The Guardian

Disclaimer- JKR still owns everything.

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A/N Thanks to Charlotte for helping me with my crappy spelling and such!!!


Chapter 16
The Burrow

Rhiannon stepped out of the Floo and into the chaos that is the Weasley Family home. She was greeted by an identical set of grinning teens as she stepped out of the way for Sirius and Snape.
“Wotcher! She’s gorgeous.” one said.
“That she is.” The other nudged his brother.
Rhiannon arched her brow at the pair. “Fred and George, yes?”
She nodded to each in turn.
“She got it on the first try.” Fred elbowed George.
“Lucky guess.” George shoved Fred.
“Don’t know, Ronikins said she was good.”
She shook her head at the pair and moved past them into the kitchen. The house was old and worn, but tidy in a homey way that made her grin. The furniture was mismatched and nearly threadbare but was covered with newly sewn blankets. There was an older woman standing at the counter, a charmed set of knives chopped vegetables before her.
“Mrs. Weasley?” Rhiannon called from the doorway, not wanting to surprise her. She had curly red hair only slightly faded with age. An old green apron was tied around her ample waist. Mrs. Weasley was what Rhiannon thought everyone’s mom should look like, someone built to give hugs.
“Oh my dear, you must be Miss Hades. Dumbledore said you would be here today. Said to watch for the woman wearing a pair of dark sunglasses. Although I could have sworn he said you had hair longer than his, but I could have been wrong.” As she spoke the older woman pulled out her wand, directed the kettle to fill with water and move to the stove. Rhiannon liked the woman instantly she thought as she was bustled to a chair and given a plate of biscuits.
“Yes ma’am I did have longer hair. Thank you for the biscuits Mrs. Weasley.” Rhiannon took one and bit into it. This was something she’d missed in the states, homemade biscuits fresh from the oven.
“Oh call me Molly everyone does.”
“Yeah, call her Molly until she agrees to marry me so I can have homemade biscuits everyday for the rest of my life. Then you have to call her Mrs. Black.” Sirius grinned form the door and gave Molly a wink.
“Sirius Black you scoundrel.” She rushed over and patted his cheeks. “I should knock you upside the head for not listening that night. See what you’ve gone and done? Worried us all, pulled this nice girl into the middle of a war she was safe from. Poor Harry blamed himself the whole time you were gone he did.” Her cheeks were flushed red when she finally took a breath. Rhiannon, seeing that she was about to continue and a look of annoyance passing over Sirius’s face broke in.
“Molly, you must give me the recipe for these biscuits, they are best I’ve ever had.” Molly’s attention turned, her smile returning full force.
“Oh that’s an old family secret. I can’t possibly give that away.”
Rhiannon waved Sirius out of the room as she talked recipes with Molly.

Sirius gazed at Rhiannon a moment before he slipped out the kitchen door in to the garden. Molly could really get under his skin sometimes, he knew she meant well but she was always nagging.
“Sirius!” Harry hit him full force, knocking him back a step.
“Harry! I didn’t think you’d be here.” Sirius hugged his godson. He pushed the boy back to look at him. “You’ve lost weight. Don’t they feed you at the Dursleys?” He didn’t like how skinny Harry was, shouldn’t a boy his age have some meat on his bones somewhere? Sirius could remember James being thin but not this much.
“Mrs. Weasley’s already working on that. How’s it been being locked up with Snape?” Harry shoved at his glasses and looked earnestly at him.
“Not so bad, but don’t tell anyone that.” Sirius liked the sparkle that lit Harry’s eyes, it reminded him so much of Lily.
“Harry, come on. We have to choose teams for Quidditch and if you don’t hurry we’ll be stuck with Hermione again.” Ron ran over to them. “Hey Sirius, want to play? Three on three?”
Sirius grinned, “Don’t you already have enough players?”
“Hermione wouldn’t mind, she hates to fly and won’t go more than a couple of feet off the ground anyway.” Harry shrugged.
“Sure then why not.” He followed them across the garden into an open field. Hermione, Ginny and Luna were sitting in a circle on one end of the field, their broomsticks lying forgotten next to them while Neville watched them, a blush turning his cheeks red.
“Oi, Sirius is going to play for Hermione.” Ron called out to the girls.
They turned as a group to look at him. Sirius had never seen a bunch of smiles like theirs. Looks like a child would give their favored uncle crossed their faces, making him smile in return. “Ladies, how goes your summer Holiday?” He knelt down next to them.
“Sirius.” Hermione hugged him, “They’re good, my mum and Dad are going on Holiday to some convention for dentists, I get to stay here till they get back.”
“That’s good.”
“So is Luna.” Ginny grinned at him.
“Dad has made a major discovery for the…” The blonde ginned strangely, her blue eyes seeming to stare right through him for a moment before she finished “… He’ll be back before term starts.”
Sirius just grinned at her. She sure was an odd one, not at all bad, just in her own world he supposed. Then again if he remembered her father correctly he could figure out where she got it from.
“If Hermione isn’t playing we’re not either.” Ginny glared at her brother.
“Come on Gin, you two got to play.”
“No, go ask the twins, they’d probably play with you.”
“Hey that’s true, go ask Fred and George.” Neville urged Ron.
Sirius watched the boys run towards the house and return a moment later, the older Weasley boys in tow. Sirius felt better than he had in a while, being around so many people and outside in the sunshine. They kicked off and started their pick up game just as Rhiannon and Molly came out to watch them.

