Promises Remembered

Promises Remembered

The Sequel to Promises Unbroken

Chapter Fourteen: Great and Dark Days

"So. There you have it."

"Yeah." Sirius' reply was tight, distant, and made heads turn. That, in turn, made him smile. "Sorry. Don't mind me. I was just thinking...elsewhere."

"Really, Padfoot? I would never have expected you to do that," James retorted, but saw his friend's face grin back while his eyes did not. Whatever had happened, however it had happened, was still eating at Sirius. It had changed him somehow, inside, warped whatever innocence he still had into something darker, something...greater. Yet the change was frightening, and James had a feeling that they all needed to know why.

Five days had passed since Harry's birthday, five days in which James and his friends had tried to act as if nothing had changed. Harry, for the most part, had been fooled--he'd spent the time with his friends, being a simple twelve year old boy and acting accordingly. Both he and Hermione had spent the last two nights at the Weasleys', unknowingly under the eyes of several Aurors as well. But nothing had happened, much to James' relief. Voldemort seemed as confused by this defeat as Sirius was by defeating him. He was waiting, James knew--but waiting for what?

And why do I get the feeling that this is the calm before the storm?

"Obnoxious distractions aside," Snape interrupted pointedly. "Perhaps we can return to the subject at hand?"

James grinned, but noticed with disappointment that Sirius did not. Remus, however, continued before James could tempt Snape further. "We will have no Sixth Circle until Fawkes allows us," he said quietly. "But that leaves use two members short...and I wouldn't know who to choose even if we could form the next Inner Circle."

"Nor would the rest of us," Lily added form her seat next to the fire. They had gathered in the library at Grimmauld Place long after midnight, cloaking themselves in darkness and silence, yet knowing that secrecy had become all but impossible. The day before, James and Arthur had begun to set up a new headquarters for the Ministry of Magic, yet within four hours of the first group's arrival, an explosion had shaken the building. Although there hadn't been an obvious Death Eater attack, James knew the truth. Voldemort might have been waiting, but he wasn't silent. He was, in fact, far from that...no matter what the papers might think. With a sigh, James glanced down at the front page of the Daily Prophet sitting on the table to his right.

August 4, 1992

NEW MINISTRY OF MAGIC OFFICES DESTROYED

by Keith Lindsay, Special Correspondent

Early yesterday afternoon, the acting Ministry of Magic department

heads attempted to establish a new headquarters on the outskirts of

Muggle London. Led by Arthur Weasley, the temporary Deputy Minister

of Magic, a group of sixteen was caught in an unexpected blast that

experts think may have been a result of a Muggle terrorist attack. Ludo

Bagman, the Minister for Magical Games and Sports, was crushed by

falling rubble and killed immediately. Five others were seriously injured,

and are receiving treatment at St. Mungo's.

When questioned, Minister Weasley refused to comment, apart from

saying that the Ministry would carefully investigate the attack and would

be finding yet another location for Ministry headquarters. Information on

that location, however, was not forthcoming.

In other news, elections for a permanent Minister of Magic are scheduled

for next week. The front runner in a surprisingly populated race is acting

Minister of Magic James Potter, who is still paralyzed from the

destruction of the Ministry of Magic. Potter has already stated that Arthur

Weasley will remain his deputy if he is elected, which continues to

surprise political analysts due to Weasley's relative unimportance in the

past.

Running against Potter remains the team of career politicians Cornelius

Fudge and Dolores Umbridge. Fudge, the head of the Department of

Magical Catastrophes, continues to roundly criticize Potter's policies and

insist that there is a peaceful way to end the war.

A surprising and late addition to the race is Lucius Malfoy, long a force to

be reckoned with in politics but never a holder of political office. When

asked for the reason behind his sudden change of heart, Malfoy

explains: "I simply cannot stand by and allow our world to suffer under

the leadership of warmongering incompetents. While I am perfectly

willing to support Mr. Fudge's policies, I fear that the oldest families are

loathe to support a Fudge in office. It is time that a member of one of the

Wizarding world's oldest families reassumes our proper responsibilities

and does what has to be done."

Malfoy, of course, is the leading member of one of the famous Fourteen

Families, a distinction that James Potter also shares. Malfoy, however,

has long been rumored to be a follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,

which clearly separates him from ex-Auror Potter. Although there is no

proof that Malfoy is a Death Eater, this slander may very well weaken his

chances in the coming race. Predictably, Malfoy refused to comment.

"Thinking about Malfoy again, are you?" Sirius suddenly asked, startling James so much that he nearly dropped his tea. James grinned sheepishly.

"That obvious, is it?"

"Only when you glare at the Prophet like you want it to burst into flames," Dung pointed out, a half smile creasing his scarred face.

"Am I that bad?" James asked.

