A/N) First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for all the reviews! Over 800 now! The good news is that I am now writing chapter 68 and I think I'm on a good role at the moment. As for this chapter, I did not intend for this chapter to turn out the way it did... it sort of all flowed out of me before I could stop it! So, I hope, that everyone enjoys this chapter!
Chapter Sixty-Five: The Cost of Success
The Wizarding World was beginning to wonder if Voldemort had simply decided to leave them alone; no one had seen or heard of him since the attack on the Burrow at Christmas (and even then, he hadn't been personally involved either). Of course, the Order of the Phoenix knew differently and was advising everyone to remain on guard, but no one listened, choosing to believe the disgraced former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. He had disappeared for a while himself but had suddenly started making speeches proclaiming that the war was over and that Voldemort had decided to leave the country alone.
Some were foolish enough to believe because they wanted an end to the war, others knew differently, especially since it became clear that Dolores Umbridge, a friend of Fudge's from his days as Minister, had been seen liaising with Narcissa Malfoy. The Aurors had been in the process of investigating her when Fudge had been dismissed from office. When he had left, Dolores had gone with him, and they had lost sight of her for a long while. Now, however, both had suddenly popped back into view, so it seemed likely that Dolores was working for Voldemort and helping Cornelius get back to the top of his game. A power play was occurring right under their very noses, but none of the Auror's or Orders spies had been aware of that.
No one had known what the whole point of Fudge coming out and speaking had been about, until it all happened and everything became clear of course.
Tuesday 9th March 1996
Sirius had been in the Auror department with Kingsley Shacklebolt when everything turned to hell. He hadn't even had a chance to return to Grimmauld Place since leaving Hogwarts, especially since Kingsley had called him in urgently. He Apparated into the Ministry just after midnight and had been there since, working with Kingsley after receiving a report on a horde of Dementors that were beginning to gather on the other side of London.
They were just waiting.
"But what are they waiting for?" asked Sirius, running a hand through his shoulder length hair. He was frustrated.
Ministry guidelines permitted Aurors to engage Dementors only when they were an immediate threat to the public, and where they were now, they were not a threat. They were actively avoiding contact with wizard or Muggle. They were just there, for no reason at all. It was after nine in the morning now and Sirius had been awake for over twenty-four hours, but he was used to doing odd hours. Even though Kingsley had tried to send him home, Sirius had point-blank refused him. He was not going until they knew why a herd of Dementors were milling on the outskirts of London.
"If they would just do something," he whined, "then we could go and blast them away. Damn guidelines. This is a war! We know they are on Voldemort's side and still we are constrained by these rules!" He felt like kicking something, but the only thing in reach was Kingsley's legs and Sirius was sure his superior would not appreciate becoming a kick-bag for Sirius' pent up anger.
"You really should have gone home when I asked you to," said Kingsley quietly. "You're tired, and when you are like that it is not a good idea to remain on duty."
"I know," replied Sirius softly. "And I would, but I can't because I am too damn curious for my own good."
"And if I ordered you to leave, threaten you with dismissal, you'd still stay, wouldn't you?"
"Is there any question over that?" grinned Sirius, tiredly, stifling a yawn.
But before his colleague could respond, a cool female voice echoed throughout their office. "The Ministry is under attack. Please make your way to the nearest exit and leave as quickly as possible."
Sirius traded a glance with Kingsley. "Shit."
The Atrium was in mayhem by the time Sirius, Kingsley and Hestia Jones battled their way through the fleeing witches and wizards to arrive there. The wards protecting the Ministry were quickly crumbling and Dementors were already floating about the Atrium, not caring about who they attacked, only that they fed. How they had got within the Ministry from where they had been only fifteen minutes before surprised Sirius, but it wasn't something he should worry about now. He had to concentrate on getting rid of them.
"Thirty-seven Dementors," he counted. "How many were congressing at the point we were watching?"
"Nearly a hundred," answered Kingsley, raising his own wand, preparing to run forward.
