Fragments of Us

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Warnings: None for this chapter

Chapter 68 – The Department of Mysteries

That Sirius Black was angry was obvious from his posture and expression; that he had lost the opportunity to vent his spleen with the object of his ire further inflamed him. Add those factors to his inadvertent observation of Kate kissing said object – even on the cheek – and you had a situation as combustible as any cauldron Neville Longbottom ever put his hand to.

Kate took a deep breath as she drew level with Sirius, who had now pushed himself upright, away from the doorframe and was waiting for her to speak. "I wouldn't say that he was giving me any 'pointers', Sirius. It was rather a case of reminding me of what's at stake if you decide to ignore what's been asked of you."

"Spare me that," came the snide response, which Kate ignored, moving instead to the mantel and holding her trembling hands out toward the fire to warm them. Calm down, she told herself. You won't diffuse him by rising to the bait. You know this. Kate breathed deeply for a moment or two. When her hands stopped trembling and she felt her control come back to her, Kate calmly turned and sat down in the nearest of the two overstuffed chairs in front of the fire. Sitting back against the cushioned backrest and folding her hands in her lap, Kate looked over at the irate wizard, who had advanced into the room and was standing behind the couch. She thought for a moment then decided to just dive in. In for a penny, in for a pound.

"Sirius, I'm sorry that what you heard today frightened you. It frightened me, too. To hear that Voldemort has manipulated three wizards – well, four if you count Spear – for the express purpose of gaining access to Harry through you, well…that was nerve wracking, to say the least." Kate shifted in her chair so that she could see him better. "I also know that Dumbledore's confiscation of the mirrors has made you very angry. There's nothing to be done about that, however. He feels that he's acting in the best interest of both you and Harry. I can't fault him there – particularly with what we now know about Voldemort's plans," Kate finished, watching Sirius carefully. His anger seemed to have lessened – slightly.

"I'm not frightened," he protested. "I resent what Dumbledore did. He could have come to me directly and discussed the options with me. He didn't need to strip Harry of his mirror then come here and take mine, too. I'm not a child, Kate and yet I was treated as one," Sirius said bitterly.

"I understand, Sirius, but the comments you've made – in full hearing of other Order members – may have led him to take the action he did. If Dumbledore feels that you've taken a rash approach to your own safety, he may feel that he needs to take control and make decisions that you're not interested in making," Kate reasoned, keeping her tone neutral and her voice soft. "Please don't forget that you – and your safety – have tremendous impact on Harry."

Sirius tensed again. "That's why I have to be with him. He'll be able to see me; I'll fight them with him. He'll know I'm beside him, protecting him. No one understands this. You're his Godmother – why don't you understand how I feel?"

Well, that was a low blow, Kate thought. "I don't think this has anything to do with our roles as Godparents, Sirius. You are a fugitive in the eyes of the Ministry, and a traitor in the view of Voldemort and your rather colorful Death Eater relatives. Showing up to stand side by side with the Savior of the Wizarding World is not going to endear you to the latter and may easily be misinterpreted by the former. It would be easy for them to see you with Harry and assume that you meant him harm, you know. Either way, you stand to be captured and Kissed or suffer the Killing Curse – neither of which I'm keen to witness, just in case my feelings enter into this at all. Imagine what Harry will feel as he watches the Dementors sweep down on you. He's seen it once – remember? Do you remember what he risked to save you from them? Let's say for a moment that this does not happen. Let's say that one of Voldemort's army gets to you first. Let's say they decide to hit you with the Killing Curse. And, finally, let's say that this happens while you're 'beside Harry, protecting him'. Do you think, for one moment, that the child wouldn't do something totally noble, but completely foolish – and step in front of it to save you? And it would be a purely instinctive reaction on his part, Sirius – he loves you so much that he wouldn't even think about it."

