I wasn't sure if you guys would enjoy this chapter or not but you obviously did coz I got incredible reviews from ye! Thank you all so much! Your constant support is just amazing! And my favourite character is Sirius so I have no intention of killing him unlike a certain author we could mention! Lol. Anyway, without further ado (never thought I would say this) here is chapter 12! Enjoy! Talk 2 ya later!
The end of Padfoot…….?
James stood over the kitchen sink with his hands tensely gripping its surface. He had just got up from his agonising nights sleep. He was wearing long maroon pyjamas and his navy dressing gown with maroon and gold stripes was tied loosely around him. He had red patches underneath his eyes from crying. The last time he endured this amount of torture was three years ago when he and his family were in hiding. It was six o clock in the morning and the golden glow of the sun was rising as Lily rose and found no James lying next to her. She immediately jumped out of bed in her baby pink pyjamas and threw her white dressing gown over her and ran downstairs. Upon reaching the kitchen door way she saw James slumped over the kitchen sink sighing to himself and saying;
"Sirius where are you mate?"
At this whispered question, Lily tied her dressing gown around her and walked sadly over to her husband. As she reached him, she placed a gentle but firm grip on his shoulder.
"James?" she said in a gentle yet concerned whisper. James turned to face her. Sadness was detectable on his face. His eyes extremely puffy, his glasses askew, and a fresh, dark stubble on his worried face. Lily looped her arms around his neck and James reciprocated this tightly. A few minutes later James relinquished his wife and continued his aimless gaze out the kitchen window.
"Have you eaten anything?" She asked anxiously.
James just shook and bowed his head. Lily smiled sadly at him as he turned to face her.
"What if we can't find him Lils? How am I supposed to go on without him?"
"Shh" Lily soothed as she caressed his arm.
"What am I supposed to tell Harry?" He asked searching her face in desperate need of answers.
"Oh James. Don't think like that please. We don't know that anything bad has happened to him….."
"Exactly!" James shouted as he walked away with his hands behind his head with his back to her. Lily looked at him in anxiety. She had never seen him in such a state. James was always the strong one. He was always there to comfort her. She never had to comfort him to this extent before. She knew that James wanted her to tell him that everything would be fine. He depended on her now.
"We don't know anything Lily! That is what is so frustrating!" He said as he turned to face her.
Just then there was a knock at their back door and Lily went to answer it as James sat down at the kitchen table and held his head in his hands. Lily turned the key in the back door to find two people she had not seen for quite some time; Albus Dumbledore and Alsator Moody.
"Good morning Lily may we come in?" asked Dumbledore to a shocked Lily.
"Yes of course. Come right in." replied Lily as she stepped aside for them to enter.
Dumbledore smiled his gratitude while Moody just starred hard at her and hobbled in.
At hearing Dumbledore's voice, James sat up in the chair and stood up to welcome their visitors as they entered.
"Albus, Alastor. What brings you here at this time of the morning?" asked James.
"What the hell do you think? One of our men has been captured and we have decided on a strategy that might be of interest to you sonny Jim! Or did you think that we would do all the work and let you take the credit for it!" Said Moody irritably.
"What? Well no of course not. Sirius is my best friend and I want him back safe and sound." Said James. Moody just starred at him.
"Would you like tea or coffee?" asked Lily trying to break the sudden tension.
"No thank you Lily. We don't have time for that." Replied Dumbledore courteously.
"I never take a drink out of anything but this beaker here round my neck. Never know who would be watching now do you?" Said Moody as he lifted the beaker to show her.
"No indeed." Replied Lily in a forced polite manner. "Please sit down." Said Lily.
"So what is this strategy?" asked James universally.
"Shouldn't we wait for Remus, James?" interjected Lily.
"Who?" asked Moody frustrated.
"Remus Lupin. A very gifted young auror. He was best friends with Sirius and James in school. He actually lives next door." Said Dumbledore.
"Ill get him." Said Lily as she stood up to leave.
Lily arrived back within a few minutes with Remus in tow. He smiled in greeting to everyone at the table.
"Good morning Remus. Hope you slept well because today consists of requiring a great deal of energy and concentration." Said Dumbledore.
"I will do whatever it takes to get Sirius back Sir." Replied a determined Remus.
"That is the kind of aurors we need Albus. Constant Vigilance is the primary aim!" said Moody.
"Where is Sirius?" interjected James furiously.
"Sirius is being held hostage in Lucias and Narcissa Malfoys dungeon. Their house elf, Dobby, informed me of this a few hours ago. I am afraid to have to report this but Sirius is dying."
