Author's Note:
Wow! Thank you for over 700 reviews on fanfiction and over 400 on Ao3. Thank you very much!
I'm happy to hear everyone loved the bonus chapter too! The predictions are getting fun and I love seeing how many of you guessed right and how many of you guessed very wrong!
Reviews and Comments: To Joycefoes3: Am I going to let Sirius die a second time? Well, you will have to read to find that out. You thought the key was the answer to wake up Zee, well it is, kind of. Thank you! To corneliastreet_28: Thank you very much! I love knowing I've kept you on your toes! To BigMackie: But it was a bonus chapter so technically the wait is less than it would have been lol. Thanks for loving the brother bonding time. As to Bellatrix and Crouch hurting Remus or Tonks or Teddy, well, we will see. Thank you! To briana_t: Thanks for loving the brother scene, I also adore their dynamic. Yes, Harry had the key the whole time! I'm glad it was a surprise. You think there's no way I'll give Sirius back and then take him away again? We will have to see. Thank you! To MotherofKatie: Thank you very much! To Maari: You're welcome for the extra chapter this week. Thanks for loving my brotherly moment with Harry and Bill and no, Harry is maturing and he's not going to hide any more. Yes, Sirius is good at breaking hearts lol. You think they should use one of the Death Eaters as a sacrifice? Interesting. Thank you! To19HuffleClaws: You think Crouch really did attack the Handbag lady to get her hair to get to Remus through the Hogwarts Board of Governors? Very interesting. You think McGonagall will sacrifice herself to save Sirius and Zee? Hmm. We will have to see. Thank you! To GABRIELAGPGP1988: Happy to make you laugh with the conversation with Harry and the brothers. You also think McGonagall will sacrifice herself? Interesting. Thank you very much!
To AQuickRead91: LOL. Sorry, you can't refuse the chapter. Thank you! To katelyn453: Thank you very much! To kyciona: You know what I'm doing? You think it will be another mother sacrificing her life in exchange for her son's happiness? Interesting. Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: I know, a little cliffhanger. Bellatrix and Crouch are of course plotting something terrible. I'm sorry to make you wait. You thought Remus and Tonks were out of the woods but now you're not so sure, huh? Interesting. Thank you for saying I'm "an amazing writer, but damn we went from cock jokes and sex toys to Sirius about to die AGAIN." What can I say? I like to keep people on their toes. Thank you! To ahlem stelena: This chapter will probably make you cry, so sorry in advance if you cried in the last one. Thank you! To Tmrpotterhead250: Yes, we are os close! Not knowing whether to laugh or cry seems like a fair reaction. You think Sirius is going to live but he and Zee will be forever connected therefore if one dies, they both will. Interesting. The Weasley brother bonding time is always fun to write. Bill is a great big brother and it was fun to show that. Yes, we will see some of the press reaction to his no longer using glamour charms lol. Thanks for loving Harry's comeback. Luna will meet Rolf in the future, yes. The same will happen for Draco and Astoria. They will be in the epilogues. You think Teddy will be safe, but you're not sure about Remus and Tonks? Interesting. Thank you very much!
To Nuno Neves: Thank you! I'm happy to provide drama, comedy, and suspense all in one. Yes, the moment with Harry and Sirius was meant to be heartbreaking, knowing they are about to say goodbye to each other all over again. I'm sorry it made you cry. Thanks for loving my brotherly get together with Harry and his brothers. Having Bill know what Harry's plans are just made sense to me. As to Harry saying that to the Weasleys, they are brothers to him and he knows it's a safe space. You're really scared for Remus, Tonks, and Teddy? Hmm. Thank you! To minerdude: You think it's leaning towards Minnie making the sacrifice? Interesting. Thank you! To Nightwing2013: Thanks for loving the sibling banter, I do love knowing I can provide some laughs. I thought I mentioned the glamours and disillusionments in ASC, yes. Yes, Luna is taking her PLANTS as she's going to be a Naturalist. Thanks for loving how I write her. I find Luna very difficult to write. Yes, a lot of buildup for a cliffhanger. Thank you! To alix33: Sorry the meeting with Fiadh and Donal left you distraught. It definitely isn't fair that Harry has to lose Sirius again. Thank you! To TJ Law: Jaw hitting the floor is a definite compliment. Thank you! Yes, Harry had the key the whole time. If Sirius doesn't survive bringing Zee back, you won't recover? Well, no pressure lol. Thank you! To Sunny JS: I'm sorry you felt the whole glamour thing wasn't worth being mentioned. Thanks for loving the rest of the chapter. Thank you! To MinervaMcGee: I may have a diabolical side to me. I do love to call myself Evil Queen. Thank you!
To scrappy8: Thank you! You think Luna is right and Harry will know when the time is right? And you think Harry will get to keep both Sirius and Zee in the end? Interesting. Thank you! To Read and Fly: If I touch the Lupins you will never forgive me, check. It's true if either Remus or Tonks dies, their mated bond will leave the other suffering without their mate. Yes, the Weasley brothers are all so fun and yes, Bill is a great big brother to help Harry. You think Minnie will sacrifice herself or Harry will interrupt the sacrifice before Sirius goes through with it? Interesting. Thank you very much! To Quill will 1981: Thank you! Yes, the Weasley brother time was much needed for Harry. I like knowing they know what he needs best. Don't kill Sirius. We will have to wait and see. You're welcome for the early update. Thank you! To Bludgerknight: Don't kill Sirius again? We will have to wait and see what happens. Thank you! To Anduriel Black: Haha, no, I can't make the chapters infinite. I'm still finishing up the epilogues (which are crazy long btw). Thank you! To charmshield7: Yes, something is happening lol. You're welcome for the extra chapter. Thank you! To Hanacide: You need there to be a twist where everyone lives and is happy lol. As to not breaking your heart again, I cannot promise that. Thank you! To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Yes, they are going try to save Zee. As to Sirius not sacrificing himself, well we will see. Thank you very much! To A Huge Fan: It did take a turn. Thanks for loving the brothers night. Crouch and Bellatrix definitely want to hurt the Lupins. Thank you very much!
To The cat with blue eyes: You think McGonagall is going to be the one to sacrifice herself? Interesting. We will see. Thank you! To MrsHJSnape: Yes, Harry did have the right key. You think Minnie will take the place of Sirius to save Zee? Interesting. We will have to see. As to Bellatrix and Crouch dying a painful death, they do deserve it. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: Yes, Donal and Fiadh did know a lot more than expected. Thank you loving the unlikely friendship between Fred and Donal. Bill is a great older brother and I love including Harry in their brothers' night. Thanks for loving Harry's sass. Yes, if Zee's appearing in Sirius' dreams, time is running out. Luna, Colin, and Ginny are all making plans to move on. Thanks for loving Harry having the key the whole time. You're 100% sure that Bellatrix's life will be sacrificed for Zee's? Interesting. Thank you! Unfortunately Dusk didn't have time to join me on my journey with TTTC so I have no beta and I don't even know if she's reading lol. (I hope so though). Thank you! To ellyann13: Weasley brothers night was scheduled for Harry as it wouldn't be a brother's night with Molly there. No, McGonagall is not descended from royalty. Luna is very wise, yes. Thank you. To Sets: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy Donal's questioning of his sister's taste when it comes to Fred lol. Thank you!