"Stop it, Kate," Sirius whispered, his face showing the horror that her words were raising for him. "You don't know that Harry would do that. I would never want him to…" But Kate pressed onward, recognizing that, for the first time, something she had said to him had sunk in.

"Now, I don't think that your desire to be side by side with Harry has a great deal to do with making yourself visible to him or about fighting with him," Kate said quietly. "Harry knows whose side you're on. I think that you want to be in the thick of the battle with Harry to make up for the fight you weren't there for: the one that James fought that night in Godric's Hollow. If you'd recognized Peter for what he was, you would clearly have been waiting for Voldemort's arrival – standing shoulder to shoulder with James to protect all of them. You would have died with them, Sirius, just as you told Peter you would have done that night in the Shack. Oh yes, Remus told me about your reunion, and how you told Peter that he should have died rather than betray his friends. You would have gladly died alongside James and Lily if it meant protecting Harry – and destroying Voldemort in the bargain. But you didn't have that chance. Maybe you believe that James and Lily can see you from wherever they are; that this is your chance to stand with them – metaphorically, of course, through Harry – and fight the battle on their behalf. Maybe you think that by dying beside Harry you can make up for the fact that you didn't die next to James."

Sirius stared at her as if she's slapped him. "Why are you so convinced that I want to die? How can you believe that of me after everything we've been through these last months; after everything we've promised each other about the future?"

Kate's face reflected her own sadness. "Because I think you want to atone for James' death. I know that you want to keep Harry safe, but you're an intelligent man, Sirius and you can easily see that the best way to do that is to stay out of sight – as difficult as that is for you to do. I've said it before and I'll say it again now: you still bear an enormous amount of guilt for what happened to James and Lily and you've transferred that guilt to Harry. You've got to make it up to him. I don't for a moment doubt that you love me and want a future with me, but when it comes to Harry – and protecting him – all of that runs a very distant second. It's as if you need to do this to heal some part of yourself that's still bleeding. And you're wrong, Sirius, I do understand that – very well, as a matter of fact – because I want to protect Harry, too. And, I want to protect you. I want us to be a family when this whole sordid mess is over with. I want us to be a proper family, just as James and Lily envisioned us. Like you, my motives are complicated – and selfish. I want to atone for old sins, too; but I also don't want to lose anyone else that I love as part of that penance. I don't want to lose you again, Sirius and I'm selfish enough to dig my heels in about it. Make no mistake."

Sirius nodded, sadly. "The problem is, Katie-girl, so am I."

Kate swallowed hard. "Then I guess we're at an impasse, aren't we?"

"Just as we've been all along," Sirius replied.

"Except this time, it's not hypothetical, Sirius. This time, we know for sure that Voldemort's plans to get to Harry somehow include you. It's a fact, and you're still too stubborn to realize it," Kate said.

"Kate," Sirius came around the side of the couch and knelt before her, taking her hands in his. "I don't know what to do about this. I know in my heart that I'm doing the right thing. I have to do this. You know in your heart that you can't support it; that I'm putting Harry in more danger by facing Voldemort with him. You feel strongly that I'm wrong. I can't be untrue to what my heart tells me is the right thing to do; you can't be untrue to what you believe. We don't know when this confrontation will happen; we've already talked about this. We also said that we wouldn't spend whatever time we have angry at each other. We would find a way to push this to the side and live our lives. Ok, so now there's some indication that Voldemort is going to try to get to me so he can call Harry out. It's just as likely that it won't happen that way, you know. But every time something new pops up in this thing, we can't allow ourselves to turn on each other. We just can't," Sirius brought her hands to his face and nuzzled his cheek against them. "I love you," he whispered. "You love me. Let's just be – just for now; just until we can't anymore."

Sirius looked up at Kate, and she was surprised to see tears standing in his blue eyes. She felt her own fill in response and could do nothing but nod. Kate remembered her pact with Remus and knew that both of them would do whatever it took to stop Sirius if the time came to do so. Sirius rose and as Kate allowed herself to be pulled into his embrace, she could only hope that the timing would work, and Remus would be with them when all hell finally broke loose.