"Oh, yes." His wife smiled sweetly. "You certainly are."

"I don't think you need to worry about Malfoy, either," Sirius added, sounding surprisingly normal. "Sounds to me like he's only going to take votes away from Fudge, anyway. Those who believe you believe you, James. They won't fall for a pretty boy just because he's from an old family."

"Yes, but if we know this, surely Malfoy does, too," Remus countered reasonably. "So what does he want? What does he hope to gain?"

All eyes turned automatically to Snape, but after a long moment, the Death Eater only shrugged.

"I do not know," Snape admitted. "Power, for certain. But what else...I am not sure. The Dark Lord is humoring him, though, on this matter--for now. It is Lucius' idea. That much, I know for certain."

Dung snorted. "Voldemort? Humor anyone?" He shook his head. "Unlikely."

"But not impossible." Snape scowled. "Not always. And Lucius Malfoy has always been an exception. I do not know what he plans, but James is right to watch him." His black eyes narrowed. "Watch him carefully."

James nodded. "Six days and we'll know."

"And then what?" Lily asked. "Let us assume, for the moment, that you will win the election. Even if you do not, though, the Order's responsibilities will not change--they will only grow more difficult to fulfill. Remus tells us that Hogwarts is secure. Severus tells us that Voldemort is waiting--but waiting for what? And how do we stop him when he does act? These two questions must be answered, but we've been dancing around them all night."

"Lily's right," Remus agreed. "We cannot wait any longer. We must strike, and do so soon." His eyes found Sirius. "But to do so, we must first understand."

Uncharacteristically, Sirius avoided everyone's gaze, staring down at his hands instead. After a long moment, Remus continued in a gentle voice.

"We have not asked, Sirius, because we respect your silence. I know that you do not want to talk about what happened, but we need to know."

"Yes," Sirius said quietly. "Yes, you do."

A chill ran down James' spine, why he did not know. But as his friend looked up, James noticed that Sirius' blue eyes were clear. There was none of the uncertainty that had plagued him for the past five days, none of the hesitation or the shadows. He seemed calmer now than he had in years.

"We fought," he replied evenly, holding up a hand to forestall the question on Lily's face. "Not as foes across a battlefield, but we fought--Voldemort and I. He reached out to crush the wards, and I sought to stop him. Then it became something different."

Sirius took a deep breath. "Even now I cannot explain it. There are not words to do so. Yet we connected, somehow, and we fought. It wasn't power or emotion...it was simply a contest of will. It was almost like when we both cast the Imperius Curse in Azkaban, but the connection was stronger...deeper. But it wasn't a battle that can have a victor, nor one that could last long. I suspect that Voldemort fell unconscious within seconds, as I did. It felt like eternity, but I know it was not."

"He did," Snape confirmed immediately. "Or so Lucius told me. The Dark Lord is loathe to speak of it."

"As well he should be." Sirius' head turned slowly until he looked James in the eye. "And what Dumbledore tried to tell me was right. It's not Harry who has to stop Voldemort. It's me."

James swallowed, and could taste the silence. After Azkaban, it had at least become clear that Sirius had an undeniable ability to resist Voldemort--yet nothing had been certain. There had always been a chance that the first prophecy would hold true and that Harry would still have to bear that horrible burden...the burden that had fallen to Sirius, who had changed in Azkaban and had somehow altered everything.

"'Tonight marks the choice of the Dark Lord's bane'," Remus quoted softly. "And so it is."

"Yes," Sirius said simply.

--------------

"There is a prophecy, My Lord," Julia said quietly, flames flickering from the fire to her right. "We found it deep in what used to be the Department of Mysteries. It was buried deep under the rubble, but we managed to bring it to you."

"Have you, now?" Voldemort asked pointedly. He was furious over the interruption, Snape knew, and ready to torture anyone who interfered with a council between the Dark Lord and his chosen few. Two hours had passed since Severus had left a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix's Inner Circle, yet now he was attending another secret council. But this one was smaller--and far darker.

"Speak quickly, worm!" Bellatrix Lestrange snapped when Julia hesitated. But Julia was a Malfoy, and not to be intimidated by any Death Eater, no matter how high ranking.

"Look to yourself, Bellatrix," Julia retorted. "I seem to recall your school nickname being Medusa."

Bellatrix's blue eyes flashed dangerously. "You--"

"Be silent, Bella," the Dark Lord's cold voice cut her off, then his burning eyes sought out Julia once more, and Snape saw his fury retreat slightly. "Tell me of this prophecy," he commended.

In the far corner, Lucius smirked.

"It has no label, Master, unlike all other prophecies, which are marked with the names of those they center upon," Julia explained. Two days before, Voldemort had given her the task of investigating the ruins of the destroyed Ministry of Magic and uncovering anything that might be of use. Somehow, Severus was not surprised to find that Julia had uncovered results so quickly. "The orb is only labeled 'Great and Dark Days'."

