Chapter 14: The Department of Mysteries
The kitchen of Grimmauld Place was quiet, the dim glow of floating candles casting flickering shadows across the old wooden table. The rest of the house had settled into silence, but Maria and Remus remained, lost in each other.
Maria sat perched on Remus's lap, her fingers threading through the soft strands of his hair. He sighed into her touch, his grip on her waist tightening ever so slightly as if anchoring himself to the warmth of her presence. Their lips met in slow, lingering kisses—deep, unhurried, savoring. It wasn't the desperate kind of kiss stolen in fleeting moments between missions, reunions, Sirius' always larger than life presence or Kreacher's shocked remarks, but something softer, something that spoke of comfort, of belonging. Maria's fingers traced along his jaw, her touch featherlight, as if memorizing the shape of him.
Remus pulled her closer, his hands splaying over her lower back, his thumbs rubbing gentle circles through the fabric of her sweater. He could feel the steady beat of her heart against his chest, the warmth of her breath ghosting over his skin between kisses. He let himself sink into it, into her, as if he could melt into the moment entirely. The sound of the door swinging open shattered the quiet.
"I would tell you to get a room," Sirius drawled, stepping inside with an air of dramatic suffering, "but I've already given you two. Mary's not even putting it to good use. I swear I'll leave you both Remus' room in my will if you just leave my kitchen snogging-free while I'm still alive."
Maria let out a startled laugh, hiding her face in Remus's shoulder as a deep flush spread across her cheeks. Remus, for his part, exhaled through his nose, a mix of fondness and exasperation.
"Sirius," Remus said, exhaling through his nose, "far be it from me to tell the host what to do in his own home, but perhaps a little warning next time? Maybe some loud footsteps? A strategically placed cough?"
"Ah, Moony, you underestimate me. I am morally obligated to make my guests uncomfortable." Sirius strolled over to the cupboard, rummaging through it before pulling out a bottle of firewhisky. "And I live here. You two are just squatters." He shot them a smirk as he uncorked the bottle. "If you insist on defiling my kitchen, at least have the decency to leave me some of my own liquor. Just keep the snogging confined to literally any other room, will you? Preferably one with a door. And a lock. And don't forget to add some Muffliato."
Remus sighed, pressing a kiss to Maria's temple before resting his forehead against hers.
"We should probably listen to him."
Maria huffed.
"Fine." But she made no effort to move from his lap.
Sirius shook his head, muttering something about young love and reckless disrespect for communal spaces as he sauntered out of the kitchen.
Maria turned back to Remus, her fingers still toying with the collar of his sweater.
"Now, where were we?"
Remus hummed, brushing his nose against hers before pulling her into another kiss. They'd relocate eventually. Probably.
Little did they know that in the next day, things were about to get darker.
The tension in the room was suffocating. Dumbledore had just finished explaining the situation — Harry Potter had been lured to the Department of Mysteries, believing his godfather was being tortured by Death Eaters.
Sirius was already pacing, his face twisted with fury.
"So, Voldemort wants him there," he growled. "Then let's not waste time. We need to get to Harry."
Maria, standing near the fireplace, felt her heart clench. This is it. She gripped the back of a chair to steady herself. Her mind raced with everything she knew from the books — the veil, the archway, Sirius falling… She couldn't let it happen.
"Sirius."
He turned to her, eyes blazing with determination.
"We don't have time for this," he snapped. "Harry's in danger. I'm not going to sit around while my godson is out there—"
"I know." Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled. "I know you want to protect him. But please… please, just be careful."
Sirius frowned, his brows knitting together in confusion.
"I'm always careful."
Maria let out a bitter laugh.
"You'renevercareful. You rush in without thinking, Sirius. You—" She stopped herself, taking a deep breath. "You've been locked up here for too long. I get it. You want to fight. You want to help. But—"
"Enough."
His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife.
Maria stepped closer, desperation bleeding into her tone.
"I'm begging you, Sirius. Just… think this through. Let us go. You don't have to—"
"I do have to." His eyes flashed with anger. "Harry's my family. My responsibility. I won't hide while he's in danger."
Maria felt her chest tighten. She glanced at Remus, hoping for support. His face was pale, his eyes locked on her with quiet understanding. He knew. He knew what she was trying to say without saying it outright.
