The Beginning
Chapter 45
Thursday, June 12
The stench of sweat and blood made Hestia gag, but the rising panic at the sight of Greyback sitting opposite her was more overpowering.
She willed herself to calm down. She was not looking like herself and she could take comfort in the fact that her identity was safe.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing in a pub like this?" rasped Greyback, crossing his filthy hands on top of the table.
"Please get out of the seat," she said firmly, grasping her wand inside her pocket. "My friend will be back soon."
"Your boyfriend? You don't have to worry about him, my sweet," said Greyback, leering. "I won't take more than ten minutes of your time."
Hestia clenched her jaw and pulled out her wand, but it simply flew out of her grip straight into Greyback's outstretched hand. He had disarmed her in the blink of an eye.
Greyback pocketed her wand and growled softly, "We won't be needing that."
Hestia glanced around her. Not one person was looking their way; the Death Eater, Travers, who had been accompanying Greyback, was nowhere to be seen.
Where the bloody hell was Sirius?
Taking notice of her distraction, Greyback leaned so close towards her that Hestia jerked back in alarm.
"Get away from me!" she yelled and stood up quickly, pushing her now vacant chair towards him to put some distance between them. A few people looked around at the noise and Hestia opened her mouth to yell for help, but no sound came out.
Greyback stood up too, discreetly pocketing his wand after having cast the Silencing charm on her. Hestia was uncomfortably aware of his huge build towering over her and edged back slowly in fear.
She could hear shouts from behind her and the sounds of a scuffle. People started screaming and a flash of emerald green caught her eye and she saw the fireplace just a few feet away from her bursting into flames. Some people seemed to be trying to exit the pub hastily while the rest, particularly the ones shrouded in darkness with their bodies entwined, were unaware of what was happening and going about their business. Paulopabita was seen hurrying people outside the pub.
Hestia bolted towards the fireplace too, but Greyback lunged at her. He pinned her to the wall in a dark corner of the pub and the sheer terror made her scream. Her throat ached but the sound never came. People would not even notice them in this pub if Greyback had his way with her.
Desperate for release, she hit and scratched him, trying to wriggle out of his grip, but he was an immovable rock. He grasped both her hands together in one hand of his and leaned very close to her ear. "I won't bite," he whispered in a hoarse voice that sent chills down her spine. "I'll save that for later tonight—"
He was cut short as Hestia propelled her clenched hands in his grip straight at his mouth with such force that blood coated his pointed teeth. Greyback was grinning like a madman, seemingly enjoying the violence.
He forcefully pushed his lips to hers and there was a loud yell and a bang that threw the heavy form of Greyback far away from her body.
Hestia slumped to the floor and retched despite herself. She wiped her mouth and looked around her to see the pub half empty.
A young man was standing a few feet away, looking livid with his arm outstretched and pointing his wand at a limp Greyback on the floor.
It took a moment for her to remember that it was Sirius, disguised just as she was.
"Come on!" yelled Sirius, grasping her hands to hoist her up, but she hissed in pain.
Sirius took in a sharp breath. "Great Merlin!"
She followed his gaze and looked at her hands to see long bleeding scratches that Greyback's nails had left on her forearm, as he had been gripping her very tightly when Sirius had thrown him off of her.
Hestia couldn't think properly; she felt like something was closing in on her and her vision blurred at the edges.
"Don't panic! It's alright," came Sirius' urgent voice, and she felt an arm around her waist, holding her upright.
A deafening bang sounded behind them and she heard Sirius shout, "We need to get out. Now!"
Hestia took deep breaths and nodded slowly. She thrust her hand inside her pocket to draw out her wand, but she realized it was empty. Her head cleared enough for her to remember that Greyback was in possession of it.
She broke away from Sirius' grip and tottered towards the body lying crumpled on the floor.
"Where are you going?" yelled Sirius, trying to go after her, but he was kept occupied with their attacker.
Hestia fished out her wand from Greyback's pocket, and out of spite, snapped his own wand in two and threw it on the floor. She blinked furiously and noticed that the pub was empty now and only Sirius and the Death Eater, Yaxley, were duelling.
Hestia undid the Silencing charm on herself and shot a Stunning spell at Yaxley, who jumped out of its way and straight into the fireplace, disappearing in a blaze of green flames.
"Let's get out of here," whispered Hestia in a hoarse voice. Sirius nodded and they both left the pub. He grabbed hold of her elbow and she found herself Side-Along Apparating with him.
