Consequences

By Neurotica

Four

Sirius entered Harry's room later in the afternoon and held back a grin. Fred, George, and Ron were standing against the wall while Ginny and Hermione fussed over Harry. They fluffed his pillows repeatedly, made sure he was comfortable, forced him to drink plenty of fluids—

"Honestly, I'm fine," Harry said. His tone seemed exasperated, but Sirius could see his godson was enjoying the attention from his two best girl friends.

"Alright, ladies, let the patient get some rest," Sirius said, ignoring the glare Harry sent him when Hermione and Ginny turned their backs. "Molly wants you all downstairs anyway." The Weasley boys left the room, sniggering to themselves. Ginny followed, and Hermione was the last out of the room, throwing back last minute instructions to Harry.

"...Don't get out of bed too soon or you'll—"

"Thank you, Hermione," Sirius said, closing the door once she was out of the room. He turned back to Harry, his grin under control. "You know, I don't know how I feel about you having girls on your bed, mate," he said with a straight face.

Harry glared and made a motion with his hand that would have made James proud. Sirius laughed and sat beside Harry on his bed. "How're you feeling?"

"Better," Harry sighed. "Still feel like I'm half-dead."

You still look half-dead, Sirius thought. "Pomfrey said you'll be fine in a few days. You've just got to take it easy. Meaning no Quidditch," he added sternly.

"Sirius, I don't think I could pick up a broomstick right now, let alone fly," Harry said dryly.

Sirius smiled slightly and looked around the room. He could feel Harry's eyes upon him, but didn't have the strength to answer the questions he was sure his godson had. Nothing had been mentioned to Harry related to Remus yet. Pomfrey had been quite adamant about keeping Harry's stress levels down, and something of that magnitude would surely be enough to push Harry over the edge.

"Did you find who left it?" Harry asked quietly.

Sirius didn't have to ask what he was talking about. "Dumbledore has his theories, but he's yet to inform me of anything," he answered, looking his godson in the eyes. They were still noticeably dull.

"Who do you think it was?"

"Kreacher," Sirius said promptly with a slight growl. "But Dumbledore seems to think someone helped him..." Harry nodded pensively. "I will find out, Harry. This isn't going to die down anytime soon. And it will never happen again," he added more to himself than to Harry.

After that, Sirius purposefully changed the subject to Harry's upcoming fifth year at Hogwarts. They discussed the career advisement in the spring, and of course, the O.W.L.s. Sirius told Harry a rather humorous story about how stressed Remus had been before their O.W.L.s. He'd ended up hexing both Sirius and James for repeatedly interrupting his studies.

"Your dad didn't get those boils off for a month," Sirius finished with a grin.

"The way Professor McGonagall always talks, Remus wasn't as much of a threat as you and dad," Harry said.

Sirius laughed loudly. "McGonagall never had a clue about Remus, Harry. Dumbledore did, of course, but then again, Dumbledore knows all. But McGonagall..." Sirius shook his head with a smile. "Remus was always really good about hiding his guilt in everything we did. Why do you think he didn't have nearly as many detentions as me or your dad? When McGonagall did catch him, he had a way of getting off light, because he was the 'good Marauder.'"

"I don't believe that for a second," Harry muttered.

"Good boy," Sirius said, ruffling Harry's hair.

Harry began to fade off an hour later. Sirius tucked the blankets around him protectively and made to leave the room. He could hear Harry turn over in his bed and mumble a tired "good night." But before he could close the door, the one question he'd been dreading all night reached his ears. "How's Remus?" Harry asked sleepily.

Sirius winced. Slowly, he turned back to Harry. "Remus is... fine," he said, regretting his words immediately. Harry nodded and fell asleep seconds later, and Sirius left the room quickly.

He'd lied to his godson. Sirius had always been completely honest with Harry, and in two seconds, he'd ruined the trust that had been built up over the years. Most wouldn't think much of telling a sick teenager who'd almost died the night before another version of the truth, but unless a prank had been involved, Sirius had never lied to Harry.

It was either that, or tell him Remus might be dead somewhere and we have no way of knowing until Kingsley returns with news, Sirius reasoned with himself.

