A/N - I have most of the story mapped out now, so should be able to get back to posting more regularly. Thanks to those who shared ideas!

Chapter 10 – The Diary

The first weekend in May was the first weekend since Yule that Harry and Amelia didn't spend together. Though it was strange to be apart after so many months of closeness, Amelia had warned him in advance. "I have several interviews at the Ministry," she had explained over dinner earlier in the week, "a couple of study groups, and—ugh—mounds of homework. I'll barely have time to breathe, let alone spend a proper day with you."

Harry had nodded with understanding but couldn't hide his disappointment. "I suppose I'll have to survive without you for a weekend, then," he teased, though the longing in his eyes was real.

Now, with the children playing noisily in the background, Harry realised the weekend apart gave him the perfect opportunity to make preparations for something he'd been thinking about for weeks.

He dropped the children off at Edgar's house early Saturday morning. Edgar welcomed them with open arms, even indulging their insistence that he join them in a game of tag in the garden. Harry stayed just long enough to watch the kids run off and to share a drink with Edgar in the study.

As they sat in the cozy room, the morning sunlight streaming through the window, Harry cleared his throat. "Edgar, there's something I wanted to ask you," he began, his tone serious.

Edgar looked up from his cup of coffee, his brow furrowing in curiosity. "What is it?"

Harry took a deep breath. "I'd like your blessing to marry Amelia."

Edgar's expression softened immediately, and a warm smile spread across his face. "You didn't even need to ask, Harry. I've watched you love her fiercely, protect her, and give her a happiness I haven't seen in years. Of course, you have my blessing. I assumed you already knew that."

"Thank you," he said sincerely. Then, with a hint of amusement, he added, "should we discuss the terms of a marriage contract then?"

Edgar raised a brow, but his smile didn't waver. "Ah yes, marriage contracts, they can be quite bothersome can't they? All right, let's talk terms."

The two men spent the next hour hashing out the details, though Edgar kept things simple. "She's her own woman," he said at one point. "I doubt she'd appreciate me being too involved. As long as her and the kids are well taken care of, should anything ever happen, I'm happy."

"They'll always be my priority," Harry said firmly.

"I know," Edgar replied, clasping Harry's shoulder.

With the arrangements settled, Harry thanked Edgar and made his way to Gringotts.

Once inside the imposing marble bank, he approached one of the goblins, who immediately recognised him as Lord Blackwood. "I need assistance locating a ring," Harry explained. "Something elegant from the Blackwood vaults. Ideally, it should have a protective charm—perhaps even the ability to transport the wearer to me in times of danger."

The goblin's sharp eyes gleamed with understanding. "Ah, a ring similar to many of the Potter family heirlooms," he said. "I believe your vault has several pieces that could meet your needs. Follow me."

Harry was led deep into the caverns of Gringotts, where the Blackwood vault awaited. The goblin guided him to a collection of jewellery, and Harry carefully examined each piece. Finally, he found the perfect ring—a delicate yet striking platinum band with a deep sapphire at its centre, encircled by intricate runes.

"This one," the goblin said, "has ancient protective charms and can be linked to its pair for transport as you requested."

Harry nodded, his heart pounding with excitement. "It's perfect."

Before leaving Gringotts, Harry decided to stop by a few shops in Diagon Alley. With Amelia's birthday coming up in June, he wanted to find a gift that would complement the ring without giving away the proposal. In a small jewelry boutique, he found a matching necklace—a sapphire pendant set in platinum, its runes nearly identical to those on the ring.

Satisfied with his purchases, Harry returned home that evening feeling both accomplished and eager. The proposal was coming together, and he could already imagine the moment he would ask Amelia to be his wife. He only hoped he could keep it all a surprise until the time was right.

O – o – o - o

The moon hung high over the manor grounds as Harry, Sirius, and Edgar sat huddled around a map spread out on the table in the study. The air was heavy with the smell of parchment and ink, and the flickering candlelight cast long shadows on their faces. The three men, each skilled in their own right, had grown into a well-oiled team, but the stakes were higher than ever.