To tim2604: Harry was exactly where he was needed with the brother's night, you're right. Yes, Bill is insightful and he knows where Harry's mind is at. Haha, yes Harry and the key the whole time. You think Minnie is going to sacrifice herself for Sirius and Crouch and Bella will make a move on Remus and Tonks at the worst possible time? Interesting. Don't worry, we will have more Hinny smut soon(ish). Thank you! To bandhoez9194: Sorry to make you freak out. Thanks for loving the brother chat and yes, they really do need to gang up on Fred more lol. Percy will definitely never live that down haha. Thank you! To Mrs_Norway: True love is selfless, Sirius is right. Thank you very much! To Bellmel: Thanks for saying the scene with Harry and the Weasley men was "pure fucking gold." Harry definitely has the ability to shut all of them down when he talks about his sister. Yes "he never overplays, he never carries on about it. He just pulls out one perfectly executed line as necessary, and shuts it all done. Job done." Well said, thank you! Thank you for saying this chapter, on Sirius' part, was full of "stellar power emotion quotes." Sirius is smart, even if it's hard to hear. Crouch is definitely extremely creepy. Thank you very much!
My posting schedule: Weekly.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:
The One With Love's Sacrifice
Sirius watched Harry leave, his heart breaking at the thought of leaving his son behind. He knew that it was unfair to Harry, but he also knew that he needed to do this. Zee was the one who was still alive and while he lived, he'd also been brought back from the dead and that was something that shouldn't have happened.
He didn't have a lot to take care of. Harry was heading out to pick up Mina and Leo from nursery school and was going to drop them off with Colt and Flo at Zee's old cottage while they took care of this. He was also sending word out to Sorcha to meet them at the hospital and then heading to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to fill in his partner, Robards, and Kingsley on the plan; leaving Sirius to take some time to process his goodbyes. Sirius' previous will had given away everything to whom he wished and this time around he hadn't done anything outside of spending time with his family.
But there was one thing he wanted to do before he died.
Sirius found the memory chest in the sun room. He brought it over to the small table and placed it down in front of him before finding some paper and one of Zee's Muggle pens. The first thing he did was grab his wand and begin to transfer memories.
Not just any old memories, but the ones that he'd slowly begun to retain over the last few weeks: Meeting James and Lily in the afterlife, the first time he met Mina and Leo, various moments with Mina and Leo over the last few weeks, giving Harry the Potter ring, watching Mina and Leo sleep, and so many more. When he finished, he picked up the pen and began to write.
30th April, 1999
Dear Mina and Leo,
I know you won't remember me, but I can promise you that I will remember you. You are my greatest joy and despite not getting the opportunity to be here when you were born, I was given a third chance at life and given a chance to meet you and spend almost two months with you when you were only two years old. You're smart and beautiful and I will always love you.
I want you both to know that I love your mother more than I've ever loved anyone in my life. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to leave you, but my life ended years ago and this… this was never supposed to happen. The only reason I was even given this opportunity was because Harry, my godson and son of my heart, saved me. One day, I hope he'll tell you the story.
Harry loves you very much and I know that he's going to be the best big brother you could ask for (or fun uncle). I raised him along with Uncle Moony and knowing that he's going to be there for you is a big weight off of my shoulders. If you ever need anything, you go to him. He will always be there for you.
I love you both very much. I never thought that I would get the chance to have my own children and you two were an incredible surprise. Love each other. Take care of each other. I will always be with you and in your heart.
I love you.
Love Always,
Dad
PS — I've enclosed some memories here that I hope you'll see one day. I will leave them in Harry's care to give to you when you're older. I hope they make you smile and feel as loved as you are.
He folded up the note and put it in an envelope with their names on it before starting another one.
30th April, 1999
Dear Leo,
When I look at you, it amazes me how much you look like your mother. You have my dark hair, but your mother's curls (albeit more wavy) and your mother's beautiful brown eyes. I know you're going to grow up to be a handsome devil as Harry can attest, you are my son after all.
Right now, you are two years old and I can already see that spark of intelligence, the desire to learn, and the ability to be someone worthwhile. I don't care what you decide to do with your life, whether you decide to be the next Minister of Magic or decide to do something a little less stressful, I know you will excel at whatever it is.
The Black Family name hasn't always meant good things in the past. Our family has done some things that I'm not proud of and I struggled being the eldest son of the Black family. I learned that family doesn't always mean blood and that sometimes doing what's right isn't always easy, but I found my own family with the Potters and in turn, I found myself.
Life can be hard. It can be unfair. It can be cruel. I don't have a lot of advice to give, but I will say this: Don't give up. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to dream. You can be anything or anyone you want to be. There is no wrong answer as long as you're happy. I want nothing more than for you to be who you want to be.
Fall in love. Make mistakes. Grow up. And most of all, love yourself.
Be proud of who you are, Leo. You're named after one of the constellations of the zodiac (it's kind of a Black tradition to name family members after the stars). Leo the Lion with its bright stars and distinctive shape that holds other constellations within its midst including that of Regulus, my younger brother who was taken from this world too young when he stood up for what was right. You were also named Mikhail, for the incredible Auror who was your grandfather. Misha was an amazing man and I know that if were here today, he would be so proud of you, Leo. And finally you were named Sirius, for me: The dog-star. It's an honour to have my name alongside of yours.
Watch out for your sister, Leo. Stand up for her. Protect her. Be the brother she deserves.
I will always be proud of you. I will always love you. I will always be with you. Keep me close to your heart and remember, I'm always by your side.
Love Always,
Dad
He sealed up Leo's letter in an envelope before taking out a third piece of paper.
30th April, 1999
Dear Mina,
My beautiful baby girl with curls like her mother and my eyes… I never thought I would be blessed to have children and you and Leo bring me more joy than I can express. I know you're going to grow up to be just as smart, stubborn, and beautiful as your mother and I can't wait to see where the world takes you.
Right now you are two years old and I can see the beginning of your personality taking hold. You're curious and you're smart and I know that when you grow up, you will do what you seek out to do.
You are a Black and while the Black family hasn't always been known for it's good deeds, I know you will help change that. Be who you want to be and don't let anyone tell you that you can't be who you want. Be proud of who you are, Mina.
