Chapter 47

Sirius stumbled, ever so slightly, as he apparited into the Ministry. He hoped nobody would notice. As the adrenaline slowly left his body, he began to feel the full effects of the last 24 hours. Every fibre of his body seemed to ache. His head pounded. But worse, was the complete and utter exhaustion he felt. He couldn't remember ever feeling as exhausted as he did right now. Not even when he had escaped the hell hole Voldemort had imprisoned him in. But he had to go on. He had to arrest the most dangerous Death Eaters. The ones who would be seeking revenge. The ones who may very well target Lily, Harry or Remus. He ran a tired hand through his slightly dishevelled hair and stepped forward.

James watched for a moment. He noticed him stumble. He knew under circumstances Sirius shouldn't be here. He should be at St. Mungo's being checked out. Who knew what effect the potion would have on him? That coupled with the fact he had been dead less than an hour ago. Was it only an hour ago, he thought tiredly. Then he thought of the last 24 hours, and months hunting Horcruxes. No, Sirius really shouldn't be here. But it wasn't normal circumstances. Sirius was with his team. They would keep him safe. And then he would drag his friend home. He knew Sirius would never willingly go to St. Mungo's, so he would have to do it indirectly. He would have to do it via Lily. He felt the corners of his lips twitch and his heart soar when he thought of her. Only a couple more hours James, he told himself and you will be in her arms.

"Sirius," James called out, watching his friend carefully. "I'll be in my office. Come and get me when you're done."

"Sure," Sirius replied with a nod, mask in place. "Right, let's get down to level 9 and start setting up the trap. Kingsley, are you still okay with the body?"

"Yes," Kingsley replied, eyeing his boss for a moment. He looked like death vaguely warmed up, but that was Sirius. Somehow, he managed to push his body beyond what it was capable of. He wondered what he had done over the last few months. Of course, Sirius had been hunting Horcruxes and you-know-who, and he was later joined by James. But what had really happened? He guessed, over time he might find out. But he doubted he would now. Either way, speculating like this was dangerous. It was drawing his much needed attention away from the task in hand. He had survived the war thus far, he didn't want to die with the end in sight.

If anyone was in the Ministry to witness the group of steely Aurors march through the Ministry with Voldemort's ghastly, mutilated body hovering, high above them, they no doubt would have fled. But Sirius didn't care. In fact, he hoped they would. People would shriek. They would ask questions. All distractions he didn't need. He felt a familiar shiver as he entered the Death Chamber. He had only been down here on a few occasions, probably less than he could count on one hand. But he still didn't like it. He pushed his uncomfortable thoughts from his mind. Today he had business with the chamber.

"Do you want us to start setting up the wards?" Kingsley asked, watching his boss who seemed lost in his thoughts.

"Yes," Sirius replied quickly. He took one look at Voldemort's body and looked away quickly as his empty stomach threatened to rebel again. "Ensure they only lead down here, I don't want anyone hiding in the bowels of the Ministry."

"And the blood wards?"

"No," Sirius replied, shaking his head. "We cannot discriminate against people who we believe to be Death Eaters. Everything has to be to the letter. I don't want any Death Eater to get off on a technicality."

Kingsley nodded. "I will post people along the whole route. That way we can protect any innocent who gets mixed up with a Death Eater."

"Great," Sirius replied tiredly. He rubbed his face and looked away for a moment. "Is Tonks working today?"

"Yes, I recalled her. Was that a mistake?"

"No," Sirius replied, shaking his head. "Just, like myself, she cannot be part of the arresting team."

"Sirius?"

"You know as well as I do, Tonks and I are the Black sheep of the family. There are only a handful, less than I can count on one hand who didn't side with the dark side. My cousin, Tonks' aunt, is Voldemort's key lieutenant. I don't want her or any other Death Eater getting off because some hot shot lawyer spins it that it was somehow an unfair arrest because we made the arrests."

