Been a looooong time...maybe you'll hate it and maybe you won't.
Remus yawned and leant against the wall tiredly, hazel eyes watching as the three Unspeakables muttered to themselves, sighing and scrapping ideas as quickly as they came.
In front of them was the most enormous stack of junk that Remus had ever seen.
There was broomsticks, there was books, there was paintings, there was miles and miles of old robes. He couldn't even see the back of the room there was too many mountains that hid it away from his exhausted gaze.
But he wouldn't have chosen to be anywhere else.
Sirius had rushed into his room at 2.55 am in a complete babble holding the mirror in his hand and how his infuriating godson was about to do something that was potentially very dangerous.
Now almost five hours later the excitement had worn off as the colossal task they had ahead of them came into focus.
"Remus?"
His eyes snapped open and he straightened to meet Vexmoors eye.
"I'm up!" He defended himself.
"Of course you are." She replied dryly. "Look there really is nothing else to do here, why don't you go back and catch up on some sleep."
He glared at the mess in front of them and begrudgingly accepted her proposal.
"Alright, do you know where the others are?"
She looked back over her shoulder as she walked towards Robins who was tapping a chest with his wand.
"They left a while ago, the kids needed to get to class and Sirius was muttering about coffee."
That meant the kitchen. With a tired goodbye he left the - far too enthusiastic for this early – Unspeakables to discuss options of how to make their way through the centuries of stuff as he decided to find the mutt.
Heading straight for the kitchen, he was bemused to find the pardoned convict slumped over the table snoring loudly while the houseleves darted about.
Sitting down with a weary sigh he smiled in gratitude at Dobby who immediately placed a hot cup of chocolate in front of him as well as some delicious smelling pastries.
"Eat, professor needs sugar." The elf said firmly before heading back into the rabble.
For a few minutes he merely sat and observed the elves before an especially large snort woke up the Head of House Black who immediately smelt and saw the pastries and stole one quickly.
"They're trying to figure out a strategy." Remus said, his head almost hanging down. Sirius hummed in response.
"They think they'll need to simply go through everything categorically. Basically tidy and organise as they go unless they get a hold of Killick but she's still in Germany."
Sirius murmured something around his pastry which Remus decided not to acknowledge.
"Its going to take weeks, months. Why cant the bloody thing just be summoned?"
Another mutter that caused serveal flakes of pecan pie to spray over the table.
"I mean it could be so much easier if the bloody things were actually labelled but no. We cant even be 100% sure that we know what we're looking for."
"Which is why there is no point in worrying. We'll find it eventually. Or at least they will." Sirius finally spoke at a reasonable volume and contributed the conversation while shaking his hand out. "Vexmoor and the team know how to test for that kind of stuff, my ring can recognise when its near same with your wolfy senses but that's it."
Remus hummed in slight annoyance at how useless he was. For another few minutes it was quiet.
"Come on, I have a meeting to get to." Sirius said finally, as he stretched and yawned widely.
"When have you ever cared about being on time for something?" Remus asked in amusement.
"Since the goblins are hosting and they still terrify me."
"It's only signing the contract with the eldest Weasley, how bad can it be?"
"Oh its not that, its Griphook. His whole attitude to Harry is still unfathomable to me."
"Padfooooot…"
"Oh don't you dare." He warned as they left the kitchen, thanking the elves as they did. "Its weird, like its actual affection. And he was scary after the removal. He's determined to do it for Harry and not just the bank." He gave a shudder. "Its just…weird."
Remus decided that saying nothing was safer and the two wandered through the corridors, shoulders slumped as the early start made itself aware in their bones.
"Hows the boys schooling going?" Sirius asked suddenly almost, his companion.
"huh?" He replied unintelligently.
"Sammy and Jordan."
"Oh them. Yes theyre good." He said as his brain caught up. "Actually better than good, Jordans transformations are easier for him with the wolfsbane and being with others near him. And Sammy is able to focus on things in a structured way coz his mum is actually letting other people help teach him. Did I tell you that Lucy was a school teacher before she was bitten?"