Running a hand through his hair, Sirius began to make his way to the kitchen. Now that Harry was mostly out of death's grasp—for the time being, that is—Sirius could allow himself to go insane with worry over Remus. He wanted to believe Kingsley would return to Headquarters and say that Remus and Emmeline were just fine, and only had a bit of trouble. He wanted to believe Dumbledore had messed up the tracking charm in some way. He wanted to believe everything would be all right.

But you know better, said some cynical voice in Sirius' head. It's just like Remus always says: Things have to get worse before they can get better.

How much worse could things get, though...?

"Do you really think we should tell Sirius?" he heard Molly ask as he came down the stairs.

Sirius stepped back into the shadows and listened.

"He needs to know," Dumbledore was saying. "I have learned by experience that the longer one waits with Sirius Black, the worse he takes news."

"Yes, but he's just so worried about Harry right now, and—"

"Sirius will be fine, Molly. He's dealt with things of this nature in the past. He won't take it lightly, no, but I believe he will act rationally."

Molly looked at Dumbledore disbelievingly, whispered something Sirius couldn't hear, and returned to the kitchen. Dumbledore watched her go, heaved a heavy sigh, and turned to the stairs. "Sirius," he said quietly. "We need to talk."

Ron crept quietly down the hall, careful not to let his mother catch him, and opened Harry's door. The twins, Ginny, and Hermione had gone down for dinner, but Ron didn't seem to have much of an appetite, for once.

He pulled out a chair from Harry's desk and sat down heavily next to his friend's bed. Since Harry had awoken, Ron hadn't had any chance to talk with him. Between Pomfrey, his mum, Sirius, his siblings, and Hermione, Ron would be lucky to have five minutes with Harry before they left for Hogwarts in less than a month.

Harry had always been considered a member of the Weasley family, ever since that night when Ron was six, and his parents had taken him to Hogwarts late at night. Ron hadn't really ever had a chance to make friends around his small village. The Lovegoods were the closest neighbors with kids, but Ginny had befriended Luna when they were toddlers, and Ron hadn't really ever liked having tea parties with dolls, anyway.

His lack of friends left him as an easy target for Fred and George's growing love for pranks and trouble. Bill and Charlie were years above Ron, so they'd always go off together and do whatever. And Percy... well, what sane kid would want to play with Percy?

Being best friends with the Boy-Who-Lived was an interesting life. Ron was well aware of the dangers Harry had survived and would face in his life. After Harry had been kidnapped by Peter Pettigrew, Sirius had become quite protective of him. Whenever Harry stayed at the Burrow without his guardians for almost two years after, one of them would check in with Ron's parents every hour, almost like clockwork.

Ron had been witness to many of Harry's nightmares over the years. He never understood the relevance of them until their second year, after the ordeal in the Chamber of Secrets.

Once he'd been sure Ginny was safe and sound, Ron had cornered Harry in their dorm and practically demanded information from the other boy. The fact that his best friend was a Parseltongue was old news; Ron's parents had taken Ron, Harry, and Ginny to a Muggle zoo once a few years back. They'd left early when Ron's dad spotted Harry talking to one of the snakes in the Reptile House. They'd taken Harry back to the cottage almost immediately. The kids were sent to Harry's room while the adults had a serious talk.

All Ron knew at the time was that people who could talk to snakes were bad. He didn't understand why his best friend had that dark ability, and still didn't. Even at nine years old, Ron had fully understood the difference between good and evil. He'd heard all the stories about the war. And he was sure Harry wasn't evil.

Sirius had been upset that night, as had Ron's mum, but Remus and Ron's dad kept the two of them calm. They'd called the kids out of the bedroom after a few hours and explained that what happened at the zoo would have to be kept a secret. Ron, Harry, and Ginny were just excited to have a secret. After that day, the three of them would comb the forest behind the cottage for snakes Harry could talk to, and he would translate for the other two. Nobody ever found out about their secret until second year, during a duel between Draco Malfoy and Harry.