"Sirius." Remus's voice was soft but firm. "We'll all go. We'll protect Harry. But Mary's right. You need to be careful."
Sirius threw up his hands in frustration.
"Careful? What would you have me do, Remus? Sit here like a coward? Let everyone else take the risk while I—"
"No one's asking you to be a coward," Mary interrupted, her voice trembling. "We're asking you to stay alive."
Silence fell over the room. Sirius stared at her, his jaw clenched.
"What are you saying, Mary?
Her gaze didn't waver. She took a step closer, lowering her voice.
"I'm saying you have nothing to prove. Not to Harry. Not to anyone. You don't have to go out there and die to be a hero."
Sirius flinched, as though her words had struck him. His expression hardened.
"I'm not going to die."
Maria swallowed the lump in her throat.
"You don't know that."
Sirius shook his head, his frustration boiling over.
"I know what you're doing. You think you know something — something from your world. But this isn't a story, Mary. This is real life. And I won't let Harry face it alone."
His words hit her like a blow.
"I'm not trying to control you," she whispered. "I just don't want all of us to lose you."
For a moment, something flickered in Sirius's eyes — a crack in his bravado. But it vanished as quickly as it came. He turned away, grabbing his coat.
"We're wasting time."
Maria's hands clenched into fists.
"You're walking into a trap."
Sirius stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around.
"I've been in worse traps," he muttered. "I'll be fine."
Maria's heart shattered. She turned to Remus, her eyes pleading.
Remus crossed the room slowly, placing a hand on Sirius's shoulder.
"She's right, you know." His voice was quiet. "You have nothing to prove. You don't need to be reckless to show Harry you love him."
Sirius finally turned, his gaze softening as he looked at his oldest friend.
"I'm not being reckless, Moony. I'm doing what's right."
Remus sighed.
"Just… come back to us. Alive."
Sirius smirked, his usual mischievous glint returning. "Of course. What's the worst that could happen?"
Maria bit her lip to keep from screaming.You die, you idiot. That's the worst that could happen.
As Sirius strode toward the door, Mary called out one last time.
"Sirius."
He paused, glancing back at her. Her voice broke.
"Don't try to be a hero."
Sirius's expression softened for a brief moment.
"Too late for that," he whispered.
And with that, he was gone. Maria sank into the nearest chair, burying her face in her hands. Remus knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her arm.
"You tried."
"It's not enough," Maria whispered. "It won't change anything. He's going to die."
Remus's hand tightened slightly.
"We don't know that."
Maria lifted her head, her eyes filled with tears.
"I do."
Remus's expression was pained, but he said nothing. He didn't have to. The weight of her knowledge hung between them like a curse neither could break. After a long silence, Maria took a shaky breath.
"We have to go after them."
Remus nodded.
"We will."
Maria stood, wiping her tears away.
"And if there's a chance to save him…"
"We'll take it," Remus promised.
As they headed for the door, Maria cast one last glance at the empty room.
Please, let me be wrong.
But deep down, she knew — the story was already written. And some fates were harder to rewrite than others.
The room was a whirlwind of spells and chaos, streaks of light flashing in every direction. Maria pressed herself against the wall, clutching her wand tightly, her heart pounding as she searched the room for Remus. She spotted him battling a masked Death Eater, fierce and unrelenting, but still, her eyes darted again and again to Sirius. He was laughing. Even amidst the madness, Sirius was laughing, taunting Bellatrix as they dueled near the dais with the ancient archway.
Maria's breath caught. She knew that laugh — wild, reckless, and defiant. But it was different now. It wasn't the laughter of a man who believed he could win. It was the laughter of a man with nothing to lose.
"Sirius!" she called out, but her voice was lost in the cacophony.
Nearby, Tonks was halfway up the tiered seats, her wand moving in sharp, precise motions. She was dueling Bellatrix from above when a jet of green light shot toward her. Maria's heart stopped.
"Tonks, look out!"
Tonks twisted, but the curse grazed her shoulder. She stumbled, losing her balance, and fell, her body tumbling down the stone steps, landing with a sickening thud at the bottom.
"NO!"
Maria ran toward her, but a Death Eater blocked her path. Raising her wand, Maria shouted:
"Stupefy!"