"Nope, but I'm glad that its progressing as desired. Harry is thrilled with it, and he loves communicating with them all."
Harry had insisted on meeting each new arrival and once a month was sending an individual letter to each of them/ family.
"I can't believe theres thirty two of us now. If you had told me last year that I would be an Alpha to a pack this size…well to any pack I'd be amazed."
Sirius hummed, satisfaction at one plan working out thrumming through him.
"And how is it going with the ladies?"
"I'm not answering that."
"Oh come on I'm your best friend."
"That doesn't make a lick of difference. There is nothing going on with any of the ladies."
"Yes there is. Lady Greengrass told me."
"She didn't tell you anything because there is nothing to tell."
"Exactly. Why are you being so boring? You're a good-looking guy and from what she said you and Theresa are getting along very well."
"Drop it Sirius."
"Now where is the fun in that? Come on Moony, why haven't you done anything?"
"It is true, that I enjoy Thersa's company but I'm just not sure about diving into anything when we still have a consistent stream of people coming to join us or wanting to join us. I just need to make sure that things keep ticking along, we are still not completely self-sufficient, and I can't think about anything else right now."
Sirius rolled his eyes but by that time they had reached the entrance hall and seeing the Headmaster of the school heading towards them both zipped their lips.
"Sirius, Remus. Good morning I assume you are finished with whatever it is you needed Madam Bones permission for?"
"Yes, thank you. Though our companions will be staying for a while I'd imagine." Remus said with a look at Sirius who caught on quickly.
"Oh yes quite a while I would think."
"I see. And the two of you are off now?"
"Well yes, we have things to do, people to see."
"And chaos to cause, have a good day Headmaster."
"Sirius before you go, please could you just explain why I was woken up at such an astonishing hour?"
Lord Black tutted and exchanged pained looks with his best friend.
"I'm afraid not, sir. Complete security is better trusted when less people know about it, don't you agree?"
And then with a short bow he quickly passed the Headmaster with Remus following suit.
Hurrying away they didn't try to conceal their laughter.
"Oh I bet he didn't like that."
"Well he did get woken up rather early, I would be rather irate too."
"Perfectly delivered last line as well."
"Why thank you Mr Moony. I did think it rather clever."
"Can you imagine being in charge for so long and then a single notice for the Head of the DMLE and you have three unspeakables hunting through your castle."
"It is rather fun, though she wants to have a meeting with Lord Black at some point." Sirius said with a grimace.
"What do you think it'll be about?"
"Maybe making an alliance, I think Vexmoor told her the need to know things with the hunt etc so I can't imagine its anything in that direction. But I'm not sure."
"An alliance huh…Are you getting round to the ladies?"
"Please. If you don't have time you think I do? Definitely not me."
Remus stopped immediately and grabbed his friends arm.
"You're not seriously thinking…Harry?"
"What!? No! Why would you even think that!?"
"I don't know you just had a weird look in your eye."
"Bloody hell, don't even think that in Daphne's vicinity. She'd…she'd…well I don't know what she'd do but it would not be pretty."
"Agreed. But then what alliance?"
"I don't know Remus! I don't even know if she does want one or if she just wants to chat."
"Oh."
"Your brain is not working at full capacity, is it?"
"Its really not." He agreed.
"What else does the farm really need to be self sufficient?"
"Just time. You and Harry have pushed so much money into the equipment there's no way its going to fail. Several of the local villages have agreed to sell our produce in its shops. We just need the pack to carry on with this enthusiasm and it should all be okay."
"Any reason to think there should be any upset?"
"Not particularly, everyone goes through enough of an interview that they know how I run things and expect it all to be. But I don't know…I feel like something could be taking off."
Reaching the gates, they said a quick goodbye before apparating to their respective meetings, leaving the uncovering of secrets in the Unspeakables hands.
