Consequences

By Neurotica

Nineteen

By March, things had gone relatively back to normal in the life of Sirius Black. There was still a war raging on in the wizarding world—since the new year, numerous Ministry officials had gone missing or had been found dead in their homes, and Death Eaters were still evading capture—and the efforts to defeat Lord Voldemort were growing desperate. But Sirius was once again optimistic that the war could be ended.

For nearly a month, however, nothing horrific had occurred. It was as though Voldemort had gone on vacation. Sirius and Remus joked about the Dark Lord on a beach in the Bahamas, but the images this brought to their minds were too disturbing to continue discussing.

Sirius kept his Aurors on their toes; they couldn't show signs weakness or exhaustion or that they were letting their guard down. He knew that as soon as that happened, Voldemort would strike with no mercy—not that they'd been shown any mercy in the last year and a half...

Security around the wizarding communities had been, once again, increased. The only truly safe places around anymore—in Sirius' opinion—were Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic, and Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, as much as he hated to admit that...

Minister of Magic Amelia Bones feared the use of the dead in attacks against their world. It was an understandable fear, and one that was highly probable; Voldemort had used Inferi in the last war, and he was not above using Dementor's Kiss victims in attacks, so why wouldn't he do so now?

The Order of the Phoenix continued their jobs in searching for Voldemort, but with no luck. Naomi and Snape provided information on Death Eater movements to the best of their abilities, but couldn't explain Voldemort's break in activity.

Naomi did tell the Order that the Dark Lord was still aching to get his pale, bony fingers around the prophecy. Dumbledore finally took the advice Sirius had been giving him for almost a year, and along with Remus and Harry, went deep into the castle to where the prophecy was hidden, taking down the complicated charms as they went. Almost enthusiastically, Remus told Sirius, Harry had thrown the prophecy against a stone wall, shattering it. Dumbledore admitted later to Remus that he was pleased to be rid of it. There would come a time when Voldemort would no longer be afraid to attack the castle of Hogwarts, and there needn't be more of an incentive for him to do so.

Kreacher finally died at St. Mungo's in February after having tried to handle the prophecy. It still wasn't clear how he'd been able to move through the protections set by Remus and Dumbledore, nor was it clear who had assisted the house-elf. Dumbledore believed that whoever it was had known the dangers of touching a prophecy, and so sent Kreacher instead. Sirius didn't know whether to find the person and shake their hand for ridding him of Kreacher or throw them in Azkaban for trying to steal the prophecy. Perhaps both...

Remus made a nearly full recovery from his injuries, although his leg still acted up from time to time, usually on or after the full moon. His relationship with Emmeline had grown greatly since Christmas, and Sirius was now asking Remus on a daily basis when the wedding would be and if he could be best man. Sirius loved seeing his best friend so thrilled with life—not even Naomi, who was now attending every Order meeting, could bring Remus down.

While Remus still didn't trust Naomi one bit, he found ignoring her presence completely rather satisfying. Sirius wasn't too trusting of Naomi, either, but the two had recently started to exchange small talk. Naomi finally found that Harry was quite alive and well, and was both eager and hesitant to learn about him.

During one particular Order meeting, when Remus and Emmeline entered the kitchen hand-in-hand, Sirius was sure he saw looks of jealousy and remorse pass over Naomi's face. She'd asked Sirius after the meeting if Remus was happy with Emmeline. When he replied in the affirmative, he thought Naomi looked a bit upset, even though she expressed that she was happy for him. Sirius also noticed that the looks of pure loathing Snape usually shot Remus were filled with more venom over recent months. They were the same looks Snape used to send Sirius and James. Remus didn't seem to notice—Remus tried not to pay any attention to Snape so Sirius took on the task of returning the looks the Potions master gave Remus every meeting with much pleasure.

"Busy?" came a voice from Sirius' office door.

Without looking up from a file of the most recent deaths, Sirius replied, "Come on in, Moony."

He heard Remus enter and sit in the chair across from his desk with a tired sigh. He looked up as Remus yawned widely, and couldn't resist his next comment.

"Late night with Emmeline?"

Remus glared at him. "No," he said with what sounded like regret. "I just had a bit of trouble sleeping."

"Isn't that what I just implied?" Sirius ducked quickly as Remus threw a spare quill at his head. Once he'd finished laughing at his friend's reaction, he looked closer at Remus' face. Remus was looking more tired than he had in many months, with black and blue bags forming under his eyes and tired lines on his face.

"What's wrong?"

Remus shrugged, staring at the corner of Sirius' desk. "I told you, I've been having trouble sleeping."