The spell missed, but the Death Eater backed off as Kingsley charged past her, engaging the enemy.
Maria dropped to her knees beside Tonks. Her friend was breathing — barely. Blood trickled from a gash on her temple.
"Hold on, Tonks," Maria whispered, brushing a strand of pink hair from Tonks's face. "I'm here."
Tonks's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused.
"Bellatrix…"
"I know," Maria said. "I know."
A shout pulled her attention back to the dais. Sirius and Bellatrix were still dueling. Sirius ducked another curse, laughing as if the fight thrilled him.
"Come on, you can do better than that!"
Maria's heart clenched. Please, stop. Please don't goad her.
"Sirius!" Remus's voice rang out from across the room. He was fighting to get closer, his face etched with worry. He knew, too. He saw the recklessness in his friend's movements — the fatal determination. Sirius didn't hear him. Or he didn't care. Bellatrix's next curse hit him square in the chest. The laughter died on Sirius's lips. His eyes widened in shock as his body arched backward, falling slowly, gracefully, through the veil.
"No," Maria whispered, her voice trembling. "No… no…"
Harry's scream pierced the air.
"SIRIUS!"
Maria couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. Time seemed to slow as she watched the fluttering veil settle into place, as if nothing had happened, as if it hadn't just taken someone she loved. Harry was sprinting toward the dais, his face twisted in desperation. He reached for the archway, but Remus was faster.
Remus grabbed Harry around the chest, holding him back with all his strength.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry!" Remus's voice was thick with anguish. "Nothing… he's gone."
"NO! Get him! Save him!" Harry struggled, thrashing against Remus's grip. "He's only just gone through! We can still reach him!"
Remus held on, his jaw clenched, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
"It's too late."
Maria stumbled forward, her legs trembling beneath her as the echoes of Bellatrix's triumphant laughter faded into the distance. She reached Remus just as Harry collapsed against him, sobbing into his chest, his whole body shaking with grief and disbelief. Remus wrapped his arms around the boy, holding him tightly, his own face twisted with unbearable pain. His usual composure was shattered — gone was the steady, rational man Maria had come to rely on. In his place stood someone utterly broken.
Maria reached out with trembling hands, placing one on Remus's back, her fingers curling into the worn fabric of his robes, anchoring herself to him.
"Remus…" Her voice cracked, barely audible over the pounding in her ears.
He turned toward her, and the moment their eyes met, she saw everything she feared reflected back at her — devastation, helplessness, grief. But there was something else lurking in his gaze. Something far worse. Guilt.
"I should have stopped him," Remus whispered, his voice raw and shaking. "I should have stopped him."
Maria shook her head fiercely, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart.
"He wouldn't have listened. You know he wouldn't."
Remus's jaw clenched, his hand tightening on Harry's shoulder as though grounding himself in the boy's grief.
"I knew he wanted to fight," he said softly, almost to himself. "He wanted to go out fighting."
Maria's chest tightened painfully.
"And he did, fighting and smiling," she whispered, her voice trembling. Her gaze drifted back to the dais, to the veil that fluttered gently as if mocking them, indifferent to the life it had just claimed.
Behind them, the battle raged on — flashes of light, the sound of spells ricocheting off stone — but it all felt distant, muffled, like they were trapped in a bubble of grief. Nothing mattered now except the gaping hole Sirius had left behind. Harry pulled back from Remus's embrace, his face pale and streaked with tears, his expression one of desperate denial.
"He's not gone… He can't be gone…"
Remus knelt before him, his hands trembling as he placed them firmly on Harry's shoulders. His voice was gentle but firm, every word laced with sorrow.
"Harry… listen to me. The veil… it's not a door. He's gone. There's no coming back."
"No!" Harry shook his head violently, his eyes blazing with fury and anguish. "He was right there! He was right—"
A jet of red light shot past them, missing by inches, and they all flinched. The battle was closing in around them, but none of them moved, rooted to the spot by the weight of their grief.
"We have to move," Remus said, his voice steady despite the heaviness in his chest.
Maria nodded, swallowing hard as the weight of grief pressed down on her. But a movement nearby caught her attention — a faint, ragged gasp. Her gaze snapped back to Tonks, who still lay slumped against a stone step, her face paler than ever.
