A/N: - Another lovely Lupin moment at the beginning of this chapter. I hope you like this chapter but please keep Sirius in your thoughts as you read it. The funeral has the best impact if you think of what you really liked about Sirius' character as you read it. I still think J.K. Rowling should be punished for killing him but I'm sure he'll return in one form or another…
Chapter Nine – The Funeral of Padfoot.
"Lucius Malfoy, I challenge you to a duel."
"I accept – and I wish to promote a fight to the death."
"To the death."
"Averte Statura!" Malfoy bellowed. Lupin was thrown into the air but landed on his feet.
"Locomotor Mortis!" he returned, locking Malfoy's legs together so the man stumbled forward and fell to the ground with a thud. The two men scowled and simultaneously raised their wands, reading each others thoughts, one attacking the other defending, and bellowed the killing curse.
"Avada Kedavra!" The two green beams of light met in mid-air and the world froze. A blinding white light balled tightly in the centre of the room and exploded, destroying the potions laboratory and causing Malfoy, Lupin and Hagrid to fly out of the school. All three landed in different places, saved from death by their own spells or those of other people. Malfoy was in the middle of the students, saved by Dumbledore. Hagrid was in Greenhouse Four, saved by Sprout. And Lupin was just out of reach of the Whomping Willow, saved by Flitwick.
Screaming students, mainly first-years, backed away from the unconscious Malfoy Senior. Said Death Eater was coming round and he gazed at his surroundings, momentarily bewildered.
"What am I doing here?"
"Being arrested by the Ministry of Magic as soon as they arrive," a limping Lupin emerged through the crowd with a weary and baffled Hagrid trailing behind him.
"I'm not going to be arrested. Good luck with recruiting the Dark Creatures – although you don't stand a chance." Malfoy sneered, pulling out a miniature broomstick from his pocket, enlarging it, casting a smokescreen spell, and flying off without being caught in spite of the staff's best efforts. Lupin sighed in relief and began walking back to the castle, bringing up the rear of the student body, who were chattering excitedly, as they were taken back to the Great Hall.
"Professor, wait!" Hermione called when she saw Lupin heading in the opposite direction to the Hall. Harry, Ron and Neville all stood with her. Lupin turned to face them.
"Go and have your breakfast. I'm sure Dumbledore will want to know you didn't go off on some manic mission attempting to catch Malfoy."
"We're only going if you do – you just saved the school!" Harry stated resolutely, folding his arms.
"Fine – but only because I know Dumbledore will go spare if you four don't turn up, due to your previous record of… 'missions'."
Dumbledore rose from his seat,
"Students and teachers, what happened today shows you how serious our situation, and this war, is. If your parents wish to take you away from the school then they are free and within their rights to do so. But I warn you, it is safer here than it is in the outside world. Here you have an entire staff body willing to put their lives at risk for you and who are all experienced and talented witches and wizards. Today, we have one member of staff in particular whose selflessness and bravery undoubtedly saved Hogwarts from consumption by Dark Forces. So, I would like to propose a thank-you toast to Professor Remus J. Lupin." He smiled gently at the Defence professor, who had gone a deep shade of crimson and was glaring in an amused fashion at Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione. Even half the Slytherins joined the tumultuous applause that reverberated off the walls of the Hall.
Lesson one was spent feasting as their breakfast had been rudely interrupted. However, lesson two was still as normal and that meant potions for Harry and his class. Snape was even more sour than usual, it didn't take a genius to guess why, and he set them the task of clearing up the dungeon. As he worked, Harry made a mental note to try and speak to Lupin before the day ended and thought about invading a meeting of the Order. After what happened, there was bound to be one. Harry would just have to gatecrash ad see Lupin; he had to know exactly what had happened down in the dungeon between Malfoy and his Professor.
