A huge thank you to Ambush99 for betaing this chapter!

Another chapter before Christmas! I really didn't think it was going to happen but there you go. Happy Christmas everyone!

Chapter 18

Moody paced up and down his office. Twenty four hours ago his life had been uncomplicated, well as uncomplicated as it had ever been. Then, what should have been a simple observation job had turned into the current situation. Sirius had returned half dead. Voldemort had returned and now, one of their key suspects was worse than dead. He knew Fudge was an idiot. He had suspected he would denounce any notion that Voldemort had returned, but this was taking it to the extreme. He ran a hand through his thinning hair. He had been distracted; he had taken his eye off the ball. Sirius had been critically injured; he'd been more concerned about him than anything else going on around him. He had let Fudge 'question' Quirrell, only to later find Fudge had summoned a Dementor. Now they had no chance to question him and find out Voldemort's plans. He grabbed his battered travelling cloak. He would check on Sirius and see how the lad was doing. As much as it pained him that Sirius had been hurt, they had been lucky. He doubted anyone else would have got out of that situation alive. He sighed, he almost thought of Sirius as the son he never had, but then why did he send him out to situations where he knew there was a possibility he may not return?

"Moody?" Kingsley asked nervously, as his head of department strode past him.

"Kingsley, don't let anyone go out on any missions until you have my go ahead," Moody said, barely stopping to make eye contact.

"Where's Sirius?" Kingsley pushed, observing his colleague's absence.

"He's currently unavailable," Moody said evenly.

"What?" Kingsley pushed. "Moody, what's happening? Why is Fudge summoning Dementors?"

"I will explain everything later. Just, please, no one goes out on missions until I have briefed them. The situation has changed."

"Does it involve Sirius?"

"Yes," Moody said quietly.

"Is he okay?"

"He will be."

Kingsley nodded. "I'll recall Butler and Stokes, everyone else is back," he said calmly. "Whatever it is, it's big isn't?"

Moody nodded sadly. "Yes, the worst news we've had in nearly fourteen years."

"He's back isn't he?" Kingsley questioned. He watched Moody nod. "And Sirius was there?" He watched Moody nod again. "Damn it! Why can't the world give him a bloody break?! You and Sirius knew something like this would happen."

Moody nodded again. "Yes, I never believed he'd died, nor did Sirius. I always believed he was out there, growing in strength, waiting for the right moment to return."

"What caused him to disappear the first time?"

"I'm sorry; I'm not at liberty to discuss that."

"What are we going to do to defeat him?" Kingsley asked.

"We already have a plan in motion," Moody replied.

"It's what you and Sirius have been working on since he returned," Kingsley said. He watched Moody nod, confirming his theory. "You think it's going to be worse than last time, don't you?"

"Yes, but we are better prepared this time. Sirius was not supposed to survive, he was not supposed to bear witness and warn us."

"What does Fudge say?"

"He questions the mental stability of the witness," Moody growled.

"What? He thinks Sirius is lying?"

"Basically, yes. He believes Sirius has made it up for attention!" Moody spat.

"What the hell?! Does he know how ridiculous that sounds? Why does he think Sirius would make it up for attention?" Kingsley exclaimed.

"Don't ask me to try and fathom the mind of that bloody man. Personally, I think he feels threatened by Sirius. I reckon he thinks Sirius is after his job."

"What? Sirius after Fudge's job?! The man's insane. Don't get me wrong, I think Sirius would do a far better job than Fudge but-"

"You aren't alone in that opinion," Moody cut in. "A lot of people think that. I think this has pushed Fudge over the edge. If he believes Voldemort has returned, then he has to admit Sirius has been right all of this time. I reckon he thinks that will destroy him politically."

"He's worried about his career and bloody politics!" Kingsley exclaimed. "Does he remember what it was like last time?! My uncle was murdered by death eaters. How many colleagues did we lose?! And Fudge is worried about his bloody career. Does he realise there won't be a Ministry if Voldemort returns to full strength!"

"The man's incompetence is showing more and more each day," Moody said darkly as he started to walk towards the door. "I'll be back in a bit; I just need to see Sirius."

"Where is he?"

"At St. Mungo's."

"Is he badly hurt?"

