The Second War Begins

Siria was on her back, as she had been when she first woke at the park. Voices echoed through the Atrium, more than when she let out what she thought would be her final breath. She opened her eyes to find Dumbledore's before her. [B5, 816]

"Are you all right, Siria?" Dumbledore asked (B5, 816). She reached up and ran her hand down her scar. It prickled like when her foot fell asleep. Siria winced as she sat up.

"Yeah," Siria said. "I mean, I hurt, but I'm back…" She stared at the crowd of people, which grew as the fireplaces roared with emerald flames. Behind her, were three figures. Hermione sobbed in Ron's arms. Ron was white as a sheet as he stared at Siria, Sirius was somehow paler. She smiled at them and held up a "V" for victory. He shook his head. Sirius hugged Hermione and Ron, his face buried in Ron's hair.

Cornelius Fudge stumbled forward, through the crowd. A man pointed to where Voldemort stood when he struck Siria dead. "He was there!" The scarlet-robed man said. "Mr. Fudge, I swear, I saw him! A woman grabbed him and Disapparated!"

"I know, Williamson, I know, I saw him too!" Fudge shook his head. His hair was a mess and polka dotted pajamas stuck out under his robes. "Merlin's beard— here— here!" Fudge started to ramble. Siria looked to Dumbledore. She did not come back to life for this. [B5, 817]

Dumbledore approached the Ministry wizards as he spoke. "If you proceed downstairs into the Department of Mysteries, Cornelius," a few of the Ministry wizards raised their wands in alarm. Fudge flinched back. "You will find several escaped Death Eaters contained in the Death Chamber, bound by an Anti-Disapparition Jinx and awaiting your decision as to what to so with them." [B5, 817]

"Dumbledore!" Fudge gasped and pointed. Someone may as well have slapped him. "Seize him!" Fudge said for lack of a better plan.

"Cornelius, I am ready to fight your men— and win again," Dumbledore said in a voice that rumbled the hall like thunder.

"Honestly!" Siria snapped as she pulled herself to her feet. "This is the second time you've seen Voldemort— get over it!" She barked at Fudge's flinch; "Voldemort is back. Voldemort has been back. I didn't get hit with another Killing Curse for you to repeat last year!" Siria released her fists.

Fudge stumbled over his words as he scanned the Atrium for direction. "Very well— Dawlish! Williamson!" and he gave them orders. Siria shook her head.[B5, PAGES]

Siria headed for the crowd of her friends, as Fudge started to talk to Dumbledore. Dumbledore, however, raised a finger, which silenced Fudge, and turned to Siria. "Siria," Dumbledore called. Siria paused, rooted to her spot midstep. She locked eyes with Ron, who nodded. Cassius shooed her back with his hand. Patricia gave Siria the most parental look of them all. Siria rolled her head as she dropped and turned on the spot.

"Sir," Siria said the moment Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak. "I just want to make sure everyone's okay."

"I shall see to it personally," Dumbledore told her, as he approached Siria. "Right now, I need to ensure you return safely to Hogwarts. I believe it's time for us to speak." Siria sighed. She opened her bag and handed him a loose button.

"Thank you," Dumbledore said. Siria sighed again and nodded as Dumbledore tapped the button with his wand. "Portus," and the button glowed blue, trembled with much more noise than a box of buttons, and fell still. [B5, 818]

"Now see here, Dumbledore," Fudge said. "You haven't got authorization for that Portkey." Siria squeezed her eyes shut and opened her hand to accept the button. Fudge faltered.

"You will give the order to remove Dolores Umbridge for Hogwarts," said Dumbledore, "You will tell your Aurors to stop searching for my Care of Magical Creatures teacher so that he can return to work. I will give you…" Siria opened her eyes to see Dumbledore withdraw a pocket watch. "Half an hour of my time, which will be more than enough time to cover the important parts of tonight. After that, I shall need to return to my school. If you need more help from me you are, of course, more than welcome to contact me at Hogwarts. Letters addressed to the headmaster will find me." (B5, 818-819)

Dumbledore turned his back on the reddening Fudge. "Take this, Siria. I shall see you in half an hour," Dumbledore said as he dropped the button into her hand. Siria handed him Sirius's wand. She looked back to her friends, before the polished floors of the Atrium disappeared and she flew through a whirlwind of color. [B5, 819]

For thirty long, mostly quiet minutes, Siria waited in Dumbledore's office. The portraits on the wall slowly stirred, but Siria did not have it in her to bait Phineas Nigellus. She took a seat, crossed her arms, and waited. Her body was stiff, but no longer sore, except for where the Killing Curse struck her.

