I do not own any part of the Harry Potter or Eragon universes.

I hope you like it.

January 20, 1996

"Dirty scum! You spawn of dirt and vermin! How dare you defile the house of my forefathers! If I were still alive, I would wring your neck with my own hands!"

Walburga Black screamed as if she was being tortured. Her skin was yellowish, and the whites of her eyes had blood running through them.

Sirius rolled his eyes theatrically and shouted, "Kreacher!".

BANG.

The old house-elf of the Black family appeared before his master. He arched his old back and looked up at Sirius from the floor.

"The wretched lord has summoned Kreacher. Kreacher is here," the elf croaked.

Sirius' curls fell across his face as he shook his head. As his mother continued to scream in the background, he observed the elf with a sense of repulsion.

He reminded Sirius of his brother Regulus, whom Kreacher had idolized. He suppressed the urge to draw his wand and hang Kreacher's head to his ancestors.

Kreacher still stood bent over before his master, his malevolent gaze locked onto the final scion of the Black family.

He averted his eyes from Sirius and a glimmer of something different began to emerge in his gaze. After all, one of the rightful heirs remained—the young Malfoy, who still possessed a legitimate claim to the Black family Lordship. He was, after all, the son of the esteemed Narcissa Black.

"Kreacher! I ordered you to leave my mother's picture alone! Are you disobeying my orders?" Sirius thundered.

Kreacher raised his gaze. "Kreacher was commanded by that despicable master to tidy up the Black estate. It's truly regrettable that Kreacher must obey the orders of such scum. If only young Master Regulus were still among us," he lamented.

Pure anger filled Sirius eyes and roared, "Leave!"

The elf snapped his fingers, and the curtains swiftly closed, obscuring his mother's portrait, and with a loud bang, Kreacher vanished. His mother's screams persisted from behind the closed curtains but eventually faded into silence.

"Always a delightful sound," a male voice softly commented from behind Sirius. He turned to find Remus standing before him, clad in worn-out attire and appearing even more fatigued and battered than their last encounter.

"Mooney!" Sirius exclaimed, his anger dissipating as he called out with an expansive grin. They embraced warmly, exchanging hearty pats on each other's shoulders.

"It's been weeks! Merlin, where on earth have you been all this time?" Sirius inquired impatiently, leading Remus into the kitchen and observing as the weary werewolf settled into a chair.

Remus let out a relieved sigh as he leaned back in his seat. "I've been on another assignment for Dumbledore, involving the werewolves."

Sirius ran a hand wearily over his face. "Again? You and I both know that nothing Dumbledore offers them can compare to what Greyback can provide – their freedom."

Remus nodded and gracefully swished his wand. The cupboard doors swung open, and with careful precision, two glasses floated toward him, producing a gentle clinking sound as they met.

Sirius grabbed a lingering bottle of fire whiskey from the previous night and poured both glasses with a liberal serving.

"Where are the Weasleys or the others?" Remus inquired after downing a substantial sip of the potent liquor. It seared his throat, and a faint plume of fire escaped as he exhaled.

"The Weasleys have returned to the Burrow," Sirius responded, taking a deep breath. "Molly didn't want Arthur to stay here after the attack. Nagini's assault has left him drained, and he needs sunlight and fresh air to recuperate—two things he doesn't find here," he finished with a frown.

"And since Dumbledore had to go into hiding, there haven't been as many Order meetings," Remus remarked. "He does make sporadic appearances, but for the most part, he's on the move."

Remus swirled the glass in his hand, observing the whiskey inside as it gently swayed, resembling waves crashing against a cliff.

"He certainly has a lot on his plate," Remus commented. "It would certainly be simpler if Voldemort would just openly admit to everything."

Sirius took a sip from his glass and peered at Remus over the rim. "Perhaps... I can't wait for the day when those fools apologize to Harry," he said with a faint smile.

Remus set down his empty glass and raised an eyebrow. "Are they still spreading that nonsense about him? I thought they had finally ceased after the Dumbledore incident."

Sirius' gaze flicked toward the Daily Prophet resting on the table, where Dumbledore's visage adorned the front page. "Although it's less frequent these days, the Prophet still occasionally brings up Harry's name."

"Lily would personally curse Fudge if she knew what that imbecile was subjecting Harry to," Sirius murmured softly.

Remus nodded and fixed his gaze on his hands, both of them descending into a contemplative silence that Remus eventually broke.

"They will be following Greyback," Remus said at last, rubbing his weary eyes. He continued with a heavy tone, "The few I managed to convince to join our cause were gone by the next morning. Men, women...even the children...they were all taken."

A groan escaped Remus as he winced from the pain in his shoulder. Sirius promptly stood and pushed aside Remus's shirt, revealing discoloured skin marred by a fresh scar, a deep cut running from shoulder to arm.

"How did this happen?" Sirius demanded, but Remus pushed his arm away and smoothed out his shirt, wearing a scowl as he replied, "What do you think? I attempted to rescue a young boy, but the odds were overwhelming. I had no chance against Greybacks minions."

