A/N) Good news! I completed this story on the last day of 2010, which pleased me a lot! So, here is the next chapter!
Chapter Seventy-Six: Preparations
Saturday 1st November 1996
They had not contacted Neville in weeks and they had not heard from him either. Ron and Hermione had been dutifully informed of Harry's vision and the conclusions that he and Sirius had come to together. Hermione had shown some reluctance about believing in the Deathly Hallows but Sirius' insistence on it being true swayed her, though everyone was sure she still held some belief that it was not true, despite the evidence they had presented to her. Ron had privately explained that Hermione liked to know the facts and when faced with things that they had not been able to explain how they were created, her dubious nature rose to the surface.
However, she could not deny that Sirius was close to the Potter's and if anyone was to trust him with that big a family secret then it must be true, no matter how much she hated the idea of it.
That argument was quickly forgotten as the enormity of what Harry had reported to them began to sink in. Voldemort knew that Harry was hunting Horcruxes. Their discovery at Gringotts hadn't helped but that had always been a risk.
Harry picked up the mirror and spoke into it Neville's name; Sirius, Ron and Hermione sitting around him in a circle. Harry had not risked lowering his barriers again but they had to know if they could risk going to Hogwarts.
"Harry!" Neville sounded enthusiastic at seeing him. "Did you really break into Gringotts?"
Harry was startled. "It's travelled that fast? We only did that yesterday!"
"News travels fast," shrugged Neville, "apparently you Apparated away in front of Muggles in broad daylight?"
"Yeah, we did. Had no choice," answered Harry. "If we hadn't then You-Know-Who would have probably found me." He bit his lip. "Neville, has he been to Hogwarts, do you know?" He had to be sure that he hadn't been hallucinating when he had been in Voldemort's mind.
"A rumour went around the castle a few days ago that he was here," replied Neville hesitantly.
"Did he take anything?" asked Harry, sharing a concerned glance with Sirius.
"Erm, I'm not sure, but the student who found it has been silenced..."
"Neville, what do you mean?" swallowed Harry, fear engulfing in his gut. What had happened?
"Professor Dumbledore's tomb was ripped open. Professor Snape restored it but a student – I don't know who it was – saw him there, muttering about the wand being taken and how he could have so much disrespect for the dead." Neville fell silent and they were certain he felt awkward. "We knew that You-Know-Who was here as everyone was ordered to stay inside the Castle and Professor Snape lowered the wards. We don't know for sure it was him, but the tomb being ruined and the rumours, it's the obvious conclusion to make."
"Thanks," said Harry, feeling down. So Voldemort was in possession of the Elder Wand, but if Sirius was right, the wand would not be working properly for him. Harry didn't believe that he should concentrate on ensuring possession passed to him, killing the snake was his first priority. As long as the Dark Lord did not realise his mistake, perhaps the Deathly Hallows were not needed? Nevertheless, Harry had already decided that the snake was the most important thing he had to do. He was sure enough in himself, thanks to all that he had learned, that he had enough power and brains to constantly surprise the Dark Lord.
"Is something the matter?" Neville had detected something in the way Harry had spoken.
Sirius answered for him. "We'll be coming to Hogwarts, Neville."
"You will?"
"Unfortunately it also means leading students into danger," continued Harry. "We need to draw him out and Hogwarts is the safest place to form a resistance in, no matter how much I hate that thought." His mind lingered on Draco Malfoy. They had to protect him too without the Slytherin suspecting. With Voldemort in control, it was feasible that the boy had returned for his last two years of education, but asking about him now would just rise suspicion and they couldn't afford that to happen.
"We've been training to fight," interrupted Neville. "Professor Lupin has been helping us. I think they all know it will end here. In fact, Professor Lupin is due here tonight. He said he would be if he could. We'd fight beside you, no matter what, that's what we've been training for after all."
Sirius and Harry exchanged meaningful glances. Neither of them liked the idea of leading students into battle, but what choice did they have? Those able and old enough to fight would do so. They had to make choice, a stand against the darkness that was grasping their world, choking it to within an inch of its life. Hogwarts, despite under the control of Voldemort, was really one of the only safest places they could make a stand.
"I can't say for sure when we'll get to Hogwarts," said Sirius, though he fully intended on arriving that night, "but we will be there soon, just don't do anything rash in the meantime."
