Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters. I get tired of saying that!
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.
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Back from Beyond the Veil, Part 6
Bellatrix looked up when she heard Kreacher's voice.
Sirius growled deep in his throat. Get out, Kreacher!
The elf gave him a malevolent look and began mumbling faster under his breath. Master always kicking Kreacher out.... maybe he'd be happier if Kreacher went back to Miss Narcissa.....
Turning steadily whiter by the second, Sirius kicked his chair aside and crossed the kitchen in three long strides. He seized Kreacher by the shoulders and shook him hard enough to make his teeth chatter.
This is a direct order, Kreacher - you are not to leave this house. EVER.
He flung Kreacher to the floor and gave him a withering glare. I'll deal with you later. For now, go away - go up into the attic or something.
Kreacher could not disobey a direct order, no matter how he felt about his master. Giving Sirius a nasty look, he shuffled out of the kitchen, still mumbling to himself.
Master always was an ill-tempered brat..... shouted that way to his own mother.... Master is not fit to carry the Black name.....
Sirius slammed the door so hard a teacup fell from the shelf and shattered. he snapped impatiently at it, before going back to the table and setting his chair upright, glaring suspiciously at his cousin. Bellatrix still looked out of it, but less so than before. He hoped Dumbledore and Arthur would get back soon.
There was a few moments of silence after Kreacher's exit. Finally, Kingsley Shacklebolt cleared his throat.
Mrs. Weasley, who had been watching Sirius warily, jumped a little at the sound of Kingsley's deep voice and spun around to look at him. she asked, a trifle breathlessly.
He held out the official-looking letter he had brought in with him. This is for you.
Puzzled, Mrs. Weasley took the envelope from Kingsley and broke open the seal on the back. She unfolded the piece of parchment inside, scanned it, and gasped.
It's from Percy!
everyone else gasped.
What does he say, Mum? Charlie asked.
Yes, Molly, what's it all about? Remus inquired.
Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat and began to read.
Dear Mother,
In light of the recent happenings at the Ministry, and of the reappearance of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, I have realized that I judged you and Father wrongly. I realize now how foolish I have been and I wish to speak to you and Father sometime soon. Perhaps we could meet for dinner on Tuesday evening? I don't wish for another row; I would like to make this an opportunity for a reconciliation. Penelope and I hope very much that you will accept our invitation.
Your son,
Percy'
Fred muttered under his breath as his mother finished reading.
He's probably doing it to spy for Fudge, George added in an undertone.
Mrs. Weasley didn't hear them. She was dabbing at her streaming eyes with a hanky. Everyone looked at Remus, who sighed and stood. Are you all right, Molly? he asked, giving her a timid hug.
Yes, yes, I'm all right, Remus.... thank you, Mrs. Weasley sniffled, putting her hanky away and looking back at the letter in her other hand. It's just... I'm so happy..... I was so afraid we'd never heal this split....
Just then, the kitchen door creaked open and Mr. Weasley tiptoed in, followed by Dumbledore.
What's wrong, Molly? Mr. Weasley asked, seeing the look on his wife's face.
Mrs. Weasley handed him the letter. He read it quickly, his eyes widening slightly behind his spectacles. When he finished, he tucked it into his pocket and said something quietly to his wife. As the Weasleys talked together in low voices, Dumbledore approached Bellatrix, who had been poking at her food without eating any of it.
Dumbledore asked quietly, and she looked up at him. Sirius noticed she was becoming more and more focused as time passed. She was getting over that blow to the head quite quickly.
Dumbledore noticed too. Calmly, he took a small purple bottle from his pocket and pressed it into Sirius' palm without breaking eye contact with Bellatrix. Then he sat and smiled at her. Bellatrix.... why did you attack Sirius?
Her eyes flashed dully. He didn't die when I tried to kill him earlier this summer, she said slowly.
I see. And what happened?
I fell down. He threatened to kill me... and I don't remember anything after that...
Do you know where you are now?
She looked around. .............This is my aunt's house, she said finally.
Sirius looked down at the bottle Dumbledore had put in his hands. It was a Sleeping Potion. He got up from the table and went to the cupboard to fetch a goblet.
