To Walk Through Fire
Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Harry Potter and the characters associated with him. They belong to J.K. Rowling. I am not making money off of this story. So please don't sue.
Chapter XVI: A Bargain Struck
Even as he began to drift off the soft sound of footsteps could be heard approaching Harry's little sanctuary . . . But Harry could not hear the footsteps as he had already fallen into a dreamless sleep. By the time that the curtains had been pulled back to reveal a gaunt dark haired man, Harry had become limp in his first dreamless sleep all summer.
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Sirius groaned softly and rolled over. He felt as if he had fallen off a speeding broom into the Slytherin stands and been dog piled on. At least he wasn't still in the stands . . . No wait. He wasn't in the stands at all, nor had he crashed into them. No . . .
Harry!
Sirius quickly jumped up ignoring the screaming pain in his back and neck. He raced over to the curtains that hid his son. He yanked them open. Harry still lay unmoving. Sirius quickly closed the curtains behind him and took his place in the chair beside Harry's bedside. At least Harry didn't have to wake up alone.
He wondered how long he had slept for. Hopefully it hadn't been more than a couple of hours.
"Mr. Black!" The shrill voice of Madame Pomphrey rang throughout the hospital wing. He could hear her footsteps approach towards him. "What are you doing out of bed?"
"I never consented to become your ward. I am perfectly healthy thank you very much." He stated as she pushed aside the curtains. "How has Harry been?"
"You collapsed Mr. Black. From exhaustion. You need to eat, your body is starved." She said completely ignoring his question, standing menacingly in front of him.
"How's Harry?" Sirius ignored the woman's comment. He could play this game.
"If you eat, I will personally give you a full report." She stated glaring at him.
"Tell me and I'll consider eating." Sirius bargained. So much for being a mass murderer. He almost wished that she was afraid of him again. But no, after a few days she seemed to have forgotten the crimes he was accused of. Or didn't believe them.
She looked murderously at her. Poppy Pomphrey knew that she had lost once again to a Marauder.
"He hasn't done anything. His condition has not changed. He's been doing the same since you passed out a day ago."
Sirius nearly fell out of his chair. "A day!" He sputtered. "A day! But . . .but . . ."
"Yes Mr. Black. A day. Now you will eat something when the house elves bring up lunch." She stated firmly. Sirius too shocked with the information he had received just nodded dumbly.
A day! How could he have slept so long? He had left Harry alone for a day! What if Harry had to wake up alone? Sirius knew what Azkaban was like; Harry would need to talk, or at least someone to be there for him. Harry was only a child.
"Remus, has Remus been here yet?" Sirius asked urgently. Remus should have been sitting near Harry if Sirius hadn't been there. He had offered several times for Sirius to go rest while he sat with Harry. Remus would not have left Harry alone.
"I haven't seen Mr. Lupin since he left a day ago." She said business-like.
Suddenly a black crow flew into the room and landed beside Sirius. He felt dread rising in him. The last time he had seen that bird his wife and best friend had died. Slowly he pulled the paper from the bird's leg.
Your werewolf friend is screaming for the answer. Come to Riddle Manor with it.
Those were the only words on the note, but it sent dread rising through Sirius. Remus was in trouble. Voldemort had his friend.
Sirius quickly jumped up. "I have to go see Albus now. You will watch Harry?"
He only waited long enough for the nurse to nod before running off down the hall to the headmaster's office. Luckily the halls were empty and no one could see him as he dashed through the stone corridors. Sirius was nearly out of breath by the time he reached the Gargoyle. Just as he reached the Gargoyle his racing mind caught up to him. Dumbledore would not send anyone to rescue Remus, as important as his friend was to Albus, they simply could not risk several lives for one with no promise that any would be saved. Albus Dumbledore would do what was best for everyone, not just for Remus . . .But maybe, just maybe the Headmaster would . . .What? Send him as an ambassador? Albus would not send him as a negotiator, he wouldn't even allow Sirius to approach Voldemort to demand help for Harry's release. But Albus knew the truth now. Voldemort wouldn't bother killing Sirius, he wouldn't dare, he needed Sirius more than he needed any of his Death Eaters – well according to the prophecy anyway. But would Albus allow him to go now? His story could have led the Headmaster to another conclusion about what happened that night – curse that lying rat Pettigrew! – But . . .He did not think that the Headmaster believed that he followed Voldemort. No. That wasn't the problem. Albus would not let him go due to his relation to Voldemort and its usage. Albus would keep Sirius close, perhaps to send a message to Voldemort. Why risk one of the most valuable assets? Sirius' blood could be used in several spells that would help them in their fight against the Dark Lord. No. He couldn't just let his friend die.