Rhiannon looked up and smiled at the boys playing Quidditch. It had been a long time since she’d seen a game.
“Rhiannon, come sit with us.” Ginny waved at her.
“Hullo Ladies.” She dropped down onto the grass with them.
They all smiled at her. There was a stack of muggle fashion magazines open between them making her smile. “Doing some shopping?”
“Hermione brought these so we can practice transfiguring our robes for the Christmas ball next term.” Ginny offered. Rhiannon could remember sitting much as these girls were with her best friend in school doing the exact same thing.
“You mean something like this?” She waved her hand at Luna, transfiguring her blaring purple and orange polka dotted sundress into a beautiful smoke gray ball gown. There were ohhs and ahhs as Luna stared down at the dress in fascination.
“Yes exactly.” Ginny clapped.
“Could you teach us that please Rhiannon?” Hermione begged. It had been a long time since she’d sat around discussing fashion and makeup and found she really missed being a girl. They transfigured clothes and cheered on the boys as they played. Even Snape eventually found his way out to the field and was now holding the dubious positions of referee and fashion judge.
“I think when he just raises his eyebrows it means he likes it.” Rhiannon stood up; her jeans and top were transfigured into a robin’s egg blue sundress that fell to mid-calf, “What do you think of this one?” She gave a little spin.
Snape smirked and raised his eyebrows.
“If he doesn’t like it, he’s bloody well dead from the neck up ‘because you are bloody gorgeous.” Sirius landed easily behind her, his comment making her blush.
Snape rolled his eyes and glared, “Insult my intelligence again and I’ll hex your…” He looked at the students surrounding him, “Longbottom’s team wins.”
“Oi come on, we won that last goal…” Sirius argued along with Fred and Harry.
George Ron and Neville cheered and taunted the others.
“It seems my dear we have just missed a very interesting game.” Dumbledore’s voice drew everyone’s attention to him and McGonagall who nodded her greeting.
“Don’t you ladies look lovely, but aren’t you a tad bit overdressed?” He peered at the girls bedecked in ball gowns over his glasses.
“Rhiannon was teaching us how to transfigure things for the Christmas ball.” Ginny fingered her emerald dress lovingly.
“Just sharing a lesson from the best transfiguration professor I ever had.” Rhiannon smiled warmly at McGonagall.
“Oh Miss Hades, I am the only Transfiguration professor you ever had.” She blushed anyway at the complement as it meant a lot coming from the woman before her.
“Well I think that says something in and of itself doesn’t it Minerva?” Sirius grinned at her, “Oddly enough you’re the best I ever had too. Taught me a lot.” He pointed his wand at Snape turning the man’s robes Gryffindor red.
“Don’t forget she was my professor too, Mutt.” Snape turned Sirius’s robes Slytherin green with little silver snakes just to one up the other man.
“Now none of that,” Molly broke in recognizing the signs of a battle that would go on for ever when Sirius made large gold lions dance along the hems of Snape’s robes. “Lunch should be ready.” She ushered the teens ahead of her quickly shushing their giggles and murmurs of astonishment at seeing the two former enemy’s taunt each other with out going for blood.
Sirius wrapped his arm around Rhiannon’s waist, “You really do look beautiful in that dress.” He whispered close to her ear.
“Thank you. You know I don’t believe I’ve ever told you how sinfully sexy you look in those jeans.”
“Yes, I know I do.” He sounded down right smug, making Rhiannon giggle and shove him away.
Lunch was a bustle of activity, the dining room table had been magically enlarged to seat everyone comfortably, and enough food was loaded onto the table that Rhiannon was surprised it didn’t fall apart under the weight. They ate their fill while talking about everything they could think of, except Voldemort and the war, it was almost an unspoken rule that meals wouldn’t involve those things. Rhiannon sighed contentedly as she pushed her plate away, having ate enough for three people like usual. She leaned over and filled Sirius’s plate again as he emptied it.
“Thanks love.” He grinned at her.
Their looks were not missed by Dumbledore or McGonagall who grinned at each other.
When Sirius was finally done and the chatter had quieted Molly waved her wand at the dishes, staking them neatly then levitating them into the kitchen to soak in the sink. Dumbledore pulled out his pocket watch, the moons and planets whirling madly around the stars in it. “The rest of the order should be here in a moment.” As if on cue there was a roar from the fireplace as more members arrived. Rhiannon watched as a short woman with bubblegum pink hair followed a huge bald black man into the kitchen, gazing at him with obvious affection the entire time. She was so caught up watching her companion that she stumbled over a rug and knocked over a small table. A large glass vase went flying the flowers in it scattering on the floor but everyone seemed prepared for something like this, and had wands ready to stop the glass from shattering.
“Opps sorry Molly.” The woman blushed.
“It’s alright Tonks; just sit down before anything else goes flying.” Molly sent the flowers floating back into their vase. The next to arrive was an older man with a limp and a glass eye that Rhiannon could feel staring a hole through her head, he nodded once to Sirius then to everyone else before moving to one of the furthest seats and continuing to stare.
Dumbledore glanced once more at his watch, “Well we’re still missing a couple of people but we might as well get started. Rhiannon Hades, you know every one here but these three.” Dumbledore waved to the new comers. “This is Tonks, Kingsley and Mad-eye. They are some of the Aurors from the Ministry.” Rhiannon studying them as closely as they studied her. Tonks was madly in love with Kingsley and Him with her. She grinned, neither knew it. Mad-eye glared at her a moment until she smirked at him and lifted her glasses. He nodded then as if giving his approval.
“We have a few things to discuss. Mainly the deaths of some local Muggleborn witches and Wizards. Bodies have been showing up, mutilated and practically drained of blood lately. Can the Ministry provide anything helpful?” Dumbledore asked but the answer was put off by Molly.
“Should the children be here for this?” They all knew her feelings on this and looked to Dumbledore for his answer.
“Yes Molly, it is time they knew everything going on and not by listening at doors.”
She looked ready to argue but only nodded, sending a worried glance at all of them.
“As I was saying, any information?” He asked the Aurors again.
