Harry was mumbling faintly in his unwitting, unconscious state resulting in a woe filled Sirius to tighten his hold on Harry's hand. Tonks left nearly an hour ago to send word to her mother, and bring her back to the Ancient House of Noble Blacks after enlightening her of Sirius' miraculous return, and calming her down. Sirius hadn't left his Godson's side since his cousin's departure. Ron and Hermione occupied the table in the kitchen with Remus, who just came back from checking on Sirius. Ron was recounting of what he knew about the events in the Ministry again to Hermione. Remus ignored Ron's account and sighed loudly, recalling Sirius' pained, and timid filled voice when he shouted his name earlier, carrying Harry who was whirling madly in his arms. Kreacher was baking cookies in the far corner, glancing nervously over his shoulders at the anxious occupants of the kitchen. Ron let out a soft cry in frustration,

"That bloody woman! Merlin knows what she did to Harry. We should never have gone with the plan...we should have gone back for the flask and gone another day, none of this would have...."

"It's a little too late for saying should never have, isn't it?" Remus said forlornly, "We just have to hope for the best. There's not much else that we can do...we should try to figure out a way to destroy the locket." Remus glanced at the locket that was in the middle of the table. Hermione exhaled loudly,

"I suppose you're right...it's best we do something advantageous instead of sitting here worrying on endlessly."

Ron started fuming again, shaking his head and cracking his knuckles, "Sirius should have killed her." Before Remus or Hermione attempted to ease Ron's vehemence they heard the usual routine of Alastor Moody's security initiating.

"I did not kill you, Albus...if only you were here. We need you."

Remus rose up instantly at the sound of his wife's voice. The mystical figure of the late Albus Dumbledore had already detonated before he reached them in the hallway. Tonks smiled flippantly at Remus before embracing him. She looked behind him at the noise of Ron and Hermione climbing up the stairs to join them. "Thank you so much for coming." Remus said softly to the woman standing behind his wife. Andromeda Tonks was a tall, beautiful woman with long, thick, shining brown hair. She had thin lips and bright, light-lidded, kind eyes with somewhat pale skin and a strong jaw. She resembled her sister Bellatrix Lestrange tremendously except for her features being much softer. She smiled despondently at Remus, before her gaze fell upon Ron and Hermione who came into view from behind Tonks.

"Are you two well...Ron, Hermione?"

They both nodded simultaneously at the same time. Remus sighed, "We'd better hurry...Harry's condition is getting worse." Andromeda nodded firmly, "Yes, of course...where is..."

"Sirius is upstairs, mum." Tonks said delicately, exchanging a look with Remus who smiled feebly. Tonks led the way upstairs closely followed by Remus, Andromeda and with Ron and Hermione covering the rear. Tonks halted half way up the stairwell,

"Kids, I think its best you guys go back to the kitchen...it's going to be hard enough as it is to haul Sirius downstairs."

Ron had to close his eyes tightly in frustration to hold his infuriated resentment back from retaliating a comment. "We'll be in the kitchen then." Hermione snivelled slightly, causing Ron to wrap his arm around her. They both turned around, and were gone in a matter of seconds.

After the attaining the door, Remus sighed before opening it. He wasn't surprised to see Sirius in the exact same position where he left him almost twenty minutes ago. Sirius didn't even look up to see who had opened the door. He simply just stared down at his fallen Godson, shaking slightly as if a breeze consumed his warmth. Remus made a motion to speak before Andromeda put her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it softly and took a step forward to her cousin whom she hadn't seen in years.

"Siri..." she said inaudibly. Sirius' head perked up in surprise.

"Dromeda,"

Sirius said tentatively as he stood up and turned around to face her. His eyes still glistened with his despair as Andromeda took another step forward. "Oh Siri, it's good to see you." Before she took another step, Sirius shakily strode across the room and firmly embraced his cousin. Andromeda maintained discomposure undermined as tears streamed down upon her cheeks, and she squeezed Sirius steadily trying to cease his shaking. After several minutes they released each other. Andromeda gave Sirius a significant look before her eyes found Harry on the bed, quivering in tremors. She bent down beside him, and placed her hand on his forehand, and with her free hand she felt Harry's throat.