Slowly Sirius turned around. He knew what buttons to push on Voldemort – although it would work only once – to allow for his friend's freedom. His insistence that he did not have a son for so many years before that night would allow him to pull his plan off.
The infirmary was empty, except for Madame Pomphrey and Harry, whose curtains had been thrown back. Sirius didn't know why the school nurse would do something like, but Harry was in her care. Anyone who saw Harry would not know who he was as Poppy had bandaged his head where the boy's famous scar would be.
Upon seeing him, Madame Pomphrey stood up.
"Is your business all worked out?" She asked politely. Sirius just nodded, not really wanting to lie to the woman, but not willing to tell the truth. "Well then, you watch Harry and I will get you something to eat – which you will eat or you will become my patient."
"Yes ma'am." Sirius failed miserably attempting to put on a winning smile, but the nurse just nodded and began to walk towards her office, where she could call upon the house elves for lunch.
Just as she was about to disappear from view Sirius called out, "Madame Pomphrey, do you have any parchment and a quill that I could use?"
"Yes, of course," the witch looked faintly puzzled at his request, but she nodded and left the room.
Sirius sat beside Harry and looked at his son, who was far too pale for his liking in the bright light. At least there was no darkness around the boy anymore, which reminded Sirius far too much of a deathbed. He had to make sure that Harry was taken care of before he left. He refused to leave his son in Albus' care without any direction as to where Harry should go. The last time Albus had been left as Harry's guardian he had left Harry in the care of the Dursleys who had abused his son. It was partially his fault, but Sirius wanted never to make a mistake like that again. No, this time he was going to ensure that Harry had the proper guardians.
Madame Pomphrey came back with a tray piled high with enough food for at least three large men, parchment, and a quill. Sirius thanked her softly and picked up the quill. The nurse hovered disapprovingly behind him. Not willing to let her see what he was going to write down on parchment Sirius put down the quill and picked up the fork which lay on the tray. He took a small bite of mashed potatoes. The nurse seemed satisfied that he was going to eat more and turned leaving him beside Harry in peace.
Quickly Sirius quietly dropped the fork. He moved the tray onto the floor and picked up the parchment. He quickly pushed aside Harry's wand and the lamp and began writing. He looked at his watch, he could only delegate an hour for dealing with business here, Voldemort was not a patient man, he would not wait long before killing Moony. At least he would wait for a couple of hours . . .but Sirius had been out for a day. Voldemort would not be waiting much longer for an answer before he sent Moony's dead body back to Sirius. He quickly closed his eyes. Sirius did not know if he could stand seeing the dead body of his last best friend. Voldemort wouldn't destroy his only bargaining tool. No. Moony was still alive. And well.
Sirius looked at the letter. It was short, but it would do well enough for its purpose.
Albus,
I am going after Moony. He was caught earlier, I believe shortly after he left me that time after we found the stray. The letter that was sent to me is enclosed and perhaps will explain the reason why I feel the need to retrieve him. If I do not return then I demand that the stray be handed over to the Weasleys for care. All the contents of my vault may be given to the Weasleys for his care, except for a small book, which perhaps you may be interested in, as it contains what we discussed earlier and perhaps may help you. It is hidden in the third gold pile to the left, halfway down the pile and in a box with a fake bottom. To remove the bottom declare the names of the Messrs and then declare the name of Moony's only friend.
I have enclosed a letter for the Weasleys on the care of the stray. Perhaps they can do him more justice than we ever could.
Farewell Headmaster and take care of the stray,
Snuffles
He really didn't want to call Harry a stray, but he didn't know anything else to call the boy. He couldn't call Harry his son, that would be trouble if a Death Eater found the letter. He couldn't refer to his son as Harry, not even he was that stupid. It was the best thing he could think to call the boy. Especially since the way that he referred to Moony sounded as if he was going after a dog – well the wolf was a part of the dog family.
Sirius quickly folded the parchment, placing several spells on the document that would only allow the Headmaster to open it. Unless someone wanted to die a horrible death.
He wrote the headmaster's name on the front of the document and left it on the table. If he didn't return soon, Poppy would find it and she would give it to Dumbledore.
"Poppy," he called out and quickly ran out of the room before she could catch him. She would keep an eye on Harry if he wasn't there.
