Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. Certainly not to me.
Rating: PG. Sirius may occasionally curse…it would be just like him.
Pairing: Amara Vector/Sirius Black
Summary: Remus is originally thought to be the Potters' Secret-Keeper, leaving Sirius a free man and Harry's guardian after Wormtail's betrayal. He adopts Harry as his own and hopes to go on living peacefully forever. But when the Philosopher's Stone is stolen before Harry enters Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Dumbledore sends three of his most trusted members of the Order of the Phoenix: Sirius Black, Professor Amara Vector and Severus Snape to retrieve and destroy all of the Horcruxes before Voldemort can use them to return.
Chapter 2- Of Betrayal and Brutality
31 October, 1980
The moonlight that shone in through the grimy window was not yet half full, but still its presence led to the elusion of sleep for the werewolf. Since he was a young boy he had had a very complex relationship with any version of the moon. The part of him that was human cursed it inwardly whenever it showed its wide, cold face. The human would always remember the painful transformation, the feeling of losing control completely. But the wolf that was in his blood, no matter how he tried to deny it, yearned for the moon. The wolf waited eagerly for its full face that set him free- free beyond the conflictions of human emotions and civilization. Sometimes, particularly on lonesome, chilly nights like these, Remus had to watch himself carefully, lest he lift his head and howl mournfully at the moon.
The small, shabby two-room flat was in complete darkness, allowing the moon to filter through the room, creating odd shadows and small patches of moonlight. The eerie light dappled on the face of Remus Lupin where he sat curled up on his windowsill. The windowsill was his favourite feature in the flat, wide enough for a reasonably portioned person to curl up on and just watch the world go by. There was not much watching to be done tonight though. The streets of London were completely empty. Despite being Halloween, at this late hour, most of the disguised children had returned to their homes to escape evil wizards, witches and ghouls. Remus laughed hoarsely. He had seen dark wizards and walls would not protect you.
With a heavy sigh, he turned from the window, his nerves on edge. He did not particularly expect any unwelcome company this evening. Sirius had been right when he said Voldemort was likely to first track him down. And now, though not to Padfoot's knowledge, Remus had absolutely nothing to fear. It was Peter who would soon be going into hiding, taking the location of the Potters with him. Remus wondered constantly if he should tell Padfoot of the change, but a small voice inside him cautioned him. As much as it pained him, Sirius came from a family of Dark wizards and despite all evidence, it was possible a little bit of the blood in Sirius might have tempted him to give evidence to Voldemort. No. There was no need for Sirius to know who the real Secret Keeper was.
Remus could not understand why he felt the way he did. Almost as though he had forgotten something important. He had said his farewells to Lily and James and packed all his belongings up. Dumbledore had suggested the Secret-Keeper go into hiding, and since James had insisted on hiding the true identity of their Keeper from everyone, Remus was to play along, going into hiding. He left tomorrow and did not know when he would return. Sirius would be the only one of the Marauders not to flee before Voldemort. But Sirius had never been one to hide. He would go down fighting, not hidden in some dark corner.
Remus toyed with the thought of going to bid Peter goodbye. The poor man was probably scared out of his wits. Only the great friendship and loyalty he felt to James had been enough to persuade him to take the role of Secret-Keeper. But Remus honestly believed Peter to be in no great danger. He wasn't exactly a well-known wizard and no one who got one look at him would ever think him a valid choice to hold the secrets of three lives. Especially not someone like Voldemort who placed power above all else. No, it would be Sirius Voldemort would go after. Remus was sure of it, and it hurt him to think of his brave friend running for his life, and almost assuredly dying in the end, fighting with the fierce pride and determination that made him such an admirable man.
Remus had half a mind to go and say goodbye to Sirius, but he settled instead on Peter. Sirius was quite capable of taking care of himself and anyone else who came along, and would not appreciate what he would see as an attempt to coddle or comfort him. Peter had more need of comfort and friends. Remus swung a threadbare cloak over his shoulders and locked his flat. He pulled out his wand and Apparated.
He appeared inside Peter's clearly abandoned cottage. Fear struck him. Had they underestimated Voldemort? Had he just decided to bring in all of James' close friends? But, no…there was no sign of struggle, and all of Peter's belongings were gone. Even the useless trinkets that would be of no worth to Voldemort and his Death Eaters had vanished. Remus felt his breath quicken as he tore through the house, his mind screaming the conclusion his brain didn't want to accept as he called for the old friend he knew would not answer.
