Arc III Part VIII:
June 7, 1985
The room fell into an eerie silence, punctuated only by the crackling of flames behind Sirius. The hypnotic dance of firelight cast flickering shadows across the space, intensifying the tension. Sirius and Fenrir locked eyes, their gazes brimming with determination as they prepared for the clash that loomed ominously.
In a swift, decisive moment, Sirius initiated the clash, lunging his wand forward, jolting his first spell into the fight with a thunderous boom. The impact sent Fenrir Greyback hurtling toward the living room's window, the glass shattering with a shattering crash, shards tinkling like shattered dreams and Fenrir was expelled from the house, the whooshing sound of his departure echoing.
Undeterred, Sirius swiftly pursued, his wand cutting through the air with a swish and a crack, commanding the wreckage of glass, masonry, and wood to rain down upon Fenrir, unleashing a cacophony of destruction in that early hour. But Fenrir, like a predator eluding its hunters, evaded the onslaught with deft agility.
Rising slowly, he exuded an air of unwavering confidence, his triumphant smile underscored by the faint rustling of his clothes. Their eyes locked once more, their gazes sparking with a ferocious intensity, as they readied themselves for the next explosive exchange.
"Everything suddenly falls into place... After all, who else in this world is capable of such violence?" Sirius aimed his wand at Fenrir, his voice laden with determination.
"How much do you truly understand about the world, Black?" Fenrir retorted.
"And what brings you so far from England?" Sirius inquired.
"Hunting, of course... Why else would I be here?" Fenrir countered.
"Believe it or not, I'm actually glad we've crossed paths," Sirius confessed.
"Are you? I can't say I've been told that often," Fenrir responded.
"Ever since I escaped from Azkaban, there has been one name that haunts my every dream—Peter Pettigrew. Finding Peter and compelling him to confess became an obsession, to the point where I believed it was an impossible task. I was so consumed by this pursuit that I forgot he wasn't the only surviving Death Eater... Any Death Eater would prove useful. And now, here I am, encountering the leader of Voldemort's werewolf army in person, thousands of miles away from Britain! I shall bring you back to the Ministry of Magic, and they will have no choice but to listen," Sirius declared, casting a stunning spell towards Fenrir, who effortlessly dodged it before bursting into laughter.
"Capture me? You? How could a Yorkshire possibly stand a chance against the king of wolves?" Fenrir mocked before his tone turned more serious. "You couldn't be more wrong. I should have been clearer earlier... I am here because hunting you down led me here."
"Me?" Sirius questioned, his grip tightening around his wand.
"Ever since the bounty was placed on your head a year ago, I have trailed your every move. Remember that boy they discovered in a dumpster in Stuttgart? He wept when I did. From Normandy to Hamburg and Bonn, I followed in the hopes of drawing you out of hiding... until I received a tip that you would seek refuge here in Transylvania. So, I came and unleashed chaos, confident that you would eventually emerge to play the hero," Fenrir revealed.
"You murdered and abused all those innocent children, men, and women just to lure me out?" Sirius seethed, his fingers tightening around his wand.
"Aren't Muggles merely stepping stones to our ambitions? The least evolved species is destined for extinction before the most evolved. It's the natural order... However, enough talk," Fenrir declared, a smile forming on his face. Despite the daylight, fur began to sprout all over his body, his face contorted, his physique doubling in size, and his teeth growing razor-sharp once again.
"No bloody way..." Sirius whispered, realizing the danger he faced as the most lethal werewolf in the world charged toward him.
Fenrir's speed was astonishing, but Sirius managed to roll aside, narrowly evading the attack, before disapparating to create a safe distance between himself and the beast. As soon as he reappeared, Fenrir's eyes locked onto him, and he launched another assault. This time, Sirius was prepared and shouted, "Depulso!". His spell struck Fenrir in the chest. However, despite the proximity, the spell's blast only caused Fenrir to stagger slightly, momentarily losing his balance.
"STUPEFY!" Sirius bellowed; his voice resolute despite his surprise. Once again, Fenrir made no effort to evade the spell.
Fenrir's hulking figure advanced slowly toward Sirius, his feral eyes gleaming with primal hunger. Sirius failed spells doing little to deter the werewolf, who seemed impervious to the wizard's attempts to slow him.
