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 70 – Revelations & Decisions
Sirius sat on the window seat and looked out onto the street. His breath caught as he saw Kate step slowly onto the sidewalk. Her face was pale, her expression somewhat dazed and her first few steps seemed tentative as if she was unsteady. After a pause to collect herself, Kate squared her shoulders and began to walk away; away from Grimmauld Place – and from him – exactly as Sirius had intended. He dropped the heavy curtain back in place over the window then passed his hands over his face. His anger at Kate's actions far outweighed the pain he had experienced watching her go. Never once had he envisioned her hexing him to keep him from Harry; to keep him imprisoned here. Never. Sirius exhaled sharply. Despite everything they had been through and conquered, last night was more than he could handle. She had well and truly betrayed him this time; there was no eavesdropping outside a door for him to misunderstand, no golden ring to stand between them. Kate, the woman he loved beyond all reason, had faced him, paralyzed him and left him – to go and fight side by side with their Godson while he remained behind. There was no excuse in the world that could make him listen; no explanation that could come from her lips that would allow him to forgive. Sirius stood and walked over to the fireplace, murmuring Incendio to light the stacked wood and dispel the chill in the room. Despite his proximity to the blazing heat that resulted, Sirius could not get warm.
He turned and began to take stock of the room and the rest of the evening's conversation came back to him. If Dumbledore lived up to his promise, Sirius would soon be cleared and, no matter what or how long it took, he would be free. Sirius took a deep breath. Freedom. Unfettered, uncompromised freedom. To go where he chose, when he chose with whomever he … Sirius stopped; that last part was no longer true. The dreams he'd had of a life with Kate – marriage, children – were no longer intact. He swallowed the sob that threatened to escape from his throat. No! This is not regret, Sirius told himself. This is simply the natural feeling of grief for a dream long held but now lost. I will move beyond it; I will build a life with Harry. We will be a family.
"Padfoot?" Remus voice came from the other side of the closed bedroom door. Sirius crossed the room and opened it, stepping backward to allow his friend to enter.
Remus did so, looking around the room before turning back to Sirius with a quizzical expression on his face. "Kate's not with you?"
Sirius shook his head. "No, Kate is decidedly not with me," he confirmed.
Remus looked at him. "She went back to the Annex?"
Sirius shrugged. "I've no idea," he said. "She left; that's all I know."
Remus walked over to the other wizard, his expression now one of concern. "Sirius, what have you done?"
Sirius' face became indignant. "What have I done? Tell, me Remus, why is it always assumed that I am responsible for everything that happens that gives people pause?"
"Because she wouldn't have left on her own, Sirius, and you know it, don't you?" Remus sounded tired. "You've allowed your temper and rage to overcome logic and reason, haven't you? You asked her to leave."
Sirius nodded, breaking eye contact with his friend. "I did. It's over."
Remus drew a deep breath. "Sirius, I really…."
"I said it's over!"
Remus took a step backward in the face of his friend's anger. "Alright, Sirius, I'll just drop it," he moved toward the bedroom door. "I came up here because Kingsley has Tonks' report; Dumbledore wanted both you and Kate to come back downstairs to hear what he has to say."
Sirius nodded. "I'll come with you, then."
Remus held the door for the other wizard. "Sirius," Remus put a hand on Sirius' arm as he passed. "Do not expect Dumbledore to back down as easily as I just did."
Sirius looked at him. "I wouldn't expect that he would."
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Kate clutched her suitcase in her hand and slowly made her way down the block from Grimmauld Place. She was only dimly aware of her surroundings as her mind struggled to process what had just happened with Sirius. I'm asking you to leave. His voice rang in her ears and the image of him shaking his head and moving away from her would not leave Kate's mind.
It was over.