They were cold, their breath misty, but they were just outside the Dementors range, but as soon as they moved forward they would be in the thick of it. Sirius took a deep breath, focused on a memory of Harry, and walked forward. Memories assaulted him but he stayed calm, heart beating slowly in his chest, his wand raised to his chest and then he roared: "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
A silver dog erupted from his wand, flying towards the mass of black-robed figures. Behind him he heard the dulcet tones of Kingsley and Hestia, and two more white forms burst past him, assaulting the Dementors, but three wizards against that many was doomed to failure, but they had to try.
The Dementors surged forward, one dropping a wizard to the floor, his soul completely sucked out. His was not the only soul to be taken from them that day; more bodies already littered the Atrium, the Dementors having no more use for them. Then the unmistakable sounds of Apparition echoed throughout the Atrium. Sirius stumbled back as a Dementor drifted closer, his Patronus flickering as his concentration wavered, his eyes sweeping the floor, seeing Death Eaters marching towards them, Voldemort in their midst.
Screams echoed in his ears, the dark memories he held grabbed hold of him, dragging him down. Sirius' knees buckled as the Dementors converged towards him. He tried desperately to conjure another Patronus, but he was cold, so cold...
Then a lynx bounded past him, attacking the four Dementors that had turned their attention towards Sirius. Someone grabbed him by the arm, hauling him away and his mind began to clear. He swatted the arm away, annoyed that he needed the help and scrambled to his feet. Kingsley backed away, still holding the Patronus, keeping the Dementors at bay.
"We can't win," panted Sirius, his fingers convulsively clutching his wand. He hated to leave, but they had no choice. Voldemort, Death Eaters and Dementors were there, and if they didn't leave soon they would be trapped. He was still shivering, his body shaking erratically.
"They've put Anti-Apparition wards up," said Hestia, her eyes hard. "We have to fight, but we can't get out this way."
"But they just Apparated in!" howled Sirius. Voldemort must have instructed the Death Eaters to put wards up and if they are keyed to Voldemort, we have no way of bringing them down! He grabbed Hestia by the wrist. "We have no time to play and get them down now!" He ducked, pulling Hestia with him, as green light flashed over his head. "Help get those that can out of here! There are other ways out of the Ministry, you know that!"
Hestia nodded. Sirius whirled to face Kingsley. "We have to get to the Minister!"
The cold was getting worse once more and Sirius grabbed Kingsley's hand dragging him further away, back towards the lifts. "There is a way out of the Ministry on every floor, correct?"
"Always has been, but can only be used in emergencies," muttered Kingsley.
"I think this counts as an emergency, don't you?" asked Sirius wryly as they ran full pelt towards the stair-case. He didn't like leaving behind those that were trapped with the Dementors, but it was already too late for them. The Death Eaters and Voldemort were amongst them, laughing and torturing as they went. If they stayed they would become casualties of the war itself.
In an emergency the Head Auror was given the task of ensuring the Minister of Magic's safety, but Kingsley had decided to check on the situation first before doing his duty. Rufus, as a fellow Auror, would have done the same, and hopefully he would have had the sense to escape on his own, but they had to check his office, just to make sure. Witches and Wizards were pouring down the stairs, making an uphill struggle a difficulty. They didn't know the Atrium had been taken, and though they tried to warn them of their impending danger, no one listened.
Shouts grew louder and flashes of light started to flicker below him. Leaning over a barrister, Sirius glanced down and quickly pulled away as a stunning spell shot towards him.
"Bellatrix," he growled. Much as he would have loved to go and fight her, that is what she wanted and probably what Voldemort planned. He was not stupid enough to fall for that, but Sirius pushed harder against the mass of Ministry workers, fighting his way through, aware that Death Eaters were now following them up the stairs, ignoring the ones that were attempting to flee.
"They have to be after the Minister!" gasped Sirius as he reached level four.
"Then we have to hurry," said Kingsley, his voice cool and concentrated. "The lifts are automatically placed out of action once an alert has been issued." He raised his wand behind him and shot a throat-cutting spell at one of the pursuing Death Eaters, but the spell impacted against the wall, narrowly missing a Ministry worker.
Coldness suddenly engulfed them and Sirius felt memories welling up inside him. The Dementors had breached the staircase, ascending towards him.
Sirius fought harder against the crowd.