"I was an idiot!" growled Sirius once they had reached Hestia's house and had rushed her inside. "I should never have taken you there with me."
Sirius let go of Hestia, who sat down on the sofa with a sigh. She called for Teeny and asked for some Dittany.
"And something made of pure silver," added Sirius, conjuring a wad of cloth from thin air and wrapping it tightly around her shaking hand to stem the flow of blood.
Hestia stared at her hand in shock. She had studied Healing and she knew it would be scarred forever. Would she be exhibiting werewolf-like characteristics too?
Sirius interrupted her musing, looking at her strangely, "Greyback wasn't a full-fledged werewolf tonight."
Hestia looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "You don't think I would—"
"No," said Sirius firmly. "I know enough about these things, so trust me. You won't have any lingering effects."
Hestia nodded wordlessly, but something in his conviction reassured her.
Teeny appeared moments later with a flacon of Dittany and a silver necklace and handed it to Hestia, who took one look at it and shook her head.
"No, no, we can't use that. That's my mother's—"
"You're mad," said Sirius, shaking his head and looking bewildered. He raised his voice and called, "Kreacher!"
The ugly elf that inhabited Sirius' house appeared with a crack and bowed low. "Master has called for Kreacher."
"Get me something made of pure silver from that wretched house. Goblin-wrought is preferable."
"Master wants to give away the treasures of my Mistress?" croaked Kreacher, distressed. "Kreacher will not allow—"
Sirius looked vexed. "If you can't follow orders, I'm giving away the entire rubbish bag you have hidden inside that den of yours."
Kreacher's eyes widened in alarm and with a look of horrified contempt disappeared only to reappear a few seconds later, holding one of the old silver goblets.
Sirius took it and with a muttered 'Reducto' turned it to dust. Kreacher whimpered at the sight of his beloved Mistress' treasure destroyed and Sirius sent him away with a contemptuous word.
"Could you get the measuring spoon, Teeny?" asked Sirius much more politely and Teeny hastened to obey. Hestia stifled a laugh at Teeny's behaviour. Teeny must have been alarmed by Sirius' attitude towards Kreacher.
Sirius meticulously measured out a scoop of the powdered silver and added it to the flacon of Dittany, which frothed and foamed on contact.
"It's a good thing you have a batch of Dittany already prepared," said Sirius offhandedly, conjuring another wad of cloth and soaking it directly into the dittany.
"Constant Vigilance," quoted Hestia, smiling wanly. "It was better to be on the safer side after Mad-Eye had insisted on everyone having the essentials always ready, just in case."
The next second saw Hestia screaming her lungs out as Sirius had placed the soaked cloth on her injured forearm.
"You must have known already about werewolf scratches," said Sirius, once she had stopped screaming. "You studied to become a Healer, didn't you?"
"Nobody told me it stings like a Billywig," said Hestia through gritted teeth.
Sirius turned towards Teeny. "Could you get her something cold to drink?"
Teeny disappeared and Sirius removed the Dittany-soaked cloth from her arm. Hestia watched in fascination as the wound had stopped bleeding and had sealed itself, but the three long gouges were still raw and red.
Sirius stood up at once and announced, "I have to go immediately."
Hestia's hand was still smarting, but she stood up too. "Where are we going?"
"No, you're staying here," said Sirius with a tone of finality.
Hestia narrowed her eyes. "I can handle—"
"I've had enough of dragging you along and putting you in danger," cut in Sirius furiously. Hestia drew back, hurt by his words, but Sirius didn't elaborate or apologize and he hurried out of her house.
oOo
Sirius had been spying on Gibbon and Rowle in the back of the tavern and the latter had been talking about rendezvousing at Borgin & Burke's. Sirius would have successfully sneaked out if only Harry's voice had not called his name from the mirror, alerting the Death Eaters to his true identity, and they had started the duel.
Sirius had no time to contact Harry again. He hoped Harry understood that he was in the middle of something, and thinking of speaking to Harry later, he Disapparated to Knockturn Alley.
Borgin & Burke's was closed, which wasn't anything suspicious. It was just past closing hour in the street. Sirius waited outside, wondering if the Death Eaters had probably tricked him, when the sounds of people inside the shop made him peer through the glass door.
He could make out only Borgin, illuminated by the light of a single candle, drawing curtains over a door.