At this James, Lily and Remus exchanged horrified looks.
"We must act immediately for I fear it will be too late otherwise." Said Dumbledore gravely.
"What is the plan of action?" asked James keenly.
"Well Severus has arranged to meet Lucias and Narcissa at 10:00 in the Hogs Head. He claimed it was an emergency but for how long he can occupy them I cannot say. However, this gives us sufficient time to assemble our teams into various groups. What I need is for a few of the order members to guard the Malfoy Manner and alert us when they have left. Who knows if they have Sirius guarded. I trust James that you and Remus managed to gather a few of the order?"
"Yes Sir we have." Replied Remus.
"Good. Who may I ask have you contacted?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well I owled Andromeda and Ted Tonks last night sir. They of course are eager to assist us in anyway since Sirius is their cousin. Molly and Arthur obviously are involved and Kingsley Shackbolt from the ministry along with a few more of his colleagues. So on average we have ten from the order recruited."
"Well now that is mighty fine work young man. Mighty fine. Yes you will be a great asset to the phoenix alright." Said Moody with a slight smile.
"Why thank you Alastor sir. That means a lot to me." Said Remus gratefully.
"Right now down to business. James, I want you and Remus along with Arthur to guard the Malfoy Manner. Lily, I know this may be hard for you to do but I need you to stay here. If the Malfoys return early or we run into any complications, I need to know that Harry is safe. He is what they are after. And I can't think of whom else who would safer with." Said Dumbledore.
"Yes Albus. If you feel that it's best, I will do anything to help though." Lily replied.
"Stay here for now." Said Dumbledore. Lily just nodded.
"Once the Malfoys have left James, what I need you to do is inform Alastor here and he along with a couple more aurors will come to your aid and rescue Sirius. However there is a slight glitch to the plan. How can we contact you?"
"How about the mirrors?" suggested Remus.
"What mirrors Remus?" asked Dumbledore intrigued.
"Well When James and Sirius were in detention they used mirrors to contact each other. The same Sirius did with me. He gave me a mirror in fifth year because he was sick for a transfiguration exam and needed my help so he gave me a mirror." Dumbledore just smirked at his former student.
"I have half or should I say I have one third of the mirror and if you take it then we would be able to contact each other." Said James.
"Okay. I believe you may solved the final part of our mystery James. Now I need you to go to the Malfoy Manor for 10:00 sharp with Arthur. Wait outside the gates and as soon as they open run in and alert us to this. A few of us shall just be a few yards away from you, myself included. I shall send a few aurors to protect you Lily incase the worst should happen. Right well we must be off. See you both at 10:00." Said Dumbledore as stood up to go with Moody.
"Oh wait Albus." Said James as he stood up and fished his mirror out of his pocket.
"You're gona need that." He said as he handed the mirror to him.
"Thank you James." Replied Dumbledore as he took it and put it inside his robes. James smiled sadly at him. "Remember, Constant Vigilance." Instructed Moody as he left with Dumbledore.
Meanwhile down in the dungeons Sirius was lying on his side as this was the only position where he felt comfortable. He was in dire agony all over. He had a few fractured if not broken ribs on both sides. His breathing was becoming impaired so he felt like at least one lung was punctured. His vision was becoming more obscure as time passed by. He could hardly move his legs due to sprained ankles and he was certain that his left leg was broken. It was only 45 minutes ago that he had his recent bout of torture. The more he resisted giving information, the more they persisted to make sure he understood the consequences. He was not sure if he would survive the day. However he felt the same way last night. This time it was different. Sirius knew in heart and sole that he was dying. He knew that if he received more than three "cruios" that that was the end. His body could not hack anymore torture. Sirius was going to be dead by mid-day. How he wished he could remember the sound of Harry's voice but right now it took everything in him to visualise his face. Sirius always said that he would die for his friends. At least now he would fulfil his desire.
Just then he heard foot steps approaching his cell. He may not have been able to see the time but he knew that an hour had not passed. Partly because the recent wounds were still fresh, partly because he heard something about 7:30 a short time ago. The dungeon door was blasted open and he heard heavy footsteps approaching his frail, tender body. He could not see clearly who it was but he knew it was either Lucias or Rhudolphes. He felt their breath on his face so he realised that they had bent down.
"It can't be time yet." Said Sirius barely audible.
