A large crowd gathered outside the leaky cauldron where their new leader was giving a speech. Some were wearing anxious expressions not knowing what this new reign would hold. The rest appeared at ease, smirks adorning their faces. This was the moment that they were waiting for, thirteen years of hard work, lots of long nights, and strategizing had paid off.
The new leader of the wizarding world peeked out at the crowd. He couldn't have been more pleased this day. Power was his, ultimate control over everything in his land, he would be god. He was their judgement day, the law; he would bring their fate upon them. Slowly, with the grace of a Lord he went to the podium. He could sense the mixed feelings floating around the area. He couldn't care right at the moment there was nobody there to stop him, and everyone would soon realize that he was here to stay. He held up a hand, the silence was deafening.
"My loyal subjects. Today a new era emerges. An era where Purebloods will finally be able to live in peace without the impurification of mudbloods and half bloods desecrating themselves in our world. It will be a hard year, one with many changes that will be put into effect immediately." He waited for the noise level to drop before continuing. "Today I take over and for once Wizarding Britain will be able to hold its head high, and not look down in shame." He paused. He could not continue. Something was drowning out his words, he could not even hear himself speaking. "I must remind you all that when I am talking you will desist in making noise, my words will affect each and every one of you in attendance tonight." The noise continued mercilessly. Voldemort waved his wand over the crowd and yelled, "Silencio." The noise, however, did not recognize that spell and washed over the hushed crowd. Voldemort observed the audience, thoroughly, and came to recognize a baby with a mop of black ringlets adorning his head, he was in the arms of a woman with long silver hair, a man with the same colour hair was beside her holding another little infant in his arms, this one was not crying just staring curiously at the man holding him, in an indifferent sort of way.
How could it be possible that the spell didn't work on the tiny one when even the adults could not seem to find their voices? It must stop, it needed to stop. The crying was incessant; it was like a fingernail running down the chalkboard, most highly irritating. The crying continued and continued and continued…
Voldemort woke with a start, the crying was not from his dream, but in reality, he soon realized. The little nuisance was crying again. How he wished Severus would hurry up soon and find something that would allow himself a reprieve from the little monster.
He walked over to the crib, staring down at the little body wriggling in the shabby blanket it was given. The tiny mouth opened wide, wailing noises escaping every second without a pause.
"Oh come now, enough, this is harder on me than it is on you, trust me." The tired man argued with the little child.
The tiny head turned around to listen to the harsh, yet, soft-spoken words, emitting from the stranger. Glassy green emerald eyes made eye contact with the unfamiliar person. The wailing turned into sobs, and the little boy gave the man a curious look.
Voldemort sighed with relief; the night was not yet wasted. He would be able to get a few more hours sleep, and still be refreshed for cursing someone tomorrow, especially if the someone was named Severus Snape. He was able to get one foot into the bed when the wailing started again.
"Oh for the love of Merlin." Voldemort screamed in irritation in the silent room. "Enough is enough, really, just go to sleep." He commanded still half in and half out of bed. But, the crying would not stop this time. He went back to the crib where this time even in his most calm and commanding voice would not get the shrieks to stop. "I should just let Nagini eat you." He stated. Forget about the sleep none would be coming to him yet.
Voldemort lifted the child up from the crib and examined him. There had to be an off button for surely the child would get weary of crying soon. But when he went in search of one on the small body, he could not find it. "This is ridiculous. Mimsi!" Voldemort yelled.
A tiny pop alerted him that the house – elf arrived. "He won't stop crying do something about it."
"Master, it could just be his nappy again, he might need a fresh one." The terrified house – elf squeaked her ears falling flat against her head.
"We just changed him not too long ago. Can't he control himself? He's worse than a little puppy." Voldemort reluctantly picked up the small one lifted him into the air, and smelled the clothed bottom. "Well it's certainly not that, I can tell you." He hissed at his servant.
"Mimsi, don't know than sir." And before Voldemort could ask for something else Mimsi disappeared with a loud pop.