"We've narrowed it down to three locations," Harry said, tapping the map with his wand. "Lucius spends the majority of his time at Malfoy Manor, but he also has properties in Wiltshire and a villa in Spain. It's likely the diary is hidden somewhere within one of them."

Sirius leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "We'll need to be careful with this one. Lucius is a snake—always has been. And if he's hiding the diary, you can bet he's surrounded it with the nastiest wards money can buy."

"Maybe not. I don't think he knows what it is and he has no reason to believe anyone would come looking for it."

"And what about Abraxas?" Edgar asked, leaning forward. "The old man might know more than he's letting on. He's retired from the public eye, but I don't buy for a second that he's completely uninvolved."

"Agreed," Harry said with a nod. "We need to find out how much influence he still has over Lucius. If they're working together, it'll complicate things."

Sirius grinned wolfishly. "Good thing sneaking around is my specialty. I'll handle Abraxas. Let me see if I can get close enough to pick up any dirt on him."

"Careful, Sirius," Harry warned. "The Malfoys don't take kindly to trespassers."

"I'll be a ghost," Sirius promised with a wink.

"And what about Voldemort?" Edgar asked, his expression darkening. "He's been unusually quiet lately. That's never a good sign."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. That's why we can't take our eyes off him. I'll keep working with the ministry to track his movements. He's bound to make a move soon, and when he does, we need to be ready."

Edgar tapped his fingers against the table thoughtfully. "If Lucius is hiding the diary, it could mean Voldemort trusts him more than we thought. That makes him even more dangerous."

"Which is why we can't wait for him to slip up," Harry said firmly. "We need to stay ahead of him, no matter what it takes."

The three men exchanged a determined look.

Sirius leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Alright, so what's the plan when we figure out where he's keeping it? Break in, charm Abraxas into giving us a tour, and 'accidentally' stumble upon the diary?"

Harry chuckled despite himself. "If we have too we'll go with your suggestion and break in and get it, but I would rather that be a last resort."

The gravity of their mission settled over them like a heavy cloak, but none of them wavered. They were up against impossible odds, but they had been successful so far —and they had each other.

Sirius smirked, breaking the tension. "Well, I'd better get my cloak. The sooner I start spying on the Malfoy patriarch, the sooner we can put an end to this nonsense."

"Good luck," Harry said, clapping him on the shoulder. "And Sirius… be careful."

Sirius gave him a roguish grin. "Aren't I always?"

As Sirius left the room, Edgar turned to Harry. "Do you really think we'll find it?"

Harry's expression was steely. "We have to."

And with that, the two men returned to their map, determined to find the answers they needed—no matter what it cost.

O – o – o – o

At the end of May, the familiar scent of butterbeer and the lively buzz of chatter filled the air as Harry, Amelia, and the children made their first public appearance as a family, strolling into Hogsmeade for the last Hogsmeade weekend of the school year, and the last ever for Amelia as a student. The cobblestone streets were bustling with students, villagers, and shopkeepers as they enjoyed the first warm day of the year.

Harry held Sirius's tiny hand in his as the youngest skipped along beside him, his excitement contagious. Amelia walked on Harry's other side, with Lily and Eddie flanking her, the older children pointing out the sights with enthusiasm.

"This is so much better than the manor!" Lily said, her red curls bouncing as she twirled to take everything in. "Can we live here, Mama?"

Amelia chuckled, adjusting her robes in the warm air. "I don't think the village could handle us full-time, sweetheart."

"Not with you two causing mischief wherever you go," Harry added with a wink, ruffling Edgar's hair.

"We don't cause mischief!" Eddie protested, puffing out his chest in mock indignation. "We're angels."

"Absolute angels," Amelia agreed with a smirk, pulling Eddie closer for a hug. "Now, where should we go first?"

"Sweet shop!" Sirius cried out, tugging on Harry's hand. "I want chocolate frogs and sugar quills!"

Harry exchanged a glance with Amelia, who shrugged. "Well, how can we deny that?" he said with a grin. "To Honeydukes it is!"