That was strange. Sirius could have sworn he had heard shuffling footsteps belonging to several people just moments before.
He hid himself again behind the shop, hoping to catch the Death Eaters unaware when they met up. Perhaps he should alert the Order for backup?
He was pulling out his wand to summon his Patronus when two cracks of Apparition sounded in the dark. He could make out the silhouettes of two stocky people – a man and a woman – and when the light from the lamp-post hit their faces, he recognized Amycus and Alecto Carrow.
They walked up to Borgin & Burke's and, ignoring the 'Closed' sign, pushed the door open and went inside.
Sirius peered through the glass door again to see the Carrows exchange a few words with Borgin, who drew the curtains aside to reveal a vaguely familiar but ordinary-looking cabinet.
The Carrows walked inside and Borgin shut the door. Sirius' eyes widened – that was no ordinary cabinet. There was no way two people could fit inside and they didn't show any signs of coming out. It could only be a vanishing cabinet – perhaps The Vanishing Cabinet that Greyback had enquired about to Borgin months ago?
It still didn't make any sense why the Death Eaters were using it. Frustrated with his lack of information, he pushed open the door to the shop and cast a Body-Bind immediately on Borgin, who fell to the ground, solid as a rock.
He locked the door behind him and kneeled beside Borgin, taking his wand away from him. "Don't even think about escaping," warned Sirius before undoing the spell. Borgin gasped for breath, wheezing, and Sirius cast an 'Incarcerous' that tied up his hands.
"What were the Death Eaters doing in your shop?" asked Sirius gruffly.
"I don't know what you're talking about! You're mistaken—"
"You're associating yourself with the wrong people, Mr. Borgin," said Sirius. "Unless you speak up, your shop is going to have the same fate as Cobb & Webb's a few blocks away."
Borgin's eyes widened in fear. "No, please! You can't report me to the Ministry. You don't understand—"
"Try me," said Sirius. "I might be a recently acquitted convict, but I do have some friends in high places."
"My family – they aren't safe. I can't go to Azkaban!"
Borgin was pleading and Sirius took pity on him. "I won't report you if you tell me why you're dealing with Death Eaters."
Borgin looked conflicted. "I—I'll tell you. The Death Eaters are planning to attack Hogwarts tonight."
"What?" Sirius stared open-mouthed.
Borgin nodded. "This cabinet, it has a pair in Hogwarts. It creates a tunnel—"
"That leads straight to Hogwarts?" finished Sirius, amazed. He had thought he knew the school like the back of his hand. He had never known there was one more secret tunnel.
He had to alert the Order – he knew from Remus that Dumbledore was away again. It was the perfect opportunity to attack. And Harry! Sirius' blood ran cold. Harry was in Hogwarts now! Surely, this was an elaborate plan of Voldemort to get to Harry?
Sirius stood up immediately.
"They've been planning it for months," continued Borgin. "I had no choice but to help them. They threatened my family! Greyback—"
"Where does the other side end up in Hogwarts?" asked Sirius.
"I wouldn't trust this cabinet," said Borgin. "It's been faulty for ages. You could end up anywhere in Hogwarts or even get stuck somewhere in between."
"I'm not taking any chances," said Sirius. "I want you to lock this side of the door. Nobody is using this into or out of Hogwarts again, you hear me? Get out of here — run, hide your family."
Borgin was muttering, "He'll kill me! He'll kill me and my family if he knew..."
Sirius paid no attention and ran out of the shop to a dark, secluded alley. Summoning three of his Patronuses, he relayed the message, "Death Eaters are going to attack Hogwarts now through a secret tunnel inside the castle. Prepare yourselves!"
He sent the three dog Patronuses to Remus, Tonks and Mad-Eye, then he pulled out his mirror, calling for Harry again. But there was no response. Maybe, Harry was asleep unaware of what was happening. Convincing himself that that was what had happened, he Disapparated to Hogsmeade.
oOo
"What do you mean you won't let me in?" growled Sirius angrily. He was standing outside the gates of Hogwarts, arguing with the Aurors on duty that night. Maybe he should have taken his chances with that cabinet after all.
"You have no business here, Mr. Black," said Dawlish in a bored voice. "You need permission from at least one of the staff to—"
"Have you been listening at all, you gormless idiot? Death Eaters are attacking Hogwarts right now!"