In a fit of anger, Sirius seized the bottle from the table and hurled it to the floor, where it shattered into countless shards of glass. The fragments clinked against the floor, enveloping the room in momentary silence. Remus sat there, his brow creased, his gaze fixed on the shattered bottle as if it had resurrected his most haunting memories.

Remus sighed and picked up one of the glass shards from the floor, examining the sharp piece in his hand, and inquired softly, "Do you still have that elf wine you were so fond of?"

Sirius breathed heavily, his eyes aflame with anger and frustration. He slumped his shoulders and sank back into his chair.

"Do you mean my father's vintage? It's still down in the cellar. I haven't felt the... inclination to open a bottle since Harry's last letter," Sirius remarked, his voice tinged with a touch of bitterness.

Remus furrowed his brow, sensing the unspoken emotions beneath Sirius' words. "A letter from Harry? What did it say?" he asked with curiosity.

Sirius sighed and reclined, fixing his gaze on the distant horizon. "You'd know if you had written to him, Mooney."

Remus looked down, feeling a pang of guilt. He always found it challenging to connect with Harry, especially in his role as his former teacher. He had always meant to write to Harry, but the recent darkness and turmoil had engulfed and distracted him.

"I understand, Sirius," Remus finally responded in a sombre tone. "It's just... things have become more complex. We have so many responsibilities and dangers surrounding us. But that doesn't mean I don't think about Harry."

Sirius nodded slowly, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "I know, Remus. We're all ensnared in this battle, and it's increasingly difficult to hold onto the things that truly matter."

Sirius placed his arms on the table and hoisted himself up, gesturing for Remus to accompany him. "Come on, let's see what sort of wine we can find."

Remus rose and followed his friend, grateful for the diversion from the sombre thoughts and anxieties that had just weighed them down. Together, they embarked on a quest to uncover a bottle of wine from Sirius' father's ancient collection, perhaps hoping to temporarily alleviate the burdens of the moment.

A muted groan escaped Sirius as he gradually opened his eyes. His head lay heavily on the table, with perspiration causing his hair to cling to his forehead. In an effort to sit up, he propped himself on one arm, but the abrupt movement sent sharp throbs of pain through his head.

Sirius let out a soft sigh and massaged his temples, seeking relief from the pounding headache. With a cautious survey of his surroundings, he took in the scene.

He found himself in Regulus' room, a space he hadn't seen since he fled to live with the Potters. Sirius had always been aware of his brother's admiration for the Death Eaters, but only now did he grasp the extent of Regulus's infatuation.

Adjacent to him, Regulus had a wall adorned with pictures and articles from the Daily Prophet, sharing a similarity with Sirius in this regard. However, while Sirius's wall boasted images of Muggle motorcycles, Regulus's wall was exclusively adorned with depictions of Death Eaters.

Sirius sat up, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, wiping away some of the moisture from his forehead.

"Why couldn't you steer clear of them, brother?" Sirius muttered softly, struggling to his feet. The effects of the alcohol from the past few hours still coursed through his veins.

He descended the stairs in search of Mooney. After all, they had both shared a bottle or two during their recent hours together. Sirius discovered him on the kitchen floor, peacefully snoring with an empty bottle of elf wine nestled in his arms.

Sirius retrieved his wand with a mischievous grin and aimed it at his dear friend. A jet of cold water shot forth, connecting with Remus's face.

The werewolf sputtered and jolted awake, his eyes widening as the sudden deluge soaked him. A deft wave of his wand caused the airborne water to coalesce into a gleaming orb, which, with another flick toward the sink, vanished with a soft pop.

Remus ran a hand over his face and rubbed his eyes. "Couldn't you wake me up more gently?" he mumbled wearily.

Sirius burst into laughter. "Of course not, Mooney I'm still a Marauder!"

He extended a hand to Remus, who accepted it with a resigned sigh. With Sirius's assistance, Remus hoisted himself to his feet, only then realizing the bottle of wine still in his grasp. He carefully placed it on the table and turned back to Sirius, noticing the pallor in his friend's face and the redness in his eyes.

"Maybe having a drink wasn't such a great idea," Remus commented quietly.

A faint smile played on Sirius's lips. "You might be onto something. All those years in Azkaban have truly done a number on my mind. Feels like a Hippogriff played Quidditch with it. But it makes it easier to forget, even if the memories come rushing back eventually."

Sirius sidled past Remus and opened a cupboard, retrieving a bottle of shimmering green potion and pouring them each a glass. He handed one to Remus, who promptly grimaced.

"Drink up; it'll help ease the hangover, even if it tastes like Snape's socks," Sirius explained, mimicking his own grimace as he consumed the potion, emitting a gasp as white steam billowed from his ears. "Better out the ears than the nose, I'd say. Can't stand the scent of it," he added, attempting to rid himself of the unpleasant aftertaste.

Remus snorted and wiped his mouth with his sleeves. "Putting aside your preference for Snape's socks... You mentioned that Harry sent you a letter. Is he still not using the mirror you gifted him for Christmas?"

Sirius let out a weary sigh and slouched into his chair. "It doesn't surprise me. The lad is just as stubborn as James, and with Lily's influence, it's no wonder he's reluctant to open the gift... Maybe he simply forgot."