He brought me here, didn't he? Bellatrix asked groggily. Judging by the tone of her voice, the uncontrollable temper the Blacks were infamous for was about to rear its ugly head. Sirius poured the entire contents of the small bottle into the goblet of wine in his hand, then went back to the table.
Bella, drink this, he said softly, not wanting to anger her.
She took it suspiciously and sniffed at it, apparently thinking it was poison. After a few sniffs, she decided it wasn't and drained the goblet in one long draught.
The effect was instantaneous. Bellatrix slumped forward, already sleeping deeply; Dumbledore caught her as she fell.
The best thing to do with her now, he said quietly, Is to put her in one of the bedrooms on the fourth floor. If we seal it magically, and put a Silencing Charm on it, nothing will disturb her, and she should sleep well into tomorrow - perhaps until the day after, as well - what I had Sirius give her was one of the strongest Sleeping Potions available. By the time she awakens, I will have conferred with the Minister and the Wizengamot on the subject of her punishment. He laid a hand on Sirius' shoulder. I know you dislike having her here, Sirius, but it is our only choice. You acted well.
Thank you, sir, Sirius murmured.
You have her wand, I suppose?
Sirius dug it out of his pocket and handed it over. Dumbledore tucked it safely away in an inner pocket of his robes. Very good.... Sirius, if you will...
Sirius slung his cousin over his shoulder in a fireman's carry and led the headmaster up to the fourth floor, with Arthur, Molly, Remus, Kingsley, and Tonks following. Harry, Hermione, Mundungus, Fleur, and the six Weasley children were left in the kitchen to start on their now-cold supper.
D'you think it's really safe to have her here? Hermione asked anxiously. I mean, even if she's asleep the whole time, don't you think V-Voldemort will try to find her?
He might, but he won't find her here, said Ron.
added Harry. Sirius told me himself, when we were looking at his family tree - the spells and enchantments his father and Dumbledore put on this place makes it impossible to find, unless someone tells you where it is. And no one saw Sirius bring Bellatrix here. I think we're safe.
But...... the Malfoys might know, Hermione fretted. After all, Kreacher went to see Mrs. Malfoy... she obviously would know where he came from... and if it was her own aunt's house, wouldn't she know where it is?
They all exchanged slightly worried looks, except for Mundungus, who was smoking his smelly pipe and looked more interested in Sirius' family's silverware than the ongoing conversation.
But surely...... Dumblydoor as thought of zat? Fleur asked, reaching out for Bill's hand.
Bill gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled a little. I'm sure he has. If it worries you lot so much, we'll just ask when they all come back downstairs.
There was a silence as they all pondered this, and then Charlie stood up and took his plate over to the stove for seconds.
You know, I wonder what Sirius is going to do with that elf, he said thoughtfully, ladling gravy onto his mashed potatoes.
said George, ignoring Hermione's small huff of indignation. What do people do with disobedient house-elves? Besides set them free, I mean.
Sirius always said Kreacher'd probably die of shock if he ever let him go, Harry remembered. But he really can't risk Kreacher going back to the Malfoys....
I expect he'd turn Kreacher over to the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Ron said, pensively chewing his roast beef.
Or the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, Fred said, and he and George shared a devilish grin. Hermione let out another indignant huff that everyone ignored.
'Course, it'd always be fun to watch Sirius have a go at him, George joked, but at that minute Dumbledore and the others reappeared in the kitchen, followed by Kreacher himself, who was being fiercely berated in an undertone by Sirius. Orders to leave Bellatrix alone, most likely.
Professor Dumbledore, sir? Bill spoke up. We were wondering something while you were upstairs, and we'd like to ask you about it...
Dumbledore said, as everyone took seats at the table.
Well... about Kreacher... Bill shot an uneasy look at the house-elf, who was not paying any attention to him, mumbling and glaring at Sirius' back. Er... if he's been to see the Malfoys.... wouldn't they have a guess as to where he would be? And trace Bellatrix here?
So far, I don't think anyone has noticed Bellatrix is missing, Dumbledore said. I have a feeling she did not tell anyone where she was headed - apparently wanting to kill Sirius and take all the glory for herself. If Narcissa Malfoy begins looking for her sister, it won't be for a day or two. And by then, I shall have her away from here, so no one's attention will be drawn to Grimmauld Place.
