Breaking Black (A Sirius Black Love Story)

Chapter 97

I lost all contact with Remus. I'd sent him a few owls, apologizing for Sirius' actions, but I never heard back. He was too far gone and most likely hurt over Cassie's birthday. I couldn't repair what Sirius had said. I'd also made a vow to stick by Sirius' side, for better or worse, so I had to believe Remus was the spy as well.

Things didn't get much better after the argument anywhere. There were more leaks from the spy, more casualties. And sadly, I was a little suspicious of Sirius. All my information came from him. Who was to say he wasn't concealing information?

In June, James and Lily finally decided to go into hiding. I was happy for them, but rather sad I would not be able to see our friends any more. Lily promised she would write and send pictures frequently. Sirius told me the rumor about the Secret Keeper was true. He did not tell me who it was, and I could only assume it was himself. The Fidelius Charm was to be cast, and the Potters' hiding was effective immediately. The secret to be kept was the location of the Potters' home.

On that fateful June afternoon, Sirius left me with Cassie, to meet Dumbledore and the Potters at Hogwarts and finally cast the Fidelius Charm, so the Potters would be hidden from the world.

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Sirius P.O.V.

There were only a handful of times I'd been as nervous as I was when I walked up to Hogwarts that night. The first time was asking Lexi on our first date. Another time was when Cassie was born. And finally, there I was, about to walk inside and sell my best friend's soul to a Secret Keeper. I was a nervous wreck.

Dumbledore greeted us at the entrance. I was standing with James, who didn't seem nervous at all, and the beautiful Lily, carrying Harry over her shoulder. My godson pulled at Lily's red curls, shooting a smile at me. I smirked at him, the little boy only temporarily easing my worry.

Dumbledore led us through the empty castle, directly to Minnie's transfiguration classroom. The room hadn't changed a bit since we graduated. I half wanted to leave a surprise prank for McGonagall to find, but I decided against it. Pranks were not the reason we were there.

"Thank you, Albus, for allowing us to do this here," Lily thanked. Harry babbled something and pointed at Dumbledore. The headmaster smiled briefly.

"Of course, anytime. Hogwarts is one of the only safe places left, it seems," Dumbledore said.

"I wanted to give you this," James suddenly announced. I recognized the shimmering cloak immediately. "You asked me about it before... I just couldn't part with it yet. This is a thank you for doing this for us. Besides, with this charm, I don't think we could be hidden any better."

The Invisibility Cloak passed from James' hands to Dumbledore's. Rather fondly, Dumbledore stroked the fabric. Even my heart sunk a little at the sight of James giving up his prized possession. We had so many memories with that cloak.

"Well, this explains much of your mischief at Hogwarts."

"It has served me well. I hope you can use it to... Stop Voldemort from cheating death."

There had been talk of a Horcrux- a terrible type of Dark Magic to conceal a piece of a wizard's soul in an artifact to achieve immortality. We could only assume that was why Voldemort was taking so long to go after Harry Potter.

And Voldemort had chosen Harry Potter, there was no doubt about it. In the face of danger, Dumbledore suggested a Secret Keeper. Dumbledore wanted to do it himself. I offered to do it, in place of Dumbledore. James was like my brother, and I would do anything to save him. And I wanted to make sure Remus thought I was the Secret Keeper. My stomach twisted in knots. Being the Secret Keeper was not what was making me nervous- it was what I was about to do.