XXXXXXXX

Spring arrived in earnest over the next few weeks, while the Order worked virtually around the clock to uncover more of Voldemort's plot. The sun that was so weak in April began to gain strength and shine brightly in May. Although Harry was not permitted regular access to the Annex due to Umbridge's total control of the school, Remus frequently brought news from the boy, who owled him regularly at Headquarters. Dumbledore popped into Grimmauld when he had Order business to deal with, but forced himself to stay hidden to elude the Aurors – all of whom had orders to arrest him on sight.

Sirius knew that Harry was revising for his Owls, which all students were scheduled to sit later in the month. Although he missed his Godson very much, Sirius was comforted by the fact that the boy was as safe as he could be within the walls of the school, even while it was under the control of Dolores Umbridge.

Little by little, as no further threats were uncovered, Kate and Sirius had become more relaxed around each other and, eventually, it seemed to those around them that they had, indeed, been able to put their conflict aside for the time being. They found themselves spending more and more time on the stone balcony of the Annex, appreciating the rare fine weather. Appearances were deceiving, however, as Kate was never quite able to let go of her fears where Sirius was concerned. She was, however, better able to hide her feelings than Sirius, who had always worn his heart on his sleeve. After their last discussion several weeks ago, Sirius had been even more attentive to Kate. It's as if he feels he needs to reassure me of his love and affection, Kate thought to herself. It was vintage Sirius; this was his "making up" behavior as exhibited all through their years at Hogwarts. That they loved each other was never questioned; that they would ever come to an agreement over his role in Harry's protection was up for debate.

One evening, Kate and Sirius had finished dinner and were seated together in the Great Room reading. The dark clouds that had been slowly filling the skies all day had finally burst and the resulting chilly dampness had led Sirius to build a blazing fire in the hearth. As they sat, engrossed in their books and holding hands quietly, the fire flashed a bright green and, to their delight, Molly Selkirk stepped onto the stone hearth floor.

"Hello, children," she greeted them with a warm smile.

"Mum!" Sirius released Kate's hand and closed the distance to Molly in no more than two strides. As Kate watched, Sirius picked Molly up in his arms and spun her around once before setting her gently down and kissing her on the cheek. "I've missed you," he said sincerely as Molly patted her hair back into place and tried – unsuccessfully – to look stern. "Apparently," she responded, but the twitch in the corner of her mouth gave her away. "You stayed away too long is all," Sirius said, stepping closer and hugging her again. "Let's try not to do that again, shall we?" He kissed her cheek again then stepped back to let Kate greet the Healer who had become much more than a friend to them both.

"Molly, welcome back," Kate said, hugging the older woman tightly, but with more restraint than Sirius had shown. "I've missed you very much, as well, but I think I'll skip the lifting and twirling if it's all the same to you."

Molly laughed in response and patted Kate's cheek. "Thank you, sweet. I'm most anxious to catch up on everything that's been happening here while I've been away. Perhaps I can persuade one of you to brew some tea while I put away my things. Then, we can have a proper visit, yes?"

Sirius nodded at once and picked up Molly's bags before she could do so herself. Kate smiled. "Since you seem to have your valet service in place, I'll be happy to brew the tea. See you back here in a bit, then."

It took less than fifteen minutes for everyone to reconvene in the Great Room, with Molly taking her customary overstuffed chair and Sirius and Kate on the sofa.

"You've had quite the adventure since I've been away," Molly began, looking at Kate with a soft smile. And, from that leading comment, Kate and Sirius took turns sharing the details of recent events. So engrossed were they in conversation that they were unaware of the time that passed and so were surprised when Sirius glanced at his watch and declared that they'd been "yakking" for well over two hours. "It's well past time for you to be asleep, you know," he raised an eyebrow at Molly, who, in turn, gave him an indignant look.