"Mum, what is it?" Tonks said immediately after noticing her mother nip her own lip anxiously.

"His organs are set aflame resulting in a chemical reaction in his bloodstream." Remus quickly looked at Sirius whose eyes narrowed at Andromeda and then glanced back at Harry.

"What about the hallucinations?" Remus asked quietly. Andromeda sighed,

"They aren't hallucinations, they are memories...the same memories one suffers from when being within close proximity of a Dementor."

"No," Sirius said mutely, "he's reliving his worst memories?"

"He is, and unfortunately there is no gap between these memories...that's why Harry is temporally blind, because if he ever regained consciousness during these trials of affliction, he would open his eyes in a world full of darkness...trapped in his nightmares full of his worst memories."

"Along with excruciating agony." Tonks said shakily. Andromeda looked up and exchanged a look with her daughter. Remus jumped in revelation as Sirius fell down upon his knees, beside him.

"Siri,"

Andromeda stood up and helped Remus lift him up and place him at the foot of the bed where Harry laid. "Perhaps you should go to another room and rest for a while, while I treat him." Sirius shook his head hastily,

"No, I'm fine Dromeda...what's this thing inside Harry, and how can you get rid of it?" Andromeda gave him a distressing look before speaking,

"It's called Feu Acide, it's French for Acid Fire...it burns the insides in the most excruciating fashion possible. Its affects haunts the brain with the same affects the Dementor brings upon its prey. To obliterate it, I have to insert small doses of nippy body reinstatement potion that will repair the damages to the body, along with small doses of butchery toxin that will essentially kill the acid in him. Then finally, to eliminate that I'll have to use the curative potion and that may take a while...don't look at me like that Siri." She said to Sirius' hopeful expression.

"It's a very difficult and demanding process. I'll need your assistance Nymphadora, start blending the two liquids in those flasks." She said pointing to her carrier. Tonks nodded briskly and then gave a meaningful look at Remus, who nodded,

"Erm, Padfoot..."

Sirius side glanced at Remus' address, and then looked down upon his Godson. "I'm not leaving him, Moony." Andromeda placed her hand into his and squeezed firmly,

"It's a very difficult process, Siri...I wouldn't want you to see it. If I need your help I'll call you. We'll notify you regularly, I promise."

Without responding to his cousin, Sirius walked over to Harry, and kneeled beside him. "I'm right here, Harry. Don't worry kiddo. I love...I love you." He choked on the last words, and stiffened as he stood up.

"Come on, Padfoot." Remus patted his back, "Let's go."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"It's not your fault, Ron."

"Don't even start, Hermione..." Ron was sitting now on the counter across from Hermione who hadn't moved from the table. They were waiting anxiously for any news from upstairs. Hermione sighed heavily, "You know I don't blame you right?"

Ron gave her a weary look, "I know you do. You were outraged that I forgot the bloody flask. If the plan had gone the way it was supposed to, none of this would have happened."

"Harry should have returned here..."

"How can you blame Harry?" Ron snapped viciously, looking at Hermione in disbelief, "For Merlin's sake Hermione, he's dying and you can just..."

"Ron, I'm not blaming anyone and especially not Harry. How could you even think that..." She immediately covered her face to wipe the newly formed tears that had begun welling in the corners of her eyes. Ron exhaled loudly, and was about to apologies when Remus followed by a defeated Sirius entered the kitchen. Kreacher, who was sitting in the corner of the room sprung onto his feet and scuttled to Sirius' feet. "Master Sirius, what can Kreacher do for you?"

Sirius didn't even look down, but took the seat next to Hermione. Kreacher looked uncertainly at Remus, "It's okay, Kreacher...we're okay right now." Kreacher nodded and lowered his head, "Kreacher wonders how Master Harry is coping?"

