A/N) My apologies for the delay... I only finished writing chapter 44 a few days ago. I didn't want to post this until I'd written chapter 45 but that one will be quite short so I figured I could update tonight instead...

Twisting Time

Chapter 43

Monday 19th April 1993

THE DAILY PROPHET

HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED RETURNS

The Ministry of Magic has today, confirmed, that the man the Wizarding World knows as 'You-Know-Who' has returned and is actively make war upon the British Wizarding Society. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return follows the mass breakout from Azkaban in August last year when several convicted Death Eaters were broken out of the prison. Though it was unknown at the time who was behind the mass breakout, the Ministry have now confirmed that the culprit was likely to have been You-Know-Who himself.

Yesterday afternoon, as the Hogwarts Express returned to the school, it was attacked by Death Eaters, led by Bellatrix Lestrange. Though no students were seriously harmed it was understood her target was twelve year old Harry Potter, the eldest child of James and Lily Potter, and the godson of the Man-Who-Lived, Sirius Black. Several injuries have been reported with a range of broken bones however most students escaped unscathed.

Shortly after the attack on the train, and the arrival of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, the Death Eaters vanished, instead commencing an attack on the Wizarding/Muggle village of Godric's Hollow. It has been confirmed that Jack Potter, 6, was kidnapped from his babysitter in the midst of the attack. His babysitter has yet to be identified however sources say they were not a family member related to either James or Lily Potter.

At the same time, He-Who-Myst-Not-Be-Named, entered the Ministry of Magic, declaring to the witches and wizards there that "War will begin unless my demands are met", before Disapparting as quickly as he appeared. What those demands are remains to be seen.

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, quickly released a very short statement following the sudden events: "The Ministry will not bargain with terrorists."

One of the demands Voldemort called for was Sirius to surrender his knowledge. The press speculated upon the meaning of those words but neither Sirius nor any of his friends were willing to talk further, not when they had other matters to attend to, the most prominent matter was rescuing Jack from Voldemort's clutches.

They didn't know for sure Jack would be where Voldemort resided but it was the most logical conclusion especially since he had gone to the effort to trick them into thinking he was after Harry instead. Jack should have been safe and not a target whereas Harry should have been the one in more danger but clearly Voldemort did not wish to experiment further upon the bond shared between Harry and Sirius.

They gathered at Dumbledore's office, discussing their options. Harry was present too since his parents had requested his presence stating they would rather have their remaining son kept with them. Even at Hogwarts they felt Harry was no longer safe, even with the protection the school offered.

James and Lily sat huddled together on the sofa with Harry sitting beside his mother, rubbing her back gently. Remus sat to the side whilst Professors McGonagall and Snape were leaning against the bookcase to the right of the Headmaster's desk. Sirius was pacing in front of the Headmaster, chin in his hand. Everyone was shocked by the turn of events that had occurred in the past twenty-four hours.

Sirius stopped pacing and turned to look at the Headmaster. "What I want to know is do we know where Voldemort is right at this moment?"

"No, he has gone off the grid," stated Dumbledore quietly. "That does not mean we cannot trace him."

"But he's made demands and he has Jack. We can't just be sitting here, waiting for him," continued Sirius. "We know he wants me. We know he wants to kill everyone I care about. I thought he would go after James first but…" He sighed.

"He's clearly changed his mind," mentioned Remus. "Voldemort has spent the last few months waiting quietly, building himself up and now he is ready to strike. He believes he has the advantage. But we have it, don't we?"

James looked up and swallowed. "We do. He doesn't know we have been destroying his Horcruxes. And there is one left which will be with him. If he feels powerful enough we might have a chance to destroy it. Then we can finish him for good."

"I always knew there was something funny about him," sniffed McGonagall. "About how he survived."

Snape pulled a distasteful face. "He's more inhuman than the rest of us combined. He's killed people just to further his own life."

Sirius wanted to bite back a retort but stopped himself. Antagonising Snape wouldn't help the situation they were currently in. He wasn't surprised how McGonagall and Snape were taking the news of Horcruxes. They were both highly intelligent. Shocking them wasn't easy. And it was likely they had come across the term before.

