When Black Met Blue (Marauder Fanfic)

chapter 44 *Edited*

‘Professor Dumbledore! Sir! Professor!’ Benjy came running down the stairs from the foyer looking excited and worried at the same time. Dumbledore’s mind flashed through all the things that could make Benjy look that way. Most of them were negative and involved Death Eaters. ‘All the Apparition wards are down outside – Voldemort and his followers have gone!’ Dumbledore stared, not quite able to believe what he was hearing. ‘And we’ve got them, sir, Evans and Black. Lupin, Blue and Potter did it, or, at least we think they did,’ he said, skidding to a halt. ‘Mad-Eye’s got them under control upstairs in case they’re not who they look like but-’

‘Lead me to them,’ Dumbledore said, holding up his hand to stop Benjy’s torrential speech. 

‘They’re in the foyer,’ Benjy said. Dumbledore gestured to a hopeful Dorcas and the three made their way upstairs, down a long, winding corridor, through the dining room and into the foyer. ‘There, sir.’

Alastor, Peter and the twins were sitting around five rope-bound people. Sirius and Orla were almost unrecognisable under all the mud, dust and sweat, while Remus, Lily and James were marginally better, though still rather dirty. ‘They’re Silenced,’ Alastor said. Remus nodded, looking irritated but resigned. Sirius looked frustrated and kept mouthing something to James, over and over, though James didn’t seem able to understand. The boy was alternating between looking at Sirius, frowning, and scowling at Moody and the rest of the Order.

‘Finite Incantatem,’ Dumbledore murmured.

‘Engaged,’ Sirius said and then looked shocked and embarrassed that he’d said anything. Remus looked confused, Orla beamed and James shouted something that no one actually heard, since he was still under the spell. He squirmed against the ropes binding him, and when they failed to yield, he tipped himself over into Sirius, who laughed and bumped him back.

‘Are you Sirius Black?’ Dumbldore asked, feeling a strong sense of déjà vu. 

‘Of course I am,’ Sirius said, knocking into James again.

‘Can anything you say prove that?’

‘Ask me anything,’ Sirius said, shrugging. He leaned forward and James overbalanced and toppled over. He hit the ground with a soundless yelp. Sirius sniggered, as did Remus. Orla and Lily managed to keep straight faces, though it seemed to take some effort.

‘Mr Pettigrew, I’ll ask that you verify any of Sirius’ answers that you are able to.’ Peter nodded, looking terrified. ‘I don’t expect you’ll be much help with this one, however.’ Dumbledore turned back to Sirius who met his stare confidently. ‘How did you get back in?’

‘Well, Remus, Lily and James came back first, by Portkey-ing into the Cellar. Lily and I joined them ten or so minutes later and since James is a Potter, he had already opened the door and we came out here where we were jumped on and forced into submission by the majority of the Order.’ Alastor chuckled despite himself. If Dumbledore didn’t know better, he’d say the grizzled Auror was fond of Sirius Black. James looked up at the noise. Alastor instantly reverted to his impassive expression. 

Dumbledore decided it was Sirius silencing him again just incase he was wrong and unsilenced James to question him.

‘What is it that you did to enable you to leave?’ Dumbledore asked.

‘I forced the fulfilment of a Life-Debt,’ James said, clearly waiting to be berated.

‘Do you remember the day I told you about Life-Debts?’

James nodded. Dumbledore stared at him. James seemed to think for a moment and then laughed. ‘I blew up one of your little silver things. The one that registered emotional charge in a room.’

‘This is James Potter,’ Dumbledore said, chuckling at the memory. He unbound James who stood up, stretching and took his wand from Fabian, who was grinning ear-to ear.

‘Are you hurt, Potter?’ Alastor asked gruffly, clapping him on the back.

‘No, sir. I’ve never been better actually.’ He winked at Lily and Sirius. From the huge smile on his face, Dumbledore could well believe it, which was odd, given he’d obviously just invaded a Death Eater camp and possibly fought Voldemort himself. James hugged Peter and turned back to Dumbledore. ‘Can we hurry up and untie the others? I’m exhausted, but I want this over before I sleep.’

‘Do you have a question that will certify your companions’ identities?’

‘That’s definitely Lily,’ James said, nodding at the Head Girl. ‘But all right. Finite Incantatem. What video did we watch at your house?’

‘Bambi,’ Lily answered. 

James grinned. ‘It’s her, sir, I swear.’ Dumbledore nodded and released Lily’s bindings. She flung herself at James, hugging him and then she was dragged over to the healing area by Dorcas and Emmeline. James watched her out of the corner of his eye and then turned back to his two bound friends. ‘I’m sorry, Moony, but can we do Sirius again; he looks like he’s about to burst.’ Remus shrugged. ‘May I?’ Dumbledore nodded his consent. ‘Finite Incantatem.’

‘Finally!’ Sirius said loudly. Everyone in the Order chuckled, including Dumbledore, who was certain that this boy way indeed Sirius Black. The shaggy haired boy glared at Alastor. ‘I say “Hey, Prongs, guess what, I’m-” and you fucking Silenced me!’ Gideon kicked him gently, obviously a reprimand for language. Sirius scowled up at Alastor. ‘Why in the name of Merlin’s fuzzy white beard couldn’t you have waited a second longer so that he could hear what I had to say?! And you!’ he shouted, turning back to James who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. ‘Let me out of these Godric-damned ropes!’

