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Chapter 6 – Voldemort's New Plan
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It was already past midnight, but Sirius was still wide-awake. He had his back resting comfortably on the headboards and his hands supporting his head from behind. It was completely dark in his bedroom, except the light coming from the tall lamps placed besides the portrait. He stared at the life size photo on the opposite wall.

The photo was taken when James and Lily were taking their wedding photo in the studio and the cameraman had offered a free one for him and Rainzzi, seeing that the best man and the bridesmaid were so splendid a couple in the suit and gown they're trying for the wedding night. Rainzzi was wearing an azure-blue dress of gauze and her hair was done in a French style. She was sitting in a white ancient European-styled swing which was decorated with some lavenders, smiling broadly and leaning against Sirius who sat beside. They had their arms intertwined, and were clearly soaked in love. Out of the corner of the frame, Sirius could see James and Lily lured in every now and than, grimacing and sticking out their tongues along with Remus and Peter.

If the photo could produce any sound, Sirius was sure he would have heard Rainzzi giggling. He tore his eyes from the photo and sighed heavenwards. The image was just like a dream, that's not attainable anymore, it drew a very big contrast to reality. Everything had been so perfect then. James and Lily were still by his side, Peter had not turned to the dark side yet and Rainzzi, she had been so happy, innocent, unharmed. She was so radiant that it hurt to look at her for any longer, and most importantly, the image reminded Sirius of a time when he had been loved so dearly.

But in the current real world, the very opposite was true, although she might still look quite the same, she was no longer the same woman as she once had been. She was now permanently injured, ambitious, hostile and … she was dating Brice Fudge, of all people.

"Brice Fudge is such a filthy and insufferable womaniser, why would anyone want to date him?" was the first question Sirius had bombarded Remus when he came back from the St. Mungo's Hospital. Remus had given Sirius this really unconvincing shrug, for whom he felt sorry, Sirius didn't know.

"Rainzzi doesn't seem to be in love with him," Sirius growled, slapping his hand on the table to vent out his frustration. "Nor does he with her," Remus had told him benevolently.

"Then why the hell do they go out?"

"Brice Fudge has probably a hundred girlfriends, it would do him no harm to add one more in his list," Remus had glanced at Sirius meaningfully, "Still don't you understand? It's like a business going on between the two most respectable wizarding families, the Fudges and the Delanuits. It's a relationship in convenience. And you can't exactly blame Rainzzi for compromising with her parents. After the Lestranges ambushed her, she was left with nothing, nothing but a reputation – she was "the fiancée of the murderer". You can immediately guess how much injustice and contempt she would have to face. So when her family proposed to take her in again, she was quick to agree, even though she was to concede to them for whatever decisions."

"But her parents were just brutal, they had never cared for her. They just set some guidelines for her to follow, and expected her to achieve their goals. She would be better off living by herself," Sirius complained.

Remus placed his hands on Sirius' shoulder and smiled kindly, "If I were she, I would have done the same."

Sirius made an angry voice.

"Why not? She didn't even remember you. And her mother was the ex-Minister for Magic after all. If she didn't return to her parents, she would have never got herself a decent job, let alone a high social status. Besides, she has nothing to lose to follow her parents' will and date Brice. The relation is mutually beneficial to the two families."

"So it's for the job and social status that she agrees to date such a scum? Isn't it pathetic?"

"C'est la vie," Remus had sighed.

Well, that's life. It was such a compatible phrase to describe lives. Sirius glanced at the portrait again. He could still remember what Rainzzi was like when she was at school. She had a nickname at that time, "the Ice Queen." Guys (perhaps save James) were unanimous in saying she was beautiful but most of them didn't bother to ask her out. She had been famous for her dispassion for any personal entanglement, perhaps due to the fact that she was the daughter of the current Minister for Magic. And she had been very protective of herself and mistrusting to other people since people must have been blandishing her ever since she was born. It wasn't only boys that she refused to acquaint with; she kept a fair distance from girls of her year.

So although Sirius was also interested in her, when James dared him to ask her out, Sirius had dreaded over it. Indeed, socialising with her had been difficult, because for most of her leisure hours, she hid in her dormitory and avoided encountering people, even her housemates. It had taken him almost a month before she would talk to him, and another two months before she believed he liked her and went out with him.