"Really, Mr. Black, one would think I know perfectly well who goes in and out of Hogwarts being the Auror on duty. I'm starting to think you're an impostor and you're only trying to find a way in."
"We can't get in unless a member of the staff opens the gates from the inside," said Proudfoot, speaking over Dawlish. He clearly realized the urgency in Sirius' voice better than Dawlish and was also seemingly ready to believe him.
Sirius huffed, "I'll find another way in."
Ten minutes later, Sirius and the two Aurors were running along the secret tunnel from Honeydukes' cellar after having broken into the shop. Dawlish had insisted on coming along with him, saying that he still couldn't trust him if he were an impostor and had summoned Savage to take his place on duty.
"Is this how you sneaked into Hogwarts when you had escaped from Azkaban?" asked Proudfoot.
"Why didn't you just use this instead of coming to the gates?" said Dawlish irritably.
"Could you shut up for a moment?" grumbled Sirius. He had tried to do the civil thing and go through the front gates instead of breaking into a shop. But if everyone wanted him to act like an escaped convict again…
Sirius had forgotten how long the passage took to get to Hogwarts. Proudfoot and Dawlish were a little further behind, just because Sirius wouldn't stop to help them up when they slipped and stumbled on the uneven floor.
After what felt like a long time, they reached the end of the tunnel and Sirius found himself on the third floor of Hogwarts, followed closely by the Aurors.
He changed to Padfoot, his senses becoming more pronounced as a dog. He could hear shouts and breaking noises far away and he followed them, bounding along faster than any human, leaving the Aurors far behind to catch up. He changed to human mid-run and pulled out his wand as he turned a corner and a body flew towards him with such force that he was knocked to the ground.
"Sirius?"
Sirius recognized Ron's voice and he was getting up when a spell whizzed past his ear and collided with the wall behind him.
"Get up, get up!" yelled Sirius, pulling up Ron, who was slightly dazed from the fall. "Ron, where's Harry?" he asked urgently.
Ron still looked disoriented. "He went with Dumbledore."
Sirius froze in shock. Dumbledore took his godson to a lake full of Inferi?
Before he could become properly angry with Dumbledore, his attention was taken by the scene in front of him, which was a mess. Half of the ceiling had fallen in and everything was covered in dust. Hermione and another girl were lying on one side; Rowle was fighting Tonks and Yaxley duelled Remus. Moody was taking on both Gibbon and Selwyn, and Sirius rushed to help, yelling at Ron to get out of there and take his friends with him. Sirius shot a Stunning spell at Selwyn who fell to the floor unaware of his attacker.
The dust cleared slightly and he saw Ginny taking on Amycus, who was giggling madly and throwing Cruciatus after Cruciatus. Ginny had no time to retaliate as she was busy dodging them.
Sirius joined her when, at that moment, Amycus threw a Killing curse straight at Ginny. Sirius immediately waved his wand thinking, 'Ferrifors!'
The round wall of iron reverberated when the Killing curse struck it and disintegrated. Ginny yelled 'Stupefy!' from behind the metal shield and the man was thrown back forcefully, his body limp.
It came as quite a surprise when Sirius caught a glimpse of Harry running past him after two black figures at the end of the corridor.
Sirius called for him, but Harry did not stop or even acknowledge him. Sirius looked around and saw McGonagall taking down Alecto Carrow with Proudfoot's help. Dawlish and Tonks had taken down Rowle, but Yaxley had likely escaped as Remus was helping up the kids.
Assuming that they were all safe for the moment, Sirius went after Harry, who was nowhere to be seen. He thought he saw a bloody footprint just ahead and he ran past. He could hear screams and shouts, and voices grew louder. He changed into his Animagus and ran faster, rushing past the Hufflepuff students who had probably awoken due to the clamour from the fight above.
More than a handful of students screamed at the sight of him, but Sirius leaped past the stairs and out through the front doors into the dark night.
He could see figures near the gates and the occasional bursts of light threw Hagrid's giant form into stark relief. Yaxley was fighting Hagrid, and Harry… Harry was flying backwards before he hit the ground. The man towering over Harry was unmistakeably Severus Snape.
Padfoot was sprinting fast – it didn't surprise him at all that Snape had turned on them. All that mattered was getting to Harry…
Padfoot could hear the inhuman rage from Snape when he yelled, "DON'T CALL ME COWARD!"
