Determination

LIX: Rising Action

June 20th, 1995

Remus took a calming breath to simmer the rage and anxiety he was feeling. He placed a hand on Padfoot's shoulder before speaking.

"Sirius, you need to calm yourself," he tried.

"DO NOT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN, REMUS!" He roared. "He lured my godson, stole my sister, I will not calm until I rip their bloody heads from their bodies!"

Remus sighed as he watched and followed his friend storm after the others through the department of mysteries. This year has not been kind to their well-being. The toll that being back in the order had caused was heavy, not to mention that they'd had to keep Masondrit's business afloat. Sirius had it worse between the two of them, constantly having to work directly with the ministry and hold his tongue as they tried their damndest to besmirch everyone's names. Remus at least worked mostly with Saint Mungos Hospital, which made for an easier time on his overall well-being.

"This is it," Kingsley said. He'd stopped in front of a black door that honestly looked exactly like every other door they'd passed. How he knew which one to go to was beyond Remus' comprehension.

The group held their breath as the Auror unlocked the door for them. Before he could open it Sirius was barging ahead of the group and kicked the door wide open, splintering it from its hinges.

Remus stormed forward after him
"What on bloody earth was that for?!" He hissed.

Sirius shrugged from in front of him as he quickly raised his wand "It's fun."

Once inside, the two were quickly able to assess the situation. Harry and Neville were at the bottom of the Dias. 8 Death Eaters surrounded them. One Death Eater near the bottom held a tattered mass of dingy, blue, blood-encrusted hair by the fist.

"Bella," he heard growled out from Sirius. 

Everything went by quickly. When asked about it all later, Remus is sure he and Sirius won't be able to remember many details; battles like these were always a blur come later. In the moment, your adrenaline is rushing, you feel nothing but utmost focus, and your heart is pounding in your ears.

These moments always felt like a rush, always felt like a high you could never get back, especially when you win.

Remus easily deflected a jinx sent towards him into another Death Eater. He took a step forward, "Colloshoo," he sent towards the man trying to jinx him.

"That's it, Moony!" He heard from somewhere behind him.

"Calvorio"
"Impediamenta"
"Protego"
"Petrificus totalus"

Shields, charms, jinxes, hexes, and curses were thrown all over the place. Remus could feel the excitement of the battle as he was sure Sirius, behind him, could as well. There was no other feeling of testing your own strength quite like that in dueling.

"Come on, you can do better than that!" Sirius had taunted someone.

Though you don't always win, do you?

Remus had looked up in time to see a flash of light hit Sirius squarely in the chest. His breath caught in his lungs.

"SIRIUS!"