"I think what we've been doing is rash," said Neville, knowingly, "but we won't lead them into a battle. They have no need to while Harry isn't here." He bit his lip. "Do you want me to tell Professor Lupin you are coming? If there is going to be a battle, then he would be able to bring others?"
Sirius grinned. "If you could then that would be great for us. The more that are willing to stand and fight, the better chance we have against them."
"How are you getting here? Hogsmeade patrols have doubled in the last day or so. I think they expect you to show up."
"Do you know how Professor Lupin has been getting into the school?" asked Sirius.
Neville shook his head. "No. He's never exactly said how he does. We just know he's here because he sends us all a message."
"I thought as much. There is a secret passageway that leads in from Hogsmeade into the Room of Requirement. We are going to attempt to take that route in. It is undetected and is the only secret passage that is not on the Marauders Map," explained Sirius. "We'll see you soon, Neville, just don't let anyone other than Remus know we are coming. It's up to Remus to decide what he does with that information, but I suspect he'll get others to the school. If it gets out among the student body the risk of discovery is more probable and we can't have that. Too much is at stake here to allow anyone other you to know of our intentions."
Neville couldn't suppress a smile. "You're secret is safe with me."
They decided to wait till the evening before Apparating to Hogsmeade. Harry, Ron and Hermione would Apparate underneath the Invisibility Cloak while Sirius would follow after they had left and upon arrival, instantly transform into his Animagus form. They were well aware of the defences that might be in place to detect Apparition arrival but it was something they had to risk. Sirius assumed that the Shack would be watched as well and he was unwilling to risk it, no doubt the grounds would be constantly seen to as well. The safest option was to use the passageway that linked directly into the Room of Requirement. The Marauders had discovered it long ago and utilised it many times.
The sword of Gryffindor was safely tugged away in the backpack Harry carried. With everything sorted, Sirius threw the Cloak over the trio. A resounding crack seconds later informed him that Hermione had successfully Apparated with Harry and Ron.
Taking one last look around the dense clearing they had camped in, Sirius spun on the spot, focused upon the street outside the Hog's Head, felt darkness compressing in on him, and then he Apparated.
Apparition had always been uncomfortable, it was never pleasant, but Apparating and morphing into a predetermined Animagus state was even more difficult and complex. It was something that Sirius had never really tried before. Even as he felt his body reappearing, he kick-started his transformation, while trying to maintain the effort it took to land himself safely at his destination. By the time he had properly arrived, Padfoot stood in his place, but he quickly became aware of a screeching sound going off all around him.
Alarms.
Not very far away he heard angry shouts and he shrunk back into the shadows of the buildings as he heard the sounds of approaching footsteps.
"I know it's Potter!" An unrecognisable voice that Sirius could not discern said. "We were warned not a few hours ago that Potter might turn up! The Dark Lord said that he might try and get into the school!"
"But no one's here!" cried Nott, a particularly vicious Death Eater that Sirius had encountered a few times.
"You fool! It's Potter under his Invisibility Cloak!" shouted the first in return.
How do they know Harry has one? contemplated Sirius before his mind kicked in and he realised how they knew. Of course, he revealed himself at Gringotts! He heard them attempt the Summoning Charm and Sirius feared that his godson might yet be discovered... But there was nothing, no reveal in the darkness of the trio.
That Invisibility Cloak was truly special, especially if it could withstand a powerful charm like that. Any other cloak would be pulled from their grasp; it was only Ignotus Peverell's powerful charms that could and would not be affected. It would always protect its wearer from discovery, however the killing curse was fully capable of breeching its defences, that is, if the enemy knew where they stood.
"Think you can hang onto it do you, Potter?" growled another voice, one that Sirius recognised as belonging to Crabbe Senior. Clearly the elder had a few more brain cells then his son who showed an increasingly lack of them on a regular basis.
"We'll send in the Dementors," replied Nott coldly. "If Potter is really here, they'll flush him out."
Sirius growled low in his throat, his dark eyes focused on the six Death Eaters now standing in front of him. He could pounce upon them but the Dark Lord knew all about his disguise, thereby meaning the rest of the Death Eaters would recognise him as well and albeit give them confirmation that Harry was around.
Coldness seemed to descend upon the street quite suddenly. The Dementors had already been summoned. Black robed figures glided forward, their breath rattling cold, chilling the air as they passed. The Death Eaters seemed protected from them as they stood in the middle, seemingly unaffected.
