousin's frantic attempts to escape out of the corner of her eye.
No one has ever escaped us before, Jiyu insisted. We will not allow this. Give him to us.
said Dumbledore quietly, drawing everyone's attention away from the women and Sirius. Sirius is very clearly alive and well - well, almost, he added, remembering Sirius' broken wrist. Leave him with us, and return to your place.
At this refusal, the women looked even angrier. If you will not give him to us, we will take him, Rei said, stretching her hand out to the struggling Animagi.
Sirius stopped struggling at once, but not of his free will. He was slipping from Hagrid's grasp, despite everything Hagrid could to to hold on to him.
Let me go! he cried, and even though the others tried every spell they could on the women and Sirius, Hagrid lost a grip on him and Sirius was being inexorably pulled towards Rei, Umi, and Jiyu.
You just don't give up, do you? growled Moody.
Cornelius Fudge was watching this with wide eyes. Good Lord, Dumbledore! If people like these are after Black, let them take him! We don't need demons following people around...
They only want Sirius! Remus said. They wouldn't harm anyone else.... Oh, please, don't take him! he pleaded silently. I need him! I can't live without him! Please, leave him alone!'
Give him to us! Umi yelled, startled, as the spell they had on Sirius broke. Sirius fell to the floor, bumping his injured wrist; with a shriek of fear and pain he struggled to his feet and tried to run back to Remus. Halfway there he was suddenly seized again, and dragged back to the three young women.
Remus cried mentally, and Sirius regained his own will again.
There is someone holding him back! Jiyu said accusingly. Which one of you is it? Which one of you is keeping us from taking him?
The werewolf, Rei said quietly, and Remus jumped.
Jiyu barked. What do you want with this man? Why is he so important to you?
Remus was offended at being so rudely and impersonally referred to, but he ignored it and glared back at her. He's my mate! I love him, and you're not taking him away from me!
The three women exchanged glances. A stressful few minutes passed as the women seemed to converse mainly with their eyes. Out of the corner of his eye, Remus saw Moody raise his wand, but Dumbledore gently took Moody by the wrist and lowered his hand.
After what seemed like ages, Rei finally spoke.
The only way we can let you have him is for you to give us an offering.
Remus cleared his throat. Like what? he asked nervously.
That is for you to decide.
Lowering his head, Remus thought hard. What could he give? Not money, he didn't have a heck of a lot, somehow he didn't think Sirius would be impressed thinking he was worth two Galleons. There wasn't anything he could give......
And suddenly, unbidden, something he had once read surfaced in Remus' mind. ...... the blood of one who truly loves the intended person is more precious than gold....... can erase all evil, and heal all wounds......
Slowly, as if in a dream, Remus took Sirius' wand from his pocket, tapping it with his own wand, muttering a few choice words and Transfiguring Sirius' wand into a knife.
Remus, what are you doing? Tonks asked, sounding scared.
Remus ignored her and looked straight at Rei. I offer you this, he said softly. My lifeblood.
At the same moment he slashed both his wrists, ignoring the pain. Blood began to ooze from the gashes in his pale skin and splash to the floor. Watching it made Remus feel ill.
Sirius said, sounding dazed, unable to turn his eyes from the steadily dripping blood.
Tonks turned away, wincing, as Bill blanched and raised an unsteady hand to his mouth. Dumbledore and the others looked sickened and surprised at the sight of all the blood. Remus shut his eyes and tried to fight the feeling of dizziness that was beginning to creep up on him.
Isn't that enough? Kingsley asked weakly, looking imploringly at Rei. My God, he can't lose that much...
Silence. It is his offering in exchange for the life of his mate, Rei said coldly.
Remus was feeling very woozy by now. He wanted to mutter the charm that would heal his wrists, but suddenly even that seemed too daunting a task. He felt more like curling up and taking a nap.... yes, that sounded good...
Sounds began to fade as Remus sat, swaying, on the cold marble floor. As if from a long distance away, he could hear Sirius shouting, That's enough! Remmie, that's too much! Stop!
With a tremendous effort, Remus tried to start muttering a healing spell, but the words wouldn't escape his lips. Faintly, he heard Dumbledore cry the words he himself had been struggling to say. Almost instantly, he began to feel a bit stronger. He opened his eyes a crack and shut them again quickly. His blood had soaked through his robes and spread in a wide pool around him. It made him feel faint again just to look at it.
Several minutes passed in silence, then Dumbledore said, It's safe to get up now, Remus.
Opening his eyes, Remus tried to stand. His legs felt like spaghetti, and he needed to lean on Bill in order to stand. Once he regained his feet, Rei spoke.
It is acceptable. We have taken your blood in exchange for the life of your mate, and we shall return now. She glared rather fiercely at Sirius. But be warned. If you set foot through the Veil once more, there will be no negotiations.
Sirius nodded weakly, and the three women vanished.
After a few moments of silence, Fudge stammered, S-shouldn't we be g-going?
Yes, of course, said Dumbledore. Hagrid.... if you will....