"You know, young man, I've been regulating my own schedule for quite some time; I even managed to take care of myself these past weeks without your assistance," she informed him, barely suppressing a smile.

Sirius waved his hand dismissively. "That's as it may be, Mum, but you're back now and I can see to it that you're properly taken care of."

Molly caught Kate's eye and shook her head, smiling. "Have you been dealing with this in my absence?"

Kate returned her smile. "You've no idea."

"Been a bit of a rascal, has he?" Molly asked, remaining seated and earning a roll of the eyes from Sirius, who still stood next to her chair.

"Oh, yes. I would say that he's been a bit difficult to deal with from time to time," Kate said. Sirius shot her a warning look and Kate knew he was afraid she was really going to spill the beans on him. "But he wouldn't be our Sirius if he wasn't causing mischief of some sort," she finished and watched Sirius' shoulders relax.

"Well, I'll confess that I am a bit tired and I need to check on a patient in London tomorrow morning. Perhaps I will say goodnight," Molly said, finally rising. Sirius smiled and drew her into another hug.

"Get some sleep; we can have dinner and a proper visit tomorrow evening," he said, releasing her gently.

Kate shook her head. "You won't be here, remember? Tomorrow night is your scheduled overnight at Headquarters. We'll try to carry on without you – somehow," she finished.

Sirius looked at her for a long moment. "You won't come with me?"

Kate's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Sirius, you know I'm supposed to stay here."

"But, Katie-girl, Remus won't be getting back from his assignment abroad until quite late in the evening. Couldn't you just come and stay with me until he arrives? You wouldn't be there overnight – unless you really wanted to be," he said, his eyes pleading.

Oh, you think you're so clever, Kate thought, smiling inwardly. I've got you pegged, my boy; you're terribly afraid I'll spill the beans to Molly about your determination to follow Harry into whatever battle lies ahead of him next. Let's get me out of the Annex and remove the possibility that 'Mum' will find out what a stubborn 'boy' she's truly got!

"Kate, I don't think it would do any harm if you stayed there for a little while tomorrow night. Sirius does so hate to be alone in that horrible place and Remus will be coming back at some point, after all," Molly interjected, smiling fondly at Sirius.

Kate rolled her eyes as Sirius, who caught her expression, smiled broadly. "Should be careful, Katie-girl; wouldn't want your face to freeze that way, would we? So, we're settled then. You'll come to Grimmauld with me tomorrow night and we'll chat about your sleeping arrangements once you're there, yes?"

Kate folded her arms across her chest and looked at the two of them sternly. "I will accompany you to Headquarters tomorrow evening, Sirius, but I'll be coming back here as soon as Remus returns."

Sirius grinned sheepishly. "Well, it was worth a try."

XXXXXXXX

The following evening, Kate had finally convinced Sirius that she was not going to pack an overnight bag 'just in case' one was required. Although slightly disgruntled, Sirius took her hand and squeezed it tightly as they stepped into the fireplace and Floo'd into the kitchen hearth at Grimmauld Place.

As Kate brushed the soot from her robes, she turned to Sirius and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "You're not fooling anyone, you know," she said.

Feigning ignorance, Sirius replied, "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Katie."

"All that claptrap about staying the night. You know very well that you're perfectly capable of staying here – by yourself – for a night or two. You just wanted me removed from Molly's company so that I couldn't share some of your less commendable plans with her," Kate said, her hand on his arm.

"I can't believe you'd think I'd do something that devious," Sirius said, but his moustache quivered with his effort to keep a straight face. "Even if I had considered that possibility, it's not as if you'd have been successful; Molly knows me better than that."

"Hmm," Kate murmured. "I'm going upstairs to the parlor. Join me?"

Sirius leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "In a moment, love. I'll just nip upstairs and check on Buckbeak before I settle in with you. I sort of miss the old beast!"

