Book II: Age of the Phoenix
Chapter X: Mysteries of the Ministry
Music Theme: How Deep is Your Love - The Bee Gees
The Potter Estate - August 1976...
"Sirius?" James whispered as he shook his friend who was sound asleep in bed. "Sirius wake up."
"Hmm? Not now Moony."
"Wake up, Sirius."
"Ok Ok... one bedtime story then it's lights out."
"Sirius for the love of Merlin," James grabbed Sirius' pillow and yanked it out from under his head.
The boy shot up after his head smacked the mattress and looked around started, "What the? What's your damage?"
"Come on," James said holding up his invisibility cloak. "I want to show you something."
A sleepy Sirius obliged and James wrapped the cloak around them then tip-toed through the long hallways of the Potter home and crept down the stairs. As they neared the bottom, they could hear voices coming from Fleamont Potter's study. There were a great many and it almost sounded like a party.
"What's going on?" Sirius whispered.
"Mum and Dad have old Ministry and Hogwarts colleagues over for drinks and cigars once a year. It's like a reunion."
"Why all the secrecy?"
"Let's just say Dad got tired of me getting into mischief with his friends around, so they started making the date of the reunion a secret and nobody comes over until I've got to bed. Jokes on them. I saw Mum making cake treys this morning."
"What kind of Mischief?" Sirius asked as the two, still wrapped in the cloak, took a seat on the bottom step and stared into the half open doors of the study.
"One year I tampered with dad's hair tonic sample case and that lady," he pointed to an elderly woman pouring herself some tea, "decided to try on the hair growth formula. Ended up overgrowing and the old lady looked like Rapunzel."
"James," Sirius gasped, "Do you know who that is? That's Bathilda Bagshot."
"Is it really? History of Magic Bagshot? Blimey... I sorta feel bad now."
"I can't believe you Pranked Bathilda Bagshot. Who's she talking to?"
"Dad's old boss, Bob Odgen. He's a legend at the Ministry. One day I'm going to be an Auror like him then head of Magical Law Enforcement."
"Yea. The kid who pranked one of the most renound withces of our century is going be in charge of the rulebook."
James just elbowed Sirius then they watched the figures pass in the room. Horrace Slughorn was chatting up Benjy Fenwick. Sirius pointed out his uncle Ignatius Prewitt but saw no sign of his aunt Lucretia.
"She came last year," James said. "Your aunt?"
"Probably wanted to avoid the scandal of my being taken in by your family."
"Either that or Mum's tea is worse than I thought."
Euphemia Potter offered some biscuits to Theseus Scamander. James pointed out old Wizengamot members of well-known Wizard families Mockridge, Bones and even the brother of the recently retired Minister Eugenia Jenkins were present.
Alastor Moody stood a bit to the side of the room, engaging in what appeared to be a serious discussion with his colleague Atticus McKinnon.
"Isn't that Marlene's dad?" Sirius nodded toward him.
"Mhmm," James grinned and nudged his friend. "Want to go ask his blessing for you two?"
"Get bent," Sirius grunted.
"Atticus. Alastor." Fleamont called to the two men. "Stop talking business. Come over here and join the fun."
"Maybe you retired, Potter, but I didn't," Mr. McKinnon said sternly. "We only have another year to do what is necessary."
"McKinnon," Bog Ogden said as he stood. "I will not have that talk started up again."
"All due respect, Robert. You aren't my boss anymore."
"Atticus, please," Euphemia begged.
"I won't stand by and have my children enter a world where the Ministry turns a blind eye to this threat." he looked back at Moody, "Alastor agrees with me."
The room fell silent and everyone looked at Madeye. "He's not wrong, you know," Madeye said.
"This is starting to sound more and more like the start of an uprising. Vigilantes have no place at the Ministry," Jenkins said.
"You're sister isn't Minister anymore, Jenkins," Moody replied.
"Stop raising your voices," Fleamont insisted. "You'll wake the boys."
"Oh, I forgot," Mr. McKinnon pointed to Fleamont. "You took in the Black boy. Why is it alright for you to do what is right but when I try, I'm called Vigilante?"
"You will leave Sirius out of this conversation, Atticus," Euphemia said in a warning tone.
"Your intensions are good, but your logic of justification is wrong," Ogden added.
"I'm doing my job," Mr. McKinnon protested.
