Finally, the return of Secret Keeper. My apologies for the delay in updating, my muse was occupied by my other fic, 'In Darkness, where fear and shadows lie'. Anyway, here you go.

As always a huge thank you to Ambush99 for her wonderful betaing skills!

Chapter 36

"Wow, this is amazing," James said through a mouthful of steak.

"Told you it would be a piece of cake," Sirius replied, as he wiped a chip around the plate, soaking up any remnant juices.

"What was that thing you used to pay?"

"A bank card."

"But I thought Muggles used paper money."

Sirius sighed and then laughed. "Really mate, you should have taken Muggle studies."

"Why? When I was going to marry the smartest Muggle-born witch there is," James said with a grin.

"And clearly you have learnt so much," Sirius said sarcastically.

"I have, okay."

"Really? Because I think I remember your meeting with Lily's sister and husband being an unmitigated disaster."

"It's not my fault he's a troll and she's a hard-nosed git."

"True," Sirius said grinning. "But it may have helped you with the Muggle money and shopping back there."

"And you learnt that in Muggle Studies?" James asked through raised eyebrows.

"Admittedly not, I had to learn most of it later, as Wizarding education bases their perspective of the Muggle world on about 1900."

"Precisely," James said grinning. "Anyway, work smarter, not harder, Sirius old boy."

"You're such a lazy git."

"No, a smart, resourceful individual."

Sirius sighed and shook his head. "I sometimes think the wizarding world is backwards at times. Take how we write papers; with a piece of old parchment and a quill?! How many times has the pot of ink exploded in your bag? How many times have you had to attempt to read someone's shit handwriting?"

"So, what does Minister Black propose?"

"Piss off."

"What? You're the youngest head of department the aurors have ever had. So Minister isn't a huge leap."

Sirius looked down and away for a moment. "Little bit of a problem there, mate," he said quietly.

"Oh shit, sorry Sirius, I didn't think. I'm so sorry!"

"James, it's okay," Sirius said, holding up his hands.

"I'm sorry Sirius, I just-"

"Anyway, me as Minister of Magic?!" Sirius said with a bark-like laugh. "Nah, I'm way too much of a gobby shite."

"Anyway, what do you propose instead of parchment and quill?"

"Computers."

"What, the box type thing with another glowing box?"

"Yeah," Sirius replied, frowning at his friend's somewhat interesting description.

"Ministry tried one, but it blew up."

"Really?"

"Apparently so."

"Blew up or was blown up?"

"That my friend, is the question. With the good old Minister using it, it was probably blown up. But I agree with you, it sometimes seems our world is stuck in the past and is frightened to progress," James said thoughtfully.

Sirius rubbed his face. Whilst he enjoyed the light-hearted banter with his best friend, time was a luxury they did not have. "So, where do you think we should go next?"

"What?!" James replied, confused at Sirius' sudden change of conversation.

"Where do you think the next horcrux is?" Sirius replied tiredly, not looking up.

"I think, I think a better question is what is the next horcrux," James said calmly, eyeing his friend with concern. "We've, well you've destroyed two and there's four more."

"Five," Sirius correct.

James made a face. "Let's not talk about that."

Sirius sighed. "We know what and where one is, as it's in this tent."

"Sirius!" James exclaimed.

"Prongs, we can't keep pretending. I am a horcrux. There is no cure other than death by Voldemort's hand."

"For fuck's sake I know that Padfoot, but please!" James exclaimed desperately.

"Fine!" Sirius snapped.

"Padfoot please. I know it's selfish, I'm just struggling with the fact my best mate, who escaped Voldemort, who sacrificed so much for me, has to be murdered by that bastard in order for the rest of us to be safe. In order for the rest of us to be free."

"I'm sorry," Sirius said quietly, looking down again.

"It's okay," James said equally quietly. "So, the four other horcruxes…"

"Voldemort's snake, that will have to be the final one," Sirius started.

