Hey thank you all once again for your reviews! Your support really does mean a lot to me so keep it coming! Seriously considering rapping up this part of Harry's life within the next two chapters. So be warned! Might even be this one. Anyway enjoy chapter 16! Talk 2 ya!
"What do you mean they are coming for me?" asked Sirius tensely while keeping a firm grip on sharinas shoulder.
"Is English your second language Sirius?" At this remark Sirius released his grip on her shoulders and stared at her defensively.
"There are death eaters outside. DEATH EATERS! There were four when I rushed in here to inform you so there good be a hell of a lot more by now. We need to get out of here now."
Sirius stood his ground and looked complacent before finally answering;
"No."
Sharina looked at him in disbelief. Sirius folded his arms across his chest while she continued staring at him in horror.
"Wha….What do you mean "no" Sirius?"
"What I said Sharina. I am not going to be run out of my own home by the likes of them. I have never been afraid of them and I am not going to start now. If they want a fight, they will get a fight!"
Sirius then left a stunned Sharina in the hallway as he returned to the sitting room to resume his seat.
"Sirius?" called Sharina as she followed him…"We don't stand a chance. There are only two of us and at least four of them……what are you doing?" she asked irritated at his obstinacy.
Sirius pulled out his mirror from his pocket and said;
"Calling James. He is over in the Weasleys with the others."
"Oh gee and here I was thinking you were making sure you looked good before you began duelling!"
Sirius laughed at her cynically while she smiled cynically. Just then there was a thunderous pounding at the back door. Sharina and Sirius stared at each other in fear.
"What are we going to do now?" asked Sharina timidly. Sirius looked at her anxiously when he heard;
"Ya Padfoot what's up?"
"Uh….Prongs mate…we have company."
"Company? What do you mean we have company?"
"Death eaters mate. They are now pounding down the door as we speak."
"WHAT! Ok we'll be there in a second. Just don't do anything stupid ok? Ill get Molly to firtact Dumbledore now." With that he was gone.
Another thunderous pounding was heard on the back door. Sirius turned to a terrified Sharina and said;
"Shari do me a favour and go upstairs now!" said Sirius cautiously.
"What? And leave you here to fight on one leg? You must be joking!" she exclaimed.
Another pounding was heard before Sirius said;
"Now! Do as I say. That is an order, not a request!"
Sirius rose from the sofa and Sharina ran reluctantly upstairs with tears in her eyes.
At the Weasleys house, James had just informed every one of Sirius revelations. Molly ran in quickly to contact Dumbledore. Arthur was at the table with James, Lily, Remus, Charlie and Bill.
"How did they discover where we are living?" asked Remus horrified.
"I don't know mate but the bottom line is they have, we are here and Sirius is over there….alone."
Molly then emerged from the house as they were all about to leave.
"Dumbledore is not answering, nor is Moody or Kingsley!" shouted Molly to James back.
James and the others turned round looking perplexed.
"But Albus always answers. And if he doesn't then he transfers his network over to Moody."
"Exactly James." Said Molly tensely.
"So what are you saying Molly? That Dumbledore and Moody are in trouble?"
"No Lily of course not dear. That is not possible for them both to be in danger on the same night!"
"So……why aren't they answering then?" asked Remus intrigued.
"Well we have established that neither one is available so obviously they are both out. Quite possibly together…."
"Molly love as you stand here analysing the circumstances, Sirius is over there on his own surrounded by death eaters!" interjected James.
"Now just hold your dragons James. I think I may have solved the mystery to both issues." Everyone looked at her eagerly awaiting.
"What if Dumbledore and Moody are in fact here and what if those death eaters are not really death eaters!"
"Molly in plain English darling for those of us who are in fact fluent in the flipping language!" said James impatiently which earned him a thump on the arm from Lily. He turned to her and massaged the area while muttering "ouch" to her. She just rolled her eyes and smiled.
"I have reason to believe that Moody and Dumbledore are the alleged death eaters." She said which caused everyone to stare at her in shock before running up the path for some confrontation.
Back at Sirius house the pounding had finally ceased. Sirius however was leaning on a kitchen chair listening to voices outside the door. He could not understand what they were saying because they were muttering. Just then, he heard James voice so he placed his wand on the table and took his mirror from his pocket again.
"Ya what is it mate? Where are you actually?" whispered Sirius.
"I am outside my house with the "death eaters" mate." Said James.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL…….."
"Sirius came down mate!"
"CALM DOWN? CALM……James you are standing casually with death eaters……."
"Sirius there are no death eaters here."
"What?" asked Sirius puzzled.
"What you thought was death eaters are actually members of the order."
"Are ya serious?" inquired Sirius relieved.
"No mate you are! Said James grinning.