Sirius looked up, "Kreacher, actually there is something you can do for me." Remus' eyebrows were furrowed in query as he looked from Sirius to the anxious house elf who approached Sirius at the table. "Kreacher lives to serve you Master Black, anything."

Sirius cleared his hoarse voice, "Go upstairs and check up on Harry...I want you to tell me his conditions every twenty minutes." Remus frowned,

"Padfoot, they said they would inform you regularly...this is not necessary at all." Sirius glared at Remus,

"Remus, don't you dare question my intentions...if this were your son." Sirius gasped in disclosure to his words. Remus smiled dimly at him and looked at Hermione who started crying again. Ron sauntered across the room to where Hermione sat, and put his arm around her. She turned to him, and put her head against his chest. Sirius looked at Remus uncertainly,

"Padfoot, why are you surprised...I know you love Harry as if he were your own son. There's no shame in that, it's what James would have wanted. You were supposed to raise Harry as your son, if fate didn't play a role in it." Sirius shook his head firmly,

"No, I can't do that to Prongs...it's not right."

Remus raised his hand, "Sirius, there's no..."

"I'm not having this conversation." Sirius rose up abruptly and darted past his friend, through the hall. He shook his head as Remus called his name, and started ascending the stairwell, pausing briefly when he reached the floor his cousins were treating his Godson, and then continued climbing up the stairs. When he finally entered the Drawing Room, he slumped himself down upon a rocking chair that stood near the window. His face was in his hands as memories oppressed his wits.

"Me...are you sure Prongs?"

They were in the hallway of a Hospital Wing, outside the Nursery courters. James was beaming at his friend's puzzled expression, as Sirius uncertainly rubbed the back of his neck. "Of course I'm sure, Padfoot. I want you to be the Godfather of Harry."

Sirius smiled, "Harry, that's a good name."

James nodded, his smile etching the sides of his face, "Harry James Potter, has a nice ring to it." James eyes narrowed in wonder, "Well?"

Sirius bit his lip in indecision, "Erm, James I don't think I'm Godfather material...I mean, I can't even take care of myself and..."

"You're my best friend, and I want you to be the one to raise Harry if something were to happen to me or Lily." Sirius looked grim, "Nothing is going to happen to the pair of you...don't you dare utter those words again."

James walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently, "Just being practical...I want you to raise my son if something were to happen. You're perhaps the daftest man I know," Sirius snorted, "but you're also the most valiant and wholesome, and the only one I trust."

"I'm going to be one reckless of a Godfather to that boy."

"Harry, Harry! Where does it hurt?"

Sirius soared off the rocking chair and scampered down the stairs, nearly tumbling. Kicking open the door, he froze at the sight of Andromeda holding Harry as he coughed up a crimson coloured solution. Harry guzzled for air, as his eyes fluttered open revealing the lack of jade.

"Sirius, what are you doing here?" Tonks was holding a needle in one hand and a flask in the other, staring at him with timid eyes. "You shouldn't be in here, Sirius."

Sirius finally shook his initial shock and approached the bed, sitting on the other side of his Godson. "What happened?" Andromeda sighed,

"He's reacting to the toxin..."

"Does that mean you already gave him the nippy body reinstatement potion?" Sirius asked pressingly. Andromeda nodded, "Just after you left...the toxin is stirring a reaction with the acid." Harry started gasping heavily. Sirius put his arms around him and held him compactly.

"Harry, I'm here. Harry can you hear me?"

"What's going on?"

Remus stood at the door frame with wide panic filled eyes. He quickly advanced the bed and looked over Andromeda's shoulder to get a better view of Harry. "Remus, you shouldn't be here...everything's under control."

"How is the toxin reacting with the acid under control?" Sirius snapped at Tonks. Remus smiled at her benevolently, "Dora, is there anything I can do?"

