Hey everyone! This Chapter will be in the perspective of Sirius this time, and taking place on the night Dumbledore and Harry went to attempt to retrieve the Locket. Just a disclaimer once again that I own nothing to do with the Harry Potter universe, nor any of the characters that come from within it. I hope you're all doing well in the current state of things with the hurricanes, floods, and now the two big earthquakes that have taken place in Mexico. Writing is my escape in troubled times and I hope that while you are reading, it can be yours as well. This is the longest installment I've written. Thanks, and Enjoy! XO
For as long as Sirius could remember, life had been hectic for him. It had never been quiet and simple for him, in good times and in bad. He'd grown up with his family attempting to shove their pureblood, better than most, mentality down his throat. Then when he went to Hogwarts what little relationship he had with them really tanked when he had been sorted into Gryffindor. He'd hated his mother, and a part of him still felt a smugness rise at the thought of her face when she'd found out he was a Gryffindor.
That's when a whole new foundation of his life started though, the good kind of hectic. He'd met James, Remus, and Peter even who he may hate now, but at the time he was his friend too. He knew he was cocky, but the truth was they damn well ran that school together. They were class clowns but top of their subjects all at the same time. It was a dangerous thing to be witty, well liked, and handsome.
Then school ended and they all joined the Order of the Phoenix. He was a brave man, a tried and true Gryffindor, but things were getting real for him and he was scared. His brother Regulus had joined the death eaters and ended up dead. He cursed Regulus as a fool to anyone who mentioned him, but the truth was that out of his family Regulus had been the only one he had given a damn about. Deep down he had held hope that one day they could reconcile things between them but it was ripped away.
For a short while though things seemed to be getting better. Lily and James were married and had their son. Harry being born had basked a gloomy time in light. Being named godfather was his most proud moment. Prouder then when the sorting hat had called out Gryffindor. More so than when he'd achieved becoming and an Animagi so young and with no help of a teacher. Even more so than when he'd finally gotten a date with Embry, and that was saying something.
Yes, those were good times he thought to himself. He and Embry had their thing together and were happy keeping it just between them. Lily and James were radiating as new parents, and they were happier than ever before. They weren't stupid, things were still going badly, but for a moment there was light at the end of the tunnel. Some good out weighing the bad.
That all changed though, Dumbledore had gotten information somehow that Voldemort would be coming after the Potter's. Lily and James were parents, they knew what they had to do to protect their son and sprang into action with bravery that still astounded him to this day. Not once did Lily shed a tear, not once did James break on being stuck in his house. It was he who had been scared, and that's what had triggered him to do the stupidest thing in his damn life. He'd over thought it, he was desperate to keep his best friends safe and thought using Peter as a decoy was the answer when it wasn't.
Then it was all gone like that, quicker than one could imagine. Lily and James lay dead in the wreckage of their once beautiful home. Harry was whisked off with Hagrid, taken from him to live with those dreadful muggle relatives. Remus and Embry would think he'd betrayed them, so all he could do was set off after Peter. Then it was Azkaban for thirteen years. Meeting Harry and having to run into hiding almost immediately afterword. The year of the Triwizard tournament that had almost taken Harry's life more than once. Then the year he was stuck in Grimmauld place before the fiasco at the ministry. It never seemed to end the more he thought back on it all.
But here he sat tonight in his house with a fire roaring, and Embry laying across his lap with a book propped open. Remus sat in the chair nearest the fire sipping tea and listening to the wizarding radio. He felt lucky and happy, and content in the normalness of it all.
It had been a couple months now since the incident with Malfoy Manor, and this time he heeded all warnings to stay put. He'd more than learned his lesson, and while it felt strange to be doing nothing, he still understood it was what was best for Harry. His Godson was the most targeted person alive. He was the most coveted person the Death Eaters would love to get their hands on. The boy cared for him in a way he'd never known, he knew he'd risk too much to try to help him. Just as he'd learned one too many times the Death Eaters would use him as a trap for just that.
For once though he was okay with having things quiet, especially after he'd just gone through a rundown of his life in his head. Some peace and quiet was much needed and deserved. Embry and he has grown close again, it didn't take much time to pick up where they had left off. She was beautiful and spunky as ever before. She had made time spent confined to just the house, quite fun.
Remus was staying there as well, and while he worried this would become like a third wheel situation it never did. Remus and Embry got along extremely well and were similar in ways. Together between Embry and himself they thought they were making ground on the troubles between Remus and Tonks. More than anything though, Remus was his best mate and he was safe in their home.
Harry seemed well at Hogwarts, and he received a letter from the boy every other day. He was amazed at how well the boy faired off in his hectic life. Here he was taking lessons with Dumbledore to try and gear up for a dark wizard trying to kill him, all while talking about Quidditch and the girl he liked, Ginny. Perhaps Harry too, just like him, was trying to enjoy the moments of calm before the storm. He knew this wouldn't last forever, but he was still going to try and enjoy it while he could.