"And how many of us watched as 'just doing our job' resulted in disaster?"
"There comes a time when you can't think, you just have to do the next right thing. Our job as Aurors is deciding what the Next Right thing is!" Atticus said.
"We aren't gods, Atticus," Theseus spoke up. "Take it from someone who has seen-"
"Don't, Scammander," Atticus held up his hand and calmly said, "We've heard about your war days time and time again. Please do not start with you sage words of wisdom when all you have done for the last couple of decades is teach children to 'swish' and 'flick' at bogarts. The lot of you. What have you done lately? All retired, save for Moody and I and we have to face this reality every single day. I know you want to offer your words of wisdom, I do. I know you want to still feel involved. But teaching a bunch of kids or taking in Orion Black's son," he points to Fleamont, "is hardly comparison to the challenges Moody an I face every day at the corrupt Ministry that you lot left behind."
"Enough!" Ogden said standing and clashed his cane on the ground. "You will not dismiss the contributions this room has made to our society, Atticus. You're young. You have ambition. These are traits that make you a great Auror. But you must have respect for the past in order to preserve the future. Otherwise, you will crumble under the pressure of your role without that balance. I think you should go now."
"I didn't intend to offend anyone," Atticus sighed.
"Intensions do not matter once the offense has been committed. Please leave."
Atticus McKinnon looked to his hosts and Fleamont Potter nodded. "Very well. Excuse me." He gave an apologetic nod to Euphemia before storming into the hall and nearly clashed into Albus Dumbledore who was just arriving.
"Goodness," the headmaster said. "Is the party over already?"
"It is for me. A little too crowded in there. Goodnight, Albus." Atticus McKinnon set his hat on his head and departed into the night, a pop sounding as he apparated away.
Dumbledore approached the study but stopped and glanced over his shoulder towards the steps and looked directly at the spot where Sirius and James sat, concealed by the cloak. He smiled, a twinkle in his eye and said, "A bit crowded out here too." Then ducked into the study to join the others.
January 6, 1980 - McKinnon Castle...
Sirius couldn't delay his mission anymore. He had to go to McKinnon castle in search for Max Forrestor's real journal and deliver it to Dumbledore. He dreaded the trip for more reasons than one. He had to leave James behind injured while once again, lying to Marlene. When he arrived, he was relieved to discover Angus and the Prewitt's were on a scouting mission in London. Marlene finished giving the grand tour of the castle ruins to Sirius and they ended in her room.
"So," Sirius said, "I finally get into Marlene McKinnon's bedroom."
"Don't be cheeky," Marlene replied and leaned on the door frame with her arms crossed.
"Why? Not like sensitive Marvin is going to kick my ass if he overhears."
"He won't have to. I'll do it myself."
Sirius strut around her room, shrugged at the decor and said, "Not too shabby. A bit too Medieval for my taste."
"And your flat on Crouch Hill is much better?" She chuckled.
"Well how would you know? You've never seen it," he replied defensively but then became glaringly aware of the harsh reminder of his rejection of her request to move in with him. The look on her face confirmed that she'd also had the same realization and then Sirius spotted a box of records in the corner. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he rushed over to them. "Oh, let's see what Princess McKinnon listens to."
Marlene followed him, "Oh! Just the usuals." She said nervously.
"The Ramones? Very good taste." He started flipping the through the albums until he found a handful in the very back. "Wait... the OJays? The Bee Gees? KC and The Sunshine Band!?" He burst out laughing. "You listen to disco?!" Marlene reached for them but Sirius kept laughing and held them out of reach.
"Yes! Ok?"
"Oh!" Sirius held his side as he laughed, "Oh Marlene! Hiding sequins and glitter under that brown leather jacket of yours aren't you?" She tried to reach them again but Sirius ducked away from her and she chased him around the room. "I can see it now! Earth, Wind & Fire's farewell concert and you'll be front row center headbannging to September!"
"Sirius!" she couldn't help but laugh at his visual. "You think you're so smooth, but I know you and Peter listened to ABBA in school!" Finally Marlene got the advantage as she tackled him and they both fell backward on the bed.
"Tell me something, McKinnon," Sirius muttered sincerely as she pinned him down.
"Yes?" She tensed a bit at her tone, wondering what he was going to say as they lay in a position they'd not experience for some time, Marlene looking down at Sirius dark eyes and her blonde hair cascaded down towards him.