You're named after some pretty amazing women starting with Minerva McGonagall. She's the current Headmistress of Hogwarts and my old Transfiguration professor and Head of Gryffindor House. You might think it's strange to have named you after a teacher, but she changed my life. She showed me that I could be who I wanted to be. She helped me make my found family and most of all, she believed in me even when others didn't. She's one of the bravest, kindest, and most stubborn women that I know and I love her like a mum. You're going to grow up calling her grandma and that's the biggest honour I could ever bestow upon a woman who did so much for me and asked for nothing in return. Then of course, there's Euphemia. Euphemia Potter, Harry's grandmother. She was a mum to be when I didn't know I needed one. She gave me a home and a safe place to stay and there was no one more beautiful on the inside and out than our Fee. And lastly, Magnolia, your grandmother on your mother's side. I never had the opportunity to meet her as she died when your mother was young, but from what I know, she was a strong, independent woman, unafraid to jump for what she wanted. Zee gets that from her and I hope you will get that one day as well.
Life can be hard. It can be unfair. It can be cruel. I don't have a lot of advice to give, but I will say this: Don't give up. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to dream. You can be anything or anyone you want to be. There is no wrong answer as long as you're happy. I want nothing more than for you to be who you want to be.
Fall in love. Make mistakes. Grow up. And most of all, love yourself.
Watch out for your brother, Mina. Stand up for him. Protect him. Be the sister he deserves.
I will always be proud of you. I will always love you. I will always be with you. Keep me close to your heart and remember, I'm always by your side.
Love Always,
Dad
When he sealed up Mina's letter, he wiped a stray tear from his eyes before he started another, this one to Zee.
30th April, 1999
Dear Zee,
What can I say that you don't already know? I love you. I love you more than I ever imagined I could love another person. My love for you consumed me and it terrified me. Meeting you, moving in with you, proposing to you… it was some of the best things in my life. I only wish that I could have married you.
Coming back from the dead was… difficult to say the least. Life has been hard to process, what I missed and what I'm doing back. Knowing that I will be giving it all up to save you is what really matters. You deserve this life, Zahira, and as much as I wish I could stay and spend it with you, I know that my time has passed. What's dead should stay dead.
Mina and Leo are beautiful. I love them more than anything and I'm so proud and so grateful to you for them. You gave me everything I wanted and even more that I didn't know I needed.
I may be the star, but you're the universe that makes me shine brightly.
I love you. I will always love you. Take care of our children, especially Harry. He thinks he doesn't need you, but he does. Be the mum I know you are and show him how much.
I will always with be you. I love you.
Love Always,
Your Sirius
Tears were actively rolling down his cheeks now as he started his final letter with a shaky hand.
30th April 1999
Dear Harry,
I know you know why I'm doing this and I know that you hate it. I know you feel like I'm abandoning you, but you know that this is the only way. Raising you has been the biggest privilege of my life and I can say with absolute certainty that not only are Moony and I so proud of you, but so are James and Lily.
When I was dead, I was with them. We checked in on your from time to time and the pride and love they have for you is more than I can say. I may not be your father by blood, but in my heart, you will always be my son.
I love you. I'm so proud of the man you grew to be, of the man I know you will continue to be. I wish I could stay and see it all. However, I can offer a few words of wisdom that I hope you'll consider.
Love Ginny with all of your heart. Never forget to tell her you love her. And when you give her the Potter ring, try to keep your clothes on (no one likes a naked proposal). The day you hold your firstborn in your hands, remember that Sirius is a great name as it belongs to a star. And lastly, all jokes aside: Be a man who can be proud of himself because I will always be proud of you.
Tell Zee that I love her.
Tell Mina and Leo about their father.
And most of all, never forget that I am always with you as long as you keep me in your heart.
Love Always,
Uncle Sirius
PS — I added some memories to the memory chest that I hope you will one day share with Mina and Leo so that they can know how much their father loved them. I will ask you to give them these letters when they are older and when you think it's the right time. Thank you for letting me be your dad and thank you for looking out for Mina and Leo as I have no doubt you will. I love you, Harry.
When he folded up Harry's letter and sealed it into an envelope, his hand was cramping as he hastily wiped away his tears. He left the envelopes on the table with Harry's on the top before he stood up on shaky legs. Padfoot nudged his knee and he reached down to pet the dog automatically.
"Yeah, I'll miss you too, Padfoot."
Sirius let out a slow sigh before he headed next door to where Colt and Flo were watching Mina and Leo. He said a few words to them and when Colt pulled him close and told him that he was a brave man, he blinked back tears again.
"She's going to come home to you, I promise."
Colt kissed Sirius' cheek. "I only wish we weren't going to lose you as well."
Sirius only gave him a tight smile before he hugged Flo. "Thank you for everything."
"No," Flo whispered. "Thank you. I… I may not understand what you're doing, but I can't imagine how hard it is."
"She belongs here, I don't," Sirius said simply. "Not anymore."
Then he knelt down on the floor to see his children. He hugged Mina and Leo tightly, kissing their cheeks as he nuzzled them close.
"I love you both so very much. Never forget that, all right? I love you."
"Dada, pway!" Mina said.
"I can't play right now, baby girl." He kissed her cheek again and then snuggled Leo once more. "I love you."
"Dada," Leo said.
He blew them each one more kiss before he stood up and left the cottage without a backwards glance.
It was time to save Zee.
~ TTTC ~
Ginny stepped into Remus' office with her assignment bundled in her hand. She didn't have to hand it in until Monday but she saw that Remus was still in his office Friday evening when she returned to the castle and thought she'd pop in. She'd played an afternoon match against the Chudley Cannons and Holyhead had wiped the floor with them.
In fact, it had been the fastest Quidditch match that Ginny had ever played in her life. The entire match had only lasted six minutes. Holyhead scored twice before Buckingham had captured the Golden Snitch, securing Holyhead the win with one hundred and seventy points to zero. Ginny was still kind of in shock over the quickness of the match.
She knocked her knuckles against the doorjamb of Remus' office with a small smile. "Knock, knock."
"Ginny!" Remus exclaimed in surprise. "Didn't you just leave for a match?"
"Already won," she said with a grin. "Fastest match I've ever played. It only lasted six minutes."
"Wow," Remus said. "No wonder I missed it when I put the wireless on. Did Harry make it?"
Ginny shook her head. "No. He was writing his A2 examination today and then spending the afternoon with Sirius. What are you still doing here? It's almost six."
Remus shuffled some papers on his desk. "I'm a bit behind in my grading. Dora's working late so I figured I'd keep Teddy here with me for a bit to get some stuff done. What's that?"
Ginny held up the bundle in her hand. "My assignment. I finished early and thought I might drop it off with you now. With how hectic the weekend is going to be, it's one less thing to think about."
"Yes, I suppose it will be," Remus agreed.