Bright light flashed into existence up the street from around a corner. A stag, shining brilliantly in the darkness bounded forward directly at the Dementors, striking them in their heart, sending them scattering, screeching into the night, but the Death Eater's cries were of triumphant.
"They're up there! And it's a stag! Definitely Potter!" Nott was excited, brandishing his wand in front of him. "Come out Potter! We know it was you!"
Hackles raised, shoulder muscles pumping in anticipation, Sirius padded forward, teeth bared, growling low. He followed the Death Eaters as they rushed forward to the side street where the Patronus had appeared from. He had to take them out of the equation, and he readied himself to attack, claws out against the cobbled stones, sharpened and ready to do some seriously damage.
But a familiar voice stopped him from leaping forward.
"What do you think you are doing sending Dementors down this way? You're scaring away my customers!" The man was protecting Harry, he knew he was there. Sirius could sense the Anti-Apparition wards in the air: that meant they were still here somewhere, under the protection of the Hog's Head barman who was none other than Albus Dumbledore's younger brother, Aberforth. He did not hear the Death Eater's response, but Aberforth's voice continued to reverberate down through the air.
"You send Dementors down my street, I'll send a Patronus back at 'em! I'm not having 'em near me, I've told you that, I'm not having it!"
"That was a stag Patronus! It was Potter's!" snarled Dolohov angrily.
"Stag?" the barman yelled in fury. "Stag! You idiot – Expecto Patronus!"
From the man's wand erupted a huge, horned goat, however it was very similar to Harry's Patronus, enough to give the Death Eater's second thoughts.
"Then who broke the curfew?" asked another unfamiliar Death Eater. "The noise went off because there was someone on the street!" He sounded more and more confident once he had finished speaking.
"That was me!" continued the barman. "If I want to put my cat out, I will, and be damned with your curfew!"
He's got guts, mused Sirius.
The barman was continuing to rant, not showing how afraid he might be. " – hope for your sakes you haven't pressed your little Dark Marks and summoned him! He's not going to like being called here for me and my cat, is he, now?"
The first Death Eater glowered. "Don't you worry about us, worry about yourself, breaking curfew!" threatened Nott, menacingly.
Aberforth fought back and Sirius wondered if the Death Eaters would ever leave when faced with such aggression. He was sure they wouldn't stand for that behaviour. He was thankful when he was proved wrong. After what seemed like another hour but was really only a minute, the Death Eaters departed, leaving the barman standing in the alleyway by the Hog's Head. Once they had marched up the street and re-entered the Three Broomsticks from whence they had probably came from before Sirius had fully arrived.
"You'd better get in, Black, before the charm is reset," said Aberforth into the night, looking directly at Sirius.
Without giving it a second thought, Sirius scarped out of the alley he had hidden down and followed Aberforth into the open door of his pub, only transforming back into his human form once the door had been closed and bolted.
"Aberforth Dumbledore," said Sirius, holding out his hand to shake the other man's. "It's been a while since I saw you."
"A few years I'd imagine, Black. I didn't see you at my brother's funeral," replied Aberforth tightly. "I'd have thought you would have been one of the few people who would have wanted to pay your respects, considering what he has done for you over the years."
Sirius had the distinct impression that Aberforth had not been fond of his older and more successful brother. "I was there. I just couldn't be seen, what with there being a warrant out for me at that time – and in actually fact, as far as I aware it hasn't been rescinded yet."
"That has never changed," answered Aberforth. "Your companions are upstairs." He crossed his arms. "But what I'd like to know is why the bloody hell you have risked coming here! This is the last place in the world you and Potter should be! You're lucky that those Death Eaters couldn't differentiate between a goat and a stag Patronus!"
Sirius scratched the back of his head. "I owe you thanks for sticking up for us. They'd put wards up so we couldn't get away. I'm just grateful that they believed you." Sirius made his way to the stairs that were located through a door by the counter and walked up them, stepping out into an open-planned living room where his godson and two friends were waiting for him. There was a threadbare carpet and a small fireplace, above which hung a single large oil painting of a blonde girl who gazed out at the room with a kind of vacant sweetness. This was where the entrance to the tunnel that led to the Room of Requirement was hidden.