"Oh ha ha!" said Sirius smiling.
"So it's safe to come on out here if you want."
"Ya ok. But first I gota kill Sharina coz this is all her fault."
James laughed and said, "Okay. See ya in a bit."
Sirius put the mirror back in his pocket and turned round with the intent of calling Sharina downstairs but she was already down. She was standing in the hallway looking sheepish. Sirius just smiled at her.
"You are such a tool!" He said with a warm smile.
Sharina who had her hands clasped and was half looking at the ground, faced Sirius directly.
"Sirius I am so sorry. I really did think that they were death eaters. I mean it was the dark of the night and….."
"Shh" soothed Sirius as he put a finger against his mouth. Sharina smiled relief stricken at him.
She then walked over to him. Sirius kissed her on the forehead as she hugged him tightly.
A few minutes later, Sharina broke the embrace and asked Sirius while looking him in the eyes;
"Do you forgive me?"
Sirius cupped her face in his hands and said;
"There is nothing to forgive." They both smiled lovingly at each other before Sirius kissed her and hugged her.
"So…shall we go outside to the others?" asked Sharina.
"Sure we will darling!" said Sirius smiling at her as he took her hand and they walked over to James and Lily's.
Everyone was inside as Sirius knocked and entered through the back door. Sitting at the kitchen table was Dumbledore, Moody, Kingsley, Jaoquin, Andromeda and Remus. James was putting Harry to bed and Lily was placing a pot of tea in the centre of the table. Everyone looked when they saw Sirius and Sharina standing there.
"Hey Sirius, Sharina." Said everyone in unison.
"Alright people what's the story?" asked Sirius as he hobbled over to the table while Sharina just waved and said "Hi" timidly. She followed Sirius over to the table where two seats awaited them by Remus.
"So you thought we were death eaters Sirius?" asked Andromeda humorously.
"Well actually….." started Sirius.
"It was my fault. I saw figures and I assumed ye were death eaters so if you want have a go at any one let it be me. Not Sirius." Sharina said while smiling at Sirius who reciprocated it.
"Thanks Shari." He kissed her on the cheek and continued…"See now why I love her!"
"Everyone either half laughed or said "Ya" but Sharina stared at Sirius in astonishment but he just smirked at her.
James soon arrived and greeted his guests in the normal way by saying;
"Alright Sirius mate?"
"How do Shari darling?"
After a few more minutes of jovial bickering, Sirius asked;
"So Albus, care to tell us what the bloody hell you are doing here? Or is it strictly confidential?"
"No Sirius it is not. We have decided on a resolution to satisfy both our needs."
"What are you talking about? We already decided that earlier today." Said Sirius as he poured tea for Shari, Remus and himself. Nobody else was near enough to him.
"If you remember correctly Sirius, I said I was not satisfied with the resolution and that I would call over tonight to discuss the matter further."
"Well yes I remember all that but….."
"No buts Black! It is not your place to decide what is for the best!" said Moody gruffly.
"Oh and I suppose it's yours! Shouted Sirius.
"Now you just hold one darn minute Black! You are getting too well ahead of yourself. You have only been in the order five minutes and you think that you have the authority to address a matter as serious as this? You believe that you have the right to submit a crazed notion and that we all are just supposed to go along with it?
I am just trying to…."
"Its not that you come from a powerful family that you think you can decide what is best for the order you know….."
"EXCUSE ME? I HAVE NEVER ONCE USED MY FAMILYS REPUTATION JUST TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE OR TO DICTATE TO THEM! HOW DARE YOU SIT THERE AND ACCUSE ME OF DOING SOMETHING THAT DESPICABLE AND FOR THE RECORD I AM ONLY A BLACK BY NAME NOT BY NATURE!"
"Gentlemen could we please manage to restore some order to this meeting?" suggested Dumbledore.
Sirius just glared at Moody who was sitting next to James at the far end of the table.
"Yes please Sirius you are going to wake up Harry if you keep it up." Said Lily.
"Sorry Lils. It won't happen again. I promise you that." Replied Sirius with a smile. Lily nodded.
"So Sirius, I don't want to hear any complaints, any protesting or shouting because what you are about to hear, you may not like." Said Dumbledore while Sirius just looked confused.
"We all have come to a conclusion about your living arrangements. When I say all I mean the ministry and the member orders sitting amongst us. We feel that it is necessary that at least four aurors guard your homes at night. This is only going to be a temporary glitch until we are certain you are all safe. So do we have any concerns or questions or in Sirius case, any protests?
"I thought you said I couldn't protest Albus?"
"Ah well now that must go in the record. Sirius Black finally listens to me."
Everyone laughed a little at Sirius expense.
"If you feel its necessary Albus, then I am in favour of it." Said Lily.