"Blasted, good for nothing house – elf leaves when her master needs her the most. What was I thinking when I got her?" He carried the boy in his arms, and sat in a hard backed chair. "Well this is no good, can't get comfortable." And with that Voldemort transfigured the uncomfortable chair into a cushioned rocker. Without realizing it, back and forth he went with the baby in his arms. The wails still going, but with Voldemort not knowing what to do he just tried drowning out the sounds. As the rocking continued the sobs lessened. Red eyes looked down at the sleeping form. The unruly mop of black hair rested against his chest, right where his heart was located. This brought back a memory of a silver haired child, Lucius', the little one month old Draco had been presented to Lord Voldemort, by Narcissa and Lucius, and when taken from his mothers arms he started to cry, Narcissa took the child back exclaiming that Draco was very fond of contact, especially skin to skin, it was just a comfort to babies, and he just needed his Mummy. Voldemort looked down at the sleeping child, "You're making my life a real trial right now, little one." He carded his hand through the silky hair. "What am I going to do with you for two more days?"
Harry gurgled in his sleep.
"Trust me little one, if it weren't for that prophecy, you would still have your parents, but it's either you or me, and I love life too much to die. You have no clue what living is; you will not miss what you can't. There, there." Back and forth on the rocker they rocked.
"Ungh, ugh…Wh.What." He snorted. If his Deatheaters could see their Master now, what would they think? He was awoken to a sharp sting to his face. When he realized that he must've fallen asleep with Harry on the rocker. He looked down to see the pudgy hand coming back once more for another slap. Voldemort this time diverted the little fist, into his own much larger hand. "I will not be hit again, especially by you. You'll show me respect, these next two days, or else."
"Glumph." Was Harry's response to getting threatened, his brows furrowing, making him look older in years. "Mama." The little voice demanded. "Mama."
"Dead." Voldemort said monotonously, picking up the small child and heading into the bathroom.
"Dada." The tiny voice demanded again.
"Also dead. Now quiet."
The response that was given was a slap on the chest. Voldemort had to restrain himself from using the cruciatus on this child. "Can't harm him, can't harm him, can't harm him." The mantra kept going over in his head.
The walk to the bathroom was not a long one, but in Voldemort's opinion it felt like centuries, the boy kept crying for his 'Mama' and 'Dada' over and over again. If he didn't get one of them into calming water now, one or even both would not survive the minute walk.
When they reached the bathroom, Voldemort gave one last prayer to Merlin for strength when he pulled open the door. The bathroom was big, but nothing compared to the prefects lavatory at Hogwarts. It was a spacious room, decorated in a dark forest green. The sink was long and ran the whole length of one of the walls. There was a separate shower, and the toilet right next to it. On the next wall there was a side room, which acted as a change room and cabinet for the linens. In the middle of the room there was a tub, small in size, but big enough to fit five people in it rather comfortably.
With a single touch to one of the taps water started spouting out of it. He left it to fill the tub and carried the still loud baby to the changing area; he grabbed two towels off the rack, shrinking one to match in size of the small body. He took off his clothes, and transfigured his boxers into swim trunks, and than he stripped Harry and walked over into the tub.
As soon as Harry was immersed in water, the crying stopped. Voldemort smiled proudly to himself. He now knew what to do when the boy got to be too much. He let the child splash in the water, and kick his chubby little legs around. When that went on forever, Voldemort conjured up shampoo and soap and scrubbed the boy clean. He would have to forgo his bath today, when he had a little one to look after.
Going into the tub was easy for Voldemort; it was getting out of the tub that was a nuisance. Harry, who when the water first touched him, gurgled in glee, now was once again discontent with leaving the water behind, and facing the coldness that enveloped him. Quickly and with ease Voldemort had them both wrapped in the towels as fast as he could. This seemed to alleviate some of the screams, but not all.
"I'll make you a deal, you stop crying and later I'll bring you back here." Voldemort glared at the child.
"Gah." Harry replied, and waved his hand in Voldemort's face.