Remus took a seat across from him. "I understand, especially after teaching him for a year... What did he write?" Remus inquired, locking eyes with Sirius' stormy grey ones.

Sirius placed his wand on the table before him. "Since Dumbledore's departure, Hogwarts has become even more oppressive. Umbitch is truly making life difficult for Harry," he spat out.

He clenched his fist in frustration and lifted his head. "Harry didn't say it outright, but I can read between the lines. I shudder to think of what he's enduring right now."

Remus nodded, his expression downcast. He held sincere hopes that the situation would improve once Voldemort reappeared, preventing both Fudge and Umbridge from continuing to act like ostriches burying their heads in the sand.

All of a sudden, a resounding thud followed by a piercing screech assaulted their ears. Both men's faces snapped upward, fixating on the ceiling where the sounds appeared to originate.

They swiftly exited the kitchen, dashing up the stairs to the room where Buckbeak resided. Bursting through the door, they beheld the hippogriff, who appeared thoroughly distressed.

"Buckbeak! Calm down!" Sirius called out, cautiously approaching the agitated creature. However, he was met with an abrupt wing strike to the face.

Sirius staggered backward, narrowly avoiding a fall, as he gingerly massaged his aching cheek. Remus instinctively sidestepped to evade another blow from the irate hippogriff.

"Damn it, Buckbeak, what's gotten into you?" Sirius yelled, his face now bearing a bloody mark where the wing had struck him.

Despite the pain, he endeavoured to regain his composure and approach the agitated hippogriff. However, Buckbeak had completely lost control. His plumage was dishevelled, his eyes displayed an untamed fear, and he appeared to regard everyone in his vicinity as a potential threat.

Remus approached tentatively, making an attempt to soothe the agitated hippogriff. "Buckbeak, we're your friends. Please, calm down."

Gradually, the situation began to subside as Buckbeak ceased his frenzied movements. He panted heavily, his wide eyes surveying the two men as if attempting to recognize them.

Sirius took another step closer, gingerly extending his hand to touch the bewildered hippogriff. "You're safe, old friend. We're here to assist you."

Slowly, Buckbeak began to recognize the voices of his companions. His anxiety lessened, and he let Sirius soothe him with gentle feather strokes, finding comfort in the tender touch.

Under his touch, he could feel the hippogriff trembling.

"Padfoot, are you alright?" Remus inquired with evident concern.

Sirius held his hand against his throbbing face and detected the blood on his fingers. "I'm fine; it's not my blood," he grumbled, his gaze still fixed on the agitated hippogriff. "Mooney, please check if Buckbeak is injured anywhere."

Remus skilfully crouched and conducted a thorough examination of the hippogriff. His eyes widened as he pinpointed an injury on the creature's wing.

"Over here! He's hurt in the wing," Remus exclaimed, drawing his wand.

While Remus was preoccupied tending to Buckbeak, the hippogriff gently tugged at Sirius's sleeve with its beak. Buckbeak lowered his head toward the floor, and Sirius peered down, perplexed. Leaning forward, he retrieved the object the hippogriff seemed to have found. Buckbeak screeched once more when he noticed the knife now in Sirius's hand.

"Perhaps you should step outside, Sirius," Remus suggested.

Sirius nodded and shut the door behind him, studying the knife in his hand. It featured a black yew-handle, and the blade was crafted from finely worked goblin metal. As he carefully wiped the blade on his sleeve, he noticed the Black family crest etched onto it.

Finally, Remus emerged from the room and quietly closed the door behind him.

"I think we should move Buckbeak to a different place. He doesn't seem to like it in here," Remus suggested.

Sirius shook his head and presented the knife in his grip.

"Buckbeak didn't injure himself. Someone attacked him with this knife!" Sirius exclaimed with evident anger.

Remus regarded him with disbelief. "But who could have done that? No one can enter this house without Dumbledore, and I highly doubt it was someone from the Order."

Sirius's eyes flashed with fury. "You're right; no one from the Order would have done this. There's only one creature in this house who could be responsible: that wretched house-elf!"

Suddenly, they heard a voice emanating from downstairs. It was Snape's voice.

"Black! Where are you?!"

Sirius rolled his eyes, and the two friends descended the stairs, coming upon Snape in the kitchen. Snape's dark eyes locked onto Sirius, but before he could utter a word, Remus grasped his shoulder firmly.

"What brings you here, Severus? Did something happen?" Remus inquired.

Snape regarded them with his penetrating gaze, his lips forming an almost sardonic smile. "Possibly," he responded curtly.

Sirius forcefully broke free from Remus's grip and advanced toward Snape. He seized the former Slytherin by the collar with both hands and pressed him against the wall.

"Quit your games, Snivellus," Sirius growled. However, his gaze shifted downward, and he spotted the tip of a black wand pressed against his chest. Hatred flared in his eyes, and he released Snape.

"Must you always pounce on him, Sirius?" Remus yelled angrily, pulling Sirius back toward him.

Snape smoothed out his ruffled collar with his hands. "That's just Black's way. He lacks an ounce of reason and charges into danger as if he were welcoming it with open arms. It wouldn't astonish me if he met his end in a gutter someday."