"Yes actually there is, Remus." Everyone stared at Andromeda as she furrowed her eyebrows. "There is a concoction...a mixture that could avert this reaction that's interfering with the toxin wiping out the acid."Remus nodded hastily in comprehension,

"Where can I find it?"

"It's very rare, just like Feu Acide...it's called Defiancetility"

"You don't think that that hag Umbridge could have some, do you mum?" Tonks asked quietly. Andromeda shook her head, "No, no I don't think so...she probably got her hand on Feu Acide through the Ministry...the Death Eaters are bound to have all sorts of torture schemes."

"Then where can we..."

"Dromeda..."

All eyes were on Sirius as his face turned pallid. "He's stopped breathing."

"Dora the needle, quick hurry!" Tonks handed her mother the needle she was holding. As soon as Andromeda grabbed it, she gored it in Harry's chest. The effect was immediate. Sirius sighed in relief as Harry's chest began to rise. Sirius made motion to speak but remained silent as Andromeda addressed them, "It's the toxin. One of its affects is the provisional impairment it does to the respiratory system. Now," She turned to look at Remus, "I need this mixture if this reaction doesn't discontinue...and I have reason to believe it's only becoming more robust."

"Sirius and I will look into it," Remus put his hand on Sirius' back, "Padfoot."

Again, it grieved Sirius to leave Harry but now he had something to do that was vital for Harry's life. When Remus and Sirius entered the kitchen, Ron and Hermione were already on their feet looking fretful to the clamour that happened upstairs.

"What happened? Is he okay?" They both asked at once at the sight of them.

"Just further complications." Sirius said bitterly, "We need to find this mixture that can stop the interference happening with his recovering."

Hermione was engrossed by the mention of a mixture, "What's it called?"

"Defiancetility...I've never heard of it before."

Hermione frowned, "Nor have I...we wouldn't uncover it in a Hospital like St. Mungo's, we'd need a Potions Master...someone to brew us some."

Ron grunted, "Too bad Snape turned out to be a rogue, nasty piece of work and..."

"You know," Remus said thoughtfully, interrupting Ron, "I wouldn't be surprised to find some in Snape's consignment." Sirius starred at him in disbelief, "Don't be ridiculous, Remus...there are thousands of brewers, we could just simply ask them."

Remus shook his head, "Snape is gifted in that area, Sirius...you know that as well as I do. I've seen many works and none have come close to virtuosity as Snape has...Dumbledore said so himself."

Sirius' eyes narrowed, "I still wouldn't allow it...Snivellus will put some extra venom in it to finish Harry off."

"Not if he's held at wand point, or if our identities are concealed and how will he know it's for Harry...come on Sirius, I wouldn't have thought of Snape if I couldn't think of another approach in finding the mixture. Harry's time is dire." Sirius slumped himself on the counter, still looking dubious to Remus' submission. "And how do you suppose we just walk up to him at Hogwarts let alone ask him?"

Remus smiled feebly in Sirius' astonishment, "By becoming a Death Eater."

"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed. Ron looked at Sirius for some reassurance but he simply returned his look of bewilderment. "Our Ministry of Magic plan, Ron...Polyjuice potion." Hermione said resolutely, "We'll disguise ourselves by becoming Death Eaters and then apparate to Hogwarts."

"Only you can't Apparate and Disaparate inside Hogwarts' grounds. You've told us this plenty of times in the past, Hermione." Ron said in an as a matter of fact sort of tone.

"We know all the secret passages, there shouldn't be a problem. Harry's cloak will be brought as a precaution. However," Remus turned to look at Ron and Hermione, "this is too dangerous for the two of you. Sirius and I will go. There's always at least one Death Eater watching Grimmauld Place...hopefully there will be two so both Sirius and I will be disguised, if not one of us will have to go under the cloak." Remus turned to look at Sirius, who was staring at him as if he was in some sort of gone astray trance.

"We'll Apparate to Hogsmeade and see if any of our regular passageways are blocked or guarded...if they are, which I'm thinking might be a possibility, we'll just have to pay a visit to Aberforth. What do you say, Padfoot?"