Voldemort grabbed a hold of the fingers and told Harry if he did that once more he would bite the fingers off.
Harry just blew a raspberry at him.
"Attractive. I could do that to ya know." Voldemort said, but than comprehension dawned on him, he was the Dark Lord, most feared person to ever exist, more feared than Grindewald, he could kill without any mercy, and here he was treating his supposed downfall as if he were his heir. Out of frustration, Voldemort aimed his wand at a chair and blew it up. He still wasn't satisfied he needed blood, a nice long death for an unsuspecting muggle. He would rally his death eaters together, and they would have a little fun today.
He could leave the boy with Mimsi for a day. The house – elf couldn't do that much trouble. At least nothing that couldn't be fixed.
As if reading his mind, an audible pop rang through the room. "Master, you have a visitor today. Mimsi tells him that Master sees nobody today, that Master is too busy, but he insists he does, that he sees Master right away. Says is important."
"Do you know who it is?" Voldemort glanced down at the pitiful creature before him.
"Aye I do Master, is the one who calls himself Lucius Malfoy."
"Finish with Harry here, he needs to be clothed, that means clothes for him not for you, and just put him in the pram for now. You will watch him until I get back, and make sure he comes to no harm." And with that Voldemort passed Harry to Mimsi and stalked out of the room, his right hand man would surely not miss out on such an opportunity as Muggle Hunting today.
"My Lord." Lucius bowed down when he saw his Master enter the main foyer.
"Lucius." Voldemort nodded. "Rise, today we are going to be considered equal. Today my friend we will go hunting."
Voldemort saw a spark shine in the silver – haired man's eyes. Lucius could never resist temptation when it stared him in the face. "Where shall we go today, my Lord?"
"There's a small village just north of here, secluded, not many muggles will be able to hear the neighbours screams. One by one they will die, Lucius. But before we go tell me how did things go with your mission?"
"Very well, the raid was a success. A hundred and forty traitors were killed last night. We found them all hiding together in a deserted building. Not too hard when you've got tracking devices, and some spies."
"Excellent, that brings me great joy, now that the traitors are disposed of the raid on the Ministry of Magic will commence in a couple of weeks time. What did you do with the bodies? You didn't leave evidence did you?"
"Of course not my Lord, all the bodies were transfigured into dust particles. There are no signs of death anywhere near that vicinity."
"Good, good. Let's go than, shall we? I think this calls for a celebration. Destroy whatever you want to Lucius. I give you free reign today."
"Thank you my Lord."
They left the manor and stepped into the apparition wards, and disappeared from sight.
Severus Snape looked up from the tomes he was poring over. He had started on his assignment the minute the Dark Lord told him to leave. He could not very well disobey. However, it was a lot harder than he thought it would be. He got the blood that was fine, but what he needed now was a potion, an antidote, and so far he could find neither. He had his suspicions on what would work, but that could take weeks to deduce, and he didn't have that long, in fact he had a bit more than two more days to finish what was ordered of him. Tossing "So you think you're gonna be sacrificed." By Philamond Cruckstone, to the side with the other discarded books, he picked up another this one called, "Sacrifices and You." Which came to be tossed with the ever-growing pile within minutes.
"Blast." He cursed. There was no information on how to get rid of the blood protection. He might as well let Voldemort kill him and be done with it. But Snape's were not quitters and he would find the perfect solution to his most painful headache yet.
As he was about to pick up the next book he was interrupted by a knock at the door. "What?" He barked out. Oh how he despised Hogwarts and all her little snivelling students. How blessed he would be to be teaching in a school without children.
A small head peeked its way through the door. "Prof..ffessor Sn..na.pp.e." The scared child grounded out. "I..I…"
"Spit it out already, this blubbering will not be tolerated. Five points from Ravenclaw, Mr. Tillis for wasting my time." Severus rose from his desk. Besides children the thing he hated most were stuttering ones.
"camefordetention." The boy now known as Tillis grounded out too fast. What a mistake it was to try and pass off another student's work for his own, especially trying to get it past Snape.