Vexmoor, Arrans and Robins stood in the entrance way of the Room of Requirement surveying the massive expanse of furniture, literature, clothing and other household items that had clearly been lost over the centuries in the grand castle.
After they had sent Remus on his way they had regathered to discuss what they knew. Which as not much. In fact in the grand scheme of things apart from being introduced to a previously thought of mythical room and being shown a hoarders dream. They knew nothing more than yesterday. And in their world that was exciting and also vastly annoying.
"You know the kids weren't wrong. This is going to take forever." Arrans stated looking at the parchment he held in his hand which had a quick quill hovering over it having just finished listening over 200 separate items and still no where close to half the things in the room.
"The elves will help, Dobby would be more than happy to do some bits as would Kreacher and we all know that the elves at Potter Manor would be delighted to be involved." Vexmoor said easily, not bothered by the work they were about to undertake.
"They do each have their own work though, and they can sense some things but from Kreachers experience dark magic doesn't just show itself. I can't imagine Harry would be very happy using them when they could get hurt." Arrans replied.
"Well we're going to have a bonafide curse breaker soon. He should be able to help at least a little bit. " Robins said.
"Not if Killick gets her hands on him first, someone who has roughly the same experience and understanding of darkness as her…she's going to be over the moon."
"True, when does our little raven get back?"
"Her last report said this weekend. It'll be interesting for her to share what she knows." Vexmoor responded as they started to walk once more amongst the piles of accumulated junk. "Though I suspect if she does have anything specific to share she will need to do so with Madam Bones in the room."
An hour or so later they were still deep in the room and had decided to call it a day, they had to make plans to organise the space and it was obvious to them -after Robins had almost been strangled by an enchanted cloak - that searching for a cursed object with limited sleep and hardly any coffee was not sensible.
Exiting the space, they made their way through the castle that none of them particularly cared for and out through the front.
"Alright now we are away from the ears of that place, Robbins; get sleep then you go back to the department and hunt for as many organisational spells as you can. Arrans if you're happy with how your other projects are going try and find out some more information on that room; if we can expect traps, what it might do. I want you to know every single detail about it. I'm going to and find Sirius and explain the situation and what we will need from him in order to get this done quicker. Any objections."
With order given the three gave a nod and disappeared leaving behind a frustrated headmaster who had seen them leave from his window but unfortunately hadn't been able to find his wand quick enough to ask them to come up to him.
To the regular gangs delight transfiguration had been an easy lesson and for Harry at least had let him practice the remarkable ability of sleeping with his eyes open.
The others who had managed to receive three more hours of sleep in comparison were all practically bouncing to know more apart from Dobby had told them as he had popped them to just outside the room at 6.30 that morning.
There they had found the boy wonder with his two guardians and the three Unspeakables in a deep discussion over horcruxes and junk. They had quickly been caught up but they (Tracey) still wanted the exact details and had to hold off until the morning lessons had ended to bombard Harry with questions. Now was that time though and rather than even allowing him a moment to grab a bread roll she had dragged him out to the great oak by the lake in the freezing November weather and had firmly told him he wasn't going anywhere until he had answered all of her questions.
He had feebly tried to protest saying that Luna should be there for it to but before Tracey could even growl at the interruption, Neville had pointed up the slope where the sprite like girl was making her way down.
"Well she can explain it more…M'm tired." Harry murmured as he leant against his girlfriend who hid her blush as she quickly spelled the area with some heating charms.
"No Harry now!" Tracey demanded with a whine. "We get popped out of bed at a stupidly early time and you tell us that the room where we have been training and sleeping and chilling also holds a dark object that can posses someone and yet it is hidden in the mounds and mounds of past students junk! Now come onnnnnuh!"
"Luna explain."
"Explain what, Harry?"
"About you and the Grey Lady."
"Oh, well we have been friends since I started school here. She is quite a wonderful character apart from the thievery side of things and she adores the pianoforte which is the original piano essentially though they are slightly different and her beautiful if slightly traumatic relationship with the Baron was really quite interesting –"6
"No, Luna I mean… You know thank you for telling us but let me explain." Harry said finally rousing himself from Daphnes shoulder.
