Secrets, Lies and the Daily Prophet (Alt. Fifth Year Fic)

Chapter One: Arabella's Surprise Messenger

Author notes: This story was originally published on Schnoogle.com as Sirius Black's Secret Love and later republished as Secrets, Lies, and the Daily Prophet on both Portkey.org and Fanfiction.net. It was the recipient of the first Readers' Choice Awards on Portkey.org back in 2003. This story is a fifth year fic and was completed prior to the publication of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Therefore, the events in my story are different than the ones J.K. Rowling chose, but there are some similarities. (However, I treated Sirius Black nicer than she did.)

To make it easier for those reading on phones, I will break these chapters up into smaller chunks than how they were originally published online and polish the text a little.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter One – Arabella's Surprise Messenger

Mrs. Figg had just finished her afternoon tea when she heard a familiar sound. Albus Dumbledore wanted to speak with her through her fire. She lived in a Muggle neighbourhood and was careful to make sure that any magical aspects of her house were carefully concealed so that if any of her neighbours visited they wouldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Mrs. Figg stood up from her kitchen table and removed the whistling teakettle from the gas stove. She took her wand out from her deep pocket and waved it over the flames.

"Yes, Albus. How can I help you?"

Dumbledore's head appeared in the flames in miniature. Only a portion of his long hair and beard was visible.

"Arabella, please open your fireplace flue. You will be receiving someone who will give you some dire news and a new assignment from me. Do not be alarmed by the messenger – he is to be trusted. You'll understand after you hear his story, which has been verified by me. That is all for now."

Dumbledore's face popped and the flames resumed their normal height. Mrs. Figg replaced the kettle to the burner and shut the flame off.

The headmaster's words echoed in her head. "Don't be alarmed by the messenger." She began to wonder who Dumbldore was sending. She started to frown. She understood that Dumbledore could often be cryptic, especially when communicating from a distance. He was cautious to not reveal too much that somehow might be intercepted by others. That was why he was sending someone in person to give her detailed information.

Mrs. Figg moved to her fireplace and mechanically opened the flue. She also waved her wand about a foot above the mantel and magically reconnected it to the Floo Network. Most wizards and witches had their fireplaces constantly connected to this network. She saw this as a vulnerability where anyone could fly into your house unannounced and attack you. Therefore she only allowed travel by Floo powder under her own control.

Mrs. Figg sat down in her favourite chair and held her wand in her lap. She would be armed and ready for whomever Dumbledore was sending. She looked at the clock on the mantel. Any minute now. Then she heard the rumbling of someone coming through the chimney and landing on her hearth. She stared in disbelief at the figure, struggling to stand. Before her stood a man wearing ragged robes with long matted hair and a shaggy beard. The orange tabby cat that was sitting at her feet, arched his back and hissed.

"Sirius Black!" Her knuckles were white from clutching her wand tightly.

"Arabella, didn't Dumbledore tell you I was coming?"