"And I assume that you left this interesting piece of archeology behind where anyone can find it?" Rodolphus Lestrange asked archly from beside his livid wife. But Julia only favored him with a superior look.

"No. I have it with me."

"How?" Severus asked with real curiosity. "It was my understanding that only those whom a prophecy is meant for can handle it."

"Actually, only those who the prophecy is made for can retrieve it from the Department of Mysteries." Julia smiled coldly. "Or those with practice in retrieving hidden items." She bowed gracefully in the Dark Lord's direction and gestured with her wand.

Slowly, a dusty glass orb drifted towards Voldemort; it had been floating unseen at Julia's side the entire time. Only by squinting could Snape read the label.

Oracle at Delphi to Leonidas of Sparta

(?) and (?)

For Great and Dark Days

Julia's calm voice filled the pregnant silence.

"I believe, My Lord, that it is meant for you."

--------------

"I wouldn't have dared come here if I did not know that I had to," she said quietly.

Late afternoon had brought an invasion to Grimmauld Place--Harry had returned, dragging Hermione plus four Weasleys (apparently, Mrs. Weasley had forced Ron and the twins to bring their younger sister along, too), trailing chaos in their wake. It was almost surreal to see his family's ancestral home turned into a virtual playground for six energetic children, but Sirius noted with approval that a prank war already seemed to have sparked. Mother, he reflected with a triumphant smile, would never have approved. And young Ginny Weasley seemed to be holding her own--Sirius found himself liking her already.

Still, though, now was not a time to laugh, despite the happy commotion raging downstairs. He sighed. "I know."

Julia sat on his bed with her feet curled up underneath her and her hands folded in her lap. For all the world, she looked perfectly calm and at home, but Sirius recognized the tense lines around her eyes and the weariness in her expression. She was worried, more so than he'd seen her in years. Julia lived a busy life, and was accustomed to pressure--yet the growing fear in her eyes was real.

"The Dark Lord ordered me to search the Ministry's ruins, Sirius," she said quietly, meeting his eyes with what Sirius could tell was a massive effort in control. "He judged that my expertise would be useful in such an endeavor, and wanted to see what I might find."

"But we already searched the ruins," he objected.

She nodded. "And so you did. But not closely enough."

His heart started pounding as Julia swallowed, and then continued.

"I found a prophecy, Sirius." Her gray eyes bored into his. "It's ancient, almost twenty-five hundred years old, which is probably why the Aurors overlooked it. But the moment I saw it, I knew."

"Knew what?" For some reason, he was afraid to ask.

"I knew that it was important. I would not have brought it to him if I had been alone, but Jugson was my shadow." Julia took a deep breath. "The prophecy was spoken in 480 B.C.E. by the Oracle at Delphi to King Leonidas of Sparta, yet it was unmarked. The prophecy does not say for whom it was made, only the phrase 'For Great and Dark Days'."

Sirius' heart sank. "So Voldemort has the prophecy."

"Yes. But I cast a memory-enhancing charm on myself before I gave it to him, so I remember," she replied. "Severus was there as well, but he had no warning and may not recall every word."

"He hasn't told us this, yet."

"No, he's still on Azkaban," Julia told him. "This was the first chance I had to leave, but I had to tell you, Sirius. You need to know."

The intensity in her eyes was jarring. "Why me?"

"Other than the fact that I trust you?" she asked, but the wan smile did little to warm Julia's pale face. However, she did reach out to take his hand. "Because I believe that you are one of the people mentioned in the prophecy." Julia sucked in a ragged breath. "And so does Voldemort."

He felt cold, and wished that he felt surprised instead. "I'd better hear it, then."

"Yes."

Julia closed her eyes, and Sirius saw the lines on her face fade as she thought back. This was Julia's specialty: discovery and dissection. When she spoke, her voice was quiet, but Sirius heard a strange power behind her words.

"They will come--

Heroes will be needed and they will come.

They will come--

Brothers though no blood lies between them.

They will come--

With promises made to break or stand.

They will come--

Alone against the storm, standing together at the dark end.

They will come--

Battered and bleeding, yet refusing to bend.

They will come--

Unbroken. Unbowed. Unyielding.

Remember.

They will come."

A chill ran down Sirius' spine as Julia opened her eyes, staring at him. He tried to keep his face unreadable, but she saw right through it--just as she always did. Julia squeezed his hand once, but released him as Sirius rose to pace. Still, though, he felt her eyes upon him, watching perceptively while he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at his bedroom floor. Julia, knowing him, let him think without interruption. For the moment, Sirius needed silence...but he craved companionship. He felt strangely calm, oddly vindicated. Even though he hadn't expected the prophecy to reveal so much, it told him the truth. Fate had finally been twisted; everything had changed. Another man might not have felt relieved, but Sirius did. It worked! he thought triumphantly--then a sudden chill made him shiver. But... There was something more than just fate at work. I never expected to drag them into this.