He changed into Padfoot and ran stealthily down the hall. He wished that he had the Marauder's Map, but as it was not possible, he would just use his knowledge of the school and wisdom as Padfoot. He slipped behind a tapestry into a hidden passageway, the first he and James and found. Filch knew this passageway, but he doubted that the sour caretaker would be cleaning the school, or this particularly corridor during the holidays.
He quickly existed the school and ran towards Hogsmead where he would be able to apparate to the Riddle Manor, the place where Voldemort had told him he would be. Sirius had been there once, long ago, he really did not want to remember that particular moment. It only took moments for him to reach the edge of the Hogwarts and to apparate to Riddle Manor. The place had not changed much since Sirius had last seen it, except it was a little more decrepit.
Sirius spotted to Death Eaters guarding the building minutes before they say him. He stealthily approached the dark figures leaning against the wall. Sirius did not particularly want to go near the Death Eaters, but it was the only way to enter safely into Riddle Manor without having millions of spells cast at his back.
"Excuse me," he said stepping in front of the Death Eater before the man – or woman – could cast a spell on him. "I have an appointment with Voldemort, if you would be so kind as to lead the way." The Death Eater stood stock still, as if in fright. "Well, I haven't got all day." Sirius snapped at the Death Eater.
"Who are you?" The Death Eater demanded, his wand finally out and pointed at Sirius. He must have been a new recruit; there was no other way for him to be as slow as he was. No one, not even Snape, pulled his wand out that slow, not if they wanted to live around here.
"It is none of your concern. You will take me to your Master, or you will end up dead. It does not matter to me either way." Sirius put on an air of arrogance. He was bluffing. He would not kill a man; he did not want to kill a man. He grasped his wand tightly in the midst of his robes, he could have this Death Eater down before the man – Padfoot was sure it was a man – could even begin to think of a spell.
The Death Eater seemed convinced. "This way, sir." He said walking quickly towards the manor. Sirius shuddered as they came closer. He could feel the evil radiating off the walls of the building. He seriously wondered why none of the muggles were coming over to investigate the building. Not that it mattered the muggles would be dead before they even came close to the building.
The Death Eater led him into the front door where he spoke softly to the other Death Eaters on duty. Sirius did not listen; he did not particularly care what the fools were saying to one another. He glimpsed around his surroundings memorizing the small details that could possibly save Remus' life when they ran away from Riddle Manor. The door barely stood on its hinges, and the wood was so old that it had begun to rot – perhaps it was from Voldemort's dark influence – and the steps underneath Sirius and the Death Eaters groaned under their combined weight. Sirius feared that it would smash into millions of pieces. Well, if he was going to go, he minds as well take some Death Eaters with him.
The other Death Eaters nodded in response to whatever Sirius' guide had said. With that the Death Eater walked inside, expecting Sirius, who was eager to leave the creaking stairs, followed quickly after him. The two Death Eaters they left behind closed the door, ignoring both Sirius and the other Death Eater. The house was in no better conditions than the stairs – in Sirius' opinion – he was surprised that it was able to stand as it was. Why would Voldemort use this as a hideout? Why wouldn't he use somewhere else? Perhaps he didn't want Sirius to know where his new hideout was, or perhaps he was using Azkaban and he just didn't want Sirius there – not that Sirius wanted to go back to that dark dank place.
There was no light within the building, quite fitting for Voldemort's hideout. Little sound carried through the building, Sirius suspected that the Death Eaters were not 'entertaining' guests here, they were probably held at Azkaban – or Malfoy Manner.
The Death Eater suddenly turned to face Sirius. "I've lead you to my Master you can announce yourself." He hissed angrily and began to turn back the way they came.
"No wait," Sirius suddenly had an inspiration. "What is your name?"
"As if I would tell you." The man sneered angrily.
"What would Voldemort think if I told him that one of his men was holding me up? Now tell me your name so I can commend you to him for your good service." Sirius stated calmly.
"I think not." The man walked away before Sirius could say another world. There went that plan. Sirius fingered the small portkey in his pocket, he hoped that Voldemort hadn't placed wards around this place to stop portkeys or he was in trouble.
Sirius did not bother knocking on the door, if he was going to cause a riot, he would just cause a large riot that would attract everyone's attention. He felt his heart race faster as he pushed open the door; it was now or never. He could not turn back now, the Death Eaters at the front door would definitely kill him before they let him leave freely.