As those words rang in her head, Kate knew her heart did not recognize them. Perhaps it never would. A dog barking in the distance pulled Kate back to the dimly lit street. She knew it wasn't safe to be out here alone. She quickened her pace, looking around her until her eyes located the side alleyway the Order generally used for Apparition. Kate entered the alley and pulled herself together. Focusing on the Great Room in the Annex, she closed her eyes and turned on her heel. A moment later, she was standing behind the overstuffed sofa, looking in to the blue eyes of Molly Selkirk.
"Kate!" the older woman said sharply. "Dear girl, what is it?"
"Where are the children?" came the whispered reply.
"They are in bed," Molly rose. "Come, child, sit down."
Kate's face crumpled and the suitcase slipped from her fingers and thumped on the thick carpet on which it landed. "Molly," she murmured, sobs beginning to wrack her shoulders.
Molly moved quickly around the sofa and put her arms around the sobbing witch. "Come, sweet. Let's sit down," she said again and this time successfully led Kate to the sofa. She enfolded Kate in her arms and allowed her to cry until she had gotten it out of her system and was reduced to gentle hitches in her breathing.
Kate squeezed Molly's shoulders gently before drawing back and settling against the cushions. "You know the truth of tonight, I gather? Dumbledore told you all that happened?" Kate spoke in a whisper, not wishing to wake Harry.
Molly nodded, her voice matching that of the other witch. "The truth vs. what that poor child knows?" At Kate's nod, Molly continued. "Yes, dearest, I know. That would mean that these tears are not grief over Sirius' death."
Kate felt her throat tighten at Molly's words and, unable to speak, shook her head.
Molly waited for the other woman to compose herself, stroking her hand softly as she did so.
Finally, Kate spoke. "Sirius asked me to leave Grimmauld Place. He packed the rest of my things in my suitcase and told me to show myself out."
Molly's face registered her shock. "And what precipitated this decision?"
Kate sighed shakily then proceeded to tell Molly about Sirius' desire to join Harry and what she had done to prohibit him doing so. When she was finished, Molly was silent for quite some time. As Kate waited for her to speak, she closed her irritated and reddened eyes and allowed her head to drop back on the sofa cushion. After awhile, Molly's soft voice reached her ears.
"The ghosts that haunt Sirius are particularly cruel. They pop into his mind when he least expects them, trespass on this dreams at night and, overall, can undermine his rational thoughts and behavior. Add fear for those he loves and his own impotence in protecting them and he will behave most irrationally when crossed," Molly reached over and brushed Kate's hair back from her face. "You did what you thought was needed to keep him from being hurt, recaptured or killed. You did it because he didn't care if any of those things happened to him. Sirius didn't think – nor would he likely believe – that if he'd been killed or Kissed or hurt, it would be worse than death to Harry – and to you."
Kate opened her eyes and turned her head to look at Molly. "I know. Was I selfish? Should I have stayed out of it and just allowed things to happen without interfering?"
Molly shrugged. "How can we know? As I understand it, if you had left Sirius able to join Harry in battle, he would have met himself there."
Kate nodded. "Yes. Pettigrew showed up in Sirius' form. Polyjuice potion."
"Mm. That would have proved confusing, wouldn't it?" Molly paused, considering her next words. "Kate, Sirius has had so little control over his own life. From the time he was a small child through to this very moment, he was subject to what everyone else dictated to him. I think he's always seen you as an ally, someone who wouldn't force him to do anything he didn't want to do. He was bound to react strongly when that proved – in his mind – to be untrue."
"You think he was right?" Kate asked, dejectedly.
"Yes, I think he was right to want to help protect his Godson," Molly said. "But I also think that you were right in wanting to protect him. I believe that this is one situation in which both parties were right; and in which there are no winners as a result."
Kate sighed. "No, there are clearly no winners here. Oh, Molly; I expected his rage, truly I did. I expected him to shut me out for awhile, perhaps a long while, until he'd worked off enough of his initial anger to let me in again. We'd talked about this often enough and I was very straightforward with Sirius when I told him that I would do everything in my power to stop him marching into battle with Harry."