Remus Apparated into Muggle London, just above where the Ministry of Magic was situated. It was eerily quiet. He swallowed, clutching his wand tightly, his intense eyes looking around, searching for any signs of trouble. There was a mist hanging in the air, a sign that signalled the presence of Dementors. They were close, but not so close that they were a threat to him. They're underground, inside the Ministry itself!
"Lupin!" It was Alastor Moody, limping up behind him, his replacement eye swivelling crazily in its socket. "Voldemort himself is down there as well as over a hundred Dementors!"
"You can see into the Ministry from here?" asked Remus, surprised.
"Yes," the former Auror stated. "It's muddled but I can make some details out."
"Do you know how we can get in and help?" asked Remus. He tried to keep his voice calm, but his best friend was done there, in that mess! They had only had warning of this attack because Kingsley had sent a message with his Patronus, and only then they were the only two who had responded because most Order members were already in the Ministry.
"There are routes into the Ministry that a select few would know. In emergencies, department heads are told to escort their fellow wizards and witches to safety through concealed escape routes on every floor. That's how the Dementors got in and the rest of the Death Eaters," growled Moody. "Now, if you'll excuse me, if I can find the chute we'll be able to get in and help!"
Remus sighed. He could only wait. There was no way into the Ministry save for the exits that Moody had known about. Of course, with his magical eye, he would know everything without being told. They just had to get in.
"Expecto Patronum!" yelled Kingsley.
They had made it to the floor where the Minister of Magic's office was located; however Rufus Scrimgeour had done exactly what he had to do: left. They didn't blame him as his safety was a top priority. But now Sirius and Kingsley were stuck on the first floor of the Ministry with no way out. They crouched behind a desk, Dementors swarming towards them, their individual Patronus' flickering and dying as the weight of them pushed back.
Memories were flying through his brain, his limbs shaking but still Sirius fought to keep control.
They didn't know how the rest of the Ministry was faring but Voldemort had followed them. Or me, specifically.
The Dark Lord was just waiting, his red eyes burning towards where Sirius and Kingsley were hidden. The Death Eaters were not advancing; the few that stood there, just laughed.
He felt weak but the Dementors were not moving forward either, they were just there. Sirius swallowed, his back pressed hard against the desk he was taking refuge behind. He glanced towards Kingsley, who too, was shaking. They were trapped, they could do nothing...
And still Voldemort waited.
For what, Sirius didn't understand why.
Moody had found the chute, or rather the stairs and ladder that led to the Minister of Magic's office. Remus was surprised he had known about the entrance to the secret escape route for the Minister in the event of an attack. They were now clambering down a ladder in the dark, their feet scrambling for footholds.
"Voldemort has Black and Kingsley cornered," said Moody, conversationally. "He's doing nothing at the moment, just waiting."
"Why would Voldemort wait?" asked Remus. There was no sense in that!
"They are surrounded by Dementors," replied Moody gruffly. "The rest of the Ministry is a blur, but I'd hazard a guess that most of them have escaped through the other exits. Anyone who has remained behind is either dead or had their soul sucked out. As of this moment, Black and Kingsley appear to be -"
Moody stopped and Remus heard the unmistakeable sound of a shark intake of breath.
"What is it? What can you see?" pressed the werewolf.
"We need to hurry," was the response.
"Will you just tell me? That's my best friend down there!" shouted Remus, forgetting that it was possible that they would be able to hear him. He had no idea how far they were from the entrance into the Ministry. He could have just given away their position, without meaning to of course. Voldemort had a grudge against Sirius, that was obvious, but his friend had never been hunted like this before. It's because of Harry. Sirius is the one thing that Harry cannot bear to lose and Voldemort knows that. He added softly, "Can you please just tell me?"
The answer was abrupt, but it made Remus speed on faster, his heart beating hard in his chest, his face pale, but he refused to let Moody's words cause him to panic.
"Kingsley is out-cold and Voldemort is choking Black. Good enough for you, Lupin?"
It had happened so suddenly that neither Auror had had a chance to react. There was a sudden crackling of power and they both went flying, smacking into the wall with a hard thud. Kingsley collided head first and he fell unconscious onto the carpeted floor. Sirius was dizzy from the impact but felt himself being levitated into the air. His wand had flown out of his fingers and now lay on the floor, out of his reach.
