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Ch. 5. Out of the Darkness

The next few weeks pass in a blur of parchment, Auror cases and many cups of tea. Not to mention many glasses of Fire Whiskey. Sirius and I barely see each other between my work schedule and his appointments. Hermione insists he attend daily doctors appointments for the first month, claiming the team will assess his health and go from there. She also, miraculously, talks him into going to group therapy with the rest of the Veil survivors everyday, at least for the time being. He grumbles about it every morning but refuses to share anything more than a few snarky remarks before kissing me on the cheek and heading to meet Hermione before going to the Ministry. It's amazing that being in the same building can feel so far away, and I catch myself wondering if any of this is even real multiple times.

During one such train of thought, Harry and Ron accost me at lunch on a Friday, "Venus, did you hear anything I just told you about this case paperwork?"

"Of course she didn't," Ron bites out between gulps of tea, "she's too busy thinking about snogging your godfather."

"Oh shut it, you twat," I snap, breaking a piece of fried cod apart before dipping it in sauce. "I'm sorry Harry, it's just been a long week. Ever since that fucking window, I've got stacks of paper work up to the bloody ceiling in my office. Tell me again."

He wipes his hands on a napkin before tossing it into his empty fish and chips basket. "I was saying that there seems to be new activity regarding the new generation of Death Eaters, though Kingsley doesn't want that name to be used so he's working like hell to keep the news from the papers. Specifically Rita Skeeter." I raise my eyebrows at him to go on, chomping on more cod. "There are reports coming from some rural areas that there's been meetings with mysterious people."

"Mysterious people could mean anything, that's rubbish," Ron grumbles around the food in his mouth. I grimace at him.

"Mysterious people also includes a possible sighting of a certain Lestrange," Harry shoots back.

"What?" I drop my fish into the basket, suddenly losing my appetite.

"It's not confirmed yet, but there have been reports of someone matching her appearance." He shakes his head, attempting to smile at me even though worry clouds his eyes, "I don't want to tell anyone else besides Tonks, since she'll find out anyways."

As if on cue, Tonks apparates at the table and the bar maid brings her her regular order almost immediately, "Thanks, love." As soon as she walks away, my best friend is eyeing the three of us suspiciously. Granted we all look as if we've just set up one of the twins' pre-packaged pranks, especially Ron who is practically squirming in his seat. "Find what out?"

Sighing, I fill her in quickly. She looks around to make sure no one can hear us before turning back to Harry, expecting more.

"I already charmed it so no one can hear. That's all we have right now, Tonks. I'm bringing the paperwork over to Venus this afternoon. Kingsley requests we hold back on investigating until we have something more solid, but ultimately that's up to you," Harry nods towards me.

"I think he's right, it won't help us to rush in with nothing. Plus-"

"Sirius," Harry cuts me off, "I know. He doesn't need to know right now."

Tonks scoffs, "He'll be miffed if he finds out you didn't tell him."

Harry and I glance at each other, frustration clear on our faces, but Ron speaks up next, his voice soft, "It's for his own good. He'll understand."

Deep down, I fear he won't, but I agree anyways.

We discuss random things while Tonks eats, including Teddy's new obsession with toys the twins keep giving him and how well Ginny is coming along. Harry glows as he talks about her, the love shining on his face. Ron blushes when Tonks asks if he's still snogging Lavender, but he immediately throws it back on me about Sirius. Harry almost chokes on his tea and I almost throttle the red head.