"I'm sure you were, dear. I'm equally sure that Sirius never thought for a moment that when you said "everything in your power", you meant the Full Body Bind," Molly said. "And, I'll admit, I never for a moment expected to ever see you come into this room and tell me that Sirius had packed your things and asked you to leave him."
"Nor did I," Kate replied, sadly.
"You know that Sirius reacts first and thinks later. I saw that for myself while you were ill and the two of you were staying here," Molly said, patting Kate's hand. "He'll come around, sweet; you'll see."
Although privately Kate thought Molly very wrong indeed, she smiled and nodded. She was about to say something else when the fire flashed green and Remus' face appeared in the hearth.
"Remus?" Kate walked over to the hearth and knelt before it.
"Kate. I'm glad I found you. May I come through?" Remus asked.
"Of course," Kate rose and took a few steps backward. A moment later, she was being pulled into a tight hug by a very relieved looking werewolf.
"Alright?" Remus asked, leaning back and studying her face for a moment.
She shook her head. "Not particularly, but there's little you can do to fix that, is there? What brings you out?"
Remus looked over at Molly and smiled. "Good evening, Molly. I'm sorry to disturb you so late."
Molly stood and dismissed his comment with a wave of her hand. "You're not disturbing me in the least. Obviously, you've got things to discuss; and I should have been in bed long ago." She patted Remus' arm. "Good night, dear."
Turning to Kate, she gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Try to rest, sweet. You can't cure a thing through worry."
Kate nodded and watched as Molly went into her room and closed the door.
"Let's sit," Remus suggested, cupping her elbow.
Once they were settled, he reached over and took Kate's hand. "I'm sorry about what happened between you and Sirius, Kate," he said sincerely.
"I appreciate that, Remus, truly I do. There doesn't appear to be much I can do to resolve it, however. I suspect you already know that; so tell me, what's brought you here so late?" Kate asked her friend, smiling sadly.
"I'll let the Sirius bit go for now, then," he said. "Tonks reported back shortly after you left. You were right, Jarvis is dead; found in Malfoy's cell. Initial reports from the Examiners at Mungo's indicate the presence of Acromantula venom in his blood. Severus has gotten a sample of his blood from Tonks; he'll do a comparison to the venom found in Spear and we'll be able to confirm it, but we feel it's probably the same."
"Is Malfoy conscious yet?" Kate asked.
"Yes. Dumbledore has spoken with Fudge and Kingsley will question him in about thirty minutes – in one of the Ministry interrogation rooms. Tonks feels that Malfoy has a pretty fair idea of the whole plan – including Pettigrew's masquerade as Sirius. They've invited you and me to watch from the observation area," Remus replied. "Are you game?"
Kate lifted her chin. "I wouldn't miss this for the world." She paused for a moment. "I'm going to assume that Sirius won't be joining us."
Remus shook his head. "No, he won't. But the results of the interrogation will decide the question of his immediate freedom."
Kate nodded. "I'll just go change quickly and let Molly know what's going on. I won't be a moment."
Kate was true to her word and a scant ten minutes later, with Remus close behind her, she stepped into the Atrium of the Ministry for the second time that night.
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As Kate and Remus settled into their seats in the observation area, Kate couldn't help but remember the last time she was there. It seemed so long ago now, almost another lifetime, really. It was hard to believe that so much had happened between then and now. Pettigrew was dead, but at least he had not died before the Minister of Magic had seen him. Sirius was to be declared innocent of all charges against him and, hopefully, his freedom would also be restored.
Shortly after they were settled, Dumbledore, Fudge and Tonks joined them. The door opened in the room beyond them and Dawlish escorted Malfoy to his seat; Kingsley followed. He withdrew the anticipated vial of Veritaserum and approached Malfoy.
"I'm going to place three drops on your tongue, Mr. Malfoy. Once I'm convinced it's taken effect, we'll begin. Please open your mouth," Kingsley said the scene eerily reminiscent of an earlier interrogation.
With a malevolent look, Malfoy complied. After a few moments, Kingsley began.
"Is your name Lucius Malfoy?"
