Chapter Three: Rider

Padfoot and Moony sat perched high on a cliff, overlooking the gathering of the motley crew below.

"I don't like this Moony. What can you see?" asked Sirius.

"Nothing good. I see a few werewolves, some wizards, a vampire maybe? There's definitely something shady going on."

"Can you see their faces?"

"No. They're covered by their hoods. If you'd shut up maybe I could hear something," snapped Remus. He listened intently for several long moments. "Were too high up, even for my ears. I only caught snippets. Something about the first strike not being grand enough and how they'll have to plan another one for a few weeks. Too much security or something."

Sirius shook his head. "I don't have time for this. I missed my namesakes' birth and I wanna see the little cutie."

"Tonks will kill me if I miss Teddy's birthday. Can we just return with what information we have and schedule another rendezvous if it isn't enough?"

"I dunno. I suppose. This isn't like the first, or second time. They're being more careful this time…quieter."

"I say we go back, see what everyone else has to say, and form a new plan. We've been out here for a week. I'm not as young as I once was Padfoot."

Sirius just nodded in agreement.

Sirius and Remus, both looking worse from wear, returned to the Ministry three days later.

"You could have bathed first, Padfoot. Now the entire department will smell like a wet dog," joked Kingsley Shacklebolt, head of the Auror Division.

"Don't make me hug you Shack," laughed Sirius.

"I think my wife would be offended," retorted Shacklebolt. "Come on, let's get a drink in my office." Shutting the door and spelling it, Kingsleys face turned serious. "What did you two learn?"

"Not much, I'm afraid. We witnessed a few gatherings, but they were small, no more than 10 people at a time. Whoever is behind this is playing it smart. No names were mentioned but they talked about the failed attack, which I assume was the orphanage, and how they'll have to launch another one in a few weeks' time, though they didn't say anything more specific than that. Looks like they're waiting for the anniversary to pass," said Remus.

"Any of the old crowd?" asked Kingsley.

"The 'old crowd' is dead Shack," Sirius pointed out. "I killed most of them myself, or the dementors got to them. These were all kids. The oldest one we saw may have been just pushing 30. There were a lot of werewolves at the meetings, a good amount of wizards, even a vampire or two. But whether they are a part of this new group or were just there for the sales pitch, we don't know."

Kingsley nodded his head. "We need more intel. Draco and his informant haven't returned, and I made Harry take a few weeks off. Ron is handling a small hiccup at Azkaban, and Kaelyn, though not an official part of your group, is trying to secure a muggle hospital. You two didn't tell me anything I didn't already fear. Remus, I hate to ask, but would you be able to contact some of the packs to see if they have heard anything? I just don't have anyone else. These new recruits are hopeless. Finnegan is in St. Mungo's because he was bested by a biting trash bin. A TRASH BIN!"

"You should hire more competent trainers," said Sirius.

"And you should retire from the field and do the training," retorted Kingsley.

Sirius shook his head sadly. "You know that's not why I came back Shack. As long as Harry is putting himself in danger, I will fight by his side. Marauders til the end ya know. As soon as he takes a desk job, I'll retire for good."

"You could retire and teach," Shacklebolt pouted.

"Ask Hermione. She loves to teach," snorted Sirius.

"Yes. And have Madam Bones breathing fire down my neck for depriving her of her best Unspeakable? I don't think so. I'll keep looking. I have a new mission for you anyway Black. I think its time you and your team brought back Operation Shadow. You and James were the only ones who knew it, and if you won't train my new recruits, at least train the boys."

"Kingsley…" Sirius trailed off.

"I won't let that happen again Sirius. I swear it. But something is happening and we must do whatever it takes to stop it before it gets too big. Operation Shadow is a go. I will inform the Minister. Go home and shower, go visit Mini-Harry, and report back here at 0800 tomorrow morning to start briefing Ron. Remus, well discuss that plan further on Monday. And tell Tonks I'll be by to woo her this weekend. Teddy is turning 5 and he'll be starting Primary soon. I can't be without her any longer. If she doesn't want to return to the field, perhaps she can turn the boys around here into men. I'll give her a $2,000 galleon bonus plus what she made when she quit if she can give me Aurors to do something with."

Remus smiled. "I'll see you Monday Kingsley."

"Tell Weasley I'll meet him here at 9 with breakfast. I'm too old right now for 8 o'clock," said Sirius.

And with that the three men departed and went about their days.