Moody nodded. "He probably shouldn't be alive," he said grimly.

"If he needs anything, let me know," Kingsley said kindly.

"Of course," Moody said as he clapped his hand on Kingsley's shoulder. He walked out of the department, sinking his hands deep into his pockets, lost in thought. All he knew was the cup was a portkey, Quirrell was a death eater and Voldemort had returned. He wondered how much trauma the lad could take. Was he right placing Sirius at the front of his campaign? Hadn't the lad already suffered enough trauma in his life to fill several lifetimes?

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Moody growled, as he watched two figures get out of lift.

"Moody, I'm sorry. I tried but-" James started.

"Evidently not hard enough. Why didn't you bloody hex him or something! Do you realise how badly hurt he is!"

"Do I? Yes, I bloody do. I didn't want to hex him as I didn't want to hurt him any more than he already is! You weren't there the first time," James snapped. "He was going to discharge himself whether we liked it or not. So I thought it best if I went with him. I didn't want him to pass out alone and smack his head."

"Err, I am here by the way," Sirius said softy.

"Well you shouldn't be. Bloody stupid thing you did discharging yourself. They were keeping you in for a fucking reason. Did you ever think of that? Or are you now a bloody healer?" Moody growled.

"I feel like crap, okay!" Sirius bit back. "But I need to talk to you. What happened at the graveyard changes everything. It changes our plan. I've told James and Remus what happened, but I need to discuss it with you."

Moody took a moment to look Sirius up and down. The man looked terrible, he wondered how he even had the ability to stand, let alone walk into the office. "Fine," he said as he led them into the department. "You stay here," he growled at James.

"Do you want me in there?" James asked his friend, ignoring Moody's request.

"I'll be okay, thanks," Sirius replied as he followed Moody into his office.

"Sit," Moody barked.

Sirius sank gratefully into the deep armchair, doubting his ability to remain upright for much longer. He let his head fall into his hands and closed his eyes for a moment. "Thanks," he muttered as something heavy and warm was draped over his shoulders.

Giving Sirius a moment to collect his thoughts, Moody busied himself with making tea. "So what did you want to talk to me about," he said placing a mug of steaming tea in front of Sirius.

"About what happened in the graveyard," Sirius said quietly, not bothering to look up.

"That much I surmised."

"Voldemort's back," Sirius said, finally looking up.

"You told me."

"I'm sorry; my memory after leaving the graveyard is pretty hazy."

"I'm not surprised," Moody said eventually. "You told me Voldemort was back. That the cup was a portkey and it was meant for Harry. And Quirrell was a death eater."

Sirius nodded. "We need to question him!"

"We can't."

"Why not?"

"Fudge, in yet another display of his 'wisdom', summoned a Dementor."

"Fuck," Sirius swore, looking away for a moment. "We needed him. He was in Voldemort's inner circle."

"Sirius, what happened out there?" Moody pushed gently.

Sirius rubbed his tired face. "It's complicated. I don't understand most of it."

"Try me."

"Well," Sirius began, and he started to tell Moody what had happened in the graveyard.

"The wands connected?" Moody said finally.

"Yeah," Sirius breathed. "It performed a connection. I don't know how or why."

"You got your wand from Olivander's?" Moody asked, watching Sirius nod. "I can only speculate, but I believe you are thinking the same thing. I think for some reason the connection forced the reverse spell affect to take place." He watched Sirius nod sadly. "Who did you see?"

"Wormy and my brother," Sirius said quietly.

"Did they...?" Moody trailed off, not knowing how to approach the topic.

"I 'saw' both of them. Wormy apologised. He said he was wrong. My brother, Reg, he said..." Sirius stopped and rubbed his face again. "He told me Voldemort had created Horcruxes."

"A Horcrux?" Moody questioned.

"You don't know what they are?" Sirius asked.

"No," Moody said, shaking his head.

"All I know is they have essentially made him immortal. In order to kill him, we have to destroy the horcruxes," Sirius explained. "Remus is looking into it in Grimmauld Place's library."

"Merlin!" Moody exclaimed as he stood up and started to pace up and down.

"What did Fudge say?" Sirius asked. He watched Moody's expression turn grim. "He doesn't believe me does he?"

