You wonder why it is that Death can be so quiet? Everything leading up to death can be overwhelming and brutal and heartbreaking. Death has been lurking around every corner with you all here in the Department of Mysteries. It has waiting with baited breath to snatch one of you.
But then Death arrives and as gently as a soft breeze it takes it's victim. A loud laugh interrupted. A soft whoosh as he falls behind the curtain. A moment of stunned silence before the reality returns and you are grabbing onto Harry for dear life so Death wont claim another victim.
Moments before he fell, Sirius was full of life. And everything that encompassed. Love, joy, sorrow, anger. Sirius wore his feelings on his sleeve. You and he were opposites in that manner. And as he fell, in that moment life stood still for you. You registered the feelings of shock and remorse you felt before they were shoved down deep so you could finish the fight. You register the brief feeling of panic; panic of loosing a friend all over again.
When the fight is over and members of the Order are regrouping in Grimmauld, it is with whispers and tip toeing. As if Death could somehow find you all. As if everyone were frightened of angering it. As if speaking of it aloud were as taboo as Voldemort's name once was.
You suppose some people feel it is a sign of respect for Sirius. But don't they know? Sirius hated the silence. Whispering in the dark was not the way Sirius lived. Out loud and with gusto is how Sirius preferred to spend his moments. Sirius was aware that once you let silence in, it wasn't long before the depression sets in and the silence becomes all encompassing. You know all about this yourself, don't you? Stony silences in empty buildings?
But you all gather up the Order's information and personal belongings. Clumsily and quickly, but thoroughly. And as you close the door behind you, you say a silent goodbye to your friend.