Severus had forgotten that one, he was quite surprised having to give a Ravenclaw detention, but here it was. "I don't have time for this Tillis, report to Filch tonight, he'll give you something to do, I'll make sure of it." He went back to his desk, and quickly wrote a note and gave it to Tillis to take. "Give it to him, and if you somehow forget, I'll know. NOW LEAVE." He boomed in his most intimidating voice.
Severus went back to his desk. "DAMN, DAMN, DAMN." He swore and fisted his hands on the desk. The small pile of un perused books fell down. "Oh for the love of Merlin." He yelled. Carefully he picked the books up one by one, until he spotted a small one that had gone unnoticed. In gold lettering the words "Blood and its Magical Properties." glittered in the candlelit room. "That's it." He picked it up and opened it.
The book however, turned out to be the same as every other one that he already skimmed through, nothing about how blood can protect a loved one. "I may as well sign my own death warrant now." Severus said aloud. He had a little bit more over a day to go and he was nowhere closer to finding what he needed. "It has to be it…" He turned the book over in his hands. It was as if he were missing an important piece, then he understood. "Revello." The book title shimmered again, and more words were added onto it. "Blood and its Magical Properties: Protecting Blood Relations." The book in his hands thickened, and Severus smirked opening up the pages that he missed.
"The nature of blood in the magical world is very different from that in the muggle world. While it does serve the same purpose in both worlds, magical blood differs from that of Muggles. Magical blood is not only used to help sustain life, but it can also protect an individual when in grave danger from unforgivables or otherwise less dangerous curses/hexes. The use of blood protection varies upon the purity of the protector and how far the protector will go in order to save a life. The blood protection charm is not to be taken lightly especially when going against an unforgiveable. In the case of an unforgivable the protector will most likely sacrifice their lives, that way if the love and want for the person to survive is absolutely pure it gets transferred to the protected, causing a shield. This charm works better if it is a parent and child involved, although there have been rare cases where it has worked on people outside of the blood relations (look at page 24449, for the Boomhawks case). There are ways to counteract the charm, but will not be stated in this book. For more references take a look at "Knowing thine Enemies." By Bernadine Bratshaw.
With a loud thump the book closed shut. This was the break he was waiting for, all Severus had to do now was get "Knowing Thine Enemies." Which shouldn't be too hard to do. He would have to go into Knockturn Alley, but was willing to take the chance, no matter how dangerous it may be.
About an hour later a disgruntled Severus came back from Knockturn Alley. He was tired and very irritable. He now remembered why he hated it so much. Too many hags and wild things running around, everyone talking in riddles, and shopkeepers were none too friendly. It took him the best part of 45 minutes to finally get assistance, and when he did the bloody fool had no idea what he was talking about, so he was left alone to fend for himself. But at last he found it, in a dark corner, small and tucked away amidst thousands of books on that one shelf.
He settled himself at his hard stoned desk and opened the book to page 1665, Beating Blood.
"The blood protection charm is a very intricate one. There are only two ways in which it can be removed. The first way to remove a charm is for the castor to remove it him/her self. The other way is difficult but with a very simple potion it can be disconnected. Ingredients for the potion are written underneath. But be warned there is a reason why the charm is put into place..."
Severus ignored the rest of what was written and let his eyes drift downwards to the bottom of the page.
INGREDIENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS:
1 pint of blood from the protected one
4 crushed fly wings
An ounce of Crushed lizard legs
Add the last two after having boiled the blood for three quarters of an hour, than stir it 5 times, 2 and a half times counter clockwise, and than 2 and a half times clockwise. Let it stand on the burner brewing until the next part is completed.
In a separate cauldron mix:
1-½ cups of unicorn hair
1-¼ cups of dried diamond backed snakeskin
These two ingredients will offset the good and the evil from one another, let it sit for 10 hours mixed together, than add a spoonful every half hour to the other cauldron. Let it than stand for 12 hours, the administration of the potion has to be consumed with in ten minutes of completion, otherwise it is spoiled, and you WILL have to start again, giving the potion after the ten minutes can result in death amongst the charmed one.