"No," Moody said, shaking his head.

"Great," Sirius said sarcastically. "Did our 'great leader' say why?"

"He thinks you made it up for attention and well, well he questions your mental state."

"Fantastic. He thinks I'm a mad, attention seeking freak!"

"He thinks you are after his job."

"I wish people would quit with these bloody rumours, because I don't want his stupid job! I just, I just want my friends and family to be happy and safe, that's all I've ever wanted."

"I know," Moody said softly. "Get yourself back to the Potters' and rest up. We'll attack this on all fronts in a few days."

Sirius nodded and allowed himself to be guided out of the office, too tired to do anything else. "Thanks," he muttered.

"Get him home," Moody said, directing his request to James.

"Of course," James said as he pulled Sirius' arm around his shoulders. "Come on mate, let's get you home."

Dsd

He woke, with sunlight streaming through the small gap in the curtains. He stretched out carefully. His body just ached now, opposed to the pain he had felt earlier. He had only vaguely remembered the journey to James', his friend pretty much holding him up the whole way.

Gauging by the amount of sunlight streaming through the window, he guessed it had to be about midday. So, he was late for work. He hoped Moody would let him off this once, he doubted it but he could at least try. He wondered if James' mood had improved. He vaguely remembered his friend muttering how stupid he was for most of the journey. Then there was Remus. Had he made any progress? He knew it had only been a few hours, but Remus was such a diligent student, it wouldn't surprise him if he had.

Gingerly, he sat up. Seeing as the world had stopped spinning, he carefully stood up. He looked around the room. His boots had been carefully placed beside the chair and his jacket on the back of it. He had vaguely remembered James taking his jacket and boots off, before he had presumably passed out. Not bothering to put his boots on, he padded downstairs barefoot.

"You're awake," James said as he watched his friend walk into the kitchen. He looked at him for a moment. He still didn't look 100%, but there was a marked improvement from last time.

"What are you doing here?"

James frowned. He was sure Remus hadn't mentioned anything about a head injury, plus Sirius had been completely compos mentis last time he had spoken. "I live here," he said slowly.

"I bloody know that. Why aren't you at work?"

"Because it's Saturday. Mate, you've been out of it for a couple of days," James explained.

"What?" Sirius said, looking confused. "Did you give me a sleeping draught?"

"No. Believe me I considered it. But it appears your body is far more sensible than your mind."

"Shit James, you should've woken me. You know how much work I've got to do!" Sirius said, running a hand through his hair.

"No, I didn't need to wake you, you needed to rest. You should never have left St. Mungo's. Remember, you're not alone in this anymore. You've got Moody, Remus and me. Not forgetting anyone else you have recruited. You cannot do this alone mate, especially not now. The bastard is bloody immortal!" James bit back. "Sirius you need us, and we need you, but that's not going to happen if you carry on like this!"

"You think I'm fucking nuts as well!"

"No I don't and you bloody know it," James snapped. "I think you don't know how or when to ask for help. This is huge. We need the stupid Ministry behind us!"

"Well that's not going to fucking happen!"

"What?!"

"Fudge thinks I'm fucking crazy!"

"Shit," James swore. "He's the crazy one. What the hell is he thinking?"

"He doesn't think. You know that," Sirius said bitterly.

"What are we going to do?"

"I don't know mate," Sirius said quietly as he leant against the kitchen counter top. "I know it makes sense to reform the Order, I just don't know if I'm the right person to lead it. What if others believe Fudge? Then we'll be screwed from the outset. My leadership could destroy everything."

"The people in the Order will believe you; I'm guessing you didn't recruit Fudge?"

"Of course I bloody didn't."

"People will believe you."

"How? When Fudge doesn't. When he controls the Daily Prophet, you know he'll block any news about Voldemort's return. He'll smear anyone who speaks against him. He's already trying it with me," Sirius said anxiously, as he started to pace up and down.

"Well his smear campaign against you isn't working very well is it," James countered. "Fudge's popularity is decreasing on an almost daily basis. He is seen as becoming more and more unreasonable, so if he starts openly attacking you-"

"Oh come on James, don't be so naïve. Voldemort returning is everyone's worst nightmare. Fudge will paint me as crazy and an attention seeker. He'll use my school record-"

"What, as a kid who was bright but messed around a bit? Mate, I think most people can identify with that," James cut in. "I think, if you remember, generally our main objective was not to get caught."