Kate chuckled and headed up the stairs to the parlor, using her wand to light the fireplace when she arrived to cure the chill in the room. Wherever Kreacher had been keeping himself, he certainly hadn't been keeping the home fires burning, as it were. She had been sitting on the sofa for only a moment when she could hear footsteps pounding down the staircase. She rose to see Sirius pass by the open doorway, his face dark with anger. As Kate hurried into the hallway to see what had happened, she missed the flash of green from the fireplace and the appearance of Harry Potter's head in the flames. And, she was well away from the parlor when he frantically called out Sirius' name.

Down in the kitchen, Kate caught up with Sirius as he was setting the kettle to boil and rummaging through the drawers for clean towels. "Bloody house elf!" Sirius was livid and his voice reflected his anger.

"Sirius, stop!" Kate grabbed his arms tightly and forced him still. "What's happened?"

Sirius' eyes were wild, but he took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down enough to speak. "That fucking toe rag has cut Buckbeak's wing. I just missed catching him by his scrawny little neck, but he was too quick for me, the little bleeder! I've barely gotten the bleeding to stop and now I need to clean it up and bandage him. I can't use magic on him because Hippogriffs don't heal as well that way. Please, Kate; I need to get back to him now."

Kate released him. "I'll come with you. Perhaps I can help."

Sirius shook his head. "He's in pain and he's pissed off, Katie. I'm afraid he'd lash out and you'd be hurt. I won't be long; I promise," he took another deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I promise," he said again, kissing her gently. "But when I'm finished, Kreacher won't know what hit him!" And with that, Sirius snatched up the kettle, the towels and the magical healing remedy kit they kept in the kitchen for emergencies and stalked up the staircase. Kate straightened up a bit in his wake, then made her way back upstairs to the parlor, looking furtively around her as she did so, hoping to see Kreacher and cast a Body Bind hex to detain him until Sirius could join her. Regrettably, Kreacher appeared to have already gone to ground. Kate settled herself in the deep cushions of the couch once again, pondering the reasoning behind Kreacher's actions. It made no sense that he would risk his own life by injuring the Hippogriff, unless he had been so driven by the abuse Sirius heaped upon the elf whenever he saw him. Kate sighed. While he may have improved greatly in the past months, there were parts of Sirius that would never change; his temper was one. She was distracted from her thoughts a moment later when the flames blazed green and Severus Snape's face looked out at her from the fireplace.

"Kate! Thank Merlin you're there!" he said, his face strained. "Is Black with you?"

Kate rushed to the fireplace and knelt in front of the flames. "Yes. He's upstairs with Buckbeak. Kreacher injured the poor animal and Sirius is tending to him now. What's happened, Severus?"

"I've little time to explain. Kate, it's started. Potter saw Black being tortured – by the Dark Lord – in the Prophesy Room at the Department of Mysteries. Typical of the boy, he and his band of followers are on their way to the Ministry now – to rescue his Godfather," Snape said in a rush. "Kate, it's a trap. The Dark Lord pushed that vision into Potter's mind to get him to do exactly what he's doing now – act rashly and travel to London, unprotected, to save Black. They will be met by a band of Death Eaters who will try to force Potter to retrieve - then surrender his Prophesy. Kate – the students will be killed – all but Potter, that is. The Dark Lord will then arrive to take him on – and finish him – alone."

Kate swallowed the panic that arose in her throat. "Does Albus know?"

Snape nodded. "Yes. I've just spoken with him. Lupin was with him and they are alerting those in the Order they can reach with instructions to Apparate directly into the Ministry. We haven't got much time – perhaps an hour. I must go."

Kate nodded. "I'll leave straight away. Severus, please – be careful."

Snape nodded once, then disappeared from view, the flames going back to normal a moment later.

"Where are you going?" came a deep rumble from the doorway. Kate closed her eyes for a moment then turned to face Sirius.

