Brightest ✯ Sirius Black

✯forty-nine✯

 Cleo walked down the desolate hallway alone, her hands shaking slightly. She could only imagine what Sirius had done to be in Dumbledore's office, and she was quite scared for him.

However, all of this fear dissipated the moment she stepped relatively close to the door. She could hear laughter from within the office, great, hearty laughter that all at once made her roll her eyes. She knocked, and a wheezy voice said, "come in."

As soon as she stepped inside the office, she frowned in confusion. It was Dumbledore, of course, and Sirius, although he didn't seem to be in trouble at all. They were both laughing like very old friends, and Cleo had to cough and clear her throat to get them to notice her in the doorway.

"Ah yes," Dumbledore sighed, wiping the corner of his eye. Sirius smiled and waved, and through her confusion, she lifted a hand in reply. "Hello Cleo dear. How are you feeling?"

"I'm... doing better professor," she said slowly. "What is this about?" The Headmaster cleared his throat a couple of times and stood up.

"Back to business, I suppose, you were always very good at staying focused Miss Markis, I admire that," he said, and gestured to the seat beside Sirius. Cleo sat down slowly, feeling a dull ache in her muscles at the movement. "You certainly took a nasty fall, didn't you?" Cleo nodded. "Well, in any case, I thought it best that you be here for our little chat.

"You see, Mr. Black and I were having a quite intellectual conversation despite what you might have heard," Professor Dumbledore continued, "and I thought it best to inform you that he is now our newest member of the Order of the Phoenix." Cleo's eyes widened in surprise.

"The Order, professor?"

"Yes. Before, it was more of an idea that had not fully been accepted, but I have gained some popularity within very high wizards and witches, and we have decided that it is time. So, I would like to formally welcome the two of you to the Order." A silence ensued. "You probably have questions, now, I would assume?"

"So the war," Cleo began, keeping her eyes down. An ashy greyness came upon her face. "The war is beginning, then?"

"It seems it will be inevitable, yes," Dumbledore nodded gravely. Cleo closed her eyes, and Sirius let out a breath. "But it is wizards like you two that will be the most prepared for it when it does arrive. I have faith in the pair of you, a faith that I have not held for certain students in quite some time."

Cleo glanced at Sirius, who met her eyes briefly before they both watched as Dumbledore circled his office. "Do you think you will be up to it?" he asked them, a certain glint in his eye that instantly made the two of them nod quickly. "Good," he said, turning his back on them to look out the window now. "A storm is coming," he mumbled. In the distance, dark clouds illuminated the green rolling hills far away. The wind blew and whistled lightly, echoing through the castle. A chill ran through Cleo, causing her to shiver. "And we had better be ready for it." he stood for a minute more, still not turning around. Suddenly, he inhaled sharply and turned again to face them. "You two should be heading back to your common room now, I do believe."

"Yes Professor," Cleo nodded, standing up as Sirius followed suit. "Thank you."

"Cleo, I believe only one more session is in order for you now," he added, and she nodded and turned away. "And Sirius, I think it would be wise that we stray from hexing our cousins again, don't you think?" The Headmaster's shiny blue eyes glanced over his half moon glasses in a way that made Cleo shiver, as though he could see straight through them.

"Yes professor, you're probably right," Sirius replied.

"Oh, I know I am."