His eyes flicked toward Sirius with a trace of amusement. "Black and Potter are remarkably alike in that regard. Both seem to believe the world revolves around them, while others risk their lives... quite unfortunate," Snape added.

"Severus, that applies to you as well," Remus replied firmly. "You both swore to Dumbledore that you wouldn't act like petulant schoolboys fighting over a toy. So why did you wish to speak with Sirius?"

Snape folded his arms and responded in his trademark oily tone, "Potter had yet another vision, but this time, the Dark Lord showed him something different."

Sirius's eyes widened, and he cast a concerned glance at Remus. "What exactly do you mean?" Remus inquired.

"Potter and his group of friends decided to break into Umbridge's office," Snape stated with a touch of irritation.

Sirius shook his head in bewilderment. "Why in the world would Harry do something like that?"

Snape rolled his eyes in exasperation and turned to Remus. "Because Potter possesses as little common sense as a river troll. The Dark Lord showed him that he had captured you, Black. Since Potter is just as incapable of rational thinking as his arrogant father, he decided to sneak into Umbridge's office," Snape said, his lips curling in disgust.

"Why is Harry still having these cursed visions?" Sirius growled with frustration. "You should have taught him Occlumency!"

Snape clicked his tongue disdainfully. "If Potter weren't such a woefully inept wizard, he might have learned. There was a... disagreement between him and me, which is why I ceased teaching him. It was a futile endeavour anyway. Potter simply squandered my valuable time-"

He abruptly fell silent as Black swiftly drew his wand, sending an orange beam hurtling toward Snape.

"Protego!" Remus shouted, and the spell struck an invisible shield before Snape's eyes, crashing into the wall.

Snape stared at Black's wand, which was still aimed at him, with smouldering animosity. If Remus hadn't intervened, the spell would have struck him. He had allowed his anger to blind him, a mistake he wouldn't repeat.

"What's the matter, Snivellus? Cat got your tongue?" Sirius taunted.

"Believe me, Black, I have more important matters to attend to than playing lapdog to Potter and you. It is with great reluctance that I shall inform Potter that the Dark Lord has not yet captured you... I can only hope it happens soon," Snape retorted in his monotone voice.

With that, he strode past them, his cloak billowing behind him, and vanished into the hallway.

Sirius slumped into his chair, utterly drained. "That bastard... I hope he slips on his greasy hair and breaks his neck."

Remus sighed and took a seat across from Sirius. "Let's set Snape aside for a moment. I'm deeply concerned about Harry still experiencing these visions... I just hope they're alright. Umbridge is a dreadful woman, and I shudder to think what she might do to them if she caught them."

Sirius massaged his temples wearily. "Certainly nothing good. I remember when James and I were Aurors in training," he began as he reminisced. "Even back then, she was a terrible witch with questionable morals. James used to give her a stink bomb or two whenever she voiced support for laws against half-bloods."

He braced himself with his arms on the table and headed toward the hallway leading to his room. "I just hope Harry is safe. It's agonizing not being able to do anything while he's connected to Voldemort."

Remus remained silent, listening to Sirius's footsteps as he ascended the stairs to the upper floor.

"I just pray he doesn't do anything reckless," Remus whispered, closing his eyes.

A profound silence enveloped Grimmauld Place like an impenetrable shroud. Hours had slipped by, and no fresh information had surfaced since Snape's departure. The uncertainty bore down heavily on them.

Restlessly, Sirius lay in his bed, his mind racing, while he absent-mindedly pushed one of his numerous curls away from his face. His right hand clutched a mirror tightly against his chest, a twin to the one he had given to Harry.

"Why won't you answer me?" Sirius whispered desperately into the silence; his gaze fixed on the ceiling adorned with images from his youth. Just as he was about to rise, a faint sound echoed from the hallway, followed by his diminutive mother's piercing screams.

He leaped out of his room and bolted down the stairs, ascending two steps at a time. At the foot of the staircase, he discovered Remus helping Tonks to her feet, while his mother was awake and screaming in her charming ways.

"Did you stumble over the umbrella stand again, Tonks?" Sirius yelled above the cacophonous commotion.

Tonks pulled herself upright using Remus's assistance, and Sirius raised an eyebrow as he observed her hair. Instead of its usual pink hue, her locks had turned maroon, and she bore a striking resemblance to her mother, Andromeda.

"Sirius! We need to hurry!" Tonks exclaimed, casting a frantic look at the two Marauders.

"What's wrong? Does it have anything to do with Harry?" Sirius asked, drawing his wand.

Tonks nodded hastily. "Dedalus sent us a patronus that Harry and his friends have infiltrated the Ministry department."

"Blood traitor! Shame on our family! How dare you let that bitch in?" His mother shouted in a shrill voice, her hands pointed at Tonks, twisting her hands as if she was trying to wring her neck.

An anger that Sirius had suppressed for years surged within him. He allowed the magic to flow, raising his wand toward Walburga Black. There was a deafening explosion followed by silence.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius seized Tonks by the shoulders. "Where's Harry?" he demanded; his eyes gleaming like turbulent grey storm clouds.

Tonks gulped when she saw the intensity in Sirius's expression and replied, "He's at the Ministry, in the department of Mysteries. I'm not sure why, but the Death Eaters are targeting them! We must go help them!"