"I just... I need to know something?"
"Sure. Anything."
"Do you... know all the dance moves to YMCA?"
"Good God," she groaned and snatched her albums back from him then dismounted the bed, leaving him sitting there.
"Seriously, because you and Peter could have a competition. I have to warn you though, he's a better dancer than you."
"You know the only reason I listen to disco is because it's upbeat and happy. Marvin sent me these to help cheer me up after school. Dad had died and you... Well, let's just say I didn't have... access to your album collection."
"Oh. Right..."
He sat on the edge of the bed. She dropped the records in box and kept her back to him.
"Been a while since you pinned me down like that," he couldn't help but smile.
"What are you doing here, Sirius?" Marlene asked, still gazing away from him. "And don't give me that shite excuse again about wanting to deliver the message about dueling practice changing times tomorrow. You didn't have to come all this way for that."
Sirius thought of what he could say that wouldn't be yet another lie to her. "I wanted to see you."
She now turned to face him, "Why?"
"Because... I don't like the way we left things at Christmas. Guess I'm not used to rejection."
"Well get used to it," she said sternly. "You're not exempt from heartbreak, Sirius, getting to dole it out but never wanting to accept it when it comes back around to ye."
"Angus is a liar," he snapped as he could no longer stand to hear her push him away.
"What?"
"He lied to Dumbledore. The notebook he turned in wasn't complete. I wasn't going to tell you but I'll be damned if I keep sparing Angus' reputation to save you some heartbreak. You deserve to know who he is and what he's done."
"Angus wouldn't lie about something involving the war."
"He lies about a lot of things. More than you realize," Sirius stood and walked over to her.
"Give me one more example," she said and for a moment Sirius wondering if she'd always been suspicious of the role Angus played in their relationships' demise. Sirius stared down at her for a long while, every ounce of anger towards Angus and every impulse of passion for Marlene welling up in his chest wanting to break free. He just rest his hands on her arms gently to steady himself as he opened his mouth, not sure what words would follow, when they hear Marvin shout from downstairs.
"Hey, Sirius? You going to stay for lunch?"
Marlene and Sirius stayed frozen in his grasp but he softened and said, "No." Finally he let go of her and called, "Thanks anyway. I need to get back soon."
Marlene shuttered a breath as she calmed from the tension and said, "I'll show you Angus room. But I don't think you'll find anything."
Sirius allowed her to pass, giving himself a moment for his emotions to bottle back up before following her.
Meanwhile in London...
The London streets were packed with pedestrians who kept their noses in their scarves and coats to avoid the January air. The Prewitt Brothers and Angus McKinnon had been waiting outside Trafalgar square most of the day when Fabian finally decided to fetch some hot teas to warm them from the nearby cafe. When Gideon and Angus were alone, sitting on the edge of the fountain, Angus said, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"There's nothing to talk about," Gideon replied as he stood and paced in front of the fountain. "You didn't tell them. You looked relieved not to tell them and now it's been three days and you've still remained silent. About everything, I'll add."
"Gideon? Am I a coward?"
"Yes."
"Well you didn't have to answer so damn fast! Blimey," he snapped defensively.
"Then why did you ask?! I'm not going to baby you. I'm not your mummy." Gideon lowered his voice when people started to stare and stepped closer. "What are you really afraid of, Angus?"
"I'm afraid that what happened that night, almost two years ago, isn't done. When broke Delaney out of Malfoy's home, I was the decoy. I had to keep Greyback distracted and... he said some things."
"What things?"
"He made some promises," Angus clasped his hands together tightly in anger and spoke through gritted teeth. "About my family. About my friends. I think he means to keep them."
"Well your dad pissed him off. Greyback likes his revenge."
"I just wish I knew who dad was with when he attacked that Werewolf colony. There has to be another side to the story. There has to be."
Gideon looked up and whispered, "Ang, look." He nodded towards an elderly man in a woman's fox fur coat. He had very large specktakles that swallowed his face and a bowler hat on his head. "That's him."
"Dumbledore didn't exaggerate about the bloke's style. He's dressed like Charlie Chaplin."
"Who?" Gideon raised an eyebrow.
Angus just sighed as he stood, "Thank Godric your sister married a muggle enthusiast. You lads need an education." The two of them approached the small, round man and Angus said, "Sir?"
The gentleman turned to face them and Gideon asked, "Are you Robert Ogden?"