"The main issue we have is getting Jack back. He wants me. So let him have me." Sirius didn't like suggesting it but it was the only option.

"He'll kill you," replied Remus.

"No. He won't. He still wants what is in my head. Only then he will kill me. He can't use Harry against me because we can protect each other. But he can use Jack against me. If it comes to it… To save Jack I would tell him. Because it would be the right thing to do." Sirius glanced around, noticing the surprised expressions resonating across the faces of those in the room. Only Lily's face remained passive and tear-stained, her thoughts locked on her lost son.

"Sirius…" James began but Sirius held up a hand and stopped him.

"Your son is worth more than me. Jack doesn't deserve to die because I won't speak. Harry was different because I could stop Voldemort harming him. But I cannot do anything about Jack. We can use this to our advantage. Voldemort will expect you all to follow. He's gathering his followers to keep you all distracted when you attack. This is it. The final battle we have been preparing for. Once the snake is dead I can take the final shot."

Dumbledore leaned forward across the desk. "This is very dangerous, Sirius. To give yourself up on the assumption he won't kill you…"

Sirius turned around, catching the Headmaster's eyes. "What else can I do?"

Snape hardly spoke during the following hour whilst the rest of the occupants made a plan to attack Voldemort in the assumption Sirius surrendered. He was waiting for them to ask him for his input but he didn't believe it was likely.

It was then he felt it, on his left forearm. A sharp burning pain increased quickly, hurting him. He hissed, nearly biting his tongue. He hadn't felt this pain in years. He pulled up his sleeve and saw the Dark Mark burning black on his forearm.

Snape turned to face the others in the room, holding out his arm for the others to see. "He's called for those that have not returned yet but are still loyal to come back to him."

Black was the first one to answer. "Go."

Snape's eyes slit in suspicion. "Why should I risk my life?"

"Because we need you to," answered Albus calmly. "If Sirius is taken to Voldemort, you will be able to get us there. We would need someone who could bring us there who is trusted by Voldemort."

"He won't trust me," said Snape.

"Sev…" Lily's voice was low as she spoke up, surprising everyone. She had been very quiet up until now. "This is my son we are talking about… I can't lose him. Please… help us get there. Convince him you never really left his service. That you've been spying on us all this time... You could give him Sirius."

Sirius nodded. "That's an idea that could work. But instead of giving him just me… we could all go… Chain linked. That's how we get in. He's bound to have wards up again like he did last time. In fact we do not even have to bother to try to trick him. We can track the Lestranges after all." The tracking spells placed on the three followers had been useful. "We do not really need Snape to tell us where Voldemort is. We just need him to get us through the wards. Voldemort will have charmed them to accept those with Dark Marks only. None of us have them, apart from Snape. If he takes us all there, chain-linked, the fact he has a Dark Mark should allow all of us to pass through the wards."

"He could die doing this, Sirius. We cannot ask Severus this," said Potter quietly. "Everything about this could go wrong,"

"It can and it will!" snarled Snape. "But… I am not unreasonable. I always knew what role I might have to play if it came to it. I understand destroying the Dark Lord is a priority. I will do this, return to his side, convince him I can betray you to him, Black, and then bring all of you to his side."

"But you'll die…" said Lily quietly. "You're my friend. I don't want you to risk your life."

Snape felt his expression soften. He very rarely let the mask slip. "We are all risking our lives to end this, Lily. I will do what I can to help you…"

In the end they came to a decision.

With Jack a captive of Voldemort, Dumbledore sent Snape on his way. The Mark had burned over an hour ago by the time Severus departed. Delaying meant he would be able to convince Voldemort that he had returned to his service and that he brought back with him information on Dumbledore. They hoped Voldemort would instruct or at least hint for Severus to betray Sirius to him. If he didn't, the next time he was summoned to Voldemort's presence, Snape would bring the others along with him regardless. Lily was still unhappy about the way her old friend was being used but it was either let Sirius go alone and maintain Severus' cover or make it the final battle.