"It is."
"Were you present in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic earlier this evening?"
"Yes."
"What were you doing there?"
"I was engaged in a battle."
"How did you come to be in the Ministry this evening when you were incarcerated at Azkaban Prison?"
"I escaped."
Kingsley gave Malfoy a piercing look. "Let's be a bit more specific in our answers, Mr. Malfoy. How – and why did you escape?"
Malfoy's face had begun to redden. It was apparent to all present that he was struggling mightily against the effects of the Veritaserum.
"My former solicitor, Llewellyn Jarvis, came to my cell in Azkaban prior to my appearance at the Ministry. He had with him two flasks of Polyjuice potion. I gave him several strands of my hair which he added to his potion. He gave me several strands of his hair and I added it to the second flask. He drank the first dosage and, as a result, took my form. I did the same, and took his. I left Azkaban on the ferry, disguised as Jarvis, and went to the Ministry," Malfoy answered.
"Why did you do this?"
"I was directed to do so by … the …Dark…Lord," Malfoy was clearly struggling not to implicate Voldemort in his answer.
"Why were you chosen for this mission? Voldemort has many loyal followers and you were already in prison."
"I displeased the Dark Lord. My solicitor did, as well. I was chosen to lead this particular battle to redeem myself."
"What was your purpose in participating in the battle?" Kingsley asked.
"I was to take possession of the Prophesy made about Harry Potter and bring it to the Dark Lord."
"And did you do so?"
Malfoy gave Kingsley a withering look. "You are well aware that I did not."
"Why did you not capture the Prophesy?"
"Sirius Black arrived and struck me. I fell and the Prophesy was smashed against the rock floor."
"Did you retaliate against Black?"
"We dueled. He was able to cast a very lucky hex and I was rendered unconscious." Malfoy's face was livid, but the Veritaserum would not allow him any respite.
"But, it wasn't really Sirius Black, was it?"
"No."
"Who was disguised as Black?"
"Peter Pettigrew."
"How could that be? Peter Pettigrew was killed many years ago in a confrontation with Black, was he not?"
"That was the popular misconception, yes. He was an Animagus, however, and transformed into a rat and escaped prior to exploding the street and causing the deaths of 13 Muggles who were present at the time," Malfoy detailed.
"Was Pettigrew affiliated with Voldemort at that time?"
"Yes. He had taken the Mark just after graduation from Hogwarts," Malfoy testified.
In the observation room, Remus and Kate both gasped at the last statement from Malfoy. While the fact that Peter was a Death Eater was not new to them, hearing the timing of his defection, however, was a shock.
"So, Sirius Black did not kill 13 Muggles or the wizard known as Peter Pettigrew as he was accused of doing?"
"No, he did not."
"Did Sirius Black betray James and Lily Potter to Voldemort?"
Remus and Kate both leaned forward as they waited for his answer.
"No, he did not."
"Who did?"
"Pettigrew."
"And who brought Voldemort to the Potters?"
"Pettigrew."
"Who actually cast the Killing Curse that ended their lives?"
"The Dark Lord killed them both. Pettigrew was there and witnessed it. He had accompanied our Master to Godric's Hollow that night. He was responsible for taking what was left of the Dark Lord to a safer place before disappearing himself. Once he'd relocated our Master, he went to London to see what had become of the Potter child. Before he could do so, however, he encountered Black and the rest, as they say, is history."
Kate put her face in her hands. There it was. She certainly had not expected Kingsley to take Malfoy down this road with his questioning, but she was so grateful that he had. She glanced at Remus, whom she could see was feeling the same way she was. Giving him a smile, she turned to where Fudge was sitting. His face was red but despite his embarrassment, his expression was resolute.
"That should be all you need to hear, Cornelius," Dumbledore spoke quietly, but his voice was firm.
Fudge nodded. "It would appear that a great many people were wrong about Black, myself included."
"Kingsley's starting in again," Tonks interjected.
"Why did Pettigrew appear as Black in the Department of Mysteries tonight?"
