Anything in italics is a thought.

Any scenes in bold is occurring at a different time (Flashback).

Enjoy!

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Kagemusha
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He was alone in the room.

Everyone had left, gone to do something or help someone, while he was made to wait here for news.

I can't believe that idiot allowed himself to get caught! 'I'll be right behind you Moony', 'Don't worry Moony', 'I don't plan on getting caught Moony' Argh! That… that… Idiot! Stupid! Nit witted moron! Brainless twit!

Feeling his anger return full force, Remus Lupin got up from his sitting position and made to pace around the room. He had already been ejected from the Hospital wing by Madam Pomfrey when his exclamations of disbelief at hearing that Sirius was captured had reached new and disapproved levels.

The only good thing is that Harry is going to be all right. Madam Pomfrey said that he should be out and about as soon as he wakes up, which, according to her, could take up to two days. I just hope that by then we can get that imbecile out of the Ministry's clutches.

His mind began going over the few events that had taken place between Hogsmeade and his current situation.

Luckily, they had no other encounter with Death Eaters on their way back; in fact, they met two other Order members on their way, which probably discouraged any rouge enemy from attempting an attack.

As soon as they reached Hogwarts, Remus broke away from the group and ran all the way to the Hospital wing, carrying his precious bundle with him. Poppy didn't appear surprised to see him, although once she took a quick look at her patient she did give of surprise.

"What happened to him?"

"I don't know. Sirius found him in this state and bade me to come here as quick as possible so that he may receive the proper treatment."

"Hmm…" She said, already absorbed in her scans. "A good thing too, for while his injuries are nothing serious, his malnutrition combined with his concussion might have been enough to send the boy into a magical coma, especially since his magic seems to be extremely depleted. Hmm…"

Remus felt a chill run through him as he saw Poppy closely examine Harry's new appearance. He had completely forgotten about the change which Sirius said he had probably gone through and was at a lost as to how to explain it.

As luck would have it, Poppy probably deemed it more important to treat her patient than to make inquiries for she soon turned back to her magical scan and disappeared into her storage to pick some potions.

Knowing that any danger has past for the time being, Remus allowed himself to fall limply on a nearby chair and relax. All the adrenaline and tension of the past few hours started to ebb away as he allowed the soothing feeling of Hogwarts and the hospital wing to sooth him. He vaguely heard Madam Pomfrey come back with her potions and dose Harry with them while performing a multitude of spells, while his exhaustion began to settle in.

Padfoot should be arriving at any minute now, unless he got caught up at Hogsmeade…

Before he could finish that train of thought, his short lived peace was interrupted for the doors to the hospital wing burst open and in entered Minerva McGonagall in a state he hasn't seen her in for many years.

"Poppy, you better prepare your hospital to receive patients as many of the injured Aurors and Order members are going to come here to treatment. Thank Merlin that awful attack is over with and that we have no heavy casualties. I only hope that Albus was able to send someone to help Mr. Potter, apparently his house was under attack when the Aurors arrived there."

This picked up Remus' interest, perhaps Minerva knew what end had the incident come to. He was just about to ask, as she hadn't taken notice of him when she continued. "I'm glad though, from what I've heard, they managed to apprehend the Death Eater that was threatening Mr. Potter."

"What?!"

His shout startled both women, who had apparently forgotten that he was there.

"Remus! Don't you think you're doing, screaming behind people's backs like that! You know my nerves aren't what they used to be, young man!" said a very intimidating Minerva McGonagall.

Her speech was lost to Remus, for his mind was focused on what she had last said, "They captured him? Are you sure? How long ago was it? Have –"

"Remus Lupin! You will cease this assault on my person this instant!" Shouted a very put out Minerva, for Remus, during his tirade had grabbed onto her arm in a strong grip.

Releasing her and focusing on slowing his racing heart beat, he then apologised.

"Forgive me, Minerva. But your news unsettled me, are you sure they captured him?"

Straitening out her robes and sending a reproving glare at his direction, she answered "Yes, the Death Eater was captured."

"Stupid idiot! I knew I couldn't trust him with this! Irresponsible, dim-witted mongrel!"

"Mr Lupin! You shall lower your voice or be gone from my hospital wing!" His small outburst was interrupted by Madam Pomfrey's stern voice.

"By Godric, Remus, calm down! What is wrong with you?"

"Calm down? How can I when you have just told me that the Ministry captured Sirius!" He all but screamed, Poppy's admonishment leaving his mind, "Who knows what they could have done to him by now! For all we know he could have already been given the kiss!! And you ask me to calm down!! I knew I shouldn't have left him there!! I knew it!"

He didn't know if it was because they weren't used to seeing him in such an angry state or if it was due to his news, but both women held shell shocked expressions on their face when he finally stopped his rant to breath.

"I assure you Remus; Sirius is going to be quite safe. I have just sent word to Kingsley Shacklebolt in the Ministry and he should be able to help young Sirius." Came the reassuring voice of none other than Albus Dumbledore, making him stop mid pace.