Frustration building in him, Sirius's movements became swift and decisive. With a fluid wave of his wand, he directed his focus toward the surrounding trees and compelled the ancient trunks, their gnarled branches elongating and writhe like serpents seeking their prey. They snaked through the air, converging upon Fenrir, their woody tendrils coiling around the werewolf's massive shape.
The entwining branches tightened, forming a constricting web devoted to immobilizing Fenrir. Yet, undeterred by the temporary restraints, the relentless beast fought back with untamed fury. His muscles bulged with raw power as he strained against the wooden restraints, his primal instincts driving him to break free.
But Sirius was not ready to yield. He continued to wield his wand with unwavering resolve, summoning even more branches from the surrounding forest and making nature his own force. He directed his wand toward the ground beneath Fenrir's feet, shifting and transforming it from solid earth into treacherous quicksand, its insidious nature seeking to trap the werewolf in its murky depths.
As the ground quivered beneath Fenrir's weight, actively attempting to swallow him whole, the werewolf resisted. With a ferocious snarl, Fenrir bared his fangs and sank them deep into the restraining branches, his powerful jaws splintering the wood with a resounding crack. The once-constricting grip now weakened, the werewolf propelled himself upwards and escaped, freeing himself.
Just as Fenrir prepared to launch himself toward Sirius, a sudden commotion erupted in the garden behind him. Denise and Mikhail apparated their wands at the ready, unleashing a barrage of spells toward the menacing werewolf. In an instant, Fenrir's attention shifted from Sirius to the newfound threat, his primal instincts driving him to charge at the two interlopers instead.
With each spell they cast, Denise and Joan quickly realized the futility of their efforts. Their jolts of magic rebounding upon contact with Fenrir's impenetrable skin, leaving them momentarily bewildered. Mikhail stood dumbfounded; his eyes fixed on the advancing beast. Meanwhile, Denise valiantly continued her attempts to slow down Fenrir, though her spells seemed to be useless.
As the distance between them rapidly closed, Sirius's instincts kicked in. Seizing the sudden distraction, he apparated behind the charging werewolf, and wrapped his arms tightly around Fenrir's waist, forcefully taking him along in his disapparition to the first location that sprang to Sirius' mind.
In a dizzying blur of motion, they reappeared with a jarring impact on the rooftop of Brasov's council house tower. Gasping for breath, Sirius quickly shoved Fenrir away, narrowly evading the snapping jaws of the transformed werewolf. With a firm stance on the precarious rooftop, Sirius steadied himself, his heart pounding with adrenaline.
Aware that time was of the essence, Sirius raised his wand, his hand steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. His eyes locked onto Fenrir as the monstrous creature struggled to steady its weight on the roof. With a swift upward flick of his wand, Sirius made the roof tiles lift and swirl in a tempestuous dance before hurling the airborne tiles at Fenrir, their sharp edges glinting in the sunlight.
The improvised barrage forced the ferocious werewolf to instinctively shield himself from the incoming storm. Sirius seized the momentary respite, his determination unwavering, he pointed his wand directly at Fenrir's forehead, his voice ringing out with authority.
"HOMORPHUS!" he bellowed.
The spell erupted from the tip of his wand, and swift through the air to strike Fenrir square in the sinuses, causing the werewolf to growl in pain, his growls morphing into anguished howls as his body slowly but inevitably receded from his bestial hulking form to his human features. His hands clenched desperately at his face, his skin blistering from the effects of the spell.
Sensing an opportunity, Sirius hesitated only for a moment before swiftly tucking Denise's wand into his belt, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. Without further hesitation, Sirius lunged forward, his every step fueled by a fierce resolve. Charging towards the now-vulnerable Fenrir, he aimed to put an end to the chaos once and for all and the way it should.
Fenrir blinked in surprise as Sirius's fist connected with his face, the force of the blow causing him to stagger backward. With a snarl, the werewolf attempted to retaliate, his sharpened fingernails aiming to lacerate Sirius's face. However, Sirius swiftly evaded the attack, sidestepping with nimble agility. Seizing the moment, he delivered a powerful blow to Fenrir's liver, causing the beast to growl in pain.