Remus had to blink twice to be certain of what he saw on his friend's face; a slender smile. Sirius shook his head slightly, and muffled a slight snigger, "Merlin Remus, did you come up with all of this just now?" Remus returned his smile and shrugged his shoulders,

"You know me."

Sirius laughed but then all of a sudden his face turned grave, "You do realize that a thousand of things could go wrong." His smile began diminishing.

"And Harry's not worth that?" Remus asked, knowing his friend's answer before he even said aloud his reservation. Sirius gave him a significant look before saying,

"Let's go."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"His Godfather's dead?"

"Severus...please."

"Avada Kedavra!"

Harry shivered.

"Mum," Tonks was on Harry's right side checking his pulse while Andromeda sat on his left side, flipping viciously through pages in her study on Bodily Reactions. "How long do you think it will take for his vitals to lessen?"

Andromeda sighed, "I'll need the Defiancetility potion within three hours, or else..."

There was a sudden knock on the door. Tonks groaned, "Sirius now is not a good time..." To her surprise Remus entered the room, carrying a spare bit of parchment. "What is it?" Tonks asked immediately. Remus mistreated his wife's question and starred directly at Andromeda. "I need you to tell me all you know about this mixture, so we can identify it."

"Where is Sirius?" Andromeda asked, taking note to Sirius' absence, knowing that he would do anything to have opportunity to see his Godson. Remus sighed, "He's plucking hairs of a Death Eater as we speak...I'll fill the two of you in later."

Andromeda shared a look of distress with her daughter before she stridently cleared her throat, "It's very easy to recognize. It's a clear lilac coloured potion. If you stick your finger in it, it will turn the color blue within seconds...it has something to do with lubricate and warmth coming from your finger." Remus nodded hastily,

"Thank you, this will be very useful. How much time do we have before Harry's condition turns severe?" Tonks looked at her mother's solemn look, and then down at Harry lying unconscious, wincing before glancing back at Remus, "His condition is very severe as I speak, Remus. It may turn fatal within three hours."

"Moony, I've got them!" Sirius said triumphantly and slightly out of breath as he dashed in the center of the room. "Good, you can take the..."

"No, no," Sirius said raising his hand at Remus, "you'll be taking the Polyjuice potion; I'll hide under the cloak. I'm supposed to be dead anyways, Moony. If they have a glance of me, someone's initial reaction would be uncertainty and they wouldn't strike right away." He turned to look at Harry, as Tonks started questioning what he was talking about to Remus. Overlooking Remus' insight on the plan Sirius stooped onto his knees beside Harry and tightly grasped his hand. He was not pleased to feel no change in the blood throbbing underneath Harry's skin.

"It's going to be okay, kiddo. I promise." He whispered softly in Harry's ears. Andromeda abruptly stopped her enquiries to Remus, and turned to look at her cousin bent down beside his Godson.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Siri."

Sirius head whipped around, and starred at Andromeda with broad eyes. Before he could say anything, Andromeda spoke again, "This plan is imprudent and perilous but that's beside the point."

"What are you getting at, Andromeda." Andromeda flinched at the lost of her cousin's amiable address. He only calls her Andromeda when he's either serious or heated. "Siri, Harry has three hours before this reaction turns lethal." She heard Sirius' sharp intake of breath. "There are too many things that could go wrong, and all of that is time consuming."

"Well, we better get going then." Sirius said, while standing up and not turning to her but to Remus. Remus nodded at his expression, he turned to look at Tonks and kissed her atop her head. "Mind Sirius, Remus." Tonks said inaudibly to her husband. Both Sirius and Remus made way to the door, when Sirius stopped abruptly and faced two apprehensive looking witches. "Harry's in your hands. I'll forever be in your debts."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Hogsmeade Village, the only all-Wizarding village in Britain. The little village tightly packed with cottages and shops that used to be perked up with warmth, has become a village with a shadowy and threatening air. Sirius and Remus were both hunched underneath their confinement of Harry's Invisibility cloak. Sirius shuddered at Hogmeade's facade, trying to recall the first time he set eyes on the village. The last time he came here was in his canine form, meeting Harry in his fourth year set after the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. Harry. Sirius sighed,

"Remus," he whispered, "There are too many Death Eaters. It looks like if we enter the central part of the village an alarm will be set off." Remus turned to look at him, shifting the cloak as he turned,

"How do you know that?"