"Of course," Kingsley replied. "I'll get her setting up the wards and then report to you."

"Thanks," Sirius replied, looking away for a moment. He closed his eyes as he tried to gander the strength to continue. "Have you moved the apparition guards?"

"We've replaced them with our people."

"Did you?" Sirius asked an unanswered question.

"They, of course, suspected something big was happening but they don't know the details."

"Good."

"Sirius, we've got it from here. You don't need to be here if you don't want to."

"I know," Sirius replied tiredly, as he massaged his temples. "But I want to. I need to see this thing through to the end."

"I understand," Kingsley replied. He rolled his shoulders in an attempt to relive some of the tension but failed miserably. "It's weird to think, well, it's almost the end."

Sirius bit his lip for a moment, not knowing what else to do. "Yeah, I know. And I know I don't need to say this but-"

"I know, I know," Kingsley repeated. "I had the same thought. I'm not going to get myself killed so close to the end. Believe me, everyone else is well aware of this but I'll ensure they are focused. If they're not, I'll pull them."

"Kingsley, I don't think I ever told you this, but thank you."

"Thank you?" Kingsley replied with a frown.

"Leaving like I did. Leaving you to run the department without warning." Sirius sighed and leant against the wall for a moment, tuning out the hurried activity around him. "In any case, you are a better head of department than I will ever be."

"No," Kingsley replied, with a slight smile, shaking his head. "Am I more diplomatic than you? For sure. But I don't think the Auror department needs diplomats. We need strong, fearless leadership, who leads from the front. Moody had that, and so do you."

"But I left you-"

"To do what?" Kingsley replied, cutting off his boss. "To go on a luxury holiday? No," he continued. "You led from the front. You found and destroyed the horcruxes. You killed you-know-who."

"I did try and bring him alive," Sirius added quietly.

"What?!" Kingsley managed, shocked at the latest revelation.

"He's." Sirius stopped and took stock for a moment. He still struggled to process the information. "He was a sadist bastard, but he still deserved a trial. His victims deserved to see him tried for his crimes."

"What happened?"

"I tried to reason with him. I tried to bring him in but he, well he was about to curse me. I've been lucky before, I just didn't think I would be lucky again."

Kingsley stared at his boss in disbelief. Was he really saying what he thought he was saying?! Had he stood up against you-know-who! The only wizard he knew had done that was Dumbledore. "Boss," he started in a slightly unsure voice. "It was self-defence. You stood up to you-know-who!"

"Kingsley, he was just a man," Sirius replied quietly, his eyes now active and scanning every detail of the room. "The sooner we think of him like that the better."

"Sirius, he was the most powerful wizard-"

"No, he wasn't, Dumbledore is," Sirius replied, cutting his deputy off. "He became powerful because of fear. Yes, he was powerful. Very powerful. But he was also a broken human being."

"Okay," Kingsley replied, not quite knowing what else to say. He believed the essence in what his boss was saying but at the same time this was you-know-who. The wizard who had waged two wars that had killed hundreds of people. In reality they would probably never know the true count, but he grimly thought any count would be an understatement.

"The wards are set," Dawlish said, walking up to the wizards deep in thought. "I've got people to get in their positions."

"Tonks?" Kingsley asked.

"She's on level 7," Dawlish replied in a business-like tone.

"Bring her here," Kingsley replied calmly.

Dawlish looked between Kingsley and Sirius' expressionless face. "Is this because of potential family issues?" He asked cautiously.

Sirius nodded slowly. "John it's no secret Tonks and I come from a dark family. Many of whom are suspected Death Eaters. I don't want mine, or Tonks' presents to cause any of these bastards to get anyway on a technicality."

Dawlish nodded and without a further word produced patronus. "I forgot to say, it's good to see you again boss. I've got to say the VP meetings have certainly been less dramatic."

"I'm sure," Sirius replied with a slight smirk.

