Chapter 2

From Behind The Veil



Sirius Black sat in the cool, dark sitting room of the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. He stared at the fire and contemplated his return from behind the veil. It still seemed dreamlike to him. One moment he was battling with his cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, the next he was falling into a cold, dark space-like void.

He had blindly reached out and managed to grab onto the archway. He hung there as best he could. He could hear faint whispers, but could not make out the words. The voices sounded familiar. Could it really have been James? He strained to hear more.

The longer he held on, the more compelled he felt to let go. But this couldn't be the end. He wasn't ready. He had to hold on, if for no one else, then for Harry. He couldn't just leave Harry after all they had been through together. He knew Harry needed him. He had to hold on.

But the whispers, though still indistinct, kept at him. He wanted to hear more. He needed to know what they were saying. He held on as tightly as he could and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he felt warmer. The words started to make sense. "We are here... come join us... just let go..." He knew then that it was James, and that Lily was there as well. He let his grasp loosen.

Just then he heard Harry's voice loud and clear. "Sirius, are you there?" Harry said.

Sirius held on tighter. "Harry...Harry! Where are you?" He yelled.

There was silence for a moment. Then he heard Harry say, "It's no use. He's really gone."

Sirius realized that the voice was coming from his own pocket. Of Course! The mirror he had given Harry. Harry was trying to communicate with him. And Harry thought he was dead! He had to get back.

But the voices still called to him. He forced himself to shut them out. He cleared his mind and, just as he had done when he was in Azkaban, he focused on just one thought. 'Harry'

Somehow, he managed to pull himself back through the veil. The darkness tried to follow him, to drag him back. He was so tired, but he fought it. Again and again. With the last of his strength he transformed himself. And then he passed out.

He woke up to find Arthur Weasley and several members of the Ministry of Magic standing over him.

Weasley had made up some ludicrous story about him being Fred and George's pet. Apparently the other members of the ministry believed that he was the unfortunate test subject for one of their jokes. Some of those men, who were sworn to bring him in 'dead or alive', had actually patted his head and scratched him behind the ears with sympathy.

It was only when they reached the safety of the House of Black that Sirius realized he had been gone for weeks.

The fire before him crackled and Sirius wondered if he was really better off being back. Yes, everyone had been elated at his return, especially Harry. The joy he had seen in Harry's eyes when they were reunited was overwhelming. Sirius felt alive and excited about life in a way that he hadn't since he was a carefree Hogwarts student. He wanted to show Harry the world. He wanted to really live again.

But reality had come crashing down on him. First, Harry was sent back to the Dursley's for the summer. Then, because he was still a fugitive, Sirius was relegated to maintaining the headquarters and communicating information as the other members of the order came and went. Sirius felt helpless. He wanted to be active and involved. It made him crazy to just sit and wait.

Everyone else was so busy, in the thick of it. They were assigned on various intelligence or recognizance missions. There was so much to do, to watch out for. Dumbledore had thought it better to spread out, so now the house was empty most of the time. Even the Weasleys had gone back to 'the Burrow' to avoid calling any unnecessary attention to the Headquarters.

Sirius was on his own most of the time. Lupin showed up occasionally to wait out the full moon, but these visits were even harder. To have one of his best friends there but be unable to talk or interact was maddening. Still, Sirius would change into Padfoot and keep watch over his friend.

Mercifully, Snape had shown up only once. He was keeping a low profile as his position of spy in Voldemort's court was becoming more dangerous by the day. Snape delighted in reminding everyone the importance of his own position and the insignificance of Sirius's. Snape said that Voldemort had actually lamented Sirius's 'death' for he had found him such a convenient 'string to pull to make Harry Potter dance.'

Yes, Sirius had come back to help Harry, but he seemed to be more of a liability than an asset lately. Even Harry was acting different. Harry was more concerned with protecting Sirius now than letting him help. Harry was cautious when he spoke, lest he give Sirius any reason to act or react.

The thought of it all made Sirius feel old and tired. He poked at the fire and added another log. It was the end July to the outside world, but The House of Black always felt cold and dank to Sirius. The dancing flames of the fire soothed him somewhat. He leaned back in the large leather armchair and closed his eyes. He soon felt warm again and let his mind wander. As he drifted off to sleep, he imagined that he heard the voices again.

Suddenly, Sirius heard Harry's worried, but amazed voice coming from the bedroom where Buckbeak was. Sirius walked toward it, picked up the mirror and saw Harry. He was out of breath and looked nervous. Sirius could tell that Harry was in his room at the Dursley's. At least he was safe. But then he noticed that Harry wasn't alone.

"Who's the girl?" Sirius asked in a playful tone.

"I don't know. She was being chased by Pettigrew and MacNair when she fell on top of me. Listen, she keeps asking for Dumbledore, and I don't know what to do."

"Harry, what were you doing outside of the house?" Sirius said. "You know how dangerous it is? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Sirius." Harry replied. "But I won't be if Uncle Vernon finds her here. I need to get her somewhere safe."

"Who is she?" Sirius asked again.

"I don't know." Harry whispered back.

"Wait . . . wait . . . wait, you don't even know her name?" Sirius said with disbelief. "Harry, how could you trust her; how could you let her into the house?"

Just then the woman leaned over Harry's shoulder, and Sirius got a good look at her. She was beautiful, with blue eyes and strawberry blond hair. It was obvious now that why Harry had taken her in. Sirius didn't like this one bit.

She met his eyes in the mirror and said almost proudly, "I am called Saighe. Who art thou?"