Glaring at the man, his tone of voice one to match his scowl. "Say what you will Albus, but I won't rest until I see Sirius, alive and safe, here at Hogwarts."

His was about to sit back down on his chair when Poppy decided that one warning was enough and promptly banished him from the hospital wing. This was how he found himself in his current situation, alone, in his old office.

Remus signed worriedly as he sat back down on the chair.

Padfoot, if you managed to get yourself killed I sure hope that Lily will tear a piece of your hide for not being able to tell Harry the truth!

OOOooo§oooOOO

Come on! I have to get here in time; the Minister is probably on his way right now!

Many people turned to look at him, for while they were used to see people rushing about; it was rare to find a person desperate enough to actually run through the corridors in the Ministry of Magic. The closer he got to the designed corridor the more he tired to come up with a way to save the innocent man; his instructions were sketchy, at best.

His heart was beating in haste.

I cannot afford to fail. This mans life depends on my success!

Nearing the corridor in which he knew the prisoner to be kept he slowed down to a quick walk. He couldn't look too suspicious now.

One last turn…

"Mr. Shacklebolt!"

Damn it! Of all the interruptions…

Recognising the voice, Shacklebolt signed exasperatedly and turned, unable to help the dark look he sent to the boy rushing towards him.

"What do you want Radford?"

"Sir, I'm sorry, you seem to be in a hurry, but this can't wait…"

"Get on with it!"

"Y-yes Sir… the Minister a-asked me to g-give you these forms, sir. It concerns the murderer Black, sir and the muggles who had to be obliviated this morning."

"Leave them in my office." Shacklebolt turned to go, when Radford continued "But… sir… the Minster said it was urgent, sir."

"Mr. Radford" Shacklebolt said as he turned around, "I said to leave them in my office. I am in a hurry to finish some very important business, which also concerns Sirius Black; the Minister has asked me to double the security around his cell. Now, would you like us to run the risk of him escaping again just to fill some papers?" His tone of voice clearly stated that there was no room for argument. Before the young man could answer, Shacklebolt turned and continued on his way; totally uncaring that he was leaving a horrified employee in his wake.

Just as he turned at the end of the corridor, his was able to see the door, which held Sirius Black captive, guarded by four Ministry Officials, assigned by himself, of course.

They are still guarding the door… I only hope this means that the Minister still hasn't been in for a little visit.

OOOooo§oooOOO

The door to where the body of Sirius Black opened and in entered two Ministry officials whose task were to take the soul-less body away. It would be allowed to rot away in Azkaban for the remaining of its cursed life.

They picked the body up, no emotion in their eyes save for relief. The famous murderer and You-Know-Who supporter was dead, punished beyond redeem.

The world was a safer place to live in.

But even as they threw his body in a dark cell, where it would be re-located on the next freight to Azkaban, they failed to notice a peculiar wire, springing from the body's waist and back.

OOOooo§oooOOO

"What is your business here, Mr. Shacklebolt? You know we cannot allow anyone to enter." Stated the senior warden.

"Yes, I know your orders."

"Then wha-" The guard was prevented from asking for Shacklebolt had taken out his wand and swiftly paralysed all four of them, he wasn't the Deputy director of the Aurors office for nothing. Looking around to ensure that no one had witnessed his little stunt, he opened the door and levitated all four bodies inside, making sure to place illusion replicas outside so that their absence wouldn't be noticed.

It was clear the look of disgust on Sirius's face when Shacklebolt entered – a look which turned to confusion when he noticed the unconscious guards after him.

"Kingsley? Wha –"

A held up hand quickly silenced him. "No. We don't have much time, Black. Fudge will be here any minute with the Dementor. Listen carefully."

Sirius just looked at Shacklebolt dumbfounded but nodded, apparently help had come his way.

"You are to turn into your dog form, yes, Albus notified my of your handy talent, and follow me like a normal dog would. We are to leave through the usage of a Portkey, which is only activated once we are a certain distance away from here, with the activation word."

"How-"

"I'm not done yet."

Sirius glared at him, but listened none the less.

"The Minister will arrive and notice your absence and it will be just one more failure to him causing the search for you only to intensify. Your situation won't have improved, not to mention that I might also lose my job. To prevent that, I shall be doing a nifty spell that will make an exact replica of your body, much like a doll. It is based on an ancient Japanese technique called Kagemusha, and I shall need one hair of yours to accomplish it."

Knowing time was of utmost importance, Sirius quickly complied by handing him a few strands of his hair.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No." Placing the strands of hair on the floor he muttered "Corpus Copiaste" pointing his wand at Sirius and then at the hairs. They didn't even stay to see how the spell worked out.

Time was short.

As Shacklebolt revived the four guards, whom had a dazed expression on their face due to the powerful memory charm placed on them; Sirius sent one spell at his cloned body before changing into his Animagus form.

They made the turn down the corridor just as Fudge and his companions turned into the corridor at the other end.

OOOooo§oooOOO

Remus, who had again returned to his pacing, turned around at the sound of a soft pop to face a house elf nervously looking at him.