"The honourable Ministry of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, Order of Merlin, First Class. Well, he has missed you greatly."

Sirius laughed. "I'm sure he's missed me as much as an extra hole in the head."

"It would be an improvement," Dawlish noted lightly. He looked up as he watched the familiar, slightly clumsy, young auror approach.

"Dawlish, you needed me?"

"I'll leave you," Dawlish said to Sirius as he and Kingsley walked away to take their positions.

Tonks felt her mouth up and close a few times, but no noise came out. Her cousin looked different. Yes, sure, he looked beyond tired. She wondered how he was standing. But there was something else. Something more powerful. He seemed to radiate power and calmness. She had often heard Remus mention how calm and powerful Dumbledore was, but to her, Sirius at this moment seemed the same.

"Hi Tonks," Sirius said to his cousin.

"Hi Sirius," Tonks managed. She swallowed a couple of times, as she tried to form the words. "Umm Dawlish said he wanted to talk to me," she added, looking around for the more senior auror.

"No, it was me who wanted to talk to you."

"Oh," Tonks replied, mentally kicking herself as she reminded herself who she was talking to. "I'm sorry Sirius, what did you need?"

Sirius sighed and found a small smile. "When these arrests happen, we cannot be involved."

"Family?" Tonks suggested, as she watched her boss and cousin. She shook her head. "Why are the rest of them so fucked up?"

Sirius rolled his eyes and found a small laugh. "You weren't subjected to family history lessons growing up, were you? Our blood is pure. It possibly cannot be tainted by impure blood from muggles."

Despite the situation, Tonks laughed. "They wouldn't be best pleased to see me with-"

"A wizard with a monthly flurry problem?"

"God, they would hate it and you know what? Good. Remus is ten times the wizard they could ever hope to be," Tonks replied fiercely. She stopped and looked up, feeling the atmosphere in the tall change. "They've arrived, haven't they?"

"Yeah," Sirius replied quietly. "We need to-"

"Step back into the shadows," Tonks continued. She followed Sirius's actions and hid in the shadows. Part of her was confused and conflicted. This was probably the department's most important mission in the last twenty years, perhaps ever and she, a junior auror, was crouched next to the head of department. The other part of her reminded herself, this was Sirius, her cousin. One of two family members her mother allowed her to have contact with, the other being her Uncle Alfie. Then, when she was eight, he disappeared. Accused horrendous crimes, none of which her mother had believed. Then three years ago he appeared. A thin, seemingly broken person. But as she crouched in the shadows next to him, she knew it wasn't the case. She knew it before but now she knew without question.

"What do we do now?" She managed.

"We wait," Sirius replied calmly. Crouched, his body tense, wand posed.

"For fuck's sake," Tonks muttered.

"Ah the olde Black impatience," Sirius replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Piss off," Tonks replied defensively, forgetting who she was with. "Shit, I'm-"

"Don't worry," Sirius replied, cutting her off. "Every time anyone used to judge me against my family I used to fly off into a rage. Moody had to pull me out of fights, so did James. If anyone in this whole sodding department knows what you are going through its me."

"I know," Tonks replied quietly. "It's just, well you are the boss."

"I know. But we are family. Still. Don't expect any favourable reviews for your end of year appraisal."

Tonks sighed. "Sirius, I think there is something you need to know before this all kicks off."

"What?" Sirius replied carefully, as he continued to scan the room.

"I think Bellatrix killed my grandparents," Tonks replied darkly.

"On Ted's side?" Sirius asked, his eyes never leaving the entrance.

"Yeah, and dad's gone into hiding."

"And your mum?"

"She's safe for now. I don't think the Black blood will protect her."

"No, it won't. Not in the traditional sense anyway."

"What?" Tonks asked, confused. Her concentration slightly shifted to the noise outside the Death Chamber.

"She's thinking of her pure blood. She knows it won't help her. She knows it's 'tainted'. But she has us. Your dad has us. Family will protect them."