The Dark Lord was sitting on a ragged chair in the center of the room, facing the door. It looked like the audience room in Grimmauld Place, the house his mother had taken him to once when he was a child. The Dark Lord looked strong, although not vibrant, his hideous red eyes standing starkly out against his white serpentine face.
The door suddenly closed behind Sirius, who jumped and quickly spun around, despite his better judgment. There was no one in the room except him and that hideous creature who had destroyed far more lives than anyone could ever count – including Harry's. No! Sirius couldn't think of Harry, the Dark Lord could possibly sense his thoughts. Think of Remus. Just Remus. He had come to save Remus.
"Well, so you have decided to show up have you my boy?" He hissed, as if he had expected nothing less of Sirius.
"Where is Remus?" Sirius demanded. He did not want to bandy words with this serpentine being, even if the creature was related to him.
"What? No hello? Good to see you dad?" The Dark Lord's voice was full of mirth.
"Where. Is. Remus." Sirius growled between clenched teeth.
"He is safe for now, unless you disagree to my terms." He folded his bony hands calmly into his lap. Sirius wanted nothing more than to wring his scrawny neck with his hands.
No. He couldn't do that. He had to remove Remus from this place first. Then he could attack all he wanted.
"Show him to me." Sirius stated attempting to keep himself calm and composed, quite difficult for a Gryffindor faced against his worst enemy. But he had to do it for his best friend.
"No, I think I won't." Voldemort hissed.
"Then there really is no point in my being here, you could have killed him. Or perhaps you do not even have him here." Point one for Sirius.
"And if your werewolf friend was not here, where do you suppose he would be?" Voldemort remained the epitome of calm.
Sirius refused to allow the Dark Lord to gain dominance over him. "How do I know if he is even alive?"
"Alright." The Dark Lord's eyes flashed in anger. "I will show him to you. However, you are to remain right where you are and he is to leave immediately after."
"What is the point of that? We will just be leaving shortly." Sirius attempted to smirk and failed miserably. This place was no better than Azkaban. He could feel hatred and death emanating off the walls. He wanted out of this place . . .
"Perhaps you may never leave again." Voldemort smiled, a cruel smile that sent shivers running through Sirius' body. He remembered that cruel smile from the last time he had met Voldemort. "Lestrange!" He called out harshly. The door opened to reveal none other than Bellatrix Lestrange. Sirius glared at her. Bellatrix was related to him by blood, his cousin. They had hated one another ever since they had met at Hogwarts.
"Yes Master?" Sirius could tell that she was making a deliberate effort to ignore him where he stood.
"Bring Lupin here," The Dark Lord hissed.
Bellatrix looked as if she was going to open her mouth to say something, but then decided it was wiser to keep silent. Sirius almost wished that she had impertinently spoken. Almost. She nodded, her dead hair flopping lifelessly up and down. She looked no better than he did. Both of them were still gaunt from their days in Azkaban. As his cousin left, Sirius caught her eye, just for a mere second, but it was enough to see the mark that Azkaban had left upon her.
What frightened him more than that wretched place haunting Bellatrix was that he had seen that exact same look in the mirror for the past few years. She had been affected just as he was. How had she survived? He could have sworn that he had heard her madly rage a few cells down from his. She had been absolutely crazy by the time he had escaped.
Sirius managed to quickly suppress those memories. Now was not the time for them. Nor would it ever be time face them.
"She has been a wonderful servant ever since we stole Azkaban from that ever-so-kind Minister of yours. You know I think he is the best choice the wizarding world could have made. He makes it so much easier to fight against those of you who do not seem to recognize the brilliance of my ideas." Voldemort smiled – if it could possibly be called a smile – masochistically. "Although he has become more difficult to deal with as of late."
"So why don't you just get rid of him," Sirius growled impatiently he knew that Bellatrix was taking her time just to annoy him. She wanted to leave him within Voldemort's presence longer –probably in hopes that Voldemort would kill him.
"He's doing too much good at the moment, although that fool killed Harry Potter. He was your godson wasn't he? Oh, well he just removed that brat for me."
Sirius felt deep hatred and anger rising within him. No he had to stay calm, just stay calm so he could get Remus out of there.
"You know Harry Potter would never have amounted to much. The boy was just lucky, a terrible pity his luck ran out, it would have been nice to torture the boy for a few hours. The boy was just rash and foolish. Did you know that he jumped on Quirrel in his first year in an attempt to defeat me? He nearly killed me, the foolish brat." Voldemort continued. "I saw him drop dead. He was just like his father, foolish till the end."