"Potter, I expect this dungeon to be spotless!" Snape roared above the noise of shattered glass being picked up, "the entire school is in a state of clean-up and everyone is to do their bit, you being no exception!" Snape was whiter than normal and his fists were clenched as he talked. Harry sighed and went back over what he'd already cleaned, kept going by the thought of Snape's face when he invaded yet another meeting.
The evening came quickly and Harry took cover under his father's invisibility cloak and headed to Dumbledore's office to find Lupin and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix. He was joined by Ron and Hermione, who'd silently followed him and now joined him under the cloak. They got into Dumbledore's office and stayed low in a corner. They wanted to know exactly what was going on. But somebody in the room already knew they were there. Lupin was walking directly towards them.
"He can't have seen us!" Hermione gasped.
"Ron, your shoe's sticking out!" Harry exclaimed. Ron swiftly pulled his shoe out of sight but it was too late. Lupin had everyone's attention and he whipped away the cloak covering the three Gryffindors and turned back to Dumbledore.
"Ah, it seems we have visitors," Dumbledore winked at them, "do come and join us. This is not an official meeting or else it would not have been held here, and we certainly would not have left the office door open." His eyes twinkled as he spoke.
"Headmaster, I really think these students should be punished for being out of bed after-hours. It is highly unfair that they get special treatment."
"You would think that," muttered Lupin mildly.
"That's quite enough of that, thank-you, Remus. And you, Severus," Dumbledore frowned. Lupin snorted; Snape was being more of a jerk than usual and everyone knew it. But the peace had to be kept.
"Headmaster, with all due respect, I do not think it appropriate for these students to stay here."
"So, you want to throw Harry out of a meeting where we've already discussed the day's events and in which we are now discussing the funeral of his Godfather?" Lupin snapped, causing Snape to withdraw slightly.
"A meeting about Sirius? We're staying," Harry confirmed, taking a seat next to Tonks and opposite Mad-Eye Moody. Lupin grinned lopsidedly at Snape – he'd won the argument this time.
"So," Dumbledore spoke again, "We need a date for the funeral. It will have to be as private as is possible – we can do without interference."
"How about the 22nd of September?" Harry suggested.
"Is everyone ok with that? Yes? Excellent – we'll meet at ten o'clock in the morning and go to Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, after the funeral. Harry and Remus, will you make speeches?"
"Yes," Lupin agreed at once, his voice soft.
"I suppose I could…" Harry was hesitant. Really, all he wanted to do was say a private goodbye to Sirius but he felt it his duty to speak at the funeral. If Lupin could manage it then so could he.
The 22nd dawned Harry dressed in his normal robes and met Hermione and Ron in the common room. They had to try not to attract too much attention to themselves or it could be potentially dangerous, maybe even fatal if they were followed the Voldemort's followers. The rest of the Order was waiting in Hagrid's cabin and when everyone was present they set off.
When they reached the small, abandoned chapel that Dumbledore had concealed with magic, Dumbledore took on the role of priest and began the speeches.
"We are all here today to say a final farewell to a very special man; Sirius Black. He died in the Ministry of Magic Department of Mysteries. The first up to pay tribute is Minerva McGonagall, his transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor house."
"Good morning to you all. This is a very sad occasion for all of us, but what can I say about Sirius Black? Loud, arrogant, mischievous and sometimes amusing. When he started school, he made friends with three other boys. They were by far the oddest group of friends I'd ever seen at Hogwarts and I have yet to see another group like them, although a certain four have come very close. Of course, Sirius' group had the brains, brawn, daring, reason, teamwork, friendship and vulnerability to pull off many pranks. Most of these succeeded, with highly entertaining results for all students – but not always for the teachers. But no matter how much scolding I gave Sirius; no matter how many points taken and detentions given, he would always emerge triumphant, a hero, to his fellow Gryffindors. And we all owe him a serious apology for serious misjudgement over this past fifteen years. We are deeply sorry to Sirius and bid him a fond, but unwilling, farewell," McGonagall stepped down, dabbing at her eyes again. Fred and George, much to everyone's surprise, got up and walked to the front without an introduction from Dumbledore.