"I know that, but why?"

Again, Remus shrugged.

"Is it about Emmeline?"

"No."

"The war?"

"Partly."

"Harry? Me? What? Tell me, dammit!"

"Nightmares," was the barely audible response.

Sirius sat back in his chair and sighed. "I thought you were over those," he said quietly.

"As did I," Remus muttered bitterly. "But apparently I'm not. They're not as bad as they were, I suppose, but they're still not the type of dreams I'd prefer to have."

"Feel like telling me about them?'

Remus shook his head. "Not here," he muttered.

Sirius nodded slowly, watching Remus remove lint from his blue robes. "So what're you doing at the Ministry, my dear Mister Moony?"

Remus smiled a bit. "Just visiting a few people," he said evasively.

"Emmeline?"

Again, Remus glared. "No, I haven't been to see Emmeline yet. You're my second visit."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "And who was the first?"

"The Minister."

"Why?" Sirius asked slowly.

"She asked me to assist in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"Doing what?"

"Well," Remus began, "she says I'm more informed about magical and dark creatures than half of her current staff, and she wants me to head the department to get the others more knowledgeable."

"You're kidding!" Sirius said loudly. "Remus, that's great! What'd you say?"

"Said I'd think about it," Remus muttered, avoiding his best friend's eyes.

"What the hell is there to think about? Head of your own department without any experience in the Ministry! No one's ever managed that!"

Remus shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Well, that's the problem, isn't it? How do you think people are going to react to a werewolf practically coming off the streets to run their department?" he whispered harshly.

"I could name a dozen or more people who would be thrilled about it," Sirius said promptly. "Remus, your entire being doesn't revolve around your being a werewolf. Those idiots who say different deserve to be cursed very badly. You're qualified for this job. I've never met anybody with more knowledge on how a kappa mates than you." Remus chuckled. "You've always said you enjoy researching this type of stuff. Sure it's not teaching at Hogwarts—which I know you loved above anything and everything else you've ever done— but come on! You can't just spend your days running errands for Molly or doing things for Dumbledore. Take the job, Remus."

Remus looked as though he wanted nothing more that to agree and take the job that very second. He had the same gleam in his eyes that he'd had when Dumbledore had offered him the teaching post at Hogwarts. Of course, the same discussion about Remus' condition and whether or not he would be successful had been brought up then. Remus was the only Defense professor to have lasted more than two years that Sirius could recall. And if Snape hadn't been such a bastard, he'd probably still be there.

But since he'd resigned from Hogwarts, Remus had become reluctant to reenter the working world. The same old fears of rejection that he'd had after graduation from Hogwarts returned, and Remus was once again forcing himself to become absorbed in his books. He was okay with being unemployed, though he wouldn't allow Sirius to completely provide for their little family; Remus used what little savings he kept in Gringotts whenever possible. He had been relieved when Dumbledore had offered small pay for those in the Order. Sirius always hoped something would come along to boost his friend's confidence—he'd stopped trying to get Remus to go back out for a job a month after his return from Hogwarts to the cottage.

"But what if—" Remus began.

"No," Sirius said firmly, pointing his finger at Remus. "I'm not going through the what if's with you again. You know this is different from Hogwarts. You won't be staying at the Ministry for the full moons, so there's still only the danger of biting me—"

"That's not funny," Remus snapped.

"Sorry... I didn't mean it like that. Look, there's a reason Bones wants you here. She obviously trusts you, Remus. Bones has been trying to reword the werewolf legislations Fudge and Umbridge setup for years now, and you know it." Sirius sighed. "Remus, you're my best friend, and you know I love you dearly, but if you don't accept Bones' offer, you're a damned fool," he said bluntly. "I remember what it was like for you when James, me, Lily, Julia, Naomi, and even Peter got jobs with the Ministry without really trying. I remember how terrible you felt when they repeatedly declined your applications for every department. But now you've got the Minister of Magic wanting you to head a department... You cannot turn this down."

For long minutes, the two friends silently stared at one another as though having a battle of wills. Remus finally looked away and sighed heavily. "You really think I could do this?" he asked quietly.

"Yes!" Sirius exclaimed so enthusiastically that half of the Aurors jumped and peered into the office.

Remus chuckled. "All right, then. I'll go back and talk to Minister Bones before I leave."

Sirius grinned. "'Atta boy, Moony!" he said. "And think about this if you're still not totally convinced that this will be the best decision in your young life: You get to see me and Emmeline all day, everyday," he said in a loud whisper.