"Dumbledore thinks very highly of you," said the corpulent red-nosed wizard on the wall, "as I'm sure you know." Siria arched an eyebrow at him. "Oh yes. Holds you in great esteem," he gave a small nod. [B5, 822]

"You've got the wrong student," Siria said.

"I believe there's only one Siria Potter," he said.

"You'd be surprised," Siria said as Phineas Nigellus, to her great surprise, said " Siria Potter-Black." Phineas tuned away when Siria looked to him.

The flames of the fire roared to green life, and Dumbledore stepped out of them. Siria waited out the applause from the other Headmasters. Dumbledore placed a tiny, ugly Fawkes on a tray of ashes, then took his seat.

"Well, Siria," Dumbledore said as a tray of cocoa and tea appeared on his desk before him. "You will be pleased to hear that none of your fellow students are going to suffer lasting damage from tonight's events," he said as prepared a cup of cocoa. "It seems Ms. Granger brewed an excellent batch of Felix Felicis, which Ms. Weasley was able to bring to them. Mr. Warrington alerted Marcus Flint, who I am pleased to say was with other members of the Order, who were able to come to your aid. Ms. Moon informed Professor Snape, who contacted Headquarters and sent additional aid." He paused to offer her the cup of cocoa. Siria shook her head. [B5, PAGES]

Dumbledore leaned back with the cup. "The injured Order members, including Sirius, have been taken to St. Mungo's," Dumbledore said. Siria perked up at Sirius's name. She exhaled, long and slow as she finally sat up in her chair.

"Okay then," Siria said, "now, let me catch you up…" and she went off. She told him about the nightmare, the plan, its execution, the Ministry of Magic, Bellatrix Lestrange's impersonation of Sirius, and how Siria accepted her death. Siria reached for a cup, which she took when Dumbledore nodded, and poured herself some tea, as she continued. "Harry Potter did a lot of the same things I did, but he definitely didn't bring Voldemort back with him," Siria finished, "I just need to make sure it worked, but," she rubbed her scar, which felt strange. It didn't hurt at all anymore, not even a tingle.

"May I?" Siria asked as she withdrew her wand from her jacket. Dumbledore gestured for her to continue. "Serpensortia!" Siria said and smiled at the garden snake that appeared at her feet. "Hello," Siria hissed.

"Yes?" The snake hissed back. Siria smiled at it and swept it off the floor.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you, but wanted to check something important," Siria said.

"Do you need me to guard the door?" the snake hissed.

"I just wanted to make sure I could talk to you," Siria said. The snake nodded. She took her wand to it and sent it back.

"I am pretty sure that is my last Get Out of Death Free card," Siria said as she placed the empty cup on Dumbledore's tray.

"Well, I suppose it is well past time for me to tell you what I should have in your first year," Dumbledore said. He explained that he knew Voldemort would return and that his followers may take it upon themselves to enact their form of justice on the person that killed their master. Dumbledore reminded Siria that he left her at the Dursleys to keep her mother's sacrificial Protection Charm in place. The moment Petunia agreed to take in her sister's child, she sealed Lily's blood shield. [B5, 835-836]

"Voldemort did kill me though," Siria said. "Is it because that's what I wanted to happen?"

"That I can only speculate on," Dumbledore said. She supposed there weren't really other cases to compare it to. Siria poured another cup of tea as he continued.

Dumbledore spoke of how she arrived at Hogwarts in worse shape than he hoped, but alive. He told her she rose the challenge that faced her, and continued to do so in following years. Each year, he considered telling her why Voldemort came after her as a baby, but could not. Even when he told her the outcome of Voldemort's failed attack, he could bring himself to disclose why. [B5, 837-838]

"Voldemort tried to kill you because of a prophecy made shortly before your birth," Dumbledore said. "A portion of the Prophecy was relayed to him, and he set out believing he was fulfilling it." [B5, 839]

"I'm almost surprised to hear he put stock in such things," Siria said, as she placed the empty tea cup down to remove her jacket. "Though, I suppose he seems the delusions of grandeur type. Would it be too much to guess that Professor Trelawney made the Prophecy?"

"You would be correct," Dumbledore said. Siria nodded. She supposed that Hogwarts would be an ideal place to keep an eye on the prophecy maker. [B5, 840]

"Sir," Siria got up and hung her jacket over her arm. "With all due respect, I don't want to hear it."