James, Remus and Peter had described it as a miracle, but in fact skills and charms were all that were needed. Sirius had known well how to court girls and was successful in coming across them. It was a bit irresponsible to start a relation just as a dare, but Sirius couldn't be less regrettable of dating her, she was very nice once she was willing to show her real self. It was just that she had never met anyone she thought was worth her unmasking.

Sirius ran a hand all over his face, still absorbed in thought of Rainzzi. If he were some ten years younger than he was now, he must have shrugged it off when she denied him. But he had learnt how precious it was to be with the ones he liked, during the twelve years that he had spent in Azkaban. He most definitely wouldn't give it up so easily, he couldn't afford to do so, and he promised to himself he would grasp any chance to reconcile with her.

Sirius was about to slide into the sheets when a spark of red and golden fire suddenly appeared right under his nose. And across the country, six more sparks appeared simultaneously at the same time. The fire put out automatically as quickly as it had appeared and a letter dropped onto Sirius' lap. He opened it alertly and read the content.

Sirius,

I want both of you and Remus in my office right now for an urgent special meeting, use the Floo network, I've just connected mine with yours. I'll explain later when you arrive.

Albus Dumbledore

Just when Sirius was going to grapple the doorknob, Remus swept in, holding a parchment of similar content. "Harry isn't in danger, is he?" Sirius asked nervously as they ran down the staircase into the living room.

"I honestly don't think he is, or otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't have time to write to us," Remus muttered hastily.

"After you," Sirius said, holding out the bowl of Floo Powder for Remus. Remus stepped into the fireplace and clutched a full handful of it. He threw it into the fireplace and said clearly, "Hogwarts, the Headmaster's office."

A fervent green fire arose from nowhere and a second later, Remus was gone with the fire. Sirius promptly followed by doing the same. The fire roared in his ears and ashes kept blowing into his face, luckily, it ended as Sirius thought he was to suffocate. Sirius stepped out of the Dumbledore's fireplace.

Dumbledore's office was almost as dark as Sirius' bedroom, the only source of light came from the silver instrument which was illuminated by the moonlight streaming through window. There were quite a number of people, Dumbledore was as usual sitting calmly behind his desk, and McGonagall was standing behind him solemnly while Snape sat in front of him. Standing besides Remus were Tonks, Kingsley, Mundungus and Moody. They were all wearing impatient frowns.

"Ah, a few chairs," Dumbledore murmured to himself and conjured up seven chairs.

Sirius sat down on one of the chairs and croaked fretfully, "Harry isn't lured somewhere again, is he?"

"Don't worry. He's completely safe," Dumbledore said in his soft voice. Sirius glanced at the white-haired man, Dumbledore looked as old and tired as Sirius had ever seen him, the folds on his forehead were all bugled out. But nonetheless he had an aura of transient triumph around him.

"Then what's it?" Moody said hoarsely, fumbling in his pocket for something. It was till he took out a handkerchief to wipe his magical eye and Tonks choked in disgust that Sirius realised one of his orbits was empty. Moody wiped the dust off his eye all over and put it back to its place.

"We'll not begin until Rainzzi arrives."

"I'm here," Rainzzi's voice materialized from the fireplace as she stumbled out of it. Her brown hair was tied up in an untidy bunch. Under her cloak, she was still wearing her pyjamas and a pair of slippers but she looked perfectly awake.

"Take a seat, you haven't missed a thing," Dumbledore greeted pleasantly. "I'm glad you all arrive so promptly as soon as you received my letters, even though it's already well past midnight. I understand that you're all very tired, so I shall cut the introduction short," Rainzzi settled besides Remus. "I ask you all to assemble here tonight because of a new development. Thanks to Severus, we have got a reliable outline of Voldemort's new plan. Severus, if you please."

They all focused on Snape, he had on his pale face a sneer so complacent that almost approached puerility, it was as if he thought he had done a noble job that had saved the whole world.

"After their failure in seizing the prophecy in the Department of Mysteries with nearly half of them ended up in Azkaban, the Dark Lord's camp was in chaos. But he has quickly reorganized his camp with discipline and had already planned their next projects," Snape paused dramatically, playing with the other's nerves, "Other than mobilising half of the Death Eaters to help those captured to break out from Azkaban, a reliable source has it that the Dark Lord plans to kidnap Sybil Trelawney."

