"What else would I do? Sit on my arse and live off my money?"
Granted, there had been a war going on, but in her original timeline, an older Sirius
seemed perfectly content to do exactly that. She could not remember a single conversation
with future Sirius regarding employment or recall a plan other than surviving the war and
then getting everyone back on their feet.
Recalling the statistics she had read long ago about the number of Aurors killed in
the First Wizarding War, Mia began worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. "It's just
not a safe job. Makes me nervous."
"Aww, kitten, you worried about me?" Sirius grinned, leaning in to kiss her cheek
and then the space behind her ear that sent shivers down her back. Those shivers would
be the death of her, and she would greet Death like an old friend—willingly—as long as
Sirius never stopped doing that. "Don't worry. I'll be one of the best Aurors the Ministry
has ever seen. I'll change the whole game. Catching Death Eaters and Dark wizards.
Azkaban will never be the same when I'm done with it."
Mia twitched. Well, that's for sure.
"Speaking of Death Eaters," Alice whispered as she took a seat beside Frank,
frowning as she set a copy of the Daily Prophet down in the centre of the table.
James snatched it up immediately, and Sirius and Mia leant over Lily to read as
James held the paper outward. In the centre of the front page was a moving photograph
of several surly-looking Aurors, Alastor Moody and Rufus Scrimgeour among them.
Beneath the photo read the caption:
DEATH EATERS STRIKE
FAMILY OF FOUR MURDERED
Two of the victims had been children under ten, and there had been signs of torture
before a Killing Curse was cast on the entire family. There had been many attacks over the
years, and they all followed them closely, but this was the first public report of children
being involved.
Almost instinctually, Mia turned and glanced across the room where she spotted
the Slytherin table gathered around several copies of the Prophet as well. Some appeared to
care less, while a few others—notably Barty Crouch Jr—were laughing.