That was it! Sirius couldn't stand it! "How dare you?!" he shouted angrily. "You leave my godson alone! He's dead because of you! Dead!" To Sirius and the world. Sirius stopped himself from jumping on the Dark Lord in anger. If the Dark Lord said anything else about any of his friends Sirius didn't know if he could contain himself.
Bellatrix entered suddenly, thankfully, dragging a semi-limp body behind her. "Here is the werewolf, my Lord," she murmured bowing her head slightly. She dropped Remus without blinking her eyes. Sirius ran to his friend and the Dark Lord did not stop him.
"Remus," he whispered into the werewolf's ear. "Remus can you hear me. Come on Moony."
"Padfoot," Remus moaned partially opening his eye to see Sirius who tried to grin.
"It's okay Moony, I'll get you out of here." Sirius whispered reassuringly.
"As much as I like watching thisss reunion I have better thingsss to do." The Dark Lord called out impatiently. "Where is he Sirius?"
Sirius stood up and faced the Dark Lord unblinking. "Where is who?"
"Your son." The Dark Lord's eyes hardened.
"I don't have a son, just as I told you last time." Sirius returned.
"I know you have one, now tell me where he is!" The Dark Lord's voice became cold chilling the room. "You have limited time. Every impertinent answer you give me will end with your friend's pain. Now where is he?"
"I have never been with a woman, except Lizzy Taylor." Sirius stated tonelessly. "And if you check her records you'll see that she has two children, a seven year old and a six year old. There is no possibility that either is mine as I was at in Azkaban during the time they were conceived. I do not have a child, daughter or son."
Please don't let Voldemort realize that he had just lied. The snake couldn't read his mind, but he might be able to recognize the signs of a lie. Don't think about it. Just don't think about it.
Voldemort's cold eyes watched him. Sirius managed to keep his face expressionless and not to finch.
"Then you will stay here until I have that child." Voldemort stated calmly in reply.
"I will do no such thing. However, if you free my friend now and send him back to Hogwarts then you will be the first to know when I am going to have a child." Sirius began. He had to bargain his way out of this. Voldemort believed that he did not have any children, thank Merlin, now he had to convince that creature to release Remus. This was going to be difficult.
"When you are going to have a child bring the mother here so that it may be born here. I will raise it." Voldemort returned coldly.
"It would be my child. I want to raise it." Sirius growled. That creature had no right to his child, real or imaginary.
"You will give it your idealssss, I want it to learn mine. You can raise it here. Become one of my Death Eatersss, I'll make you my right hand man and you can raisse your child to become my heir." The Dark Lord hissed.
"Never. I would never become a Death Eater." Sirius growled. "You killed my best friend, his wife and my godson. What reason would I possibly have for joining you?"
"To sssave your werewolf friend," Voldemort hissed dangerously. "Bellatrix, show Sirius here a little example of what we can do."
"Yes Master." Bellatrix grinned manically. She whispered a curse, something that not even Sirius' good ears could pick up, and pointed her wand at Remus. The man's screams rang out through the room. Sirius attempted to jump to his friend's aid, but found himself frozen in place.
"If you agree I will stop her," Voldemort whispered into his ear. Sirius jumped away from the man, he couldn't stand that creature touching him. Nor could he stand to hear Remus' screams.
"Stop," he whispered unable to take it any longer. "Please just stop."
"Bellatrix," The Dark Lord called sharply and Bellatrix immediately stopped. "What is your decision?"
"I am going to go back to Hogwarts," the Dark Lord raised his hand as if to wave Bellatrix to start again. Sirius began to speak faster in an attempt to stop them from cursing his friend. "I will find a girl, of my choice, and when the time comes we will come back to you provided that we do not live in this decrepit pit, or in Azkaban; preferably in a nice little cottage somewhere, of your choice, of course. And I will be able to raise my child, with your guidance." Please let it work, just please let it work. He was lying through his teeth, and anyone who knew his history would know that. But Voldemort did not know the truth about Lily, and Harry . . .No! He couldn't think about them.
"What guarantee do I have that you will return?" Voldemort asked suspiciously.
"What guarantee do I have that you will not kill me or the woman I chose to marry?" Sirius retorted. Please work. It just had to.
"I want you to return within the year, with a woman of your choosing or I will come hunting you, and you remember what happened lassst time Sssiriusss." Voldemort's voice became dangerous.
