Sirius Uncovered

"It's a cold night to be sitting in the rain my friend. It seems to me that the weather shows us little respect." The speaker leaned against the cold, damp stone of the hotel. He could hear the ruckus sounds of revelry and carousing from behind them, but the drawn, distant look on his face told his companion that he was not sorry to be away from it. He looked up into the starry sky and sighed. "I wonder Sirius, do any other people in our world or the other look on the sky as we do."

"What do you mean," the listener, Sirius, replied. His voice was gruff and perhaps a little stern. Remus Lupin had guessed that his friend was not in the mood for talking, let alone mulling over the stars and his philosophical musings surrounding them.

"Come Sirius, I think you know. For me...looking at the stars is looking at something truly beautiful. Truly unique. Something worth living for. But for me there is the bitter sting. For surely when the moon is full the night sky must be at its most majestic. I have seen pictures yes, but I long to look at the real thing. To see it full, like a lamp that all things of good may follow. But, of course, a werewolf is not a..."

"Remus, I don't mean to be rude but what do you hope to achieve with this melodrama." Sirius Black regretted immediately what he had said. He was taking his own frustrations, his own regrets out on one of his oldest friends. "I'm sorry Remus," he whispered, "I'm just...I'm not really in the mood to talk right now."

"Oh, don't worry old friend. If I had taken offence at every time Sirius Black had snapped or barked at me then we would have fallen out a long time ago."

"And with my bark and your bite, that would have been a hell of a thing to see." Sirius clapped Lupin on the back heartily. He even flashed a semblance of a grin, which had been an almost permanent fixture in those early days at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. He raised his glass of mulled wine and stared into it, mesmerised perhaps for a small moment by the raindrops striking its surface and making tiny little ripples, disturbing his reflection.

"That's better Sirius. Not so much of the glum look. This is a great day. We should share in our friends happiness," he replied, his voice changing to an almost imperceptible whisper, "and not give them a moment of concern or worry about why we look so glum. After all my friend, we can't hold onto the whole of the moon, but we can still love what it shows us yes."

Sirius' face darkened again. He turned and placed his goblet without looking on the table, which stood by the door. He stared at his friend with anger burning fiercely in his dark eyes. He took a step forward, almost menacingly but as quickly as it had come, he felt his fury subside as Remus placed his hand on his friends shoulder.

"Come now Padfoot, you didn't think that I had not noticed. Don't worry, James is blissfully unaware and will remain so as far as I am concerned."

"Thank you Remus." Blacks voice quavered as he spoke. It startled him. He was normally so self-assured. So bold. So valiant. Yet the thought of his secret being uncovered was like waking up and finding you were Snape. Repugnant, and full of disgust. "How did you know?"

"It is in your eyes Padfoot. Perhaps there is more of the animal in me than I would care to admit. Sometimes, sometimes I can smell fear, or sense love. It's hard to explain. Though I am sure that James does not know."

"And Peter? And Lily?"

"With Lily you are undone I think. I would doubt that so subtle and wise a witch as Lily Evans...no, Lily Potter could miss the way you feel for her Sirius. As for Peter, he is not as dull as we may think sometimes. And whilst I doubt he has a clue as to the real nature of your change, he will know something is wrong."

"So, she knows. What change Remus! I haven't changed have I?"

"Well, it's easier for me to see again I think. It's in the face, in the eyes if not in the deed. You see Sirius, you've always had a very blunt way with people. Not always a bad thing I may add. It shows both honesty and a certain straightforward strength. But you have always been able to temper that with a great goodness and humour you carry in your heart. But lately, since, I suspect, James and Lily announced their wedding date, you have lost that a little. And the blunt way can become, cruel."

"I hadn't realised. I'm sorry Remus. It's just that, well I always knew that James was the one for her. But I hoped Remus, I hoped..."

Remus Lupin moved to his friend and sat on the step beside him. He placed his arm comfortingly over Blacks' shoulder and patted him on the back.

"It must be hard for you Sirius. I think, I think that we all loved Lily in our own way. But now we have to let that little part go my friend, and hard as it may be we must learn to love her in a different way. As our trusted friend and as the wife of the most esteemed antlered one." Sirius smiled again. "You're a good man Remus. Let's go back inside. I am supposed to give a speech and it's almost time for the Third Feast to begin. Shame about the weather though, would've been nice to eat outdoors."