Snivellus had whipped out his wand but before he could point it at Harry, Padfoot leaped over him and pounced onto Snape, sinking his teeth into his flesh.
Snape yelled out in pain and attempted to throw him off, but Padfoot clenched his jaw tighter, tasting blood.
A powerful slam on his chest threw him aside and Sirius became human again. He spat out blood and wiped his mouth before looking up to see the Malfoy kid supporting Snape, both of them Disapparating just outside the gates. Yaxley too Disapparated, leaving a stunned Auror, probably Savage, on the ground.
"Sirius?"
Harry was walking towards him, dishevelled but mostly unharmed. Sirius stood up groggily, relieved that Harry was okay. Hagrid came out of the blazing fire that was his hut, holding Fang, and with Sirius and Harry's help, he put out the fire.
"What're you doin' here, Sirius? I just saw them Death Eaters and what the ruddy hell was Snape doin' with 'em?"
"Snape," spat out Sirius viciously. "That greasy git was a Death Eater all along! I can't wait for Dumbledore to know about this…"
"What?" thundered Hagrid. "What're yeh talking about, Sirius? Snape was giving the Death Eaters chase, wasn't he? Where's he gone?"
"He attacked Harry," explained Sirius, glowering. "He's a Death Eater, I know it."
"Nah, it can't be—"
Sirius and Hagrid looked around to see Harry already a few feet away, walking slowly towards the castle.
"Come on, Hagrid," said Sirius, "We'll need to help the others."
"Dumbledore must 'ave told Snape to go with the Death Eaters," said Hagrid reasonably, still not accepting the fact. "He must 'ave attacked Harry to keep his cover."
Sirius wasn't listening to Hagrid, however, as he saw Harry heading towards the foot of the tallest tower, directly where, to Sirius' horror, the Dark Mark was shining above. It was the stuff of nightmares, seeing the Dark Mark in person after years. People were beginning to huddle around and Harry's steps became hurried as he jogged forward.
Sirius' eyebrows knitted in worry at the cold realization that somebody had been killed by the Death Eaters.
Harry had already disappeared into the mass of people and Sirius had to fight his way to the front.
His eyes widened in disbelief. It seemed impossible. He had never imagined he would see Albus Dumbledore dead.
Harry was kneeling beside him, staring at the Headmaster, who seemed for all the world like he was asleep beneath the stars.
Sirius walked forward slowly; he heard Hagrid let out a howl of disbelief and more people pressed closer to see for themselves.
Sirius knelt beside Harry; it was like being in the graveyard back in Godric's Hollow all over again.
"He killed him," whispered Harry, still unable to look away from Dumbledore. Sirius did not have to guess who Harry meant. That was the only explanation of why Harry had gone after Snape.
"He killed him in cold blood," said Harry and Sirius saw his eyes glisten. Wordlessly, Sirius put his arm around Harry who immediately buried his face into his shoulder. Harry didn't sob; not even a whimper escaped his lips, but Sirius' robes were soaked through to his chest.
oOo
Shouts and wails surrounded them as people realized what had happened. More people were surrounding them and Sirius thought it best for Harry to move away from the crowd.
"We can't stay here," said Sirius and Harry nodded reluctantly. Sirius helped him up and pushed his way out of the crowd, past the students peering at them.
Ron was beside the marble staircase, looking pale. He took one look at Sirius and Harry and said, "Is it true? Dumbledore—?"
Harry nodded and Ron paled. He turned to Sirius. "McGonagall's ordered everyone to the Hospital Wing."
"Is everyone okay?" asked Sirius as they made their way together to the Hospital Wing.
"Everyone's fine."
"But there was someone on the ground," said Harry, speaking up. "I thought I stepped over someone…"
"That was probably Luna and Neville. They're okay," added Ron hastily, seeing Harry's expression. "Luna was simply stunned. Flitwick and Neville are both hurt, but they'll be okay or so Madam Pomfrey says. If we hadn't taken that Felix, we'd have all been dead, but everything just only missed us…"
"What about the Death Eaters?" asked Sirius.
"Those Aurors were a great help," said Ron. "They have all the Death Eaters rounded up and subdued. I heard that man, Proudfoot, saying they've alerted the Ministry to get the captured Death Eaters up to Azkaban soon."
They reached the Hospital Wing and they could see Luna and Neville lying prone on beds, fast asleep. Hermione, Ginny, Remus, and Tonks were gathered together, talking.