This Sunday was the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic was putting a celebration together to honour the fallen and to praise the end of the war. The Minister of Magic would be there along with many others and Ginny knew it was going to be a big day, not to mention an emotional one.
Colin's photography book of the battle was being released that same day and he'd already received a few hundred copies in advance to sell at the anniversary. He was going to donate the money to the Ministry of Magic's Wall of Heroes which gave money to the families who had lost a loved one in the Battle of Hogwarts. It was going to be a very emotional day for everyone involved.
Ginny had spoken to her brothers about doing something to honour their father that day as well and they decided to have a family dinner at the Burrow after the celebration. The seven of them had ordered a stone to be put out in their mother's garden that read:
Those we love don't go away.
They walk beside us every day.
Unseen. Unheard, but always near.
Still loved, still missed, and very dear.
Arthur Septimus Weasley
1951-1998
Ginny thought it was perfect and she knew that it would make their mother cry, but it was the exact kind of tribute they needed. Charlie suggested they plant flowers around it and Ginny immediately spoke to Neville.
"Well, something to honour your father would be lovely. Did you have a flower or plant in mind?"
"No," Ginny admitted. "I was hoping you could suggest something lovely."
Neville looked pensive for a moment before he spoke. "Well, there are actually two flowers associated with the name Arthur."
"Really?"
Neville nodded. "First is the Arthur Bell which is a variety of the Floribunda Rose. It's beautiful and produces large golden yellow flowers that fade to a deep cream as the flower matures. It has a sweet scent and a gorgeous dark green deciduous bushy foliage that surrounds it. They grow really well from June to September. Then of course there's the large Delphinium Cultorum King Arthur which was named after the infamous hero. It's a deep, rich royal violet with a white bee shape in the centre of each flower. They grow quite tall, almost one hundred and eighty-three centimetres, which is eighty-three centimetres higher than the Arthur Bells, but together they would be quite gorgeous."
"Can you get us some seeds to plant around the stone?"
"I can do you one better," Neville said. "I have some in my greenhouse at Cumbria. When your mum goes to work for Hannah, I'll sneak out and meet someone at the Burrow and we'll plant them together. Fresh seeds and some fresh blooms to showcase the rock. You can glamour it until the day you're ready for her to see it."
Everyone was thrilled with the plan. Neville had met Percy and Bill at the Burrow a few days ago and the flowers were all planted. Bill said it looked great and Ginny was looking forward to surprising her mother with the gift. They would be spending the afternoon at Hogwarts, honouring the anniversary and the fallen, and then they would all go to the Burrow to celebrate their father's memory.
Remus cleared his throat, bringing Ginny out of her thoughts. "Well, since you're here, Ginny, can I impose on you to watch Teddy for a bit? He's feeling extra rambunctious and I really do need to finish grading these papers."
"I'd love too!" Ginny exclaimed, beaming at the idea.
"Any word from Bill and Fleur yet?" Remus asked. "Wasn't Fleur due today?"
She handed her assignment off to Remus as she spoke. "Yes, but I spoke to Bill an hour ago and it looks like my niece has no plans of making an appearance today."
Remus' lips curved. "First babies take their time. Tell them to be patient."
"I will," Ginny said before she moved over to climb into the magically gated area Remus had made for Teddy to have freedom over half of his office. She made herself comfortable on the floor and beamed at Teddy.
"Hi, Teddy."
"Ee-nee!" Teddy said, toddling over to hug her when she opened her arms. He wasn't quite walking on his own yet, but he certainly had no problem toddling around holding onto things.
Ginny covered his face in kisses and he laughed. The sweet little belly laugh made her heart ache and she thought this little angel reminded her that she wanted to have her own babies one day with Harry. Not yet, she reminded herself, but one day.
She used her wand to make Teddy's toys float as she sang the ABC's and played games with him. Teddy was giggling when she held his hands in hers to make him clap along just as a loud commotion came from the hallway. Ginny immediately picked up Teddy, holding him close to her chest as Remus stood up from his desk.
"Stay here," he ordered.
But he barely made it to the door before the doorway of his office was filled and Ginny paled when she recognized the dark curly hair and mad eyes of the woman who stood there. Remus didn't even have a chance to react before a spell sent him flying across the room and crashing over his desk, knocking things over as he flipped over it.
Bellatrix Lestrange cackled from the doorway. "Lookie what I found, Barty. A monster and his half-breed son."
Ginny clutched her wand as she cradled a crying Teddy in her arms and Crouch stepped out from behind Bellatrix with a mad grin.
"It's a two for one special, dearie. Potter's bitch is here too."
Ginny didn't wait. She rolled with Teddy behind Remus' desk. A quick glance at Remus groaning on the floor had her making a dive for the fireplace. As much as she wanted to help Remus, she needed to keep Teddy safe first. She pinched Floo powder in her hand and then dove to the ground, covering Teddy with her body when a spell shot in her direction.
"Get the half-breed!" Bellatrix ordered. "We'll kill him quickly before we torture Potter's bitch."
Remus managed to stand on shaky legs, his wand in his hand. "You won't touch my son."
Bellatrix scoffed. "That abomination that carries Black blood isn't worth the breath he breathes. I'm not only going to kill him. I'm going to make it painful. Crucio!"
Ginny dove again, barely missing the curse that Bellatrix aimed for Teddy. She cradled him in her arms, grateful for her quick Quidditch reflexes as Teddy began to cry and she heard Remus shout behind her.
"Ginny, get Teddy out of here!"
Ginny made an attempt to get to the fireplace again, the Floo powder still in her hand, but she'd barely crawled a step before a hand fisted in her hair and yanked her head back as a hot, wet tongue licked up her cheek.
"I don't think so, dearie," Crouch's voice sang in her ear. "You're not going anywhere."
~ TTTC ~
When Harry stepped into the hall outside of Zee's private room at St Mungo's, so many emotions were running through his mind that he wasn't sure he could properly make sense of them. After dropping off Mina and Leo with Colt and Flo, Harry had headed to the Ministry of Magic to fill his partner, Robards, Tonks, and Kingsley in on the plan. They'd all been pleased but surprised over the idea that they could potentially save Zee. Harry hadn't given them a chance to ask questions before he said he had to get to St Mungo's and no one stopped him. They understood he had a lot going on. It was why he sighed in relief when his partner showed up at the hospital, grateful of the support.
"Hey, Harry," Higgins said, clasping his shoulder. "What happened? What's going on? Your message to Robards and Kingsley wasn't really clear. You lacked in details."
Harry shook his head, his eyes swimming in unshed tears. "I… Uncle Sirius is going to…"
"Shit," Higgins whispered, pulling Harry in for a one-armed hug. "There's no other way?"
"We're almost out of time," Harry admitted.
