Dark Memories

Book 4 - Part 1: The Calm

Sirius looked down at the front page of the Daily Prophet. Things were happening, that was for sure. Eight members of the Wizengamot had stepped down the previous night a few hours after the 'emergency meeting'.

Earlier the day before, Sirius had been notified by the Custosae with a letter from Mage himself stating that he would be making an appearance at the Ministry and that he, Sirius, should be ready to answer some questions if the public asked. Mage outlined some information Sirius could share, and a summary of what he would definitely be covering at the Wizengamot.

As of yet, no reporters had sent him any questions, but at least he was prepared. However, after what had been put into the paper, there wasn't any need to ask questions. Mage had already answered them and laid everything out.

Sirius smiled, picturing the people stuck in their ways in the Wizengamot nearly having heart attacks when Mage appeared and said what he had. He liked Mage's style. Wasn't afraid of shaking things up, and, the best part of it, he could get away with it — after all, who in their right mind would want to tick off Mage?

From the corner of his eye, he caught the fireplace flare green. Getting up, he made his way to the flames to find Dumbledore's face.

"Albus, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Sirius asked, quite cheerful.

Dumbledore suddenly looked regretful, before looking resigned.

"Sirius, could I step through? I'm afraid I need to speak with you about something rather serious."

Sirius' eyebrows rose a little at that, clearly not having expected such a grave tone from the usually hyper Headmaster.

"Sure, Albus," he said, stepping back to allow him through the floo.

O o O o O

Teddy giggled as he watched Harry organize the plethora of rune notes around the bed. They, as in Vince, Neville, Susan, Hermione, and Harry, had been diligently working on a new project. It, of course, involved runes, and the complete network would line the rim of their robes and other desired clothes.

Thanks to the conversation on ancient warmages between Ron and Draco on the train, they had decided adding an extra layer of protection on themselves wasn't a bad idea, particularly after what Voldemort had done to Harry and how Harry's magic had decided to form a 'vest of armor'.

"Ok, I think I got them all. Now I just need to put them in order and then send them to Hermione and the others to double check and perhaps improve," Harry said, holding the stack.

Reorganizing them, he got them in order and then pulled out his wand. Easily making four more with a copying charm, he nodded to himself.

"Kreacher!" Harry called.

"Master has called Kreacher?" Kreacher asked with a bow.

"Yes. Could you deliver each of these while making sure you aren't seen by anyone other than whom the package is for?" he asked.

"Of course, master," he said, taking the four stacks, Harry keeping the original.

"Thanks," he said as Kreacher vanished with a sharp pop. "Well, hopefully by the end of summer we will all have vests of protection. Those runes do take a bit of focus to imprint on cloth, though. We will have to decide what sort of clothing to put them on and how much we want to invest in this."

"Will I get a vest?" Teddy asked, his eyes wide.

"Sure, if you want one," Harry said, not at all surprised by Teddy's question.

After tidying up his room a bit, he headed downstairs, Teddy immediately jumping on his foot for a safe ride down.

Upon stepping on the landing, Harry turned and headed to the living room; however, he soon stopped at the threshold. Dumbledore was there, sitting beside Sirius, as if consoling him after telling him some rather grim news. Remus was there was well, standing by Sirius' shoulder, though it looked as if he was having trouble himself, emotionally.