He finally came to a stop in Peter's attic, staring hopelessly out the small round window on the fields below, already barren of their harvest. In the attic he had finally found sign of Peter. Boxes full of his school memorabilia, maps he shouldn't have had, and books full of Dark Magic he shouldn't have known. But one picture, gripped tightly in Remus' hand gave him all the answer he needed. It was a cheerful picture of four boys outside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All grinning, all happy to be alive and with such lovely friends. All but one with their faces violently coloured over with the Dark Mark.
The picture dropped from nerveless hands, and Remus fought against the urge to howl. They had been betrayed. Lily, Harry and James would be dead by now, and he, Remus was a marked man. Sirius and Dumbledore would give testimony he had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper. Hot tears burnt in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Hatred such as he had never known was rising in him, and his eyes glowed as the wolf fought for predominance. If he was going down, Peter 'Wormtail' Pettigrew was coming with him. And with a whirl of a poor man's cloak, he was gone.
-------------
Sirius paced restlessly around his living room, unable to sit down; unable to get rid of the feeling that something was wrong. Dangerously wrong. "Master should calm himself," came the chiding voice of his house elf, Tika. "Master will do himself an injury."
Sirius nodded shortly, and forced himself to sit in a high-backed chair pulled up in front of the roaring fire. The October night was particularly chilly and Tika had made an impressive blaze. Since moving into the large, cheerful farmhouse that was the perfect opposite of the Manor of his childhood, Tika had served him. They made a happy pair, with a respect for each other seldom found in master and slave. It was certainly nothing like the cringing and adoring servitude of his mother's house elf, Kreacher. Thoughts of his childhood brought an even darker mood on to Sirius and he practically growled in frustration.
"Would you like some tea?" Tika offered, coming to stand in front of him with her arms crossed. Sirius offered her a tight smile. The house elf was the only reason he ate or slept at all lately. The war with Voldemort had escalated to unbelievable measures in the last week and it seemed he was rarely at home, or had the energy to do anything but sleep off a ferocious battle. He hadn't seen Amara, the Potters, or any of his friends since the fateful night before James and Lily went into hiding. At least he knew they were safe. Or were they?
For another worry was eating away at Sirius, despite his best intentions. He could not get rid of Remus' eager look as Lily and James made plans to cast the Fidelius Charm. It wasn't right for any man to look at danger that way. Even Sirius had remarkable respect for putting his life in danger, and Remus was no way near as mental as Sirius. Unless his eagerness had been for the rewards he would reap if he turned the Potters over to his master, Lord Voldemort. Unless Remus was the traitor all members of the Order suspected existed. Not for the first time, Sirius had wished he had accepted the task of Secret-Keeper, just so he could be assured his friends were safe.
No, no…he was being paranoid. He ran his fingers through his long black hair, frustrated. Remus was a good man, full of honourable intentions and the ability to love his friends with undying loyalty. There was no way he was passing information to Voldemort. Absolutely no way in this world or any other.
Still, one last visit, or check up, disguised as saying a final goodbye before the werewolf went into hiding couldn't hurt. Decision made, Sirius retrieved his long travelling coat and, still dressed in his work uniform, headed for the door. "Master, where are you going?" Tika demanded, coming out of the kitchen holding a mug of tea.
"I'm really sorry, Tika," he apologized, pulling the front door open. "I should be back sometime tonight. Don't wait up for me!"
He closed the door, heading for the motorcycle he had enchanted to fly. He revved the engine and took off, plotting a direct course for Remus' flat in London. The motorcycle made excellent time and before he could even begin to complain about the damp night and icy cold wind flying in his face, he was touching down outside Remus' building. After casting a quick charm to ensure no Muggle would wander by and attempt to steal his flying motorbike, he Apparated up into Moony's room.
When he appeared in Remus' flat, he almost breathed a sigh of relief. Boxes were piled everywhere. Clearly Remus was all ready to go into hiding. He had not betrayed them. He could not betray them. Sirius was simply being paranoid, understandable after the things he had seen in his short life. "Moony?" called out Sirius, not wanting to wake his friend if he was sleeping. When he got no answer, he decided to peek into Moony's bedroom, just to ensure he was safe.
The room was empty. The first flutters of fear formed in Sirius' stomach. "Moony?" he called out, much louder. He knew there was no way he had missed Remus in the adjoining room, but he had to try. "Remus? Lupin!" His only answer was silence.
Panic rising, he tore out the door, sprinting down the four flights of stairs and out on to the street. All thoughts of Apparation he pushed to back of his mind. If he could Apparate to Gordic's Hollow, which he desperately hoped to be impossible, all his fears would prove true. Another smaller and quieter part of him wanted to delay the moment he would discover what in his heart he already knew was truth. Worry for Lily, Harry and Prongs held back even his hatred for Moony, if what he feared was true proved to be so. He urged the bike through the starless sky, fear coursing through him, making thinking difficult and choking up his throat.