"Ah, the Marauders – we owe them so much. Yet we never knew who they were until our Extendable Ears did the work for us. But, unfortunately, Sirius was already gone so we never got to see the look on his face when he found out that we knew – although we got enough reaction from others as it was," Fred laughed, winking at Lupin, who glared at them. George continued,
"Sirius, mate, we want to keep this short. You and your friends gave us some of the most magical moments of our young lives at Hogwarts and inspired us even more into our career; thanks a whole bunch, mate – and, wherever you've gone, send us a postcard!"
"Thank-you, Fred and George, that was most intriguing…I will speak with you later," his eyes twinkled, "Remus, if you would care to follow that with a little more on Sirius' life." Dumbledore stood down again and Lupin made his way to the front.
"The Marauders – that was our name at school. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs – best prank players of the time. We always swore that nothing would ever tear us apart. We were invincible. But all we could do was watch as four became three and three became two. Now, there is just one. We all thought Sirius would last the longest with his fierce determination and unwavering loyalty, but it wasn't to be. Sirius was one of the best friends someone could wish for – he would have died for our group and our friendship. He was always pushing us forward, taking bigger and bigger risks. Of course, there were occasions when this did absolutely no good whatsoever!
"I'll never get over losing him and I'll never forget him. We can all get on with our lives but it will still be there. Moony will never stop hunting for Padfoot. The Marauders were destroyed the moment Peter betrayed us but were reformed when Sirius was released. It is frustrating to think that we were brought down by a monster, a witch and a rat. They will not get away with it in the long run. This isn't goodbye to Sirius because he's made a lasting impression on the lives of so many, whether those impressions are good or bad. This is the beginning of a new war. Until we meet again, Padfoot," Lupin half-saluted the casket which contained no body. Inside was a collection of the things Sirius held closest to him, put in by the people in the Order and those he loved the most. Lupin slipped a couple of items in and took his seat. It was Harry's turn.
"He was all I had so I can never replace him – and, to be honest, I never want to. You see, I was in denial at first. When Sirius fell and I was pulled back, I didn't want to believe it – I thought, believe it or not, that Sirius and Professor Lupin were playing a foolish prank on me. But when Sirius didn't reply to my yelling I knew he was really dead; gone for good. Nothing mattered to me in that moment and I felt numb with the pain and magnitude of the loss. And to think that in my third year I hated him. I still find that hard to believe.
"I blame myself, in parts, for his death. If I had worked harder at Occlumency or waited until I knew the facts before going on a rescue mission then maybe he would still be here today. I wouldn't have been deluded by the vision.
"I didn't know him for very long and I hardly ever saw him and I wish I could speak to him one last time. But, as that's impossible, I will just have to learn to move on. I should probably return the mirrors that he gave me to him but I know he would rather they were put to good use. So I will keep them and put something else inside in his memory." Harry put something in the casket and sat back down. Lupin gave him a reassuring smile and looked away again to the casket.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur to Harry and he was glad when it was over. The group went back to Grimmauld Place and sat around talking and doing nothing for the rest of the day. About halfway through the afternoon, Lupin disappeared upstairs and Harry was warned not to follow.
"He wants to be alone, Harry. Surely you can understand that, can't you?" Molly Weasley smiled gently at him. Harry nodded in agreement but his thoughts remained firmly on his teacher until said downhearted werewolf returned almost an hour later.
Eyes were red-rimmed and tears were still falling at six o'clock that night. Most people stayed the night under the strict orders of a very tearful Molly Weasley. She insisted on everyone staying and found everyone somewhere to sleep. Harry turned in reluctantly at eleven thirty and was saying good-night to everyone when he realised Lupin had gone off again. He was probably in his room, trying to get some rest so Harry didn't let his mind linger on it for too long.
