Wow! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! (Shout-outs at the bottom.) By the way, I must warn you: It may become very disturbing in a few chapters.
"Another body?" The words were a meaningless rush. Sirius stared down at himself, at the familiar arms and legs and the clothes he wore. He didn't look dead, if indeed he were. Again the thought crossed him that Lily and James were playing one sick joke. "What do you mean, another body?"
"It's very simple, Sirius." Lily plopped down on the black plane called ground, her feet folded under her. "Your body is, for all intents and purposes, pretty much gone; I doubt it will ever be seen again until some various resurrection or another. But since James was an idiot—" She flashed a glare at her husband. "Technically, you don't have to go to the spirit world yet. If you want to, that's awesome, but if not, and it seems as if you'd rather not go yet, you'd have to get another body."
That was the sickening idea.
"So, what we would do, is go back to the world of the living and look for an available body. Someone who has just died."
"Preferably someone who has just died and no one knows about it yet," put in James.
"Of course," Sirius said weakly. He still couldn't believe this was being discussed; it was like something out of nightmare.
"You'd just enter the body," Lily said. Her voice was now racing as if it conducted the world's most brilliant of plans. "And live out the rest of your time."
The rest of his time. Lily was certifiably insane. He was supposed to spend the rest of his life… as someone else? "But I wouldn't be Sirius."
The glee vanished from Lily, and she carefully stood up. "Well, of course you'd still be Sirius. Just not in your own body. That's not how it works."
"It's the only way you can go back." James placed a firm hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Look, I'd really love it if you went with us, but… if this is really what you want to do, all we can offer is another body."
With a snarl Sirius twisted away, James' nails just raking his cloak. "That's not fair at all! How can I help your son if he doesn't recognize me?"
Whatever silence that should have filled the area barged its way in. Lily's hands shot to her mouth, a weakened mirror of James' sudden rigidity. Something snapped in Sirius' mind. What had he just done?
But he had to continue. He had always been like that. "Yes, James. Your son. The one I've been trying to protect ever since Azkaban." Bloody hell, it didn't even sound like his voice.
Lily utter a whimper, letting her hands fall in a wave to her side. "Sirius, we're grateful for that. But you can't help him from here. Think, if you were back in the world of the living, even with another body…"
The logic was perfect, and it had been there far too long. Swearing under his breath, he turned from her. "This is so insane." But if it did mean going back…
"Think very carefully," James said. "We'll even let you pick the one you want."
He couldn't help but laugh, despite the whirling chaos in his brain. "Great. My choice of corpses."
"So you're agreeing?" For a moment it was Hogwarts again, James trying to lead him into something stupid that he was certainly going to go along with.
He found himself nodding and in a moment of panic he considered changing his mind. But what other choice did he have? He smiled. "Sure. Let's go body hunting."
In a flash the darkness was gone, replaced by a picturesque little park of green trees.
"It's in Essex," James said nonchalantly. He and Lily stood nearby, Lily examining a nearby road. "Maybe you've been here."
Sirius had no memory of Apparation. "Did you—"
"Actually, it was I." Lily waved her hand. "It's fun. Well, in just a few seconds, a man is going to swerve off the road into this tree in a gloriously bloody car accident."
"Car accident?" Sirius echoed. "Is he a Muggle?"
Lily's attention was back on the road. "Why? Is that a problem?"
James sighed. "It might be easier if we picked a wizard…"
The screech of tires filled the air, sending a flock of birds rocketing from the bushes just before a red sports car skidded over the grass toward them.
Sirius closed his eyes, flinching for the impact. Nothing.
All he heard was James laughing. "Scared you, didn't it?"
He opened his eyes. The car had gone past him, and was presently on fire along with the tree. "It was coming right…"
"You're a spirit, Sirius," James explained. "Material things have no affect on you. Not unless you have a body. And I take it you don't want that one."
Lily shrugged. "Sorry, I grew up Muggle. And I suppose a burn victim would be useless anyway. Poor bloke, this one, though." She sighed and snapped her fingers.
Instead of the park there now rose a street corner of Diagon Alley.
"This time," James said. "Someone's going to be poisoned. Accidentally." He laughed.
"I think it's sad." Lily pointed to two wizards strolling from a potions shop carrying various bottles. "It's the blonde one, I believe. Oh, dear, that bottle isn't his whiskey at all…."
Sirius stared at the man, thinking. It didn't look like a bad body, but… He could afford to be picky, couldn't he?
The man was now choking, his friend watching on in amazement.
"Well?" asked James.
"I don't know…" He didn't even know the man. Though, he supposed, introductions would hardly be necessary if he were just taking over the man's life. But how close could he get to Harry this way?
"You're still so obnoxious," James said, smiling. "But… we'll find someone worthy of old Padfoot."
"Of course we will. Though the blonde man isn't bad at all… not that I don't love you James." Lily twisted a piece of her hair. "You know… if you do want to help Harry, maybe we could get you somewhere closer to Hogwarts. If I'm not mistaken… there's someone who lives in Hogsmeade who is about to get killed in a very violent Quidditch game…" She whipped the scroll back out. "Yes, he lives in Hogsmeade, but the game is actually here in London. I guess the Ministry of Magic is putting it on. You know, I never will understand Quidditch."
She had barely finished speaking than Diagon Alley was gone and they stood in a small, professional-looking Quidditch field, something painfully government member-oriented. The Quidditch players soared above, the Quaffle flying back and forth in barely-visible red blur.
"It should be the bludger," Lily murmured. "But I think we'll be waiting a few minutes. Oh, that's him, number 14."