Even so, it was nice to hear it from another source. And he had not failed to notice what the prophecy did not say. Sirius took a deep breath.

"Well," he said quietly. "Now we know."

"Yes." Julia bit her lip briefly; for a woman who never showed weakness, the simple action spoke legions. "And so does he."

Sill pacing, Sirius shrugged. "That's nothing new. He has known, as I have, since Harry's birthday."

"But now the knowledge is concrete," she pointed out. "Now it is fact, unless the prophecy refers to some other darkness, which I doubt. He was able to touch it, to listen...and that prophecy changes everything."

"Because we all know who they are," Sirius nodded, halting to study her face. "I know, even if the end will be different. But it's almost--almost nice to know for sure."

This time, her smile was real. Julia chuckled lightly. "That's because you're crazy."

"Very true." He grinned in response. "And I also like to meet things head on."

"I would never have guessed that aspect of your personality existed," she deadpanned.

"Oh, really?" In one quick motion, he jumped onto the bed and tackled her. The springs screeched in protest as they bounced, and the pair wrestled for a moment, with Sirius trying to tickle Julia and Julia proving remarkably elusive. Finally, he managed to wrap his arms around her from behind, but Sirius didn't bother trying to tickle her when Julia rested her head against his shoulder with a contented sigh. There were not enough moments like this one.

But even perfection could not last.

"We need to tell them," she pointed out quietly.

His nose full of the smell of her hair, Sirius nodded. "Would you like me to, or do you want to be there?"

"You trust them," Julia replied without hesitation. "So I do, too. I'll stay, if you want me to."

"I always want you to stay," he murmured with a slight smile.

"Of course you do, silly," she retorted. "Don't change the subject." But he heard the laughter in her voice.

"I'm not," he objected innocently. Julia snorted, though, making him relent. Slightly. "For this, too," Sirius clarified. "I think it's important."

She twisted around to look at him, but did not leave his arms. "Why is that?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But you're a part of this...and besides, I'll never remember the whole prophecy by myself."

"I see how it is," Julia laughed. "You're using me for my memory."

"You bet I am."

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It took over a day to assemble the Marauders, including long hours that they simply did not have to spare. But by August 8^th, Peter was back in the country, and they met once more at Hogwarts. Walking through the deserted corridors at night reminded Sirius of their pranking days, but he hadn't had Julia at his side back then. He smiled slightly as they reached the headmaster's office, but waited patiently enough for the spiral staircase to deliver them at their destination.

Remus and Peter were waiting, but both were surprised to see Julia. Snape, it seemed, was still at Azkaban, working on some bizarre potion or another for the Dark Lord. While that fact came as a surprise to no one--apparently, such things happened to Hogwarts' Potions Master quite often during the holidays--it meant that Remus had no clue why Sirius had asked his best friends to come together, and even less idea why he had brought Julia along. Still, the headmaster greeted them both with a smile, and promised that James would not be long. Peter, too, grinned, but Sirius could read the apprehension behind his smile. He'd come a long way from the frightened little boy who Sirius had met on the Hogwarts Express, but sometimes his nerves betrayed themselves.

James was late. Over twenty minutes after he'd promised to arrive, the temporary Minister of Magic wheeled himself into Remus' office wearing an apologetic smile. "Sorry that I'm late," he said immediately. "I got caught up in a fire call with Fudge."

"Ick," Peter's face twisted up in an expression of distaste. "I'm sorry."

"Me, too." James shuddered. "I'd have doused the fire, but I couldn't think up a plausible enough excuse to get rid of him.

"I suppose hating him doesn't count?" Sirius asked, earning himself a sour look from Remus, who turned to James.

"In which case you are clearly forgiven," the headmaster said. The brown-haired Marauder managed to say the words with a straight face, but the grin that blossomed afterwards ruined the effect. "For the moment."

They all laughed appreciatively, after which James faced Julia. "It's good to see you again, Julia," he said with a genuine smile. "You're looking well."

"Thank you." James' cocky youth had matured into semi-suave charm, and though Sirius was fairly positive that Julia was immune to it, she still smiled. A mischievous glint entered her eyes, then, and the smile flared into a grin. "I wish that I could say the same think about you, but you look horrible."

"Politics," James retorted, but Sirius noticed that his friend did look exhausted, and made a mental note to ask about it later. Still, everyone was laughing, so he joined in. After the amusement faded, he nodded in return to Julia's questioning look.

"I guess you're all wondering why I'm here," she said quietly. "But it's really my fault that everyone else is..."

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