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

Chapter Three: Sirius Gets a Shave and a Haircut

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.

Arabella heard the water from the potatoes boiling over on the stove. She quickly shut off the flame and tested the potatoes. She drained the water, directed her wand to a potato masher to mash them in the pan. Arabella then allowed her mind to drift backward in time again.

Sirius was knocking on the Potters' door. Lily answered and looked surprised to see them.

"Arabella, Sirius. What brings you here at this time of night?"

Sirius was supporting Arabella. "It's Robert. He was murdered tonight."

Lily opened her arms and gave a strong embrace to Arabella. "Please come in. You will stay with us tonight." She then turned to Sirius, "Go get James, he's in the nursery."

Lily walked Arabella over to the couch.

"I wasn't there Lily. I know that it was meant for me, not Robert! I was supposed to be home for dinner, but I followed up on a hunch and..." she stammered.

Sirius walked back in the room with James. "And you saved my life. Arabella, if you had been home then maybe you, Robert and I would all be dead. Would that be better?"

"No, but..." She broke down in sobs.

Lily stroked Arabella's hair. "You need to try to calm down. I know it's hard because you and Robert shared such a strong love for each other, but right now you're going to have to stop thinking of yourself and think of your baby."

"Baby?" Sirius looked at Lily and James.

Lily nodded, "Yes, she's almost five months pregnant." She then raised Arabella's chin up and looked her in the eye. "Everything you feel, your baby feels. You have to try and stay as calm as you can otherwise it'll hurt your little one."

Arabella nodded but the tears continued to stream down her face.

James turned to Sirius. "Who's leading the inquiry at the Ministry?"

"Moody."

James nodded. That's good. At least they have someone competent in charge."

Arabella then looked up. "We'll have to put a note on the outside of the Apothecary that it'll be closed until further notice."

"Don't worry," said Lily. "We'll take care of that. Now why don't you come with me, I'll start a pot of tea. Later I'll find you a nightgown and you'll sleep in our guest room. James, why don't you get some blankets so Sirius can sleep on the couch. I think she's going to need all of our support in the morning."

Lily, James and Sirius had been so supportive to her during those dark days, Arabella reflected. They truly were dear friends. The Potters' deaths were as much a shock to her as was her husband's. Dumbledore thought she was the perfect candidate to provide security for the orphaned Harry. The position did allow her autonomy and privacy, but it was also very isolating. She had purposefully lost contact with all of her friends and relatives in the Wizarding World. Here she was in a neighbourhood where she was constantly on the lookout for any suspicious people or activities. She longed for contact with those she could confide in, laugh with and share her true self and feelings with. Tonight's dinner with Sirius would do wonders towards filling that void in her life.