"Don't you feel it, the sensation?" Sirius asked softly. Remus closed his eyes and gasped in surprise, feeling the nerves in his body becoming rigid; the shielding awareness of canines.

"But you're just an Animagus, how can you feel it?"

"Moony, I pretty much became a dog in Azkaban. I was in my Animagus form for nearly twelve years in Azkaban, and not to mention two years on the run as a dog." Remus nodded in consideration,

"Sorry Padfoot, I didn't mean to bring back bad memories." Sirius shook his head,

"It's not important. Let's head South, around the Shrieking Shack and make route to the Hog's Head. There's a back door that we can try, the front door may bring wariness."

"Let's hope the passage Aberforth has managed to conceal is still effective." Remus looked down, "Mind your feet, Padfoot." Sirius groaned and crunched even lower, increasing the irritation along his vertebrae. They made quiet but hasty movement across the field, behind the thatched cottages. The Shrieking Shack was in prospect. Remus shivered at the sight of it, but progressed forward along the clumped mud piled along the path. Sirius grabbed his wrist,

"Hold it," Remus saw his eyes dart towards the right of the conduit. Two hooded figures were standing beside a hollow tree, cackling at each other. "He wasn't pleased with them was he? Can't believe they didn't find out who was behind the disruption at the Ministry. I'd wager ten years of service that whoever it was had something to do with Umbridge turning barmy."

Sirius swore under his breath as his hands clenched into tiny fists at the mention of Umbridge. Remus could hear his friend's heart rate accelerating slightly. "Come on, let's move vigilantly." As soon as they reached the Shrieking Shack, Remus stopped suddenly and felt Sirius bump into him.

"What's wrong?"

"Don't you feel it? There's something in the Shack."Sirius did feel it, but his heart twinged in anguish when his mind showed images of Harry in bed, whirling in pain.

"Come on, Remus. We don't have much time."

After reaching the Shrieking Shack, there was not much distance left for the Hog's Head. A gentle draught started as the stars in the bleak sky brightened in anticipation of harmony. The village was still. A part from the two Death Eaters Sirius and Remus came across from, the village was vacant, bare...sickly unfilled even for an evening. All of the old shops and cottages were touched by dusk, their appearances modified. The Hog's Head that was now in sight seemed to be the only structure intact in its original manifestation. They carefully made their way behind the edifice. Sirius felt the sides of his back pocket and felt the flask filled with the contents of the Polyjuice Potion that Remus was going to imbibe. The hairs were already added. Sirius felt Remus' gaze.

"Okay," he breathed, "for Harry."

They moved close to the back door. Remus shifted the cloak to take his hand out. He raised it and knocked tentatively at the door. They both leaned forward and pressed their ears against the door and held their breaths as swift movements could be heard coming beyond the door.

"Who is it? Asked a profound voice warily. Remus looked at Sirius before answering, looking for his nod of consent that the voice indeed belonged to Aberforth. "It's Moony."

There was a brief pause. "Remus?" The door was opened forcefully and revealed the form of a tall and thin man with a great deal of long grey hair. He stared at them with a blank expression. "Remus?" he asked again uncertainly.

