THE VEIL

Chapter 27

18th June 1996 – The Veil

"What the fuck?" Sirius dropped the bucket of food he had for Buckbeak. The Hippogriff was in the corner of the room protecting his rear quarter. Blood was everywhere. Remus and Tonks were on the stairs behind him both of them swore softly when they entered the room slowly. The Hippogriff flapped his wings threateningly at the three. Slipping slightly on the slick floorboards, squawking in pain as he put weight onto his leg.

Sirius stepped forwards and bowed to the beast. Not breaking eye contact. A full five minutes past before the Hippogriff returned the bow. Sirius stood and moved slowly to the animal. "Easy Beaky. Easy. Lets see what's happened." He moved slowly around the Hippogriff and paled. There were several large deep cuts on the hind quarters of the animal, all still bleeding profusely. One still had the object embedded in the wound.
"I will fucking kill that fucking elf." He growled softly. Remus was coming out of his bow to the Hippogriff and moved around to Sirius to see the damage.
"Tonks, can you go get the medic kit. If anyone is in the kitchen we are going to need help." Remus said quietly. Tonks nodded and dashed to the door, bumping into the frame in her hurry.

Sirius ran a hand over the Hippogriff's quivering hide, "Easy Buckbeak. We're here to help you." Buckbeak squawked back, tossing his head as the sounds on the stairs indicated Tonks returning, with Moody and Kingsley in tow. Moody assessed the situation and began barking orders. Kingsley who happened to be the most trained in medical attention moved around to Buckbeaks wounded side as Remus and Sirius took hold of the harness at the Hippogriffs head. Moody and Tonks were to hold at his flanks to prevent the wings from opening. Two hours later they trooped back downstairs, bruised and bloodied. Thankfully the blood wasn't theirs. Buckbeak was lying back on the mattress in the room, bandaged and munching on the bucket of dead rats and ferrets.

Sirius's face was a mask of rage he stormed into the kitchen. "KREACHER!" He bellowed ignoring the fact that his mother began screaming in her wake. Kreacher appeared, out of reach for Sirius to strangle the elf. The elf jumped away as Sirius lunged.
"Did you or did you not attack Buckbeak Kreacher? The truth now." He growled his steel grey eyes glinted. The others watched, they knew it was not their place when a house elf was being punished. It didn't sit right but having witnessed Buckbeak's wounds, they cared considerably less. Each of them glared at the elf. Before Kreacher had a chance to respond the fire flashed and Fawkes flew from the fireplace, dropped a scroll and flew back into the fireplace. Moody hobbled over and tore open the scroll. His normal eye widening as he read.
"You're godson is going to be the death of me Black." He shoved the scroll at Sirius.

Black,

It would seem your idiotic godson has taken it into his head again to play hero. If you have this then Fawkes has found you. If you don't have this then the stupid boy was right, and you are in the Dark Lord's clutches in the Department of Mysteries.
He has gone with some idiot class mates to "Rescue" your sorry ass. Dumbledore will arrive at headquarters shortly. Don't be as dumb as your Godson.

PROF S. Snape.

Sirius swore. Passing it to Remus, who read it aloud for the other two as he began pacing. Kreacher cowered in the corner. Remus finished and looked up. "You're not going to wait are you?" Sirius shook his head and kicked the chair. He turned and rounded on Kreacher. "You will not leave this kitchen. You will wait for Albus Dumbledore and explain the whole story to him. You will tell him everything you have done including why and how you hurt Buckbeak. And you will do it succinctly and answer any questions he had honestly. IS THAT CLEAR?"
Kreacher cowered and bowed to Sirius, "Yes Master, your order is clear."

Sirius pivoted and stormed out of the kitchen the others close behind.
"This is not a good idea Sirius, we should wait for Albus." Kingsley said his deep voice still heard through is his mothers portrait's shrill screams.
"My Godson is in danger and has his friends involved. I am not waiting around to find out children are going to be killed by You-Know-Who's henchman and flunkies." Sirius growled stalking out into the night. Remus and Tonks shared a worried look and followed after him. Moody staggered along grumbling about hotheads and adults supposedly meant to know better.

The ministry atrium was empty as they apparated in. Sirius had transformed into Padfoot as soon has he apparated. Something he had become very adept at. Moody appeared and conjured a leash around the large black dog as he bounded forwards, stopping short as Moody tugged him back.
"Padfoot, don't be an ass or I will tie you up here. Now use that nose and find Potter and his friends."