Tonks screwed her eyes up tightly and squeezed Sirius's arm. "Thank you," she managed.

"No problem."

"Do you think Bellatrix will be, well, here?"

"Given her fantasy with Voldemort, yes she will be," Sirius replied darkly.

Tonks tried not to flinch at the mention of you-know-who's full name, but knew she failed miserably. "I guess we wait," she managed, crouched in the darkness.

"Yeah," Sirius breathed.

Tonks took a moment to watch her cousin and boss. She tried to remember the tearaway teenager and carefree adolescent and found vague memories. The person sitting before her was none of those things. "What do we do?"

"We stay hidden and wait," Sirius replied quietly, his attention never leaving the entrance.

"But that's." Tonks started and then stopped. She ran a hand through her now jet black hair. "I know we have to, it's just-"

"Wrong? Goes against your every instinct?" Sirius suggested, briefly looking at his younger cousin.

"Yeah."

"I know." Sirius stopped and took a sharp intake of breath as his eldest cousin marched in. Her hair wild. Her motions dramatic. He slightly winced as he felt Tonks' nails dig into his arm. "So it begins," he whispered.

Bellatrix swept into the room. Her hooded eyes scanning the empty room. She fell upon the body, lying on the high tomb. She ran forward, all care for pureblood elegance lost. "My lord!" she cried.

Sirius winced at the terrible scream. He held back Tonks as he felt her trying to bolt into the room. More Death Eaters filed in. The Lestrange's. Dolohov. The MacNair's. Rockwood. As much as wanted to go out there and avenge his brother, he knew he couldn't. He knew he had to sit tight and let his team take charge. Hard for a man who prided himself by leading from the front. "Not long," he whispered, as he watched Thorfinn Rowle bring up the rear. He found himself smiling as watched Dawlish bring down the wands, trapping them.

"You are surrounded. Put down your wands and you will not be harmed." Kingsley's deep, booming voice filled the chamber.

His request was met by silence, par the sobs from Bellatrix, who had climbed onto the tomb and had covered Voldemort's body with hers.

"Drop your wands, and we will ensure you have a free and fair trial," Kingsley tried again.

"My Lord, oh my Lord, what have they done to you?" Bellatrix wailed. The other Death Eaters stood around nervously, seemingly looking for someone to issue a command. "I will kill you all," she suddenly spat, as she stood up. "Come out. Face me. Come on cousin, I know this was you!"

Sirius felt the same tension in Tonks that he felt. He looked at her, his expression told a thousand words. Yes, they wanted to avenge his brother and her grandparents but now wasn't the right place. For two people of action, it was a hard thing to stay motionless and do nothing.

"Avada Kedavra," Bellatrix yelled, as she pointed her wand at random. She barely flinched as the killing curse rebounded off the wand and killed Rockwood.

"I say again. You are surrounded. Throw down your wands and it will be seen as a sign of cooperation. It will be looked favourably at your trial," Kingsley tried again, in the same, calm, even voice. "Your curses will not penetrate our wands."

"Come on!" Bellatrix yelled, her face now smeared with a small amount of blood. "We are powerful. We are the Dark Lord's chosen ones. They are just Ministry people. Half-bloods. Mudbloods," she spat, as she looked wildly around for support but found it diminishing.

"This is your final warning. Lie down your wands and you will not be harmed."

"Never!" Bellatrix yelled, shooting off another curse. She seemed not to notice, or maybe not care as her curse rebounded, flying by her, missing her by inches.

"Confringo," Kingsley and the other Aurors said as one. The wand they had created collapsed onto itself in an explosion, sending the trapped Death Eaters flying. As the smoke rose the Aurors approached with caution.

"Are they dead?" A voice asked.

"No," Kingsley replied, shaking his head. "Just unconscious. Dawlish, Proundfoot, Bellu, get them into cells and treated. I don't want them dying on us." He stood and looked towards the darkened space, he knew Sirius was hiding. "Sirius, you can come out now."