Sirius nodded, but Remus restrained him with a firm grip on his arm. "Where do you think you're going? It's too dangerous for you! You could be spotted, or worse, captured!"

Sirius wrenched himself free from Remus's grasp and scowled at him. "I made a promise to James and Lily that I would protect Harry! I failed once, and I won't let it happen again!"

The two Marauders continued to exchange glances, and suddenly, a brilliant white light radiated from Tonks. Both men blinked, taken aback by the unexpected display.

She placed her hands on her hips and shot them a stern glare. "When you two stubborn mules are ready, Harry and the kids need us! We should hurry because Kingsley and Moody will be expecting us at the entrance."

Tonks's hair had returned to its pink colour, and she turned around, only to stumble over her own feet and fall into Remus's arms.

Looking up at him, she batted her eyelashes and teased, "My hero."

Remus raised an incredulous eyebrow, while Sirius couldn't help but snort.

Tonks flashed Remus one final grin before grabbing both men by the arms and apparating them close to the Ministry's visitor entrance.

Sirius took in a deep breath, relishing the sensation of being outside once more. He shook his head and scanned their surroundings in haste. They found themselves in a nondescript neighbourhood, with small houses and unkempt front yards.

"Why are we here instead of at the Ministry? I thought, as an Auror, you could Apparate us directly inside, Tonks," Remus inquired, looking even older in the dim streetlight.

Before Tonks could respond, Kingsley and Moody arrived with a resounding bang.

"That's true," Kingsley's deep voice boomed. "But for some reason, we can't Apparate or Floo-travel in. All the entrances are sealed."

Sirius grimaced, trying to suppress the rising surge of adrenaline. Harry was their top priority. He had made a promise to James.

Moody tapped the ground with his lengthy staff, and the air around them seemed to shimmer with different colours.

"Muggle defence spells," Moody growled, his magical eye swivelling back and forth. "That's why there are no Muggles around. Normally, it'd be teeming with them even at this hour."

He eyed the red phone booth with suspicion. "This has all been planned. Whatever awaits us, it's a trap. They'll be waiting for us. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

The door of the phone booth burst open, and Sirius stepped out. More than a decade had passed since he last set foot in the Ministry, yet the polished dark wooden floor still stretched ahead, leading to the centre of the hall. The same fountain stood there, a fixture that Sirius had grown familiar with during his childhood when his father had introduced him to it.

Over the years, nothing had changed, and this stagnation was emblematic of Fudge's political legacy. Throughout his entire tenure as Minister, he had failed to instigate any substantial reforms.

Plonk.

Moody's wooden leg resonated through the hall.

Tonks, with her wand trained on Moody's leg, quipped, "Really Moody, you could have sent them an invitation to meet us here right away."

"Silencio!"

Moody grunted and briskly moved forward, his wooden leg no longer making a sound. "Stay close! And stay vigilant!"

"Where's Dedalus, anyway? Wasn't he the one supposed to be on guard today?" Remus inquired as they advanced.

Kingsley nodded but appeared intensely focused, ready to react to any potential threat. "He informed Moody and me," Kingsley explained, "Daedalus was waiting for Albus and is supposed to tell him everything... we can only hope that Albus arrives soon, but I haven't seen him for weeks."

The atrium lay deserted, and as they hurried through the corridor, Sirius noticed Tonks continually casting furtive glances in Remus's direction, unbeknownst to the oblivious Remus. A playful smile tugged at Sirius's lips, but before he could address Tonks, they reached the elevator.

Kingsley pressed the button marked 'nine' and the elevator descended with a clatter into the depths. Sirius stood beside Tonks, whispering something in her ear. "You and Remus, huh?"

Tonks blushed deeply, even her hair turning a dark shade of red. She turned to Sirius and hissed in a low voice, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Sirius!"

Sirius chortled. "So, all those looks you've been giving him were purely out of concern?"

His smile faded as she playfully jabbed him in the stomach. "Shut it, Sirius."

Sirius burst into laughter, his excitement mounting. His heart raced as the elevator finally came to a halt, allowing them to disembark.

The door swung open, revealing that they were not alone. A man cloaked in black robes and wearing a mask stood before them.

"Death Eater," Sirius growled, raising his wand, but Moody acted faster.

Moody's spell struck the surprised Death Eater, sending him crashing into the corridor's wall. Initially, it appeared as though the wall might absorb its unfortunate guest, but the Death Eater was embedded halfway into the wall, leaving only his eyes free to move.

"Moody, that one was mine!" Sirius protested, then hurried after the others.

Moody pushed the door open, and as they stepped across the threshold, Sirius felt a tingling sensation wash over his skin. They stood there, waiting for something to happen, but all remained quiet until the silence was shattered by sudden explosions and screams.

"It's coming from over there!" Remus shouted, pointing to the seventh door from the left.

"I thought Dumbledore said the Ministry Department was surrounded by wards. That's why we were supposed to keep watch at the entrance!" Tonks exclaimed; her confusion evident.

"Rookwood," Moody grunted in response. "He used to work in the Department of Mysteries. He probably knows how to bypass the wards."