The family made their way to the bustling sweet shop, the children's faces lighting up at the sight of shelves overflowing with brightly wrapped candies and treats. Sirius pressed his face to the glass case, his eyes wide as he tried to decide what he wanted.

"I'll take one of everything!" he declared.

"Nice try, little one," Harry said, lifting him so he could get a better view of the top shelves. "But let's start with just a few."

Lily and Eddie each picked out their favourites, carefully selecting sugar quills, liquorice wands, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Amelia laughed as Liliana tried to sneak an extra chocolate frog into their pile. "You'll spoil your dinner," she teased, but her smile showed she wasn't too serious.

After leaving Honeydukes with their arms full of sweets, the family wandered further into the village. They stopped at Zonko's Joke Shop, where Eddie and Sirius couldn't get enough of the prank items, and Harry had to gently steer them away from a Puking Pastille demonstration.

"Absolutely not," he said firmly, though his grin betrayed his amusement.

Later that afternoon, The Three Broomsticks buzzed with the cheerful chatter of students and villagers alike, but in their cozy corner booth, it felt like they had the entire place to themselves. Rosmerta, her youthful cheeks glowing with warmth, returned with a second round of iced butterbeers, setting them down with a smile.

"You lot seem like you're having a wonderful time," she said, ruffling Eddie's hair playfully.

"We are!" Lily said brightly, wiping foam from her upper lip with the back of her hand. "We've been to Honeydukes, the bookstore, and now we're having butterbeer!"

Rosmerta chuckled. "Sounds like you've been busy. And who's responsible for spoiling you lot today?"

Lily pointed at Amelia and Harry without hesitation. "Mama and Daddy."

Rosmerta's brows shot up, and she gave Harry a knowing smirk. "Well, it's about time you brought the family out, Harry."

Amelia blushed, cleaning Sirius's face, while Harry leaned back, looking far too pleased with himself. "You know me, Rosmerta—always keeping people on their toes."

Rosmerta winked. "Enjoy the rest of your day, then. And don't let them leave without dessert—our treacle tart is fresh out of the oven."

"Thank you, Rosmerta," Amelia said, smiling shyly as the barmaid moved to another table.

Edgar reached for another sip of butterbeer before turning to Rosmerta's retreating figure. "Is she your friend, Daddy?"

"Something like that," Harry said with a grin.

"And she knows Mama too?" Liliana asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Harry chuckled as he remembered the night he had rescued Amelia and Minerva from the Three Broomsticks in his old timeline. Amelia looked at him in surprise.

"The Rosmerta from my timeline knew enough about us to embarrass me for a lifetime," Harry teased, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Amelia.

Amelia shook her head, smiling softly. "I don't think that would take much effort, love."

Harry tilted his head, feigning offense. "You wound me, Amelia."

"Do I?" she teased back, leaning in slightly. "You seem to recover quite well, Professor Blackwood."

Lily giggled, her head bouncing between her parents. "You two are always flirting," she said matter-of-factly.

Amelia let out a soft laugh, her cheeks flushing. "Are we?"

"Yes!" Liliana said with exaggerated exasperation. "You look at each other like they do in the romance books in the library!"

Harry chuckled, raising an eyebrow at Amelia. "Romance books, huh?"

"Don't even start," Amelia replied, giving him a playful nudge under the table with her foot.

Meanwhile, Sirius, who had been quietly sipping his butterbeer, piped up. "I don't like those books. They don't have dragons or fighting."

Edgar nodded solemnly. "Or magic battles."

Harry laughed, ruffling both boys' hair. "Well, I'll make sure to write a better book for you one day, full of dragons and battles."

"Can I be in it?" Sirius asked sleepily, leaning against Harry's side.

"Of course, my brave little knight," Harry said, kissing the top of his head.

Amelia watched the scene with a warm smile, her heart full. As Sirius's head bobbed against Harry's shoulder, she reached over to stroke his hair. "I think someone's ready for a nap."

"And I think he's not the only one," Harry said, glancing at Edgar, who was yawning behind his hand.

Liliana crossed her arms in defiance. "I'm not sleepy!"