"Depends on who is asking?" He replied cautiously.
"My name is Angus and this is Gideon. We have questions for you, regarding a family that went by the name of Gaunt."
"I see," He replied and lifted his hat off his head. "Will you do me the honor of holding this?"
"Um, sure," Angus said and took it.
"Wonderful," Ogden replied as he tapped his cane on the ground. "Now then. Ta-ta!" He turned on his heel and sprinted away.
"Hey!" Angus and Gideon darted after the Wizard. "Wait, Fabian!" Gideon realized.
"He will have to find us. We can't let him get away. Come on!"
"This bloke seems tripple our age! How is he outrunning us?" Gideon panted.
"Dumbledore said he was on Head of Magical Law Enforcement for years. A job like that, chasing Wizards and dodging spells, you probably have to stay spry."
"I am spry!" Gideon clapped back.
"Then prove it and catch up with him!" The two sped off through the streets after the round man.
Meanwhile at the Lupin Home...
"So what's it to be then?" Hope Lupin asked her son as he sat at the kitchen table, his first day emerging from his beadroom since his arrival at his childhood home. "Are you moving back in with Mum and Dad or going back to help Albus?"
"Well, I know if you had a say in things you'd want me to stay here," Remus smirked at her as he slurped his hot chocolate.
"Of course I would," she grinned, reaching across the table and setting her hand on his. "If it were up to me you would have never grown up. But you did. I just want you to stay for the right reasons. If you're wanting to hide, then I'd be a bad mother not to kick you out that door and lock it behind you."
"At least I know James is alive now."
"James shouldn't have been there," Lyall Lupin chimed in upon entry to the kitchen to make himself some lunch.
"You try telling him that," Remus grunted.
"I can't believe those boys perfected Animagi as such a young age. Still, it was reckless of them to get involved."
"It was reckless to send me to school at all, but Dumbledore allowed it," Remus said, his voice getting agitated.
"Ok ok," His mother calmed the room. "Who else knows, Remus?"
"Well you already know about the incident with Snape..."
"The Slytherin boy. Yes," his mother nodded. "I remember when Dumbledore told us."
"Well he used to be good friends with James' wife, Lily. She knows. But she made him swear not to tell anyone else. Thing is, he's a member of Voldemort's forces now. Alongside..." He bit his lip and forced out the name. "Alongside Fenrir Greyback."
Lyall Lupin slammed down the jar of relish he'd been using on his lunch and took some steady breaths.
"Lyall," his wife warned.
"He's not going back, Hope."
"He can't stay here and hide in his bedroom! Do I need to repeat Dumbledore's lecture from all those years ago?"
"I will not allow my son to be a pawn in this war over something he can't control!"
"So instead you wish to control everything?"
"Enough!" Remus stood so quickly it rattled the table.
"Remus," his father said. "If Fenrir finds out that the wolf is getting stronger then he could come after you to try and claim you for his pack."
"And you'd think I would willingly go?" He asked defensively.
"I know you wouldn't. That's why I worry. Greyback doesn't take kindly to defiance."
"You think I don't know that!? I know what he does. He left a permanent reminder on my face!" He points to his scars. "He branded the only woman I ever cared-" He stopped just short of finishing.
"There's... a girl?" His mother asked softly.
"There was," he said. "But she's better off without me. Everyone is. Until I can get answers on what the hell is going on with this wolf, the man will have to stay away from everyone."
"Where are you going?" His mother asked as Remus picked up his coat and scarf from the rack.
"A walk. Don't wait up."
He stormed out as fast as he could with still a limp from the moon and Hope gave a stern look to her husband. "Go make this right, Lyall."
"How can I?! You know how he gets when he's in this mood."
"Lyall, didn't you hear him? There's a girl he cares for. That's what this is about. He's afraid of hurting her."
"And he might just, the wolf I mean. I don't want my son to carry that burden."
"Lyall. We aren't going to live forever. He's going to be alone one day if we can't convince him that he needs people. Please. Go fix this."
Lyall Lupin just set down his plate and walked over to his wife and brushed her brown locks from her face. He smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "What did I do in life to win the heart of the strongest woman in the muggle world?"
"Only the muggle world?" She raised an eyebrow at him and smirked.
Lyall just laughed and kissed her on the lips then whispered, "I'll bring him home. Lock up behind me."