"He was ordered to do so by the Dark Lord," Malfoy answered.
"Why? What was he told to do?"
"Pettigrew was a nuisance to the Dark Lord. As a result of that business in the Shrieking Shack when he was forced to reveal himself to Black and the werewolf, Lupin, Pettigrew incurred a Life Debt to Potter. When Potter stopped Black and Lupin from killing him, the Debt was sealed. When the Dark Lord discovered it, Pettigrew became a marked wizard; such a Debt between Potter and such a weakling as Pettigrew could only end badly for our Master. The Dark Lord kept Pettigrew around long enough to facilitate his return to a corporeal form. Once that happened, the Dark Lord merely waited for an opportune moment to eliminate him."
"Why have Pettigrew appear as Black? Why not have him participate in the Ministry battle garbed in his true role – that of Death Eater?"
"The Dark Lord knew that this would be the perfect time to capture and destroy the Prophesy and to finally rid himself of Potter, if that proved possible. He was concerned that any of us could thwart that goal and so he built in several layers to ensure his plan would be successful. If I failed to capture the Prophesy, Pettigrew, as Black, would be able to take Potter without injury and deliver him to the Dark Lord," Malfoy explained.
"That was what Pettigrew was told he would be doing?"
"Yes."
"But Voldemort must have known that the Order would arrive to protect Harry," Kingsley asked.
"He not only knew, he counted on it. There were enough of us in the room who wanted to see Black dead. For the Dark Lord, it was a matter of two birds with one stone. Pettigrew with his Wizard Debt was a huge liability. Black was Potter's Godfather and killing him would only serve to weaken the boy, thereby improving the Dark Lord's chances to defeat him. Disguise Pettigrew as Black and put him in a room with us and potential representation from the MLE and the chance that Black/Pettigrew would survive the evening were slim," Malfoy smirked. "Brilliant plan, really."
"Did you know that Jarvis is dead?"
Malfoy's face paled. "No. He was alive when I left him."
"Apparently, his Polyjuice potion wasn't made with as much care as was your own. He was poisoned," Kingsley shared. "Doesn't look good for you, mate."
"That's preposterous," Malfoy spluttered. "Why would I want him killed?"
"He lost your case for you, attempted to kill one of the lead witnesses on your behalf. Either of those would be reason enough for most wizards. Then he goes all the way out to Azkaban prison to visit with you and you escape while he ends up dead. I'm just saying that most people on the Wizengamot might not be inclined to see this as a coincidence," Kingsley smiled. "Pettigrew – dead; Jarvis – dead; Malfoy – life sentence in Azkaban. Seems to me as if your Master managed to rid himself of several rather large liabilities. 'Brilliant plan', indeed."
"Cornelius, I believe that answers all the open questions, does it not?" Dumbledore turned to the Minister.
"All save one," Fudge confirmed. "The identity of the brewer of the Polyjuice potion. Whoever brewed Jarvis' potion is responsible for his murder, after all."
Dumbledore shrugged. "Does it really matter, Cornelius? It was, undoubtedly, one of Voldemort's followers; as I recall, Tom Riddle, himself, was extremely adept at potions in his time at school. Perhaps just this one time, we could simply be grateful for the truths that have been revealed and just let it go at that. If there are other parties involved, our continuing efforts to stop Voldemort will surely reveal them for who and what they are, yes?"
Fudge looked at Dumbledore for a moment, and then smiled. "Yes, yes, of course. After all, we have cleared the name of an innocent man and discovered the truth about a terrible injustice. That should be enough to be going on with. The rest will come." He rose from his chair. "Tomorrow, I will make the official announcement of Black's innocence and publicly clear his name. I assume that I will be announcing Pettigrew's death, as well?"
Kate and Remus held their breaths until Dumbledore answered.
"Yes, Cornelius. I think it's time that Mr. Black finally had his life back," the Headmaster responded with a smile.
"Excellent, excellent!" Fudge exclaimed, heading for the exit. "Oh – shall I plan for Black to be present for the announcement?"