He was thrown against the wall once more and pinned there by a curse. He tried to move but found it impossible. He could hear the sounds of laughter coming from the Death Eaters. The Dementors were drawing closer to him and memories were brought to the surface; seeing James and Lily's bodies...the first time he had been taken to Azkaban... He blinked, trying to stop the memories from getting to him, but a Dementor reached out and slowly stroked his cheek.
He was screaming from the touch, wanting the creature to go away. Never before in Azkaban had a Dementor been this close to him, only just outside his cell door; this was much worse. It retreated somewhat, but he was still feeling the effects of it. Voldemort was controlling them.
The Dark Lord strode forward, his red eyes burning.
Sirius was still held against the wall and his eyes sought the Death Eater responsible for holding him in place. Of course it has to be Bella, he thought as he found his cousin grinning insanely at him. Her wand was pointed directly at him; the Dark Lord's was not. At least not yet. He would not be able to break free without a wand; this was dark magic that one needed a wand to fight back against.
"You lied to me, Black."
Sirius swallowed. Oh crap. Somehow the Dark Lord knew he had lied about the Prophecy. "I don't know what you mean, Voldemort," he dared.
"Crucio!" thundered Voldemort and Sirius screamed as the torture curse hit him. Laughter echoed all around him.
He panted for breath when the curse was lifted and he tasted blood in his mouth. He glared at Voldemort. "You won't get it from me, no matter how hard you try," spat Sirius, his eyes flashing dangerously. There was no point in denying once more what Voldemort clearly knew.
"I didn't come here for you," said Voldemort casually, "I came here to kill the Minister of Magic," his red eyes glinted, "but when I saw you, I figured why not take my revenge upon you now? Lying to me was the worst thing you could have done, Black."
"Really?" Sirius rolled his eyes. "I could never have guessed that."
"Suffocoum!"
His throat tightened immediately and he started to choke, breathing becoming impossible. He gagged for air, his head getting dizzy, and then the Dementors moved in again, reaching for him. Four of them in total (there had been more earlier, but they must have left), but this time, the Dementor slightly in front of the others, reached out and grasped his chin and with the other hand pulled down the hood of its cloak.
Oh god! He knew what was going to happen, what the Dementor was gearing up to do! Over the fear that had quickly built inside his chest, over the memories in his head and his own screams, he could just make out Voldemort's next words.
"You can stop this you know." There was always a catch. "Just tell me the true Prophecy."
How did Voldemort know he had lied? Or had he guessed?
Sirius' eyes slid shut of their own accord; he did not want to see the grotesque creature in front of him. He couldn't speak but the choking curse had been withdrawn, but the Dementor's harsh grip on his chin stopped him from speaking properly. It hadn't been ordered to administer the kiss yet... His mind foggy with memories, he fought for control, to break through, so that he could respond, even if it would be the last thing he ever said. At least he would go down defying the Dark Lord once more.
"No," he managed.
"Very well," Voldemort's voice was soft and cruel. "Pity that young Mr Potter will be losing another parent then..."
Sirius flinched, not daring to open his eyes to see the sight before him. He wanted his last thoughts to be of Harry and Remus, of James and Lily in happier times...
Something clammy made contact with his mouth, slimy and horrible and felt his soul being pulled from its depths within him. He tried to writhe free, but could not find the strength to do so. The charm holding him in place had been removed as well, but there was no breaking free... not with the tight grip the Dementor now had on his throat, lifting him up and away from the wall.
He was paying the price for protecting Harry Potter and for lying to Lord Voldemort.
The last thing he could remember before darkness took him was a white light flashing brightly outside his eyelids.
"Expecto Patronum!" roared Remus, leaping through the office door behind Moody into the swarm of Dementors. They had emerged from a panel in the roof of the Minister's office, dropping to the floor stealthily. Carefully and quietly, he and Moody had stood on one side of the door each, wands at the ready, aware of what awaited them on the other side. They had already been feeling the cold and faint reaches of memory washing through them when they had dropped into the office itself, now they would be leaping into the thick of it. On three they had barged through the door, the Patronus Charm on their lips.
Remus directed his wolf-like Patronus at the Dementor holding Sirius, aware of his friend's pale and clammy face, but he did not let the fear he had for his friend overwhelm him. The strength he used came from his heart. The Dementors fled, pushed back by the two Patronus's.