Amelia chuckled. "I'm sure you aren't, love. But we've had a very full day. Maybe we'll get some dessert to take home and end the day on a sweet note."

Harry turned to Rosmerta, who had been glancing their way. "Can we get a couple of treacle tarts to go?"

"Of course, Harry," she called back.

As Rosmerta packed up their desserts, Sirius snuggled closer to Harry, his voice muffled as he murmured, "This was the best day ever, Daddy."

Harry's chest tightened with emotion as he wrapped an arm around him. "It was, wasn't it?"

Amelia reached out, resting her hand over his, and their eyes met. She gave him a soft smile, her love for him shining through. "It's days like these we'll always remember," she said.

"Absolutely," Harry agreed, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles.

"Gross," Liliana muttered, but she was smiling too.

As they left the inn and turned onto the cobblestone street, Amelia froze mid-step, her gaze locking on a pair sitting at a small table outside a café just down the road.

"Is that… Sirius?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Harry followed her gaze, his lips twitching into a grin. "It is. And is that—Marlene McKinnon?"

Sure enough, Sirius Black, the ever-charismatic marauder, was leaning across the table, his elbows resting on the polished wood as he gave Marlene his full attention. Marlene, her golden hair catching the evening light, was laughing at something he'd said, her expression unusually soft.

"They look… cozy," Amelia remarked, a teasing lilt to her tone.

"Cozy is an understatement," Harry murmured, raising an eyebrow as he watched Sirius reach across the table to brush a strand of hair behind Marlene's ear.

"What's Uncle Sirius doing?" Eddie piped up, noticing his parents had stopped.

"Talking to a friend," Harry said casually, though his smirk betrayed his amusement.

"I want to say hi!" Lily exclaimed, already pulling away from Amelia's hand and dashing toward Sirius before either parent could stop her.

"Lily!" Amelia called, hurrying after her daughter.

Liliana's enthusiastic approach caught Sirius mid-sentence, and his face lit up as he spotted her. "Well, if it isn't my favourite little witch!" he said, scooping her up and twirling her around.

"Uncle Sirius, what are you doing here?" she asked, eyeing Marlene curiously.

"Well, I'm…" Sirius paused, glancing at Marlene, who was clearly trying to suppress a laugh. "I'm spending time with a very lovely lady."

"Hi, Marlene!" Eddie said, running up to them with Harry and Amelia following close behind.

"Hello, Eddie," Marlene said with a warm smile. "Lily, Samuel, good to see you all."

Harry stepped forward, Sirius still holding Liliana. "Funny running into you here, Padfoot. Thought you were spending the day 'handling important matters.'"

Sirius flashed his most charming grin. "This is important, Harry. Can't a man take a lovely witch out to lunch without being interrogated?"

Amelia folded her arms, her smile mischievous. "Important matters, huh? Seems like you've been holding out on us, Sirius."

Marlene blushed, glancing at Sirius. "He didn't exactly tell me the whole family might turn up either," she said, laughing softly.

"Well, the timing is perfect," Harry said, his tone playful. "Your food is not here yet and we're just leaving the Leaky Cauldron. What do you say we all join you and make it a family affair?"

"Harry," Sirius groaned, though his smile betrayed his annoyance.

Amelia nudged Harry playfully. "Stop teasing. Come on, kids, let's let them enjoy their date."

"But I want to stay!" Lily protested, wriggling in Sirius's arms.

Sirius chuckled and set her down. "How about this—I'll see you tomorrow, and I'll tell you all about my date, yeah?"

"Promise?" Lily asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Cross my heart," Sirius said, making the motion over his chest.

As the family turned to leave, Harry glanced over his shoulder. "Have fun, you two. And Sirius? Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Marlene raised an eyebrow at that, clearly amused, while Sirius shot Harry a mock glare. "That doesn't leave me many options, does it?"

Amelia laughed, shaking her head as she took Harry's hand. "You're impossible."

"And you love me for it," Harry said, winking.

As they walked away from the café, Edgar looked up at his parents, his curiosity plain on his face. "Do you think Uncle Sirius likes Miss McKinnon?"