"The Hufflepuff Cup," James said, tabbing his fingers, as though he was counting off a list. "The Ravenclaw Diadem."

"Which has been long since lost."

"Oh, aren't we a little ray of sunshine," James said, rolling his eyes.

Sirius shot James a glare. "One more then," he replied, ignoring James' comment. "Hogwarts was the first place that felt like home to him, hence the letter and other Hogwarts artefacts. He loves snakes, so that would figure as one. He fucked up when it came to me."

"We've got to think like him. Pureblood obsessed. Loves the dark arts. Is not above murder or torture."

"Mate, you've described my family."

"Sirius, I-"

"Don't worry about it," Sirius replied, shaking his head, cutting James off. "Why the hell do you think I ran away?"

"Because they had done one of the last things, and it was only a matter of time before they murdered you."

Sirius looked away for a moment. "I need to think like my family," he said quietly.

"Sirius, I-"

"What Prongs? I was in that house for sixteen years. I was forced to listen to their racist, bigoted, foul crap for sixteen years. They actually invited the bastard around to fucking supper!"

"Sirius, I don't think it's a good idea, it damn near broke you last time," James cut in.

"I was sixteen last time," Sirius retorted.

"I don't care," James snapped. "It damn near broke you and I had to pick up the pieces. You've got too much shit happening to you. You've been through too much."

"And what?! You think I've gone soft in the head!?" Sirius growled.

"Shit Padfoot, give me a bloody break! No, I don't think you've bloody gone 'soft in the head', far fucking from it. I'm just saying, shit I don't know," James said sighing, as he raked his hands through his dishevelled hair. "Mate, it's just too bloody unfair. Why you?! Your childhood was hell. You had two years living at mine whilst we were at Hogwarts, but hey there was a war brewing. Then we were actually at war-"

"Prongs, I know my life story," Sirius said, cutting James off.

"I know," James said fiercely. "I'm just saying it's unfair."

"Life is unfair," Sirius said in a near whisper. He paused and took a breath as he tried to collect himself. "The horcrux has to mean something to Voldemort. He's a sick, twisted bastard, but we know that. I don't believe he had the ability to love. He treated all of his death eaters, including my cousin, with disdain. Maybe it was just in my presence but, he just seemed so cold and heartless. I know our opinions are polar opposite to him, but even setting that aside, I honestly don't believe he loves anyone, or knows how to."

James nodded. Sirius had never said so much about Voldemort before. Aside from the death eaters, Sirius knew Voldemort better than anyone else. "I don't think he would have made another horcrux from anything Hogwarts related. His childhood-". James paused for a moment, not knowing how to broach the next topic.

"I don't have anything of sentimental value from Grimmauld Place. My Hogwarts letter, when I knew I was going to escape. The train ticket your dad brought me at Paddington, when he told me I could stay as long as I wanted and I would be safe. The watch they gave me. The lighter you and Lily gave me at your wedding, but nothing from the first sixteen years of my life."

James swallowed hard. He knew his friend's childhood had been hard, but at times he did not appreciate how tough it was. He had countless items linked to happy memories, yet his best friend linked a paper train ticket to one of his greatest memories. "So," he started slowly. "We need to look at his life after Hogwarts. I know he tried to get a job at Hogwarts but was turned down by Dumbledore. I know he got a job at Borgin and Burkes."

"Yeah, I remember you mentioning that. He graduated top of his class, so it always seemed strange to me," Sirius mused, rubbing his beard.

"What would be worthwhile, or sentimental to him?"

"Something dark and evil?"

"Something dark and evil, at Borgin and Burkes. Shit Sirius you surprise me with your supreme observations skills."

"Piss off." Sirius licked his lips. "Prongs we need to go to Borgin and Burkes."

"You're taking the piss, right? You do realise you are probably the most wanted person in the wizarding world and I'm not far behind you. Whilst Voldemort might be able to walk into the shop, you and I are renowned for our anti dark arts stance," James said slowly, sucking air between his teeth. "Plus, I'm guessing the bastard would have removed it from the shop. I doubt he would want it to fall into the wrong hands."