Before he could say anything a great swish of black hair and robes cascaded into him and Sirius found himself enveloped in a hug with Harry. His godson breathed a huge sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're okay."
Sirius laughed. "You too, kid." They briefly hugged once more before sitting down together on the sofa, while Ron and Hermione occupied a wooden chair each.
Aberforth folded his arms and stared obstinately at Harry and Sirius, his blue eyes shining in the dim light. "Now then, perhaps one of you can explain to me why I had to risk my neck to save you tonight?"
Sirius sighed and ran a weary hand through his scraggly hair. "We need your help in getting into Hogwarts." He held up his hand before the barman could object. "We can't simply not go, Aberforth, it's not as simple as that. If we plan this carefully we have a chance of ending this war for good."
Aberforth Dumbledore was not happy with what they had in mind however he did consent to allow Sirius and the others to use the tunnel into the Room of Requirement. He didn't see why they didn't just run and hide but he couldn't deny them their right to attempt to fight back against the darkness choking their world. He also informed them that others had arrived before the curfew had been placed, meaning that at least quite a few people should be waiting for them on the other side of the passageway, hopefully, including Remus Lupin who Aberforth explained had been one of the people who passed through earlier. He had been warned that others would be arriving but Aberforth had not been expecting Sirius Black or Harry Potter to be among those turning up.
Now that he knew, partially, the real reason why Harry had returned, Aberforth still thought them fool-hardly but couldn't stop them. He couldn't deny that the boy held the true qualities of Gryffindor House.
Aberforth gave them a quick meal of bread and cheese before Aberforth stomped over to the portrait that hung over the fireplace. A few choice words later and it swung to the side revealing a dark, hidden passage.
Mentally preparing themselves for what was to come and thanking Aberforth for his help, Sirius climbed into the passageway first, finding that he would have to bend down slightly as the ceiling was too low for him to stand up in. His wand in hand, Sirius lit it and then helped Hermione crawl into the space. Harry and Ron hoisted themselves up; taking one last glance back at Albus Dumbledore's brother Sirius began to walk forward into the ensuring darkness, towards the school, and towards the end.
As they clambered out of the Portrait Hole at the other end of the tunnel there came a tremendous cheer and then Sirius, Harry, Ron and Hermione were completely surrounded, hands grabbing for them, as if those presently in the Room would not believe that they were physically there.
"Harry! Ron! Hermione!" That was Neville running towards them, a broad grin on his face, arms outstretched. His hair was plastered down the side of his face, a fresh cut on his throat, dried blood caking it. They had figured people would probably have been waiting for them but hadn't expected at least half the school.
Amongst them was Remus Lupin who stood a little way off, a slight smile on his face. Other members of the Order of the Phoenix surrounded him and Sirius pushed himself through the crowd towards his friend.
"Moony," he smiled wearily.
"You look awful," replied Remus honestly.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Thanks." Though he couldn't deny it, he, Harry, Ron and Hermione did look awful. Being on the run hadn't helped their personal hygiene. "I'm glad you are here though we weren't anticipating this many people."
Remus laughed, despite the tension in his face. "When I arrived earlier, Neville told me that you were planning on coming here at some point. Considering that I've known you since we were eleven you would make it sooner rather than later, so I sent out a Patronus message to everyone and they all arrived. Everyone from the Order is here – including, might I add, the Weasley's." He laughed as Sirius pulled a face. "Molly will let you off for now, only because she's too busy with Ron."
Sure enough, the dumpy form of Molly Weasley was pulling her youngest son into a hug, kissing him on each cheek, tears strolling down her face. He knew the outburst would come later.
"I need to know, is there any word on Bill? I understand after his capture his family were able to carry on working at the Ministry, if only for a few more weeks."
Remus scratched his chin thoughtfully. "He's in Azkaban. The scraps of information I've received have all told me that Bill was questioned with Veritaserum. They wanted to know where you and Harry were; they also questioned him about Ron but since you set up meeting places away from where you were hiding, Bill was able to protect his family. Watches on them were increased but without knowing for sure if Ron really was with you, they could not act. Kingsley had enough leeway within the Ministry to influence others to not go after them until more proof was found."
Sirius sighed. "And then with us tracking those goblins gave away that Ron really was with us and gave them the excuse to go after Ron's family."