"Then would you return the Prophecy to the Hall?" Dumbledore asked. He eyed Siria over his half moon spectacles. She sighed and sat back down, at the edge of her chair.

"The others might want to hear it," Siria said. "We did put our necks out for it, in a way."

"Perhaps you would like to give them the full story, though I do hope you will not tell everyone," Dumbledore said. "These things are best kept close to the vest," and he rose.

"Sir," Siria said, reluctant to hear the Prophecy. "It doesn't really matter anymore, does it?" Siria asked. "If it says Voldemort'll kill me one day, he already has. If it says I'll kill him, it might very well be right," Siria said. "It might say that Hermione will drop a bridge on him or Ron will out maneuver Voldemort, and it could even say Voldemort wins and has a thousand year reign," Siria shook her head and remembered what Ron said when they finished their Divination final. "It could say 'die, Siria die,' and I couldn't care less." [B5 , PAGES]

Dumbledore looked over his half-moon spectacles at her from before the Pensive. She sighed and dropped her head before she rose to meet him. With his wand, he removed a strand of silver, which he placed in the basin. Sybill Trelawney rose from the pensive, a ghostly figure. In the deep voice she used once, just once, in Siria's third year, she spoke. [B5, 841]

"THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD APPROACHES. . . BORN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THRICE DEFIED HIM, BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES. . . AND THE DARK LORD WILL MARK THEM AS HIS EQUAL, BUT THEY WILL HAVE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT. . . AND EITHER MUST DIE AT THE HAND OF THE OTHER FOR NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES. . . (B5, 841)"

Slowly, Professor Trelawney faded. Siria clicked her tongue. She crossed her arms as she glared at the basin. "Well," Siria said, "there could have been other children— Neville has the same birthday, and it's not like defying Voldemort is particularly difficult." Dumbledore smiled.

"The interesting thing, Siria, is that it could have been Neville," Dumbledore said. "It is, however, you. For Voldemort himself has 'marked you as his equal.' He chose you." [B5, PAGES]

"Well, that was rather short sighted of him, seeing as how Neville is a pureblood and there were at least two of us," Siria said. "He should have sent someone else after each of us, at the same time, at the very least."

"Voldemort did not hear the entire prophecy," Dumbledore repeated. "He had no idea that he would give you the gift of Parseltongue or access to his mind. Voldemort did not know that you would have 'power the Dark Lord knows not'." [B5, 842-843]

"He could pick up a book," Siria said as she followed Dumbledore back to his desk. "I'm not saying Korean is easy, but he could learn."

"That is not the power that I believe the Prophecy spoke of," Dumbledore said. "There is a room in the Department of Mysteries that is kept locked at all times. It contains a force that is at once more wonderful and more terrible than death, than human intelligence, than forces of natures. It is also, perhaps, the most mysterious of the many subjects for study that reside there. It is the power held within that room that you possess in such quantities and which Voldemort has not at all. It is what drove you to save Sirius tonight. The power that gave you the strength to send your friends away, when you stood a much better chance with them and had no way of knowing help would arrive in time. It is the power that runs through your veins, from your mother's sacrifice (B5, 843-844)."

"Love," Siria rolled her eyes. She wouldn't count on such a thing to save her.

"Sir, about the Prophecy, there are some that don't get fulfilled," Siria said, "aren't there?"

"Of course," he nodded. "There are thousands in the Hall of Prophecies that are never filled, but—" Siria shook her head and he paused. He poured himself another cup of cocoa as she spoke.

"I've got this one almost worked out. He's already killed me, but I needed to bring that piece back," Siria said.

"It sounds as though you have a plan in mind," Dumbledore said while he put in a few marshmallows.

"I do."

Later that morning, Siria sat her History of Magic O.W.L. with her peers. Fred and George were the only ones absent, as they left for good after they and the Creevey Brothers got Umbridge and Filch out of the castle. Siria watched Neville nod off. After the exam Siria said "I didn't come back to life for my O.W.L.s," which got a laugh from Ron, but not Hermione.

"If that becomes your 'thing', I'm going to jinx you," Hermione said, as she opened her Daily Prophet.