Padfoot growled but did as he was told. Moody satisfied he wouldn't gallop off and get caught, vanished the lead and followed the dog slowly as Padfoot moved back and forth nose to the ground. Padfoot stopped at a point and circled it three times. He found a scent that he remembered. It wasn't Harry's but one whom favoured the scent of honey and vanilla. Hermione. He barked and followed the scent. The others jogged behind, wands drawn ready for an ambush.

They reached the elevators. Padfoot whined. Remus punched the button for the Department of Mysteries. The doors slid shut behind them and the elevator whizzed off to the direction of the Department of Mysteries. The voice announced their arrival in the cool voice calm voice that went against the urgency they were all in. Kingsley shoved open the gates and stepped into the hall. Padfoot dashed past, his nose still to the ground, ran straight to the door marked "Dept of Mysteries".
"Better change back Pads," Remus said quietly.

They opened the door and stepped into the room. The room beyond didn't move as two of the doors were already open. Sounds through the one on their right had them running through, Kingsley the first through the door, ran straight to Ron, struggling with a brain. Avoiding touching it he began reeling in the tentacles that had issued from it wrapping itself around Ron. Remus next through the door saw Ginny, sitting next to an unconscious blonde. Remus had taught both students and rushed to assess their damage. Moody rushed forwards to help Kingsley as Tonks kept an eye ahead, Her auror training taking precedence to ensure everyone was safe. Sirius stepped in, he was still following the scent when he was Padfoot, though it was harder when he was in human form.

She was half buried under books unconscious. He swore softly as he checked her pulse before pulling her from the pile. The sight of her torn shirt his face went pale. He traced the welt, remembering the thin scar and swore viciously. Kingsley and Moody had finally detached the brain from Ron and flew it back into its jar. Kingsley checked Ron's pulse and nodded to Moody.

Moody stood and looked around.

"They will be fine we need to go, Harry is still in danger" He marched forwards, Tonks and Kingsley following quickly behind, the sounds of an argument echoing. Remus took off and Sirius reluctantly followed behind. He stopped at the door. She was alive, now to find his Godson. Ginny watched Sirius. Despite her pain she saw the look that was in Sirius's face before he disappeared and looked back at Hermione frowning slightly.

Curses shot at them the moment that the Death Eaters had noticed the Order members arrived. The five spread out and fired back with equal force. Finally after so long Sirius was finally doing something useful, something that he was incredibly good at as he took out two of the Death Eaters one after the other. He did not care who was under the mask. They had threatened those that he loved and he wanted to exact punishment on any who were willing to try and take him on.

Sirius focused on trying to reach his Godson, a task that frustratingly became harder and harder. He deflected a spell on his left. Bellatrix Lestrange stood across from him, sending another hex in his direction. She had not been engaged by anyone. Sirius blocked it and shot one out to his right to a Death Eater trying to get past his guard and fired another back at her. He moved forwards into the centre of the room, using the arch that stood there as cover as he and Bellatrix let loose on each other. Many of her curses and hexes passed missing him. She had been always been a bad aim in a major confrontation as this. Yet she blocked every one of his hexes perfectly. She laughed at him.

Sirius himself was grinning. Despite the danger he was exhilarated. Around him he felt more than saw the tide of battle turn, but he paid no attention to who had now entered the field of battle. He trusted that Remus and the order members would ensure Harry's safety, after all that was what their main mission task was for the whole year - to protect Harry. Bellatrix fired another curse. It was flimsy and he blocked it easily. He knew she was toying with him, trying to lull him into a sense of victory.

Sirius knew the tactic, and laughed at her. "Is that the best you can do?" He shouted at her as he shot another curse. A flicker of movement and a flash of light behind Bellatrix caught his eye as Bellatrix fired another curse at him cackling. The light suddenly surrounded him and he found himself displaced.
When the light faded he was now standing behind Bellatrix. The spell meant for him passed through nothing then Hermione appeared exactly where he stood, clutching her chest and her wand aimed at Bellatrix. Sirius watched as if in slow motion as Hermione's footing slipped on a loose stone and she fell back into the grey wispy veil that hung between the archway.