Harry had taken sanctuary between classes and on weekends in Remus' office until most of the school stopped looking at him like he was You-Know-Who himself. Ron and Hermione had kept him company and found out more about their friend that they could ever imagine. Harry had told them the first half of the prophecy. You-Know-Who already knew that part, so if something happened, and one of them was captured, they couldn't repeat any new information to the enemy.

They'd also learned that Harry would have to face You-Know-Who at some point and time, and though Ron didn't say it aloud, he'd decided that he would be by Harry's side, no matter what.

Harry groaned and rolled over to face Ron. Ron watched in amusement as his friend struggled to stay asleep.

"Morning, sunshine." Ron grinned as Harry opened his eyes.

"Sod off," Harry muttered.

"Temper, temper, Potter. How're you feeling?"

"I've already told you guys I'm fine. What more do you want me to say?" Harry yawned. He was still pale, but he was looking better than last night...

"You almost died," Ron said quietly, staring at the floor.

"I know," Harry said. He sat up in his bed. "Can I tell you something?" Ron's head snapped up. "Only you can't tell anyone I told you. Sirius and your mum are going mental about this as it is."

"Yeah, sure, I won't tell anyone," Ron assured quickly.

Harry began hesitantly. "Well, I had these... dreams, I guess they were. Nightmares, more like. But I was at Voldemort's fortress." Harry ignored Ron's involuntary shudder. "This monster-thing found me. It looked like a snake, but... it could walk. Don't look at me like that, Ron, just listen."

Ron's red eyebrow had begun to rise, reminding Harry forcefully of Remus.

"Anyway, it took me into this castle. It kinda looked like Hogwarts, but it had this... creepy feel about it, you know? And I saw my parents, Ron," Harry whispered. "They looked like I imagine they would now if they'd lived. Voldemort was holding them captive, and they were begging me to come help them. But I couldn't... And then I saw Remus... He was just sitting in front of this large fireplace, grinning like he does when he pranks Sirius. He told me I'd never see him again if I didn't come to that castle. And he said it like he was just explaining how to add two and two..." Harry trailed off, looking lost.

"Harry... I heard Dumbledore and my dad talking... That poison causes hallucinations. That wasn't real," Ron said.

"You're kidding..." Harry said sarcastically. "That's why I said it was a dream, Ron."

"And," Ron went on as if he hadn't heard Harry, "Remus'll be fine. Kingsley's out looking for him now—"

"What?" Harry said quickly. "What are you talking about? Why's Kingsley got to look for him?"

Ron's eyes widened. "You mean, Sirius didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Harry demanded rather loudly.

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered. "Sirius is going to kill me..."

Harry swung his legs over the edge of his bed and forced Ron to sit when he'd made to stand. "Tell me what happened, Ron, or I'm going to kill you," Harry practically growled.

"Alright, alright, calm down," Ron said hastily, prying Harry's fingers away from the collar of his shirt. "All we know is that something happened with that tracking charm Dumbledore put on Remus and Emmeline. They don't know where he is. I heard Tonks talking to Dad, and she thinks they might be... dead..."

"No," Harry whispered, his eyes wide in horror. "They can't be..."

"Well, like I said, Kingsley got a team ready and they're looking for Remus now..."

Harry collapsed on his bed and covered his face with a pillow. Ron bit his lip. He probably should have kept his mouth shut—there had to be a reason Sirius hadn't told Harry about Remus; Sirius told Harry everything.

"He lied to me," Harry said, his voice muffled by the pillow. "Sirius told me Remus was fine..."

After that, Harry became silent. Ron thought that perhaps he'd suffocated himself with the pillow, but could see his chest rise and fall as he breathed. Thinking he'd caused enough damage for the rest of the summer, Ron left his best friend to himself.

Meanwhile, down in the basement, Sirius sat at the table, his jaw clenched, staring at the wall. They'd gotten their proof. Remus had been found...

Sirius hadn't said a word in nearly twenty minutes, and that fact was starting to make the others in the room quite uneasy.

Dumbledore had taken him into the drawing room and told him that Kingsley had owled. Remus' body had been discovered in a cluster of bushes in the French mountains. It looked as though he'd been dead for hours. There'd been no struggle, making the cause of death obvious: the Killing Curse.