"The dementors have left Azkaban," Hermione said with a sigh. "Dumbledore's been reinstated, officially, and Umbridge removed. Oh!" She pointed at a line, "You're the 'Girl Who Lived' again, and 'there are rumors Potter-Black has survived a second Killing Curse from You Know Who…'." Hermione looked to Siria and Ron. "Malfoy's been sent to Azkaban; Bode got better and was able to point him out."[B5, 845-846]

"Honestly," Siria said as she poured another glass of water, "that's probably for the best. I think he fled at the Ministry. Dumbledore did tell me that Malfoy tried to kill him, but Fawkes ate the Curse," she shrugged at Ron's expression. "That's what he said." [B5, 815]

"Exclusive interview with Siria Potter-Black and Cassius Warrington," Hermione read with a scoff from behind her paper. Siria looked to Cassius, across the Great Hall. "It's just the one from The Quibbler," Hermione said. [B5, 847]

"Siria," Ron said, his fork and knife down, "would you eat something?" Siria sighed as she let her bite of pot pie fall back onto her plate.

"I just…" Siria paused. "I want a girlfriend—" Hermione inhaled her pumpkin juice.

Once Hermione finished coughing and Siria dabbed the sputtered juice up with a napkin, she sighed again. "So," Ron eyed Hermione to make sure she wasn't taking another sip, "any girl in particular?"

"Is it bad if I say 'no'?" Siria asked. "I mean, I know who I don't want, and I'd be fine with a boyfriend— I want a significant other. Maddy and Patricia are so cool together, but they're also ridiculously cute," and Siria gestured with her fork. Maddy and Patricia sat with a quarter of a space between them, and their hands held under the table. "I want someone to be cute with, but also to hex Death Eaters with. We could plot how to take down Voldemort during the day and go on dates at night."

Siria stared at no one in particular across the Great Hall. Hermione and Ron stole a glance at the other, but quickly turned away. Ron's neck went pink. "'Suppose I can see the appeal," he said.

"That could be very nice," Hermione added. She added more salad mix to Siria's plate.

"Ria," Lavender whispered as she and Parvati slid down, closer. "Ria," she waved. Siria pulled on a smile as she turned to them. Parvati had her laugh half covered, and pointed to the Slytherin table. Siria squeezed her eyes shut before she looked, to see what she expected.

Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott glared at Siria. Reflexively, she waved a rude hand gesture, which was returned. Siria rolled her eyes and skewered her salad. She rested her elbow on the table and her head in her hand. "Glare all you want," Sriia grumbled. "I'm right about you."

It was a long week to the Leaving Feast. While Siria had been fortunate enough for the school to see Voldemort's return last year, people seemed much more willing to voice this now. Cassius, a seventh year Slytherin, had much more ease strolling the castle at his leisure. Siria felt she couldn't take any corridor without someone exclaiming "I believed you all along!" The Daily Prophet wasn't helping her, with their rumors of "is Siria Potter-Black The Chosen One?" Rita Skeeter, to no one's surprise, authored the first article.

Those rumors were why Siria decided to stay behind, despite Hermione and Ron's offer to take the long way through a series of secret passages. Siria waited until the Gryffindor common room cleared and only a few people continued to roam the corridors. One person, who caught Siria's eye on the Marauder's Map, was Luna Lovegood. Luna's little dot was before one of the general notice boards. Siria checked her watch and supposed there was enough time for a little detour.

"Oh, hello," Luna greeted Siria with a smile when the latter opened a door pretending to be a wall.

"Luna, the Leaving Feast is about to start," Siria said. Luna tilted her head to the side a little, which caused the wand tucked behind her ear to shift, as she walked.

"I know," Luna said, "I've just got a few flyers to pin," and she raised the stack of parchment in her hands.

"On the last day of term?" Siria asked and extended one of her hands. Luna passed her a flyer as they continued toward the next notice board.

"Yes, well, some of my things have gone missing and, as it is the last day, I would like them back," she said as Siria read over the flyer.

"How did you lose three pairs of shoes, two sets of robes, and what looks like half your books?" Siria asked. While Luna seemed like a bit of an airhead to Siria, she managed to keep it together at the Department of Mysteries from what the others said. [B5, 862]

Luna pulled on a smile that was all too relatable to Siria. "People think it's funny to hide my things," Luna confessed. "They think I'm a little strange," Luna looked Siria in the eye, "some of them call me 'Loony Lovegood', you know." She did.

"The next time something goes missing, would you let me know?" Siria asked.

"I'm not worried. They'll come back, they always do, in the end," Luna said (B5, 863).

"I'd just like to show whoever's taking your things a sample of Muggle dueling," Siria said as she handed the flyer back to Luna. "At the very least, give them a sample of the D.A."

"Will there be D.A. meetings next year?" Luna asked and stopped walking. Siria finished her step and turned to Luna.

"Oh, er…" Siria had a lot of plans for her return, but that hadn't been one.

