As Harry sat upon the small couch in Clarkson's living room he felt as though a Dementor had swooped into the room and drained it of all its previous happiness. The room was no longer friendly and welcoming as it had been moment before. Clarkson's words left it feeling sad and like just another place Harry would have to associate with pain as he did with so many other places. Greif rippled through Harry's chest, Sirius's smiling face from his parent's wedding photograph appeared vividly in his mind, was he really about to lose his godfather all over again?
"Mr. Clarkson sir, what does that mean though?" Hermione asked apprehensively, Harry was grateful for her because words had failed him. Clarkson looked over at Hermione curiously but Hermione held strong eye contact with him, looking for more information as she always did.
"I worked in the Department of Mysteries for many years of my life, what you're trying to get information on to attempt to do is very dangerous and I'm not going to help three teenagers and two adults risk their lives for one man who is probably unattainable." Mr. Clarkson said, he shot a particularly stern look towards Embry who looked mild uncomfortable at this point.
"What do you mean by probably?" Lupin asked sharply, perking up at once.
"I mean that I do believe the veil transports human life to another plain, not necessarily death, but your chances of getting him through a very slim." Clarkson said exasperated.
"Please tell us more, I don't understand how you can believe there to be a chance at life on the other side yet impossible to reach them." Hermione pressed with a genuine look towards Clarkson.
"There is much material on how it was used to banish dark wizards of the past before Azkaban was even a though. What there isn't traceable information on is how someone plans to return once entering the veil." He explained.
"If these wizards who have gone through were banished, surely they didn't have their wands to magical tools of any kind to find a way out though?" Hermione asked and at this point the exasperation on Clarkson's face was beginning to be replaced by a look of fascination by Hermione and her questions. Looking around the house at all the books lining shelves Harry couldn't help but feel they were a like in ways, it didn't surprise him that he was impressed by Hermione's logic. Pride welled in Harry to be able to call Hermione his friend more so than ever in times like these.
"Very good point, but even with tools what would be your plan of action once it's time to cross back over, together you're all probably capable of very good magic, but this is ancient dark magic." He said giving them all earnest looks. "I don't want to root against you, I want to be able to help your friend, but I can't say for sure what would get you back through." He finished leaving everyone lost in thought, Hermione looked as if she was racking her brain for any information she may have read in a book before.
"What if it's not complicated though, what about a Portkey?" Ron asked surprising almost everyone to have been the one to break the thoughtful silence. Hermione opened her mouth to say something, and then closed it tilting her head with her brow furrowed before looking to Clarkson who too looked thoughtful.
"You know, to be honest, I've never thought of that." He said his eye brows raised as he clearly thought this over, he laughed even. "Years and years of my life considering ancient runes and spells and I've never thought of a Portkey."
"Well let's try it!" Harry blurted out his heart beating fast again for hope had returned to him and made him feel more eager than ever to reach Sirius.
"Oh well hold on, I'm not saying for sure whether that would work or not." Clarkson said the laughter and thoughtfulness fading into a look of alarm at Harry.
"Look we can go in circles but I'm ready, I'm trying the Portkey and if not, I've got my wand and I'll figure it out." Harry said shaking off Clarkson's looks of concern.
"Harry maybe we should take a few more days and consider, please?" Hermione said gently her eyes full of worry.
"No Hermione, I've got to do something he's been over there for far too long as is, I've got to try and reach him." Harry said firmly.
"I'll help you. I'm going to. I let Sirius down last time he was imprisoned and I'm not going to do it again." Lupin said standing up and surprising Harry. Remus Lupin had always been a figure of reason and thoughtfulness, his willingness to dive in to the unknown took Harry by surprise. There was a sort of determinedness blazing in his eyes, for the first time he looked far from a greying and tired man but of a man ready to dive into battle. Harry felt affection for Lupin rise in him for his loyalty to Sirius that matched his own.
"Oh fine, let's do this." Hermione said still looking skeptical but bravely stood up alongside Lupin and Harry, Ron nodded and followed suit.
"We need to get into the Department of Mysteries now, can you help us?" Harry asked looking to Embry and Clarkson who exchanged looks with each other. Clarkson looked wary still but Embry tilted her head to the side and gave him a look.
"I think they've made up their minds, and I have to know more about the veil." She said simply and Clarkson breathed a deep sigh before nodding.
"Embry will aide you in getting into the Department, but I must press my concerns and suggest you proceed upon this with the upmost caution." He said looking around at them all with bright eyes.
"We just need a Portkey now."