He gave a quick summary of what had happened with the Ghost of the Ravenclaw tower and the others listen with the correct attentiveness as well as the necessary surprised noises courtesy of Tracey.
"Well can we help? Going through a bunch of old stuff is one way to spend an afternoon." Neville said eagerly.
"First of all I can't even imagine your grandmother allowing you in the same space as a cursed object let alone giving you the opportunity to hunt around in it. Secondly this is O.W.L year or have you forgotten? We won't have time to go on a treasure hunt we'll be far to busy." Daphne said hotly, her expression grave though it lightened slightly as Neville's stricken expression.
"Oh damn, I haven't even done a schedule yet. Gran is always going on about a schedule. What do I even need to revise! Should I start at what I've learnt now and work my way back or should I start at first year and work my way forward?"
"Neville, relax. Daphne's had schedules drawn up since the first week of school along with a suitable probably personalised guide for each us but at least the group as a whole." Tracey said.
Neville turned desperate eyes to the blonde who let him stay in agony for 3.2 seconds before a brief nod of her head had him falling on to the wet, damp grass in relief.
"Oh thank you, thank you!"
Daphne rolled her eyes but turned the conversation back to the original point.
"How long do they think it will take to go through everything?"
"They haven't said and if I know Padfoot - which I do - I don't think I'll know anything at all ever."
"That's fair, eurgh but that means we won't know anything ever either!" The redhead whined…again.
"Trace, I don't know what you want me to say. As soon as I know anything I'll tell you. Until then…" He said trailing off and reaching into his back for his notebook on Charms. Getting the hint the rest of the followed suite and the rest of the break had them revising the previous lesson.
Sirius, meanwhile was looking over the newest member of his team with a somewhat critical yet impressed eye. William Weasley was everything that a younger Sirius would've looked up to right down to the scuffed boots and fang earring. He was young but clearly dedicated to his craft already; a gleam in his eye and the very passion he spoke with highlighting his enjoyment of Egypt and his learning from the Goblins. He knew his stuff, of that there was no doubt, a kind of self-assurance that came with knowing who you are and loving it.
He had a confident way of speaking that would've usually annoyed Sirius but listened attentively and asked insightful questions which made the older man (not too much older, mind!) appreciate him.
Bill was winding down his speech on the Temple of Angkor and Sirius knew that if he didn't employ this man then Remus would kick his arse…in werewolf style. He gave a tip of his head to Griphook who barely blinked, slowly sliding over a piece of parchment that would sign Bill's employment over to the House of Black until further notice.
Bill stopped midsentence and blinked down at the parchment then raised his eyes to look at the man who only recently had been exonerated. He now sat elegantly cross legged and robbed in a suit of charcoal, hair pulled back in a strip of leather and the House rings glinting in the light. He had known something important was happening in this meeting but he had no idea it was this.
"If you are amenable, you will be…loaned to the House of Black for a specific project. The length of time we are not yet sure about. Once Lord Black is satisfied you will return to us. Depending on the work you have done you will either remain in your current position as though nothing has changed or you will be promoted. Lord Black will not share any information about this project. It is top secret, only high ranking members within the ministry who we deem to have been trusted have been spoken to, this work is also highly dangerous. There are cursed objects involved of an untold power and magnitude of destruction, there is death involved and while I know you have faced such an issue before this time it is a little more certain."
Bill glanced between the two of them.
"This wouldn't have something to do with your crazy Godson, would it?"
"But of course." Sirius said wearily a with a wave of his hand.
"And my position here will not be compromised?"
"Your position will be here when you return." The goblin said with a bow of his head. "Curse breaker Weasley, I would not be telling you this without the oath however I will tell you that this mission will have something to d with what happened to your sister in your second year."
Sirius watched in vague surprise at the eldest Weasley straightened and demanded.
