Frigus . Sirius Black (Mortem BOOK 2)

chapter sixty-three

April 15th, 1980 - Grimmauld Place 

Nephera was once more pouring herself over her books, reading everything and anything the library at Grimmauld offered on how to locate pieces of one's soul. Initially, she had been searching specifically for Horcruxes, but the it was basically impossible to find information on them in general, let alone how to locate them. And so, the young witch had turned her search elsewhere, widening it to spells that can locate souls in general. 

So far, nothing. 

Soul magic was deeply connected with astronomy, which had never been her forte. She could very well ask Sirius, the boy's knowledge was extensive and far deeper than hers on the subject, but he already had his plate full with the Ministry stalking and questioning him over her whereabouts, and his work in the Auror office, she didn't want to bother him unless she had exhausted all other possibilities first. 

Speaking of said boy, he was upstairs getting dressed to meet the rest of the marauders in muggle London, that night being one of the only ones in the past months they all had off from work. She heard him bounding down the stairs, cursing at Walburga's portrait as he did so, for he had knocked down a painting and it had woken the woman up, "Still reading, mon coeur?" he asked, leaning down and pressing a kiss on her forehead, "Close them for tonight, you've done enough," 

"There's a piece of Riddle's soul out there, and you want me to sleep? Really, Snuffles, do you know nothing about me?" she replied playfully, "Are you leaving now?" 

He nodded, "Are you sure you don't want to come with?" 

"Yes, go, have fun. It's been too long since you guys hung out all alone," she looked up at him, clocking in on the worry hidden behind the grey of his eyes, "I'll be fine alone, this place is a fortress, and I've got Kreacher, and Crookshanks, and I'm pretty sure Alice is dropping by as well," 

He blew a breath through his nose, "Fine, fine," he relented, "Make sure to eat something- actually, no, Kreacher, make sure Nephera eats dinner, don't let her go to bed without it, it's an order," 

"Kreacher lives to serve-" 

"We get it!" yelled the both of them together, laughing afterwords 

"Don't baby me, and go. You know Prongs hates it when you're late," 

Sirius nodded, placing one final kiss to her lips before moving to the door and opening it. He wouldn't be apparating tonight, it was far too risky to do so in muggle areas and besides, it had been a while since he'd gotten to ride his bike, "Gentlemen," he greeted the Minister's guard standing outside, "Still here I see," 

"We'll leave if you give us access to check the house out, Black," 

"No can't do, besides, I've told you, Nephera isn't here. She ditched me and I've been nursing my broken heart ever since," 

Indeed, ever since Nephera had attacked the Minister, the Minister's Guard had been standing on rotation outside of Grimmauld Place, probably hoping to catch Sirius's lies and some glimpse of the witch. It was almost comical at that point, truly. 

"Have a nice night," he called out, revving the bike as he sped down the small street towards where he'd be meeting the other three wizards 

They had settled on a small pub near Remus's apartment, and when Sirius parked his bike outside, he saw the three boys already there, sitting in the table by the window. James noticed him first, nodding his head and motioning for him to hurry up, "Late as always," snarked the curly-haired wizard once his friend walked in 

"I had to deal with the assholes outside my house, and ensure my girlfriend didn't drop dead over a book, Prongs, I'm a busy man," replied Sirius, motioning to the bartender for another one of whatever the rest were drinking