"You're right, but what the fuck did he use?! I agree with you, the final horcrux is from Borgin, but what?"

"Mate, I have no idea but I reckon, regardless, we don't hang around here."

"I agree, but where next?"

"Channel Islands?" James suggested.

"Jersey?"

James nodded. "Are you ready?" He watched Sirius nod before apparating on the spot. As soon as he landed, he knew he had made a mistake. "Sirius!" he yelled, as a jet of light flew past his head.

"Fuck," Sirius swore as he dived behind a rock. "James!" He looked wildly around for any sign of his best friend.

"At your nine o'clock," James yelled back. "What do you reckon? Classic counter attack?"

Sirius exhaled slowly, knowing his friend was still alive. He took a moment to look around. He could identify at least ten death eaters, not terrible, but he knew it was only a matter of time before more arrived. The main question was, was it bad luck, or had they been waiting for them? "Back to back?" he yelled, before quickly rolling towards James. "You alright mate?"

"Yeah. But what the fuck?! Is this bad luck, or have we walked into a trap?"

"That's what I was thinking," Sirius acknowledged. "Do you want to take the left or the right flank?"

"I'll take the left. You ready?" James watched his friend nod. "Okay, one, two, three…" He exploded up, taking a moment to identify his target. "Stupefy!" he yelled, as he pressed his back closer to Sirius'. "Like old times, mate!"

Despite the situation, Sirius bit back a laugh. "Yeah, you and me, outnumbered and fighting death eaters. It was what we were born to do. Petrificus Totalus," he said, directing it towards the rapidly approaching death eater.

"Expelliarmus," James said with a flick of his wand. "So, when is your psycho cousin going to turn up?"

"Hopefully never," Sirius retorted. "Do you reckon we can apparate yet?"

James looked quickly around, before shooting off a couple of hexes. "Not yet mate, we need to distract them, or we'll be in just the same situation a few seconds later."

Sirius found himself rolling his eyes as a death eater apparated to his left. Rodolphus Lestrange he thought, just what I need. "Everte Statum," he yelled, watching the death eater fly up into the air and slam hard against a large oak tree.

"Sirius Black," Rodolphus sneered, twirling his wand more than necessary. "As I live and breath. So great to see you."

"Can't say the feeling is mutual," Sirius bit back, one eye focused on Rodolphus, the other on two death eaters to his right. "Where's your wife? Finally got her dream and shagging the big V man."

"Fuck off!"

Sirius ducked as a jet of red light shot over him. "Did I hit a nerve there Rod? Does she even look at you anymore? Stupefy," he just managed, seeing a death eater at the last moment. "Bella always like powerful men, so fuck knows why she married you. Oh wait, it was arranged."

"Sod you, you dirty, fucking blood traitor," Rodolphus swore, shooting off wild curses.

"Seriously mate, do you really have to go and piss off your family members?" James said through the corner of his mouth.

"Only through marriage," Sirius said with a grin. "Anyway, I reckon we should probably get out of-." But his words were caught in his mouth. He felt a hand shove him out of the way and then felt a body collapse on him. "James?" he whispered.

"I'm fine Padfoot," James said in a tight voice, as he slumped against his friend. He felt warm blood pouring over his chest. "I'm fine."

Sirius looked down. "Fuck!" he swore. "Fuck! James! Prongs, mate you need to stay awake!" he said in a shaky voice. He watched his friend briefly close his eyes. He was here because of him. He couldn't let him die. James was his brother. He needed to get them out of here. "Mate, I'm going to get you out of here, but you have to stay awake, okay." He ducked down and wrapped his arms around his best friend and took a breath. "Bombarda," he yelled, shielding James' body as his explosive spell ripped around them. He thought about his destination. The place he never wanted to step foot in again, but a place he knew he would be safe. He closed his eyes, holding his friend tightly, and apparated to his childhood home.