"Yes Padfoot, it surely would."

Silently the two friends moved back into the room. It was impossible to enter the hall and not crack even a small smile. Remus beamed at the myriad of witches and wizards who were dancing and singing all about. A wizard wedding is not like a muggle one. At a wizard wedding there is generally a lot more feasting. Indeed, some weddings can go on for days, even weeks, if the revellers have the stamina for it.

The halls were bedecked in banners of red and gold, all proclaiming good luck to the happy couple in their future life together. As Sirius stepped under one it cried out loudly "Happy day, oh happy day that saw the wedding of James and Lily."

"If there's one thing I can't stand more than poetry...its bad poetry Remus," commented Sirius, but he was soon distracted by the smiling faces of James and Lily moving through the crowd toward them.

"Sirius!" called James, "It's time for your speech. We're aching to eat and the third feast can't start without you giving your speech and telling the whole wizarding world what a fine chap I am."

Sirius smiled slyly at James, all the time avoiding even glancing at Lily. He nodded and moved toward the top table when he felt a hand touch him lightly on the shoulder.

"Sirius, what's wrong? You don't seem yourself today." Lily left her hand where it was. It was the slightest of touches but it paralysed him utterly. He turned and looked slowly up at her. His dark brow furrowed and he tried to force a smile.

"Nothings wrong Lil," he answered. "I'm just a little tired."

"Tired!" exclaimed James, "Sirius Black tired? What rot! Sirius Black can go for days without sleep in the pursuit of a prank. He needs no sleep. Why, I've heard it said that..."

But Lily cut whatever he had heard said short. "James...James we can't go badgering Sirius. Look, why don't you and Remus go find Peter? We want a group photo for the album don't we? What with Sirius going into that Quidditch job and..."

"I'm not taking it Lily. I've changed my mind."

"What!" exclaimed both James and Lily at once. Only Remus seemed not even a little surprised.

"I had expected as much old friend," mused Lupin, "I didn't think you would decide to change to your new profession so quickly but..."

"New profession," stammered James, "Sirius, I'm your best friend, why didn't you tell me. What are you going to do."

"Auror training," he stated calmly. It brought a stunned silence from the Potters and a silent nod from Lupin. Aurors hunted down dark wizards and in these times, with the rise of the death eaters and Lord Voldemort, it was the most dangerous profession of all. A great number of older and more experienced wizards and witches had met death in that particular branch of wizardry.

"But its so dangerous Sirius," whispered Lily. "So many wizards have died there. Please, reconsider."

"And think of us," mumbled James. He seemed emboldened. "If you go to be an Auror then so will Peter, Remus and I."

"No you would not!" growled Sirius. He had spied the look of horror on Lily's' face as soon as James had spoken. "This isn't something I've just dreamed up now. And we aren't at Hogwarts any more are we. We're not the marauders any more. That was kids stuff and this is real. Aurors die James, they die! Do you think I would want to return to Lily and tell her that? No, and as for Remus and Peter, I doubt they take Werewolves and cowards"

"Sirius!" exclaimed James.

"He's right," interrupted Lupin. "I don't think they'd take me and Peter doesn't have the stomach for it. Better he stays at his books. As for you James, you have a beautiful wife and your job now is to look out for her and raise some fine Potter children. And as for Sirius, who has ever been able to talk him out of something when his mind is made up."

Tears were in Lily's' eyes now and she moved quickly to Sirius' side her hands outstretched and made to hug him. Sirius held out an arm but couldn't stop her. She held him for a brief moment and whispered in his ear "take care of yourself...brother."

"Yes, well," mumbled James, "if you are determined just promise me you'll look after yourself. After all, if we have children, they'll need godparents Sirius. First you, then Remus and Peter."

"The shortest life-span first eh!" grinned Sirius.

"Sirius! What a thing to say." Lily was red with anger with both Black and her new husband who was laughing almost doubled up at Sirius' joke. Sirius moved with his friends to the top table. He had regained his composure and his grin had been replaced by his now all too familiar scowl. The Potters and Remus went to their seats whilst Sirius pointed at the band and indicated that they should stop. A loud cheer came from the assembled crowd, especially from some of the hungrier looking wizards who had been waiting three whole hours for the Third Feast to begin.