Unyielding, Sirius continued his assault, a flurry of punches raining down upon Fenrir's body. He skillfully apparated around the werewolf, constantly shifting his position and pushing him towards the edge of the rooftop, all the while landing blow after blow. Between the strikes, Sirius taunted his adversary, "Is this the first time you've fought someone older than a five-year-old boy?" Sirius jeered, before landing his uppercut squarely on Fenrir's chin, propelling the werewolf off the rooftop, his body hurtling towards the square pavement below.
Fenrir let out a feral growl as he plummeted, the impact of his back crashing against the hard surface of the council square. Onlookers gasped in alarm, their screams filling the air as they witnessed the intense rooftop battle. Sirius swiftly followed, apparating to the square and violently trampling Fenrir's chest, his wand pointed menacingly at the werewolf's head. Silver handcuffs materialized, wrapping securely around Fenrir's wrists, ensuring his immobilization.
"It's over, Fenrir... You'll never hurt anyone again," Sirius declared with a firmness in his voice. Spitting blood, Fenrir's lips curled into a malevolent smirk as he responded defiantly, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"Kill me now, Black. Azkaban won't hold me forever... One day, I'll be out, and I swear I will butcher until you curse this day," Fenrir taunted, his voice dripping with the promise of future vengeance.
Sirius spat on his face, a mixture of anger and determination burning in his eyes. "That day, I'll swear I'll be the one on the hunt, and you won't find a hole deep enough to hide from me," he retorted, his voice laced with a chilling resolve.
As the commotion drew the attention of the gathered crowd, people began to surround them, capturing the scene with their cameras. The police attempted to make their way through the growing crowd, blowing their whistles in an effort to disperse the onlookers.
June 7, 1985,
2 pm:
A few hours later, Sirius slowly opened his eyes, his head throbbing with the familiar ache that had become all too common lately. As his vision cleared, he surveyed his surroundings, confirming his usual fate of waking up in unfamiliar places, accompanied by a pounding headache. He found himself lying on a small camp bed inside a dusty cabin, the air heavy with the scent of cardboard boxes. A chair had been pulled up next to a white plastic table, upon which sat a pizza box.
Attempting to rise from the bed, Sirius's movement was abruptly halted by the restraint of the handcuffs around his wrist. Frustration and determination flickered in his eyes as he considered transforming in order to free himself, but the sound of approaching footsteps accompanied by a soft voice caused him to pause.
"Did you sleep well, darling?" a man's voice inquired gently.
Sirius looked up to see the man drying his face with a towel, observing him silently as he folded the cloth and placed it on the table. Taking a seat on the chair beside the bed, the man spoke again.
"Sorry about the handcuffs, but after Hamburg and Bonn, I started to believe I wouldn't get any other chances," Remus, explained, his wand waving slightly to make the handcuffs vanish from Sirius's wrist.
"Remus... Is it really you?" Sirius questioned, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and disbelief.
"Would you like us to stay locked here until the next full moon to be sure?" Remus replied, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"What are you doing here?" Sirius inquired; his curiosity piqued.
"I am obviously here because you are," Remus responded, his tone carrying a hint of lightheartedness.
"No, I mean, what are we doing here... I was expecting a different outcome for our next meeting... Especially after the last one," Sirius explained, his expression conveying a sense of longing.
"That's why the handcuffs were necessary," Remus said, understanding dawning in his eyes.
"Alright... So, what now?" Sirius asked, his voice laced with anticipation.
"They must have finished rebuilding the council house roof and obliviated everyone in Brasov by now, so I suppose we could go for a drink," Remus suggested, reaching into his pockets to check for something.
"What...are you talking about?" Sirius whispered.
"Well, it's only 2 in the afternoon, and I've just finished eating. You know how I am the day after a full moon night... So, I hope you don't mind snacking on something until dinner, right?" Remus said.
"Stop with the nonsense!" Sirius shouted at him.
Remus chuckled and tossed a copy of the Daily Prophet at his face. Sirius caught the newspaper and glanced at the front page, which displayed Fenrir Greyback in an Azkaban uniform, complete with an inmate number. Then, his eyes shifted to the headline above the picture.
"National hero Sirius Black ends Fenrir Greyback's killing spree!"