Kingsley opened the door, and they rushed into the room before them.

As Sirius set his gaze upon Harry and saw the state of his godson, along with the young son of the Longbottom's, who lay at Bellatrix's feet, a wave of anger coursed through him. Harry stood facing Bellatrix and Malfoy, his arm extended with the prophecy in his hand.

Malfoy's eyes gleamed with greed, and he took a step toward Harry, but before he could seize the prophecy, he had to duck to avoid a stunner from Tonks. As he stood back up, he had to push his long hair out of his face and glared at Sirius, who had placed himself in front of Harry.

"Long time no see, you bastard! I see your hideous face hasn't improved one bit after all these years. If I didn't know you were a mangy mutt, I might almost pity you," Sirius taunted.

Sirius gestured with his finger and thumb, holding them a few inches apart and wearing a mischievous grin. "Almost."

Malfoy reddened in anger. "The years in Azkaban were too good for you, Black. I will make sure the Dementors suck the life out of your wretched soul this time, you blood-traitor!"

Behind his back, Sirius waved his hand dismissively.

"Sirius, I-" Harry began, but before he could continue, Sirius locked eyes with his godson.

"You did great, Harry. Now get to safety; we'll handle the rest. GO!"

As Harry and Neville swiftly retreated, a spell struck Sirius's hastily erected Protego.

Sirius shook his head at Malfoy, disappointment etched across his features. "Lucius, where are your manners? Didn't your dear old daddy ever teach you any? I suppose he was too busy stroking his own ego."

Malfoy snarled and quickly retreated, but before Sirius could pursue him, another Death Eater blocked his path.

"Coward!" Sirius shouted, shifting his attention to the remaining Death Eater.

Without hesitation, the Death Eater cast a slashing spell at Sirius, who sidestepped the attack skilfully. The spell struck the ground, sending debris flying, which Sirius deftly levitated with a flick of his wand. The debris hurtled toward the Death Eater at breakneck speed. The Death Eater attempted to raise his wand in defence, but before he could react, the stones struck his body, knocking him to the ground. Sirius swiftly followed up with a well-placed Reducto spell, shattering the Death Eater's wrist.

A piercing cry of pain escaped the Death Eater's lips, but it was cut short when Sirius delivered a powerful kick to his head, sending the mask flying. The mask revealed the fallen Death Eater to be Macnair, who lay unconscious on the ground.

Sirius surveyed his fallen adversary with a sense of satisfaction, his heart pounding in his ears. Finally, he was free from the confines of that accursed house. He intended to savour this newfound freedom, but first and foremost, he needed to ensure Harry's safety.

He scanned the chaotic scene for his godson's familiar tousled hair and located Harry confronting Dolohov on the opposite side.

Sirius transformed into Padfoot and lunged at Dolohov, sinking his teeth into the Death Eater's shoulder with all his might. Dolohov screamed in agony and dropped his wand. Seizing the opportunity, Harry sprang to his feet and cast the spell Petrificus Totalus.

The spell hit Dolohov, causing his arms and legs to stiffen, and he collapsed onto his back, immobilized.

"Great job!" Sirius called out to Harry, reverting to his human form. Harry's eyes widened as two crimson Stunning Charms streaked toward them, and Sirius instinctively pushed Harry's head down to avoid the spells.

Sirius turned to Harry, who gazed at him with wide, determined eyes. "Now get out of here," Sirius instructed. "Take the prophecy and go!"

"What about Neville? I can't leave him alone!" Harry retorted, prompting Sirius to follow Harry's resolute gaze.

With a wave of his wand, Sirius conjured a splint for Neville's injured leg, right before their eyes. Observing them for a moment, Sirius watched as Harry lent support to Neville, and they swiftly vanished from his field of vision. Simultaneously, a spell struck his left shoulder with the impact of a Bludger.

Sirius groaned and scanned his surroundings to identify the source of the attack. His eyes widened when he found himself face-to-face with Bellatrix.

"Oh, Sirius! It's been such a long time since we last met," Bellatrix tittered, her voice carrying a haunting tone.

Sirius levelled his wand at her face, his tone resolute. "Believe me, Bella, I haven't missed you one bit. Azkaban is eagerly awaiting your return."

A fleeting darkness crossed her countenance. "I'll never return to that wretched place! But after I'm through with you, Sirius, you'll wish you were back in Azkaban. Perhaps even alongside your precious godson, though I believe the Dark Lord has other plans in store for him."

She twirled her wand in her fingers, wearing an amused grin that quickly faded when Sirius hurled spells at her.

Spell after spell erupted from Sirius's wand, colliding with Bellatrix's unyielding shields, transforming her maniacal grin into a teeth-gnashing scowl. Their duel had brought them onto a raised platform, and Sirius was steadily driving Bellatrix backwards, shattering the ground around them with each powerful incantation.

"Dumbledore! Dumbledore is here!" cried the Death Eaters nearby, their voices tinged with fear. Those closest to Dumbledore fell swiftly, subdued by his skilful wand-work.

A triumphant grin spread across Sirius's face as he outstretched his arms wide. "It's over, Bella! Dumbledore has arrived, and in a matter of hours, you'll be breathing the fetid air of Azkaban," he declared, his voice laced with joy.