‘No, I think you’ll have to stay there,’ James said thoughtfully. Sirius made a peculiar growling sound. 

‘James,’ Lily scolded.

‘How’s the wrist?’ both boys asked.

‘Fixed,’ she said with a smile. James wrapped an arm around her shoulder and the couple turned back to Sirius, who was struggling against his bonds. 

‘Let me go!’ Sirius begged.

‘You’ll have to answer the question,’ Lily said, grinning up at James.

‘I bloody well don’t! If I have to wait another damn second to give the two of you a hug, I’m going to-’ Sirius’ bonds fell to the ground, though no one in the room had moved. Alastor raised his wand but Dumbledore held up a hand. Lily and James had a moment to look shocked before they were tackled by their recently-escaped best friend. Dumbledore chuckled as the three of them crashed to the floor. Remus laughed silently.

‘It’s definitely him,’ James said, his voice sounding muffled. The air in the foyer tingled with raw power. Everyone drew their wands except for James who looked at Sirius quizzically. ‘Was that you?’ James asked. Sirius nodded, beaming.

‘What in Merlin’s-’ Remus began as the Silencing Charm failed and his ropes loosened. He and Orla stood and was dragged across the floor to where Sirius and James were. Peter, who was standing by Dumbledore was also dragged into the hug. 

‘Has something happened?’ Dumbledore asked, feeling for the thousandth time that night – or morning, really – that he was missing something.

‘James is going to be a godfather,’ Sirius said happily.

‘Pardon?’ Dumbledore asked, blinking in disbelief. 

The twins exchanged grins, Emmeline and Dorcas giggled and the rest of the men in the Order looked stunned. Remus was blinking uncontrollably his eyes flicking from Orla to Sirius, Peter was blushing and staring at the ground and Orla had turned bright red, turned to Sirius and shouted ‘What?!’

‘We’re getting married, Padfoot,’ Orla said, ‘not...er...’ Orla nodded emphatically.

‘I know that,’ Sirius sniffed. ‘I never said otherwise.’ He brandished his finger at the Order, clicking his tongue. ‘Shame on you all for jumping to naughty conclusions. He'll be a godfather eventually, of that I have no doubt, but no time soon, you dirty people.’

‘You... er... you aren’t...’ Dorcas asked Orla, who shook her head, eyes wide.

‘Naughty naughty,’ Sirius said again, for emphasis, his eyes glinting wickedly.

Dumbledore chuckled, breaking the tension. ‘Congratulations, Sirius, Orla.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ Sirius said, grinning as he and Orla were pulled into a tight hug by Remus. 

After everyone had added their congratulations, Dumbledore sat the five down in the corner of the foyer. Peter sat with them, seeming unwilling to stray too far. ‘I know you’re tired,’ he said, forestalling James’ yawned protest, ‘but, if you are able, I’d like to know what happened tonight while the details are still fresh in your minds.’

Lily, Orla, Remus and Sirius glanced at James – he had always been the unofficial leader, but he seemed even more so after the night’s events – and he nodded. Remus launched into an explanation about himself, Orla and James making Portkeys and disguising themselves – they were a little vague on details at that part, though Dumbledore didn’t press the matter, finding the camp and then splitting up to search out Lily and Sirius. Sirius explained events from his and Lily’s capture onwards, until he was back. James seemed content to listen and add the occasional detail. Orla filled in the rest; her letting go of the Portkey to help Sirius, Voldemort’s arrival and the resulting duel, Sirius’ proposal and, finally, their escape. 

‘Remarkable,’ Dumbledore said when Orla finished. ‘And the fact that the five of you made it away relatively unscathed is nothing short of incredible. You’ve displayed the attributes that we on the side of the light hold most dear; loyalty, intelligence and above all, bravery. I couldn’t be more proud.’ He intended to find a way to give them House Points once they got back to school, if he could manage it. The boys all grinned at each other Orla and Lily beamed. ‘I have one question though,’ he said, ‘before I leave you to your well earned rest.’

‘Yes, sir?’

‘Did you truly Disarm Lord Voldemort?’

‘Yes, sir,’ Orla said. 

Dumbledore smiled. ‘What do you know about wandlore?’

‘Not much,’ Orla admitted. The others were looking confused too.

‘I will explain it in more detail tomorrow, then, because I know you’re too tired to understand anything properly tonight,’ he said chuckling. ‘What I will say now, though, is that you’ve quite possibly swayed the allegiance of Voldemort’s wand and in doing so, made a powerful enemy of its previous master.’

‘We'll deal with that tomorrow,’ James said, his eyes falling shut. 

‘Sounds good to me,’ Sirius mumbled. Remus nodded, already half-asleep. Peter, who was asleep, said nothing for obvious reasons.

‘Do you mind if we sleep now?’ Lily asked, clearly fighting to stay awake.

‘Not at all,’ Dumbledore said standing. The six didn’t even move; Lily stayed where she was, propped up against the wall, pressed between Remus and James, who was leaning on Sirius, who had Orla hugging him tightly, who had Peter curled up next to her.

Dumbledore smiled and made his way over the sleeping forms of Gideon, Fabian and Dorcas to the fireplace. 'Hogwarts,' he said quietly, stepping into the flames.