Tonks sat up a bit straighter in her chair and answered, “It’s definitely Malfoy, but we can’t prove it. He’s too careful. But we can’t figure out why so many so close together.” The edges of her pink hair turned blue when she said this. Rhiannon shuddered, she knew what Malfoy was doing. Sirius felt her shudder and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, she immediately felt better, like the entire world wasn’t bouncing up and down on her head.
“I know why.” She spoke up, “He was trying to get to me.”
“Why you?” Kingsley asked, his voice was deep, reverberating through the room.
“Because I’m the guardian that got Sirius out of the veil. He believes I can stop Voldemort from dying, or bring him back when he does. And He’s convinced him of it too.” She looked around the room.
“You are a Guardian.” Tonks’s eyes grew large. “That is so cool. We have the Guardian of Souls on our side.”
“She can’t be on our side, unless she’s bound herself to someone on our side.” Mad-eye glared at her from his seat in the corner. She felt Sirius tense, the fingers that had been rubbing the row of stitches on her arm stilled.
Rhiannon held up her wrist, the first time she’d openly shown anyone the shimmering tattoo since Dumbledore.
“Your ink worked wonderfully Neville.” She said with out breaking eye contact with the Auror.
“It’s a fresh bind yet, isn’t it?” He asked.
“Not quiet a month.” She answered.
“Still hasn’t taken shape yet, the one you’re bound to doesn’t know he‘s bound.”
“No he doesn’t, maybe never will. That doesn’t make it any less permanent.” She glared until he nodded and looked at Dumbledore who ignored the whole conversation.
“What are we going to do about Malfoy?” Dumbledore asked.
Snape stood up “If Malfoy believes he has control over Rhiannon, he may go back to his old habits of using female Deatheatters for his,” He grimaced, “entertainment.”
“But how do we convince him of that?”
“He already is. That’s what happened to my hair.” Rhiannon shoved back the shortened ends that were falling in her face. “He summoned me this morning, he and Voldemort. You’ll find another body, that of a young woman, brunette, just out of school, sometime this afternoon.” She looked at Tonks who nodded.
“When I got there, they were ready for me.” She shrugged making it seem like no big deal.
“Earlier this week Lucius cut open her arm.” Sirius lifted her sleeve just enough for the group to see the neat little row of stitches. “He used dark magic; we couldn’t heal it with magic.”
Dumbledore shook his head, “We need to figure out a way to keep you safe Rhiannon.” He looked around the room silently asking for suggestions. Most people shook their heads, there just wasn’t that much known about Guardian lore. Rhiannon herself wasn’t sure there could be any further protection. Stop responding to their taunting, she sighed to herself and wiggled closer to Sirius. Hermione she noticed was chewing on her bottom lip like she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if she should.
“Hermione, what’s going on in that brilliant mind of yours?” She asked making the girl jump.
“Yes Miss Granger, do you have something helpful?” Dumbledore smiled at her encouragingly.
“Well I read this old book; I got it from a bookstore in Knockturn ally.” She blushed guiltily but no one said anything yet. “They had this book, only a chapter or two on Guardians, even those were rather silly. But one said a guardian can take someone with them when they go to remove a soul…” She paused and stared at Rhiannon.
“Go on.” She said this was something her mother had never told her, but then again her mother had never wanted company even after she had returned to the house.
“Well it says the only person that can go with you is your…” She bit down hard on her lip. Everyone silently urged her on.
“They have to be your spouse.”
Rhiannon raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t getting married; no way in hell was she dragging someone into the twisted life she led. Hadn’t she seen her father suffer along with her mother when she got depressed seeing the victims of Voldemort during the first war?
“Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to be more careful.” She growled “Because I am not getting married.”
“Now Rhiannon, if that is the only way we can keep you safe, maybe you should consider it, at least until this is over.” Snape said.
“What, you want to volunteer for the job Severus? You want to see what I see? Because trust me, what you’ve seen and done at the revel are horrible, but they are nothing compared to what Malfoy and the others do when they are alone and believe no one is watching.”
“But you need protection. I won’t be the one they call every time they want to do something to you. Even today, I was only asked because I could quickly get the ingredients for the charm Lucius wanted.” Snape glared at her.
“I will not do it. I refuse to and none of you can make me.” She hissed and stomped out of the room, shoving Remus out of her way as she went.
The blonde man stared with confusion as his friend stomped out of the house, the front door slamming behind her as she went.
“Oi what did I miss?” He asked.
“Just the Beginning of the meeting.” Snape dropped back into his chair.
“Oh okay. Well sorry I’m late.” He dropped into the seat Rhiannon had just left.
Sirius looked at his friend and felt guilt boil up in his stomach. He had kissed his best friends girl, fantasized about taking her to bed. He belonged back in Azkaban, or worse, he’d betrayed Remus’s trust.
“Have you been taking good care of Rhi?” Remus asked in a whisper as Kingsley was explaining some information they’d received on Death eater movements.
Sirius decided in that moment that he was going to hell, or what ever place existed for betrayers of friends and bastard girlfriend stealing ex-cons.
“Yeah great care.” He managed to grin.
As soon as Dumbledore called the meeting to a close Sirius escaped into the garden. He was arguing with himself over when he should let Remus kick his ass, now or closer to the full moon when he heard voices. He peeked around a large tree, seeing Rhiannon and Remus sitting on a low stone wall. He didn’t want to listen but found he couldn’t make himself move away or let them know he was there.
“What am I supposed to say, Remus? Sorry I did this but there is no way to change it now.” Rhiannon growled.
“I know that Rhi. And you knew that when you did it. You are bound now; there is nothing you can do.”
“Yea.”
“I think you should do it. Get married even if it is just in name.”
“Would you marry me? Knowing what my world is like? Would you be able to handle that?” She cried now Sirius could see the tears on her cheeks. Remus wrapped his arms around her, kissed her temple then her cheek.
“In a heart beat, if I believed you’d have me.”
Rhiannon smiled, and kissed his lips. “I’m too stubborn.”
“That I know, I guess I’ll just have to settle for afternoons like this.” He pulled her closer to his side making her giggle.
Sirius growled and turned away from them. His guilt now fighting with anger at Rhiannon, what kind of woman talked like that to one man and kissed another so passionately?