Hagrid scooped Sirius up once more, and Dumbledore led the way out of the Department of Mysteries. Once its forbidding door had closed behind them, Dumbledore said, We must get Sirius and Remus to St. Mungo's immediately. While I'm sure no lasting damage has been done, they need attention. Cornelius, I know you disapprove, but we need a Portkey. He Summoned a ball of paper from a nearby dustbin and tapped it with his wand.
Hagrid, Bill, and Tonks, you will take Sirius and Remus to the hospital. If we all go together it will case far too much suspicion. Dumbledore continued. Cornelius, a pardon for Sirius will be needed as soon as possible - Dumbledore's tone made it quite clear there was to be no argument - and if anyone at the hospital give you any trouble - (he was now addressing Hagrid) - you are to tell them Sirius has been pardoned.....
Yes, yes, said Fudge uncomfortably. Weasley, come along... I will dictate a pardon for Black to you....
Yes, sir! said Percy importantly, following Fudge to the lift. Dumbledore held the crumpled ball of paper out to Tonks, who took it. Hagrid and Bill crowded around her. Dumbledore pulled his pocketwatch out and watched it intently.
Any minute now.... one.... two... three!
The unmistakable feeling of being pulled happened instantly; and just as suddenly Remus found himself in the waiting room of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. For a hospital, the waiting room was quite deserted. There was only one person ahead of them, a witch with an enormous burn on her arm.
Creature-Induced Injuries, First Floor, the blonde witch behind the desk said. The witch with the burned arm headed for the stairs, and Tonks stepped forward.
Wotcher.... these two chaps had a bit of trouble - er - with a friend, she said. Bloke hit them both with a curse, knocked them across the room. This one's got a broken wrist - the other cut himself, we healed it up ourselves, but he needs a Blood-Replenishing Potion....
Spell Damage, Fourth Floor, the blonde witch said in a bored, heard-it-all-before kind of voice.
They slowly made their way to the fourth floor. A sign outside the door read, Healer-In-Charge: Megumi Takani. Trainee Healer: Bob Jones. A smiling intern met up with them there and directed them to a room near the door. There were no other occupants; the intern helped Hagrid and Bill get Sirius and Remus settled. After a few minutes, Healer Takani came bustling in. She was a pretty woman with long black hair and brown eyes.
Well, now, she said, What seems to be the trouble, gentlemen?
Tonks repeated her story about the friend' who attacked them; Healer Takani nodded briskly.
With friends like that, who needs enemies? she said, busily stirring up a Blood-Replenishing Potion. She held it out to Remus. It'll taste a bit nasty, dear, but drink it all, okay?
Remus nodded and choked it down, struggling to control the urge to spit it out. Nasty, indeed! It tasted like a mixture of blood and old coffee. He sputtered, coughed, and held the cup back out to Healer Takani, who took it and smiled.
There, now. That wasn't so bad, was it? You'll have to take another one in the morning, but after that you'll be all set. Now let me tend to your friend here...
She examined Sirius' wrist carefully. That should be easy enough to mend, she said, tapping it sharply with her wand. Sirius smiled tiredly and cautiously bent his wrist, testing it out.
That feels a lot better. Thanks, he said, and at the same moment Healer Takani clapped a hand to her mouth.
Sirius Black! she whispered, and attempted to stand. Bill rested a hand on her shoulder.
It's all right! Sirius has been pardoned by the Minister! he told her. It'll be in tomorrow's edition of the Daily Prophet. You can trust him.
Thanks, Bill, said Sirius.
All right, Healer Takani said weakly. She stood and twitched the collar of her pink robes. Well... the best cure is rest, I'll... be back in the morning to check up on everything. She exited, and Hagrid turned to Remus and Sirius.
Yeh heard her, what yeh need is rest. D'yeh want us ter stay, or are yeh all set?
We're all set, I think, Remus said.
Yeah, I'm exhausted, Sirius said with a yawn.
Go on, go home and get some sleep, Remus urged them. We'll see you tomorrow, okay?
Once Bill, Tonks, and Hagrid had left, Remus yawned and turned off his lamp. Good night, Siri...
Good night, Moony, Sirius replied. Thanks for... you know, saving my life...
You're very welcome, love, Remus mumbled before falling asleep.
~*~*~*~*~
Remus awoke the next morning when Healer Takani came in to give him his Blood-Replenishing Potion. The first thing he noticed was that he felt a lot stronger and better than he had last night. The second thing he noticed was the smile on Healer Takani's face and the headline in the Daily Prophet she carried in her free hand : Sirius Black Pardoned By Minister of Magic, it read.
Healer Takani said, handing it to him. When your friend wakes up, let him read it. It really is a good article. She handed him the cup of potion, and twisted her wedding ring as she watched him drink it. But now I feel bad... I've said some nasty things about Mr. Black over the years, and look how wrong I was...
Remus coughed. He's tougher than you think. He'll survive.