"Hey, Moony!" He called out with a smile towards Remus who looked up at him curiously, and almost cautiously. He supposed that was smart thinking, calling him by his nickname usually resulted in behavior or words reminiscing of the marauders attitude.
"I forgot to tell you, Harry just mentioned it in a letter the other day. Did you know old snivels finally got the Dark Arts job?" He asked and Lupin raised an eyebrow looking thoughtful.
"Severus Snape? Teaching children defense against the dark arts?" Now that's rich." Embry asked and snorted before looking back into her book. He felt a desire to kiss her, and he did. She rolled her eyes with a smirk but kissed him back.
"Well, it is kind of odd really. Dumbledore seemed so adamant about him not getting it." Remus mused, his face still etched with thoughtfulness. "Who teaches potions now?"
"Slughorn, you know that Slytherin bloke who was obsessed with Lily? Hated us but took quite the liking to her." He said with a wave of his hand. He had never been so sure of Slughorn, he gave him a strange vibe.
"To be fair, he had been interested in you as well but you didn't seem to return the interest." Remus said with a small smirk and Sirius rolled his eyes. Being a part of the Black family had never seemed like something to be proud of. Definitely not something some stranger should be trying to collect him into his weird club over either.
He didn't mention to Embry and Remus the other small detail though. The fact that Dumbledore had used Harry to get some information out of Slughorn. Harry had also been toted along before school even started to try and persuade Slughorn to teach there at all. The whole thing struck him as a little odd, but he knew Slughorn wouldn't refuse Harry. He remembered how Slughorn had coddled Lily as his favorite student, and the other kids from rich backgrounds and families. Harry was the ultimate combination of it all, Slughorn would never resist.
There came a rapping at the door suddenly, it was loud and with purpose from whoever was on the other side. He stood up and drew his wand from his robes, striding over towards the door. Remus followed suit and together they opened the door with their wand pointed at the chest of who stood there. Remus lowered his when he saw that it was Tonks, she looked panicked. He however made her answer the obligatory question to insure she was not under the imperius cure and when she quickly answered he ushered her inside.
"What's going on, you don't look so well?" Embry asked taking Tonk's hand and moving her in front of the fire to warm up.
"No, it's not me, I came for you and Remus. All order members need to get to Hogwarts right away." She explained looking at Embry as she spoke. He noticed she was desperately trying to avoid eye contact with Remus.
"What's happened?" He asked quickly, feeling a fear rise in his chest. All Order members to get to Hogwarts didn't sound good. The last time all members available had been called out was to the ministry the last time Harry had been in big trouble.
"Death Eaters are inside..." Tonks had started to say but Remus's eyes widened and he cut across her.
"That's impossible." He said looking horrified.
"Well, it's not. I don't know how they got in but they definitely did. The dark mark has been cast above one of the towers." She said, this time she seemed to be avoiding eye contact with him instead of Remus.
"Let's go." He said hurriedly reaching for his cloak. Embry, Lupin, and Tonks all shared uncomfortable looks that definitely didn't go unnoticed by him.
"This is different, I will not remain behind. Harry is in trouble, as are all the students of Hogwarts. Death Eater's won't hesitate to kill anyone. We need all the man power we can get, and you three know it." He said annoyed, there wasn't time to baby him right now. They seemed unable to argue with this and quickly Embry and Lupin threw their shoes and cloaks on.
Together all four of them rushed out the door. Lupin and Tonk's apparated with loud cracks, and Embry and himself followed suit. They held hands as they did so, and together they both landed hard against the pavement of Hogsmeade.
"Come on, we must hurry onto the grounds, this is the furthest we can get by apparition." Tonks said starting to take off into a run.
"Wait! The cellar in Honey Dukes, we can take the passage and get there quicker. Avoid the Death Eaters probably waiting on the outside too" He cried out, thinking of the map of Hogwarts he knew like the back of his hand. Remus nodded and they instead sprinted towards Honey Dukes.
"Alohomora!" Embry cried out, pointing her wand at the front door of a closed-up honey dukes and it sprang open. They all rushed in and down the steps towards the cellar, Remus found the trap door that led to the tunnel immediately. He leaned down next to him and they both moved it together, allowing Embry and Tonks to slide down first. They both followed suit and hit the stone pavement together, they could hear the footsteps of Tonks and Embry already rushing through. With a burst of adrenaline, he took off on the spot and didn't stop.
It felt like it took forever, and he had a stich in his side that was aching but he didn't stop once. He couldn't stop thinking about what Tonks had said about the dark mark being cast. The fear of who it had been cast over left him desperate to reach the other side, far more desperate to do that than to stop running. He was strongly reminded of running these tunnels with James, Remus, and Peter. How things have changed he thought, as instead of rushing towards mischief with his best friend he was instead hurrying to help his son in danger.