"Why Trelawney?" Tonks said sharply, Sirius was grateful that she had voiced his doubt. He could have asked if Snape's kidding if the atmosphere wasn't so tense. He didn't know Trelawney in person like Tonks did, but he had heard enough of her from Harry. Trelawney, the Divination teacher, might be a spiritual figure, but he really couldn't understand why such an evil wizard like Voldemort would have anything to do with Trelawney.

Dumbledore rose slowly from his seat and started pacing behind the desk, all the while furrowing deeply. "Voldemort has long heard the first half of the prophecy, about himself and the one who defeats him from a first-hand informer sixteen years ago. And in addition of the mysterious prophecy, he still hasn't fully understand the Priori Incantatem, the malfunctioning of his wand when dueling with Harry last year has made him grow to be more precautious. He is desperate to fully comprehend the content of the prophecy before he himself ever works on Harry for a second time, as he cannot risk his life again for his restlessness.

"You should all have known that Sybil Trelawney is the only remaining true seer in this century, and discovering the fact that the last prophecy was already broken, Voldemort realizes that there's only two ways to hear the exact wordings of the prophecy. One, from me, which I've the pleasure to say he still hasn't the guts to. Two, force it out from Trelawney herself. It is unknown whether it works or not, as seers don't usually remember the prophecies they have made. But all the same, if he couldn't force it out from her, he has planned to compel her to make another prediction or more if feasible.

"Rulers in the old days had the habits of consulting seers for advises before taking any important actions, and this is exactly what Voldemort wants. He wants to be forever guaranteed with victories."

Sirius and the others all gasped and held their breaths, slowly digesting the shocking news.

"But seers don't make prophecies whenever they like," Kingsley was the first to overcome the awe, "I mean, when it comes, it comes. He can't compel her to make one, can he?"

"That's right, he can't," Dumbledore nodded, his blue eyes were blazing, though his voice remained calm. "However, in times of great dangers and when seers stay too close with mortality, they tend to perceive more than they usually do."

"Does Trelawney know about the plan?" Sirius asked darkly.

"We told her," Dumbledore said, "But she has taken the news with rather unanticipated nonchalance, which is always a bad sign. Legend has it that seers could in fact sense the coming of any mishaps of themselves beforehand, but most of them would not do anything to prevent it, as they believe it to be a violation of the fate and nature. It is possible that Trelawney has predicted something ab-"

"The point is if Voldemort succeeds in kidnapping Trelawney," McGonagall cut in, she obviously thought that telling the rest such discouraging news wouldn't help. "It will be extremely unfavourable for us. That's why we must remove her from Hogwarts as soon as possible to ensure her safe being."

"But Hogwarts is the safest place," Remus said tranquilly, "Voldemort dares not to go anywhere to Hogwarts when you're here, Professor Dumbledore."

"I'll have a lot of negotiating to do in the summer, like with the Ministry and the foreigners, which means I won't be at Hogwarts at most of the time, and it wouldn't take Voldemort long to discover that," Dumbledore professed, "My suggestion is to let Trelawney seclude in the headquarter of the Order of the Phoenix, that is - the Grimmauld Place. You agree, Sirius?"

"Of course."

"And you seven will take turns to protect her there, starting right from tomorrow," Dumbledore glanced at them with his sparkling blue eyes. All of the rest nodded spontaneously, they were unanimous in declaring their agreement.

"Sirius, Remus, Alastor, and Nymphadora, you're going to fetch Harry in person at the King's Cross Station tomorrow, aren't you?" Dumbledore requested, his face somehow a bit softened at the mention of Harry.

"Yes, we are," said Remus.

"Minerva and Severus will transfer Trelawney to Grimmauld Place when you receive Harry. Sirius, I would appreciate it if you can bring Harry to Grimmauld Place and stay with him there until we confirm everything is fine. And should anything happens in the King's Cross, turn anything into a Portkey and deliver Harry there," Dumbledore said, indifferently overlooking the law.

"Okay," Sirius pledged.

"Hm," Moody cleared his throat, politely calling for attention. "I'm not worried about the workload. But why aren't the others involved? Won't they take part in it?"

The others all looked at Dumbledore curiously, who had an arrested look on his old face, "You're not suspecting any spies among the members, are you, Professor?" Tonks asked.

