A/N: I have NO excuse for being gone so long other than it's been crazy at work and I've been LAZY. Hopefully I haven't lost all of you. This is a bit short, but you will… Enjoy!

Interlude- Operation Meddle

Sirius walked through the Ministry's vast Atrium at a brisk pace, at least as brisk as his leg would allow with the limp. It was his first day back at work and he'd already been greeted by several of his co-workers. Hopefully he would be able to get to his office, (and the large amount of paperwork that no doubt waited) without running into Kingsley. He had been warned by Regulus that the man had been ordered to talk with him, no doubt attempting to bring Rial back under the school's control.

Sirius had no such plans and wished to avoid a confrontation, so he was a bit more eager to get to his office than he normally was. Meddling with other people's plans and desires had always been a specialty of Albus'; he had no intention of making this one easier for the Headmaster. He was well within his rights to choose how his son was educated; he had made sure to look it up before suggesting this plan in the first place.

Torian had returned to Hogwarts last night after a subdued goodbye to his friends. Rial had been quiet and sad all morning. Sirius knew that his son was just beginning to realise what a difficult task they had taken on, especially at their age. He was convinced that they could pull it off, it would just be extremely difficult. The first and foremost task was getting rid of the Dark Lord. Once Voldemort was dead taking down Albus and Zachary would be much easier.

At the moment Sirius couldn't see how they could take down the Dark Lord. People had been trying for decades, the self-proclaimed 'Lord' had more power than most of the purebloods and he had been killing any of those that had more magical strength, those he could not convert in any case. Severus had told him just this morning that his father Lucien was attempting to slowly pull away some of those families from the Dark Lord's control. It was a difficult and precise procedure; the smallest of mistakes could cause Lucien's death.

He had almost reached his office when a voice called, "Sirius!"

Sirius closed his eyes and huffed out a sigh. Sometimes I have the worst luck ever.

Plastering a smile to his lips he turned to face Kingsley. "Good to see you Shacklebolt," he said smoothly, ignoring the start of surprise at his use of the Auror's surname. "Anything I can help you with?"

The tall Auror gave him a guarded look and said, "Possibly. Can I speak to you in private?"

Sirius gritted his teeth and said, "My office is likely a mess, but if you're willing to brave it so am I."

He opened the door and ushered Kingsley inside. He was not about to turn his back on the Auror. Kingsley had turned as soon as he reached Sirius' desk. They were both well-trained Aurors and would likely never leave their back open to a possible enemy again. It was one of the first things drilled into their heads at training. Sirius' gray eyes flicked to the wand resting in a holster on Kingsley's wrist before tracking down and noting the various other possible weapons.

When gray met brown he was amused and yet not to see Kingsley had done the same thing. With a guarded expression he flicked his wand, shutting the door and placing a ward up to alert him to another presence. Turning to the other he said simply, "Out with it, Shacklebolt. I have been gone at least two weeks; I have a great deal to catch up on."

"Since when am I Shacklebolt?" Kingsley asked in his deep, smooth voice.

"Since I turned in my resignation to the Order of the Phoenix. Why are you here?" he asked again.

"Albus wants to know if you'll rejoin the Order and convince Severus to reconsider as well. Your presence is missed as is Severus' expertise in Potions."

"Translation: he wants Rial back at the school and he's without a spy," Sirius said curtly.

Kingsley's eyes flashed vaguely and Sirius resisted smiling in triumph. That little sign told him that Torian was making his way past Albus' suspicions. Rial would be relieved to hear so, as would the others. The quiet little bookworm had become a favourite at the villa, his sharp wit and intelligence resulting in the occasional but memorable smart remark.

"It's not doing your son any good to be away from Hogwarts, Sirius. Hogwarts has the best magical education in our area. And Severus is being very ungrateful considering Albus is going to help him after we've won."

"Severus is being ungrateful?" Sirius shot back, amazed. "Since when did you leave your mind behind and become Albus' mouthpiece, Shacklebolt? Severus is very happy where he is."

"There is no need to drag in a hit on my intelligence, Sirius," Kingsley said stiffly.

"It is Black as you would do well to remember. I have papers to attend to, Shacklebolt. Tell my brother that once he regains enough intelligence to see around Albus' words I will be happy to speak with him again. Good day, Shacklebolt."

Sirius flicked his hand at the door and opened it with a non-verbal spell. Kingsley's eyes darkened but the conversation was clearly over and he wouldn't say anything else about the Order where others could overhear. Sirius knew this perfectly well and he was giving the other Auror no means to continue their argument.

Kingsley curtly nodded at him and walked out. Sirius blew out an annoyed breath and stared at the papers sitting on his desk with a resentful air. He almost wished that he could have continued his argument just to avoid doing the Merlin be damned paperwork. Sulkily he sat down and pulled the top paper to him. He wistfully murmured, "Tempus" and promptly groaned when it showed he'd only been here an hour.

It was going to be a long day.