Remus smirked. "Well, I wouldn't mind seeing Emmeline, but if I have to put up with you more than I already have to, I may just go insane..." he teased.

"Ha ha," Sirius replied dryly. "I think a celebration is in order tonight. You get the food, I'll get the booze."

Remus raised his eyebrows. "I think you've had quite enough booze to last the rest of your life, Sirius."

"For your information, I haven't had any Ogden's since November, thank you very much."

Remus shook his head and sighed. "If you say so, Sirius. All right, I'm going to go say hello to Emmeline, and pop back up to Minister Bones' office. I'll see you tonight."

Inside the Great Hall that night, the house tables had been pushed up against the walls, providing more than enough room for a large group of students to gather in the center. Mad-Eye Moody stood before them watching in an almost pained expression as the students attempted the spells he'd taught them. It was the fifth meeting of his Defense group, and while a few of the students were doing exceptionally well, the majority made Moody wonder how they'd even gotten a wand in their hands.

The most improved by far, and by no surprise to Moody, was Harry Potter. The boy was a natural with a wand; how could he not be with the parents he'd been born to and the wizards he was raised by? Moody always knew Harry would do well in life, but the fluid movements he made with his wand and the quick reflexes and reactions... The boy gave Moody déjà vu to James Potter's days. James had been a shining star in the Auror squads when he'd joined, one of the best the Ministry had seen in many years. He'd been hesitant to join the Aurors, after what had happened to his parents, but Moody had convinced him it was the right thing to do. If James hadn't perished, Moody was willing to bet his magical eye that he'd be sitting in Sirius Black's chair inside Auror Headquarters right now.

Not that Moody regretted his choice in Sirius as Head Auror—quite the contrary, actually. Moody had faced much controversy when he'd announced whom he'd wanted as his replacement. And though Moody didn't always agree with some of the things Sirius did with the Aurors, he'd been successful. During the first war, it had been almost impossible to capture Death Eaters. Sirius and his Aurors had captured more than ten in the past year and locked them in Azkaban where they belonged.

Moody shot a few sparks into the air to gather the attention of his pupils. Granted, it didn't do much good considering the fact that none of them were paying him the slightest bit of attention. "OY!" he bellowed to the group of students. A few of them jumped, and one or two actually dropped their wands. Pitiful, the retired Auror thought. "Now we're going to practice the patronus charm I showed you lot last week. Most of you aren't going to get it on your first try; don't be discouraged. It's a difficult charm to perform, and even more difficult to master. Of course, it'll be relatively easier for you lot to practice without dementors floating around trying to suck out your souls," he added lightly, ignoring the frightened looks on some of the younger students. "We're going to do the charm in groups of five at a time. I'll call you up in alphabetical order. I want everyone else to stand back against the walls, give the others a good amount of room..."

He called the first bunch of students to the front of the hall and instructed them to face the golden doors of the Great Hall. He reminded them of the words to be spoken, and on the count of three, five voices cried out, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" The only student with any success was a seventh year Ravenclaw—his wand emitted a puff of smoke, which disappeared seconds later.

Moody wasn't at all disappointed—he hadn't expected anything to really happen on their first tries. But when Hermione Granger nearly burst into tears after she couldn't manage the charm, Moody had to send her to the girls' bathroom to calm down.

The last group of the night consisted of Harry Potter and the Weasley children. Moody repeated the instructions to them as he had with the others ("Think of a happy memory and hold on to it"). When the five of them cried out in perfect unison "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Moody's eyes widened to the point that his magical eye threatened to fall out of its socket. Harry was in the center of the group, and not only had he managed a wisp of smoke, but there was now a corporeal patronus trotting across the Great Hall and through the double doors. The hall was in complete silence as every eye followed the progress of Harry's patronus. The only sound was when Moody limped to the front of the group to take a look at Harry's face. He was in as much shock as the rest of them.

"Bloody hell, Harry," Ron Weasley muttered.

"My thoughts exactly, Weasley," Moody said quietly, still watching Harry.

"I did it," Harry breathed.

"Not only did you do it, but you did it damn well," Moody said gruffly. He leaned in closer to Harry. "Your father would be very proud, boy. Very proud."

Harry smiled widely as Moody dismissed the group, all of which was begging to see Harry's patronus again. "Next time," Moody assured them. "But now you need to get to bed. Go on now!"

Moody listened to the students mutter in disappointment as they gathered their belongings and left for their common rooms. After moving the house tables back into their original positions, Moody returned to his quarters and immediately sat down to write a letter to Harry's guardians. They, too, would be quite proud of the boy.