Slowly, Remus lowered his wand. Voldemort and the Death Eaters had retreated which surprised him as they vastly outnumbered him and Moody. Maybe they didn't want to take the chance of us having back-up behind us.
"They're leaving. All the anti-Apparation wards are down, Voldemort and his Death Eaters have gone," said Moody, his magical eye swirling in its socket. "The Dementors are making their way out individually." He turned to face Lupin, who was now kneeling on the floor beside Sirius' body. His hands were shaking as he turned him over, searching for any signs of life. "Anything, Lupin?"
Remus swallowed. "I don't know," he whispered. He gently pressed his fingers against his best friend's throat. There was a pulse. "The Dementor was administering the kiss. I don't know if they... got him."
"The Minister's office is connected to Hogwarts, it is the only place in the Ministry that is. Use the Floo and get Black there. If his soul is still his own, you'll know in a few hours. Reviving him won't work either, before you try that; his body would need to reacquaint itself with his soul if it was nearly ripped out of him."
Remus swallowed and raised his wand, levitating Sirius' body in front of him, heading through the door they had just come through.
Moody was already reviving Kingsley when Remus stepped into the burning green flames, holding tight to Sirius' limp form. He spun quickly, the position uncomfortable due to Sirius' added weight, and then tumbled from the fireplace, landing in Dumbledore's office with a thud.
He blinked rapidly, his head swaying on his shoulders. His eyes blurred and he saw McGonagall crouching down to his level.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Ministry attacked..." he breathed. He pointed towards Sirius. "Dementors, I don't know if I managed to stop them from completing the Kiss."
Minerva McGonagall straightened, her face pale from the news, allowing Remus to move closer to Sirius' prone body.
Please don't let them have taken his soul, please let me have gotten there on time, please!
"Alastor's message reached us. Albus left the school to attend to the matter personally."
"He's too late," replied Remus, climbing to his feet and waving his wand to levitate Sirius. "Voldemort left when Moody and I burst through. I don't think they got the Minister though."
Minerva bit her lip.
Seeing the action, Remus' eyes widened. "No, don't tell me..."
"I'm afraid Rufus Scrimgeour is dead. Arthur sent a message to me less than five minutes before you turned up. He found his body in the Atrium. The Minister was arriving late and got caught in the initial attack. According to a witness Arthur managed to speak to, You-Know-Who killed him personally. The witness also explained that You-Know-Who was preparing to leave when he spotted Sirius and issued orders to go after him."
Remus' shoulders slumped. "Voldemort wanted revenge," he whispered. "This wouldn't have happened if Sirius had not gone to help, and now I don't know if my best friend has lost his soul or not!" He headed towards the office door. "Are the students in lessons?"
McGonagall shook her head. "No, they're not. As soon as we heard of the attack, we thought it best to place the students in the Great Hall. Unless there are students sneaking about, you should be able to get Sirius to the Hospital Wing."
"Don't tell Harry," implored Remus, "only when we know whether Sirius lives or not, I don't want him to worry that he could still lose him." His face was white, but he could do nothing for his friend at present. Nodding to his old Professor, Remus took Sirius to the Hospital Wing, preying fervently that his childhood friend would be alright.
Remus sat beside Sirius' bedside, leaning forward, watching and waiting for any sign that Sirius' soul remained his own. How could he explain to Harry that he had lost the one thing he loved most of all? How long had it been since he had brought Sirius to Madam Pomfrey? He didn't even know that bit of information. He sat back in his chair, his eyes forever on his friend's prone form.
After what seemed like hours, but was surely only a few minutes, his eyes saw the faintest of movements. One of Sirius' fingers was moving!
"That is a good sign."
Remus whirled around. He hadn't even noticed the door to the Hospital Wing opening. Professor Dumbledore stood behind him, watching the movement Sirius' hand was now making.
"I don't want to hope..." said Remus softly, "just in case."
Dumbledore's good hand tapped him on his right shoulder. "He'll be okay, Remus."