Dumbledore shook his head seriously, "Not yet. But we should have learnt something from the last time. It's insecure to let everyone knows about all the happenings in the Order, and as the whereabouts of Trelawney is completely vital, I want only the elite of us to be responsible."

"What about the Weasleys?" Moody wanted to know, "They're among the most active ones."

"They've enough on their shoulders already, and Molly has confessed to me that she doesn't want the family to be too much involved."

"What?" Sirius said, he opened his mouth to argue more but stopped when Remus shot him a look.

Dumbledore smiled sadly, "Arthur has offered full help, but it's more than understandable for Molly to have said so, especially after Percy is confirmed to be being disguised. And I must agree with her to a great extent, the Weasley children can't afford to lose his parents."

Sirius peeked at Dumbledore with downcast eyes, blushing a bit for his inconsideration.

"In fact, she even doesn't want Fred and George to join the Order, but they wouldn't allow themselves to be left out. Rainzzi," Dumbledore turned to Rainzzi, who had not uttered one single word after she sat down, "As I understand from the owl you sent me earlier today, you want to change the date to retrieve Percy, right?"

Rainzzi swept away the hair that had fallen into her eyes and lifted her eyebrows, and exchanged a glance with Kingsley. "Yes, because the Auror Department has received a notice today… Percy Weasley is supposed to go with the Minister to a Press Conference tomorrow which will last till noon."

"It's a rare opportunity for the coast to be clear," added Kingsley.

"Yes, it is. Kingsley, Rainzzi, please stay behind for a while to discuss about retrieving Percy tomorrow, while the rest of you may go back now," Dumbledore had sat down behind his desk again, staring at Fawkes, who was sleeping peacefully in his basin. "I apologize again for waking you all so abruptly tonight, that's all I want to say. Goodnight."

Tonks yawned sleepily when Moody carefully took out his magical eyes and walked to the fireplace. "I can take the shift tomorrow," Remus muttered to them as they made their way to the back of the office where the fireplace was.

"The day after tomorrow," said Tonks, holding up her hand, making a reservation.

"Sirius?" said Remus, looking back at Sirius who remained sitting.

"You go," Sirius said quietly, swinging his legs a little. He fixed his eyes on Rainzzi, who was talking to Kingsley and Dumbledore in small voices. He had promised himself he would grasp any chance to reconcile with her and he swore to live up to his promise.

Remus lifted his eyelids but said nothing. He walked into the fireplace after Tonks.

"Do you need more helpers?" Dumbledore was asking them.

Rainzzi and Kingsley looked at each other. "I think we can manage it," said Kingsley.

Dumbledore agreed. "Right. Now, forgive me for repeating again, but please listen carefully for one last time, I want you to search the flat for the real Percy Weasley, who should be unconscious or under the Imperius Curse. One of you takes him back to Grimmauld Place by Disapparition once you find him. And if the time and situation allow you to, I want the other of you stay a little longer to inspect the house after making sure Percy and the other have safely left."

"And you should return afterwards to the Grimmauld Place where Arthur and Molly would be and I'll give you further instructions there," Dumbledore said strictly.

"Good luck, Kingsley, Rainzzi," Dumbledore added with a smile of approbation. "I really appreciate your help." Kingsley and Rainzzi nodded.

Rainzzi progressed to the fireplace with her hands dug into her pockets after Kingsley. When she walked nearer, Sirius could sniff an unmistakable odour of beer and see a faint blush on her cheek. She didn't seem to have realised that Sirius was waiting for her, or if she did, she was concealing it.

"Night, Sirius." Kingsley gave Sirius a passing pat on the shoulder before he disappeared via the Floo Network.

Sirius went straight for the fireplace before Rainzzi did, more to block her from going away than anything. "Rainzzi," Sirius turned to her, when she furrowed. "Be careful tomorrow."

Rainzzi squinted at him and gave him an once-over but she nodded at long last.

If it was fifteen years ago, Sirius would surly have spent some time with her, either helping her to practice some defensive spells or encouraging her, on the night before she had to go on a mission without him. But now, Sirius could only watch when she went with the green flame. Somewhere near his heart, it contracted but he didn't want to register it. He wanted to pretend as if he was confident that they would probably make up in the near future. But he couldn't bring himself to do so.

Feeling Dumbledore's eyes on his back, Sirius stepped into the fireplace, too, only to a destination miles away from hers.

A/N: As usual please review, criticism appreciated ;)