"If nothing else, the Sunday study group will be a thing," she said. Luna nodded with almost expected disappointment. "But I suppose it'll be nice to still do the D.A. We could bring back the coins, since meetings might have to be changed up, and it'll only be me teaching," Siria rubbed the back of her neck as she blushed at the floor. There was something about the contrast between Luna's painfully honest smile and her previously pulled brave one that Siria couldn't put a finger on. Luna continued and pinned up a flyer. "We should head down to the Feast," Luna said. "I'm sure people are missing you."

No sooner had the Hogwarts Express rolled out of the station, Hermione's nose was in the Daily Prophet. She sighed at the alleged Death Eater sightings outside people's homes until the food trolly came by. When Hermione finally put the paper down, she ran her arm through Siria's and said "It hasn't really started yet, but it won't be long now." [B5, 865]

"We'll be okay," Siria said. "Though not without casualties," she remembered Harry's words.

"Did you see Marietta's balaclava?" Hermione asked with a smirk that Ron and Siria matched.

"It'll take more than makeup to cover up that sneak's face," Siria said. "I'd feel sorry, but..." Siria shrugged.

"Serves her right," Ron said. "Can't believe Cho Chang's still saying you're in the wrong." Hermione rolled her eyes. "At least Cedric didn't get with her again."

"I… heard Cho's dating someone else," Hermione said with a look to Ginny. Ginny met her eye. Ron asked who and Ginny replied "Michael Corner." She rolled her eyes as she told him about how sulky Corner got when Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw and that he swept in to comfort Cho. When Ron told her he hopes she picks someone better next time, Ginny grinned "Well, I've chosen Dean Thomas, would you say he's better?" [B5, 865-867]

"What do I have to do to get a partner?" Siria asked. "I literally died!" Hermione groaned and let go of Siria's arm to push her away.

"Stop doing that is what," Hermione said. Siria laughed as Hermione continued to keep her at arm's length.

"You're Siria bleeding Potter-Black," Ron said while he took another chocolate frog from their pile. "It can't be that hard."

"You'd be surprised," Ginny said. "It's not like Siria can just accept anyone, half of them are only in it for the fame or gossip."

When Hermione and Siria headed back to the compartment after a trip to the toilet, Siria crashed to the floor. She exhaled slowly as she prayed for patience. "You are such a child," Siria said while she pushed herself up and glared at Draco Malfoy, "a tripping jinx?" She stepped right up to him, and remained rooted to the spot. Crabbe and Goyle had their wands pointed at Hermione, who had hers drawn as well. The flecks of blue seemed frozen over in Malfoy's cold silver eyes.

"Watch yourself, Potter-Black," Malfoy said as he flicked his wand casually. Her eyes narrowed at him.

"You coming after me, Malfoy?" Siria asked with her hands on her hips. She tilted her head down at him.

"I might," he warned, but his eyes fell on the silver chain around her neck, which dangled freely over her blouse. The small goldenrod face stared back at him as Siria stepped even closer.

"You and what army?" She asked. Siria gestured, with her eyes, to the compartments on either side. Malfoy glanced. Dumbledore's Army members sat or stood with their wands raised, asking for him if he dare.

"You Know Who's," Malfoy whispered just quiet enough for her to catch it.

"I don't think you will be," Siria said and raised her mouth to a smile. "I think you want to be 'good'." She leaned in to whisper beside his ear "good student, good son, good person—" Malfoy pushed her away, and turned so quickly he walked into Crabbe and Goyle. Siria waved and smiled at the D.A. members, as she and Hermione continued back.

"Dad!" Siria cried, discarded her trolly, and ran right into Sirius's arms at King's Cross station. He wrapped her in his arms like they were a blanket. Sirius rubbed the top of her head and laughed. Siria reached from the hug to pull Remus in. Chloe collected Siria's trolly, as the other three hugged. With her arms on the cart, Chloe pulled out her phone and took a picture. A reminder of the small moments of happiness.

"We'll pick you up soon," Sirius promised as they walked out of the station with the Weasleys, the Grangers, Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody.

"I didn't come back to life to go back to the Dursleys," Siria said. Hermione knocked Siria's arm and Siria stuck out her tongue. "Besides," Siria said as she pulled an arm around Hermione's shoulders, "we've got big plans for summer," and she met Ron's eye.

"Don't know how it'll compare to dying," Ron said, "but I do hope it'll be a bit better."

"It's only just beginning afterall," Siria said while they loaded their trunks into their various cars.

"What is?" Chloe asked.

"Summer, life, the war…"