He looked up when he saw his grandmother coming down the hall and turned to wrap Sorcha up in his arms.
"What's happening, mo ghaisgeach treun?" Sorcha demanded.
"We're going to get Zee back," Harry told her. "We figured out how to save her."
Sorcha's eyes widened in shock. "What? How? When?"
"Well, now," Harry admitted. "We're waiting on the fae and Uncle Sirius."
Sorcha cupped Harry's cheek in her hand. "Oh, mo ghràdh. Is he…?"
"Yes," Harry whispered.
Sorcha pulled Harry close into a tight hug. "This isn't right. Zahira is going to hate this when she wakes up."
"Yes," Harry repeated. "But there's no other way, Grandmama."
The sound of someone clearing their throat made Harry step back, his eyes finding that of Tiberius Weasley. The healer reminded him quite a bit of Bill, though his hair was a dark brown with a reddish tint to it. He had a few days' worth of stubble on his face and his brown eyes looked tired.
"Unfortunately, we are running out of time, Harry," Tiberius said. "Miss Zacarias' system is starting to shut down and there's nothing more that we can do to heal her."
"So if this doesn't work…?" Higgins began.
"Then I lose both of them," Harry whispered.
"Shit," Higgins repeated.
Ron appeared a moment later and immediately shoved Higgins out of the way, engulfing Harry in a tight hug. "What do you need, mate?"
Harry wasn't sure if he could answer that honestly. What he needed was for Sirius and Zee to not die and right now, as much as he dared not to hope, he was worried that he might still lose both of them. This wasn't guaranteed, it was just something they thought had a pretty good chance of working.
"Lupin's on her way," Higgins told him. "She mentioned something about popping by Hogwarts to get her husband and son first."
"Ginny," Harry said, his eyes darting to Ron's.
In all of the chaos of picking up Mina and Leo and filling in Robards and Higgins on what the plan was, he hadn't had a chance to reach out. He needed her here more than anything.
"I'll get her here," Ron promised, pulling out his communication mirror.
Sirius came into the hall then, his face pale. Harry immediately moved into his godfather's embrace, closing his eyes when Sirius' hand gripped the back of his neck as he held him close.
"It's going to be all right, Harry. This is going to work. I can feel it."
They both turned at the sight of McGonagall coming down the hall. She hugged Sirius tightly and kissed his cheek.
"The two of you are very brave, I hope you know that," McGonagall said.
"Gryffindors all the way," Sirius said, kissing her cheek in turn.
McGonagall turned to embrace Harry. "Are you all right, Harry?"
"I don't know," he admitted.
McGonagall hugged him tightly. "This is going to work, Harry. I'm going to make sure of it. It's my family's key, I won't let it fail you, all right? You'll get her back."
Harry nodded and kissed her cheek. "All right."
"Where are the fae?" Sirus asked. "We need them here before we can start anything, right?"
"Impatient much," Tiernan said as he and Donal appeared. "We're here. This isn't going to be a quick spell and done. It's going to take some time."
Harry swallowed as butterflies swooped through his stomach. No, not butterflies… it felt more like swooping evil riding a dragon and he suddenly wanted to be sick. He fought back the urge to vomit and noted that Ron was frowning at his mirror.
"No answer," Ron said. "I'll try again in a bit."
Harry nodded, not knowing what else to say. He knew Ginny had a match that afternoon and theoretically she could still be playing the Cannons. She would be here, he told himself. She would come.
In moments, they were all standing in Zee's private room as Harry looked down at where Zee lay, motionless and pale on the bed. Sirius took a seat in the chair by her bed, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips.
"You're coming home, Zee. We're going to bring you home."
McGonagall placed her hand on Sirius' shoulder, squeezing. "Yes, we are."
Donal cleared his throat as he and Tiernan stood over the edge of the bed. "Are we about ready to do this?"
"How does it work exactly?" Harry asked.
"Well, the key holds the power of life," Tiernan said. "But as you know, it can't work with only a bit of blood. It needs a willing sacrifice to transfer one life to another. That's how Leo was able to return Rampara to life because he sacrificed his life for the woman he loved. Love's sacrifice is what the key is built around."
Sirius nodded. He kept his hand in Zee's, but stretched out his other one, palm facing up. "I'm ready. Minnie, pass me the key."
Donal gave Sirius a sympathetic smile. "Not quite yet. There's a bit of prep needed first. Healer Weasley, would you be so kind as to administer this to the patient?"
Tiberius accepted the vial from Donal's hand and Harry looked at it curiously. It was glowing in a rainbow sheen of soft pastels. Tiberius carefully opened Zee's mouth and dropped the potion down her throat, tilting her head back so that it didn't dribble out. A moment later, her pale skin seemed to flush a light pink, looking healthier.
Donal and Tiernan then each stood on either side of the bed, their hands on Zee's feet as they spoke in a soft Celtic chant that Harry didn't understand. Each time they spoke, the key McGonagall was holding glowed in a different part as if it was responding to each rune they spoke; as if they were activating something. Then Donal removed a small dagger from his waist and sliced Zee's palm.
She didn't move or register the cut and McGonagall placed the key in Zee's hand, coating the iron in her blood.
"Her blood is connecting with the runes and the spells carved and charmed into the key; protecting her," Donal explained. "It's very old blood magic."
"And now?" Harry asked, his voice barely a whisper in the quiet room.
"And now we wait for it to do its work," Donal said. "It needs thirty minutes to flow through Zee's body, to wield the protection of the blood and to keep her safe from the sacrifice."
Sirius let out a slow breath. "And me?"
"We wait," Donal repeated. "And while we wait, we move her."
"Move her where?" Harry asked, startled at those words. There was too much happening and he hated not having all of the facts. He felt helpless and lost; not to mention terrified.
Tiernan's green eyes met his. "What Leo Coeur de Lion did to save Rampara was a bit messier than what we have in mind. If we want this to work successfully, the best way is to be nearby."
"Nearby what?" Harry asked.
"The Veil of Death," Sirius whispered. "We have to go back to where I died, don't we?"
"It's not about where you died," Tiernan said. "But yes, being near the Veil of Death gives us a stronger success rate."
Harry glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering why Remus and Tonks hadn't arrived yet. They needed to be here for this, but he hadn't heard any word from either of them. When he glanced back at Ron, his friend shook his head: No word from Ginny either. He looked over at Sirius, his heart racing in his chest as he mentally began to count down the minutes until he lost him again.
Ron squeezed his hand. "She'll be here, mate."
Sirius leaned in to kiss Zee's forehead. "Do you have the portkey, Higgins?"
Higgins pulled out the long cord that he'd received to bring them all straight to the Death Chamber and Harry frowned.
"You knew?"
"I was told ahead of time," Higgins corrected. "Partner, remember?"
"Lean on him," Ron said. "Lean on all of us. You're not doing all of this alone."