"I'll be fine. Just go."
The Ministry of Magic...
James sat in Madeye's office, his arm handcuffed to the desk, as the Auror examine the broken leg. "You're a bloody fool for walking on this, Potter. What the hell did you do to yourself?"
"It's a broken femur. I had a few days for it to heal."
"Only a few days? Well considering that, I'd suggest your wife take up healing as a profession. Looks more like you've had it healing for two weeks. Still, you've undone a lot of her work by coming here. Looks like your chest is bleeding too." He nodded to the stains bleeding through his shirt.
"I rolled away from Mulciber's spell and probably opened one of the wounds."
"One of them? How many you got? I'll have a look."
"No," James insisted, not wanting Madeye to see the scars and deduce it as a werewolf attack. "No it doesn't hurt. Just a bit of spotting. Got any painkiller for my leg though?"
"Somthin better than potions," Madeye smirked. He pulled a flask of fire whiskey from his pocket and uncorked it, handing it to James who, out of habit, raised his right hand only for the cuff around his wrist to clink. He sighed and grabbed the bottle with his free hand, saying, "Is this necessary?"
"Aye. If someone walks in and sees you strutting about then I'll be in a mess of trouble."
"I don't strut," James grumbled then took a swig of whiskey.
"So what were you really doing? Pettigrew didn't say anything about you when he came to fetch me. Just said Lily was in danger."
"She didn't know I was coming. I snuck out when I found out she was here. We had a mission from Dumbledore to find evidence of Barty's loyalties to Voldemort."
"Good luck with that," Madeye said. "I've been trying to convince his old man to fire the boy, but he won't do it. Makes me wonder if old Bartemous is suspicious himself of his son's loyalties and wants to keep him close. Never have I seen a father with such a distaste for their child, but refuses to do anything about it to keep up appearances."
"So he just lets Barty rule these halls, knowing he may work for Voldemort?"
"Denial is a powerful thing, Potter. If you tell yourself a falsehood enough, if becomes so true to you that you'd die for it."
A tiny paper airplane flew through one of the mail openings and landed on Madeye's desk. He quickly flipped the paper open and read. "Ah. Good news Potter. You'll be free to go as soon as I get some paperwork done. I'm going to speak with Minister Minchum about it. I'll tell him you came to defend your wife, not knowing Snape was cleared yet. You thought he was still an Undesirable. Minchum's a family man and worked with your father for a turn. He'll let you off, all right."
"Almost twenty and my father still bails me out even after he's gone," James sighed and caught Madeye just staring at him softly. "What?"
"Nothin it's just," he smiled proudly. "Times I forget how young you lot all are." He picked up James' wand from the table and handed it to him. "Here. Hide it. I just don't want you sitting here defenseless and alone. If you've got to free yourself and run for any reason then use your discretion. For the love of Godric, don't do anything else reckless."
"I won't."
"Hmmm," He grumbled. "I don't really believe that, but I'll have to take it. Just be patient."
"Not my strong suit," James muttered to himself. "Madeye?"
The Auror stopped just short of the exit and looked back.
"Have you told Dumbledore about Bartemous Crouch's suspicions regarding Barty?"
"Course I have."
"Then if Dumbledore knew, why would he send us to try to find evidence against Barty? That's just fighting a losing game?"
"Maybe Barty wasn't the real reason for the mission. Maybe Dumbledore sent you lot to investigate someone else. Guess we won't know now." He left James there to think and locked the door behind him.
Back at McKinnon Castle...
Marlene stood with her arms crossed in Angus' room as Sirius walked about. "Find anything yet? Should I flip the furniture for you? Will I be subject to a strip search?"
"Will you shut up?" Sirius clapped back at her as he rummaged through Angus desk.
Marlene caught his frustrated expression turn to a smirk and asked, "What?"
"Nothing it's just... I wouldn't be opposed to a strip search."
"Why you," she balled her fist and the embers in Angus' fireplace crackled into large flames, causing both Marlene and Sirius to jump.
"I thought you said you've not managed more than lighting a candle."
"I haven't... say something rude again."
"Ok... um," he thought. "You know that sweater you wore to the meeting last week? We all could tell you weren't wearing a bra."
"What?!" The flame sparked more and both of them grew ecstatic.
Sirius moved beside her to look at the flames and smiled. "You did it McKinnon."