"Sir will be excusing Missy, but Missy is being told to tell Sirs that he is wanted at Master Dumbly's office."

"Thank you Missy, I shall make my way there."

The house elf happily nodded its head before disappearing with another soft pop.

He was then left alone again, and with a long sigh he ran his hand through his hair anxiously.

No use in delaying the inevitable. I will learn of what happened sooner or later…

Leaving the room he made his way to Dumbledore's office, automatically saying the designated password and riding the moving stairways upwards, for he was lost in thought.

He didn't know what he expected to find when he entered the office, but finding it packed with people only served to increase the cramp in his stomach. He looked at each person in the room, trying to gauge the situation by what he saw there to no avail.

"Remus, please take a seat." Dumbledore finally said, breaking the silence and building tension with his habitual ways.

"What happened Albus? Is Sirius alive?"

OOOooo§oooOOO

Having managed to get thought the hardest part of this improvised mission, it was with great relief that Shacklebolt and Padfoot made their way down the corridor and away from the cell. Their next aim was to get Sirius safely to Hogwarts, for it would be of no use if someone, by any chance, caught them now.

The distance they had to go for it to be safe to activate the Portkey was basically back to Shacklebolt's office, where no one would notice the sudden disappearance of a certain dog. The only problem being that young Mr. Radford was waiting to Shacklebolt to return to his office. His determination and perseverance, which would have looked good for him in any other situation, was about to bring him extremely close to being dismissed by his exasperated superior.

"Mr. Shacklebolt! Will you fill these papers now?" Radford called out as soon as he spotted them coming down the corridor, meters before Shacklebolt and Padfoot were able to enter his office.

Shacklebolt clenched his teeth. "In a minute Radford, I'll be right with you."

"But, Sir, please fill in these, you are already here, and they won't take long."

Before Shacklebolt could answer Padfoot growled, causing Radford to turn and look at him, his surprise evident on his face. "Where did this dog come from, sir?"

"It has been with me the whole time, you were just to busy with those papers of your to notice him. Now, hand me these dratted papers and–"

"B-but sir… I thought animals weren't allowed in the Ministry."

"They aren't Mr. Radford, I was merely doing a favour to a friend of mine, and that is why I was on my way to send him back to him. Something, I might add, that you are preventing me from doing by not giving me the blasted papers!" Shacklebolt in controlled anger.

"Yes, sir. S-sorry about that, sir." Radford said as he hastily handed the papers to Auror Shacklebolt.

"You may go now; when I am done I will give these back to you." Shacklebolt said coldly as he entered his office.

Poor Oliver Radford.

He never truly understood why, weeks later, he was dismissed from his job. Nor did he ever understand why the dog he encountered that day had such a powerful gaze, after all it was only an animal, was it not?

OOOooo§oooOOO

Seconds after the incident with Oliver Radford, Sirius Black was landing in the middle of Albus Dumbledore's office. There, waiting for him were Albus Dumbledore himself, Poppy Pomfrey, Minerva McGonagall and Remus Lupin.

Regaining his balance, he hurriedly turned to Remus and asked, "Where is Harry?"

The only answer he received from his friend was a very hard punch to his jaw.

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Feedback is always appreciated.
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So! Of course Sirius is not dead. No, no! I have much planned for him for him to die so soon. Can't have him lazing about and drying me insane, can we?

If you think Remus is being a bit exaggerated here, just wait until you see the thorough talking to that Sirius will receive from him next chapter! I do hope that the fact that the scenes in bold didn't confuse anyone, for they were happening before some events in this chapter and some in the previous ones.

Kagemusha: A technique used in ancient Japan, which enabled people to produce an exact replica of a living being, using real skin, blood, and hair. The only way to be able to tell it apart from the it's real version, besides seeing if it is alive, is by cutting the body open. This is because the very core of the doll is made by wires and other none living material.

Now, on with the behind the scenes!

[ "Remus Lupin! You will cease this assault on my person this instant!" Shouted a very put out Minerva, for Remus, during his tirade had grabbed onto her arm in a strong grip.

"Sorry, Minerva, you know I can't resist you." Answer Remus, a totally off-character grin dancing in his lips. Professor McGonagall was speechless. Her jaw dropped.

"I knew he would end up in love with a teacher!" Shouted the bodiless voice of Sirius from the off-set. "But McGonagall, Moony? Isn't she a bit old?"

Then Tonks' boot came flying from some really mysterious location, namely her feet, and Remus threw his body to the right to avoid it. "Remus, you retarded necrophile!"

"Five thousand points from Hufflepuff, miss Tonks!"

"I was just joking, just joking! Really, it's the author's fault, for writings sentences with so much double-meaning!" The werewolf cried in despair, casting a spell to protect himself from the other boot.

"Please," Said Hell's Angel, her voice low, massaging the temples. "Are you three totally incapable of following the stupid script or do you do it just to freak me out?"

"We do it to drive you crazy, of course." Sirius replied, and by his voice you could deduce he was smiling innocently. Hell's began to hit her head on the table.

Hells Angel & Heaven's Demon