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In His Place	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 72865 -:- Recommendations : 16 -:- Currently Reading : 16
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, so sad for me, and make no money off this story, even sadder for me.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Love you, woman, you're the best!

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Chapter 15

WARNING! Minor Character Death! Description of Graphic Violence!

After shutting the door to the bedroom, Sirius came over and flopped down in a chair by Harry. Glancing over at what his godson was doing, he was pleased. It seemed that all Harry was involved with was rereading a couple of chapters in the History book, nothing taxing. Good. Nudging his godson, he said, “I have something planned. It's going to help you with a mess you're dealing with.”

Confused by that, Harry asked, bewildered, “What mess is that?” He couldn't think of anything other than health related. That Sirius really couldn't help him with.

As it had been a couple days since he'd overheard the discussion with Draco, Sirius figured that Harry wouldn't connect the dots with it. So, he was going to have to explain. “I overheard the bit about the letter from Ginny when checking on you the other day.”

“Ah, alright,” Harry nodded. He wasn't bothered by that as he knew that those in the house checked on them when they were alone for various reasons, mainly his health issues. So, if it was too personal, he wouldn't talk about it with Draco. Leaning back, he stretched with a groan then asked, “You have something that might work then? 'Cause this is no-win, all there is to it. And I don't want to hurt her if I can at all help it.”

“Yes and no,” Sirius told him honestly. “Only times I've had to take it on came down to me saying flat out no to someone. Remus never had to do it that I know of. Lucius might be better to take it on or, at the very least, have some advice on how to go about it. Cissy, though, might do better. I thought if we all sat down and put our heads together, we could come up with some kind of plan you can use so you don't end up in a position you don't want to be in.”

“Good,” Harry said with a sigh of relief. Shaking his head, he added, “I don't think this is going to end up well if it keeps going on for much longer. And it's going to be harder to get her to back off.”

“I agree,” Sirius told him with a firm nod. “I also think it's better to get help with it. Draco might be able to eventually come up with something that will work, but it might be a bit better to see what all of us can come up with. I'm damned sure Lucius has had to tackle something like this before. Cissy will probably have some good advice as well. This is a far better way to go about it, Harry.”

“You'll get no arguments from me there,” Harry admitted, sitting up straight.

“Alright, grab the letter and we'll go downstairs and hash it out.” Sirius said. Seeing a nod from Harry, then his godson fumbling for the letter among the mass of parchments spread out on the table, he stood and waited.

Waiting for everyone to finish reading the letter, Sirius then looked around and explained, “Harry and Draco are trying to come up with something to make it clear he's not interested. I just thought we might be able to give a bit better advice on how to do that without her getting hurt or more upset than she has to be.” Shaking his head, he added, “It's bound to be plenty emotionally charged anyway and Harry doesn't need to make it worse than it'll end up. Especially when it comes to his relationship with the Weasleys, Ron in particular.”

“Yes, this is one of those things that won't end up well, no matter how you go about it,” Remus sighed, shaking his head as he looked at the letter Lucius placed back in the center of the table. “Before we press on, let me ask; have you made any kind of overture in her direction, Harry? Other than just as friends?”

“No,” Harry said honestly with a firm shake of his head. “Even the friends bit isn't something that strong. That's just more because of Ron than anything else. She's been this way about me since we first met. I just didn't realize that it was more than hero-worship, or whatever you want to call it.”

“Understood,” Remus nodded. “Then it's entirely from her end. That helps, though, as you've not given mixed signals on the mess.”

“No signals period,” Harry chuckled as he took a sip of his butterbeer. “She's Ron's little sister, all I've seen her as. Nothing more than that.”

“Even better,” Remus nodded. “Alright, I'm not sure what advice to give here as I'm not sure how to go about this without some form of hurt feelings coming from it. Rejection always stings in some way or another.”

“Very true,” Lucius nodded. “Even if the person you had the fixation on didn't know about it and you're trying to put out feelers, it's going to hurt. In Miss Weasley's case, if this is a longstanding crush, that might end up magnified. And doing so in a letter may make that worse to a degree.”

Thinking it over, Narcissa said, softly, “I think, maybe, the best way to go about this is to not say anything for now. A letter is a very bad way to put anything and it won't come across well. Let her go on unless she gets too overt about it. Then, the next time she sees you in person, if she persists, you talk to her then and gently end it that way by saying something like you're not my type. Or mentioning you value your friendship with Ron enough that you won't chance it by something like this. That and her family. Nothing you do is going to be painless on her end and it's going to sting, but it isn't cruel either. There is no real gentle way to tell her that you aren't interested, especially if it's something longstanding.”

“Now, see? This is why I wanted Cissy involved. Birds are better at this shite,” Sirius grinned at his godson.