Severus glared at the book, and for the millionth time that year, questioned himself why he got involved in this. He would now have to go to the Dark Lord and ask for an extra two days in order to make the potion correctly. His Master wasn't going to be pleased with this outcome. He would go later, but first he had to collect the ingredients. Most of them he had in his private stores, which was easy enough, the only one that may be hard to come by, was the unicorn hair, due to its purity.
"Tempus, come here." He barked at the Owl that was now flying towards him. His owl for some reason liked to stay close to him when he wasn't teaching. "Bloody Bird, take this note for me to Parnish's Potions. Watch him closely and if he tries anything than bite him. Wait for the parcel, he will give it to you."
Tempus waited patiently while Severus tied the letter and a bag of galleons to his outstretched leg and flew off out the window.
Parnish's was the only potion shop that he would trust, while the man was a bit dodgy and he tried conning his customers into paying a higher price, the products that he sold were impeccable, and Severus knew if he wanted good quality that was the place to go.
Severus took stock of everything and realized that his trip to his Lords house was in order; he needed more blood from the boy, the vial that he thought would be sufficient enough wasn't. Oh well better to get it over with. He got his travelling cloak and made his way to see his Master.
Harry watched fascinated as the little creature in front of him made a feather float right in the air. It came closer to his small body and just as he was about to reach for it, the feather flew right out of his grasp. The little boy squealed with glee. This was too much fun.
Mimsi laughed along with the boy. She found him to be a delight, and hoped her Master would have a change of mind about him. She enjoyed the young one's company and it was a lot easier than her normal tasks, here she got to work and have fun at the same time. Using her elf magic she made some plastic blocks for Harry to play with, and scattered them around the room.
At the exact same time two bells went off, one alerting Mimsi that her Master was home with his friend, and the other announcing that a stranger had entered into the manor. She didn't have time to think when a cruel laughter rang through the room, her Master was close.
"Lucius that was such a pleasant surprise with the last one. I never knew a muggle could twist into so many different positions."
"A favourite one of mine my Lord, I wanted to test it out in public for the first time. It took a long time to get it perfect. Quite a few house elves did we lose trying to get that one just right."
"Good show Lucius. I knew there was a reason why I chose you as my second."
"Thank you My Lord." Lucius said as they made their way into Voldemort's personal chambers.
"I just have one quick thing to check up on Lucius, and I'll meet you in my study in twenty minutes, we have some new plans to go over."
"Yes my Lord, of course." Lucius made his leave quickly. Not wanting the good-tempered man to become ill tempered.
"A report Mimsi." He ordered the house – elf, who had just enough time to stop coddling the boy and sat on the floor watching him from a far.
"Mimsi watches the boy, like Master says. Boy comes to no harm. He's happy he is. Mimsi even made blocks so little Master wouldn't cry when you were gone."
"So everything went alright. No tantrums or anything?"
"None Master. The boy likes blocks. He's fine."
"What about any visitors? Were there any callers?"
"Just one Master, Mimsi was about to sees, when Master came in."
"Find out who it is."
Harry who had been busy with the blocks now became disinterested, his little friend who he had been playing with before now was busy with the big man, and both were ignoring him. Harry hated being ignored, never had he been left alone for so long, he was always surrounded by people. Harry hated this new concept. With a frustrated groan, he picked up the squishy block, crawled to where the big man was, and chucked the block at his body.
The block landed squarely on Voldemort's right leg. Glaring at the boy, Voldemort roughly picked him up. The wails started again.
"Oh my." Mimsi said horrified, covering her mouth with her hands.
"I'm going to see what his problem is, you tell whoever it is that if it's not important than leave, before I turn them into a little matchstick."
"Of course Master." Mimsi said and with a pop she was gone.
Voldemort strengthened his hold on the child as Harry began squirming in his arms. "You're no trouble for the elf, but somehow you like to grate on my nerves. Why is that Potter? Why do you have to be so troublesome?"
