Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or places in this story they all belong to J K Rowling
A/N: Set during and after Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince. Most people thought Sirius Black died that day in the ministry of magic, but the whole story was not told. Sirius Black lived and this is his tale. Sort of a prelude to my Harry Potter stories, picking up where J K Rowling left it and telling how Voldemort was defeated and the series ends. Written from Sirius' point of view.
05 – July – Half Blood Prince – Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry
I was awakened by a knock on the door, I jumped up and was about to open the door when I realised the polyjuice potion had worn off and I paused.
"Yes?" I shouted through the door, "What is it?"
"Mr Jacques I have your breakfast for you, I'll leave it outside. You're going to the funeral right? Well you had best hurry if you want a seat," a woman's voice came back unphased by his strange behaviour; obviously it happened quite often at a pub such as this.
"Ok thank you," I called back searching through my case for the large hip flask that would hold the polyjuice potion during the funeral, I may look like a drunk, but it was a small price to pay. When I heard the woman move off I opened the door a crack seeing no one there I grabbed the tray of food, I ate quickly as I transformed from Sirius Black to Jacques and nearly ran out of the pub and up the track to the school. There were plenty of other people hurrying up to the castle so I didn't look out of place.
I got there with plenty of time left; I grabbed a seat behind Remus and Tonks, wanting to hear what they said. I couldn't help grinning slightly as I saw they were holding hands, good for them I thought as everyone sat. Hagrid appeared then carrying Dumbledore wrapped in purple velvet. I nearly choked on the swig of polyjuice potion I was taking. He laid him on the tomb and went back to where his brother Grawp was sat. A man stood up to speak about Dumbledore but without listening I knew it would not do him justice. I let my attention wander to the people who were attending. I spotted Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny as well as most of the staff and several other people I recognised from the ministry. I didn't get chance to carry on examining because the man stopped talking and Dumbledore set on fire, blue and white flames roared up and swirled into the shape of a phoenix before dying down. I couldn't watch anymore I looked away. People were starting to leave, I hurried to my feet and over to McGonagal before she could arrange any other meetings.
"You're Professor McGonagal aren't you? I need to speak to you, my name is Jacques I worked for the order in Canada," I whispered to her she nodded obviously Dumbledore had mentioned me. She led me off towards the castle and up to Dumbledore's… her office. She shut the door and gestured for me to sit.
"Now what did you wish to speak to me about," she asked, I checked my watch in two minutes the polyjuice potion would wear off.
"Firstly, is anyone else going to meet you up here within the next ten minutes?" I asked and she looked puzzled.
"No, why?" she asked and I checked my watch again. Forty seconds.
"You'll find out in about forty seconds, thirty," I said as I felt my face start to change, the short grey hair of my disguise started to grow and darken, I felt myself grow, which was a very strange sensation I might add. By the time it had worn off completely McGonagal's jaw had dropped in shock.
"Sirius? But this is impossible? You're dead!" she said hoarsely. I grinned and then laughed at her face, I hadn't spoken face to face with anyone from the Order in twelve months, she started to laugh as well then. We laughed for a good five minutes before either of us regained enough composure to speak.
"Dumbledore and I faked my death; I've been living in Canada for the past year under the alias of Jacques. He wrote to me regularly, but what he deems important to tell me is very different to what I see as important. But other than not getting much news Canada is great, very scenic, lots of space, and of course no one searching for me," I said still grinning I could tell she still couldn't quite believe it.
"I still don't believe it, why didn't Dumbledore tell us? Didn't he trust us?" she asked and I shrugged, "How long are you here for?" again I shrugged.
"I don't know, I have enough polyjuice potion for a couple of weeks, but I only booked a room in the Three Broomsticks for a couple of nights," I told her and she looked thoughtful.
"Well I suppose Molly won't mind accommodating you, though it will be difficult, for one in morning you won't have polyjuice potion, you'll look like you," she said, "I suppose I could emphasise your love of privacy, especially in a morning, that might work,"
"Should do, anyway I'd better get back in disguise, I think," I said picking up my hip flask and draining it. I had just finished changing when a knock came at the door and Remus and Tonks came in.
"Ah McGonagal, we wondered where you had got to, who's this?" Remus asked looking at me I scowled, just like someone who was very private.
"This is Jacques, one of Dumbledore's associates from Canada, I need to ask Molly if she'll accommodate him for a few weeks whilst he gets up to date with developments here and I find out what he knows," McGonagal answered as Tonks turned to look at me as well. I grinned at her looking her up and down, Remus reached out and took her hand, making his meaning clear. I shrugged and looked away, glad they'd finally sorted out their differences. McGonagal raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'll be at the Three Broomsticks if you need me McGonagal," I said with a nod and left almost laughing as I saw Remus move closer to Tonks as I walked past her.