Harry, Ron and Hermione returned with Hagrid to Hogwarts early the next day so they could be back before lessons started. The other teachers in the Order had gone back earlier and by a different route. Hogwarts was in perfect order when they arrived. Everything was repaired but Harry barely had time to take it in because he and his friends were whisked off to Transfiguration.
"Today, class, we will be learning how to transfigure slugs into daggers. This is a particularly useful spell as it also works on snakes, snails, worms, centipedes and millipedes."
"Then why are we using slugs?"
"Because, Mr. Weasely, I very much doubt that you are capable of using anything else."
"Stupid old bat," Ron muttered under his breath.
"Five points from Gryffindor for your cheek. Now, here's the incantation. I'll only say it once and then you're on your own so listen carefully: Animaius Transdagorus."
When the class finished and Ron's slug had a handle but that was it. Harry's was coated in slime which wouldn't go away no matter how much he wiped it off. And Hermione's, as usual, was perfect.
The day passed slowly and with double Potions, History of Magic and Divination following Transfiguration, Harry was ready to drop dead by the end of it. When dinnertime finally arrive, everyone was ratty with exhaustion after being told multiple times that they were all going to meet terrible ends if they didn't wear something purple every day for the next week. But dinner was delicious and Harry was enjoying himself thoroughly until a furious Snape dragged him out of the room.
"Let go!"
"Potter, I do not want you to intrude on any more meetings but Headmaster Dumbledore requests your presence at one tonight."
"When and where?"
"The Shrieking Shack at midnight. You must bring the two Weasleys and Miss Granger. But I must emphasise that I protested most impressively against your coming but Dumbledore and his pet werewolf won again." Snape sneered, letting Harry go and storming off to the dungeons, probably to sulk.
That night, the four students crept out under cover of darkness and the invisibility cloak (which was very crowded!) and into the Shrieking Shack. They could hear several raised voices – Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Snape and McGonagall were fighting about something. Harry led the way upstairs and opened the door to a room which seemed all too familiar. He and his friends edged round the room and sat on the bed as far away from the quarrel as possible.
"STOP!" Dumbledore bellowed and there was silence, "We are here to discuss Voldemort's latest moves. He has recruited more than half of the dark creatures in this country and has eighty-seven percent of the world's dark creature population on his side. To combat this, the Ministry have rashly begun to kill all those they are suspicious of. We have sent them a list of those on our side and of those who are, at present neutral. Remus is bringing those he's managed to get hold of to Hogwarts to hide and help us formulate plans."
"They'll be here tomorrow," Lupin interjected.
"What?!" Snape hissed, "So you want more Wolfsbane, I take it?"
"Yes, Severus," Dumbledore said slightly dangerously.
"No, one half-breed scumbag is enough!"
"Never insult half-breeds!" Hagrid stood up. Lupin rolled his eyes.
"I wasn't insulting you, Hagrid, I was insulting him," he jabbed a thumb in Lupin's direction, "I refuse to make any more potion. If the other half-breeds want it then Lupin will have to go without."
"Severus---" Dumbledore frowned.
"My final offer."
"Fine," Lupin agreed mildly, "They need it more than I do – and there's more of them."
"Finally, you see that you have to do what us non-diseased people tell you to do!"
"No, I just think it's better to have one dangerous werewolf and forty tame ones than the other way round." Lupin shrugged, practically grinning, though no-one knew why.
"FORTY?! How in Merlin's name did you manage to get hold of that many so quickly?"
"Easily, you just go to St. Mungo's, look up old contacts and go to villages where werewolves are known to live. I even got hold of the one that was in hospital when Arthur was in there last year. And there are ten foreigners."
"Excellent," Arthur Weasley clapped his hands together, "shall I come with you tonight, Remus?"
"Tonight?" Harry spoke up for the first time.