"Wait until I'm done reading it before drooling over it, please," Remus said.
"Hero..." Sirius whispered, slowly looking up at Remus, his expression confused.
"It's the word used to describe someone who has performed a dangerous or extraordinary task for the good of another person or community," Remus explained.
Sirius stared blankly at him before asking, "And I fit that description?"
"At least for a Norman village, another in Germany, and Brasov since this morning," Remus replied.
"I don't follow..." Sirius said, glancing back at the Daily Prophet.
"That might be your snail's IQ at work... Sirius, the reason why I didn't kill you, nor you're already back in prison, is because you've been cleared for over a month now," Remus clarified.
"What?!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Peter got captured and confessed everything in his trial... He explained how and why he joined Voldemort, pushed us to turn against each other, became the secret keeper instead of you, and framed you for the mass murder in London... Everything," Remus revealed.
"You must be kidding me!" Sirius exclaimed.
"No, I'm not... The news has traveled around the world, and the Aurors, who initially had orders to kill you on sight, received new orders to bring you in alive and only alive," Remus said, taking a sip from his flask. He then asked, "Remember Kingsley?"
"Tall, black, boring?" Sirius asked.
"The same one... He became an Auror, and a good one. Apparently, he didn't buy the initial story and summoned me for questioning at the Auror's office in London. The next time I heard of him, he had built a solid case before going to Mad-Eye and Crouch, and it led to Dolohov's arrest," Remus explained.
"Antonin Dolohov?" Sirius asked.
"Yes... That moron incriminated himself by telling an incoherent story to cover for Peter and bring you down. After the trial, I suppose my answers confirmed Kingsley's, mine, and Dumbledore's doubts... So, hearing your side of the story became crucial, and Dumbledore asked me to capture you before the Aurors," Remus continued.
"And you miserably failed!" Sirius interjected.
"I searched for you for a year... We received intelligence suggesting you were in Angola, so I went looking for you there, then to South Africa before heading to Chile... Until Dumbledore called me back home after Peter was captured," Remus explained.
"How did Peter get captured?" Sirius asked.
"You'll never guess," Remus replied.
"He tripped and fell right in front of the Auror's office, hands tied behind his back?" Sirius suggested.
"That's the best you can come up with?" Remus retorted.
"Azkaban matured me," Sirius quipped.
"Well, that must be the reason... So, just so you know, your cousin captured Peter," Remus revealed.
"Andromeda?" Sirius asked, surprised.
"No, your other cousin," Remus clarified.
"NARCISSA?!" Sirius exclaimed, even more surprised.
"Are you stupid? No! Nymphadora and another kid from Hogwarts," Remus explained.
"I don't have any cousin named Nymphadora," Sirius said, shaking his head.
"Then she'll be glad to hear that she put her sickles into a reward for a guy who denies her existence," Remus remarked.
"I seriously don't know her... And what reward are you talking about?" Sirius inquired.
"Nymphadora is Andromeda's daughter... Anyways, Peter pretended to be a rat to get adopted by a wizard family," Remus disclosed.
"THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THAT SON OF A BITCH WOULD DO! HE'S NOT WORTH ANY BETTER! HE HAS NO DIGNITY! AND..." Sirius shouted before Remus interrupted him.
"Are you done?" Remus asked.
"Sorry, but thinking about him makes me want to vomit and burn the world... Go on, tell me how he spent years locked in a cage, eating grains, drinking water no one changed for a week, and how he found himself in a disturbed family with a kid who loves torturing his pets... Don't spare any details," Sirius said.
"Quite the opposite... He got adopted by a loving family, and the kid who found him loves animals... A bit too much according to McGonagall," Remus said.
"There is no justice in this world," Sirius sighed.
"You'll feel better after knowing that he's currently locked in your old cell in Azkaban," Remus said.
"I am... So, tell me how the best little cousin in the world managed to nab him," Sirius said.
"You didn't know she existed two minutes ago," Remus remarked.
"The best in the world," Sirius insisted.
"Alright... Call it fate if you want, but she's best friends with the kid who adopted Peter. They cast a spell on him that must have forced him to reveal himself. One thing led to another, and Ted Tonks knocked him out before alerting Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic," Remus explained, taking another sip from his drink. "He woke up in a cell at the Ministry, where he stayed until his trial."