"Tonks!" Maria rushed to her side, heart pounding.
Tonks's eyes fluttered open, unfocused and glassy. Her breathing was shallow, and there was a deep gash along her temple. Her wand lay forgotten on the floor, her fingers too limp to hold it.
Maria knelt beside her, gently cradling her head.
"Tonks? Can you hear me?"
Tonks gave a weak groan, her lips parting as though she wanted to speak, but no sound came out. Her eyes flickered shut again.
Panic surged through Maria. She pressed her fingers to Tonks's neck, relief washing over her when she found a faint pulse. But it was too weak, too slow.
"Remus!" Maria called over her shoulder, her voice trembling.
Remus turned, his grief momentarily pushed aside as he hurried toward them. He knelt beside Maria, his gaze darkening as he took in Tonks's condition.
"She's barely conscious," Maria whispered. "We need to get her out of here. She needs to go to St. Mungo's."
Remus nodded grimly.
"She was hit by a curse. I saw it before—" He broke off, shaking his head. "I should've—"
"There's nothing you could've done," Maria cut in, her voice firm despite the tremor in it. "Right now, we need to get her to safety."
With a practiced ease born of years in dangerous situations, Remus gently lifted Tonks into his arms. Her head lolled against his shoulder, her hair — usually vibrant and ever-changing — had dulled to a lifeless, mousy brown.
Maria reached out to steady them both, her hands trembling.
"We've lost him," she whispered, the words escaping before she could stop them. "We've lost Sirius."
Remus closed his eyes briefly, as if the weight of that truth was too much to bear. When he opened them again, they were filled with determination, though his grief lingered beneath the surface.
"We can't lose anyone else," he said quietly. "Let's go."
"We're not losing Tonks. But we do have to take her to St. Mungo's." As they began their retreat, Maria glanced back one last time at the dais. The veil fluttered gently, indifferent to the devastation it had caused. Sirius was gone.
Maria's heart twisted painfully. There was something in his expression that made her stomach churn. A realization dawned, one she didn't want to face.
"You knew," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "You knew he was going to die."
Remus's eyes darkened with sorrow.
"I saw it in your eyes. I hoped I was wrong," he admitted. "But… he had nothing to lose, Mary. Nothing."
The words hit her like a physical blow. She staggered, her knees nearly giving out again.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "He had us. He had Harry."
"He couldn't see that," Remus said softly, his voice laden with pain. "To him, this was the only way to matter. The only way to be free."
Maria's vision blurred with fresh tears. She gritted her teeth, anger rising alongside her grief.
"He mattered to us," she choked out. "Why couldn't he see that?"
Remus looked down, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders.
"Because the world took too much from him. Azkaban… James… Peter… He couldn't see a future where he wasn't haunted by his losses."
Maria sank to the floor, her hands covering her face.
"I didn't evenlikehim," she whispered, her voice cracking. "When I read about him… I thought he was reckless. Irresponsible. I thought he was a bad friend to you and a bad influence to Harry."
Remus knelt beside her, placing a hand on her arm. His touch was gentle, steadying.
"He was reckless," he said quietly. "And he was irresponsible. But he was also brave. Loyal. And he really was a good friend. And he loved Harry. Harry was al lhe had left of James."
Maria lowered her hands, her tear-filled eyes locking onto his.
"I was wrong about him," she whispered, her voice thick with regret. "He was a good man. A good friend."
Remus nodded, his own tears glistening in his eyes.
"He was my brother," he said softly. "And I couldn't save him."
Maria reached out, taking his hand in hers.
"Neither of us could."
For a long moment, they sat there in silence, the weight of their loss pressing down on them. The veil fluttered in the distance, a cruel reminder of what they'd lost.
"He died like a hero," Remus murmured, his voice distant. "It's what he wanted."
Maria's shoulders shook with silent sobs as she sank back down, her grief overwhelming her. Remus knelt beside her once more, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.
"We should have kept him safe," Maria whispered, her voice breaking.
Remus rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closing as he whispered,
"He wouldn't have wanted that."
"But he was your brother", Maria choked out, her tears falling faster now. "He was Harry's godfather. He was… my friend. And now he's gone."