"What did Severus want?" Sirius face was pale and his eyes glittered as they searched her face.

Kate began to walk slowly toward Sirius, her wand hidden in the sleeve of her robes, alert to any sudden movement he might make. Severus was right in more ways than he knew. This was it. "There's a problem at the Ministry. I'm needed to help sort it out," she answered, coming to a stop a few feet from where he stood.

"It's Harry, isn't it? Harry's in trouble," Sirius reached into his robes for his wand and turned toward the hallway, Kate hot on his heels. "I'm leaving. I told you I wouldn't be left behind this time. I won't allow him to face this alone."

Sirius was just two steps away from the front door when a flash of light raced past him and the ancient wood glowed for a moment before returning to its natural state. A split second later, the cold click of metal against metal was heard as the magical deadbolts slid home; the outer fixtures then disappeared making the door impenetrable. Sirius stood, gaping at the door in disbelief then slowly turned to face Kate.

She gasped. The look on Sirius' face was one she'd seen directed at Severus – perhaps once or twice toward his mother's portrait, but never, ever had he shown it to her – not even in the midst of their wildest confrontations.

"Open it," he snarled, taking a step toward her.

"No. I told you I wouldn't allow you to do this…"

"Won't allow…? You've no say in this! Open. The. Fucking. Door!" Sirius raised his voice slightly, his tone beyond threatening.

"No."

Sirius made a sound, deep in his throat that reminded her of Padfoot in full temper. He turned and ran toward the door, slamming his body against it and shouting wordlessly as if that very action could undo the spell she had cast. The door held. He slammed himself against it again. The door held fast.

"Stop it!" Kate cried. "You'll hurt yourself!"

Sirius whirled around and headed toward her, his face livid and his eyes wild. He raised his wand, but Kate was ready for him. "Expelliarmus!" she cried and Sirius' wand flew from his hand to some point behind her. That she had cast a spell against him brought Sirius up sharply and that one moment of hesitation was all Kate needed.

"Petrificus Totalis!"

Sirius' eyes widened in shock, but that was the last movement he made as his body seized – muscles and joints locking into position as he began to pitch forward. Kate moved quickly and just managed to stop him hitting the hard surface; she gently lowered him to the floor until he rested on his back.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, pausing long enough to cup his cheek in the palm of her hand. As she looked at Sirius' face, Kate wished she had not done so. Although he was frozen, the look in his eyes told her that she had overstepped all boundaries; she had gone beyond any betrayal he might have accused her of committing in the past. "I have to go, but I'll be back. You can say or do whatever you'd like to me then."

Kate rose and glanced around the hallway. She realized that she shouldn't leave the immobile wizard where he was – for several reasons. If any Order member were to come to Headquarters, they would most certainly release the body bind - if only to find out what had happened to cause it. That would be all Sirius would need to make good his threat to join Harry. But where to put him? Finally, Kate levitated the Sirius' inert form into the parlor, guiding his body to a far corner where she gently set him down, on his back, in the shadows. "I'm sorry, love," she said again then turned to walk away. As Kate approached the hearth, she called out, "Accio Sirius' wand!" A moment later, a slight scuffling sound was heard and Sirius' wand flew through the air and into her hand.

"I'll bring it back to you," she said and, with one final, agonized look, Kate threw a handful of Floo powder into the fire and stepped in, calling, "The Ministry of Magic – Atrium!" In a flash of green, she was gone.

XXXXXXXX

In the moment she stepped onto the polished floor of the Ministry's Atrium, the first thing that struck Kate was the silence. Normally the heartbeat of the Ministry during the day, the Atrium was empty at this time of night. She made her way past the Magical fountain, stepping soundlessly through the expansive space toward the back of the hall, where the room narrowed to a single doorway. As Kate approached the doorway, the sound of voices could be heard; she slipped inside and positioned herself flat along the wall, sliding along the surface until she could see what was happening in front of her.