"We're here!" Lupin said and they all hobbled out of the one-eyed witch statue, and into the halls of Hogwarts. It was quiet for the most part, all the students must be in bed. Faintly though, he heard something in the distance. He heard someone yell and the noise sounded like chaos the more he tried to tune it in.
"I'm going to find the others!" Tonks cried out and took off, Remus hot on her trail. Turning to Embry he saw that she was already watching him. She looked scared and lost for words, but her large eyes said it all.
"I know." He said simply and she nodded back at him. He grabbed her hand in his own and squeezed it gently before taking off towards the direction the other two had just sprinted in. Embry ran alongside him, her long hair streaming behind her and her wand at her side ready for battle. She looked beautiful, and courageous. He wanted to stop and kiss her, for a moment he almost did. He shook these thoughts and placed them back at the task at hand. Finding Harry.
"Sirius!" Someone yelled at him and he stopped dead in his tracks down a hallway he'd almost hurried past was a group of familiar children. Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and a couple others he didn't recognize were scattered about the small hallway. Hermione was disarmed and a Death Eater whom he didn't recognize was advancing on her.
"Stupify!" Embry bellowed and the Death Eater was rocketed back, slamming into a wall. His wand rolled away from his limp hand, and Ron pocketed it. There were two more Death Eaters though, quickly he took one out while Ginny and Ron took out the other. Silence fell momentarily as they could take a deep breath for the moment. Hermione was white in the face and shaken, Ron hurried to her side and helped her up.
"Where is Harry?" He demanded of Ron and Hermione, something wasn't right. Harry should be with his friends in a battle, he'd never veer off from his friends on his own accord.
"I don't know! He's with Dumbledore, they went after one of the h… one of the things. I think Harry knew something wasn't right though, he gave us what was left of his liquid luck potion. We'd be dead if he hadn't." Hermione explained in a weak voice.
"He didn't send me an owl about that." He said quietly, running a hand through his long hair in frustration.
"It was last minute, he barely had time to tell us. He came up and made us take the potion if need be, he said to watch out for Malfoy tonight. He was upset about something, I don't know if it was just Malfoy or more than that." Ron explained further, as he rubbed Hermione's shoulder with his arm around her.
"Sirius… there's nothing we can do about that right now. We've got to help the Order now. Harry being far from here is the best thing for him." Embry said gently trying to reason with him.
"I'm going on to fight!" one of the older kids around Harry's age cried out. He had a round face and strongly reminded him of his old friend Alice. It struck him that this was her son, Neville. The others nodded and they all took off again.
"Be careful… and I'm sure Harry is okay." Ginny said as she passed him and he gave her a short nod, it was all he could manage.
Together they all took off in the direction Remus and Tonks had headed. Embry was silent, and perhaps knew better than to try and coddle him in this moment. He heard sounds of dueling getting louder, they must be in the great hall.
They reached the great hall from the top of the staircase and bellow lay a battle scene. Fenrir Greyback was there along with lots of other hooded Death Eaters. Remus and Tonks each locked in a duel. McGonagall, several Weasley children, and Kingsley were there too. He rushed down the steps and took out a Death Eater that had been advancing on Remus from behind. Soon jets of light were flying left and right, narrowly missing him at times. He watched and was impressed by just how genuine the liquid luck potion worked. The kids moved and jets of light missed them in ways that seemed impossible to his eyes. Death Eaters got taken out just before being able to advanced on them.
"Harry, where did you come from?" Cried a girl's voice, it was familiar and he realized it was Ginny. He whipped around and saw his godson tearing down the staircase, two footsteps as a time. He looked angry and in a trance. His wand was drawn and he was on a mission, quickly he saw why. In front of him ran Snape, Bellatrix, Draco and two other Death Eaters. Snape running with Death Eaters, and Draco too?
"Impedimenta!" Harry cried out and a Death Eater who had been advancing on Ginny flew against a wall. His Godson looked angrier than he had ever seen, he was in a blind rage. He tried to get towards him but a Death Eater locked in a duel with him just as Harry hit the last stair and tore after the Death Eaters again.
"Wrong Guy." He muttered at the Death Eater, angry he had gotten in his path. He dodged a green light and hit the man instead with his red one. The Death Eater fell and he leaped over him trying to run after Harry again. Another Death Eater hopped in front of him though, this one more skilled. He caught sight of Ginny running in the direction of Harry, having escaped the battle. While watching her he was knocked backwards and slammed into the stonewall. A burst of light hit a pillar next to him and it came crumbling down, pinning his leg against the stone floor. The Death Eater advanced with a triumphant look plastered across his face, he slowly raised his wand.