Everyone seemed satisfied by this answer, and Dumbledore rose as everyone tucked into their cold food. He bid them all good-bye, and Sirius walked him out. When he returned, he plopped down in his seat with a tired sigh.
Blimey, I dunno when I've had a longer day, he said unhappily, poking at his carrots rather unenthusiastically. He got up and headed into the pantry. They could hear him rummaging around for a few minutes.
Aha! Found it. A pause, then : Still good. He came out of the pantry carrying a tall, ancient-looking bottle. If I have to say one good thing about my father, it's this. He always knew how to take care of a good vintage.
Sirius, what is that? Harry asked as his godfather uncorked the bottle and poured himself a goblet.
Sirius replied, recorking the bottle. He held the goblet to his nose and sniffed. Just what I need right now.
Oh, Siri, no, Remus protested, but Sirius shook his head.
I need a strong drink, he muttered, sitting back down and taking a swig from his goblet.
What is absinthe, anyway? Harry asked curiously.
A strong-smelling, powerful liquor, flavoured with wormwood, Remus said in distaste, wrinkling his nose. I don't care for it, myself, but Siri....
Siri likes it fine, his mate said, holding out the goblet. Here, Harry, try a sip. A small sip, he amended, noting the looks crossing Remus' and Mrs. Weasley's faces at his suggestion. Harry took it, sniffed gingerly, and allowed himself the tiniest sip he could.
he coughed, handing the goblet back to Sirius and reaching for his butterbeer. That's disgusting!
It's an acquired taste, Sirius said airily.
Then I hope I never acquire it, Harry said.
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Narcissa Malfoy stuck her wand back in her belt and opened the now-unlocked window slowly. She slipped through and dropped to the floor, crouching in the shadows under the sill, and gave the scene a quick survey.
The only piece of furniture in this room was a dusty old bed with a half-rotted canopy draped from it. Narcissa knew that the fourth floor was rarely ever used. Even when she was a teenager visiting here, her aunt had kept the fourth floor shut off and never sent Kreacher to clean it. From the house-elf's reports she and Lucius had received back in January, she knew no one had been up there to decontaminate yet.
Her sister Bellatrix was asleep in the huge bed, curled up with her hair hanging in her face. Narcissa crossed the room silently, sat down on the bed, and leaned close to her sister's ear, brushing aside some of Bellatrix's long hair.
Bella. Bella, darling. Wake up.
Her eyes fluttered open.
Yes, dear. It's me. Come along, I'm going to get you out of this horrid place.
Bellatrix whispered. She allowed herself to be helped out of bed and led to the window.
We'll Apparate home, Narcissa whispered to her. Can you handle it?
Bellatrix murmured.
said Narcissa softly. But first....
She looked back at the bed, a cruel smile playing along her lips.
Our beloved cousin needs a present, don't you agree? I think this would be appropriate for our Sirius.... Incendio!
Blue flames leapt from her wand to the bed. Narcissa and Bellatrix watched, fascinated, as the flames licked greedily at the ancient mattress and bed hangings. As the fire grew and smoke began to fill the room, they grinned at each other and Disapparated.
~*~*~*~*~
Sirius awoke with a start. Something was horribly wrong. He sat up and sniffed, and suddenly felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head.
God, that's smoke! he gasped, leaping out of bed and running out into the hallway. He could see the eerie flicker of blue flames coming down the stairs at the end of the hall; the third and fourth floors were already ablaze. Thank God no one had been sleeping up there!
Thick smoke was beginning to billow down the stairs. The flames would be next, Sirius knew. He forced himself to think of the others instead of the fire. They were more important; getting them out would be his first priority. Before panic could make him freeze, he grabbed the nearest object, a heavy vase, and hurled it to the floor. It made a noise like a bomb in the sleepy silence of the hallway, and Sirius shouted:
WAKE UP! WAKE UP, YOU LOT, AND GET OUT! THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE! WAKE UP, WAKE UP!!!
To Be Continued.....