"I did. I did it!" She took in the moment briefly before elbowing Sirius in the side and he doubled over with a groan. "Why are you staring at my chest during a meeting? You creep!"
He stood up and was nose to nose with her. "You're the one who wanted me to say something offensive." Once again they found themselves close to one another and for a moment, Sirius felt like Marlene was leaning in closer but her eyes drifted to Angus bookshelf just behind Sirius. He turned around and examined it "What?"
"This book," she stepped past him and approached the books, reaching for "A History of Muggle Marvels," and pulled it from the shelf. Sirius came up behind her her as she said, "It shouldn't be here."
"Why not?"
"Because it's in my room. I took it from his collection to read and it's sitting on my nightstand as we speak."
"Does he have two copies?" Sirius asked and she just shook his head.
"Remember when I had to disguise a hair tonic book to look like Tab's family history book? Angus showed me that trick. He used to disguise Quibblers as textbooks in school." She just stared at it and Sirius rest his hands on her shoulders. Slowly, she opened it. Sure enough, the inside was not a history of muggle inventions but the hand-written notes of Maximus Forrestor."
"For the record," Sirius said, "I'm sorry I was right..."
"Yea," she sighed, turning and shoving the book into his hands, "So am I."
She stormed out and Sirius attempted to follow but Tabitha's voice emerged from the mirror in his back pocket. Sirius groaned as he lifted the mirror and snapped, "What Delaney?"
"Don't be mad..." Was the first thing she said.
"Too late. What do you want?"
"It's James. I just came upstairs to check on him. He's missing."
Sirius just let out a long sigh to keep his temper at bay but managed to grunt, "Fuck."
Meanwhile in London...
"I do apologize lads," Bog Ogden said in his tiny Belgravia home. The boys had chased him almost two miles through London before catching up and explaining themselves. Now they sat, sweating and panting at the old man's tea table with half a dozen cats strutting about the room. "Had I known you to be friends of Dumbledore's I wouldn't have run." He removed a black cat from his seat and sat across from them. "So, you were asking about the Gaunt family?"
"Yes sir. Dumbledore thinks something about that day may be significant to the war we are fighting in."
"Oh," He reached down and lifted his teacup. "Don't tell me that," he sighed. "I'll never forget that day."
"What happened, sir."
"Honestly, it wasn't what happened that troubles me at all," he admitted. "It was just the family. They were the last relatives of old Salazar, you know? Didn't live like it though. All they had was a name to live on and some heirlooms. Oh, but they were dark. The brother was the worst."
"How so, sir?"
"Well he killed his whole family of course. Killing curse. All the Gaunts are dead and now the brother sits in Azkaban for his crimes."
"Is that what you witnessed? Their deaths?"
"Oh. No no. I just went for a routine summons. It was the way they talked to one another. Another language. Then they'd send the most scattered spells all over. Self-taught magic can be a dangerous thing."
"Self-taught?"
"Of course. The father didn't send any of his children to school. Probably why you haven't heard the name before now. The name died with them."
"Sir. For whatever reason, Dumbledore thinks you may know more than you realize. You could be in great danger."
"Aye, I know." He sighed, "I've heard the news about Fleamont Potter. Dragon Pox? Pah! A Potioneer like Fleamont taken down by some bumps and sniffles? It's suspicious. That's why I ran when I did. Fleamont had a bit of an obession with the Gaunts too when he worked with me. He was in the middle of investigating them when he retired for no reason at all. Never thought I'd see the day when one of my Wizengamot collegues retired before I did."
"Then will you come with us, sir?"
"No," he shook his head. "I'm an old man. I've had an eventful life. I won't be charging into battle anymore. This world has become so unjust and corrupted. There is nothing more I can do. It's up to your generation now."
"Sounds like something Scammander would say."
"If you're referrering to Thesius, one of my star Aurors, than you should listen to him." He thought for a moment. "Wait here." He left the room and Gideon and Angus awkwardly stared at the cats.
"I'm just saying, Angus. This is what growing old alone looks like..."
"I get it, ok?" Angus snapped as the man walked back in. He held out a vial in front of him once he took a seat and deeply breathed in. He shut his eyes and rest his temple on his forehead. After a moment, a silver bead of magic coiled around his wand. He pulled the memory from his mind and planted it in the vial.
"Woah," Gideon looked fascinated by the deed.