"Wizards and witches, friends and family, it is with a pleasure I cannot put into words that I stand before you today to give the speech of the third feast." He looked at his cards with his neatly written notes upon them and sighed. He let them fall from his hand and cleared his throat.

"I had written a long speech about friendship and had some jokes about our time at Hogwarts included. But I think not." He paused, but continued, "these are dark days my friends. These are the worst of times. All of us here have experienced the power and the threat of the Dark Lord in one way or another. All of us have known someone who has died, or worse at his hand. And yet, in these dark days we must find hope, and a will to do what is right. Sitting to my left are two of the best people I have ever known. For the past eight years they have been my family, my confidants and my guides. Now they are to be together forever. Look at them. Look hard I say for this is what he fears. I say that there can be no more powerful a thing in this world than love." He glanced at James and for the briefest of instances on Lily. "This love of theirs has flourished under the most difficult of circumstances. It has been tested yes but never broken. Nor, I am certain, will it ever be. I therefore ask you, in the name of love to raise your goblets and join with me in wishing them a fruitful and peace filled future, for them and their line. The Potters!"

Witches and wizards all round the hall stood and shouted "The Potters!", "Best wishes James and Lily!" and "Peace and prosperity, Potters!" In the tumult, Lily took Sirius' arm and kissed him on his cheek lightly. She smiled at him, and there was sorrow in her eyes. "Sirius, you are the bravest man I ever met," she whispered.

And the crowd pulled her away with wishes of good fortune and health. Sirius sat in his seat, alone and whispered "brave men love Lily, not fight."

Remus was nowhere to be seen. Sirius stood and began to make his way to the outside again when he heard a familiar voice. "Black," it called. He turned and looked at the small, portly man who stood before him. His face was covered in small boils and acne scars and his robes were dirty and dishevelled. He had grey receding hair and furtive green eyes.

"Grim, what do you want. I am sure you weren't invited here. Sirius' eyes were drawn across Grims' shoulder to a young witch who stood nervously in his shadow.

"Your first assignment Black. Follow me."

As he turned the girl followed quickly in his footsteps. Sirius eyed her nervously. He did not like to meet strange and unusual wizards. These were dark times and trust did not come cheap. She was a small witch with short straight blonde hair and pale blue eyes. Her skin was a touch pale for Sirius' tastes. He liked a woman with a healthy look to her.

Like Lily. As he thought of Lily his face fell, and he silently followed Grim. After all, it would not do well for the apprentice Auror to ignore his tutor.

He followed the duo through the throng of people. Several girls he recognised from Hogwarts were looking at him as he moved by and giggling. They seemed vacuous and foolish, nothing like Lily. Soon they had passed by the crowd and they were walking through the quiet corridors of the hotel, passing only the occasional House Elf laden with food. They screeched and ran for cover as they saw the guests. The mark of a good house elf is that it is not seen after all. The girl with Grim kept looking over her shoulder toward Sirius with a nervousness for which he could fathom no reason. Grim stopped outside a small unremarkable door. An Auror stood outside it and scowled at Black as he approached.

"What's this all about Grim? Who are these people?"

"They are your future Black. They are all that stands between people like the dark hearted scum that stands behind this door, and control of the wizarding world. We have apprehended a man whom we suspect strongly to be in the service of the Dark Lord. We caught him, after a tip off, trying to flee the scene of the crime."

"What!" cried Black. "Someone tried to use Dark Magic here, during the Potters' wedding."

It was the first time he had said "the Potters", but in his anger he did not notice. His face was red with rage and his hands clenched into fists. Reaching into his robes he pulled his wand from inside and stared at the door. "Let me in, I'll deal with him," Black growled.

Grim needed no further encouragement. He pushed the door open to reveal Remus inside, tied with heavy magical chains to a chair. He had a bleeding lip and looked even more bedraggled than usual. Sirius whirled to face Grim.

"What the hell do you think you are playing at. That Remus Lupin and I will personally vouch for him with my life. His eyes flitted between the three Aurers outside the door. "Which one of you did this to him." His voice had become almost inaudible. The Auror by the door who had been guarding Lupin moved his hand closer to his wand. The girl behind Grim stepped back several paces, obviously unsure of what to do but Sirius noticed, without any trace of fear on her face. Grim stood his ground. "Black, we found this man over the body of a dead house-elf. And if you look closely at the wall behind him you can see the beginnings of the dark mark. We caught him trying to flee from his crime. Obviously heard us coming"

"All conjecture. Utter rubbish. This man is no criminal. No murderer."