Sirius shook his head. "Mate, you don't understand his game. He'll probably try and pass off my time in captivity as, well living it up abroad and getting on the wrong side of someone's husband."

"What?! Oh come on that's seriously far-fetched!"

"Is it? Who witnessed my imprisonment? Who witnessed my escape? No one James, you are all relying on my word!" Sirius exclaimed as he continued to pace.

"I believe you because I know you. Plus your injuries were not consistent with someone who was just attacked; they were consistent with someone who had prolonged exposure to torture. Then there's Peter's evidence. There is no way he can deny what happened to you!" James retorted.

"Fine! He'll use it against me. He'll say it destroyed me. You yourself said you didn't know anyone who would survive what I went through. He will try and discredit me, but he can't derail the mission. We have to bring down Voldemort!" Sirius said passionately, as he finally stopped pacing. "We can't let Voldemort go through with his plan. He's planning on taking over the Ministry. He's threatening to kill blood traitors, half bloods and muggles. Merlin only knows what he has planned for werewolves, goblins, house elves and anyone else who doesn't fit his exacting standard of what is 'pure'. A bit of a fucking joke considering he's a half blood himself!"

"We will Sirius. Mate, we will stop him," James said, shaking Sirius' shoulders. "Wait, what? Voldemort is a half-blood?"

"His father was a muggle by the name of 'Tom Riddle'," Sirius explained.

"So he wants to destroy himself?"

"No, he loves himself. It's the only thing he's capable of loving, that and his newly acquired pet. He's a crazy, delusional psychopath. Unfortunately, he's one who just happens to wield incredible power. The muggles would refer to his atrocities in the first war as genocide. It's happening right now in the muggle world."

"Sirius, how the hell do you know this?"

"I read."

"When?"

"When I can't sleep."

"Mate," James said slowly. "How badly are you sleeping?"

Sirius looked away. "Mate, I've got to get to Olivander's before it closes," he said, changing the subject.

"Sirius?" James said tensely.

"James, I've got to get to Olivander's before it closes," Sirius repeated.

"Fine," James said defeatedly. "But we'll discuss this tonight." He watched his friend make a face. "I don't care. Remus is coming over. Also, give me one of your damn muggle books. Now I'm part of the plan, I need to help plan it."

Dhf

Sirius stood nervously outside of Olivander's shop for a moment. He could still remember when he'd got his wand as though it were yesterday. His relationship with his parents had already broken down, not quite to the extent it would it in a few days when he'd be sorted into Gryffindor, but it was still strained at best. Then he had spent the best part of two hours until he had found the right wand.

Sighing heavily, he stepped forward and pushed the door, quietly slipping off the street. There was a faint tinkle of a bell somewhere in the back of the shop.

"Ah, Mr. Black, good to see you again."

Sirius shuddered slightly as Olivander appeared. The man still had the ability to slightly creep him out, along with the ability to stand closer than necessary.

"Thirteen and a half inches, cedar with a phoenix tail feather core. Excellent for transfiguration and defence. A tricky customer if I remember correctly; no matter, we got there in the end. But as I always say, it's the wand that chooses the wizard."

Sirius smiled tightly. As much as Olivander unnerved him, he needed this information. "Mr. Olivander, do you mind if I ask you a question?" he said politely.

"Of course Mr. Black, please ask away."

Sirius took a breath and looked around for a moment. "Have you ever heard of a wand performing the reverse spell effect without the incantation?" He frowned. Was it him, or had Olivander gone several shades paler? "Mr. Olivander?"

"Yes, it is a very rare occurrence, when two wands with the same core are forced against each other. I remember every wand I've ever sold Mr. Black, every one. The same phoenix who gave the feather for your wand, only gave one other. The wizard who bought it at the time was called Tom Riddle."

Sirius leant heavily against the shop counter top and fought back the nausea that threatened. He was vaguely aware of Olivander continuing to talk. With great effort, he forced himself back to reality.

"But I think you know Tom Riddle by his other name. I think that's why you were always destined to be connected somehow."