"We're under an Invisibility cloak, can we come inside?" Remus asked faintly. Aberforth nodded and moved to the side timidly to let them in. They trotted inside swiftly and stood behind him as he still held the door open in disbelief. "We're in. You can close the door." As soon as the door was closed, Remus threw off the cloak exposing the two Marauders. Aberforth gasped in shock as his eyes fell upon Sirius. He staggered and took a step back, gaping at Sirius with his mouth slightly open. "You died?" he finally said quietly, "Albus told me so himself." Sirius cleared his throat,

"It's a long story but to salvage time, I fell through a Death Chamber and have been trapped in there for two years fighting to come back to the world of the living. Harry and his friends found a way and brought me back a couple of months ago." Aberforth looked at Remus who simply nodded.

"We don't have much time," continued Sirius, "its Harry. He's..." But Sirius couldn't find it in himself to say the words aloud. Remus gently grasped Sirius' shoulder and took a step forward, "He's not well, Aberforth. He's in a life-threatening state and we need a mixture to help him."

Aberforth looked at Sirius, and noticed his poignant expression and then looked at Remus who looked unhinged. Nodding firmly Aberforth cleared his throat, "Okay, what can I do?"

"We need to get inside of Hogwarts. We can't access our old passageways without triggering the alarm. Is your..."

"Yes," Aberforth said, putting a stop in Remus' pressing question, "It's safe to go through here. But what will you do once you leave the Room of Requirement. This mixture you're seeking is within the walls of Hogwarts?"

Sirius exchanged a look with Remus before turning to Aberforth, "We think that Snape might have it." Aberforth eyes went lividly broad, "Snape..."

"Don't worry; I'll be disguised as Macnair the Death Eater and Sirius will be under the cloak." Remus said instantly. Aberforth however still looked incensed, "I don't know about this..."

"We don't have another choice; Harry's running out of time..." Sirius' voice broke. Aberforth sighed,

"In that case, there's no need to enter Hogwarts." Sirius looked at Remus who was looking at Aberforth with his brows furrowed.

"Why do you say that?"

Aberforth frowned, "Well Remus, Snape is sitting in my pub right now."

"What!?" Both Remus and Sirius shouted.

"Quiet!" hissed Aberforth viciously.

"You're right," Remus said after reinstating his composure, "This is good, Sirius. This saves us time. Okay, where's the flask?" Sirius handed him the flask without hesitation. Remus swallowed the contents of it as soon as the flask touched his hand. He closed his eyes at the appalling taste, and coughed as the potion's content began consuming control of his body. Sirius couldn't help but scowl at the sight of Macnair standing where his friend Remus once stood. Remus rolled his eyes, "It's still me, Padfoot."

Sirius picked up the Invisibility cloak that was on the floor. "Okay, let's go. I'll be right behind you. Was there anyone else in the pub, Aberforth?" asked Sirius steadily. Aberforth shook his head, "No, just him. You guys should enter from the front door. It'll make him suspicious to see you coming from here, Remus." Remus shook his head,

"It's okay, I have an idea." Sirius gave him a query look before throwing the cloak on himself. Remus exhaled loudly before grasping the handle of the door that stood on the other side of the room. The effect was instant. Severus Snape a tall, thin man with sallow skin and a large, hooked nose looked up from his bits of parchments lying on the table at Remus with wonder.

"Walden, what brings you here?" Sirius followed Remus along the many tables aligned inside the pub towards where Snape sat. Sirius was relieved at the thought of Remus doing all the talking instead of him, because he was already having a hard time remaining quiet at the sight of his adversary. As Remus sat down across from Snape, he saw Snape look at the door he entered from. Remus grimaced as he cleared his throat,

"The bearded fool was acting peculiar." Snape nodded in discernment. Sirius sighed in relief; Remus' newly constructed voice seemed to have fooled Snape.

"That still doesn't explain what you're doing here, Walden." Snape said not hiding his qualms. Sirius was standing behind Remus; he only wished he could see his friend's expression.

"Actually, I was looking for you Severus. It was very fortunate of me to make threats to Dumbledore Junior; otherwise I wouldn't have crossed paths with you. What are you doing here? I expected to find you at the castle."

Snape gave Remus a menacing stare, "I don't think that's any of your concerns, Walden. What is it that you need from me? Aren't you supposed to be keeping an eye out for Potter?"