"Impressive!" Sirius said, as he stretched out his tall frame.

"You're not the only one who has a flair for the dramatics," Kingsley replied, with a slight smile.

"Noted," Sirius said, he looked around. The remaining Aurors looked like he felt. Dog tired. Whilst he and James had been out hunting Horcruxes, it wasn't as though the Aurors had been sitting in the office, spinning on their chairs. No, there was a war. He knew they had suffered losses. Who he did not know. In time he would write to the individual's families, expressing his sympathies and thanking them for their service. But not now.

"Sirius, why don't you go home," Kingsley said, as he looked his boss up and down.

"Kingsley," Sirius sighed, as he ran a hand over his face. He took a breath. "I, it's, you've all been working so hard over the last year, or whatever it is."

"Yes, we have but we've had rest. Something I doubt you've had a lot of. Go home, I've got it from here," Kingsley replied, patting Sirius on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Sirius replied quietly, as he turned and started to walk towards the exit. "Tonks," he said, as he paused briefly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Tonks replied, nodding. "Are you?"

"Just tired, that's all. Are you going to see Remus?"

"Not yet, it's slightly tricky with him at the school."

Sirius nodded. "Are you going to see your mum?"

"I think so, well I will when I can."

"Say hi to her for me."

"Of course," Tonks replied, with a smile. "She asks about you, you know. Her favourite cousin."

Sirius found a smile. "When you have news about your dad let me know."

"I will do. Where are you going?" Tonks asked.

"Home. To sleep," Sirius replied simply.

Tonks nodded. "Goodnight then," she replied, oblivious of the time of day.

Sirius nodded his reply, too tired to do anything else, as he walked slowly towards the lifts. He closed his eyes as the lift doors closed. It was finally over. Something he had fought either physically, or mentally for over twenty years, was over. He couldn't really process it. He didn't know if it was the enormity of it, or the sheer exhaustion he felt. Voldemort was dead. The key Death Eaters had been arrested. The others would go into hiding or blame the Imperious Curse for their actions. But they wouldn't avenge Voldemort's death. Did that mean James, Lily and Harry were finally safe? It had come too late for many people, his brother included, but how many people had been saved? He rubbed his eyes, not bothering to open them. He could feel every muscle. Every joint. Tiredness seemed to come at him in waves. He barely registered the doors opening when the lift arrived on the fourth level. Forcing his tired body to cooperate he sprung forward and caught the closing doors. He walked almost in a trace towards the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The route he had walked on multiple occasions, either to visit James or argue on Remus' behalf. Every time the corridors had been busy with wizards and witches hurrying about their day. But now, early in the morning, the corridors were empty. Something that Sirius was again thankful for.

He found a small, tired smile as he rounded the corner, to see his friend. Feet up on a desk, leaning his chair back on two legs. Careless. Free. Relaxed. Happy. Words he never thought he would be alive to describe his best friend. Leaning against the door frame, he knocked on it and waited.

James looked up and found himself grinning. "You done?"

"Yeah," Sirius replied, looking at the scattered paperwork. "Did you read any of that?"

"I gave up after I realised, I had been reading the same line for 15 minutes," James replied, as he stood and pulled on his coat. "Did you get them?"

"Yeah," Sirius replied, comfortable knowing James wouldn't question or ask anything from his one worded replies.

"Right, let's go home."

Sirius closed his eyes, and let his head drop for a moment. Home. He felt his cheeks rise. Home. Merlin, somewhere he never thought he would see again. "Mate, I don't think you have ever had such a good idea."

"Oh Padfoot, that's why I'm the best," James replied, grinning, as he threw his arm around Sirius' shoulders.

Sirius tried to think of a comeback but found none. "Yeah." Was all he managed, as he allowed himself to be led down the Ministry corridors.