"Unfortunately that was the case, but Kingsley got a message to them in time and they fled. I managed to get a message to Ginny to tell her to get out of Hogwarts. I told her to go to this room and escape through the Hogs Head," said Remus. "You can't blame yourself for that, Sirius. Sooner or later they would have caught up with you. No one was hurt and they all escaped. Molly was just glad that Ron was alive."
"So she might not skin me alive then?"
Remus laughed, patting his friend on the shoulder. "You'll have to wait and see."
Sirius pouted. "Thanks, Moony." He looked around the Room of Requirement that was filled with over a hundred witches and wizards. "There are more here then I hoped for actually. Does Minerva know that we're here?"
"No, I couldn't risk sending a Patronus to her or any other Order members within the school," explained Remus shortly. "They have no idea this place is going to become a battle-ground. I thought, considering you are the one bringing it here, you should be the one to explain why. All of us knew it would come to this, it was just a matter of when it would be."
Sirius felt guilty. It had been his suggestion to lure Voldemort here, but out of anywhere else in the Wizarding World this was the most likely place to fight back. First they had to convince Professor McGonagall that it was worth it and to get the under-age students out. That would be tough but saving lives was Sirius' priority. He needed to talk to her. "I guess I'll slip out and go and find her. I need to talk to Snape as well."
Remus' eyes widened. "Snape? You need to talk to him? Are you feeling alright?"
A slight smile pulled on Sirius' face. "I expect you'd be surprised if I said I was."
Remus nodded.
"In that case, I am fine. I think he is on our side despite appearances. I need to find that out."
"And if he betrays you and hands you over?" swallowed Remus, sounding a little fearful.
"I'm betting he won't," replied Sirius, stubbornly. He had to believe that Snape was working for them. "If he does, then well, I would be proven wrong about letting him go, back in the summer when I let him escape after he killed Dumbledore. If it hadn't been for me, Harry would have fought him. I know you think I'm crazy but in my head it all makes sense! I have to know if I was right and the only way I can do that is to talk to him, even if it means I'm wrong and he betrays me."
Remus ran a hand over his face. "There is no stopping you, is there?"
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "How long have you known me?"
"Too long," mumbled Remus. "I presume Harry knows what you are going to be attempting to do?"
Sirius folded his arms. "Of course he does! I've also told him to not come and rescue me if I am captured. He knows what the risks entail and has given me his word he won't come if anything happens to me."
Remus chose not to reply to Sirius' direct words. "Then, all I can say is, I'll see you when this is over."
"You will. With any luck, I'll be back, but in the meantime, Harry knows what has to be done. Preparations need to be made, especially if we stand any chance of ending this war."
"Professor McGonagall, it is nice to see you here. I was beginning to wonder whether you'd return to your office tonight."
His former Transfiguration whirled around, wand arm coming up and a spell was on her lips just as her eyes registered who was leaning against the wall by the door to her office. "BLACK!" she hissed, her eyes flashing dangerously. "What are you doing here?"
Sirius chuckled despite the severity of the situation. "I'm here to fight, as is everyone else."
"Fight?" she sounded wary of his statement.
"Harry and I have been off doing things that Dumbledore entrusted us to do. We believe we have a chance of destroying him for good but we need to draw him out," he explained, his voice staying in a neutral manner.
Minerva McGonagall's eyebrows rose methodically. "You think Hogwarts is the place to hold this battle."
"I don't like it but Hogwarts has security measures and can beat him back. Neither of us has said his name but he will be coming here within the next few hours regardless of that." That was a fact. Voldemort was making sure all his Horcruxes were safe. Harry had been lowering his barriers every so often to check where he was. So far he had checked the Gaunt shack and was on his way to the Cave where Regulus had stolen the Locket from.
"Why would You-Know-Who be coming here?" questioned Professor McGonagall, her face white.
Sirius bit his lip. "He hid something here and he thought it was safe. Harry and I have been destroying things that are important to his survival, we have one left to get but that one is kept with him at all times. The snake has to be killed and then he, himself, can be defeated. We need to draw him for that reason. Now that he knows what we've been doing, he will be keeping his snake with him. The more cover we have, the more chance we have of succeeding."
"Dark magic," whispered McGonagall. She nodded shakily, swallowing. "I will gather the students and start evacuation. Those old enough to fight will be given the choice. I think, Sirius, that Severus Snape will not be pleased with these developments. He and his Death Eater goons need to be taken care of before any direct action is taken to removing the students."