"I entrust it to Dumbledore." He handed the vial over and Gideon pocketed it. "May whatever he finds in there serve him well. But please ask that he not relay his discovery to me. To live my final days with a burden of war, is not something I wish to have after years of fighting."
"We understand sir," Angus said and everyone stood to go. Ogden escorted them to the door and thanked them for the visit but just before they left, Angus turned and said, "Sir. Do you remember my father? Atticus McKinnon?"
"Oh, I do. I don't know why I didn't put the names together when I heard it," He instantly frowned, "Oh... the castle fire. I'm so sorry my boy. I heard the news."
"Do you rememeber working with him? He would have been an Auror from about 1958 to late '77."
"I'm sorry my boy, but I retired around '59. Even if I worked with your father, it wouldn't have been fore more than a year or so."
"So, you don't remember anything he was working on as an Auror. Nothing about... werewolves."
The older man's face shifted and he hesitated before saying. "No... I don't recall so."
"Right... thanks anyway," He grinned sadly then Gideon pat him on the back and said, "Let's go find, Fabian."
Meanwhile Fabian was balancing three to-go cups of tea in his hands as he walked circles around the Trafalgar Square fountain. "Well, I'll be damned." He said. He located a bin and quickly tossed two of the teas away befor angrily sipping his own. Fabian wandered around the streets, looking for some sign of his brother and Angus when he overheard a woman's voice, chanting, coming from one of the local shops. He wandered down a dark alley where some of the pedestrian traffic lightened and past many holistic medicine and herbal shops until he stumbled upon one without a shop name, but the woman's voice emerging from within. "Hello?" He called as he looked inside. He spotted a crystal ball in the center of a room covered in tapestries. "A fortune teller," he nodded as he entered then heard the door slam shut behind him. Fabian spun around and came face to face with the most frazzled woman he'd ever encountered. Her round glasses made her eyes look massive and her hair resembled a banshees as she wore bohemian clothing.
"Fortune teller?" She shook her head. "Second sight is far more than that. Tis' why you won't find the word 'Seer' listed on my shop window. The uneducated that wander these streets come asking who that shall wed, what day to bid at the races, which foot to lead with when they wake each day." She shuttered in disgust. "But you..." She reached forward and grabbed his hand. "You seek something more. You're looking for someone. Someone important to you. Are you not?"
"Um... my brother."
"Ah yes! He's lost," she grew excited.
"Sort of."
"And when is the last you saw of your brother."
"Um... maybe twenty minutes ago."
"Oh." She let his hand drop and looked disappointed. "So he's only wondered off then?"
"Sorry... we did come to town looking for someone though, if that makes you feel better. I just assume Gideon's found him or he'd be here. Hope he's ok." He sipped his tea and looked around the room then recognized a blue and silver scarf on her coat rack. "Where... Where did you get that."
"Aw," the woman walked to her scarf and held it close to her heart. "One of my most cherished possessions from home."
"Home?"
"Where I went to school."
"What's your name, then?"
"I'm Sybill Trelawney."
"Any relation to Cassandra Trelawney?"
Sybill let go of her sweater with a gasp and flew forward to Fabian, leaning in uncomfortably close to his face. "In truth, you knew my ancestor! Mistress of Divination and Second Sight?! Do you also come from our world, in touch with a truth greater than this world could comprehend?!"
"Um..." He leaned back, wide-eyed. "If you're asking if I'm also a Wizard than yes."
Sybill clasped her hands together with joy.
"I recognized that Ravenclaw scarf. If you're related to Madame Cass then why are you keeping shop in the muggle world?"
"As I've said, the world today sees Seers only as fortune tellers. They don't understand what Divination has to offer. That opinion is not exclusive to the muggle world. I've had many opportunities there, but the way our world treats Seers is distasteful. I setup shop here for those with a deeper desire of knowledge to find me.
"I understand. One of my best friends in school loved Divination. In fact, Albus Dumbledore is looking for someone now to take on the new position of teacher. He thinks the class should offer more than just reading bones and ruins. Have you any experience in prophecies?"
She tipped her head back and forth, "I have the gift, but what a Prophecy says and what it means are very different things. I just speak the words. It's up to the one who hears to decipher it." She thought. "You have a desire of knowledge. Perhaps the gift would be received well by you."
"You want to tell my fortune? I mean-" He quickly corrected himself, "Use second sight with me? But I can't really afford to pay you anything."