The mop of curly black hair was now sticking to the boys face. He wanted the lady with the red hair, the one who called herself Mummy. Mummy never handled him so rough, Mummy never talked to him so meanly. He wanted her and he wanted her now!
"MA." Harry screamed in panic, but his Ma didn't come, just like she didn't come the last time. "Ma" Harry tried again.
"I told you she's dead, just like your good for nothing father. Both dead."
"My lord, I don't think the child understands that. And he won't not for awhile, but the good news is, is that I found a potion that will stop the blood protection around the boy, and you will be able to kill him in a couple days time."
"Severus, when did you become so bold as not to bow down before me with such disrespect."
"Because my Lord, I am very busy, and need as much time as I can. I've only come to ask for a few things that is vital in completing the potion."
"I'll let you go this one time Snape, but don't think you'll get away with it next time."
"Of course not my Lord. If it is at all possible I need more blood from the boy, and from you my Lord. Both bloods need to be mixed together. And I'm going to need a couple more days time, in order for the potion to work. There's a lot that needs to be done and a lot of waiting involved with this one."
"You may have the blood, but you have to take it from the boy personally again. I can give you my own. As for the time I'll give you as much as you need, in order so you don't botch this up for me. Understood?"
"Yes my Lord, thank you." Snape placed a vial in the older mans hand, and took the still crying Harry in his other arms. While Voldemort was drawing out his own blood, Snape gave Harry a little calming draught and drew a needle into the pudgy arm. When he collected enough he returned Harry to Voldemort, gathered up his Master's blood and made his leave. His life was saved for one more day.
"Come Harry, you shall meet one of my equals today. A real treat." He carried the tuckered child out of the room and into his study where Lucius was waiting.
"Is this the child, my Lord?"
"Yes Lucius. Severus gave him a calming draught, and so I thought it would be ok to bring him here, he should be out for quite a while."
"He does look so innocent, if I may comment."
"Bah he's nothing of that sort Lucius." Voldemort looked down at the sleeping child and not for the first time during the past couple of days thought the same thing as the man.
Severus returned back to Hogwarts relieved. The meeting with the dark lord went better than he expected, without any fuss or torture that was a first. He deposited the items in his personal store, deep down in a dark dusty corner, where even pilfering students would not dare to look. And made his way to his personal chambers. The look on his face darkened when he noticed the headmaster there sipping on his finest brand of firewhiskey as if he owned the place.
"Headmaster, what do I owe this pleasure?" Severus asked, remembering that he tidied up his latest assignment before he went to see the dark lord let him breathe a little easier.
Albus swirled the liquid around in the goblet waiting for some time. He needed to reach his potions master. Find out why the man was hiding something from him.
"I just came down to see how you were Severus." Albus said slowly as if buying his time.
"I'm fine, Albus. Thanks for stopping by." Severus held the door open for him. A not so subtle hint to try and get the old git to leave which apparently wasn't working out too well. "Was there something else I can do for you headmaster? Seeing how you've entered into my personal room without permission, I expect you didn't come just to check up on my health."
"You're right Severus I didn't come just to check up on you're health. I have some pressing issues that need to be discussed with you. Serious issues in fact."
The silence was deafening as Severus waited for the headmaster to continue. When the silence became unbearable he waved his hand at the old man, for a continuation.
The action was not lost on Dumbledore, but he needed some time to see if his spy would let something lose in those couple of minutes. What he realized was that Severus was a lot stronger than he gave him credit for.
"Alright, Severus, I'll speak honestly with you. I want to know where you have been for the past couple of days. A lot has happened, as you might have heard. James and Lily Potter are dead, and baby Harry is missing. We had an order meeting and you weren't there. Why not?"
"Death Eater meetings. I have to attend those; otherwise the dark lord may get a bit suspicious. I have heard all about the infernal Potters' demise thank you. And now if that is all…"
"No that is not all Severus. You may have hated James and Lily, but they were huge allies in our fight against the dark. They did a lot of good for people. I need to know what happened at the meeting, was there anything else said there about the possibility of Harry's whereabouts?"