Remus glanced up at Dumbledore and saw twinkling in the other's eyes. He looked back towards Sirius' form and saw his friend moving more, and then his eyes opened, and his pupils moved frantically. If the Dementors had taken the soul, his eyes would not have had the emotion in them now. Sirius was frightened.
"Sirius?" he whispered.
Sirius was shaking, his eyes moving all about in their sockets, finally landing on Remus' face. "Moony?" His voice was low and scratchy. "You can't be here... I must be dreaming. I was kissed."
Remus shook his head, taking his friend's hand in his own. "No, you weren't. We got to you, just in time, before it finished."
Sirius blinked, as if he was trying to convince himself that what Remus said was true. "Really?"
"You're talking to me, Padfoot, surely that counts as something? Dementor victims don't do that after they've been kissed."
"No, they don't," said Sirius quietly, lowering his gaze.
"I think you'll need this," explained Dumbledore. He lifted out of his pocket a block of chocolate which he handed to Sirius. "Eat it. You'll feel better."
Sirius took it and under the watchful eye of Remus, took a bite out of it. Remus was relieved when colour returned to his friend's cheeks.
"Voldemort said that he came to kill the Minister," swallowed Sirius, his voice softer than normal, slightly shaking. "I assumed he was safe when Kingsley and I couldn't find him in his office, but it didn't look like it had been used that day?"
"I'm afraid that Rufus Scrimgeour is dead. He arrived later then he had planned to, and fell right into Voldemort's hands. The Ministry is in chaos at the moment and I'm afraid to say that it is undoubtedly his plan to staff the Ministry with his supporters. Already Cornelius Fudge is making a comeback, even though it has been less than ten hours since the attack. Cornelius, it seems, may have been promised the post of Minister if he helped Voldemort, and the chance to reclaim power would be an opportunity he would not pass up. Cornelius is being manipulated. If he is not Minister of Magic once more in the coming days then I would be very surprised indeed."
Sirius sighed. "This is bad."
"Indeed. And Sirius, considering that you have angered Lord Voldemort enough, I would suggest you remain in hiding. When he finds out that you still live, he will not hesitate to try again. He doesn't like being lied to and will continue to seek you out for what you did."
"I figured," said Sirius. He frowned as his mind whirled over what he had learnt. "How did he find out anyway and more importantly," his eyes narrowed, "how did you know that he knows?"
"I do have spies, Sirius," explained Dumbledore. "Severus was summoned at the end of the school day. He reported back just under an hour ago. Somehow, Voldemort has discovered that you lied to him about the contents of the Prophecy, but he does not yet know it all. His knowledge of it remains incomplete, which is something we can all be grateful for."
"Good," whispered Sirius softly. "I suppose as soon as I'm released from here, I'd better go and hand in my resignation to the Aurors. If Voldemort is taking over the Ministry, then working there isn't safe."
"No, it isn't. I am hopeful that some of our Order members can remain in their jobs, however, due to the circumstances now, it would be unwise for you to remain or to return to hand in your resignation either."
Sirius groaned. "Please don't keep me inside my mother's house. That's what I liked about having a job. I didn't have to be there all the time."
"Sirius," began Remus, "if it saves your life then isn't it for the best?"
"Thanks for the support, Moony," growled Sirius, his eyebrows lowering. "I thought you were my friend."
Remus snorted. "I'm sure you won't have to be stuck there all the time."
"No, you won't," smiled Dumbledore. "You will still get to come here, Sirius, and I may be requiring your assistance in the near future. For the time being, I implore you to stay safe. Harry needs you, just as the Wizarding World does. You very nearly paid the price of the cost of success today, Sirius. Defying Voldemort the knowledge he sought and identifying the traitor has only made it worse for you."
"Fine," Sirius relented, folding his arms across his chest. "Now, do I get to see Harry now? I'm sure he'd like to know I'm safe, especially if the students are aware of the attack on the Ministry. I know he'll be worrying about me if he doesn't hear something soon."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I will ask Minerva to inform him of the situation and bring him here. I must return to the Ministry and see what I can do to rectify the situation." He started to move towards the Hospital Wing door and then glanced back over his shoulder at the two wizards. "And Sirius, be careful."
"When am I not careful?" asked Sirius.
"You're never careful, that's the problem," replied Remus, rolling his eyes and then rubbing his arm as Sirius hit him with his fist. "Ow!"