Dumbledore's gaze swept over Kate and Remus for a moment before he responded. Seeing Remus' head shake he responded, "I would imagine not. I think Mr. Black will need a bit of time – and privacy – to adjust to his freedom. I would suggest that the Ministry just let him be."
Fudge nodded. "Agreed. I must go."
After Fudge had left, Kate turned to Dumbledore. "We're virtually certain that Narcissa Malfoy brewed the potion. Why would we not want the Ministry to investigate her involvement in Jarvis' murder?"
Dumbledore smiled gently. "Young Draco Malfoy has lost his father to prison; should he also lose his mother? We are uncertain that she had anything to do with Jarvis' death; it could easily have been Malfoy who added the Acromantula venom. He did it before, after all."
Kate nodded. "You're right. Draco deserves the presence of at least one parent."
"It's the best decision to be made in the circumstances," Remus agreed. He glanced at his watch. "It's nearly dawn. We should return to Headquarters; Sirius should hear the results of the interrogation from us rather than by listening to the Wizard Wireless, yes?"
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied. "Kate, I think you should come with us. What happened between you and Sirius earlier was, undoubtedly, a response provoked by the heat of a very awkward moment. This moment, however, is something the two of you have waited a very long time to arrive. I'm sure that he would want you there to share the news with him."
Kate's eyes filled as she shook her head. "That's kind of you, Albus, but I believe that you're very wrong. Sirius packed my things and handed them to me. He asked me to leave. I firmly believe that I am the last person he wants to see. No," she held her hand up to prevent the words that Dumbledore was obviously preparing to say. "I need to speak with someone here at the Ministry and then I have a breakfast date with my Godson." She gave Remus a quick hug and patted Dumbledore's arm as she made her way to the door. "I'll see you both later."
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Kate caught Kingsley as he was walking back toward his office. "Kingsley, may I have a word?"
The tall man nodded. "Of course, Kate. What can I do for you?"
Kate sat in her customary chair before Kingsley's desk and cast a Silencing charm as Kingsley settled himself. "I'd like to arrange for a transfer – somewhere close enough that I can see Harry and still help the Order, but not in or near London. Perhaps a training assignment. I know that you can make this happen, Kingsley, so please don't try to convince me otherwise – and please don't try to convince me to stay. It won't work."
Kingsley leaned forward and clasped his hands on top of his desk. "Yes, I can make it happen. In fact, there's an Auror training position open in the Irish Ministry office in Dublin. Ireland's not so very far away that you can't still see Harry. Would that do?"
Kate nodded, relieved that it had worked out so well. "How soon can I start?"
Kingsley shook his head. "Even though I think you're doing the absolute wrong thing?"
"Even though you think I'm doing the absolute wrong thing."
"The position is open now and there's a new set of recruits due to arrive next week," Kingsley advised her. "I could send the Ministry the paperwork later this morning and you could leave today, if you wished. I can arrange for their Ministry to engage a real estate agent on your behalf. You can meet with them later today if you'd like and find somewhere to live."
"Thank you, Kingsley. I appreciate it," Kate responded softly. "I'm having breakfast with Harry and then I'll touch base with you for the name." She rose and terminated the Silencing charm.
"Katie, is there anything I can say to change your mind? You're an important part of our team here in London. I hate like hell to lose you," Kingsley said to her, regret in his voice.
"You're not losing me, Kings," Kate assured him. "I'll be coming around to see Harry, after all and I'm still a member of the Order. You'll hardly miss me."
"Does Dumbledore know of your decision?"
Kate felt her cheeks flush. "No, not yet. I'll tell him before I leave, though."
"And Sirius?"
"Trust me, Kingsley; he won't care," Kate replied sadly. She looked at her watch. "I have to go. I don't want to keep Harry waiting." And she was gone.
Kingsley looked at the doorway through which Kate had just disappeared for a moment longer before reaching for quill and parchment to write the necessary letters.