"No, he's not," Sirius agreed.
Sorcha's hands trembled as she reached for McGonagall's hand. "Can I come as well?"
"Yes," Tiernan said. "Donal and I will meet you there."
Then the fae disappeared leaving them hovered around the portkey while they waited.
Tiberius cleared his throat. "Well, good luck."
"Thank you," Harry said, his eyes finding his. "For everything."
"Of course," Tiberius said. "I only wish that I could have done more. I'll um… I'll stay here to see her after everything…"
"Thank you," Harry repeated.
Tiberius gave him a small smile before he exited the room. Higgins told them to all reach out to touch the long cord and with a pull from his navel, Harry felt them all vanish as the portkey took them away from St Mungo's and across London to the Department of Mysteries and to the Death Chamber where once upon a time Harry had watched his godfather die.
He squeezed his eyes shut as they landed and he bit back bile as he realized that he would have to do it again in the same place as before.
"Please let this work," he whispered. "I can't lose both of them. Please."
Harry didn't know if anyone heard his plea, but he didn't know what else to do.
~ TTTC ~
Remus scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding as Teddy's terrified cries echoed in his office. He barely managed to wrap his fingers around his wand before Bellatrix hit him another spell and he fell to his knees. He heard Ginny scream and Crouch's laugh as he rolled across the floor, determined to protect his son and the woman who Harry loved.
Bellatrix laughed. "Look at the wolf, trying to gain his footing."
"Crucio!" Remus shouted.
Bellatrix dove out of the way of the spell, her eyes darkening. "Ooh, the monster's got bite. Too bad your half-breed wife isn't here. I'd rather like her to watch when I kill you."
"Not if I kill you first," Remus exclaimed. "Crucio!"
Bellatrix dodged his curse again, cackling. "Even if you kill me, you still have to worry about Barty over there. And trust me, if anyone likes to prolong the pain, it's him. Crucio!"
Remus screamed as the curse hit him, his limbs bending and stretching and his heart racing. He gasped for breath when she lifted the curse and Teddy's cries forced him to his feet. He wasn't going to let her win. Bellatrix Lestrange had taken enough from him and from those he loved. He was going to kill her and he was going to enjoy every second of it.
He heard Ginny shout and he caught a flash of red being dragged across the floor before Bellatrix tackled him to the ground.
Remus kicked and clawed at her, wincing when her sharp nails dragged down his cheek hard enough to draw blood. His fist pumped her head back and her wand jabbed into his throat.
"Avada Ke — oof!"
Remus kneed her between the legs with enough force to make her stumble, then he kicked her off of him just as he caught sight of Colin in the doorway.
"Get help!" Remus shouted, shoving Bellatrix back against the wall just as a wolf Patronus burst into the room.
"Uncle Moony, we need you to come to the Ministry of Magic. We can save Zee, but Sirius is going to… he's going to die. Please come."
Startled by the interruption, he froze and Bellatrix regained her footing. She shoved him and his skull crashed into the stone just as Colin shouted something he couldn't hear. Bellatrix laughed and something sharp stabbed him in the side.
"Fuck," he murmured, his hand coming up bloody.
Bellatrix grinned. "Goodbye, Lupin."
Then a spell sent him reeling back, flipping over his desk and landing flat on his back as his side screamed in agony. Teddy's cries were more frantic, but when he tried to sit up, pain shot through him and he felt blood soaking into his shirt. When he finally managed to sit up, Bellatrix was crouched in front of him, licking blood off of a dagger.
"Not bad for a werewolf. Ready for round two?"
Then the dagger slashed towards him again.
~ TTTC ~
Tiernan and Donal met them in the Death Chamber along with Healer Galibrath. This time there were no Unspeakables or Arcanums present, but Harry knew that it was going to be the same type of situation as when he and Ron had gone to retrieve Sirius' soul.
Galibrath cleared his throat when they arrived, taking in Zee's unconscious form and Sirius holding her hand in his while her other palm was bleeding and wrapped around the iron key.
"Well, it looks like we're taking another trip into the Veil, are we?" Galibrath asked, clasping his hands together.
"Not me this time," Harry said.
"Me," Sirius replied, his voice hoarse.
"And me," McGonagall said, clasping Sirius' shoulder.
Sirius spun around with wide eyes. "Excuse me? You're not coming, Minnie."
"Yes, I am," McGonagall exclaimed. "You need someone to help you over there, Sirius. You can't go alone."
"I can do it," Harry said.
McGonagall gave him a look that immediately shut him down. "No, I will do it. You've already gone into the Veil once, Harry. Let me do this. Let me help. That key was passed down in my family. I was meant to help."
Sirius swallowed. "You'll tell her?"
McGonagall squeezed Sirius' shoulder in her hand. "Yes. I'll tell her."
Sirius nodded as Tiernan and Donal came around to stand on either side of Zee again. "All right. Let's do this."
"Uncle Remus and Tonks still aren't here," Harry began.
"We can't wait for them," Donal said. "Are you ready, Sirius?"
"Yes," Sirius said. "I'm ready."
Harry moved away from Ron's side to fling himself into Sirius' arms once more. "Uncle Siri…"
Sirius kissed the top of Harry's head. "I'll bring her back to you, I promise. Let me do this for you, Prongslet."
"I love you," Harry murmured into Sirius' neck.
"I love you, too," Sirius said. "And I'll always be with you. I promise."
Harry reluctantly let go and Ron put his arm around his shoulders, holding him by his side.
"All right," Donal began. "Her body is starting to fight against the iron. It's time."
Galibrath handed potions to both Sirius and McGonagall, urging them to lie down on the stones next to the Veil of Death side by side with Zee lying on the ground near them. "Drink these and remember once it's done, don't look back or we'll lose both of you."
"I won't," McGonagall promised.
"You don't have a lot of time," Tiernan told her. "You have to return in the six minute period, eight at the most, or you won't be able to come back. Minerva, you take the key and help Sirius when its time."
"She'll get back," Sirius vowed. "And so will Zee."
They both drank the potion and within moments, they were both drifting off. Galibrath waved his wand around, bringing forward their vitals and heartbeat and Harry trembled when he saw that neither of them had a beating heart.
And then Zee's heart monitor charmed loudly and Tiernan spoke.
"She's gone."
Fear threatened to swallow Harry whole at those words as he looked at the lifeless bodies of Sirius, Zee, and McGonagall, but Ron pulled him closer to his side.
"Don't give up, Harry. Sirius can do this. He'll bring her back. McGonagall won't let him fail."
Harry closed his eyes as he clung to Ron and wished that Ginny could be here with him. He needed her comfort and her sense of calmness and most of all, he needed to know that this was going to work.
Because if it didn't and he lost all three of them, he was never going to be able to forgive himself.