"I nearly lost him today," said Harry, as he left the Hospital Wing after visiting Sirius. When Professor McGonagall had led him from the Great Hall, he had feared the worst. If Remus had been just a few seconds later, the Dementors would have taken Sirius' soul and he would just be a shell; Harry would have lost him forever. Sirius was still suffering from the horrors in his mind that the Dementors had forced him to remember, but Madam Pomfrey assured them that a good sleep and chocolate would do the trick. She had sent them away when it became clear that Sirius could no longer keep his eyes open.
Classes had been cancelled for the remainder of the day and word had quickly spread that the Minister of Magic was dead and that Sirius Black was in Hogwart's Hospital Wing. Most students were remaining in their Common Rooms, all waiting to hear about their own respective families who would have been at the Ministry. So far they had learnt that Percy Weasley had, unfortunately, been killed by falling rubble, and that Amelia Bones had suffered the Dementor's Kiss. All the Weasley children had been pulled out of Hogwarts shortly after Minerva had taken Harry away.
"They will be coming back, won't they? Ron and the others?" asked Harry, glancing up at Remus.
"They will. Molly and Arthur both know this is the safest place for their children to be. Dumbledore believes it is only fair that they should spend some time with their family before returning. I expect they will return tomorrow at the earliest," explained Remus as he walked alongside Harry, escorting him to Gryffindor Tower.
Harry shoved his hands into his pockets. "I hate this. People dying and I have the power to stop it, but not yet. I'm not ready, but how many more people have to die before I can beat him, Remus?"
Remus bit his lip. "I don't know, Harry. I don't know. Don't dwell on it though. You are not to blame for the terror our world is going through. Sooner or later, Voldemort will pay for his crimes. It's better to be prepared then not to be at all."
"I know," said Harry sullenly.
One thing that had come out of this was Harry's resolve to get that memory from Slughorn. He knew exactly how he was going to go about it too, he just had to get to him without arousing suspicion.
Once everyone had gone to bed, Harry slipped on his Invisibility Cloak and left Gryffindor Tower, padding his way lightly along the darkly lit corridors, towards the rooms that Professor Slughorn had requested as a condition of his return to the school. Pulling the Cloak off, Harry knocked on Slughorn's door. It was a few minutes before the Potions Master answered – he probably wasn't expecting visitors, mused Harry. He was right as well. His Professor had clearly been sleeping and had hastily thrown on a robe over his pyjamas.
"Harry? My dear boy, what are you doing here at this time of night?"
Harry swallowed, preparing himself for the hardest talk he knew he would ever have to face. "I was wondering, Professor, if I could talk to you ... about my mother."
Slughorn's eyes widened in astonishment, and his mouth fell slightly open. "Your mother? My boy, I am not the best person to talk to. Isn't your godfather here?"
"He is," replied Harry, "but I wanted to get to know her through different people. I have no memories of her, and I was just wondering if you could talk to me about her from a teacher's point of view." He waited, seeing hesitation flick through Slughorn's eyes.
"Well... I guess so, but does it have to be now? You shouldn't be up at this time."
"I know, Professor," said Harry meekly, "but I'd prefer to do it now."
Slughorn sighed and then opened the door further, allowing Harry to step inside. "Then come in, come in."
Harry walked in and sat down in one of the armchairs of Slughorn's quarters. His Professor followed and gingerly sat across from him, concern on his face as his mind sought to work out whether Harry was there for another reason entirely. He bit his lip, wondering how he should start. "I've been told that my mother was a kind and caring witch, always there for people when they needed it most."
The expression on Slughorn's face was wistful. "Oh, she was. She never judged anyone for their background and she sought to make a difference, to help others no matter who they were. I offered to help her in whatever career path she chose, but she declined, telling me that she wanted to make her own way in the world."
"What did my mum do?" He had never asked Sirius or Remus this.
"Charms. She worked as a freelance Charms maker. By that I mean she helped invent spells. Your mother was half way through her course when you were born. She planned to take it up again when you were old enough. I thought she might do something with Potions but..." he hesitated, "the war didn't require Potions experts. Your mother's talents in the field of Charms were sorely needed. If she was still alive today, she would have done wonders for our world, I am sure of it. It is a shame she had to die." His tone was wistful and sad.
