Chapter Text
Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt wished he could say he was surprised when Auror Nymphandora Tonks-Lupin burst into his office, slamming the heavy mahogany door against his favourite cabinet in her anger. He was slightly surprised she hadn’t arrived hours earlier, but then he supposed she did have a young child to think about. He barely blinked as she slammed her hands onto his desk and levelled him with her best glare. He hadn’t risen to Head of Magical Law Enforcement by being easily intimidated.
“House arrest?! He killed my mother, and you give him house arrest!? Without a trial!?”
“I’ve told you this already Tonks. Your mother gave him no choice! It was her or Remus and Teddy. He chose to save your husband and son. He’s already served 12 years for a crime he didn't commit, without a trial, and I refuse to pander to you while you’re clearly not thinking straight! There will be a trial when he’s recovered.”
Tonks scowled and dashed away angry tears as she started pacing back and forth across Kingsley's office, refusing to look at the minister while her mind raced along faster than she could process. She had dark bags under her eyes and her usually vibrant hair was unkempt and a dull brown, which didn’t suit the normally lively Auror at all.
“Not even a week? It’s the usual time to await trial according to the handbook.”
“He wouldn’t survive it.”
That caught her attention, and she looked up, startled, meeting Kingsley’s steady gaze across his desk. His expression was far too patient and understanding for her liking.
“Your mother cast that curse with complete certainty that her cousin would support her, she was counting on their former closeness despite their lack of contact since the first war. It was a curse created by the Blacks centuries ago, and no one seems to know why. It can only be stopped once it runs its course or if the head of the family kills the caster. Once Andromeda realised Sirius was prepared to do that, she made it as hard as possible. A knife to the heart was her only injury. Quick, once he got close enough, but the only way he could get close enough without hurting her was to let her hurt him. It’s a miracle that he survived, especially with the side effects.”
Pausing to study Tonks’ reaction, Kingsley sighed heavily.
“No one blames your mother, Tonks. She got lost in her grief and hid it too well for too long. She wasn’t herself; it wasn’t her fault. Just as it wasn’t his.”
The young auror seemed to deflate as she sank into the nearest empty chair. The burning anger fueling her for the past week evaporated, leaving nothing but grief and exhaustion.
“I’m sorry. I just…”
“We know.”
“Does Sirius know? That Remus and I asked for…?”
“Yes. I didn’t want him to. Not yet. Someone else got to him first.”
“Oh. I lied to him.”
“To…?”
“Remus. I didn’t tell him about the curse; I hadn’t yet wrapped my head around that part. I just told him that Mum lost the plot and poisoned him. I didn’t know that there was no other way to stop it. I thought he could’ve found another way if he had tried and waited. I told Molly that, too. She’s the one who told him, isn’t she?”
“Yes. I’ve asked Arthur to talk to her, but it seems she’s still struggling with her own grief. I’m keeping an eye on her. She shouldn’t have been able to see him in the first place.”
Nodding slowly, Tonks began to realise how much of a mess she’d made on top of an already horrific situation.
“So what happens now?”
Clearing his throat, Kingsley got to his feet and walked around to lean against the front of his desk.
“Now we wait. The press hasn’t gotten wind of anything yet, and I’d like to keep it that way for the sake of your mother, Sirius and Remus. Unless you count Rita, who still likes to make a weekly mention, they've only just gotten over Sirius being alive and innocent. I’ve already asked those in the know to keep quiet. Sirius is staying at Grimmauld Place for now, for his own safety, and once he’s well enough, we do things by the book.”
“Is he alone?”
“No. He wouldn’t manage alone. He didn’t regain consciousness for three days and even now he’s not awake for long from what I’ve been told. Poppy and Minerva are running shifts, and Minerva has a plan in mind for someone else I’ll be meeting shortly. I hope I can rely on you a little more moving forward?”
Recognising the subtle rebuke for what it was, Tonks nodded quickly, also sensing that she was being dismissed.
“Can we see him?”
“No. Not until there’s been a court date. He needs time, Dora. So do you. You’re still officially on bereavement leave.”
“I understand. Thank you for your time, Minister.”
“Auror Tonks.”
She left in a far more subdued manner than the one she arrived in and Kingsley took a moment to collect his thoughts. As much as he felt sorry for the young Auror, he felt more sorry for Sirius. The poor man hadn’t lived a single day in his life without something hanging over him and fate seemed to rather enjoy knocking him down before he could get back up again. Shaking himself out of his reverie he strode over to the fireplace and took a handful of floo powder. It was time to see what plan Minerva had set out for the coming weeks.