"Who were his judges?" Sirius inquired.
"Dumbledore, Crouch, and Bagnold," Remus replied.
"Good, tell me more... What happened next?" Sirius asked.
"They sent him to Azkaban, end of the story... If you feel better, we should go to the Balasko's. A portkey will take us back to London tomorrow morning," Remus suggested, standing up.
"I'm not going back to England," Sirius declared, shaking his head.
"Why not?" Remus questioned.
"I still have things to do before... First, I have to go to Germany and see a friend who's been in trouble because of me," Sirius explained.
"Oh... Didn't I tell you?" Remus asked, settling back into his chair. "After the trial, you also had a hearing to clarify what happened in France and Germany after you escaped."
"A hearing?" Sirius repeated.
"That's what I said... Again, everybody was present," Remus confirmed.
"Are you sure?" Sirius questioned.
"Yes... All the Wizengamot, heads of departments, delegations from the French and German Ministries of Magic, the press, heads of houses... Everyone," Remus listed, counting on his fingers.
"Was the defendant present? Did the accused have a chance to speak?" Sirius inquired.
"I'm afraid he was occupied playing with dolls with twelve-year-old children across Europe," Remus replied. "People came forward to testify on your behalf..."
"Like who?" Sirius asked.
"The villagers you saved from that massacre in De Reis' crypt... They came along with representatives from the French Ministry of Magic. Can you believe it? Muggles in the ministry? I mean, those who were released from the psychiatric ward," Remus explained.
"Who else?" Sirius inquired.
"Your friend Alexa came with her mother and four other girls. Her testimony seemed never-ending; she spoke for an hour, and we had to take a break when she started crying..." Remus shared.
"Yeah, she tends to do that quite often," Sirius nodded.
"After we resumed, we had to stop again when she called Crouch a Nazi. However, she recounted everything you did for her, and the other girls confirmed her story," Remus continued, looking uncomfortable. He then asked, "She seemed very attached to you..."
"Yes, we became very close. I slept on the floor of her bedroom for weeks," Sirius revealed.
"And the age difference is..." Remus trailed off, but Sirius gave him a stern glare.
"SHUT UP! She's just a kid. We helped each other, I trained her, THAT'S IT! The mere thought of anything else disgusts me! You're a pervert! Disgusting werewolf! I should punch you!" Sirius lashed out.
"Sirius! I was joking!" Remus quickly responded.
"Well, it's not funny! If someone my age tries anything with her or my cousin, I'll kill him!" Sirius declared.
"Good to know, and I apologize if I offended you. I'm sorry! By the way, she received formal apologies from the German Ministry, a medal, and Dumbledore offered her a place at Hogwarts. Even though the board had objections due to her not being British, the Ministry of Magic gave Dumbledore the green light," Remus informed.
"So, she's in Scotland now?" Sirius questioned.
"No! She declined the offer. She wants to stay close to her parents and make a name for herself in her own academy... Although she mentioned that the two of you need to talk," Remus revealed.
"I'm relieved... I was afraid I had messed up her life. But Remus... the timelines don't add up. I've been here for two months, and news of Peter's capture has spread worldwide," Sirius pointed out.
"Think, Sirius, think!" Remus urged.
Sirius stared at him in silence, his thoughts racing as he recalled the sudden shift in everyone's behavior within the house a few weeks ago. Finally, he spoke with a dark tone, "Oh... I'm going to murder each and every one of them."
"Ludvik mentioned that part of your deal was for him not to report you to the ministry as long as you upheld your end of the bargain. He held up his part," Remus explained, shrugging nonchalantly.
"That's because he cunningly made me believe I was still a wanted man! The jerk manipulated me into staying... Wait a moment! Didn't you mention something about a reward?" Sirius inquired.
"Yes, you were acquitted, but nobody knew your whereabouts... So, your friends pooled their resources to offer a reward for your safe return. Dumbledore, Hagrid, McGonagall, Andromeda, her daughter, her friend, and I... even your house-elf contributed," Remus revealed.
"Kreacher?" Sirius frowned, puzzled.
"Yes, he donated a pound of mouse droppings, claiming he personally weighed it," Remus replied.
