As always, a huge thanks to Ambush99 for betaing this fic!

Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 29

"Pss, Sirius."

Sirius cocked his head slightly in the direction of the voice. "Dung."

"I've got the merchandise."

"Apparate to the location," Sirius said through the corner of his mouth. He sighed. He tried to avoid Grimmauld Place as much as he could, but its location, its protective wards and the opportunities it sometimes presented made it impossible. "Come on boy," he said to Lancelot, before apparating to the house. As he walked through the corridors he shivered. It didn't matter how much time he spent away from the place, it still made his skin crawl. He watched Lancelot for a moment. He'd never brought the dog to Grimmauld Place and, judging by his behaviour, he wouldn't do it again. The poor animal was clearly very uncomfortable in the house. "It's okay boy, we'll be out of here soon," he reassured the whimpering dog.

"Ah, there you are Sirius," Dung said, as he wandered into the kitchen, a heavy looking duffel bag slung over his shoulders. "Very nice, very nice indeed," he said as he looked around the room.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Dung…"

"Is this silver?" Dung asked, picking up and handling a plate.

"Yes, goblin made with the Black family crest," Sirius said with disinterest.

"Very nice indeed," Dung continued, as he held the plate up to the light for further examination.

"Dung, you said you had the 'merchandise'," Sirius cut in.

"What?" Dung said suddenly, almost dropping the plate. "Oh yes, I do, and it's in particularly good condition I might add," he said, putting down the plate and carefully unzipping the bag, as if he was showing several bars of gold.

Sirius stood up, taking a couple of long strides to Dung and the bag. He peered inside briefly before returning his attention to Dung. "So, what do we have?"

"Well Sirius, it was very hard to get hold of. Very hard indeed. The payment…"

"Dung, you cannot bullshit a bullshitter," Sirius cut in, in a calm voice which demanded respect. "I asked you, what do we have?"

"Ah well," Dung started, traces of ill-hid disappointment in his voice. "We have this fine weapon here," he said, pulling out the nearest handgun.

"Merlin, fuck!" Sirius swore, ducking and knocking the gun from his face. "Bloody watch where you're pointing that bloody thing!"

"Sorry about that, Sirius."

"It's fine. I tell you what, I'll take a look at these myself," Sirius said, as he grabbed the barrel and twisted the gun from Dung's hand, setting it down on the table.

"Of course. Err Sirius," Dung said quietly, as he rubbed his fingers together.

"Right," Sirius replied, digging his hand into his pockets, fishing around for a small bag. "This should adequately compensate you for your troubles."

Dung took the bag, and appeared to weigh it. "It appears a little, well light."

"You know I am paying well over the odds."

"But it's risky business, Sirius. I think I should be getting 'hazard pay'," Dung challenged.

"That mission was less dangerous that many other Order missions, I think you have been more than compensated," Sirius said, as he stood over the smaller man, using his height and well-built frame to intimidate him. "If this is too dangerous for you, that's fine. Go and buy some cauldrons that have fallen off the back of a broomstick or something," he said, flicking his fingers dismissively.

"No, no this is fine," Dung said, quickly snatching the bag.

"I trust you can find your way out."

"Of course. It's been a pleasure as always. Oh and Sirius, my apologies about earlier," Dung said trailing off.

"I've already forgotten about it," Sirius said distantly.

Sensing the conversation was over, Dung quickly slipped out of the room. Despite Sirius beginning several years below him at school, he had always tagged him as one not to be messed with, no more so than now. The Sirius at school had been talented and powerful for sure, but there had been an immature, slightly wild nature about him. But not now, the wild and immature nature had been replaced with a maturity far beyond his years, coupled with a calmness he only usually associated with Dumbledore.

Sirius looked down at the bag for a moment. This wasn't something he wanted to be caught with either in the Wizarding or the Muggle world. In the Wizarding world it would earn him a one-way ticket to Azkaban, without a trial no doubt. In the Muggle world he doubted it would be much better. He highly suspected he'd either be accused of illegal arms trading, looking to start a civil war or trying to overthrow the government. All of which he suspected warranted a lengthy custodial sentence. Maybe he was being paranoid, he probably was, but either way, walking around with a duffel bag full of guns wasn't a good idea.

He bent down and ruffled Lancelot's fur. "Come on, let's get out of here. I think you hate it as much I do." Without a further word, he slung the bag over his shoulders, picked up Lancelot and apparated on the spot.

"There you go, boy," Sirius said as he landed outside the cottage. He smiled as he watched the dog run away wildly, leaping at random. "I guess you're as happy as I am to get out of that place." He closed his eyes and took a breath. He may have only spent no more than half an hour in Grimmauld Place, but it still didn't stop it from gripping and tearing away mercilessly at his soul. He shook his head as he tried to clear his thoughts. As he became more comfortable with his role as Head of Department, he felt more comfortable about stepping away from the office. It wasn't as if he didn't trust his colleagues to do their jobs, far from it in fact; he was slowly realising it was quite normal to be away from the office. In any fact his key adversary, Fudge, was barely there: starting at the leisurely time of ten, taking a two-hour lunch before leaving at four.

