front of them, where it solidified into the weasel that spoke with Arthur's voice: "Family
safe, do not reply, we are being watched."
The Patronus dissolved into nothingness, and Ron let out a noise between a
whimper and a groan, dropping onto the sofa. Hermione joined him, gripping his arm.
Sirius walked over and patted the boy on the shoulder. "See? Takes more than the
Ministry falling and a wedding being attacked by Death Eaters to take down a Weasley
shindig." He chuckled, trying to ease the tension.
Ron gave a half-hearted smile in response.
"We should get some rest," Hermione insisted as she grabbed her beaded bag,
reaching in and pulling out a stack of bedclothes.
Sirius smiled at the sight. "Undetectable Extension Charm?" he inquired, and she
silently confirmed. "Haven't seen one of those in years."
He gratefully took the clothes offered to him, though he wondered if his bedroom
upstairs had been left alone. He probably would have things to wear in there, but the idea
of revisiting old times just now was not appealing. Best wait for the morning.
August 2nd, 1997Blinking his eyes open, Padfoot glanced around the room, quietly groaning at the
reminder of where he was. The arm draped over his furry body, however, was a pleasant
surprise.
Not wanting to be separated, Sirius had insisted they all sleep in the drawing room
for the night. Ron had a fit of gallantry and insisted that Hermione sleep on the sofa
cushions. Sirius, irritated that he had not thought of that first, had shifted into Padfoot and
crawled in between Ron and Hermione, settling down on the floor beside her for the night.
A narrow beam of light was visible between the gap in the heavy curtains. It was
the cool, clear blue of watered ink, somewhere between night and dawn, and it was quiet
save for the slow, deep breaths coming from Ron and Hermione.
Glancing up, he saw Harry stretching his arms above his head, his hair in more
disarray than normal, which was truly saying something. Though it was easy to remember