Severus held his breath. He wanted to curse the man in front of him. This plan of the Dark Lords was going to be the death of him. He could not stand the old man. How he despised him more than the mangy mutt and the Potters. He counted to ten and came up with a story that hopefully the old coot would buy.
"There was a meeting Albus. That is where Voldemort had told us the Potters were dead. There was no mention of the child, and he only spoke briefly about it, which leads me to believe that he does not have the boy. He than quickly changed topics and told us of a raid he's trying to plan. One that involves the ministry of magic herself, but he's waiting for the most opportune time, and now is not it. I will let you know more details as soon as I'm privy to them. I'm sorry my absence (he spat), was not any more valuable." There he done it, his occlumency was in check, there was no way that Dumbledore would think he was lying.
"Thank you, Severus your news was most outstanding, I will alert the Order of a possible raid, when you hear more you must tell me immediately."
"Of course Albus. Good night then."
"Good night Severus."
Severus' nerves were finally settling down as he saw Albus get up and walk towards the door, but he knew he wasn't a lucky man, especially when the old one turned around.
"I really do hope you know where your loyalties lie Severus, because I can assure you that when the light wins, and it will, and new evidence arises that you played us, there will be no reprieve for you. I will not help you out, and the Dementor's will have a glorious snack on your soul."
The door banged shut leaving Severus alone. He grabbed the crystal goblet the headmaster was drinking from and smashed it in the fireplace. He would have to let his Lord know when he brought the potions that the old man was getting suspicious of his allegiance, and how the take over would probably have to be sped up a little. With his nerves shocked to the core, he would not continue with the potion today. Tomorrow he would start with a clean slate.
"C'mon Remus, tell us where you go. You can't leave us in the dark. Me and Jamie boy always let you in. I'll even tell you a secret. Tomorrow in Slughorn's class we'll be adding a little something in Snape's potion. James is going to cause a distraction, but we'll let you if you tell us what we want to know." Blue eyes almost incandescent locked with those of brown.
"I can't say." The shy boy mumbled. "I've made a promise to both my parents and the headmaster. I'll get in trouble, and I don't want to leave Hogwarts. I'm sorry Sirius, but it's not worth taking the risk."
"You do realize that I will find out sooner or later. So just tell me now and get it over with."
"I can't, and I won't."
"Fine than, see if I care. Our friendship is over, and so is yours and James." The eleven-year-old boy said petulantly.
"You can't speak for James he's both our friends."
"See that's where your wrong, me and James go way back, he was mine long before he was yours. Without us you'll be an outcast, no one at Hogwarts will want to be your friend." He didn't want to sound harsh, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. For the past six months since they started to attend Hogwarts he would notice their friend slipping away, and missing a couple of days here and there, and whenever him or James tried to approach the topic, Remus would always dismiss it as if it were nothing.
Sirius flipped over on his bed and pulled the curtains up around him, indicating that their conversation was over and done with, along with their friendship.
Remus sat sitting on his bed. He didn't want to lose his only friends and he didn't want to be the outcast at Hogwarts, but every time he told his little secret he would lose more friends that way. Making up his mind, with his bare feet slapping on the cold marble floor, he pushed the drawings away from the bed.
"Sirius." He whispered.
No reply.
"Sirius."
Still no reply.
"SIRIUS." He shouted and this time he was awarded with a what.
"I'm a werewolf." He said before scampering over to his bed.
He was rewarded with a "Cool."
Sirius awoke with a nervous start. He remembered that night fondly. The next day him and James started working on their animagaus form. James, how it hurt even thinking of that name, he curled onto his bed. There would be no more nights with Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs ever again.
It was his fault entirely. He should never have gotten to that point where he would lose another of his best friends and he had only himself to blame. There were two marauders left. They had to stick together.
Making up his mind Sirius went over to his desk and got out a quill and parchment and began to write a whole long letter to his only remaining friend. When he was done he called for his owl, Tawny. "Take this letter to Remus, wait for a reply, no matter what." He tied the letter onto her outstretched leg and carried her to the window where she disappeared from view.