"I know which is why after I leave here I will be going to speak to Snape." He locked his eyes on his former Professor. "When you can evacuate the students tell them about a room on the seventh floor." He quickly explained how the room worked, explaining how the students could leave through there. "Harry and the others are there now, along with a few other students, and the entirety of the Order. They are all waiting for the command to fight."
Minerva smiled sadly at him. "Thank you, Sirius, for telling me this. People are preparing for this. It is better that we know now that he is coming rather than be surprised."
"It was only fair to warn you," replied Sirius. He turned away and headed towards the door to the office, quickly opening it, transforming into Padfoot as he left, and padding away.
"Good luck, Sirius," whispered Minerva before she shook her head, focused her mind on the task ahead and proceeded to walk briskly towards the Room of Requirement.
Details were being laid out in the Room of Requirement. Preparations quickly passed down to everyone in the room. It had been decided that students over the age of sixteen would be allowed to fight. Mrs Weasley had fought this measure, however Remus had explained that both Ron and Harry were going to be involved whether she liked it or not and it seemed unfair to not allow others of their age to participate. After all, they hadn't been in training for nothing.
Harry bent over the Marauder's Map which was laid over a table, conversing quietly with Remus, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Fred and George Weasley, Neville and Ron and Hermione.
Remus had his finger placed strategically on the point of the map where the fourth floor corridor faced the gates, of which inevitably the Death Eaters would be coming in from. "That corridor would be a good place to set up a firing range. Those students that are too young to be in the field can help those on the ground by aiming spells from there. It's halfway up the Castle and they can act as watchers."
"That is a good idea," said Tonks. "We would need someone to co-ordinate the students."
Fred and George exchanged a glance at one another and then turned identical grins towards Remus. "We'll do it. Pranksters are always good at stuff like that, and it will please mum that we are trying to stay out of harm's way as much as possible."
Harry nodded. "Okay, Fred, George gather the younger members of the DA and instruct them on what they can do – and make sure that those below sixteen are not among those fighting!"
"Harry?" A soft voice spoke from his side and Harry turned green eyes upon Ginny Weasley who stood off to the side, looking meek, her cheeks slightly red.
Harry suddenly became aware of how dirty and smelly he must be. He grinned sheepishly. "Hey, Ginny." He cast a glance towards Remus who inclined his head, giving him permission to leave the planning area and Harry moved away, grabbing for Ginny's hand as he walked past her. He led her to the corner of the Room. "What are you doing here? I didn't expect to see you."
"I wasn't going to let my whole family rush off and fight and I stay at home like a good little girl. I'm not a child, Harry, I can look after myself. Mum knows I would have found a way to get here if she had left me. If this is going to be the final battle, I want to be a part of it, not sitting on the sidelines." Ginny said this with a large amount of self-esteem.
"Ginny, I don't want to lose you... If you fight, you could die. Even if I win, it wouldn't be a victory if you weren't there," said Harry, meaning every word. He really did love Ginny. He had been so worried about her, hardly letting on in his feelings for months for fear of them being discovered.
"I know, Harry," Ginny took both his hands in hers, "but I can't stand and watch while the rest of my family fight. If it comes to it, I will fight, but I won't let them stand idly by and kill everyone I love and then me. I just won't do it, Harry, and neither would you."
Harry bowed his head, his cheeks flushing red. Ginny was right. She was always right. He met her eyes. "I can't stop you, can I?" He hated the thought of her fighting, let alone being here.
"I promise you this," she began, "I won't fight unless I absolutely have to."
"Only if your own life was on the line?"
She nodded. "Or I see someone I love fighting for there own?"
Harry's mouth twitched. "I guess that is fair." He knew he would do the same. "You'll stay here then?"
Ginny eyed him. "If I must but if push comes to shove, Harry, I will fight. I won't let them kill me."
Harry didn't know what else to say but allowed a slight smile to grace his face. He leaned forward and gently planted a kiss on her soft lips. "Thank you, Ginny, for everything."
"Just come back," she said, blinking away tears.
"I'll try to," he replied warmly, squeezing her hands one last time before letting go.
"I shouldn't be surprised that you are here, Black," hissed Severus Snape as he stepped into the Headmaster's Office. "You have always been foolish; coming here only proves my opinion of you." There was intense dislike in his black eyes.