He wandered into the kitchen, carefully placing the duffel bag on the table. What he was going to do with the guns he wasn't entirely sure; he knew he had to match and counter Voldemort at every turn. He wasn't even sure how to bloody use them, but he knew enough to know Dung's handling of them was a poor idea.

"Arthur Weasley," he said, throwing some powder into the fire.

"Good afternoon, Sirius," Arthur's head said from the fire.

"Arthur, do you have a few minutes now, or whenever you have the time; Dung has managed to pick up the 'merchandise'," Sirius asked softly, hoping no adversaries were listening into their conversation.

"Work is a little slow at the moment, so I could do it now," Arthur replied with a slight smile.

"That would be great," Sirius said, as he stood back to allow Arthur into the room. "Welcome."

"Thank you," Arthur said as he straightened up, dusting the soot off his robes. He took a moment to look around the room, frowning slightly.

"I used to live in London but I've moved to Godric's Hollow," Sirius said, answering Arthur's unspoken question.

"Sorry, I didn't mean pry," Arthur said quickly.

"No bother," Sirius said casually, waving his hand dismissively. "The garden here makes it a lot more convenient to test the merchandise. It may raise a couple of questions in a small back garden in central London."

"I'd imagine so. Have you had a look at them yet?"

"Apart from when Dung nearly took my head off with one, no," Sirius started. He watched Arthur's bemused expression. "The man can be an utter liability, but he's loyal to the cause and he's harmless, well most of the time."

Arthur nodded. "Sirius, if you're expecting me to be an expert…" he said trailing off.

"No, no, not at all. I'm just hoping you have more knowledge than I," Sirius said as he walked into the kitchen. "Well, this is what Dung managed to get hold of."

Arthur took a look for a moment. "Do you think, well you-know-who will…"

"Resort to Muggle weapons? Honestly, I have no idea but I'm not leaving any stone unturned."

"When do you think it will happen?"

Sirius stopped and ran a hand over his face. How did he explain he could feel Voldemort was growing in power without revealing he was a Horcrux? A fact that was deeply personal. A fact only one other living person knew. "I think it'll only be a matter of months, if we are lucky," he said finally. "There is every indication he is growing in strength. He has recalled all of his key lieutenants. He is readying for war." He sighed. If he could just remember key details about his time as a hostage, then maybe he could locate Voldemort's stronghold. He was certain they were the same place. But the mere thought of that place threatened to reduce him to a shaking, vomiting wreck.

"I know it doesn't seem it at times, but you are doing a good job, Sirius. A lot of people believe in you," Arthur reassured. "How are my sons helping?"

"Their information and assistance is invaluable," Sirius said earnestly. "Their knowledge and connections abroad, well, I cannot even begin to explain how helpful they will be."

"What do you plan to do with this information?" Arthur asked curiously.

"I am devising an evacuation policy for the Muggleborns. I have negotiated places at the other, foreign magical schools for all of the Muggleborn kids. I hope they'll be safer there," Sirius said quietly, as he slowly shook his head. "I hope they will be anyway, because if they aren't…" He trailed off and found himself looking down at the floor again.

"You are a good man, Sirius Black, you really are. You will bring honour to the Black family," Arthur said, as he watched the other man. At barely ten years older than Bill, this man was taking on the fate of the wizarding world.

Sirius sighed, and almost laughed. "Maybe, but I never really felt like a Black. I never fitted in with their ideals."

Arthur paused for a moment, as he pondered his next question. "When did you…"

"When did I realise my family were raving mad, cruel, bigoted bastards?" Sirius answered. He took a breath and thought for a moment. "When I was five," he finally answered. "Being their first born, their heir, I was always treated as an asset. I didn't realise it at the time, but that's all I was to them, something to continue the pureblood line. My life up to then was a series of carefully structured lessons, society parties and play dates with carefully selected members of the sacred twenty-eight. But then there was one afternoon in June, I think. It had been really hot for days; I remember looking out the window and seeing these kids. They were kicking what I now know is a football and running under a burst water main. They looked," Sirius paused again. "They looked happy, they looked free. The house was sweltering, I just couldn't help myself, so I ended up joining them. My mother, well to say she wasn't pleased is putting it mildly. I lost count of how long the lecture she gave me was, of how muggles were filth and should be killed." He paused again, as he glossed over all of the details. "A few weeks later my cousin Andromeda babysat and I talked to her about it. We went shopping in Muggle London, I met Ted, her boyfriend, now husband. The rest you could say is history. The rest of my family are death eaters."