He smelled the fire before he saw it. And it was not the copious amounts of billowing smoke that brought tears coursing down his handsome face. He urged the motorcycle ever faster and was soon touching down on the laneway leading up to Gordic's Hollow.
The cottage was burning. All that remained of the once handsome home where Sirius had spent so many happy days was the frame, which looked as though it was about to fall in. Great flames sprouted up into the air and the Dark Mark glittered mockingly just out of reach of the fire. Someone was screaming. Hoarse, desperate, heartbreaking screams that were wrenched from the throat of a person who had lost all reason to go on. Sirius leapt off his bike and tore towards the house, his hair streaming out behind him like a banner and tears flowing ceaselessly from his grey eyes. It wasn't until he reached the burning building that he realized the person screaming was he.
He crashed through the front door, the air visibly hot. The scene in front of him swam as though it were a mirage. And then he saw him. James was lying at the foot of what had once been a staircase. The staircase had long ago collapsed in the fire, leaving James covered in the rubble. Sirius tore desperately at the heavy wood planks, trying to pull James out of the burning wreckage. His friend…brother…stared up at him with eyes that could not see. To look at him there was no physical harm, save the fact that he was clearly, irrevocably dead. "Prongs, wake up," Sirius begged, cradling his friend's body close to his own, ignoring the house burning around them. "Wake up, Prongs…please…don't leave me. Please, Prongs…Prongs…no." Sobs racked Sirius' body and he rocked back and forth, helpless to do anything but sob.
He shook his friend angrily. How could he leave him? How could he? When Sirius' sanity, his goodness, his morals had always hinged so dangerously on James' continued good influence in his life. Another hoarse scream, this one tinged with desperation, ripped from Sirius' throat. It was a wordless scream; one of a man who had woke to found his nightmares were a reality. The house creaked dangerously. The fact that the roof was going to cave in registered dimly to Sirius, but he didn't care. He would stay here and be burned with the one man who had ever shown him kindness and the love of a brother, without any thought to his family connections, with a consistency and unfailing devotion.
But suddenly, a large hand was on Sirius' shoulder and someone was pulling him out of the wreckage, leaving James behind in the burning building. Sirius fought desperately against the unknown man, but his strength was implacable and he dragged Sirius out of the wreckage as though he were little more than a babe. "C'mon, Sirius," came a friendly voice, full of sadness. "There's nought yeh can do fer 'em now."
The giant of a man, who Sirius now recognized as the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid, dragged him back from what had once been a happy home and cottage. As soon as he let go of Sirius' arm, the desperate man pitched himself forward, trying to get back to James. "Sirius, stop!" Hagrid ordered, catching him around the middle and bringing him further back. "They're gone, Sirius. He's gone…James is dead. And ain't nothin' achieved by dying with 'em."
"You're wrong!" Sirius sobbed. "You're wrong. He's not dead. He can't be."
"He is!" Hagrid roared, shaking Sirius roughly. He bent so his usually friendly black eyes, now ravaged with sorrow were level with Sirius' wild grey ones. "Pull yerself together, man. I've got much to do this night…but that's neither here nor there. They didn't all die…I got Harry."
"Harry?" Sirius blinked, confused. The thought of his godson had brought some clarity to his world. "He's…alive?" Hagrid nodded once, slowly. "How?"
"Dunno," admitted Hagrid. "But I got 'im out as soon as I got 'ere. I've got orders to bring 'im to Dumbledore as soon as I can safely."
"Dumbledore?" frowned Sirius, casting about wildly for his godson. "I'm his godfather, aren't I? Give him to me, Hagrid."
"Now, I've got me orders, Sirius," Hagrid began slowly.
"I don't care about your goddamn orders!" Sirius hollered. "Where is James' son? Where is my godson?"
Hagrid looked at Sirius, a pitying fear in his eyes. He clearly thought Sirius was a man on the edge. Sirius thought he might be as well, but he only cared about seeing and holding his godson at the moment. "'E's over 'ere," Hagrid explained, pointing a thumb back at a grove of trees the fire had not spread to.
Sirius followed Hagrid quickly, and fell on his knees in front of the basket his godson' slept in. His face was peaceful, but there was one substantial difference that caught Sirius' eye immediately. A scar, in the shape of a lightning bolt, adorned his godson' forehead. It had not been there a week ago, and was burning an angry red. "How did he get that?" Sirius asked.
"I'm not rightly sure," Hagrid admitted. "It's burning 'im though…looking a bit better than when I first got 'im out."