"NO!" Sirius cried out at the same time as Harry. Both had watched what had happened. Sirius didn't even look as his wand pointed at Bellatrix's back. The force of the spell sent her flying across the room and hitting the wall opposite. The witch landed by the door.
Sirius rushed back down the amphitheatre to reach the archway. Remus caught him, his face as pale as Sirius. He strained in Remus's arms, "Hermione" He moaned.
"We still need to fight and get Harry out Pads! Focus." Remus pleaded to his friend, "You know where she goes, she will be fine." He whispered, shoving Sirius away from the arch. Remus deflected a spell as Sirius took a breath and focused back onto the battle. Remus deflected another curse, "Get Harry out!" He ordered his friend.

Sirius looked at Harry and Neville as Neville was hit by a curse. Neville collapsed, and Harry looked up to the person who cast it. Bellatrix stood at the door glaring down at Harry and Sirius. Harry didn't hesitate and flung a curse at her before scrambling up the steps after her. Bellatrix laughed and fled through the open portal, Harry hot on her heels. Sirius paused to check on Neville. He was still alive, just knocked out and his nose still bleeding. Cursing softly he fixed Neville's nose. He pulled the boy up over his shoulder and followed behind. Remus dispatched another Death Eater and moved in, defending the rear as Sirius climbed back up the stairs to the doorway.

"Dumbledore has gone after Harry." Remus puffed as they reached the top of the stairs. Sirius grunted in acknowledgement, Neville wasn't a lightweight. Luna and Ginny were still in the room that they had left them in. Remus saw that Ron was on a stretcher and pointed his wand at it. Luna was helping Ginny get to her feet. They watched as Bellatrix ran past and then Harry and Dumbledore. Fear in the two girls eyes. Remus helped the girls and followed Sirius back to the elevator.

When they reached the Atrium the doors opened onto battle. Dumbledore and Voldemort were duelling in the centre of the Atrium. The Fountain that stood in the centre was completely destroyed. Harry being defended and protected by Dumbledore and what seemed like the statues on the fountain. The group watched as the fireplaces flashed green as Witches and Wizards flooed in and looked on as Dumbledore fought the Dark Lord.

The Dark Lord himself seemed to realise that there was a crowd and aimed a spell at Harry before disappearing with Bellatrix, Dumbledore giving up his advantage to protect the boy. Sirius deposited the unconscious Neville to the ground and rushed over to his godson. Harry was for the moment in shock Dumbledore nodded to Sirius and stepped away from them to meet with the Minister for Magic, and his associates. As well as the troupe of Daily Prophet reporters, who were now rushing forwards begging for an interview. Dumbledore stemmed the tide of questions and asked for their patience. He would make a statement once his students were returned safely back to Hogwarts. And with that he levitated the head of the centaur statue to the group around Remus and turned it into a portkey.

They were in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Remus and Dumbledore deemed it best that the students be cared for there instead of St Mungos, for the main reason that Hogwarts could prevent the reporters from trying to harass them. Dumbledore had taken Harry to his office. He needed to explain something to the boy. Sirius and Remus were waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs to the office. They didn't fail to hear Harrys yells as he shouted at Dumbledore. Nor did they miss the sounds of things smashing around the office. It was dawn when Harry stormed out of the Headmaster's office. He shrugged off his godfather, he wanted to be alone.

Sirius watched him storm off, his chest ached for Harry. Almost as much as the ache in his chest for the curly brown haired witch he had watched disappear into the archway saving his life yet again. He made his way up the stairs to the Headmasters office, Remus at his side. Dumbledore sat at his desk amongst the broken ruins of the trashed office, courtesy of Harry. Dumbledore for the first time looked his age. He looked up at the two wizards, he had watched grow up from troublemaking teenagers to men aged by two wars.

Sirius wasted no time in pleasantries, "She went into the veil. I know she did, because I remember her coming out when I was five at Christmas." Dumbledore nodded, "I have seen the memories she gave to me, and now I know how she did it I will be putting in enquiries to some Unspeakables."
Sirius frowned. "She hasn't come out? I thought-"

"You thought that as soon as she went in she would come out straight away?" Dumbledore asked tiredly, he shook his head. "From the memories she provided me and from what you have told me, Miss Granger has spent a considerable amount of time in the past?"

Both men nodded slowly. Both men began to understand the implications. She may not be back for a long while or she may be back at any moment. Sirius sat down heavily. Right now she could be anywhere in his time. He had all the memories of her, but she had also, only a few scant hours before fallen into his past.
"Will she even come out?" Remus voiced the question Sirius feared the answer to. Sirius ran his hands through his hair, finally looking bleakly at the old man. Dumbledore shook his head.