"Oh no you are correct Black. The hour has not yet come but I thought you and I could have a friendly chat. What do you say?" Asked Lucias
Sirius sniggered. "Friendly? You? That word does not exist in your vocabulary."
"You can't talk very well can you Black? I hope we haven t damaged your vocal cords."
"Would you care if you had?" asked Sirius cynically.
"Oh come now don't be like that we are family after all." Said Malfoy smugly.
"What do you want Malfoy?" asked Sirius with as much aggressiveness as he could muster.
"You're dying Black. We all know it even you. You know that you won't see the light of day ever again. You are also aware that your precious godson will grow up without a godfather and it will be his entire fault."
"What do you want Malfoy!" persisted Sirius a little bit stronger than last time.
"The usual. If you tell us where your delectable little godson is, you can live. We may even consider getting you to St Mungos if you just co-operate with us. Its not you we want. It's him."
"Then he will die and I will live." Said Sirius flatly.
"So? He is not your son. He is only your godson. I wont even mention your name of you tell us where he is. Cant be much fairer than that now can I?"
"I love that kid like he was my own son. There's not a hells chance that I am gona tell ya Malfoy. Got it?" said Sirius firmly.
"Look at yourself. You're a wreck Black! You can hardly see, you sure as hell can't walk and you can just about talk. I'm almost certain you have some internal damage too. How much pain must you be in before you will co-operate tell me? Because if you aren't suffering sufficiently we can put you through a lot more than this."
"Do what you will to me Malfoy but I will never assist you. Now go and leave me in peace." Said Sirius as he rested his head on his forearm. Malfoy stood up and smiled evilly.
"Oh I am sorry Black but I can't do that. You see the hour now has come and we all know what happens once the hand strikes twelve."
Sirius lifted his head a little and gave a horrified look as he saw Rhudolphes standing there, wand pointed.
"No please. Not again…" begged Sirius.
"Too late Black. You had your chance and you choose to be morally noble. Give it to him Rhudolphes." Said Malfoy coldly as he walked away from Sirius and out the dungeon door.
"No please…" pleaded Sirius but to no avail.
"Crucio." Shouted Rhudolphes as he pointed his wand at Sirius chest.
AGHHHHHHHH!" screamed Sirius as he collapsed and banged his head hard on the solid concrete floor. Sirius was now unconscious. With a satisfactory smile, Rhudolphes left the dungeon.
It was 10:45 and James, Remus and Arthur set out for the Malfoy Manor leaving Lily and Molly with the children and four aurors guarding Lily and James home. As soon as James, Remus and Arthur reached the edge of the road they apparated outside the Malfoy house. As they approached the gate they saw Lucias and Narcissa walking down the hill from their home which was their queue to disappear. As soon as the gates opened and the Malfoys stepped out and apparated, James, Remus and Arthur ran in. As they were walking up the hill, James was looking back to make sure nobody was following and Arthur kept his eyes on the front as Remus took out the mirror to contact Dumbledore.
As soon as they reached the top of the hill, Remus called into the mirror "Albus Dumbledore."
Within seconds Albus appeared in the mirror.
"Remus? Are you in?"
"Yes sir. We are just standing horizontal to the front door. What do you want us to do?"
"Wait right where you are. We are just standing adjacent to the front gates. We have Amber Kingsley with us and she understands how to operate these gates. We shall be up to you within five minutes Remus."
"Okay sir." Said Remus as Dumbledore's face vanished.
"So now what?" asked James impatiently.
"We wait here for the others. They should be here in five minutes." Said Remus.
"Wait? Here? Five minutes? Sirius could be dead by then Moony!"
"James I know this is the wrong thing to say under the circumstances but….try and relax."
"Ya you are damn right that that is the wrong thing to say mate….."
"Hey you guys isn't that Albus and company?" asked Arthur as he and the other two faced the hill.
"Ya. Arthur it is. Thank god for that." Said Remus as he breathed a sigh of relief.
As they approached each other, they gave each other small greetings before Albus and Moody took charge.
"First thing is first. We need to get in which should be easy enough. Dobby the house elf assured me that he would meet us in the hall at 10:00. He then will lead us to Sirius and all we have to do is rescue him. However if a surprise erupts we need to be prepared. So be on your guard. Dobby is alone for the time being. Just be careful." Said Dumbledore authoritivly.
"Constant Vigilance!" warned Moody with his wand raised.
"Let us proceed." Said Dumbledore as he lead the way into the house followed by Moody and the ten aurors behind. Moody blasted the door open with the unlocking spell and they continued on their journey until they found Dobby.
