Lantern of Shadow (Book I): There's Always Darkness In The Light

Chapter 2: Regrouping Wits and Scheming Out Plans

"Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people."- Carl Jung

Sirius smiles at the now sleeping baby, he then held Severus close by the waist and nodded solemnly, "Let's go.". With a silent crack, the three wizards were gone from the murder scene to a place no one can plot.

Sirius, Snape and the sleeping baby arrived in a dark alley near the muggle side of Leaky Cauldron.

Sirius gently guide Snape further from the Leaky Cauldron alley and guide him to a more secluded area. He then used his wand to call the knight bus. When the bus arrived, Sirius gave the location they were heading and motioned Severus to go on the bus. When they arrived at their destination Sirius lead them to an expensive-looking neighbourhood, with many mansions and regal looking statues.

They both finally stopped in front of a gate to the most modest-looking mansion out of all in the neighbourhood. Hadrian who had been sleeping throughout the journey decided to wake up, he looked around confusingly, clearly at loss at where he is. He snuggled even further to Severus' neck, taking comfort in the man's deep hum.

"You're awake my dear? You should go back to sleep, love." He whispered and brushed his lips on the baby's forehead. Hadrian shook his head and didn't answer anything.

Sirius watched the scene with an uncomfortable clench in his gut, no child should suffer the fate that Harry is in right now but mellowing his fate will not change anything and it will certainly not bring both Lily and James back to life. He has to stay strong and mature for Hadrian. He turned to the gate and unlock it with a silent alohomora.

Severus' eyes widened but stayed quite nonetheless he began to question as to why the marauder led them here. He followed Sirius into the mansion's pathway and to the main entrance of the building.

Sirius knocked three times and then twice after, he waited for a moment until the door opened by itself. Sirius motioned Severus to go inside and wordlessly flick his wand to bring up some complicated wards and closed the gate. After he's satisfied with his work, he went inside the mansion.

"Go take a seat on one of the couch in the living room. It's down the hall on the left. I'll alert the owner of this house." He ordered and took off his coat and let it float to one of the coat hangers in the mansion. He wasted no time and immediately walked up the stairs to the second floor.

He easily manoeuvred himself in the mansion and stop in front of a door that serves as the master bedroom door. He stayed quiet for a minute trying his best to gather his wits, clearly trying to find a way to explain everything to the owner of the house.

He sighed heavily before opening the door and closing it with an inaudible click. He gazed at the person who is sound asleep in the big bedroom with a loving smile. He quietly walked to the side of the bed where a beautiful slender woman sleeps with a peaceful smile on her face. He crouched down and lovingly brushed the woman's golden hair.

She shifted and groaned a little but recognizing the familiar touch, she graced him a smile. "Sirius. You came back late. I was beginning to worry." She grumbled while snuggling closer to the edge of the bed to feel the warmth that Sirius was emitting. She reached out her hand to cup one of Sirius's cheek while still having her eyes closed. "I'm glad you're back." She sighed in content, ready to fall asleep again.

Sirius, though, sighed heavily while nuzzling her palm, leaving a few chaste kisses on it. "I'm sorry to wake you up this late and making you worry, but..." Sirius trailed, hesitant to continue he paused to gather his words.

He opened his mouth a couple of times but then he remembered the state of the Potter house, he remembered how shaken Severus was that he didn't even manage to see James and Lily's bodies, now that he thought about it he certainly didn't want to see it. His lips began to tremble as hot tears began to roll down his cheeks and he broke down into gut-wrenching sobs.