He read the article while waiting for the intern to bring his breakfast. Fudge's quotes were far from glowing, but they at least left no doubt that the Ministry had been mistaken about Sirius for the last fourteen years (Remus suspected Dumbledore had had a hand in writing the pardon as well). And to make him even more pleased, there was a separate article placing a ten-thousand Galleon reward on the capture or information leading to the capture of Peter Pettigrew.
Sirius finally woke up when the breakfasts started arriving. What's that, Remmie? he asked, tucking into his sausages.
Remus tossed the newspaper onto his mate's bed. Read it and see.
Sirius picked up the paper and began to read, a grin spreading slowly across his face. When he finished, he put the paper down, pushed his food away, got out of bed, and went to Remus and kissed him firmly on the lips.
Ack! Siri, gerroff! Remus said. I'm eating!
Yeah, well, I'm happy, Sirius said, still grinning, but at that moment was chased back into his own bed by Healer Takani, who ran in shrieking, GET BACK IN BED! YOU'RE NOT WELL YET!
~*~*~*~*~
Since their injuries were so easily mended, Sirius and Remus were discharged that afternoon. They Apperated to Grimmauld Place and hastened to Number Twelve. They tiptoed inside and into the kitchen, where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, Kingsley, Mundungus, and Snape were sitting at the table.
Sirius said loudly, making them all jump, and chuckled as he sat down in a chair, tilting it back on two legs.
I see you survived, Snape said icily.
Ah, I couldn't go and die on you, Snapey, Sirius said cheerfully. Then you'd have to go through life without an arch-rival.
Snape sneered. And an arch-rival is required for a complete life?
Nah, but it makes things more interesting, Sirius said, pulling Remus into his lap.
Molly hesitantly reached out and touched Sirius' shoulder. You're really alive, she said tearfully, and startled them all by bursting into tears and seizing Sirius in a bone-crushing hug.
Ack! Molly! MOLLY! Get a grip! Well... actually.. lose the one you have! Sirius yelped, squirming.
I thought you were dead! Molly howled. We fight a lot and all but you're still my cousin... and I knew Remus would be so lonely without you....
Er - it's okay, Sirius said as Arthur tried to wrest his wife off of him. Just... don't cry, Molly, I'm all right!
Molly (who cried even at adverts announcing sales at Madame Malkin's), sniffled and pulled out her hanky. I'm sorry... I have to get a grip on myself...
Sirius said suddenly. Get up, Remmie.
Remus jumped up and seated himself in an empty chair, trying to ignore the glares Snape was shooting at him and Sirius (Snape had always been infatuated with Remus). Sirius crossed to the fireplace and took down the urn of Floo Powder.
Wait a minute, Kingsley said. What are you doing?
I've got to tell Harry I'm alive, right? Sirius said with a shrug.
There was a slight uproar at this; Arthur jumped up and seized the urn.
You can't do anything yet, Sirius! he said.
He's *my* godson, I have a right to tell him, Sirius said crossly.
I'm not saying you don't! Arthur said. But he thinks you're dead! If you go and try to talk to him now, especially at his aunt and uncle's house, you'll scare him to death!
What about the Prophet article? Sirius demanded. And Ron and Hermione? Don't tell me they won't tell him straight away!
Well, we can't. Dad's forbidden us, said Ron's voice, and they all turned to see him entering the kitchen with Hermione and Ginny.
Hermione cried, and jumped across the room at once to seize him in a hug.
Er... hi, Hermione, Sirius said. Hi, Ginny... as Ron's sister hugged him too.
Harry doesn't get the Prophet anymore, mate, Ron said, sitting down. Too many lies about him and Dumbledore, remember? Well.. okay, it's loads better now that everyone believes them, but I know Harry hasn't renewed his subscription yet.
Then what do you all propose I do? Sirius sighed, releasing himself from Hermione and Ginny and putting the Floo Powder back on the mantle.
Nothing yet, said Arthur firmly. I know you hate not having a plan of action, but Dumbledore advised us it would be better to wait a few days and then invite Harry to come and stay again. When he gets here, then you can talk to him - all right?
Remus was sure by the look on Sirius face that this was *not* all right, but the raven-haired man merely shrugged and returned to his seat.
Besides, the Floo Network regulators would get suspicious, said Tonks. Muggle fires aren't supposed to be hooked up, right? If you try to contact Harry through the fire at his aunt and uncle's, they'll be sure to find out. And pardoned or not, they won't like having Anti-Muggle security breached.
You're right, Sirius admitted ruefully, smiling at his cousin and sinking back down into his chair.
Well, come on, then, Sirius, Ron said as they all settled around the table.
Tell us what happened, Hermione said. I want to know what happened to bring you back to life!
said Sirius. Well... technically, I wasn't really dead....
To Be Continued.....
(A/N: Okay, Sirius Black is back and bigger than ever! Next chapter, Harry'll show up and find out what went on.... thanks all for the good reviews! They really motivate me, please keep them coming!
Remus: *singing along to AC/DC* I'm back in Black....
Erk. Ignore the whole sexual metaphor there.)