"Hagrid…what happened here?" Sirius asked, his raging madness ebbing away to a sort of hollow sorrow as he compartmentalized his feeling, relying heavily on the training of Alastor Moody.
"You-Know-Who," Hagrid answered simply. "Whoever was Secret-Keeping for the Potters was apparently none too trustworthy. He betrayed them, and this was the result."
"But how did Harry survive?" Sirius demanded. "And where's Voldemort?" A burning desire to kill the Dark wizard, or at least attempt it with every fibre in his body rose in him.
"I can't tell yeh," Hagrid, who had winced at the use of Voldemort's proper name, admitted. "But Dumbledore seems to think 'E's gone. Possibly fer good. And Harry 'ere's the reason for it."
"Harry?" Sirius repeated, his voice disbelieving. "That's impossible."
"Well, that's why I gotta take 'im to Dumbledore," Hagrid explained. "And I mean to get off right quick…Muggles are gonna be swarming all over this place in no time at all."
"Where's Dumbledore?" asked Sirius, reaching into the basket and pulling Harry into his arms. The small boy stirred a little and his vivid green eyes opened. For a moment there was uncertainty in them, but when he realized it was Sirius, he smiled, murmured something that sounded like 'Pa-foo' and then slipped back into slumber.
"Four Privet Drive," Hagrid responded promptly. "The residence of a Petunia Dursley, being Lily's sister. Dumbledore means to leave Harry with 'er."
"Oh, he does, does he?" Sirius asked in a dangerous voice. "I'm Harry's legal guardian, and Dumbledore can't just decide he wants Harry to live with Petunia. I met the woman a couple of times and there is absolutely no way my godson is living with that witch of a woman."
"Uh…she's a Muggle, Sirius," Hagrid corrected.
Sirius turned disbelieving eyes on the giant man. "Figure of speech, Hagrid," he apologized, with a pale smirk. Still, holding Harry to his chest, he headed towards his motorbike.
"Oy! Where do yeh think yer going?" Hagrid demanded, hurrying after him.
"Four Privet Drive," Sirius replied sharply. "I have a Headmaster to correct. And a werewolf to kill."
"A werewolf?" Hagrid asked, as Sirius carefully mounted the bike.
Sirius wore a very dangerous smile that was clearly a return to the madness displayed early in the ruins of the Potters' cottage. "Remus Lupin is a dead man." He looked up at Hagrid. "What are you waiting for? I can't drive and hold Harry, so you had better do so! Its not hard."
And so Hagrid, with really very little choice in the matter, swung up on to the motorbike and took off, just as a Muggle fire truck came squealing into the lane at Gordic's Hollow. As frightened shouts echoed up to them, Sirius stared down at his godson sleeping peacefully in his arms. Sirius' private thoughts were anything but peaceful. 'Goodbye, Prongs,' he thought to the cold night sky. 'I will avenge you, I swear it. Moony will die.'
---------------
Albus Dumbledore looked up sadly at the large, square house he was planning to leave Harry Potter at, knowing in his heart that he was condemning James' son to ten years of hell. A part of him wished there was another option, but the larger, more sensible part of him knew it was the best decision for Harry's safety which was, at this point, more important than his happiness. He turned his sharp blue eyes on his Deputy Headmistress, Professor Minerva McGonagall who, unless he was mistaken, had just been made to see his point of view. "Yes- yes, you're right, of course. But how is the boy getting here, Dumbledore?" She eyed his cloak suddenly as though she thought he might be hiding Harry underneath it.
"Hagrid's bringing him."
"You think it-wise- to trust Hagrid with something as important as this?"
"I would trust Hagrid with my life," Dumbledore said, giving her the simple truth.
"I'm not saying his heart isn't in the right place," said Professor McGonagall grudgingly. "But you can't pretend he's not careless. He does tend to- what was that?"
A low, rumbling sound had broken the silence around them. It grew steadily louder as they looked up and down the street for some sign of a headlight; it swelled to a roar as they both looked up to the sky- and a huge motorbike fell out of the air and landed on the road in front of them.
If the motorbike was huge, it was nothing to the man sitting astride it. He was almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide. He looked simply too big to be allowed. But for perhaps the first time in his life, Hagrid was not the man who immediately captured everyone's eye in the near proximity. Both Dumbledore and McGonagall were staring warily at a man, holding a baby, who had slid off the bike as soon as it touched down.
Dumbledore stifled a sigh. He had been afraid of this. Sirius was normally a handsome man, but his eyes were suspiciously red with tears and his face was so ravaged by grief it was hard to comment on anything else. But those grey eyes cleared of all weakness when they fell on Dumbledore and instead burned with a stubborn fire. "Dumbledore," Sirius greeted coldly, clutching Harry a little closer to his chest.