"What do you mean? What happened with Ginny?"
There was a pause where Griphook glanced at Sirius.
"You mean you're not aware of the actions of your sister in her first year?" Sirius asked cautious.
"Dad said that she'd been hit with nasty curse but she was okay and they were dealing with it. I was still in China at the time and when Mum reiterated that Ginny was fine I figured it was a prank gone wrong."
There was silence where Bill looked between them before growing red.
"And naturally there was something more that they didn't tell me and its something bad and I'm about to get very angry at my parents aren't I?"
"Lord Black, what would you like to do?" Griphook asked.
Sirius paused.
"We edit the oath for now and tell him what happened. I had thought he would have some knowledge but if he knows nothing he deserves to know something before he signs."
Three minutes later Griphook had sealed the office and they had a structured vow made; as the last of the gold tendrils faded Sirius gave a short and factual speech about what had happened in Ginny's first year and Harry's second.
The glowing red of an angry Weasley gradually faded into the pure horror of an older brother before taking on the determined look of a professional.
"Lord Black, I would honoured to relinquish my duties here and to join you in this fight. Those things should be eradicated and if I can provide anything then I will gladly offer my services."
"Excellent, sign here." Griphook jumped in succinctly, handing an elegant peacock quill to Bill who seemed as though he couldn't write his name fast enough.
"Thank you Griphook for your attendance, Mr Weasley if you will follow me I will take you to the Ministry to introduce the rest of the team."
With bows all around the two left Griphook to his mutterings over Harry's various holdings.
They were quite as they headed down to the main lobby of the bank and Sirius waited until they were out in the bright sunshine before casting a privacy charm and asking his silent companion if he was well.
"It's a shock and I'm unbelievably angry at the same time. I'm a curse breaker for Merlins sake and my own parents thought they could handle a possession by themselves. A possession of You Know Who at that! I mean they never mentioned anything to me, did they actually do anything at all? Did they take her to a mind healer? Did they have her checked out? What were they thinking in keeping it from me?" Bill asked, his mind still whirling at the thought of his baby sisters life slowly being drained from her. "And to then carry on acting as though everything is fine, we went to Egypt you know. In the summer, she seemed okay but when the twins tried to lock Percy in with a mummy she didn't find it nearly as funny as the rest of us did. I just thought it was heat stroke and tiredness."
Sirius didn't know what to say so he simply kept silent until they had reached the phone box that would take them to the Ministry.
As they arrived in the Lobby, Bill was slightly amused at the reactions they received from people. Sirius did cut a striking figure in duelling trousers, loose black polo shirt and a dark red blazer. He held himself aloof and if hadn't been for the relaxed pose he had held in the meeting with Griphook and the open care he had displayed for his Godson, Bill would have felt intimidated. In fact, he acknowledged he still felt a little intimidated.
As they reached the gold gilded elevator the two started to descend into the bowels of the Ministry. While Bill knew about the various levels and the goblins had even discussed the different groups and theorised the things that went on he'd never actually been down here themselves. So deep in his thoughts about the Department of Mysteries he only had his tough training from his previous employers to thank for him not jumping out of his skin as he was suddenly addressed.
"Mr Weasley, we really are very grateful that you are here. While your new colleagues are quite knowledgeable in all matter of things, this is not their subject of expertise."
"I'm honoured that I have even been considered. For all that Harry has done for my family, I would have volunteered my services long ago."
"Griphook and I have a brilliant arrangement, Harry demanded nothing less but the absolute understanding that you could return to your post at any time and your position would not be changed."
"I sincerely appreciate that." Bill said eagerly. "To be honest I'm still amazed that I'm here, my brother and I used to make up adventures of what they did."
Sirius nodded his head with a grin and then gestured for Bill to exit first as the doors opened revealing Vexmoor who immediately held out a hand to Bill.
"Curse breaker Weasley, it is immensely interesting to meet you. Some of your adventures have reached us and its been fascinating. I am Unspeakable Vexmoor."