"My mother died to save me," said Harry sadly. "She protected me from death. She loved me enough to die for me. She didn't need to die; Voldemort only wanted me. He told her to get out the way, told me that she needn't have died, my mum could have run."
"Charms at its strongest," whispered the Professor, his eyes were brimming with tears. "Love is more powerful then magic alone. Your mother was a truly exceptional witch. You-Know-Who took a wonderful and talented woman from the world." He sniffed, whipping his nose with a handkerchief. It hadn't occurred to him to tell Harry to stop.
"It's sad, isn't it?" continued Harry. "But she didn't move. Dad was already dead, but she didn't want me to go too. She tried to plead with Voldemort..." he swallowed the lump in his throat, "but he just laughed."
"That's enough!" said Slughorn, his face chalk white. "Really my dear boy, that's enough. I'm just an old man... I don't need to hear ... I don't want to hear..."
"You liked her, didn't you?" pressed Harry.
"Liked her?" A single tear dropped from Slughorn's eyes. "I don't imagine anyone who met her wouldn't have liked her ... very brave ... very funny ... it was the most horrible thing to happen to her."
Harry took a deep breath and ploughed on. "But you won't help her son. She gave me her life, but you won't give me a memory." Slughorn looked sharply at him and he hurried on. "My mother gave me time, time to grow into my powers but I have to fight Voldemort. You have information that will help me survive. In the end, I have to be the one to kill Voldemort. Without that memory, everything you love and live for is doomed." Harry fell silent; his lips clamped together, his eyes set with determination.
"No purpose can be served from that memory..." whispered Slughorn.
"Yes it can," nodded Harry.
"You are asking a great deal from me, in fact, you are asking me to help you destroy –"
Harry cocked his head to the side, wonderment on his features. "You don't want to get rid of the wizard who killed Lily Evans?"
"Of course I do," stuttered Slughorn; he was terrified, even Harry could see that by the shaking of his hand.
"You said my mother was brave. She was brave enough to die for me, to help me live. Be brave like her, Professor, and help me," finished Harry, his startling green eyes boring deep into the Potions Master's eyes.
"I am not proud of what that memory shows. I think I may have done great damage that day."
"That doesn't matter," replied Harry, serenely. "By helping me you'd cancel that out. Please, Professor?"
Silence reigned between them and Harry began to fear the worst as Slughorn began to scrutinise him. And then, just when he thought it was all over, Slughorn put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his wand. He turned away and retrieved a small bottle from his briefcase before placing his wand to the side of his head, and then withdrew it away slowly. A long, silver thread of memory stretched from the tip of his wand, and when it broke from his head, he place the tip of the wand on the open bottle, where the memory then collected at the bottom, spreading around its small prison as it was corked inside.
Shakily, Slughorn handed the bottle to Harry and then stumbled away from him, retreating further away; his eyes still wide. "Just... just don't think too badly of me once you've seen it," he whispered.
"I won't," promised Harry. With a brief nod, Harry turned and left Slughorn's quarters, the bottle containing the true memory clutched in his hand. Looking back over his shoulder to see his Professor close the room he slept in, Harry sped through the corridors, heading straight to Professor Dumbledore's office, where he hoped everything would soon make sense regarding what exactly he had to do to defeat Lord Voldemort once and for all.
To be continued...
Please let me know what you think!
So, erm, yes, Sirius nearly had his soul ripped out, the Minister of Magic is dead and on top of that Percy Weasley died too (the creative reason for that was, was that Percy doesn't really seem to fit into the story, but his death will motivate his family more so whether that is a good justification or not, I don't know... :/). Still, out of that Harry has managed to get the memory from Slughorn!
Next chapter: Horcruxes - in which Harry learns of Horcruxes (this is not a memory chapter) and Sirius learns more about his brother's death... Preview follows below:
"What I want to know, Kreacher, is how did you get a hold of this locket?"
"Do you even know what the last words I said to him were?"
"Your brother hates you, wants you dead... Such a disappointment to your mother you were. Caring more for yourself then your sister..."
To be posted on Thursday...
Until then,
the-writer1988