Rescued

The Search: Sirius

Hermione, Ron, and Harry were all poring over a book in the living room. It was late, the crescent moon rising and the fire crackling merrily. Lily was lying on her side in front of the flames, and Hedwig was on her perch, staring at me.

"Nerds," I said, grinning, and smirked as Hermione blushed and Ron smirked back.

"Yep," said Harry, and accepted a hot chocolate from the tray I had set in front of them.

"Mr. Black, sir?" Hermione asked timidly, still pink. I smiled graciously. "When will we be going to find Mr. Lupin?" She blinked those pretty brown eyes and shut her book. Ron and Harry looked up.

"Call me Sirius. Tomorrow morning, bright and early. We're getting the bloody wanker home. Wether he likes it or not," I added and swallowed the rest of my tea.

"Sweet," Ron said. "Blimey, It's already nine?" He exclaimed, stretching. I glanced at the clock.

"That's right, I need to get you your rooms. Harry, Ron can bunk with you, and we'll figure out an arrangement for 'Miss Granger.'" I stood up gingerly, my side screaming as the skin stretched. I limped up the stairs with the trio behind me.

"There," Harry said, looking pleased. We had stretched out his bed so there was room for two. More than for two, but now they both definitely fit. The lion yawned as Hermione peeked in, and she squeaked, and then stared in amazement.

"That's an amazing piece of magic, Harry! Who did it?" She turned to me. I smoothed back my lovely locks and shook my head.

"Moony took care of that one. We have to cast it again every once in a while, when it wears off, though." I limped painfully to the room across from the boys'. It was empty, as we had never had a need for it. I swished my wand and the walls turned pale pink, the window was covered with white lace drapes, the floor with a furry white rug, and a large pine four poster bed with ruffly pink blankets and quilts. The bed was surrounded by a white veil, and a chair sprung from the corner. Hermione gaped in amazement and blushed.

"That suit your fancy?" I asked, my breath catching from pain. I was sure my scrape had opened up again. Hermione continued staring at me in amazement. I was beginning to feel dizzy so I sat down in the chair.

"Mr--Sirius, your--your shirt..." She covered her mouth with her hands and stared. I looked down to see my shirt covered in blood. I lifted it to check, and found the wound split open, pink tissue peeking at me and blood rushing down. I was really beginning to feel dizzy. "Harry!" I heard her scream, and saw her pull her wand out.

"No--don't--" I began, lifting my hand feebly trying to stop her. But she ignored me and waved her wand and muttered. My wound wouldn't close. Remus had tried before, and had resorted to some muggle remedy called stitches. But I immediately  felt better as she kept muttering.

"What--oh, blimey, Sirius," Ron said, his face taking on a light green shade.

"Padfoot!" Harry exclaimed, and ran over.

"Don't touch him, Harry, and go get my spell book. It's in my trunk in your room, please hurry!" Hermione exclaimed, waving her wand some more. "Would Episkey work? No, that's for broken bones," she muttered under her breath.

She'd make a great Healer, I thought grimly as I tried not to breath too heavily so as not to aggravate the cut and make it bleed more. Harry soon returned with a humongous book, and Hermione immediately dropped her wand and began flipping through the pages. Then she smiled triumphantly and turned. She waved her wand and muttered something I couldn't hear and then the darkness surrounded me and I fell asleep.

I woke up to find myself in my bed, with three pairs of eyes staring at me. Make it four.

"What happened? Blimey, that looks a whole lot better," I said, noticing the nearly closed wound. "What'd you do?" Hermione burst into tears.

"Oh thank goodness! I thought for sure you were dead and then I didn't know for sure if I did it right, and now since I performed magic outside of school I'll be expelled--" I took her hands off of her face and looked at her.

"Hermione, look at me. No, look at me." I grabbed her other hand. "You just saved my life. Besides, from what Harry has told me about you, how could you ever do it wrong? Plus," I grinned wickedly, "the ministry can trace where the magic is coming from, but not the caster. So you can cast away." Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at me in disbelief.

"When did you figure that out?" They chorused.

"First year summer with Prongs, your daddy," I said, ruffling Harry's head and smiling ruefully. They had no idea. Oh, how I missed him...

"Now, we might as well get up and go find the bloody wanker who refuses to come back." I said, clapping my hands and swinging my legs over the bed.

"That might not be such a good idea after all, mate," Ron said, holding up a copy of the Daily Prophet. The headline loomed over the page:

Death Eater Meetings all Over Europe

We have lost several friends to the Death Eaters meeting in Europe. Among those are Josef Blott, Emmeline Grance, and Jack Bones. The rest will be found in the obituary section.

You might want to rethink your vacation places, dear wizarding community! Sightings of Death eaters have been reported from all over France, Switzerland, and Germany. Investigators are combing the area, and we have captured a fair amount. Trust no one. Anyone could be an enemy.

Our prime minister, when asked for comment, said nothing but that "we are working to capture them. Stay safe, travel in pairs, and be very watchful."

The rest of the article continued explaining what Death Eaters were and what to do when encountered with one.

"Blimey," I said. "He's an even bigger idiot than I thought he was."  We were then interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Kingsley?" I said, recognizing the tall dark shape.

"In the flesh. Listen, I have to move quickly, but I need to ask you: did Remus go to Switzerland?" It was more of a command than a question.

"Yep. Bloody nutter." I shook my head.

"And do you want him back?"

"Of course. Bloody nutter."  I resumed shaking my head.

"And will he be welcome no matter what?" Kingsley was smiling.

"Of course! Bloody nutter."

"Thank you. I will relay the message. Good luck. " Kingsley then apparated.

"Well. That was random," Ron said, staring at the spot where he had disappeared.

We all began to laugh in agreement.

It felt wonderful to laugh.