Bellatrix Lestrange impatiently brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face and fixed him with a venomous scowl. Her eyes seethed with pure hatred, and she licked her lips in anticipation.

With a swift motion, she raised her wand and flicked it forward, sending a crimson burst of light hurtling toward Sirius. A surge of joy flooded Sirius as he adeptly dodged the spell, taunting, "Come on, Bella, you can do better than that!"

Bellatrix's expression shifted to a deadly seriousness, her wand moving like a whip. Another beam of light shot toward Sirius, but this time, it was too fast for him to evade. Horror filled his eyes as the spell struck him squarely in the chest, hurling him backward. In his final moments of consciousness, he heard Harry's anguished cry of his name before the world descended into silence, and he fell into darkness.

Several years later.

"Sirius! Sirius, wake up!" A hand grasped his shoulders and gave him a firm shake. His eyelids fluttered open, and he needed a moment to acclimate to the warm sunlight filtering through the trees.

Shielding his eyes with the back of his hand, he took deep, deliberate breaths to regain his composure. A soothing, melodious voice whispered, "Slowly, breath in and out," and Sirius followed the guidance, gradually calming his breathing.

Delicate hands extended toward him, assisting him to a sitting position. He scanned his surroundings until his gaze settled on the individual in front of him.

Before him sat an elf of breathtaking beauty. Her long, silver hair, as lustrous and silky as moonlight, was meticulously woven into an intricate braid that cascaded over her shoulder. Strands of glistening stardust seemed to be entwined within her hair, causing it to shimmer like a living reflection of the night sky.

Sirius found himself unable to avert his gaze as he locked eyes with her. Those eyes, as deep and limpid as the full moon-illuminated ocean, appeared to peer into his very soul. Within them, he detected concern and empathy, as though they sensed the pain residing in his heart.

She reached out with one hand, gently caressing his cheek, while her other hand brushed his sweat-soaked hair from his face.

"It's been many months since you last had a nightmare," the elf remarked. "Was it about the Dementors again?"

Sirius rubbed his eyes wearily and let out a sigh. "No," he replied after a pause. "It was about the battle at the Ministry."

She pursed her lips. "It has indeed been a most chaotic day," the elf conceded, and Sirius reached out for her hand.

Amusement danced upon the elf's lips. "One doesn't encounter someone materializing before them every day. Consider yourself fortunate that I was the one who found you," she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Were it not for my knowledge of healing spells, Bellatrix's curse would have claimed your life within minutes."

Rising to his feet, Sirius placed a kiss upon her cheek. "But it didn't, all thanks to the most extraordinary woman who discovered me."

He winked at her and added, "Of course, it's only fitting that she finds the most exceptional man."

Sirius swiftly donned a doublet in a rich, dark forest green, pulling it over his head. The elf approached him, encircling her arms affectionately around his neck.

"Sirius Black, despite the way you arrived, I'm grateful to have you here with me," she whispered.

Sirius tenderly touched his forehead to hers, sharing a moment of quiet intimacy. "And I'm equally grateful to have you beside me, Thiora of House Tarmunora."

He rested his head on her shoulder, drawing her closer in a warm embrace. They savoured the tranquillity until suddenly, the door swung open with a forceful slam, and a small figure crashed into Thiora, sending her sprawling to the floor.

Sirius tried to steady himself, but he, too, tumbled to the ground due to Thiora's collision. They both glanced in the direction of the unexpected impact, finding a young girl with untamed black hair and grey eyes standing before them, a wide grin adorning her face.

"Lily! How many times have I told you to knock before entering a room?" Thiora's voice held a firm tone.

"I knocked; you just didn't hear it," Lily retorted, crossing her arms.

Sirius chuckled and offered a hand to help Thiora up. "Besides, it wasn't my idea," Lily added.

Curious, Sirius inquired, his grey eyes twinkling with amusement, "And whose brilliant idea was it?"

"It was mine," a new voice chimed in, coming from the doorway Lily had pushed open. It was Islanzadí.

Thiora, still getting up, looked at Islanzadí with a chilly expression. "What does the Queen's presence bestow upon us at this early hour?"

Islanzadí closed her eyes momentarily, and when she opened them, they were filled with sorrow. "Can't we settle this dispute, Thiora? Haven't I suffered enough?"

Thiora leaned over to Lily, beginning to braid her hair. "It's not me you should ask for forgiveness. You tore our family apart and drove Arya away," she said, casting a scowl over Lily's head.

Islanzadí gazed ahead, her expression heavy with sadness. "Not a day passes that I don't regret it," she murmured.

Lily turned to face her mother; her hair already braided over her shoulder. "Mother, aunt Islanzadí is sorry. Can't you forgive her?" she pleaded.

Thiora looked at her daughter and shook her head. "Not today, Lily." She took her daughter's hand and led her past Islanzadí.

Islanzadí watched them go but was interrupted by Sirius. "I'll try talking to her, though I doubt it'll change anything. She's as stubborn as I am," he said with a chuckle.

A faint smile graced Islanzadí's lips. "Stubbornness seems to run in the family," she remarked before turning back to face Sirius.