"How do you do, ma'am, and thank you. I uh…well actually I haven't heard anything about you but I am pleased to meet you."
"Just Vexmoor. Has Sirius given you the outline of what we're dealing with?"
"Only the bare necessities. I thought you and the others would be able to give a much more in depth analysis of what he's facing." Sirius replied quickly.
"Perfect, right come then the rest of the team want to meet you."
"I will leave you in Vexmoor's more than capable hands, and don't worry they're a lot less cool than you might think."
"No we're not." Vexmoor deadpanned.
Sirius snorted and held out his hand to Bill who shook it gladly.
"Thanks again, Lord Black."
"Sirius please, I look forward to seeing your progress." With a nod to the Unspeakable, he backed back into the lift.
"This way Mr Weasley."
"Thank you, and please call me Bill."
"Good, now we will go and meet Robins, Arran and Killick. Killick is the one you will be working most closely with though since yesterday you'll be spending time back at Hogwarts too."
"Why Hogwarts?"
"Ah that's the end of the story, we are going to take you through the beginning and middle first. Which started when young Mr Potter came to collect his prophecy…"
The following Thursday Harry waited patiently in the griffin staircase in his best black robes with a shirt such a dark shade of green it was like the shaded leaves in the forbidden forest. Eventually the staircase started to move and he took a breath before letting a pleasant smile fall into place as it slid to a stop in front of the Headmasters door and right on time –
"Come in, Harry."
Opening the door he saw the Headmaster standing by his bookcase, the wizard turned around and smiled slightly.
"Just realising how many of these books I haven't actually read. I get them as gifts for Christmas."
"I remember." Harry said softly causing the older man to smile wider.
"Yes, that was quite a night wasn't it." The professor made his way back to his desk and settled down with a weary sigh. "Quite a year too."
"Indeed, a lot of memories. I should get going." Harry said, other memories of a more gruesome nature making their way to the forefront of his mind.
"Yes, I am going to change but then will be along myself. Lady Marchbanks was a grand women."
"Yes, she was quite something. I'm sad to not of had more time with her."
"Yes…well…the world goes on. The floo is where it always is, I will see you soon."
"Thank you sir."
Whizzing through, he stepped out straightening his robes, immediately heading for the check in and keeping his head down but his eyes forward.
The funeral was being held at a cemetery in Surrey, near Lady Marchbanks ancestral home. The floo entry was in a smaller outer building just outside cemetery wall.
There was still tight security as the Minister as well as other members of the higher ups were arriving however it had been stated by Lady Marchabnks that she did not ever wish for an official funeral.
He was just stowing his wand back into its holster when he heard his name being bellowed. Turning his head he saw Richard Ogden striding towards him, navy blue robes flowing out behind him.
"Lord Ogden, how are you sir?"
"Oh please Harry, call me Richard. Yes I am well thank you, sad day Griselda would be proud of what her family have pulled off for her."
"Did you know her very well?"
"Oh certainly she was a person of fire and hilarity. I knew her from quite young, same circles you know, when her husband passed she never lost that spark but it became more forced. As though determined to not be held back. But you…ah when you appeared on the scene she was the one who convinced me, she knew at once which way the wind turned. A Black and Potter she said…never bet against them."
"She was formidable, I was delighted when she joined us. I'm sorry to have not known her more."
"Make her proud lad, make her proud." There was a pause as they went through the gateway and neared the quaint chapel.
"But come tell me of your plans for the next meeting? Griselda wouldn't want it any other way!"
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes Harry nevertheless began to discuss the next strategy with Ogden interjecting with good titbits until various other members including Lady Longbottom and Madam Bones had joined them.
It was only as they started to make their way into the Chapel that Harry finally caught sight of Sirius and Remus as they hurried through the gate. Turning to quickly give his apologies to Lady Longbotton he hadn't even got the first syllable out before she had laid a hand on his arm and gestured elegantly with her head.
"Go, far be it for me to keep a god father and god son apart."