Dumbledore smiled warmly and replied;
"Good."
"I agree with Lily Albus." Said Remus.
"Well Remus that is good to hear. How about you James?" asked Dumbledore.
"Sure ya. Whatever it takes." He replied as he folded his arms.
"Sirius? How about you?" asked Dumbledore as everyone turned in his direction.
"Well, I do believe we have reached an agreement. I have no difficulty with that."
"Alleluia!" shouted Andromeda which caused everyone to laugh including Sirius.
"Excellent. Well now that is that done and dusted I must be off. I am entrusting these fine aurors to take over now." Said Dumbledore as he began to rise from the chair.
"Sir how exactly does the procedure work? Asked Lily. Albus resumed his seat.
"Well Lily you see the aurors here will all keep watch outside both houses. Two will be seated outside your and James while the other two will be situated outside Remus and Sirius house. If they hear any kind of noise, one of them shall go and check it out. Once he or she returns, they shall inform the others. If immediate action needs to be taken, the informer is to contact me immediately whereby I shall summons not only another group of aurors but also the ministry at once. Under no circumstances are any of you to come outside. Do you understand?" All four nodded.
"Good. Because our job is to protect you not helping you get involved. I promise you that nothing shall happen to either Harry or any one of you." Said Dumbledore.
"Thank you Sir." Said James while Lily smiled her gratitude.
"Right well, I must be off now. Aurors take care of them all."
"Don't worry Albus. I have imprinted Constant Vigilance in their heads forever!" said Moody.
"I am sure you have Alastor. Right well thank you Lily for the tea."
"No problem Albus. And thank you for everything you are doing. We really appreciate it."
"Yes Sir we really do." Said Remus politely.
"Nothing out of the ordinary Remus." Said Dumbledore as he rose once again to leave. He walked over to the back door followed by Remus who was showing him out.
"Thank you albus." Said Sirius. He was now leaning against his chair.
"Anytime Sirius. Anytime. Well goodnight to you all and good luck."
"Goodnight Albus" They all replied in unison.
With that he was gone. Moody then rose from his seat.
"Right you lot get ready for a long, tedious night ahead of you. As of now the only thoughts you are meant to have are Constant Vigilance! Phoenix I want you and Black to stand guard outside Lupins and Blacks house. Shackbolt, you and I shall stand guard outside the Potters! Now out you go with me immediately!" shouted Moody as his aurors followed him outside silently.
James and Lily began clearing off the table and Remus offered to help but his offer was declined. So instead he decided to go home.
"Sirius mate are you coming?"
"Ya Moony Ill be there in a few minutes okay?"
"Sure. See you in a while. See ya James, Lily, Sharina." He said as he waved and left to his friends saying goodnight to him.
Ten minutes later the kitchen was cleared and Lily and James decided to go to bed.
It was just Sirius and Sharina alone and she asked Sirius the question she had been meaning to ask all night.
"Sirius there has been something on my mind for a while now and I need to ask you if you meant it?"
"Ask if I meant what darling?"
"You said tonight that you loved me. Now I don't mind if you didn't because Ill understand but….."
"Shari. Shari. Shari yes I did mean it. I'm sorry for the way it came out but it's true. I love you Shari. I don't want to pressure you into saying it because I have. I want you to say it when you are ready. So please take your time. Whenever you feel it, Ill be here waiting to hear it."
They both smiled at each other warmly as Sirius kissed her quickly on the lips and Sharina said;
"You said to say it when I felt it and that you would be here waiting to hear it?" Sirius nodded.
"Well I feel it now and I want you to hear it now. I love you Sirius."
Sirius grinned at her and kissed her passionately.
A few minutes later, Sharina realised she had to go because she was due up at 7:00 in the morning.
"What time are you finished at?"
"7:00 the next morning."
"What?"
"Ya I know it sucks but hopefully if the ministry take me on I can pack it in and have realistic hours."
"Ya. That would be good coz then we could actually spend some time together."
"Ill tell ya what Shar, Ill ask James to find out what the story is."
"Oh would you? That would be great Sirius! Thank you so much!" she said as she hugged him.
"No problem darling. Anyway I really have to go so I shall see you in a couple days."
"Okay." They shared one more kiss before Sirius escorted her to the fireplace where she flooed home.
Okay well I hope you liked it coz the next chapter will take place when Harry is seven. I feel that enough has been covered with him at this age. His bond with Sirius is very strong as I hope you realised coz that was my intention. He has great relationship with his parents too. But the next step is to have him relatively close to Remus as well. Ron and company will play more of a role in the next section and I promise you that the whole Snape rivalry will be dealt with too. So the next section will be far better I promise! Hope ye like and keep the reviews coming even if ye hate it! Lol. Talk 2 ya.