Everyone looked up and moved towards them as soon as they had entered.
"Is it true what they're saying?" asked Tonks. "Dumbledore's—"
"Dead," said Sirius, nodding.
"No!" exclaimed Remus in disbelief. Sirius knew Remus had respected and even treasured Dumbledore's trust in him. It was bound to hit him hard. Tonks held him in her embrace comfortingly and Sirius looked away just as Hermione asked in horror, "How did he die?"
Sirius was intrigued too and he listened to Harry explaining how they had been in the Astronomy tower together when the Malfoy kid disarmed Dumbledore, followed soon by Snape.
There was only silence when he had finished and it was broken by the lament of a lone phoenix. Sirius still could not believe that Dumbledore was dead. It sounded odd even to speak of it.
Dumbledore had always been the one constant person throughout the war.
He was always present, always giving them hope in the fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Sirius' time in Hogwarts despite being during the middle of a war had been fairly sheltered, safe even. All because of the unshakeable security that Dumbledore's presence had given them.
Sirius had joined the Order along with his best friends, not only because it was a cause worth fighting for, but also because they weren't without hope. A hope that had been Albus Dumbledore, the only person Voldemort had ever feared.
Of course, he was then put in Azkaban and had lost all of that hope in the man. In some way, it was his own fault for not having trusted Dumbledore enough to let him know of the switch in Secret Keepers.
But Dumbledore had almost made up for it, by helping to give Harry to him for good and also by trusting Sirius with the knowledge of how to finish Voldemort.
It was going to be a very different world now without their leader spearheading their cause.
The Hospital doors opened and Minerva entered along with Mad-Eye.
Minerva asked Harry how it had happened and she fell into a chair, looking faint, unable to believe that Snape had killed him.
Sirius wondered why everyone had held Snape in such high regard, enough to not even believe that he could have killed Dumbledore. He, on the other hand, had no doubts. He had always suspected Snape all along.
"Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater," growled Mad-Eye. "I wonder what that bastard did to convince Albus…"
"I know," said Harry, and Sirius looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Snape passed Voldemort the information that made Voldemort hunt down my mum and dad. Then Snape told Dumbledore he hadn't realized what he was doing, he was really sorry he'd done it, sorry that they were dead."
Sirius' blood ran cold. "What?" he growled through gritted teeth.
So it was Snivellus that had heard the prophecy? It was no wonder Dumbledore had never revealed the identity of the Death Eater to him, James and Lily.
"And Dumbledore believed that?" said Remus incredulously. "Dumbledore believed Snape was sorry James was dead? Snape hated James…"
"I'm going to kill that bastard," said Sirius, clenching and unclenching his fist. Not one of them disagreed.
"This is all my fault," said Minerva suddenly. She explained that it had been her who had alerted Snape to help them fight the Death Eaters. Remus consoled her, but Harry looked as furious as he did.
Minerva explained how Dumbledore had informed them that he was going to be leaving the school for the night and so Remus, Tonks, and Mad-Eye were stationed to protect all the entryways. "I still don't know how the Death Eaters can possibly have entered…"
"Using the Vanishing Cabinets," said Sirius.
"How do you know about that? How did you know there was an attack anyway?" asked Harry, curiously.
"I was on Order duty along with Hestia," said Sirius. "We noticed Death Eaters meeting in their regular pub and we disguised ourselves to learn what they were up to. They were planning to meet at Borgin & Burke's. They found out who I was before I could escape because of your voice through the mirror, Harry."
Harry looked puzzled before he remembered. "I tried to call you, to let you know I was going with Dumbledore."
"I figure that now," said Sirius with a nod. "There was a fight and Hestia was attacked by Greyback."
Almost everyone gasped and Tonks yelped, "Is she okay?"
"She's got a scratch that I'm afraid will scar though he wasn't a werewolf tonight, but otherwise she's fine."
Sirius went on to explain how he had come upon the cabinet in Borgin & Burke's.
"I should have just stunned those Carrows as soon as I had seen them," muttered Sirius spitefully. "But I hadn't a clue what those cabinets did until after they had gone through it. I told Borgin to seal that side of the door so no one could go in or out. I also alerted Remus, Tonks and Mad-Eye about the attack."
"And thank Merlin you did," said Moody gruffly.