"Seven people... I thought Frank and Alice and the other members of the Order would have joined in..." Sirius commented.
"They would have if they could," Remus clarified.
"What do you mean?" Sirius pressed.
"The day you were arrested, Bellatrix tortured them into insanity, and ever since, they've been confined to St. Mungo's Hospital. Bellatrix, the Lestrange brothers, and Crouch's child received life sentences in Azkaban for their crimes," Remus disclosed.
"So, that's why they were arrested? I remember seeing them pass my cell when they arrived at Azkaban... The child died in his cell. If I recall correctly, they had a daughter, right?" Sirius inquired.
"No, a son... Neville. He's now living with his grandparents," Remus corrected.
"Neville? Are you sure?" Sirius sought confirmation.
"Yes... Neville," Remus affirmed.
"Okay... But the reward explains why they lied to me... Those bastards divided the money among themselves. Now that you mention it, their attitudes toward me changed in these past few weeks... And I was foolish to believe I could have won them over," Sirius admitted with a hint of bitterness.
"I highly doubt he split it with them; rather, he likely blackmailed them in some way. By the way, you owe me five hundred gold galleons. Although, I'm not in a hurry, take your time," Remus said, a touch of humor in his voice.
"I never asked anyone to offer a reward on my behalf! So, you won't see a single coin from me!" Sirius declared.
"I'm not talking about the reward... Balasko kept a record of all the expenses during the time you stayed at his house, including food and other costs... He had a bill prepared for me when I arrived. There's another bill from someone named Dominic... Did you really spend so much on six bottles of scotch?" Remus asked, annoyance evident in his voice.
"Oh, Remus... You're so adorable... So easy to scam... Don't worry, I've learned quite a lot that could cause him a great deal of trouble, so you'll get your gold back. I promise," Sirius reassured him. Then, he looked Remus up and down before saying, "By the way, how did you pay? I mean, no offense, but you can barely afford food... Wait a minute... Remus Rachelle Lupin, are you prostituting yourself?"
"My middle name is Jon," Remus corrected him.
"RACHELLE!" Sirius exclaimed.
"I am not a prostitute... I work at Hogwarts. I am Dumbledore's personal assistant," Remus explained.
"You mean, like a teacher?" Sirius inquired, with a frown.
"I do substitute for some teachers when they're unavailable. I have a salary and enjoy the privileges that the staff receives. However, I don't live in the castle! I bought a small apartment in Hogsmeade. It's close to Hogwarts and the Shrieking Shack. You'll understand why," Remus clarified.
"Professor Lupin... That's even worse than prostitution! You've switched sides! It's treason!" Sirius accused.
"Is it?" Remus raised an eyebrow in response.
"Yes but forget about it... Tell me about Harry. Where is he? What is he like? I want to know everything!" Sirius requested, leaning back with his hands folded behind his head.
"He's doing well," Remus replied.
"I didn't expect him to be dead, but I want more details..." Sirius pressed.
"That's all I know!" Remus insisted.
"What do you mean, that's all you know? When was the last time you saw him?" Sirius questioned.
"He lives with his aunt. Dumbledore has strictly forbidden any kind of contact between the magical world and Harry. He explained that interfering with the magic protecting him could have serious consequences, and Petunia made it a condition for accepting him into her home. Dumbledore insists that we must respect it," Remus explained.
"A condition to take in her own nephew? Her murdered sister's baby?" Sirius asked, incredulous.
"Yes," Remus confirmed.
"So, if I understand correctly, you've never visited him... And Petunia isn't happy to have him in her house," Sirius concluded.
"Put yourself in her shoes... Consider what happened to Frank and Alice. She has a son of her own, and we don't know how many Death Eaters are still at large. Think about what Fenrir has done to children in recent years! When you escaped, we thought you would go straight to the Dursleys!" Remus justified.
"Why didn't you bring him with you? You have a place now, a steady income, and you live just ten minutes away from the most powerful wizard in the world. I don't think he would refuse to keep an eye on a child for one night a month!" Sirius suggested.
"Do you think I didn't try? I attempted to visit, but as soon as I set foot on Privet Drive, Mad-Eye appeared behind me and stunned me!" Remus replied, frustration evident in his voice.
