June 8th: Patronus to Minerva

[shacklebolting]

Kingsley left Sirius asleep in the bedroom. He still thought it would be wiser if only Minerva knew of Sirius's return. He could understand Sirius wanted to tell his godson and friend, but that was Minerva's decision

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[tartan_robes]

June 8

Minerva Flooed immediately to Kingsley's flat. Stepping from the cold flames, she greeted Kingsley. "Good morning. You called?"

Please, God, not another emergency...

[shacklebolting]

"Minerva, thank you for coming so quickly. I..." He suddenly realized Sirius was lounging naked in his bed, and reached behind the door, groping for his houserobe. He threw it in the general direction of the bed, and hoped Sirius would take the hint.

"Something rather unusual happened at the Ministry last night." He couldn't help the smile that spread over his lips. "If you'll pardon the pun... look what the cat dragged in."

Be dressed, he ordered Sirius silently.

[black_returned]

Shit, the floo! Tossed in amongst the blankets as Kings abruptly left the bed, Sirius realised that it wouldn't be unwarded but god only knew who it would be. He rolled off quietly and heard Kings' voice. Minerva! He stepped forward eagerly and saw the robe flying towards him, reminding him that he was still naked. Wrapping it around himself, he walked through the door.

"Hullo, Minerva." She looked tired, but so very, very good after all the terrible things he'd heard over the past day.

[tartan_robes]

There was no mistaking him. She'd known that face since he was eleven years old. His name escaped her lips in a shocked near-whisper. "Sirius Black!"

She swallowed around a rather substantial lump in her throat, and forced something resembling her normal voice to come out. "Kingsley...how did...where did you find him? When? I trust you've had him more than an hour, to test for Polyjuice..."

[shacklebolting]

Kingsley's grin widened, until her words sank in.

Polyjuice. He'd gone to sleep with a potential Death Eater in the next room. How could he have been so careless? A year behind a desk and he was losing it. Feeling rather sick, he shook his head. "I've had him a few hours. He hasn't drunk anything but my tea. I found him at the Ministry, on the floor next to the veil, out cold." He looked at Sirius, wrapped in Kingsley's robe and looking sleep-tousled. He dismissed the idea that Sirius was anyone but himself, and then knew he had to question it just because he was inclined not to.

Constant vigilance and all.

"I'm not really set up to run any tests." He looked at Minerva. "I'm inclined to believe he is who appears to be, but of course we'll have to make sure. The question is, how far do we let this go? If the Death Eaters believe he's dead..."

[black_returned]

"What the fuck?" Sirius looked from Kingsley to Minerva before glaring at Kingsley. "Of course, I'm not a Death Eater. God knows how long I was asleep in your bed--" He flashed a glance at Minerva. "--asleep. What tests? I thought Minerva was going to get Remus and Harry." He took a deep breath, trying to get a grip. "Look, I'm me, ask me anything. Minerva," he pleaded, "you know me."

[tartan_robes]

Tears pooled in Minerva's eyes. She was fairly certain she was dealing with the real McCoy here, but...

"Sirius, I believe you, but can you understand why we need to be cautious? It would break Harry's heart if we were wrong. Worse than that--can you imagine what an effective weapon the Death Eaters would have, if they had someone who could impersonate you? It would be the easiest way I can think of, to get close to Harry."

She turned to Kingsley, and spoke quietly. "We'd better keep him here for a few days, check for Polyjuice and any Transfiguration spells, glamours, that sort of thing--we can't take any chances. I think it's him, but a little caution won't hurt anything. If he tests clean, we'll let Harry and Remus ask him some personal questions to determine whether he truly is Sirius."

She turned back to Sirius. "I'm terribly sorry, Sirius--as much as I want to believe you and celebrate your return, it's just too dangerous at the moment."

[shacklebolting]

Kingsley nodded. "Harry's had a rough year. He's just lost Dumbledore to... to someone we all told him he could trust. I doubt he'd believe us if we don't show him proof." And I sure as hell don't want to be responsible for breaking his heart again.

He laid a hand on Sirius's arm, unaccountably recalling how the man looked sprawled in Kingsley's bed. He flushed, knowing Minerva had heard just where Sirius had spent the last few hours.

"They've done this long without you. It won't hurt to wait a few more days, not like it could hurt to rush."

And if you are Sirius, you'll do anything not to hurt them.

[black_returned]

Cold to the bone, Sirius walked to the sofa and sat, resting his head in his hands. God, that last glimpse of them in the Department of Mysteries, fighting for their lives. He rocked himself back on the soft sofa. Minerva was right. Kingsley was right. What if-- he didn't even know all the possibilities himself. And he'd been gone a year into that place; his mind shuddered away from the memories that rose in his mind, threatening to overwhelm him. What if they'd done something in That Place?

He couldn't do it. Couldn't push. Not when it meant their safety. A stab of pain shook his body before he could lift his head to look at Minerva.

"Alright," he said softly. "Every test you can think of." He looked at Kingsley. "Everything."

[tartan_robes]

Minerva nodded sadly. "Very well. Thank you, Sirius, for your patience. Kingsley--please notify me as soon as you've finished the tests. I'll gather Harry and Remus as soon as I hear from you."