Chapter Twelve

Caught Wand-Handed


I checked the watch on my right wrist for the thousandth time as I tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable or to fall asleep. It never failed when I needed to be rested up, strong, and fresh that I would only get maybe an hour or two's worth of some shut eye.

Finally my watch read 1:12am, and I hopped quietly out of my bed, grabbing my warm yet surprisingly light jacket and throwing it on as I glanced at Lily and the two other girls who shared a room with us. Once I was sure their breathing was even and they showed no signs of stirring, I stepped soundlessly out of our room and quickly tiptoed down the flight of stairs.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I jumped and let out a small squeak, turning around to face Sirius who was lounging on the couch next to the ember-filled fireplace. "Bloody hell, you twat!"

He grinned as he stretched and stood. "It's a bit early to be sneaking to the kitchens, Eridani."

"Since when are you the keeper of rules and good judgement?"

"I'm just saying that not even I'm hungry right now. So where you going?"

I sighed, trying to avoid looking in his eyes when he stood in front of me. "Out, Sirius. I'm going for a stroll in the moonlight."

"No you're not."

"Fuck off."

"Not tonight, dear sister." His tone was playful, but his face was serious (no pun intended). "I've been meaning to talk to you. Alone."

"About?" My heart fluttered, and I couldn't help but wonder if Remus had blabbed or if Sirius had broken our rule of trust and snooped around in my mind. Honestly neither seemed likely, so I wasn't sure what this could be about.

"I really don't like how much time Rider seems to spend with you, or the fact that you two seem…close."

"Oh for Merlin's sake…seriously Sirius? You think I'm that stupid?"

"You know I don't! I just don't trust him, and I don't understand why he's here or why he's keeping such a low profile! And I really don't like how it's just you and me who know who he really is! Don't you understand how dangerous that, no, he is?"

"Actually the Death Eater Slytherins know who he is."

"That makes me feel so much better, River," he scoffed, throwing his hands up in the air like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

"I don't know what you want me to tell you Sirius. I'm being as careful as I can without making things worse. My eyes are wide open and I'm watching my back. Plus I know I've got you, so what more do I need to worry about?"

"At least tell the others. He's been here for a little over a month and hasn't made a move. I'm getting a little uneasy, and I'd be more comfortable if there were more sets of eyes on the lookout."

"Fine. I can see the logic in that. Although you get to try and contain them when they lose their shit."

"Fine."

"Okay then!" I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight baby brother."

"Oh you're not off that easy," he said in a tone that confused me as he grabbed my arms and held me at arms distance.

"Now what?" I raised an eyebrow, resisting the urge to check the time. I was going to be so late.

"What the hell is this?" He pulled a wand from his back pocket, and it was only upon closer inspection that I realized it was mine.

I cleared my throat. "Looks like a wand. Listen, I really don't want to play—"

"Yeah, see, I know it's a wand. What I don't know is why it was tucked into your robes. Just like I don't know where that ring on your finger came from. Or why I've seen you tucked away with your nose in spellbooks all the time now."

Mentally cursing, all I could do was blink of him. I hated to admit that despite him being my brother and probably the one individual who I knew better than my own self, I was all too quick to forget his better traits in exchange for his worse ones, just like everyone else did. Sirius was kind, caring, and over-protective. And with that over-protective side came his worry-wort habits and his uncanny observation skills.

"You're not eleven anymore, Eridani. Why do you keep trying and torturing yourself?"

"If I tell you you'll only freak out."

"Yeah, probably."

"But I can't have you doing that. Not only do I not have time for it, I don't want to deal with it."

"Fair enough. But I don't want you hiding anything from me, or I'll break our promise because I'm beyond worried about you." He squeezed my arm, giving me a small smile. "Besides, I'm your brother. You know you can tell me anything."

Sighing, I did glance at my watch. 1:28 am. Great, considering I was supposed to be in Hogsmeade at 1:40. "Here's the deal. I'll tell you what's happening, but then I need you to go up to bed and let me leave the Common Room. If you do that, I'll explain everything—and I mean everything—to you in the morning. Deal?"

Crossing his arms over his chest, still holding my wand, he nodded. "Deal."

"Dumbledore found a way for me to use magic—his magic—which is why I wear this ring. I'm not automatically an expert just because it's his magic though, that's why I've been learning and practicing. Now, I've got to go. And if you don't ask me where or why, I promise I'll explain that to you in the morning too."

All Sirius seemed to be able to do for a minute or two was stare at me. "Okay, I'm going back to bed because clearly I'm dreaming, or you're seriously shitting me."

"But I'm—okay. Goodnight." I shook my head as he handed me my wand. I didn't have time to convince him, nor did I want to.

He pulled me into a tight, comforting hug, although I could tell from his body language he was irritated. "I'll see you in the morning River. Be safe."

I watched as he went up the stairs before I turned and darted out the passageway, sprinting as fast as I could through the maze of trap doors and secret tunnels until I was panting and hating myself as I stood hunched over in the shadows on the corner of one of the streets in Hogsmeade. Looking at my watch, I groaned when I saw the time, and sprinted the last few blocks until I could make out two figures standing in the shadows cast by a shop.

"I swear the girl's never on time, is she?" the first man said in his low-pitched authoritative voice.

"As if you're any better," scoffed the second whose voice had almost a nasally hint to it.

"I'm always punctual, thank you."

"Is that so? Because seems to me I remember there was this time when I was waiting for you and you showed up twenty minutes late, not seeming to be in any hurry at all, crunching on a damned apple."

"I like apples," huffed the first.

"You were late because of that apple."

"That was one time! ONE!"

"And now I know why you boys wait on me," I drawled as I came up behind the two men and threw my arms around their shoulders.

The second man grinned at me while the first rolled his eyes, both not surprised that I appeared and both not bothering to push me away.

"And why would that be? We sure as hell don't need a little girl to get our job done," the first spat, glaring over at me and the other man.

"Well see, without me—the glue who holds them so close together—the great Auror duo Maximus and Pascal wouldn't exist!"


A/N: Happy (late) New Years everybody! I hope it was as wonderful as you all are!

I hope you liked it! Please R&R and lemme know what you thought!

With love,

Nike :)