Snorting softly, trying not to roll her eyes, Narcissa said, tone exasperated, “Girls think differently than boys do, Sirius. That comes into play when such matters are at hand. There is far more to being a 'bird' than dating and giving birth.”

“True,” Sirius said with a thoughtful look on his face, scratching his chin. “We just don't think of that most times.”

Fighting the urge to roll her eyes again, she shook her head then told Harry, “Just write to her like normal and ignore any mention of the crush or what she's trying. It might not be the most comfortable thing in the whole world, but it's for the best. Before the break, we'll all sit down with you and come up with the best way to handle the situation when she presses for more. Then you'll have to tend to it in person. That won't be nice, I admit that, but we'll give you everything you need to make it as painless as possible for her.”

Not liking that, knowing it was bound to be highly emotional, Harry sighed then asked, “There's no way to do this by letter?” He figured he knew the answer, but was hoping to hold off doing it in person if he could at all manage it.

“It's best you don't,” Narcissa told him gently. “The written word can be misinterpreted so many different ways, especially if someone wants to twist it to view it from their point of view. In person is better, Harry. It's not fun to do that, this I know, but it's for the best.”

“Alright,” Harry sighed, not liking that, but understanding why she said it.

“I do believe Narcissa's advice is best,” Remus told him softly. “We'll help all we can as it approaches or if it grows worse. A letter—it's not the best way. In person, though harder, is the way to go about such matters, despite how angsty it becomes, Harry.”

Looking at Remus, Harry gave a resigned sigh and nodded. Yeah, he understood that. However, as he gazed at the man, something odd happened. For the first time since he came out the haze of the meds, he felt himself getting yanked, hard, into that in between place. Trying not to panic over it, he took deep breaths and concentrated on what Narcissa had been working on with him when it came to that. Hearing the voices around him still, including Sirius' saying his name with a tone that sounded concerned, he couldn't utter anything, though he wanted to reassure them he was fine. Instead, he continued to gaze at Remus before answering the prodding of the hardest nudge. In a slurred and uneven voice he said, “Don't go out with Tonks tonight. Stay in, both of you. They are looking for you. He wants to unleash the red and pale horses and you both are the targets to set them riding.”

Hair standing on end, Sirius looked at his godson, eyes wide. Since that last mess ended, there hadn't been a prediction of any kind, not even a hint of one. And he was now sure this was another. With how Harry was speaking and looking, he was damned sure this was another valid one. Quietly, after a glance around the table to see stunned looks, he asked, “What are the pale and red horses?”

Quietly, Harry said, though he had no clue how he knew this, “The red horse is war and the pale horse is death. He's setting his plans in motion by striking at the Order. Remus and Tonks are the two he chose as they aren't apt to be targeted because they aren't as high profile as the others. He wants to make a clear strike and will use them to do it because Dumbledore will know what he did.”

“Oh, Merlin,” Remus stammered, going pale, desperately trying to think how to get word to Tonks so she could protect herself.

Skin breaking out in goose bumps, Sirius tried to think what to ask. After a couple of moments, when it didn't appear that Harry was coming out of whatever this was, he asked, “Are any others in danger?”

“Kingsley is,” Harry told him. “He needs to protect himself. The same with other minor Order members. He will find one tonight, no matter what it takes, and make an example of them. All of them need to stay inside or protect themselves, even those at work now.”

“We need to get word to Alastor, now,” Lucius said firmly, though slightly shaken by this.

“We do,” Remus managed to get out with a shaky nod. “Quickly.”

Sirius was about to ask Harry more questions when his godson pulled out of it. Seeing him shake his head then reach up to rub his eyes with a trembling hand, he looked around and said, “Someone needs to get Alastor over here, now. And tell him to watch his back while he does.”

“I'll handle it,” Remus said, standing. As he took off out of the room, he fully planned to get in touch with Tonks as well so she could protect herself the best she could.

Pulling Harry close, Sirius said, “How much of what you just said do you remember, Harry?”

“All of it,” Harry admitted quietly, trembling a bit harder than normal. “And that wasn't fun.”

“It might not have been, but I bet you saved lives,” Narcissa told him softly, eyes overly wide as she did.

Shaking his head, Harry sighed, not liking any of it one bit, but did understand the fact that, maybe, he could prevent the deaths of two people he really liked.

Seating himself at the table, Alastor looked around and said with a sigh, “Rufus is sending out plenty to keep an eye on known Order members. Those that work in the Ministry, even if they are in the DMLE, are getting an escort home then being told to stay in and protect themselves or get themselves somewhere else safe, like here. He'll make sure they don't know anything other than he got a tip.” Glancing at Harry, who was looking down at the table, appearing plenty uncomfortable, he added, “And its good he got a heads up. He's going to attempt something to draw that side out since he got notice. It can only help. He doesn’t know how well it'll work, but he's going to try. And I got a message to Albus to let him know to tell everyone to protect themselves. It's the best we can do.”