"We were patrolling the grounds; we had no idea they would already be inside the castle. As soon as you alerted us, we got into the castle immediately to check all the secret tunnels," said Tonks. "We ran into the kids and they let us know they had seen the Malfoy boy and the Death Eaters come out of the Room of Requirement."
"I should have believed you, Harry," said Minerva, looking distressed. "Malfoy was a Death Eater all along and I suspect behind all of the attacks this year."
"He was," said Harry, nodding. "He confessed as much to Dumbledore."
"I must ask you though what you were doing with him tonight," said Minerva, her usual sternness returning as she straightened. "It could be important."
"I can't tell you that, Professor," said Harry without hesitation. Mad-Eye and Remus were staring at him, the latter even giving Sirius a curious glance.
"Harry, it might be important," said Minerva and Harry nodded. "It is, very. But he didn't want me to tell anyone."
Minerva glared at him and then turned to Sirius with a frown. "Aren't you going to say anything about this?"
"There's nothing to say that Harry hasn't told you already," said Sirius and Harry looked at him gratefully. "I'm afraid this matter is not your concern, Minerva."
"But—"
"There's one thing you should know though," interrupted Harry. "Madam Rosmerta's under the Imperius Curse, she was helping Malfoy and the Death Eaters, that's how the necklace and the poisoned mead —"
"Rosmerta?" said Professor McGonagall incredulously, but before she could go on, the doors opened to reveal Proudfoot and Hagrid.
"The Minister has arrived," said Proudfoot. "He's waiting in your office."
"Yes, yes, I will be up momentarily," said Minerva. "Alastor, will you come with me to discuss the final rites with the Minister?"
Moody grunted and limped along with Minerva, who left the Hospital Wing, asking Hagrid to inform all Heads of House to go up to the Headmaster's office.
"What'll they do now?" asked Ron, breaking the silence.
"I suspect there'll be a funeral," said Sirius. Both Hermione and Ginny paled at the idea.
"Sirius, we have to gather the Order immediately," said Remus. "They need to be informed."
Sirius nodded and drew Harry aside. "Will you be okay?"
Harry stared up at him and in that moment, Sirius was painfully aware of how young he was to be dealing with all of it.
Harry swallowed and nodded. Sirius squeezed his shoulder and Harry leaned on to him briefly.
"Don't think too much and get some sleep," said Sirius. "We have all the time we need to deal with everything tomorrow, alright?"
Harry nodded again and Sirius left his godson with his friends to give the Order of the Phoenix the grave news that their leader was no more.
oOo
Harry watched Sirius, Remus, and Tonks leave the Hospital Wing with melancholy. He still couldn't believe Dumbledore was gone. He had already lost his parents and now his mentor.
He put his hands into his pocket and he clutched the locket that Dumbledore had fought so hard to retrieve. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were talking, and Harry slowly walked out of the Hospital Wing, his feet carrying him aimlessly through the dark, empty corridors.
The metal was cold against his palm and Harry pulled out the Horcrux, surveying it. He had noticed that it hadn't looked similar at all to Slytherin's locket when he had scooped it into his pocket – it hadn't mattered then, when he had been kneeling beside Dumbledore's body.
Now though, he realized it wasn't as big as the locket he had seen in the Pensieve nor did it have Slytherin's mark.
He opened it and a small, folded up piece of parchment fell out of it into his hand.
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
Harry had thought he couldn't be more shocked after witnessing Dumbledore's death, but he surprised himself. This wasn't a Horcrux at all. Dumbledore drank that potion for nothing.
Curiously, a strange sensation erupted in his chest and in spite of himself, laughter bubbled from his lips, uncontrollably gleeful. A sharp, hot pain coursed through his scar.
Triumph overrode his shock and he was drunk on ecstasy.
After a fleeting moment, his laughter stopped as sudden as it had come and his mirthless grin froze on his face.
The corridor seemed very quiet again and a chill ran down his spine.
That hadn't been him. That triumph and happiness hadn't been his.
It belonged to Lord Voldemort.
oOo
A/N: A big thank you to my beta evadnekapaneos for beta'ing this long ass chapter. Thank you for all the reviews and your patience. I've been going through an emotionally trying time and its been so hard to sit down and write when you're not completely into it.
We shall now be entering into the next arc of the story and I promise it's going to be a different take on DH. The over-arching plot is the same: To find the Horcruxes and finish Voldemort but I will take a slightly different route to get there. The next update will probably take a couple of weeks.
Until then,
See you.
