Characters: Sirius Back and Remus Lupin Date: February 6th, 2000 Location: 12 Grimmauld Place, London Rating: TBD Summary: Sirius gets some terrible news. Status: In Progress
Sirius sat in the living room, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, the letter clutched tightly in both hands. It had just arrived by owl from Albus Dumbledore, and it said absolutely nothing good. Things has been starting to feel better. He was able to get around now, and though he still walked with a slight limp and still had weight to gain, he had been improving. As had his little brother, Regulus, both of them on the mend and much happier back at home with their significant others after their terrible time in Azkaban.
He tried hard to hold it in but a few tears escaped just the same, fingers curling tighter into the paper. He had only read it once, he didn't need to read it again. He could imagine the scene in his mind, and it made him absolutely sick.
Dear Sirius,
It is with a heavy heart and much regret that I send you this letter. It seems that this afternoon, around one, your brother and Ava went to the local offices to get themselves a marriage certificate and to apply for a change of name for Ava. They were going back to their safe house in Chipping Campden, when they were ambushed by a pair of Death Eaters, one confirmed by witnesses to be Bazil Avery, who was there the night that Rodolphus Lestrange was attacked and murdered.
Thought it pains me to write it, Ava and Regulus did not survive the fray. Your brother fought very bravely, right to the very end, but he was just one man fighting alone. We did not hear in time to reach them, and by the time I arrived, it was much too late. I wiped the memories of the few muggles who were in the area at the time, and lifted the wards on the safe house, as it can no longer be used. I also retrieved the bodies, we will hold a proper burial for them in the coming days.
I am so very sorry. I know that you and your brother were once again on good terms, which is perhaps the only good thing in any of this. He did not die with bad blood between you. I have also written to Orion, to spare you having to tell him this yourself as I know he as close to his uncle. Again, I'm so very sorry, and I wish more than anything that this could have been prevented. I'll owl you again once you've had time to yourself.
Always,
Albus
Wiping at his eyes, Sirius sucked in a deep breath and leaned back. His brother was dead. His little brother, his little Reggie was gone. So was Ava, his apparently brand new wife, and their unborn child. It was unfair, so unfair, that he wanted to scream. He didn't, however. He sat in tormented silence, sucking in deep breaths and trying to calm himself down.