All of them advocated for the final battle, including Lily when she eventually saw through the fog clouding her mind and saw the advantages to such a plan. The only problem they would have would be facing the Death Eaters and ensuring the destruction of the snake. It was only when they had destroyed that could they be certain Voldemort would die.

This also meant they had to instruct Harry as well. He stood a better of chance of sneaking around and finding the snake. He was young but talented. His primary aim was to ensure Sirius' safety through their bond. As a precaution, everyone going on the mission would hold a Basilisk fang, including Harry. Harry would also have in his possession the invisibility cloak.

Slowly the plan was coming together.

Sirius even went to Amelia Bones to explain the plan they had. They needed the support of the Aurors. The more wizards and witches willing to come with them, the higher chance they had of defeating Voldemort. As a result of this, several notable Aurors, including Alastor Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt were more than willing to aid them. There were several other Aurors as well, all of whom were trusted by Amelia Bones to stay silent and come for when needed.

It would be a last minute call. They'd have to act fast and everyone had to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

But there was one thing Sirius wanted to do before he left. He wished to speak to his brother again. Reluctantly, James had retrieved the resurrection stone from where he had hidden it and gave it to Sirius, who retreated to a private room within the school grounds.

He didn't know why he felt he had to speak to his brother again, but Sirius knew it was important to do so. Everything he had done so far had led to this moment.

Holding the resurrection stone in his fingers, Sirius closed his eyes and turned the stone over three times, thinking about the person he wanted to see most. When he opened his eyes he was surprised to see not just one person standing there, but two.

Regulus and the other Harry.

"I wasn't expecting the both of you…" muttered Sirius, watching them both carefully, keeping his fingers curled around the stone.

"You've always wanted to see me again, Sirius," said the other Harry. "You may want to speak to your brother but I think it helps you seeing me."

Sirius couldn't deny this. He still thought of his Harry. He was doing what he was for him – to ensure he never had to have the life he had originally led.

"But I think there is something else on your mind," noted Regulus. "Something you want to ask both of us. The end is coming. You can sense it."

Sirius nodded. He also had a feeling he knew what the outcome would be. "I can. It feels as if everything I've done is leading up to this. The only drawback is Jack has become involved when he shouldn't have been… And Leanne… I got together with her because you told me I should allow myself to be happy. And look what happened…"

Regulus bowed his head, strands of dark hair falling about his face. "I told you that because you deserved to have happiness in the life you led here."

Sirius moved to sit down, his back against the wall as he lowered himself to the ground. "You always knew then."

"A part of being dead meant that I already knew. I wanted you to be happy."

Sirius glanced at the other Harry. "Did you know?"

"Like you I had a feeling," answered Harry shortly. "How long have you had it for?"

"A while. Probably since Leanne was killed," sighed Sirius. "It does make things a lot easier. And I suppose… I'm alive when I shouldn't be. I was sent back for a reason. Why should I continue to live once I've fulfilled my role?"

Regulus caught his older brother's eyes. "Because you deserve to be happy."

"Maybe." Sirius didn't believe that. "At least I know what to expect if that is to be my fate." His fingers loosened his hold on the stone. He had gained the information he had wanted. "I probably won't see you again, Harry… Not like this with the scar on your head…" Why did it already feel like he had accepted his fate? "I suppose I'll see you again, Reg."

Regulus shrugged. "Might do, you might not. It could still change. Your fate, I mean. Depends on your actions and the choices you make. Nothing is set in stone but I know what your choice would be if it came to it. You wouldn't hesitate, regardless of the consequences."

Sirius hung his head. "No. I wouldn't. I'm not the only one who deserves to have happiness. I'd gladly forfeit it for somebody else." He gave them both a small, sad smile. He loosened his fingers a bit more. "See you on the other side."

The stone dropped from his hand and fell to the floor; the two figures fading away. He leaned his head back against the wall. It didn't make things any better about what he had learned. But now he knew for sure.

The final battle wouldn't just be the end of Voldemort. It would also be the end of Sirius' own life. If there was one thing he was certain of in his future, it would definitely have to be that.

To be continued...

A/N) thank you for all the reviews so far!

I am not making any more comments about this chapter... Next time: The Final Battle...

Until then,

the-writer1988