Remus turned to look at the tree behind them. He could have sworn he heard something growl, but saw nothing there.
“What?” Rhiannon turned to look.
“Nothing just hearing things I suppose. Probably need a good nights sleep.” He turned back around. “So how are things, being stuck in a house with Sirius and Snape?”
Rhiannon sighed dreamily. “Gods Remus, he makes my blood heat up and my heart beat like I just played Quidditch for three days straight. And that’s just when he kisses me. I don’t know what would happen if we actually got any farther.”
“I’m happy for you, and is Sirius behaving himself too?” Remus grinned at her.
“Oh ha ha wolf boy. You’re fucking hilarious.” She rolled her eyes at him.
“I really am happy you and Sirius are hitting it off, but I assume there is a ‘but’ somewhere in your giddy little sighs.” He knew there was, he could see it in her eyes.
“One, nothing can really come of us, I refuse to drag an unwitting man into my sick and twisted little world. And two I think he’s convinced you and I are still together.”
“What? Why would he think that?”
“I don’t know. I heard him muttering to himself ‘she’s my best friend’s girl’ over and over and over.”
Remus rolled his eyes. He would have a talk with Sirius and straighten things out, but first he wanted to know what his friend felt for the woman at his side. To do that he’d have to ask Snape for some help and hope he would give it without too many questions. He stood up and left Rhiannon hoping to go find Snape.