Why was Voldemort allowing this? Was he that desperate for this child to be born? Did he find more information about the prophecy? Sirius looked the Dark Lord. He could agree, which would not be exactly a lie, but it would be something that Snape would pull off, or he could let his friend die.
"If I agree to this then you will let Remus and myself return to Hogwarts without spies, or any deaths?" Sirius muttered still not willing to agree to the terms laid, it would be dangerous and he refused to allow anyone under his care into any danger.
"Yesss," Voldemort hissed impatiently. "I do not have much time. Decide boy or elssse your werewolf friend here diesss."
Sirius looked at Remus who was shaking his head slightly as if attempting to stop Sirius.
Voldemort held out his hand. "Well?"
"I agree." Sirius shook the claw-like hand, bonier than his own – and far too cold for a human hand.
"Good." Voldemort nodded satisfied. For once Sirius saw a flash something he had always feared, and yet somewhere within him desired, within the Dark Lord's eyes; fatherly pride. "Bellatrix, lead Ssssiriusss and his friend out of here. I am sssure that Sssiriuss hass a portkey. Take him to the edge of the wardsss and leave him there. I do not want either of them harmed in anyway."
With that the Dark Lord stalked out of the room, rivaling even Snape's elegant departures.
Sirius helped Remus up and flung his friend's arm across his shoulder. Remus groaned slightly but did not protest. The werewolf's head lolled slightly as if he was not quite aware, and yet he was not yet unconscious.
"Well, hurry up." Bellatrix snapped impatiently. She walked out of the door. Sirius almost laughed. For once he had immunity against Bellatrix's torture, not that he had ever needed it, but it was still a nice feeling, even if it did come from the orders of the Dark Lord.
Sirius followed her out of the house, thankful to be leaving the creaky floors and the collapsing structure. He almost wished that it would cave in upon the Death Eaters. Wouldn't that make an ironic end? He could just see the headlines in the Daily Prophet: Collapsed Structure Kills Death Eaters. Or, in Fudge's style, Innocent Wizards Die from Collapsing Structure.
None of the Death Eaters challenged them as they left. Sirius doubted that it was because of Bellatrix's status, although intelligent she had that strange impulsive streak that existed in many Gryffindors. If pushed the right way she would immediately react, he had seen it once or twice. Now that she had spent all those years in Azkaban, he had no doubt that she was more impulsive. She was crazy. He had heard her crazed yells echo in his cell. There was no possible way that Bellatrix could be completely sane; that look he had seen in her eyes revealed it to him.
Bellatrix did not look back at him, nor offer to help him carry Remus, who had become unconscious by the time they had exited the building. Not that Sirius would have accepted her help if he had offered it. He would not allow that Death Eater to touch his friend again. He knew, without a doubt, that she had been the one to capture him.
It seemed to take hours before they reached the edge of the anti-apparation wards. Bellatrix finally turned to him, pure hate dancing in her eyes.
"Good-bye Cousin," she spat. "Have fun with the authorities when they hear of your whereabouts."
She wouldn't turn him in. Voldemort had other plans for him and he would not allow his Death Eaters, even the 'ever loyal' Bellatrix, to destroy them. She was just trying to scare him.
"If I were you I'd be more concerned about your dear life. You may not be around much longer." Sirius retorted back, unable to help himself. It was too tempting not to bate her. The Marauders had always loved pranking Bellatrix, after Snape of course.
"I'd be careful if I were you dear cousin, a wizards oath can be very powerful." With that Bellatrix turned back and strode towards the Riddle House, where she would probably ensure that her Master had returned to his real headquarters safely.
Sirius grabbed the portkey from his pocket and placed it in Remus' hand. He quickly activated it and laid his hand on the small portkey. They disappeared from sight.
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"Bellatrix," a very familiar voice called.
Bellatrix turned around, only to see her Master standing with the ever-faithful Wormtail. "Master." She bowed politely.
"You will follow Wormtail and spy on Sssiriussss. Report anything and everything you hear back to me." The Dark Lord hissed. "You will remain in Hogwarts unseen." He handed her an amber amulet. She could feel dark magic radiating off the object. "Wear this and transfigure yourself into a rat. You will remain undetected within Hogwarts. Return in a week. And Bellatrix, you better have something to report."
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End Chapter Seventeen
A/N: Thank you so much to my beta Sarah : ). I would also like to thank all those who reviewed. I am very sorry for the long delay with the chapter, but my muse had suddenly decided to take a vacation, and then my Internet broke down . . . I hope that this chapter was worth the wait.