"Stupefy!" Remus cried from behind him though and the man fell before getting to Sirius. Remus made to run over to help him but he was caught by a Death Eater and stuck in a duel before he could. Reaching for his wand stupidly as it was much too far away from his reach, he began to feel helpless. Where was Dumbledore? Why was Harry chasing after people by himself, people who could kill him or take him prisoner to Voldemort himself. He cursed loudly.
Slowly the Death Eaters fell or whisked out the door to freedom as Bellatrix and Snape had. Bill Weasley was lying face down in a puddle of blood, Molly and Arthur had arrived and were tending to him. Embry had disappeared somewhere in the heat of the moment. Remus was tending to Tonks. McGonagall had run outside moments ago. Pain was sweeping through his leg, and he closed his eyes trying to calm himself down.
"Sirius Black, it's been awhile since I've seen you." A voice said and looking up he saw Poppy Pomfrey standing above him. She waved her wand the rubble cleared from his leg, she kneeled down and examined it.
"Not broken, that's good news." She said absentmindedly. A moment later she waved her wand again and muttered something. Relief swept through his body, and his mind cleared from the cloudiness pain can ensue. Shakily he stood up from his crumpled state on the floor and retrieved his wand from the rubble feet away from where he had been.
"Sirius, are you alright mate?" Remus asked appearing beside him with Tonks slung over his shoulder, her nose was bleeding profusely.
"Yeah… but I've got to get to Harry." He said and turned on his heel to rush towards the door that led to the grounds outside the castle. While making to round the corner McGonagall appeared in his path, he slid to a stop. He'd never seen such a sight before in his life, something was wrong. Her eyes were red and tears streamed down her cheeks, she looked completely lost.
"Minerva… What happened?" He asked reaching out and gently touching her forearm, she didn't pull away like he'd expected after he'd already reached out. She instead let out a small sob, and closed her eyes tightly, seeming to sway upon the spot.
"What's happened… Is… Is it Harry?" He asked suddenly filling up with fear again, but she shook her head and it cleared a bit. She took several deep breathes and composed herself, when her eyes snapped open they were still red but they wore a different expression.
"All Order of the Phoenix members need to report to the hospital wing, immediately. Things need to be discussed." She said firmly and he pulled his hand back from her arm and nodded.
"I just need to go and find Harry… I'm worried about him... I saw him run after Snape and the Death Eaters." He explained making to head past her.
"The Death Eaters have left the grounds, Kingsley has put spells up protecting the castle again, but they won't be coming back. Ms. Weasley is bringing Harry up to the hospital wing, you can meet him there. Your friend Embry is laying in the hall on the way up and I was hoping you could carry her." She explained further and a new fear flooded him. Her eyes met his and perhaps she saw this,
"Embry is fine, just knocked out for the time being." He sighed and nodded, turning to walk upstairs with McGonagall. They walked in silence for a moment.
"Please, what's happened?" He asked finally as they climbed the stairs, she turned to him and looked at him with a strange expression.
"Albus Dumbledore has died." She said in a hollow voice, and the sobs that had threatened to escape her finally did. "Everything is about to change."
Shock hit him like a pound of bricks as he watched a woman he'd never seen break from her strong character, be reduced to sobs as grief tore through her. He had doubts about Albus Dumbledore, that he could not lie about, but he'd always been a hero all the same in the fight against Voldemort. The thought of him being gone was strange, helplessness was seeping in. It felt like somewhere far away from here Voldemort was doubling or tripling in his strength now. It felt as if the Order of the Phoenix just lost its biggest defense. Truth be told, without Dumbledore, they pretty much had.
Rounding the corner, he saw Embry laying upon the floor, crumpled and unconscious. Her long hair spilled out against the stone floor beneath her. Crouching down her gently placed her limp form in his arms, and held her tight to his chest. He could hear her breathing and took in the comfort of her being alive through the battle they had just endured. He longed for the hours before when they had laid on his couch and everything had been fine in the world.
They reached the hospital wing in silence moments later, it was full of Order members. Ron and Hermione were there as well. Molly and Arthur were crouched over their son Bill who lay in a bed, his handsome face had scars littered upon it now. Looking over at Remus he could see him watching the scene with a strange expression. His heart hurt for his old friend, coming in such close contact with the man who had ruined his life when he had just been a child. Now he stood watching the aftermath of another life affected in the same way. Remus's eyes met his and neither could find words.
He broke the eye contact and lay Embry down in an empty bed, Poppy leaned over her and began to examine her. He stepped back and let her do her work.
"Sirius?" A voice asked and turning around he felt a large wave of comfort wash through his body. Standing in the doorway was Harry, Ginny beside him who was crying silent tears. She walked over and joined her mother and father by Bills bedside. He rushed to his godson and wrapped his arms around him. He felt wet tears soak into his robes where Harry's head lay. Harry had lost so much in his life, and now he'd lost his hero.