He stared watching out the window at nothing and yet everything. The land that he owned was magnanimous. Grimmauld place may look shabby and desolate, but the inside and outside stretched as far and wide as the eye could see.
"Excuse me Sirius." A voice entered the room.
Sirius jumped ten feet into the air. Surprised that he was getting a caller. He thought that his tantrum the other night might have caused people to turn away and give him some space at least for a little while. He was grieving for Merlin's sake.
He turned around from his spot and looked at the fireplace. "Oh Albus it's only you. What can I do for you?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you Sirius, but I have just gotten back from talking with Severus."
At the mention of this Sirius rushed over to the chair by the fireplace and sat anxiously for Albus to continue. "Well what did he have to say? Any news on Harry?"
"I'm sorry Sirius, but Severus says that as far as he knows that Harry is not in the hands of Voldemort."
"I don't believe it. That monster must have Harry, Albus. Don't you see the greasy git didn't really change sides, that he's lying? I'm telling you Albus once a death eater always a death eater. I can't believe this. I can't."
"Sirius this is not easy, I know what its like to lose someone close to you, but Severus is a spy for us. He's no longer a death eater, and I'm sorry to say this, but it's likely that Harry is gone. The Aurors may have missed his body, because there may not even be a body to find."
"You don't know what its like to lose someone Albus, especially your whole family." Sirius' voice was low as he tried to control his emotions.
"Sirius…"
"Out of my fireplace Albus, NOW!" and with a wave of his wand Sirius closed the floo connection to his fireplace. He was alone again.
"DAMN THEM ALL." He screamed as he picked up the closest object he could find and flung it at the wall. It landed with barely a sound, which wasn't that satisfying to the young man. He noticed it was a blue soft plush. One that looked vaguely familiar. Sirius bent down to pick it up. A small bow tie adorned the neck of the stuffed unicorn, a little tag hung limply on the ear. He opened up the tag and read the words in the familiar handwriting. "To Lil Prongs, Happy Birthday. Your Godfather Padfoot." He stroked the unicorn lovingly, putting it to his face it still smelled of baby powder with a hint of smoke. It was one of the few items that was found almost fully intact after the attack and he picked it up from the rubble and brought it home with him. It was his last connection to his baby. And when Harry returned he would give it back to him.
A tapping noise coming from outside caught his attention. Putting the unicorn gently down, Sirius went to the window a smile on his face when he saw Tawny.
He let her in and gave her an owl treat, which she hooted her thanks, with a small nip when the letter was untied she took off to her cage.
Sirius smiled when he saw his name printed on the parchment, Moony wrote back. His Moony forgave him even after he started the ridiculous fight. Good old understanding Moony. Anxiously he tore open the parchment and scanned the letter his face dropping, as a child would after not getting dessert. He dropped into the chair, the piece of parchment falling to the floor, tears running down his face:
"Dear Moony,
It's hard to write this letter after the way I behaved. I'm ashamed and know that you shouldn't forgive me, but this is what I'm asking for. I never meant to hurt you in any way. You are my brother and I wronged you, you were only trying to help me. Please do not let our friendship die, over a grieving man's stupidity. I love you my dear friend, and I offer my apologies a million times over. Please let Padfoot and Moony live again. I need you my old friend more than ever. Tawny will wait for a reply.
Sirius.
P.S. I had to copy this letter Sirius otherwise the blasted owl wouldn't leave, we are no longer brothers and we are no longer friends, do not contact me anymore Sirius. Padfoot and Moony both died last night along with Padfoot and Lil Prongs. Your apology is not accepted.
To all my lovely reviewers and reader's thanks so much for the support and sticking with the story. It may seem that the story is getting a bit repetitive, but I promise it is leading somewhere.
I make no promises for when the next chapter will be out. My writing has become very sporadic, but it will come. Please review they do mean the world to me.
Happy belated New Year everyone,
Love Hedwig11445