"Sirius," smiled Dumbledore, eager to not put Sirius' back up any more than it already was. Here he must tread carefully. "Allow me to extend my condolences for your loss. I know James was like…"
"Save it," Sirius snarled. "I didn't come here for your sympathy. I thought you would know me better by now."
"Black!" snapped McGonagall. "Has Moody not put enough sense into your head yet to teach you to respect your elders and old professors?"
Sirius flashed her one blank look, and then turned to Dumbledore again. "Harry is my godson. You have absolutely no right or reason to send him here." Sirius gestured derisively at the Muggle house.
"I know you're very emotional right now, Sirius," Dumbledore said, his voice soothing. "But I must ask you to listen to reason."
"There is nothing to say," Sirius interrupted, his voice cold. "The law, both magical and Muggle, states clearly that I am Harry's legal guardian. Don't push me, Dumbledore, or you'll find yourself facing the Wizengamot you lead on a kidnapping charge."
"Yeh wouldn't dare!" Hagrid crowed angrily.
"Wouldn't I?" Sirius asked, deadly calm. He raised an elegant, questioning eyebrow in Dumbledore's direction. "Do you doubt my ability to have you arrested for kidnapping my son?"
"Godson," Dumbledore corrected swiftly.
Sirius said nothing, waiting for Dumbledore to answer his question. The Headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry hesitated, wondering at the intelligence of simply refusing to answer the impertinent demand. "No," he finally sighed. "No, I don't doubt it at all. But, please, Sirius…just hear me out. When I've had my say, you may agree with my logic."
"I doubt it," Sirius said roughly, but he nodded at Dumbledore to continue.
"It was no random chance that Voldemort-" McGonagall and Hagrid flinched-"targeted the Potters. He didn't go after such a well-protected family simply because they were prominent members of the Order of the Phoenix. He went after them because of Harry."
"Harry?" frowned Sirius, glancing down at his godson. "I don't understand."
"You will," Dumbledore promised. "A little over a year ago, I was interviewing a possible candidate for position of Divination professor. I admit, I was wondering if I should even let the imprecise art of magic continue at Hogwarts, but what I saw at this particular interview left me in no doubt that the woman I hired could certainly See. Professor Sybil Trelawney, though she herself does not realize the strength of her own power, is a true Seer."
McGonagall snorted derisively, but Dumbledore silenced her with a glance. "Until almost the moment the interview was concluded, I confess myself disappointed. Just before declining Sybil's application, she went into, for lack of a better word, a deep trance. Purely by mistake, I am sure, but the result was the same. She made a Prophecy. A Prophecy that only last night was proved true."
"What did she say?" Sirius asked, voice hoarse.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and recited. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal…either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…" Dumbledore paused, letting the words sink into his companions' brains before continuing. "The odd thing is that it may not have been Harry. There is one other boy fitting the description…Frank and Alice Longbottom's son…Neville."
"Wait…" Sirius' voice was soft and disbelieving. "Do you mean to tell me, Harry's got to kill Voldemort?"
Dumbledore nodded, his eyes full of sorrow. "It is now unquestionable. By first attacking Lily and James, Voldemort marked Harry as his equal."
Sirius suddenly laughed. "So, Harry's already done it! Hagrid said Voldemort was gone."
"No, Sirius," Dumbledore contradicted. "Gone, but not dead. I do not know how long it will take him to return to power…ten, twenty, maybe even fifty years…but eventually he will return. And Harry must be ready to face him."
"Then give him to me!" hissed Sirius, his eyes wild and staring. "I can train him, teach him what he has to know to stand a fighting chance. All he'll learn from Muggles is how to run and, possibly, in which direction. Away from the crazy man with the wand."
"How did He Who Must Not Be Named find out about the Prophecy in the first place?" McGonagall demanded.
"Sybil and I were overheard in the Hog's Head," explained Dumbledore. "The source has since been silenced, but I do not know how many of his Death Eaters Voldemort may have informed. Which brings me to my second point.
"Death Eaters are roaming all over the country, looking for reasons for their master's downfall. And soon word will spread that it is because of Harry that Voldemort is gone. They will want revenge."
"Wait a second," Hagrid intervened. "What I don't rightly understand is how Harry survived in the first place?"
"Lily," Dumbledore said simply. "I visited Gordic's Hollow. I surmise that Voldemort first killed James, and then proceeded to the nursery, looking for Harry. But Lily intervened…begged him not to kill her son, most likely. She was willing to die for her son. Which leaves a mark of protection that can defend even the Killing Curse. So now, you see, Sirius. By leaving Harry here with his mother's family, that protection will be extended. He will be safe."