"I do not know." He said softly, "We can only but wait and see." Dumbledore stood slowly, "I have quite a few urgent matters I must attend to before I can rest. Sirius, I suggest that you find Harry and be there for him, if you can, perhaps escorting him to the hospital wing would be best. I will be there shortly to speak to him and Mr Weasley."

Sirius stood and transformed into Padfoot leaving Remus and Dumbledore to track down Harry, the responsibility for his godson still urging him to keep going. Remus looked at Dumbledore, "If she does not come back, I fear what it will do to him." He said quietly.
Dumbledore nodded, "Stay with him. He will most likely need you in the coming days. Now if you will excuse me Remus, I have a Ministry Official held captive by a group of angry Centaurs to fetch from the Forest."

Remus nodded and watched him go. He sat down and rubbed his temple. The wizarding world would be finally accepting something that they had known about for over a year. Something that they had been fighting in the shadows as the wizarding community deliberately turned a blind eye. Remus looked around the office. The least he could do was make it a little easier; sweeping his wand out the objects that had broken into a hundred little pieces rebuilt themselves and zoomed back to their original places. He walked slowly to the hospital wing to help support the brave students that had just taken on the inner circle of the Dark Lords army and lived. Remus knew very few had the honour to say that.

Padfoot found Harry by the lake, throwing rocks into the water. Padfoot sat and watched for a while, then ran and pushed him into the water. When Harry came up for air his Godfather was standing over him. Harry scrambled to get up Sirius pushed him back into the water. Sirius strode out of the water and waited for Harry to get up.
"What did you do that for?" Harry yelled at Sirius.
"You are not the only one mourning that she is gone." Sirius growled, "When you have done sulking, get your ass up and see your friends. They too are also mourning her." Sirius turned and strode away, morphing as he did so back up to the castle, leaving Harry standing, dripping wet, and guilty at his own actions.

Ron was awake when Harry finally came up to the castle. He hadn't bothered drying himself. Ron looked at Harry, "Tell me she is not-" Luna, Ginny and Neville all watched silently. Harry shook his head. Sirius, Remus and Tonks watched as the teenagers dealt with their grief for their friend. Ron lay staring at the ceiling, his face white, and the marks from his fight with the brain livid on his skin. Neville had withdrawn into himself. Luna moved and sat beside Ginny, the girls both weeping silently. Tonks moved to the girls and hugged them, tears also in her eyes. Harry sat between Neville and Ron, staring at a fixed point.

Sirius left with Remus and Tonks when Madame Pomfrey politely but insistently dismissed them so that she could care for her patients. Harry was allowed to remain as he was given a calming tonic and put into a bed himself. They were now sitting in the library of twelve Grimmauld Place together drinking fire whiskey. Remus and Tonks stayed with him for most of the night, until Tonks kept yawning and Remus escorted her to a bed. Sirius was left to sit by himself staring into the empty hearth as it was too hot to light a fire.

Sirius took another sip of whiskey, and pulled out the little wooden ring box he kept with him ever since the afternoon that his Princess departed with a promise. He opened the case and looked at the jewelled ring, glinting in the candlelight. It was a black diamond with tiny rubies and sapphires circling it on a gold band. "You promised. Princess you promised." Tears leaked down his face as he sat in the armchair sobbing for the loss of the one person that meant more to him than anything in the world.

The wind buffeted around her. The whispering was so loud her eardrums felt ready to burst. Hermione tumbled in the roiling grey, her red skirt of her dress pulled by the wind, her hair whipping wildly about her face. She had her hands over her ears trying to block out the noise. The grey undulated turbulently; the wind rushed about her tumbling her along. As suddenly as it came the winds and whispering stopped.

She was poised high above in a room. A room in which so much had happened. A room in which she was now rushing towards as she fell. She didn't have time to scream as her body hit the very ground before the archway that she had slipped and stumbled on, so long ago and at the same time only several days before. The impact echoed around the empty amphitheatre, bouncing and echoing much like the whispering that came softly from the flapping veil beside her. Whispering that she no longer heard, the veil she no longer saw. Her dark red dress pooled around her like the ruby fairy pendant that sat on her chest that barely moved.