Amelia exchanged a knowing glance with Harry, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "I think he likes her a lot," she said warmly.

"Are they going to get married like you and Daddy?" Liliana asked, skipping ahead with a carefree bounce in her step.

Amelia stopped abruptly, her eyes widening as a faint blush crept up her cheeks. "Um—Lily, your father and I aren't married," she said, her tone gentle but surprised.

Liliana turned around, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You will be—I saw the ring in Daddy's wardrobe!" she announced triumphantly.

Amelia froze, her blush deepening as her gaze darted to Harry. Harry let out a sheepish chuckle, running a hand through his hair in a way that betrayed his slight embarrassment.

"You weren't supposed to tell her, Lily. Remember, it was a surprise?" Harry said, raising his brows at his daughter.

Liliana's eyes went wide, and she slapped a tiny hand over her mouth. "Oh… I'm sorry, Daddy!" she said, her voice muffled through her fingers.

Amelia looked at Harry, her heart thundering in her chest as she processed the revelation. Her lips curved into a tender smile as she tried to suppress the surge of emotions threatening to spill over.

"Well," Harry said, his eyes sparkling as he reached for Amelia's hand. "I'll just have to put extra effort into making sure the actual proposal is a surprise."

Amelia's heart melted at the teasing tone in his voice and the loving look in his eyes. Though her cheeks remained pink, her smile grew wider as she squeezed his hand. She was surprised he already had a ring, but there wasn't a shred of doubt in her mind—or her heart—that her answer would be a resounding yes when the time came.

Liliana, meanwhile, skipped ahead again, blissfully unaware of the depth of the moment she had just unintentionally sparked. Edgar trailed behind, his nose wrinkled as if pondering something serious.

"When it comes to Sirius," Harry said, his voice light as he steered the conversation away, "we'll just have to wait and see. But if anyone can keep up with Sirius, it's Marlene."

Amelia laughed softly, the sound relaxing her as she leaned into Harry's side. She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the steady warmth of him as they walked. "They really are quite the pair," she said with a small chuckle. "I hope it works out for them."

Harry glanced back over his shoulder, watching Sirius and Marlene still sitting at their table, laughing together. The sight made him smile, and he murmured, "Me too."

As they walked on, Amelia stole a glance at Harry, her heart still fluttering from Liliana's slip. She didn't say anything, but her hand tightened around his as if to say, 'Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting.'

The rest of the walk back was quiet, the excitement of the day catching up with the children. Liliana held Amelia's hand, chattering about her favourite part of the trip, while Edgar walked just ahead, carrying the bag of sweets they had yet to devour.

By the time they reached the castle, all three children were drooping with exhaustion. Harry and Amelia worked together to tuck them into bed, Sirius clutching his new chocolate frog card and Edgar murmuring sleepily about Zonko's.

Once the children were settled, Harry and Amelia retreated to the living room, where they collapsed onto the sofa with matching sighs.

"That was perfect," Amelia said, leaning her head on Harry's shoulder.

Harry wrapped an arm around her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "It really was. I could get used to days like this."

Amelia smiled, her eyes fluttering shut. "So could I."

O – o – o - o

A week later, Marlene came bursting into the library in tears, her face blotchy and red. Amelia, sitting at a nearby table, immediately put her quill down and stood to comfort her friend.

"Marlene, what's wrong?" she asked gently, guiding her to a chair. Lily, who had been studying across the room, rushed over moments later, concern etched across her face.

"It's Sirius," Marlene sniffled, brushing at her tears. "He's such a jerk!"

"What happened?" Amelia asked, her tone soft and steady.

Through hiccupping sobs, Marlene launched into the latest drama. Apparently, Sirius had made some thoughtless comment about Marlene's family during an argument, which spiralled into a bigger fight than either of them intended. By the end of her story, Marlene was practically hyperventilating.

"I don't know what to do," she said, her voice cracking.

Amelia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Look, Marlene, I know Sirius can be impulsive, but he cares about you. You just need to let him know how what he said made you feel—calmly. If he understands that, he'll apologise. And if he doesn't, well, I'll hex him for you," she said with a small, reassuring smile.