Sirius stared blankly around, blearily looking for some escape. Finally he sighed, and for a moment Dumbledore thought he had triumphed. But Sirius then clutched Harry closer to him and looked up at Dumbledore, his eyes perfectly emotionless. "I appreciate you looking out for Harry's well-being," Sirius said, his voice flat. "But I can't let you take him from me…he's all I have left. Lily and James are dead, and Remus will be when I'm finished with him."
"Your selfishness will put Harry's life in danger!" McGonagall said furiously.
"I may be selfish," Sirius conceded. "But I swear Harry's life will never be in danger. No one can offer him the protection I can. The only thing I learned from my father is how to make sure you're never found."
Dumbledore thought for a moment about arguing further, but it was now clear to him that Sirius' mind was set. "Sirius…if you are resolved on this course of action, I ask only two things. Let me place you and Harry under the Fidelius Charm. Not forever, only until we can be sure the greatest of the danger has passed."
A sudden pain flashed in Sirius' eyes. "I appreciate the offer, Dumbledore, believe me I do. But my…trust in the Fidelius Charm…in any charm you have to offer has been somewhat lessened of late."
McGonagall looked as though she wanted to speak again, but Dumbledore silenced her with a look. "Then I must ask something of you," Dumbledore continued. "Promise me you won't go looking for Lupin. If you are put on his case, then fine…but, Sirius…Harry would not want his godfather to become a murderer. And nor would James."
Sirius held Dumbledore's eyes for quite sometime, before dropping his head to look at Harry. "I can't promise I won't kill him if I get the chance," he said truthfully. "But I promise I won't go looking for him. For Harry's sake."
"Thank you," Dumbledore said, his thankfulness clear.
"Well," Sirius said thickly. "We'd best get going. Tika's at home…and she worries about me. I expect Harry wouldn't say no to a proper bed as well. I…I suppose it will fall on me to make the funeral arrangements. I'll…well, I'll owl you…all of you. Goodnight."
And the young man, suddenly seeming bent and withdrawn in on himself and his sorrows shuffled off. He conjured a basket onto the back of his motorbike and carefully tucked Harry in. He swung up on the bike, raised a hand in farewell, and then he was gone.
---------------
Amara Vector leaned wearily against the doorframe, pausing to watch Sirius at play with his godson. Harry was too young to miss his parents, and was only wild with joy that he had spent so much time with his favourite grown up- his Pa-foo. Sirius was lying on the floor, letting Harry climb all over him. Unlike the old days, Sirius showed no enjoyment in their play. At Dumbledore's request, Amara had come to visit Sirius and found a shell of the man she had clung to only a week before. It was the second of November, and already Amara could tell Sirius would never be the same man. She knew him well enough to know he was itching to track Remus down, but his promise to Dumbledore and concern for Harry kept him inside.
"Tea?" Amara asked half-heartedly, alerting Sirius to her presence. He had greeted her willingly enough when she showed up on his doorstep, but it was clear to her he had no desire of anyone's company.
'No thanks," he said listlessly. Amara sent the full tray floating back into the kitchen, knowing the sight of it would disappoint the house elf in there tremendously. Steeling herself, she sat down on the couch, watching Sirius calmly. He was aware of her gaze, she was sure of it, but chose to ignore it. Finally she could wait no longer, and she spoke.
"Sirius…is…is there anything I can do?" she asked hopefully. "I know doing nothing must be eating away at you."
"I'm not doing nothing," Sirius said, his voice empty of all emotion. "I'm sitting here with my son and mentally planning my best friend's funeral. And wondering where the hell Peter Pettigrew is."
"You know where he is," Amara said smartly, choosing to ignore the slip of Sirius' tongue calling Harry his son. "He's looking for Remus."
"Lupin!" snarled Sirius angrily, upsetting Harry. "Stop acting like he's our friend, Amara. He was never our friend…we never knew him!"
"Not until you stop acting like his betrayal doesn't hurt!" Amara argued back. "You think you can be so strong for Harry and for me, but you don't need to be, Sirius. I'm here for you."
"Strong for you?" Sirius asked mockingly. "And why would I need to be strong for you? What have you lost?"
Amara felt as though he had slapped her. "Do not make the mistake of thinking you were the only one who cared about Lily and James," she said, her voice like ice. "In case you've forgotten, she was as much my best friend as James was yours!"
"No, she wasn't!" Sirius roared. "James was my brother! You can't understand what I'm feeling."
"Maybe not," Amara agreed, anger making her blood pound. "But I don't have to sit here and listen to you insult my feelings!"