Arthur nodded, not really knowing what to say. He'd asked what, on reflection, had been a very personal question, and he was surprised by the in-depth answer he had received. "My family, we are committed to the cause against you-know-who." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Well there's Percy…"

"He's nineteen and exploring who is he and what he wants from the world. He's not a bad kid; he'll be alright. You don't need to worry about him. Whatever happens, I'll ensure he's safe."

"Sirius?"

"He'll be fine Arthur, I promise he'll be safe. I swear on my life I will not let anything happen to him," Sirius said, returning his attention to the bag of weapons. "Shall we?"


"Mr. Black, these plans are ridiculous!" Fudge exclaimed, his eyes flashing menacingly.

"I know they'll be a minor inconvenience whilst we set them up, but I do feel they are necessary," Sirius said calmly.

"Why? Because you think there's going to be a war?!" Fudge laughed.

"Yes," Sirius replied, still in a calm voice. "Minister, please, whilst we still can. Please let my department establish our defences."

"Mr. Black, there isn't going to be a war, it's just a figment of your deranged mind. I think you actually want us to be at war," Fudge bit back.

Sirius ran a hand over his face. "No, god no," he whispered. "I do not want war. I would go to any lengths I can to prevent this war, but I cannot see any other option."

"It is ridiculous Mr. Black. You-know-who is dead. He died years ago. And your claim he has returned is as deranged as your mind," Fudge sneered, his eyes boring into the other man.

Sirius shook his head. "Fine, but at the very least let me speak to Dumbledore. We at the very least can add protection at the school."

"Why?"

"Because they are children. They are innocent, they do not deserved to be harmed or affected by this war!"

"There is no war!" Fudge growled.

"Fine," Sirius said, holding up his hands. "Fine, if that's what you want, Minister."

"Yes it is, and I would rather you didn't bother me anymore with these ridiculous requests. Good day to you and please show yourself out," Fudge snapped. "I have some important business to attend to!"

"Of course," Sirius growled. He knew he could argue with the Minister but it would be fruitless, he'd just have to ensure the Ministry and Hogwarts were secured without the Minister's consent. Without a further word he left the room.

"Mate?"

Sirius looked up and found a smile for his friend, who had Lancelot on a lead. "James."

"Fudge?" James asked. He watched his friend nod. "Let's get out of here."

Sirius took a moment to inhale the aroma of damp leaves, as they landed in his back garden. "He's such a fucking twat!" he swore, as he started to pace up and down.

"So, he didn't agree with your plan?"

"Oh no, Mr. Black, there's no such thing as war," Sirius snapped, mimicking Fudge's voice.

"Fuck," James swore. "Seriously?! And even if you are wrong, which I don't think for a moment you are, what harm would it do? It would be a minor inconvenience for a couple of days whilst you guys set it up. That's it. What the hell is he bloody thinking?" He paused and looked up at his friend. "Yeah, I know the bastard doesn't bloody think!"

"It fucking pisses me off! He's not even letting me talk to Dumbledore about adding defences to Hogwarts! It's a school for god's sake!"

"But you are blatantly going to ignore that one, aren't you?"

Sirius shot his friend a sly smile. "Of course. What the Minister doesn't know, can't harm me."

James laughed. "Somehow mate, we'll work around the Ministry."

"Errr, mate I think we already are. It's called the Order."

"Haha, yes very funny, smartass," James retorted. "Are you set for the next full moon tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I think it'll be easier this time. I mean, Remus knows the wolf cannot escape, and I think the wolf will recognise Padfoot and Prongs. It should be fun."

"Like old times," James said grinning.

"When we didn't have a care in the world," Sirius said distantly. "Mate, I need you to help me with something."

"Sure, whatever you want."

"I need you to help me remember," Sirius said quietly.

"Remember what?" James asked frowning.

"I need you to help me remember where I was held," Sirius said, looking away for a moment.

"What? Why?" James exclaimed.

"Because I think that's Voldemort's stronghold and..."

"No, no fucking way," James growled. "I swore I would find that place and burn it to the ground. You are never going to step foot in that place again."

"James?"

"You were dying and that's when I swore, you would never go back to place!"

"But, look I'm sorry okay. I never wanted any of my crap to hurt you," Sirius said in a near whisper.

"What? What the hell Sirius?! Mate, it wasn't your fault. You didn't choose to be kidnapped. You didn't choose to be held in that hellhole," James growled. "All you choose to do was to fight, and I am so glad you did. But I am not helping you find that place, and I am not going to let you ever step foot in that place again. In any case I don't think it's Voldemort's stronghold anymore. You escaped. How the hell does he know you can't remember it?! The closest you are ever going to get to that place is sitting on a boat, watching it burn to the ground."

"But if it helps…"

"No," James said shaking his head. "No way."