Sirius' response to the news was what was making the other occupants of Number Twelve so uneasy. There hadn't been a response. It was as if Sirius' entire body had just shut down. His eyes were dead and hollow, his movements minimal. It was like waiting for a bomb to explode.

"Sirius," Dumbledore said quietly, sitting beside the Auror. "Kingsley has just arrived at the Ministry with Remus. He wishes you to come and... identify him."

They could see tears welling up in Sirius' eyes. He nodded jerkily, stood with Dumbledore's help, and the two Flooed rather uncomfortably to the Ministry of Magic. Sirius didn't seem to have any idea as to where he was. Auror Dawlish met them at the lifts and nodded in greeting. On the second level, Dumbledore led Sirius by his arm down the corridors and through a door marked "Coroner."

Sirius' breath was coming in shallow spurts again as he spotted a metal table in the center of the room. On top of the table was a figure covered by a white sheet. Kingsley stood from where he was seated against the wall. He exchanged a few words with Dumbledore, but Sirius heard none of it. He was focused entirely on that table. Remus was under that sheet...

Slowly, and stumbling more than a bit, Sirius moved away from the other two wizards. They made no move to stop him. Sirius approached the table, unblinking, not thinking about what he would see. He needed to see for sure...

He saw his hand move to the sheet, and before he could stop himself, he was removing the sheet. He held back the urge to cry out painfully as he laid eyes on the pale, dead face of his best friend.

Remus' blue eyes were wide with what Sirius was sure to be fright. The scene was all too familiar to Sirius; this was how he'd last seen Lily and James. That was it... All Sirius had left in the world was his godson.

Harry... oh god... How would he react to the news? He'd be crushed. Remus was more than just an uncle to Harry; he was like a second father. Harry loved Remus as much as he loved Sirius. Remus had been Harry's mentor, his teacher, one of his best friends.

Sirius vaguely felt his knees slam into the cement floor of the room as he leaned his head against the cool metal of the table Remus lay upon. How long he remained there, he had no idea. He wasn't ready to leave yet. And he wouldn't leave until he was ready.

His mind was blank, his body was numb. He couldn't even begin imagine what life would be like now. He didn't want to.

When Lily and James had died, Sirius thought his life had been over. To his surprise, it had only been the beginning. He'd gotten to know Remus better than he'd known himself over the years...

Finally, Sirius stood up. Not bothering to wipe the tears from his face, he leaned over and kissed his brother's forehead. He turned to leave, but something caught his eye. Something on Remus' neck had reflected off the light. Clumsily, Sirius moved Remus' shirt aside and removed a silver necklace from his chest. He jaw began to unclench and fall open.

Hastily, he began searching his robes for his wand. It wasn't there. "Dammit," he cursed loudly, his voice still hoarse. He turned to Kingsley and Dumbledore. They were looking at him as if he'd gone mental—maybe he had... "I need a wand," he said.

"Sirius, what..." Kingsley began.

"Didn't anyone do a Forensics spell on him?"

"Why would we—"

"Remus doesn't wear silver. It's got nothing to do with him being a werewolf; he just doesn't like the color. Give me a wand, please," Sirius pleaded. His face was filled with a hope that nearly broke Kingsley's heart.

Reluctantly, Kingsley handed Sirius his wand. Dumbledore watched in interest as Sirius began to mutter a complicated incantation, waving Kingsley's wand over Remus' body. Nothing was happening. "I need my wand. You do it," Sirius said, thrusting the wand back into its owner's hand.

Kingsley looked as if he'd rather face Voldemort alone, without a wand, than prove that the man on the table actually was Remus. He took a breath, and stole a glance at Sirius; he was staring hopefully at Remus. Hesitantly, Kingsley began the Forensics spell. It was harder to perform on a dead body that had been exposed to the elements for hours. After a few minutes, a hologram began to form above Remus' midsection. Sirius held his breath and watched anxiously as the picture sharpened.

The spell was finally done. Kingsley's eyes were wide with disbelief. The smile that had spread across Sirius' face was the largest he'd seen in years. Sirius began to laugh in obvious relief.

Karkaroff, Igor, the hologram read.

Aged: 62 years

Known Death Eater