"Good," Sirius barked. "Get the hell out of here!"
Amara had stood up to do so, when the fireplace crackled to life with green flames. Alastor Moody's head was in the flames. "Black! Where are you, you good for nothing…?"
"Here, Moody," Sirius said, his eyes still glaring into Amara's.
"Well, get the hell down here!" Moody roared. "We've found Lupin and I'll be damned if that fool Pettigrew isn't with him! Lupin's got him cornered from what we understand and there are bloody Muggles everywhere!"
"Where?" Sirius demanded, tearing his eyes away from Amara's.
"London, Ingleton Street."
"I'm on my way," Sirius promised, whipping out his wand as Moody's head disappeared. Amara followed suit. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Coming with you," she said, lifting her chin determinedly.
"No, you're bloody not!" Sirius argued. "I need someone to look after Harry."
"Tika can do that as well as I can," Amara shrugged. "And you need someone to make sure you don't do anything stupid!"
"Fine!" Sirius snapped, clearly worried about wasting time. They both pointed their wands at themselves and disappeared….
…Reappearing on Ingleton Street. It was complete pandemonium. It seemed as though for the first time, the Muggle authorities had reached the scene first. Several of their cars were pulled up in the middle of the road and Sirius could pick out a few of their odd uniforms pushing their way through a crowd that was clearly populated of Muggles.
Sirius dashed forward, Amara hot on his heels. Both whipped out their wands. Sirius was secretly glad Amara had insisted on joining him. This was going to cause a lot of extra paper work and she would be much better at talking their way out of it than he would be. They reached the crowd and Sirius fruitlessly tried to push his way through the swarming Muggles, all of who were facing the middle of the circle as though watching a mildly interesting sport's event.
Sirius finally gave up, realizing that short of casting a rather obvious spell, he and Amara were never going to reach Lupin or Peter. He cast around and spotted a police car parked fairly close to what he was sure would soon be a disaster scene. He pointed it out to Amara and, grabbing her hand, pulled her roughly back through the crowd. They clambered up on to the hood of the car, giving them a clear view of the unfolding drama. Everyone else was too distracted by the wizards to notice two oddly dressed people on top of a car. 'Oh, shit…" Sirius whispered.
Lupin and Peter were standing opposite each other, wands at the ready. Lupin was looking more wolfish than ever, his teeth barred in a ferocious grin and a look of triumphant in his eyes. Peter on the other hand, looked positively petrified. He was shaking where he stood, but there was a determination in his watery eyes Sirius had rarely seen. Clearly the poor fellow was so upset by Lily and James' deaths he had decided to take matters into his own hands. Sirius could only pray he could get to his old friend before it was too late. Lupin was two times the wizard Peter was, particularly if he began using the Dark Arts he had undoubtedly picked up from Voldemort.
Sirius raised his wand to Apparate when things began happening too quickly to prevent. Lupin advanced suddenly on Peter, a spell clearly on the tip of his tongue. "Good bye, Wormtail," he growled, raising the wand.
"Lily and James, Remus!" sobbed Peter. "How could you?"
What was going to happen next occurred to Sirius only moments before it happened. There was a huge bang and his world spun. He was vaguely aware of a sort of flying sensation and then he was on the ground. Instinctively, he covered his head with his arms. Pieces of rubble sliced past him, causing punctures and scrapes everywhere. It was over in moments and he was immediately on his feet, looking around desperately.
The street was completely destroyed. The car he had been standing on had been completely crushed by a large piece of what had been the concrete street. He looked around wildly for Amara and found her standing slightly behind him, wand out. She looked shaken, but unharmed. Clearly she had had the state of mind to cast a Shield spell.
The sound of crying and moans of agony taunted his ears. Clearly at least some of the crowd had survived. But some bodies he saw were so mangled and bloodied there could be no way they still breathed. Hot fury enveloped him. More murders to lie at the feet of Remus Lupin. And speaking of which…
Lupin was standing in the same place, looking blankly at the spot where Peter had been. He appeared unharmed and completely unfazed by the damage he had just done. Of Peter, there was no sign. And then, to Sirius' bewilderment, Lupin began to laugh. It was not triumphantly, not even joyously. Simply insane. He clutched at his stomach; tears of mirth streaming down his cheeks. Sirius' stomach curdled, he wanted to be sick. No. That wasn't quite right. He wanted to kill.
Any promises to Dumbledore, any thoughts of Harry flew from his mind and he dashed towards his old friend. He had thought he had an understanding with this monster? How deluded he had been. "Sirius!" screamed Amara. "No!" Sirius didn't pay attention to her.