Marlene sniffed and gave her a watery laugh. "Thanks, Amelia. I'll talk to him. It's just so frustrating sometimes. How do you handle things with Harry? You always seem so... steady."

Amelia hesitated. "Well, we've never had an argument before," she admitted, almost shyly.

Marlene's eyes went wide. "Seriously? How is that possible? You've been together for months!"

"Yeah, Amelia, all couples fight," Lily chimed in, crossing her arms and looking at her like she had just revealed a terrible secret.

Amelia shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know. Maybe it's because we're both... older?" she ventured. "Or maybe we just know how to talk things through before it gets to that point."

"Or maybe," Marlene said with a teasing smirk, "you're too busy with other things to fight."

Amelia flushed at the implication, but she couldn't exactly argue with it. They did have plenty of passion. "Maybe," she replied with a small shrug, trying to play it off.

But as her friends continued to tease her, Amelia couldn't help but wonder. Was it normal not to fight? Was it healthy? Could Harry be bottling things up just to keep the peace? The thought lingered long after Marlene had dried her tears and left the library.

O – o – o – o

The plan was risky—one of the boldest the group had ever attempted. Sirius had always been the daredevil of their trio, and when the idea had been floated, he jumped at the chance to prove he could pull it off. It was a daring move, but they had no other leads on where the diary could be hidden. If they didn't act now, they risked Voldemort gaining even more ground.

The night was still as Sirius stood in front of a tall mirror, studying his reflection with a mix of fascination and disdain. His features were no longer his own: pale skin, long platinum hair, and a sharp, aristocratic nose stared back at him. He sneered, trying out Lucius Malfoy's trademark expression of superiority. "What a pompous prat," Sirius muttered, his voice now perfectly mimicking Malfoy's clipped tone.

"You'll have to keep that act up," Harry said, standing nearby with Edgar. "Abraxas and Lucius are more paranoid than ever. If you slip, even for a second, they'll catch on."

"I know, I know," Sirius replied, waving a gloved hand dismissively. "I've been around that snake enough times to imitate him in my sleep. Don't worry about me."

Edgar handed him a silver flask, filled with Polyjuice potion, altered slightly to include a hint of his magical signature so he could get through the wards. "You'll need to re-dose every hour. And don't linger—get in, find the diary, and get out. We can't risk you being caught."

Sirius nodded, tucking the flask into the inside pocket of his dark robes. "Right. If I'm not back in three hours…"

"We'll come looking for you," Harry said firmly. "Be careful."

Sirius grinned, the expression unnervingly smug on Malfoy's face. "Careful is my middle name."

"It's not and that's what worries me."

Disguised as Lucius Malfoy, Sirius apparated to the gates of Malfoy Manor. The grand estate loomed in the moonlight, its towering structure casting long shadows over the immaculate grounds. The wrought iron gates, etched with the Malfoy family crest, glimmered faintly under the glow of the crescent moon, their protective wards humming softly in the cool night air. Sirius took a deep breath, reminding himself to keep his composure. He adjusted his posture to mimic Lucius's trademark arrogance, raised his wand, and tapped the gates.

The wards responded immediately, parting as though welcoming their master home. A smirk tugged at Sirius's lips. Being Lucius definitely has its perks. He stepped onto the cobblestone path leading to the manor, his boots clicking softly against the stones. He kept his movements deliberate, confident, and unhurried—just as Lucius would.

Once inside the estate, Sirius moved quickly but carefully, heading for Lucius's private study where he knew the diary was most likely hidden. The grandeur of the manor was overwhelming, with its gilded chandeliers and intricate tapestries depicting scenes of dark magic. Yet Sirius felt no awe, only urgency. Every step brought him closer to finding Voldemort's Horcrux.

Meanwhile, miles away in Diagon Alley, Harry and Edgar apparated outside an exclusive gentlemen's club, the kind of establishment known for its privacy and discretion. Its velvet-draped windows and brass fixtures gave it an air of opulence, but to Harry, it reeked of pretension.