Sirius stopped and looked up at the moon. "Fine," he said shaking head. "Fine. Look, mate, I need to show you how to set up these wards."

"Sure mate, we have time," James said lightly.

"No, I need to show you how to set them up. We both know I am not going to survive this war. I need to know Remus will be safe. I need to know you will be safe," Sirius said desperately, as he resumed pacing.

"Sirius, what are you talking about?"

"After I'm gone, I need to know Remus will be okay. I don't want him to be forced to lock himself away in that shack up north. He shouldn't have to isolate himself. He should be with his friends and family. Please James, you have to listen to me," Sirius pleaded. He stopped pacing and looked up at the moon again. "Just please, James, please let me show you how to set up the wards."

"Okay," James said quietly, as he laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Sirius, what's happening?"

"We are going to be at war soon and I am not going to survive it…" Sirius said, tailing off. "I need to make sure everything is okay."

"You don't know you won't survive. We still might be able to remove the Horcrux," James said desperately. "There has to be a way to get rid of it."

"No mate," Sirius said shaking his head. "No, there is no way to remove it. We have gone through all the research and there's nothing."

"If you just let Remus know, then…"

"No, I don't want to burden him with it and I am sorry I burdened you with it, but we cannot remove the Horcrux," Sirius said in a near whisper, as he looked down at the ground. "I'm so sorry mate, I really didn't want to burden you with it, but so…"

"No, mate, I am glad you did. I hate Voldemort. I hate what he did to you. I hate that he fucking embedded his fucking soul into you. I am going to find a way to get it out of you," James said furiously, as he shook Sirius' shoulders. "Mate, we are going to find a way. I promise you!"

"James, mate this isn't something we can fix," Sirius said quietly, as he laid a hand on James' shoulder. "The only way we can discover if it is possible to remove the Horcrux is to create more of them and embed them into other living things. And I am not about to start subjecting other living beings to that. I can't, it makes me no better than Voldemort!"

"Okay Sirius, okay we won't do that. But I am sure we'll find a way."

"James, I am not going to survive this war. I don't want to die, but I don't have a choice. If I am alive, then so is Voldemort! And I cannot allow that to happen, just because of my selfish notion to remain alive. Please James you have to listen to me!" Sirius yelled, as he started pacing again. "For fuck's sake do you think I want to die?! No I fucking don't, but I have to."

"Okay, tell me how to create the wards. Remus will be fine."

"Thank you," Sirius exhaled. "I am going to give you all of my research on Lycanthropy. Between both of our research maybe we will find a cure, and Remus can have a normal life."

"That would be great," James said grinning.

"At some point Fudge will look for appeasement. He'll try and broker a deal with Voldemort, but Voldemort will break those terms. You cannot let Fudge look into negotiating those terms, if he does…." Sirius trailed off.

"Sirius what the hell is this all about? Why the hell are you being so final? We might have years!" James exclaimed. "We might…"

"James, we don't. Voldemort has been readying for war for months, and the final parts are falling into place." Sirius paused and took a breath. "We are going to be at war in a matter of weeks."

"Shit," James swore. "Fuck, I knew we were going to be at war, but I thought we had more time before it happened." He stopped and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up as he did. "Hell, let's forget about this for a bit, at least until after the next moon. Let's escape and pretend for a bit. I know it sounds pathetic but…." he trailed off.

"No James, it sounds a great idea. We spend our whole time trying to wrestle this beast. The thought of just, well, being free for one night. Just pretending we aren't at war and we are just kids again," Sirius said with a grin. "Get here for four tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a plan."


Sirius stuffed the last few things in the bag. Last night had been fun. It was almost as if they had been kids again at Hogwarts, with barely a care in the world. He had shown James and Remus how to set up the wards. He knew now that Remus would be safe during a full moon. He was at ease knowing one of his friends would be safe during the hardest times of his life. He had shared his Lycanthropy notes with James, hoping that at some point after the war a cure would be found for Lycanthropy and Remus would be free from it. He knew he would not be around to see it but at least his friend would be free from it.

"Hey boy, come here," Sirius called. He found a small, sad smile as he watched Lancelot trot up to him. He didn't want to leave him. The dog had done so much for him, but he couldn't take him where he was going. "James will be here soon. He'll look after you, I promise. I hate abandoning you, but I cannot take you with me. You don't deserve to watch another owner die." He bent down, burying his face in the dog's fur, as tears began to streak down his face.

He stood up, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He bit his lip as he looked around the house. At the photos around the room. At the random pint glass he had taken from the pub when he'd been celebrating Remus' birthday. The memories of normality. The events he would never experience again. But it had to be this way. He carefully placed the note on the table before grabbing the bag and walking out the door. He could not look back. He was too afraid to. He knew if he did, he might not have the strength to do what he was about to do.