"Tonight, I am sending Remus and Mad-Eye on a mission to keep the peace at a Dangerous Creatures convention. There's always a protest and some of Voldemort's recruits could be there to recruit more people or attack the Ministry. Arthur, you may go along if Molly agrees to it – it will be dangerous."
"Molly?" Arthur pleaded, looking very much like a four year old who wanted an expensive toy.
"Very well," Mrs. Weasley sighed, "but please, in Merlin's name, don't do anything stupid."
"Don't worry," Lupin laughed, "we'll keep an eye on him and we'll report back tomorrow morning if we can." And, with that, him, Moody and Mr. Weasley left and the meeting was concluded. But Dumbledore kept Harry behind, sending the other three students that had been there back to the Gryffindor dorms, accompanied by McGonagall.
"When Sirius was in my office, not long before he died, he asked me to take his memory of your birth in case something happened to him so that you could see it. Professor Lupin, your parents and Peter Pettigrew are all there. You know how a Pensieve works?" Dumbledore stepped back from the Pensieve he'd kept hidden throughout the meeting.
"Yes."
"Then go ahead." Dumbledore said. Harry bent over the bowl and was taken into his Godfather's memory. James Potter was stood, pacing, outside a maternity ward. Sirius and Lupin were playing 'Eye Spy' and Pettigrew was trying to calm Harry's father down. Suddenly, a mid-wife emerged from the room.
"James Potter?"
"Yes?"
"You've got a little boy."
James whooped with delight and embraced each of the Marauders in turn. Peter let go quickly, guiltily; Sirius wouldn't let go, practically choking James; and Lupin winced and drew away sharply.
"Sorry, Moony, I forgot about your ribs."
"It's ok, Prongs. Let's go see Prongs Jr."
"Excellent suggestion, Mr. Moony. I couldn't have come up with a better one myself." Sirius grinned.
Harry followed the Marauders into a room where his mother was sat, cradling a baby. The baby was him! His stomach lurched and he bit back tears. Even as a baby he had unruly black hair.
"Aw, Lils, he's gorgeous!" James kissed his wife and then Harry, "Harry James Potter, it's time to meet the Marauders: Remus 'Moony' Lupin, Sirius 'Padfoot' Black and Peter 'Wormtail' Pettigrew. All three of them are gonna be your Godfathers."
"It's ok, James. I won't ever see him, what with…work," Peter squealed, a bead of sweat running down his head, "but thanks anyway."
"Yeah, thanks but no thanks, Prongs. I'd love to, but the Ministry would have more than a little to say about it and I haven't read the new Werewolves Code of Conduct yet so it's probably best to play it safe."
"So, what's your excuse, Padfoot, my partner in crime?"
"Nothin whatsoever, Prongs, my man – I will guard the mini Potter with my life," Sirius saluted.
"Brilliant!"
"James, honey, I need to sleep – take the guys out for a drink to celebrate or something and come back tomorrow."
"Why?" Sirius asked sadly, ruffling Harry's hair.
"Because, Sirius Black, you are driving me insane and you've been here less than five minutes!" Lily tried to look stern but smiled in spite of herself.
"Lily encouraging us to drink?" James laughed.
"Let's go!" Sirius grabbed Lupin and they were out of the door like a shot and Harry was thrown out of the Pensieve.
"Why did it stop?"
"Sirius didn't want you to see them drunk. Well, actually he was indifferent about the matter but Remus forbade it. He said it was too embarrassing." Dumbledore's eyes glittered. Harry laughed – it would have been amusing to see the Marauders drunk but Sirius had probably been held at wand-point by Lupin for even suggesting that Harry be allowed to see it.
Harry's dreams that night were jumbled. He heard the voices of the members of the Order of the Phoenix each telling him to do something different. It eventually became one dream: the massacre of the Order and every student at Hogwarts. Harry could see all the bodies of those he cared about most and a single voice rang out, high pitched and sinister.
"You did this."