Inside, the dimly lit lounge was filled with the low hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of raucous laughter. Lucius Malfoy, predictably, was in his element, holding court near the bar with a glass of firewhisky in hand. His pale features were flushed from drink, and his laughter was loud and obnoxious.

Harry and Edgar, cloaked in dark robes, waited until he was on his own and then slipped through the room unnoticed, sticking to the shadows. As they approached Lucius, Harry whispered, "Ready?"

Edgar nodded, his hand tightening around his wand.

With a swift flick of his wand, Harry muttered, "Stupefy." The spell hit Lucius square in the chest, cutting off his drunken laughter mid-sentence. His glass of firewhisky fell to the floor, shattering loudly, but the noise was drowned out by the general clamour of the lounge.

Harry cast a quick Feather-Light Charm on Lucius, and together, he and Edgar caught the unconscious man before he could slump to the ground.

"Quick, let's move," Edgar whispered, his eyes scanning the room to ensure no one had noticed.

They carried Lucius toward a side hallway and found an old broom closet tucked away near the kitchen. Edgar opened the door while Harry manoeuvred the limp body inside. With another wave of his wand, Harry secured the door. He thought of adding a silence charm for good measure, but changed his mind at the last minute.

"Think he'll enjoy his stay?" Edgar asked with a smirk.

Harry shrugged. "Let's just hope Sirius doesn't take too long. If Lucius wakes up before we're done, this could get messy."

Back at Malfoy Manor, Sirius strode confidently through the halls, his posture mimicking Lucius's haughty gait. House-elves scurried out of his path, bowing low without a second glance. Sirius kept his expression neutral, though his heart was pounding in his chest. Every second in the manor increased the risk of discovery.

Sirius climbed the sweeping staircase to the second floor, where the study was located, and pushed open the heavy oak door. Inside, the room was as grandiose as he expected, with dark wood shelves lined with books and rare artefacts.

He began his search, careful to leave everything exactly as he found it. He rummaged through drawers, tapped at hidden compartments in the shelves, and even checked the ornate desk for enchantments. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, his frustration growing with every failed attempt.

Then, his eyes landed on a glass cabinet in the corner. Inside, surrounded by a variety of cursed objects, was a simple black diary. It looked unassuming, but Sirius knew better. The faint pulse of dark magic emanating from it confirmed what he already suspected.

"Gotcha," Sirius muttered, casting a quick unlocking charm on the cabinet. It clicked open, and he snatched the diary, tucking it securely into his robes.

Just as he turned to leave, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hall. His heart leapt into his throat. Someone was coming.

Thinking quickly, Sirius cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and ducked behind a large armchair. A moment later, Abraxas entered the room, his eyes scanning the space. "Lucius?" he called, his tone suspicious. "Are you back already?"

Sirius held his breath, cursing his luck. He had no time to wait him out. As he moved deeper into the study, his back to the door, Sirius slipped out silently, the Disillusionment Charm still masking his presence. He made his way down the hall, resisting the urge to run until he was safely outside the wards.

The moment he crossed the boundary, he apparated back to Blackwood Manor where Harry and Edgar were waiting.

"Did you get it?" Harry asked the moment Sirius appeared, his wand drawn just in case.

Sirius grinned, pulling the diary from his robes and holding it up triumphantly. "One cursed diary, as requested."

Harry let out a relieved sigh. "You're insane, you know that?"

"Insane, but effective," Sirius quipped. "Now, let's destroy this bloody thing before Voldemort realises it's missing."

Edgar handed Sirius a drink. "That was risky, but well done. Let's make sure it was worth it."

Together, they placed the diary on a table. Harry retrieved the amulet they had used before, and with steady hands, he activated the charm. The diary trembled violently as the dark magic inside fought against its destruction. Then, with a final crack, the diary split open, a plume of black smoke erupting before dissipating into nothingness.

Another Horcrux was gone.

"Only one left," Harry said, his voice firm. "Then we can end him."

Sirius clapped him on the shoulder. "And one less artefact for Malfoy to gloat over. I'd call that a win."