“It's better than walking into a trap,” Remus said softly, shaking his head. “Tonks is coming here straight after work. She's going to get with Kingsley and tell him to do the same. Others may want to as well. Someone might want to go warn her family. I know Andromeda and Ted do their best, but someone might want to say something to them. If the other side can't find one of us, they might focus in that direction.”

“I'll go over there when I'm done here and let them know,” Moody told him firmly. “The same with a couple of others I know, like Molly. She needs to stay inside and I'll see about strengthening those wards for her, at least temporarily. She's alone when Arthur isn't there.”

“You might want to get with Bill to have him and Fleur head there. At least Fleur for now,” Sirius suggested. “Everyone is going to do better if they are in groups.”

“That's a suggestion I'll take,” Moody said with a firm nod. “I'll stop and see the twins as well. They might want to head home, too. They are the best protected because of where they are, but better safe than sorry. We'll get in touch with everyone we can. And Albus can warn everyone in the castle. Some of the teachers go out at night to have a pint. They need warned. We'll manage, don't worry.” Standing, he said, “I'm going to get to a few of them personally. Just expect a lot of company tonight and keep watch. It's the best you can do.” Seeing nods, he then walked out, having plenty to do now.

Glancing at Harry, who still looked uncomfortable, Narcissa said, “We need to set up a signal so if you get more premonitions, Harry, you can let Sirius know so he can get you out of the room if others are around. We don't want them seeing or hearing this.”

“Yeah,” Harry sighed, shaking his head. “That wouldn't be good.”

“Just give me a kick in the shins. Can you manage that?” Sirius asked, slipping an arm around his obviously uncomfortable godson and giving him a squeeze.

Thinking over what he experienced, Harry nodded, “I can. Either that or nudge you in some way. It might not be much, but I'll manage.”

“We'll go with that then. I'll make damned sure to stay all but glued to you when others are around,” Sirius assured him. “Don't worry about it or be uncomfortable. That helped, tremendously. We might have enough time to make damned sure everyone is protected. Or they can do their best to keep themselves safe. Too many are alone and wouldn't know to watch out. Like Molly. Those wards won't hold up under a full attack.”

“I know,” Harry mumbled, shaking his head and looking down. “I just don't like it.”

“I get it. Don't worry, though.” Looking up, he said, “Alright, let's set up everything we can to not only monitor the park and set off a warning if someone is there, but see if we can't identify them. I doubt that side is stupid enough to try anything around here, what with the protections, but if everyone starts heading here, the park is unprotected. We need to do something to set up a warning if something is wonky.”

Pleased to have something to keep them occupied, everyone stood to go find what they could that might work.

Moody was just sitting back down and going over with everyone that Albus wanted those that lived alone to gather here for the night, when the door to the kitchen swung open and a pale Bill came in.

Wondering what was going on, Sirius' brow furrowed then he asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Has Fleur come over here? Or have you seen her?” Bill asked, looking around. Shaking his head, trembling slightly, he said, “I told her to come this way after work. She said something about going to her apartment to grab something or other. I just checked there and it doesn't look like she arrived. I checked with mum and she's not at the Burrow either.”

Stomach sinking, Sirius glanced around then said as gently as he could, “We haven't seen her, Bill. Only Moody has come over so far.”

“Shite,” Bill snarled, going even paler than before.

Standing, Moody said, “Come on, lad, we'll go look for her.” Glancing around the table, he said, “You lot get in contact if she shows. We'll see what we can find.” Seeing everyone nod, he led Bill out, looking plenty dour.

“That's not good,” Remus said softly.

“Someone needs to get in contact with Albus,” Lucius said firmly. “Let him know she's missing. He might be able to help. We have no way to get in touch with Rufus to let him know. Alastor might be able to manage that.”

“I'll handle that,” Remus said, standing. Walking out, trembling slightly, he had a very bad feeling about this.

Walking into the kitchen, glancing around and seeing Tonks, Kingsley and a couple of others there, a pale Moody said, tone uneven, “They found Fleur.”

From the look on the ex-Auror's face, Sirius knew this wasn't good. “Is she alright?” he asked, softly, fearing the worst.

“She's dead. They found her on the road to Hogwarts. I won't go into details, but it wasn't pretty,” Moody said, flopping down on the bench by Potter. “The DMLE is there and Albus is doing what he can. The castle is locked down, obviously.”

“Oh, Merlin, no,” Narcissa said, hands flying to her mouth, eyes overly wide.