As the room slowly came into view, Kate barely suppressed a gasp at the scene. A huge, empty stone archway loomed tall and imposing in the center of the area, anchored to a craggy stone surface that took up most of the floor in the room. The Veil, Kate thought to of various shapes and sizes rose at different points throughout the perimeter, providing ample concealment for those who wished to remain unseen. Because of them Kate could not be certain how many people were actually present. But she could see one group very clearly and the sight made her blood run cold. Harry stood several yards down slope from the archway. He had positioned his friends behind him and he observed his surroundings. His wand was drawn and extended in front of him; the Prophesy cradled in his other hand. Suddenly, streaming tendrils of jet black smoke darted throughout the room. As the ribbons wove around the huddled students, each child disappeared, until finally the room cleared, revealing a situation more perilous than the one Kate had walked in on. Each of Harry's friends had been swept up and was being held by a single Death Eater. As her eyes swept the scene, Kate could clearly see Bellatrix LeStrange, holding Neville Longbottom by the hair, her wand at his throat. Her husband, Rabastan LeStrange held Hermione Granger in a similar position while Rudolphus LeStrange and two others whom Kate did not immediately recognize had similar grips on Ron Weasley, his younger sister, Ginny, and a blonde girl Kate had not seen before. A moment later, a voice Kate did recognize cut through the eerie stillness of the room.

"Did you think – were you so foolish as to actually believe that you could defeat us?" Lucius Malfoy, in full Death Eater garb, spoke as he slowly climbed the rocky surface, heading directly for Harry. As he did so, Malfoy's gaze drifted over to where his sister-in-law smirked as she tightened her fist a bit more tightly in the struggling Neville's hair.

Harry circled away from Malfoy, protecting the Prophesy against his chest and keeping a decent distance between the Death Eater and himself. Finally, Lucius came to a stop in front of the boy and extended his hand. "This is really very simple, Potter. You have a choice: Give me the Prophesy – now, or watch your friends die!"

Kate watched the play of emotions on the teenager's face. Clearly, he had realized the significance of the crystal globe he held in his hand. Defiance gave way to realization and, finally, to resignation as Harry looked around him at those he cared about so very much.

"Don't do it, Harry!" cried Neville Longbottom and Kate suddenly remembered the bravery of the boy's parents and how they, too, had suffered at the wand of the woman who now, ironically, held their son captive.

"Shush," Bellatrix hissed, pushing her wand further into the boy's throat.

Harry took one more look at the Prophesy then extended it toward the tall, blonde man in front of him. With a cold, calculating smile, Lucius Malfoy took the globe from Harry's hand and held it aloft for a moment in triumph. His moment did not last. A flash of light burst silently behind Malfoy, the glare momentarily illuminating Harry's face. As Kate watched, Malfoy's brows knit together in confusion and he slowly turned toward the source of the light.

Kate heard him before she saw him. "Get away from my Godson," Sirius ordered, his face calm, his voice low and even – and then he struck, unleashing a powerful right-hand blow that caught Malfoy squarely on his jaw. The force propelled the Death Eater around and as he hit the rock floor, the Prophesy slipped from his hand and smashed against the stone. Once Malfoy was down, Sirius grabbed Harry by the scruff of the neck and pulled him around to the back of the archway. As he did so, similar flashes of light flared throughout the chamber as the members of the Order of the Phoenix Apparated into the Chamber as well. As stunned as Kate was to see Sirius, the sounds of spells and hexes around her drew her out of her immobile state and she joined the others in battle.

Working round the back of the archway, Kate fired off several hexes at the LeStrange brothers who were also circling the perimeter. She kept one eye on Sirius and Harry as she pulled Ginny from the clutches of a blonde Death Eater she did not know and pushed her in the direction of a huge boulder. "GO! Hide there until we come for you – and watch your back!" she ordered the young girl, who nodded and slipped out of sight.