"Oh Professor Dumbledore Sir." Squeaked Dobby as he bent to kiss his feet.
"Good morning Dobby. There is no necessity for that. Now if you would be so kind as to lead us to the dungeons." Said Dumbledore quickly.
"Oh yes of course sir. Immediately sir. Please follow Dobby sir." Said Dobby in a grateful manner as he led the way down to the dungeons. Dumbledore beckoned for only James and Remus to follow. The rest of them were under instructions about their duties here. It was a long dark corridor which was dimly lit and consisted of ten cells. They stopped outside the second one and Dobby took out a set of keys and quickly searched them until he found the correct one for Sirius cell. He handed it to Dumbledore. As he began turning the lock, Dobby whispered; "Brace yourself sir. He may not be the man you remember."
Dumbledore, Moody, James and Remus looked at him terrified. As Dumbledore opened the door, all he saw was a bundle of black clothes. James and Remus pushed past them and approached the bundle of clothes which they soon realised was Sirius body.
Sirius had his back to them. His head on the ground with his right arm over his face. James turned Sirius on his back and got the shock of his life. What Dobby said was true. He wasn't the man they remembered. Both of his eyes were shut tightly because there was evidence of them being swollen. Underneath them were traces of purple, black and blue bruises. He had light scratches all across his forehead. His nose was bleeding heavily and his top lip was also swollen while his bottom lip somehow undamaged. His black shirt was torn and it was obvious that his chest was literally torn. His arms were severely marked with deep cuts and bruises.
Dumbledore came over along with Moody to a horrified James and a traumatized Remus. Both who were on the verge of tears though Remus was holding back a bit more than James.
"Is he….is…" started James through tears. Moody took his pulse and shook his head at them.
"No James. He is alive." Said Dumbledore quietly as he kneeled down beside them.
"But barley. He got a good hiding from those locusts." Said Moody disgusted at the state of Sirius.
"We need to get him out of here now. I am no healer but I would imagine that time is really of the essence." Said Dumbledore meekly to James and Sirius. They nodded.
"I shall go upstairs and recruit some re-enforcements to assist you in carrying Sirius out of here."
"No it s ok Albus we can manage." Said James fervently.
Maybe so but I fear that the apparition may not be so easy." At this Dumbledore left quickly and left Remus and James alone with Moody and a mangled Sirius.
James placed a hand on Sirius shoulder and shook him gently.
"Come on Padfoot. Wake up please mate? Please Sirius don't leave me buddy. I need you!" cried James with tears streaming down his face. Remus placed a supporting arm around James while Moody looked on.
"By the looks of things he was tortured frequently." Said Moody gruffly.
"Frequently?" said James and Remus in unison.
"Hmm. Quite possibly every hour." Said Moody analysing Sirius body.
"Every hour? With the crucio curse?" questioned James in disbelief.
"I would imagine so. You're lucky he's young. Otherwise he'd be dead by now. Must be strong to take such a thrashing by that shower of spineless……"
"Oh my god! Is that Sirius?" exclaimed Joaquin.
Joaquin is a young auror who was newly recruited with James, Sirius, Remus and Lily. He was in the same year as James and the others but he was in hufflepuff.
"Afraid so. We must get him to Madam Pomfrey immediately." Said Dumbledore.
"I have sent three of our recruits to Hogwarts to alert Poppy of the situation, two more are guarding the grounds incase the Malfoys return and Joaquin here will assist us with Sirius. Dobby of course is on stand by if the worst should happen and we cant use the front door." Said Dumbledore.
"On the count of three we lift." Said Moody taking charge.
"One…..two…..three and lift. Good lord he is heavy."
James and Sirius just glared at Moody but he took no notice. They managed to make up to the hall successfully where Dobby was waiting eagerly. As they were passing him by they all smiled sadly at him but Dumbledore gave his gratitude verbally.
"Thank you Dobby. You have been a great help." He smiled a little at him.
"Oh yes Professor Dumbledore Sir. Dobby is happy to be of assistance. Dobby hopes that Sirius Black will be alright Sir." Squeaked the elf.
"So do we Dobby. Thank you." Said Dumbledore as they left.
"Don't leave Sirius Black. Young Harry Potter needs you so." Said Dobby to a closed out hall door.
Hope ye liked it. I was gona go on to the aftermath. You know what happens when they reach the hospital and all…but thought this would be a good ending! Next chapter will be up Thursday Id say coz Im gona start it now and finish it off tomorrow so until then…