"Alright... Let's not argue... I am his legal guardian. As soon as I return to England, I'll go get him," Sirius declared, rising from the bed.
"Dumbledore will oppose you on that! He won't allow it," Remus warned.
"Dumbledore, Dumbledore... I couldn't care less about him. James and Lily chose me to be Harry's godfather, not Petunia or Dumbledore. So, they can both go jump off a cliff! By the way, what is this place?" Sirius asked, glancing at the boxes.
"It's a cabin in the woods that Ludvik uses to store his contraband," Remus explained.
"Of course..." Sirius muttered, grasping the doorknob. But before he opened the door, he turned to face Remus and said, "I almost forgot. Greyback did something strange. He transformed even though the sun had already risen."
"That's impossible," Remus exclaimed.
"Why would I lie? And his form was very different from yours when you transform... More human... Do you have any idea about it?" Sirius inquired.
Remus looked at him with confusion before replying, "No... I have no idea what you're talking about. But wait a second before we go!" he added, halting Sirius from leaving.
"What is it?" Sirius asked.
"Where have you been this past year? I searched everywhere for you!" Remus questioned.
"I was at home," Sirius replied, before pulling the door open.
Sirius and Remus departed from the confines of the cabin, their footsteps fading away as they dissolved into the ether through their disapparition. Unbeknownst to them, two enigmatic figures lingered in the shadows, observing their departure with a calculated gaze. Veiled by the dense tapestry of the forest, the onlookers remained concealed, their presence a clandestine secret amidst the vast expanse of nature's embrace.
"When will we finally accord him the earnest regard he deserves?", Maldrek's inquiry echoed through the night, tinged with contemplation.
Varjanas responded with a calm demeanor, asserting, "This night's events are merely coincidental occurrences."
Maldrek, leaning against a sturdy tree, leaned into the conversation, infusing his words, "Then, it seems that Sirius Black's life is a prolonged sequence of perilous coincidences. Unless we wish to court the unleashing of cataclysm through the next fortuity, I propose that we take decisive action and end his existence now."
"One hundred thousand years ago, we swore to honor and uphold the decisions we make as a council.", Varjanas reminded Maldrek.
Maldrek, ever perceptive, artfully discerned, "Even in your demeanor, eminence Varjanas, one cannot entirely conceal the shadow of concern or doubt. Correct me if I err, but you perceive in him the same determination as in his predecessor."
"Doubt shall always act as shield for prudence.", Varjanas, replied.
Curiosity burning bright, Maldrek probed further, "What visions have unveiled themselves to your perceptive gaze?"
Varjanas, with candid admission, confessed, "Nothing... I receive elusive images, shrouded in confusion. Their meaning eludes me, and so I have ceased my attempts to decipher them, lest my judgment be tainted by their enigmatic nature.", his fingers brushing his blindfold.
Suddenly, a voice, bearing a weight of insight, emerged from the darkness, casting a profound shadow upon their conversation, "As centuries wane, the pattern persists, unaltered. The alliance is reborn, only to crumble beneath the weight of its own hubris, aftermath of drawing our heavens' vigilant gaze."
Varjanas, caught off guard by the unexpected appearance, acknowledged with a modicum of surprise, "Nekhbet, your presence in this realm was unforeseen."
"Black and Greyback's dangerous proximity to Albania ignited my concern, impelling me to ascertain Riddle's enduring presence. With Pettigrew now indisposed, I have released Nagini into that realm.", Nekhbet, embodying a sense of calculated vigilance, explained his purpose.
"Nagini... I had forgotten about her. How long has she languished under your watchful eye?", Varjanas inquired.
"Forty years... Fifteen years ago, she underwent an irreversible transformation, and yet I kept her, awaiting an opportune moment to harness her potential.", Nekhbet revealed.
Varjanas concurred, his tone carrying urgency, "Very well... I have summoned the council for an emergency convocation. It seems that our purpose in this place has reached its zenith." He gestured toward the dark stain that began to spread upon his skin, signifying the pressing nature of their circumstances.
Nekhbet, as a harbinger of insight, unveiled her discovery, "As suspected, Ravenclaw has cast a curse akin to the one that veils us from accessing Hogwarts and the other sanctuaries."