Remus held her tighter, his own grief spilling over.
"We'll keep going," he murmured, his voice trembling. "For Sirius. For Harry. For us."
Maria nodded, though the weight of their loss threatened to crush her. But even as they stood, even as they turned to face the remnants of the battle, one thing was painfully, inescapably clear. Sirius was gone. And nothing would ever be the same again.
Remus's bedroom at Grimmauld Place was dimly lit, the curtains drawn tight against the outside world. Rain pattered softly against the windows, a quiet backdrop to the storm of emotions swirling inside. Maria sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers twisting anxiously in her lap. The fire in the hearth crackled gently, but the warmth did little to ease the chill that had settled deep in her bones since the battle at the Department of Mysteries. She glanced toward the closed door, worry etched into every line of her face.
"She'll be okay," Remus murmured from the armchair by the fire, his voice low and hoarse. He hadn't moved much since they returned to Grimmauld Place, his grief weighing him down like a heavy cloak.
Maria nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to her hands.
"I know she will. I know from… the books. Tonks recovers. She'll wake up."
Despite her words, her voice trembled with doubt. Remus watched her carefully, his brow furrowed.
"Then why are you so worried?"
Maria swallowed hard.
"Because seeing her like that… it wasn't supposed to happen like this. In the books, it was all distant. Just words on a page. But this…" Her voice cracked. "This is real. And I can't stop thinking about her lying there, unconscious, hurt because of me."
Remus rose from the chair and crossed the room to sit beside her. His hand found hers, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles.
"None of this is your fault."
"But what if it is?" Maria's voice was barely a whisper. "What if my being here… changed everything?"
Remus shook his head.
"You're not responsible for what happened to Sirius or Tonks."
She squeezed her eyes shut, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I've made things different, though. You and I — we were never supposed to fall in love. In the books, you were supposed to be with her."
Remus stiffened slightly, but his hand never left hers.
"And you think that's a mistake?"
"No." Her eyes flew open, locking onto his. "Of course not. But… it's complicated. I always loved Tonks as a character. I related so much to her. She was youthful and funny and clumsy and—" Maria gave a watery laugh. "And she was… me."
Remus blinked, surprised.
"You two were supposed to fit. She understood you, accepted you." Maria's voice softened. "I shipped you with her in the books. I wanted you to find happiness with her because… well, because I always related to her. And deep down, I saw myself in her."
Remus's gaze softened. He gently cupped her cheek, wiping away a tear with his thumb.
"But?"
Maria's lips trembled.
"But when I got here, and I saw you, I couldn't help it. I fell in love with you. And suddenly, Tonks wasn't just a fictional character anymore. She became my best friend in this world. And I hated myself for feeling jealous of her. I still do, sometimes."
Remus leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers.
"There's no need to be jealous."
"I know." Maria sniffled, her voice small. "She has a boyfriend now. She never loved you, and you never loved her. But I can't help thinking… what if I took something from her? What if she was supposed to have a different future?"
Remus sighed, his hand sliding down to take both of hers in his.
"Mary, listen to me. You didn't take anything from her. If Tonks and I were ever meant to be together, we would have been. But we weren't. She loves someone else. And I…" He lifted her hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I love you."
Maria's tears flowed freely now, but her heart felt lighter with his words.
"I just want her to be happy."
"She will be," Remus said softly. "Tonks is stronger than you think. And when she wakes up, she'll be back to her usual self — teasing us, making us laugh."
Maria chuckled through her tears.
"Yeah… she will."
For a long moment, they sat in silence, leaning into each other's warmth. The grief of Sirius's loss still hung over them, a heavy shadow. But in that moment, they found solace in each other. Then Maria, unable to resist the urge to fill the heavy quiet, said:
"I bet he's somewhere right now, shouting, 'Bloody hell, Moony, stop brooding! Go live a little!'"
Remus laughed, a soft huff that turned into a full chuckle. It was a beautiful sound, and Maria wanted to bottle it up and keep it forever.
"Sounds about right," he said.
Maria closed her eyes, letting herself feel the weight of his love. And for the first time since Sirius fell through the veil, she felt a glimmer of hope. In this broken, unpredictable world, she still had Remus. And that was enough. For now.