Don't rise to the bait! Sirius breathed in deeply, and folded his arms in front of his chest. "The fact that you haven't fled despite knowing what is going to happen tells me you have a good reason to stay. I'm here to find out what that is." Sirius glared pointedly at him. "I've always believed that you have been on our side, despite my doubts. You've never made your true motives known however I suspect Dumbledore always knew."
Snape stood stiffly, his wand hanging loosely at his side. "What I have to say is not for your ears. My instructions and words are for Potter alone."
"Considering that we are about to make a stand here, Snape, getting to speak to Harry is not an option," snarled Sirius.
"How do you know the Dark Lord is coming here?" asked Snape darkly.
"It doesn't matter how we know, we just know he will be. If you want to survive this battle, Severus," he forced himself to say, "then you'll have to trust me. I can protect you."
"I don't need protecting, Black, I've done fine without you!" said Snape viciously. His hand was curling tightly around his wand. "I should turn you over to the Dark Lord but considering I need to speak to Potter – and it is of vital importance that I do – then I can't."
Is he trying to make me angry? "If you're hoping that I'll change my mind about you being on our side, you are sadly mistaken." He wasn't wrong. How could he be? If Snape was really on Voldemort's side he wouldn't even be talking about turning him over to the Dark Lord, he would have just done it.
They stared at each other for several long minutes before Snape took an audible sigh and reached into his robes and pulled out a flask. He pointed his wand at his own head and the trials of memories began to spread from his wand and into the flask, filling completely to the brim.
Snape held the flask out towards Sirius after sliding the lid into place. "Give this to Potter. Everything he needs to know is in here. Tell him before he does anything foolhardy and stupid, he needs to see what is in here, only then will he understand the full meaning of being the prophesised boy entails."
Slowly, Sirius reached out and took the flask. Why was he getting a bad omen about this?
"Now go, before you are discovered. I will be making my own way out."
"We can protect you."
"No, the Dark Lord is my side."
"Still trying to hold up the image that the Order expects of you," said Sirius wryly. Snape was trying to save himself. If Voldemort found out that he was a traitor he would be killed and with a battle fast approaching, Snape was better off with Voldemort and when it ended, if he still lived, Sirius could then protect him from justice. But he was refusing to acknowledge whose side he was on, just in case.
"Just go, Black," hissed Snape, watching as Sirius back out of the office and fled.
Padding his way down the corridor, Padfoot shrunk back against the corridor. He was on the seventh floor, heading back towards the Room of Requirement. But his enhanced hearing and smell had caught the vibes of unfamiliar people walking this way. He shrunk back into the shadows, as far as he could, silently transforming back into a man, his hand held onto his wand. He kept crouched in the shadows, just waiting.
The feet passed and he saw three Death Eaters he recognised pass the crevice he had squeezed himself into. He waited till they had rounded the next corner before slipping out and breaking out into a run.
"Did you really think we didn't see you skulking around, Black? Everyone knows you are an Animagus after all..."
Sirius whirled, wand coming up instantly but a disarming spell sent his wand flying into the air. It clattered to the side of the corridor. The three figures that had passed him only moments before were walking towards him, their hoods down, malevolent grins across their faces.
"We thought we'd let you get complacent," purred Avril Leverg, a crazy smile lighting her features.
Beside her Alecto Carrow screeched. "The Dark Lord will be very pleased when we present you to him. Harry Potter will soon follow..."
"Ah, my dear fellows," purred Rabastan Lestrange, the brother of Bellatrix's husband, "if Black is here, then Potter must be as well." His dark eyes veered to Sirius. "Mustn't he?"
Sirius stepped back, his mind working frantically. His hand was crackling with power as he tried desperately to summon his wand with wandless magic, but it wasn't working. "Not necessarily," he finally answered.
Avril smirked. "Pity that we don't believe you." She zeroed her wand in on his chest.
He dived towards his wand, but three stunning curses hit him, one after the other. His limp body hit the floor with a resounding thud. Darkness had already fallen around him.
To be continued...
Please let me know what you think!
Erm, yes, Sirius does like to get in trouble, doesn't he? I can tell you now that, that isn't the end of it!
Next chapter: The Battle of Hogwarts will be posted next Thursday!
Until then,
the-writer1988