Grinning back at her cheekily he still took the time to kiss her hand before heading to his guardian.
"About time."
"Fashionably late, Prongslet." Sirius said, straightening the charcoal tie. They were both elegantly dressed in blue suits with dark grey restrictive robes over them; outfits that matched his own.
"How did it go with Bill?"
"Brilliantly, he's going to be an excellent team member and I haven't heard anything in the last few days so I think they're racing ahead with all kinds of plans."
As they neared the entrance, each fell into a respectful silence and listened to the priests words of courage and humour.
They left roughly an hour later, shaking Madam Marchbanks great nieces hand and offering their condolences
"Ah Sirius, Remus a sad day to be sure. What a magnificent lady, it was good of you to come to pay your respects."
"But of course, she was a good colleague and an even better friend. It was an honour to be included here today."
"Yes yes absolutely. To get down to business Madam Bones has requested that I allow three Unspeakables at Hogwarts. Now I understand the need for secrecy more than most but in my capacity as Headmaster of Hogwarts I feel that not telling me anything might put my students at risk."
For a very long moment Sirius stared at the man who he had held so much respect for as a child.
"Harry, I don't think Remus has yet been introduced to Lord and Lady Stokke would you please go and then perhaps talk to them a little about the Sanctuary."
"Oh great idea, Harry shall we?"
"But of course, Professor Dumbledore I will see you back at school."
As the two left Sirius made sure to wait until they could at least pretend they couldn't hear before he turned back.
"Headmaster I am going to say this very calmy and rationally. Firstly I would never do anything to put the children of Hogwarts at risk. Secondly if there was anything you could do to help then we would have told you already. And thirdly!" Sirius took a deep breath to remind himself they were in public. "Thirdly the possession of a teacher! A basilisk! Dementors entering the school grounds! Each of those directly endangered the children! Even me though no one knew at the time, I was able to get to the Gryffindor Common Room completely undetected! Do not tell me that you did not know each of these things because I know you did and you did nothing!" He ended with practically a hiss. "Children at risk is practically an everyday event at Hogwarts and unless we come to you for help or Madam Bones deigns to ask anything of you then you should remember that we don't need you."
The Defeater of Grindlewald simply stared up at him looking rather ashen.
"Right…well…I'm glad we have got that out of the way. Excuse me, I haven't seen Lord Ashworth since Yule."
Sirius closed his eyes and counted to three as the older man left him. Now he just felt bloody guilty. He hadn't meant to unload onto him in that way, turning to find Harry and Remus already coming back toward him he tried to pull a smile on his face but don't think it worked as Harry sped up a little and reached out to give him a hug even though they were in public. Sirius gratefully held him for a moment, the memories of when he'd first been told everything rushing back to him and the hopelessness and fear stretched around his heart.
"Everything all right, Pads?" Remus asked quietly.
"Just think I've hurt his feelings. I just still get so angry when he acts as though he's never had secrets. And when he blames me for not being told anything. I know its frustrating we have all been in the position when we haven't been told everything but this is actually Madam Bones' and the Unspeakable's decision, I really had nothing to do with it. And to say that we're putting the kids in danger! I just – grr!" He shook himself quickly in a way very reminiscent of Padfoot.
"Maybe it is time to bring others into the fold."
"Harry you know we can't. This is dangerous information and-"
"I don't mean Dumbledore necessarily." Harry said interrupted looking over the group of mourners that were dawdling on their way back to the floo point. "I just think that actually we have quite a firm and committed group to us, they listen and understand our points. They're in agreement with our policies and now one of them has been targeted and murdered while the others injured. I know we need to keep certain things to ourselves, but isn't it time we start to trust others so we don't end up like the headmaster and think only we are right?"
Sirius and Remus glanced at each other.
"Maybe we'll discuss it back home. I understand your reasoning but we have only just brought in Bill Weasley and I think with something as delicate as this we need to make sure that people have binding contracts before we tell them anything." Sirius said after a moment.