~ TTTC ~
Ginny winced as a hot, wet tongue licked up her cheek. She shuddered in horror at the sour breath that accompanied it, holding Teddy closer to her chest as a familiar sing-song voice sang in her ear.
"I don't think so, dearie. You're not going anywhere."
Ginny hit back with her elbow and connected with something as she rolled out of the way. She held Teddy in her arms with one hand as she attempted to crawl towards the fireplace, but Crouch's hand fisted in her hair again. She tried to get away, but he gripped it tighter and dragged her across the stone floor.
Ginny screamed as her scalp burned, trying to hold a crying Teddy in her arms and scramble for her wand as well. Crouch let her go in a violent shove that had her head slamming into the ground hard enough to make her teeth rattle. Teddy's screams grew louder in her ear as she held onto him, protecting him from the pain she was enduring.
Crouch giggled. "Don't you want to play, dearie?"
Ginny finally managed to get her wand out and pointed it at Crouch, but he caught her halfway and hit her with the Cruciatus. She screamed and it took all of her willpower to keep a strong hold on Teddy. She could feel him slipping from her grasp before the curse finally let up.
Crouch licked his lips. "Ooh, I'm going to have fun with you. I know it. Now hand over the brat."
"No!" Ginny exclaimed, holding Teddy closer.
Teddy, terrified and not understanding what was happening, burrowed himself further into Ginny's arms and screamed bloody murder.
Crouch winced at the sound. "Shut him up before I do it."
"Shh," Ginny whispered, pressing her lips to Teddy's cheeks. "It's okay, sweetie. It's all right, Teddy Bear. I'm here. I'm here."
"Get help!" Remus shouted.
Teddy's cries quieted a bit, but he was still crying snot filled sobs.
Crouch pushed his wand against Teddy's head. "Not good enough. Avada — oof!"
Something tackled Crouch to the ground and Ginny finally managed to stand up and get a good grip on her wand. It was only then that she realized that it was Colin who had tackled Crouch and saved Teddy's life.
"Colin!"
His fist plowed into Crouch's face with a sickening crunch before his wand was out. Crouch laughed as blood dripped down his face.
"You two don't scare me," he said. "Crucio!"
Colin screamed as he fell to his knees, the torture curse whipping through him. Ginny shot Crouch off of his feet with a well aimed reducto straight at the floor. The stones shattered like glass as a large hole broke through the stone under Crouch's weight. Crouch screamed as fell through the floor like a sinkhole.
Teddy cried even louder as Colin crawled over to Ginny.
"You all right?"
Ginny nodded, her breathing heavy and her eyes on the floor where Crouch had just vanished. "We have to get Teddy someplace safe and we have to help Remus!"
"I heard the commotion, someone else is bound to," Colin said.
Ginny tried to work up the strength to conjure a Patronus, but only a wisp escaped her wand. She swore under her breath.
"It's all right, Teddy," she whispered, kissing the baby in her arms. "It's going to be all right."
Bloodied fingers appeared gripping the stone and Ginny shouted in alarm as she saw Crouch crawl out of the hole in the floor, his face and hands bloody, making him look like some kind of demon escaping from hell.
"You're not rid of me yet, dearie," he sang, pulling himself to his feet.
Colin stepped in front of her as Crouch made a beeline for Ginny and she finally produced her Patronus, the horse running from her wand.
"Find Tonks," she ordered and the Patronus leapt from the room as Crouch swept Colin aside with a flash of red light.
Ginny held onto Teddy, her wand out and Crouch's yellow teeth gleamed.
"You can hit me, dearie, but will your spell be faster than me killing the baby?"
Ginny's hand trembled over her wand and Crouch gave an evil smile. Ginny swallowed and holding Teddy on her hip, flicked her wand towards Crouch.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
~ TTTC ~
Tonks spent the majority of her day catching up on paperwork. She'd spoken to Harry after he'd written his A2 examination, feeling proud at his confidence and so pleased to see him succeed as an Auror. He really was doing extraordinarily well. The fact that he was getting to write his A2 examination so soon was proof of that. So when he showed up again a few hours later and spoke to her, Robards, and Kingsley about finding this key to saving Zee, her day certainly took a turn.
When Harry left to pick up Mina and Leo at nursery school, Tonks spoke to Robards, Kingsley, and Higgins about the plan.
Robards was frowning. "If this works, this entire case is going have be redacted. If anyone finds out about this… all hell will break loose. I can't believe we've managed to keep Black's return under wraps."
"Having him return from America was the best option," Kingsley said. "It worked and people believe that he was working over there. As to Zacarias, she's been healing in St Mungo's. No one needs to know the specifics of her recovery. We've already informed Oliphant that she's in hospital and as far as anyone knows, she could wake up at any time."
Robards nodded. "I still don't like this. I'm not saying that I don't want Zacarias to be saved, but something like this is dangerous."
"It is," Kingsley agreed. "And the fact that it's going to be destroyed is also in our favour. Potter's shown that he's an excellent Auror, let's give him a chance to prove it."
"Agreed," Robards said. "Lupin, you and Higgins both need to be there."
"And Weasley," Tonks said. "He's Harry's best mate. He'll need the extra support."
Robards waved her off. "Of course. Just get it done. Then we need to find Crouch and Lestrange. The manhunt on them has been ridiculous. I want them both in custody as soon as possible."
"As soon as we find them, Sir," Tonks said.
Robards growled. "Yes, find them."
By the time Tonks clued Higgins in and ordered him to be there for Harry, she also asked him to speak to Donal and Tiernan and get more details of what was going on. Harry was too close to this and she needed someone there with a clear head. As much as she wanted to be that person for him, she didn't have a clear head either.
It was Zee.
The woman had become like a sister to her and she definitely considered her one of her closest friends. No, she needed someone else to take control and she trusted Higgins to get the facts.
Harry needed her support and most importantly he needed Remus there. She glanced at her watch and knew that her husband was still at Hogwarts, probably marking papers. She'd head there and pick up him and Teddy. She could drop Teddy off with Charlie and Molly at the Burrow since Charlie was in England for the anniversary on Sunday and then she and Remus would head to the Ministry to support Harry.
It took her a little longer than planned, but when she arrived at Hogwarts, the last thing she expected was to find Argus Filch dead in the entranceway as Birmingham ordered students back.
"Gideon, what the bloody hell happened?" Tonks demanded.
Gideon Birmingham shook his head. "I don't know."
"It was the Undesirables," a student shouted, making Tonks turn to zero in on them.
"What did you say?"
The dark-haired boy who shouted, stepped forward. "The undesirables, ma'am. Crouch and Lestrange. I recognized them. I was coming out of the Great Hall as Filch opened the door and Crouch killed him."