She once again moved very close, so close that Fabian had to lean backward. She grabbed his hands and said, "I shall give you your reading in exchange for a meeting for Dumbledore."
"Um. Sure."
"Thank you my boy. Thank you. To have a chance to go back home, enlighting the youth of tomorrow with divination, would be worth more than I can say. But first." She clapped her hands and pointed to the seat at her table. Fabian just grinned at the funny woman and took a seat on the large pillow. She sat across from him and grabbed his paper tea cup mid-sip and threw it away over her shoulder. Fabian protested but she shoved a finger against his lip and shushed him. Trelawney moved her head and hummed as Fabian waited. With a sharpe inhale she opened her eyes and pointed at him. "YOU!"
She shouted so loud and with a voice so deep that it startedle Fabian but he sat still.
"You walk at the end of your path with another. Side by side with the power of five you shall fall. The battles you fight will burden those you swore to protect and become their own. You shall, all of you, be nameless to those who did not know you, resting in eternity as just one of the many who shall falllllll." She used all her breath on her final words then coughed and as if choking and shook her head. She blinked a few times and then looked at him and said in her normal voice, "Goodness, dear. Did I say something alarming? You look troubled."
Fabian just shot up and said, "I'm fine... I just have to find my brother."
"Oh," she stood. "And you'll send word to Dumbledore for me?"
"Y-yes... but between you and me, I hope he finds you disqualified to get the job." She blinked in confusion, not knowing his meaning, "But I don't think I'll be that lucky." He said sadly and rushed out, hoping that her words were false but feeling in his soul that her reading was more than a bunch of words.
Dumbledore's Office At Hogwarts...
Lily and Dumbledore were engaged in a heated discussion when Sirius appeared with Marlene via the floo network. He walked beside Peter who stood to the side, allowing Lily to rant. "Wormtail?"
"Oh, Padfoot!"
"Delaney called. She said James went on the mission anyway. Figured we would come tell Dumbledore before charging in after him, but looks like Evans has it handled."
"More than that. James has been arrested..."
"What?!"
"And furthermore," Dumbledore calmly lectured Lily, "Young Pettigrew was supposed to work with Mary in locating the evidence, not you Lily."
"You can't seriously be cross with me, Albus!" Lily said with her hands on her hips. "I came to seek some help for my husband and instead you scold me like a child."
"My instructions were clear. James and Peter were to go to the ministry together."
"James was attacked and injured. He couldn't go!"
"If he was well enough to follow after you then he could have gone on the mission." He looked beside her to see Sirius. "Ah, Sirius. I trust your mission is complete?"
"Woah, no." Lily stepped between Sirius and Dumbledore. "We aren't finished talking, Albus."
The old man smiled at her stamina and softly said, "If he is with Madeye then he will be alright. He will be home soon. For now, I'm going to use his situation to our advantage." Dumbledore rolled up a scroll and Fawkes took it in his beak then flew out the large windows.
"Advantage?!"
"Lils," Peter stepped forward and rest his hand on her shoulder then looked to Dumbledore. "You told Tabs this morning we have to trust Dumbledore. Well now it's time we do. We should go back to the Safe House and wait for him."
Lily hesitated and Dumbledore used the silence to acknowledge Sirius and Marlene's arrival. "Miss McKinnon. Your expression suggests that you've discovered the reason behind Sirius' visit to your ancestral home?"
"If you mean the fact that my brother is a liar, then yes."
"Don't be discouraged, my dear," Dumbledore said. "Sometimes the truth can be a scary thing. It takes time to face it as an individual before you are ready to share it with others. Did you read the contents?"
"No sir," Sirius said as he pulled out the book and handed it to the older man. "We had just found it when Delaney called me. Didn't get time to read it."
"For the best perhaps," Dumbledore said setting the book down. "I suggest you take Pettigrew's advice. Go home. Get some rest. I'll ensure that James is home soon. If we use this opportunity properly, then more than one could have a homecoming today."
Everyone turned to leave except Lily who insisted on staying and Marlene took Sirius by the hand and said, "Just so you know... I don't blame you."
"I know that."
"And if Angus has lied to me about anything else, then I wish you'd tell me."
Sirius thought of it for a moment but slowly pulled his hand from hers, "Go home. Give him a chance to explain. If he doesn't... I'll tell you everything. I swear."