"That's as may be in your mind. And I am sure he has proved convincing enough to you. But you should be aware that, well there's no easy way to tell you this Black but he's a..."

"Werewolf," Black bellowed. I'm not stupid. I've known that for years."

"Then you must know that all werewolves are brutal and savage killers."

"Not this one"

"Mr Black please, we only..." the girl began.

" Who the hell are you. Never mind I don't care just shut up for now. Grim, I will not say this again. You have no evidence. If you try to arrest this man I will call for Dumbledore and we can let him sort this out."

"Can't fight your own battles," the male Auror sneered.

"You just try me you..."

"That's enough, both of you. Richard, go and watch the grounds. He may have had accomplices."

"But Grim, what if the..."

"Do as I say man," snarled Grim malevolently. The man stalked away leaving Grim, the girl, and the two Marauders. Slowly, Grim turned to face Black.

"Release him, I have no wish to disturb all the wizards and witches in the hall, especially the esteemed Professor Dumbledore. But someone killed this elf, Black. And I want to know who."

Sirius moved forward to the relieved form of Lupin and dispelled the magical bindings. Lupin stood and swaggered a little, still reeling from being stunned. "Thanks," he mumbled. Sirius patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "Steady, Moony." He turned and looked calmly at Grim. "I think it's time for you to go Grim."

"Yes, I've business in Diagon Alley. Report to my office on Monday morning Black. And don't be late." Grim stalked down the dark corridor toward the exit. Before he had quite left though he turned and staring straight at Sirius called, "and Black, never cross me in front of another Auror again." And he was gone.

Black turned to the girl who had not gone with Grim. "Well," he replied, "what do you want. Go and follow your master." The girl stiffened and scowled at Black. He remembered that scowl, but from where?

"I'm going nowhere Black. I'm your new Auror partner, Sylvia Pryde."

"Slytherin," Sirius almost spat. "That's where I remember you from."

"Well, that's all behind us now Mr Black. If we have to work together we had best try to move on from childish rivalry."

"Once a sneaking, power hungry, conniver..." Sirius let it go there.

"Sirius, she's one of us. Give her a little break old friend." Remus had composed himself enough to try to mollify his friend. He placed his hand on Sirius' shoulder and looked shocked when Sirius jerked away.

"Sorry Remus, it's just, well today is not the best of days."

"What better a day could there be my friend."

Sirius looked at him. He turned and began to stalk away. "Pryde, if you're coming come now. I don't have time to be looking over my shoulder for you." He ignored the protests of both Sylvia and Remus and stormed out of the hotel. Someone had tried to lay the dark mark over his best friends wedding. Someone had tried to frame Remus. He stopped, it was raining hard now and his robes began to weigh heavy. He didn't notice. He might have been too quick in his defence of Remus. He was a werewolf after all. "No," he said out loud.

"No what?" asked Sylvia through chattering teeth. "Where are we going."

"We're going to the ministry. We're not waiting till Monday. I want this sorted now. And there's someone there who can help me I think."

"Who?" enquired Sylvia.

"Don't you worry about that for now. We're going. Come on, we have to get my bike."

"Your what?" she cried. "What bike, why can't we Apparate."

"I don't take well to it." He strode away as she followed spluttering further protests on deaf ears. Sirius moved toward a huge bike parked against the hotel wall. He swung his leg over and was instantly shielded from the rain. "A handy charm," he thought to himself. "Well, are you coming or not."

Sylvia hurried up behind Sirius. She shivered as she approached and eyed the huge motorcycle warily. She was soaked now. Her light indoor robes clung to her. She looked absolutely lost. Sirius sighed. He pulled his large weighty outdoor robe from the back of his bike. "Wear this," he instructed her. She pulled it on and scrambled onto the back of his bike. He looked back at her. "Sytherins," he thought.

She clung lightly to his waist, as if afraid to touch him. He smiled. "Hold on tight girl," he laughed, "I ride hard." And with that, the bike roared into life and he pressed his foot firmly onto the accelerator and they flew of into the dark night, leaving the happy celebrations blissfully unaware behind them.