He didn't even think of his wand. He merely flung himself at Lupin. They went down in a crashing heap. They rolled down from the ledge Lupin had remained safely standing on into the pit cause by the blast. They were too far down to see the street above and completely hidden from view to any who weren't peering directly down into the hole. Sirius landed on the top, feeling a bit bruised, but far too angry to pause for injuries. He rained punches down on Lupin, wanting to see him hurt, to see him bleed. But mostly he wanted the werewolf to fight back, so he wouldn't be killing him in cold blood.
"Fight!" he hollered at Lupin, halting his punches and leaping to his feet. "Why won't you fight? Not afraid to kill me, are you? Surely didn't seem that squeamish with Lily or James."
"I didn't kill Lily and James," Lupin protested weakly. "Sirius…you have to understand…I could never…would never…"
"LIAR!" roared Sirius. "Impendimentia!"
Lupin was knocked backwards, slamming into the walls of the new cavern his spell had formed in the middle of Ingleton Street. If the grunt he let out was any indication, it had hurt like hell, which pleased Sirius to no end. Lupin didn't get up, merely leaned against the wall. All fight seemed to have gone out of him. Sirius advanced; his wand shaking at he held it at the ready. "How could you?" he asked, his voice deadly calm. "After all we did for you? The faith we showed in you…the shit we put ourselves through for you!"
"I didn't," Lupin protested, his voice very breathy. "It was Peter…Sirius...he was the…I went to check on him…"
"Check on him?" roared Sirius. "You just blew him up! You're a monster. I never thought I'd say this, but Snape was right about you! You're not a man; you're just a wolf. Just a murderous wolf."
The pain he had caused was evident in Lupin's eyes, but this only made Sirius gleeful. "Put me on Veritaserum," Lupin begged. "You'll learn all you need to know."
"I already know all I need to know," Sirius said, his voice shaking. "I know that you should have been put down as soon as your parents found out what you had become. Wasn't that what they were planning before Dumbledore stepped in? Well…it will be my great pleasure to rectify their mistake. Avarda…"
"SIRIUS, NO!" screamed Amara, coming seemingly out of nowhere, and tugging down on Sirius' wand arm with all her strength. "You promised Dumbledore!"
"Fuck Dumbledore!" hollered Sirius. "He's the reason Lily and James are dead."
"I know," Amara said, her voice shaking. "But he can go to Azkaban…let the Dementors have him. If you kill him, you'll regret it forever."
Sirius regarded Amara for a moment as though he didn't know her. But eventually, he lowered his wand arm, breathing heavily. Amara let out a shaky breath and let go of his arm. "Thank you, Sirius. Thank you so much."
Suddenly Sirius' arm whipped up again. Amara screamed and covered her eyes. "Stupefy!"
Remus' eyes rolled back in his hand and he slouched back, unconscious. Sirius shot Amara a wry grin, his eyes still dancing with rage. "Scared you, did I, love?"
"I thought…he meant so much to you…and you were going to kill him? How?" Amara asked, her voice shaking.
Sirius shrugged. "He deserved it."
"That's not your place to decide," Amara argued. "There could be things we don't know…circumstances…explanations. You only had suspicions and you were going to kill him!"
"I know all I need to know!" Sirius shouted, grabbing her wrists roughly. "He killed James!"
Amara was shaking, but her eyes were focused on Sirius clearly, showing only sadness and pity. "What happened to you?" she asked, voice steady enough.
"This is me," Sirius asked roughly, letting go of her and refusing to meet her eye.
"Oh dear, oh dear me," came a voice from above. Both looked up to see a flustered-looking Cornelius Fudge peering down at them. "Are…are you all right down there?"
"Fine," Sirius answered testily.
"You haven't apprehended the culprit by any chance have you?" Fudge asked hopefully.
Amara glanced over at Lupin. "He's apprehended," she answered dully.
"Excellent, excellent," Fudge smiled, rubbing his hands together. "But, my, this is going to cause someone a lot of paper work. We'll get you out of there in no time, Black, Amara. Just sit tight. Aurors are popping up all over the place. My, this is going to require a lot of Memory Charms. Someone should really contact Dumbledore."
Fudge's head disappeared. Sirius risked a glance at Amara. She was avoiding looking at him, her eyes fixated on Lupin's unconscious form. Sirius couldn't read her expression. "Was…was there any sign of Peter?" he asked, without any hope.
"Yes," Amara answered, her voice tight with emotion. "While you were down here playing at Wizengamot, I looked through the rubble. I found his wand…and his finger. He's dead."
Sirius ran a hand through his hair. But he could not mourn for Peter. Not when at the moment he would give anything to be dead.