Tonks' paled at his words and she turned to Gideon. "Evacuate the castle and get the other professors on it. If they're here, we need to find them and we need to find them now."
She reached into her pocket to send an alert out for backup.
"Send Aurors," she ordered. "Crouch and Lestrange have been sighted at Hogwarts."
Then she made a beeline for the stairs to find her husband and son. As she past students in the hall, she ordered them to the Great Hall for safety. She wanted to run as fast as possible, but her training kicked in as she moved quickly and methodically, her wand in hand as she checked each corner for safety before proceeding. She made it to the second floor without seeing anyone other than students before she heard the shouting.
Then a horse Patronus rushed straight towards her and Ginny's voice rang out.
"Crouch and Lestrange are here! Hurry!"
Tonks picked up her pace, her wand outstretched as she ran to the doorway of her husband's office in time to see Remus bleeding out on the floor and Ginny flick her wand at Crouch.
"Expelliarmus!" Ginny shouted.
"Avada Kedavra!" Crouch yelled as green light rushed straight towards Teddy.
"Nooooooooo!" Tonks screamed, throwing herself in front of them in a desperate move to save her son.
~ TTTC ~
Sirius could feel McGonagall's hand in his own when he opened his eyes. He found himself standing in the graveyard of Godric's Hollow and he suppressed the shiver that wanted to run through him. But then he froze when he saw her, standing over his grave with her arms wrapped around herself.
"Zee!"
Zee turned, her dark golden brown curls blowing in the wind. "Sirius?"
They met in the middle and their lips crashed together for what was never going to be long enough.
Sirius pulled away, framing her face in his hands. "Are you all right? What are we doing here?"
Zee's eyes moved to McGonagall before she looked at Sirius again. "This is the last place that I remember being. They tied me up over there," she said, pointing. "And then Bellatrix cut out my heart."
"That bitch is going to die, Zahira. I know she will." He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "But we don't have time for that. We're here to bring you home."
Zee blinked. "You're alive? I… I was there in the hospital, but I could hear you. Sirius, you're back?"
"I came back," he whispered. "It's a long story. Harry will explain later. But we need to get you home."
"Home?"
"Home," McGonagall said, making Zee's gaze meet hers once more. "We can bring you home."
Zee's eyebrows rose. "What's the catch?"
Sirius' eyes softened. "Zahira… I wasn't supposed to come back."
Zee shook her head. "No. No! I will not let you die to save me, Sirius Black! That's unacceptable!"
"It's the only way," Sirius said. "It's all right. Harry and Sorcha are waiting for you on the other side. Minnie will take you home."
Zee's fingers clutched Sirius' shirt as tears welled up in her eyes. "No! No, you can't! You can't give up your life for me! I won't let you!"
"Zahira!" Sirius exclaimed, his nails digging into her arms. "There's no other way. We've tried to find it and this is it. If you don't go with Minnie now, we're both going to die. And who's going to raise Mina and Leo? Will you leave that on your mother? On Harry?"
Tears rained down Zee's cheeks as she shook her head. "But how can you have come back? How can you have lived and met them and now… what did they do to you?"
"They tried to hurt Harry," Sirius whispered. "They tried to use me to hurt him and it worked, babe. He had to say goodbye to me again and he needs you now, more than ever. You have to go back; you have to."
Zee's bottom lip trembled as she threw herself into his arms. Sirius held her close, breathing her scent of cinnamon and vanilla and blinked back his own tears.
"I love you, Sirius Black."
"I love you, Zahira Zacarias," Sirius said, kissing her softly. "Let me do this for you. Please, Zee."
Zee bit her bottom lip before she slowly nodded, tears still rolling down her cheeks. "What do we have to do?"
Sirius held his hand out to McGonagall. "Minnie, give me the key."
McGonagall held up the key in her hand. "This key is full of runes and with the help of some fae and some blood magic, we're going to transfer one life for another. A love sacrifice if you will."
Zee nodded, her hand trembling as it rested on Sirius' cheek. "How does it work?"
"Like a dagger to the heart," Sirius whispered. "I love you, Zee."
"And I love both of you," McGonagall said.
Then before either of them could move, she pushed the key into her own chest and straight into her heart.
"NO!" Sirius screamed, reaching for her.
"Vita mea tibi," McGonagall said.
"Minnie!' Sirius exclaimed. "This wasn't… what the fuck are you doing?"
"A mother's sacrifice," Zee whispered. "She's bringing it full circle for you, Sirius. For both of us."
McGonagall reached for their hands and Zee, knowing what she needed, took both her and Sirius' hands and wrapped them around McGonagall's, grasping the key tightly. Sirius let out a strangled sob as tears continued to rain down Zee's cheeks and together they twisted the key deeper into McGonagall's chest.
"I love you," McGonagall whispered. "Both of you."
"Are you sure that you want to do this, Minerva?" Dumbledore asked from his portrait for the third time earlier that afternoon. "Sirius isn't going to accept this willingly."
"I don't plan on giving him a choice," McGonagall admitted from behind her desk. "I won't tell him. It will be better that way."
"And Harry?"
McGonagall shook her head. "No. He deserves to have Sirius and Zee back in his life. I've lived a good life, Albus. I'll watch over my grandchildren from the beyond and they can grow up with the parents they deserve. It's what's best for everyone."
"If there's one thing those who practice dark magic cannot understand, it is love," Dumbledore said. "It leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign… to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give strength to those who carry on. A mother's love, no matter by blood or not, leaves its own mark. A mother's sacrifice to give life."
"He's not mine by blood, Albus, but he's my son," McGonagall said. "I will not watch him die again. My life for his and by doing so, it will save Zahira."
"Yes," Donal said, making her turn to look at him. "It will. But you'll have to turn the key and get her to help you. Can you guarantee that she will agree to do that?"
"She will," McGonagall replied. "She's a mother. She'll understand. Just bring them both back safely and tell them that I love them."
Then she went to St Mungo's to see Zee. She asked for a moment alone and when she sat by her bedside, she took both of Zee's hands in her own, clasping them tightly.
"He's alive, Zahira. Harry returned his soul and he's back and alive and well. You belong together. I knew it from the moment I met you," McGonagall said, her voice low. "I will make sure you both get through this, but in return, I need your help. Some part of you will remember this. A mother's sacrifice trumps all else. You need to turn the key when it's time. Turn the key, Zahira."
Then she pressed her lips to Zee's forehead. "Love them well."
Sirius blinked back tears as McGonagall's blood ran down his fingers. "Minnie…"
McGonagall's eyes met his, already dimming as death claimed her.
Then a blast of white light engulfed her form and everything went black.
End Author's Notes:
(Gaelic) Mo ghaisgeach treun = my brave warrior
(Gaelic) Mo ghràdh = my love
(Latin) Vita mea tibi = I give my life for you/to you
Thanks for reading and please review!