Kate turned back to the scene, deflecting a hex from Rabastan LeStrange before casting a Reducto spell that sent him careening into the back wall of the room and left him crumbled in a heap on the floor. Turning again, Kate found herself next to Remus. "What the hell is Sirius doing here?" she shouted at the werewolf, who shrugged his shoulders before firing a spell at Rudolphus LeStrange, sending him airborne to join his brother. Kate saw Mad Eye conjure ropes and tie the two together and again turned her attention toward the stone dais where Sirius and Harry stood together in front of the Veil. Kate heard voices behind her and turned to see Albus Dumbledore enter the chamber with Cornelius Fudge in tow. The latter's eyes went wide when he saw Malfoy dueling Harry Potter and … Sirius Black on the dais. A harsh cry drew Kate's attention back toward that duel.

Lucius drew his wand from the handle of his walking stick and cast a Stunning spell in Harry's direction. Sirius stepped awkwardly in front of the boy and blocked it. Sirius quickly shot a spell at Malfoy's body, but it went badly wide, missing the Death Eater completely. Malfoy aimed his wand a second time and Harry yelled, "Expelliarmus" and Malfoy was successfully disarmed for a second time.

"Nice one, James!" Sirius shouted gleefully and Harry's expression crumbled.

Sirius cried out a second time, aiming his wand directly at Malfoy; this spell didn't miss and its force lifted Malfoy upward and flipped him over and over in mid air, dropping him to the floor, unconscious.

A flash of light appeared at the top of the tallest boulder that rose behind Malfoy's unmoving form and, as it cleared Bellatrix LeStrange rose to stand proudly at its peak. She raised her wand.

"Avada Kedavra!" she shrieked and a bolt of deadly green light shot from the tip of her wand and headed directly for Sirius. Kate caught her breath, in the throes of pain she had felt but once before – on a crowded Muggle street, years ago, as the wizard before her had been led away in shackles. She looked at Harry, whose face registered shock at the sight before him. In that moment, the man who was the closest thing he had to a father was being taken from him and his agony was too painful to be witnessed.

The Killing Curse hit Sirius in his right side, turning him 180 degrees so that he faced both Harry, and where Kate was standing, as well. His expression changed slightly and with a look of sad regret in his eyes, his body began to change as it leaned backward, toward the Veil.

Kate closed her eyes, feeling hot tears slip down her cheeks. I cannot watch this. I will not allow this to be the last image I have of Sirius.

Behind her, Kate heard Dumbledore's voice cry out, "Arresto Momentum!" and she felt the impact of his spell as the atmosphere around her seemed to become heavy, somehow and slower. She realized that the wizard had slowed time with his spell and, through her pain, she was thankful that perhaps this would allow them to catch his body before he arched through the Veil.

"Kate, open your eyes." It was Dumbledore. Kate opened her eyes and glanced to her right where the old wizard was standing. "Look," he pointed toward the Veil, where Sirius still stood. Harry reached toward him but Remus had arrived and caught the boy in his arms, holding on for dear life as the teenager struggled to get away from him and move toward Sirius again. As Sirius' image continued to waiver, then flicker, Harry finally succeeded in breaking free of Remus' restraining arms. Instead of moving toward the image of his Godfather, however, he turned and ran after Bellatrix, who had just slipped past them on her way toward the Atrium doorway – and freedom.

"Remus," Albus called to him, gesturing toward Sirius. The werewolf turned toward the Veil and, with Kate, Dumbledore and Fudge, watched in amazement. The flickering had turned into something more. The image of Sirius was slowly being replaced by something else. Blue eyes were morphing into a watery brown and thin hair, sparsely distributed across a broad skull took the place of shoulder-length waves. The figure became shorter, more rotund and, finally passed completely through the Veil and disappeared. As it did, something tangible flashed and fell onto the stone where the figure had just stood. The four gathered together gasped as one person.

Lying before them was a sterling silver hand.