Sirius' insides warped with fury at the way Snape said the name Potter. He clenched his teeth, and tried to cease his quickened heart beat.

"I need a favor, Severus. I was hoping you could help me." Remus asked in a husky voice. Snape raised his eyebrows, "I thought the eminent Macnair never asks for help from anyone."

"Don't let me beg, Severus."

Severus sighed in annoyance, "What is it?" Remus exhaled loudly. He had to speed up the process, the Polyjuice potion's effect would wear out within forty-five minutes.

"I need a Defiancetility potion, and I need it now. Do you have some?" Remus held his breath as Snape looked him up and down.

"This comes as a surprise." Sirius watched him charily as Snape seemed to be having a silent dispute taking place in his head.

"Yes, I do have some in my lot." Sirius started shaking in anticipation as he bit down his tongue. Snape gave another mistrustful look at Remus before hastily pushing back his chair and standing up. "Wait here." He gave another look at Remus, before turning to face the door. Aberforth appeared from the counter at the sound of the door closing.

"What's going on?" He asked in a whisper as if Snape was still present in the pub. Remus stared at him in skepticism. "Snape's gone to retrieve the mixture." Aberforth sighed,

"No trouble then?"

Remus or rather Macnair shrugged his shoulders, "He's suspicious, but fortunately not questioning as much as he could. Sirius?" Remus turned around. Sirius was still concealed.

"I'm still here..."

"Shh, he's back. He's just apparated outside. I'll be in the back." Aberforth dashed back into the back room. Sirius eyebrows furrowed, "That was quick..."

"Quiet, Sirius. Here he comes."

Snape opened the door compellingly, holding to both Sirius and Remus' pleasure a clear, lilac colored substance supported in a transparent flask. Snape strode past Sirius, who had to shift quickly to let Snape walk by and not accidently bump into him. He placed the flask down upon the table where Remus was seated at. Remus, remembering Andromeda's words took off the wooden seal of the goblet and inserted his index finger into the liquid. Andromeda was right, it was very easy to recognize. The lilac distorted to a very vibrant color of blue. Remus simply smiled at its effect.

"Satisfied?"

Remus was taken off guard as Severus grabbed him from the back and pinned him with one hand against the table, the other one holding securely his wand.

"Who are you? Walden Macnair could never have possibly known that placing your finger in the Defiancetility potion caused it to turn blue. Speak, impostor!" He raised his wand closer to the back of Remus' head before Sirius pushed him off of Remus and cried,

"Accio wand!"

The Invisibility cloak fell off of him as he helped Remus onto his feet.

"Are you all right?" Remus nodded, as he raised the flask in his hand.

"Yes, and more importantly...it hasn't broken, let's go."

Sirius turned to look at Snape whose eyes were extensive with disbelief, "Black, it can't be..."

"Good to see you too, Snivellus. Missed me?" Sirius said sarcastically as he raised Snape's wand and pointed it directly to his face. "How's being the newly appointed Headmaster knowing that you killed the last one...you murderous, filthy traitor!"

"Sirius," Remus said calmly, "we have to go. Now is not the time...Harry's running out of time!" Snape who was jeering an expression of pure despise snapped his head in Remus' direction.

"Potter? What's wrong with him?" Snape looked at the potion in Remus' hand, "That's for him, isn't it...what happened?" Remus eyed Snape guardedly. Had he seen a trace of apprehension in his eyes at the mention of Harry being in trouble? Sirius turned to Remus,

"You're right...let's go!" He gave Snape another resentment filled expression before raising Snape's own wand in his hand and shouting,

"Stupefy!"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I must apologies profusely for the delay of this chapter! I went to New York, anticipating for the ball to drop during my trip to New York during the winter break. I had anticipated a chapter up when I returned home but was caught up with encounters of friends and then preparing for my second semester of University.

So sorry! Hope you're all having a wonderful start to the New Year!

Take care,

Opaque Nights