Sirius trailed behind her and inquired, "Was there something specific you wanted?"

Islanzadí nodded but waited to respond until they caught up with Lily and Thiora, who were waiting for them.

"I've just been informed that the dragon rider is due to arrive today. I want you all with me when we welcome him," Islanzadí explained.

Lily's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?" She spun toward her mother, her gaze wide with anticipation. "This is so exciting! I've never encountered a dragon rider before, except for Oromis," she wrinkled her nose in irritation. "But whenever I visit him, it's always him teaching stuff."

Sirius snorted with amusement, and Thiora rubbed her temple tiredly. She gave Sirius an accusing look. "Say something. After all, she's your daughter too."

Lily's giggles filled the room as Sirius scooped her up and placed her on his shoulders. Thiora sighed and watched them with affection.

"Come, Islanzadí, we should join them. Our people have waited too long for this day for us to remain rooted here like trees."

A slender elf awaited their arrival and graciously opened the door leading to the grand throne hall.

"Thank you, Lord Däthedr," Sirius greeted the elf in the ancient tongue, raising his fingers to his lips.

Lord Däthedr responded in kind, a smile forming as he caught sight of Lily perched upon Sirius's shoulders.

"It's a pleasure to see you as well, Liliana. Do your legs still sleep or is there a particular reason your father carries you?" he inquired with a hint of playful curiosity.

Lily narrowed her gaze at him and gracefully dismounted from Sirius's shoulders, landing on the floor with the agility of a youthful elf. She greeted the elf lord in the manner her mother had taught her.

Her eyes shimmered with a vibrant shade of grey as she regarded Lord Däthedr respectfully.

"Thank you, Däthedr-Elda," she responded in the ancient tongue, inclining her head slightly in a gesture of gratitude. Then, she offered a warm smile and continued, "My father allowed me to carry on his shoulders merely to speed up our arrival. As you can see, I am fully capable of standing on my own two feet."

Lord Däthedr nodded gracefully; his expression tinged with a touch of amusement.

"Of course, your eagerness is quite understandable, especially on such a momentous day."

Sirius draped his arm around his daughter's shoulders and spoke in a hushed tone, "It's not every day that a new dragon rider emerges. How do you think the other elf lords and ladies will react?"

"That remains to be seen," the elf replied. "After the dragon egg was lost, the queen, in her grief, ordered that no one was allowed to scry to learn what was happening outside of Du Weldenvarden."

Lily, concerned, asked, "Why?"

Sirius bent down, bringing himself eye to eye with her. "We didn't tell you because your mother and I didn't want to burden you, and we also didn't want you to overwhelm your aunt with unnecessary questions," Sirius explained, winking at her.

Lily pursed her lips. "I wouldn't have done that!"

Sirius brushed a stray strand of hair from his face with his finger. "I believe you, but nonetheless, we wanted to give Islanzadí time to recover from her grief. You understand that, right?"

She nodded slowly, then glanced up at Lord Däthedr. The elf lord's face bore deep sadness, a sight she had never witnessed before on his usually composed countenance. He was one of the most adept elves in the use of magic, and Lily couldn't fathom what had transpired to elicit such sorrow.

"I'm sorry," Lily murmured quietly, her gaze lowered.

Someone knelt in front of her and gently tilted her chin upward. She found herself gazing into the forest-green eyes of the queen.

"You don't need to apologize for anything," Islanzadí assured her. "If anyone should apologize, it's me. I've made many mistakes in recent months, and pleading with your parents not to disclose the whole truth to you was one of them. I'm sorry," she whispered to Lily.

Lily's eyes widened as she glanced from her aunt to her mother, who sighed and nudged her gently. Lily leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Islanzadí's neck. A solitary tear trickled down the Queen of the Elves' cheek as she embraced her niece.

After a moment, Islanzadí withdrew from Lily and wiped her eyes. "Thank you, Lily," she said, standing and regaining her composure. She turned her attention to the others with renewed determination.

"My queen, it won't be long until the dragon rider reaches Gilderien the Wise," an elf nearby informed her.

Islanzadí nodded. "Then let us prepare to welcome the new dragon rider." She proceeded through the hall, and as soon as she took her seat on the throne, Blagden swooped in through an opening, perching on her sceptre and croaking happily. Lord Däthedr seated himself, and they all followed the queen's lead, standing by her side.

While they waited, Thiora leaned in and whispered something to her daughter. "You did well," she said.

Lily looked at her, perplexed. "I didn't do anything," she replied, while glancing at her aunt, who was staring ahead.

Thiora smiled knowingly. "Sometimes, a single hug is worth more than the most beautiful poems."

Sirius closed his eyes and listened. He could hear joyous laughter and elven songs filling the air.

"They're here," Sirius murmured, his eyes widening as the doors to the throne room swung open.

A/N: To clarify: The house Tarmunora is the house of Arya's family like Oromis of house Thránduin. I have not found anything in the books/wiki that names their house, which is why I named it after one of the previous queens. Dröttning/Dröttningu in my opinion doesn't work, because it means queen/princess in the ancient language. If anyone knows something about it, tell me and I will change it.