Pale himself, shaking his head, Remus looked between the trembling Harry and the quivering Draco. Gently, he said, “Draco and Harry might not want to stay for this.”

“No, they don't,” Lucius said firmly. Looking between the two, he said, “Why don't both of you go find something to do upstairs. This isn't something you need to hear about.”

Though Draco looked like he wanted to argue, Harry said, “Yeah, I don't want to hear this.” Unlike times past, he wasn't the least bit curious about what happened. “Come on, Draco, we'll play cards.”

Though wanting to hear and not feel like a child being sent off, Draco stood, “Alright.” He figured his father would fill him in later anyway or he could ask questions.

Rubbing Harry's back as he stood, Sirius said, “I'll be up after we're done. We'll all find something to do then.” Yeah, he didn't want Harry to hear this either, especially after the prediction.

Waiting until they could hear the two on the stairs and Sirius put up a silencing ward, Remus asked, “How bad?”

“It was bad.” Moody told him grimly. “Among the worst I've seen. She was tortured plenty before being strangled with her own intestines. Thankfully, I was the one that found her and could keep Bill away. He didn't need to see that. The Weasleys are all staying at the Burrow, obviously. Charlie's been contacted and Albus is handling the two in the castle.” Stopping, he looked around then said, figuring the ones that heard the prediction would get it, “It was a warning. They left a note above her with the Dark Mark that said 'the war has begun'. We need to watch out, all of us, and take extra precautions when we go anywhere. Albus is calling for a full meeting in the next day or so. He just can't tonight, even though he wants to.” Glancing between Sirius and the Malfoys, he added, “And he wants Draco and Harry to attend so they know what's going on. From what he told me, he wants those two to start sitting in on everything we do from now on because they are in so much danger. We know they generally don't go anywhere, especially Draco, but they need warned.”

“We'll talk to them tonight,” Sirius assured him, feeling ill, but determined. Harry was such a target that he needed warned.

“Albus also wants us to all set up something so we do things in pairs. All of us. This looks like they targeted Order members. We can't know for sure, but it seems that way. Which means we need to watch out. All of us. Fleur was told not to go alone and didn't listen. This was the result. We don't want a repeat.”

“We'll set up something,” Remus said with a firm nod, thinking about Tonks. She was sitting next to him, clutching onto his arm at the moment. Giving her hand a pat, he was determined to do what he could to keep her safe.

“Let's see what the Ministry does to protect its workers,” Moody said, though he already knew Rufus was taking this dead serious and setting up something to protect them the best he could. “Just keep a closer eye out. We're also going to see what we can set up in the park. From now on, Albus wants us all to Apparate straight onto the front step or Floo in. He's going to figure out something to ward the Floo so we can do that safely. No more turning up in the park. And keep an eye on activity there.”

“We've already set up all we can think of for the park,” Lucius assured the man. “Anything else any of you can come up with, we'll implement.”

“I would suggest assigning an elf to keep watch. They'll know what's odd then can alert you,” Moody suggested.

“We'll do that,” Narcissa said firmly, clasping slightly trembling hands on the table.

Standing with a groan, Moody looked at Kingsley and said, “Come with me. I have some people to get with about several things. I don't want to go it alone.”

“I'll come with,” Kingsley said with a firm nod, happy to have something to do besides wait it out here. This was bad and he wanted to help in some way.

Watching the two leave, Sirius sighed. Alright, this was a nightmare. Quietly, he said, “Let me go get Harry and Draco so we can fill them in on parts of this mess. That and it's about suppertime anyway. I imagine we'll have all kinds of company before the night is over, so we need to prepare for that.” Seeing nods, he stood and went to find the two.

Sitting down by Harry after sending Draco downstairs, Sirius told him, “Don't blame yourself. You gave plenty of warning. It's nothing you could help, Harry. Fleur didn't listen to what she was told to do, all there is to it.”

“I know,” Harry sighed, looking at him. “It's just the idea.”

“We're all a target, remember that. Those in the Order are in more danger than most. Keep that in mind. And we know it. We knew coming in we were putting ourselves in danger. That was explained to Fleur as well. Clearly. It's not her fault and I'm not blaming her, but she put herself out there,” Sirius told him softly. “And if they hadn't found her, they would have searched until they found someone else. That we can't stop, no matter what we do.”

“I get it,” Harry told him softly. “It's just—I knew her. At least a little. And it bothers me.”

Reaching out to rub Harry's head, he said, “Let's go downstairs and see what's going on. That way we can fill both you and Draco in on what Albus wants.” Seeing his godson nod, he stood and waited. Yeah, it was bound to be a long night. With that, he was going to make sure someone delivered something to Fleur's family from all of them. And do something for Bill.
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In His Place