Sirius caught sight of the possible body as the Keeper paused. And he nearly choked. Sirius had always tried not to judge on looks but… the man was simply hideous.
But maybe…
Maybe he'd have to think about it.
The quaffle struck someone. Not number 14, but someone else, and hardly enough to damage. But enough to call a foul.
"Stupid play anyway," James muttered.
Number 14 hung at the sidelines, waiting impatiently as the referee defended his actions. Then, with a bored sigh, he walked off the field.
"Be back when the game's ready to return," Sirius heard the man call to a teammate. "But I've been meaning to ask the Minister something…"
The Minister of Magic… Sirius gave an inward groan. He wasn't ready to deal with Fudge.
Number 14 passed him, brushing his arm as he did and not even tossing a look. Apparently Sirius was invisible to the living. "Stupid department family games," Number 14 muttered.
"Let's follow him," Lily suggested.
"Yes, maybe the Bludger hits up off the field." James made a grab at her hair.
Lily punched his arm, then followed Number 14.
"You married her," Sirius said. With a shrug, he followed Lily, James right behind him. "You know, it would be very interesting if that guy did die off his broom."
"You would find that fascinating."
Fudge was waiting by the gate, looking rather put out as Number 14 approached him. "You waved me off the field, Henders? For what? I'm trying to enjoy something, what with You-Know-Who being back and all."
Since when did Cornelius Fudge believe that?
"I just needed to ask you something about a document the Department of Mysteries is bothering me to send them," the man now known as Henders said. "I've been forgetting for the past week…"
"Not unlike you," Fudge said with a deep sigh. "Now, what's your question?"
Henders opened his mouth to answer, but instead came a scream.
"Avada Kedavra."
Sirius couldn't believe he had heard the words, so tiny and breathless. He saw the beam of green light stemming from nowhere.
Henders rolled to the ground, but the curse didn't seem to be intended for him, anyway.
The Minister fell, eyes wide open in terror, to the ground.
Henders stared, then picked himself up and ran screaming back towards the field. No one else seemed to have heard.
Sirius gazed in horror at the Minister's dead body. Of all the things he had witnessed in Azkaban… but certain people, especially people like Fudge… things like this weren't supposed to happen to them. Ever. True, he had never cared for Fudge, but to watch him be murdered? And by who?
James was already in the surrounding bushes, pushing them aside. "No one's here."
Face pale, Lily looked at her parchment. "Oh… and I guess Cornelius Fudge was also supposed to die."
It was a terrible time for such a question, but Sirius suddenly had no control over his words. "What about that other man?"
The distant viewers of the game let out a cry of horror following a sickening thud.
She cringed. "He must have just ran madly into the field…."
Suddenly it didn't seem appropriate to discuss bodies. "So… now what?"
James returned, shaking his head. "I can't figure out where that came from. And now we've two dead bodies. Including the head of the magical world." He looked ill.
The head of the magical world… Sirius tried to tear his eyes away from Fudge, but he couldn't. And still no one had come running. Why would they, at an innocent little department Quidditch match… with one dead body in the field already. The one witness to the death was dead himself. No one knew Fudge was dead.
He swore. What was he thinking?
But wouldn't it be fun for just a short time…
"Sirius." James' voice was strangely high. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Sirius didn't dare look at his friends. Oh, no, they couldn't be thinking this. But Fudge had been so against the Order of the Phoenix before… what more help could be given than if the actual government were on the Order's side? And Harry and the others… No, no, no.
Then why was he so excited?
"Would it be permanent?" he heard himself say. "Just so… just so the government doesn't go into chaos."
"No, it won't be permanent, if you want that," James replied.
Lily shook her head. "What are you two talking about?"
"Think what you could do!" James said, hair slipping into his eyes. "Think what you could do! Sirius, it's a dream chance. And meanwhile we'd look for a better body… just until something is set up…"
Take control of the Ministry… if he really were dead, and he really couldn't have his own body back… why not take something powerful?
"Only temporary," he said. Then, slowly, he moved toward the body.
James was nearly rolling on the floor in hysterics. "This is going to be priceless!"
"I can't believe I'm doing this," Sirius muttered. The body was just at his feet. He stared down at Fudge. Sadly enough, Henders was much uglier than him. And that was no compliment to Fudge. But what would a proper Marauder do at this sort of chance? He hopped inside the body.
Shout Outs!
Aerinha: Wow, I actually got you reading a HP fic? I feel special. Yes, many problems will be caused.
Arwench: I guess Fudge could be considered one of Sirius' enemies. )
Avalon Estel: Sirius lives! At least in JK's books. He's actually dead here. I don't know what else the veil could be!
Harry Hippie: Some overused plots are just so tempting… you know, you should have suggested Voldemort earlier… that's a great idea!
hydraspit: Thanks! And I'm glad you're okay with a blatant rip-off.
Jamie McFly: Yay! You're reading one of my fics! You do love me! Go Sister! And yes, it is called Heaven Can Wait. Get Mom to rent it.
Kandy916: Yes, there is something great about a stressed Sirius.
Lady Kazaana: That's okay. You'll be first in my heart.
Lady Meriadoc: Thanks! I've never been very sure of what to do for Lily and James because we don't see much of them.
meenyrocks: You know.. someone was telling me about that movie a few weeks ago! I"ll have to look for it.
Mooncheese: You're a poet and you didn't even know it.
Moonylover2000: Thanks!
sYnergY's Duality: Well, he is dead.. but he wasn't supposed to be dead! Thanks!
v-babe24: I must have Lily! Thanks! By the way… I'm still using.. the problem child.