Prologue: Your Brother's Hand
Chapter 1 of 16
auberus31 October 1981. Instead of going to Azkaban, Sirius Black goes on the run, determined to catch the traitorous Peter Pettigrew even as post-war violence tears through the wizarding world. Meanwhile, Remus Lupin and a handful of others work desparately to clear Sirius' name, and to find him.
After all, they are not the only ones seeking Sirius Black. The Ministry of Magic has set the Dementors on his trail, and they have been given permission to administer the Kiss the instant he is caught. The remnants of the Death Eaters are pursuing him as well, in hopes that he will lead them to Pettigrew -- whom they blame for Voldemort?s defeat.
Prologue: Your Brother's Hand
“You shall achieve destruction where you stand,
In intimate conflict at your brother's hand.”.
-Edna St. Vincent Millay
"Lily and James!" Peter shouts. "Sirius, how could you?"
It is the note of actual reproach in his voice that stops Sirius dead in his tracks. The curses he's been waiting fifty miles to use die unspoken on his tongue from shock alone, and in that instant of immobility, Peter moves with a speed and a purpose that Sirius finds as unfamiliar as the sneering, triumphant expression on Peter's face. Before Sirius can recover himself, there is a roar of noise and sound, and he staggers as the ground rocks beneath his feet.
Dust and flame obscure his vision. Someone is screaming, voicing the disbelieving howl of loss and pain that has been stuck in Sirius' throat since he saw the ruin of Godric's Hollow. Through the smoke, Sirius catches a glimpse of Peter, form twisting and shrinking, but the Animagus transformation is nearly instantaneous, and before he can raise his wand again, Peter is gone, and Sirius is standing alone in a broken street full of dying Muggles.
For long moments, he cannot move. The sound of sirens rises in the distance, a screaming electronic counterpoint to the sobs and shrieks of the injured and bereaved. Sirius can barely hear it over the voices ringing in his memory: James, saying goodbye just before going under Fidelius; Peter, swearing so earnestly to keep the faith, and his own disbelieving shout of denial when the words Godric's Hollow dropped cold and leaden into his skull as James died and the Fidelius Charm was broken.
He wants to scream; he wants to cry, but something bright and jagged catches in his chest, and he realizes that he's laughing instead, laughing like his heart will break, and he doesn't think he will be able to stop.
It is Peter's finger that finally breaks through to him. His eyes catch on it and cling, even though at first he doesn't realize what he's looking at. But Peter broke that finger in third year, playing chicken with the Whomping Willow, and he never went to Madam Pomfrey so the tip was always a little crooked, and Sirius hadn't known it until now, but he'd recognize that finger anywhere.
He stops laughing as the knowledge of exactly what Peter has planned for him penetrates the fog of grief and rage clouding his mind. He'd said it himself.
No one will ever believe that Peter Pettigrew was the Potter's Secret Keeper.
He snatches up Pettigrew's finger with a grim smile, and as he Apparates, hears the crack of the first arriving Auror.
***
It takes nearly half an hour to empty his vault at Gringotts, and Sirius spends the entire time listening for the shout that will mean he is caught. It is impossible to Apparate to or from Gringotts, and if they do find him here, he's finished. He's not certain they will think to look for him here, but he doesn't want to take any chances. It's lunacy to stop off at Gringotts, but Sirius is sure that it would be madder not to. He won't get very far without money, even as Padfoot. Remus will certainly tell the Ministry that Sirius is an Animagus. Sirius pushes thoughts of Remus aside and concentrates on making his fortune pocket-sized.
No one glances in his direction as he crosses the lobby of Gringotts, but some instinct makes him pull out his wand as he pushes open the door. He gets less than five feet from the steps before that same instinct tells him to duck. He turns as he does so, and the curse misses his left ear by less than two inches.
"Black!" his assailant shouts, in tones of such fury that Sirius barely recognizes the voice as belonging to Kingsley Shacklebolt. Shacklebolt sends another curse at him, and Sirius deflects it without thinking. He tries to Apparate even as he hurls Petrificus Totalus at the Auror and finds that he can't.
"You're surrounded, Black!" He is. Sirius can see three other Aurors and knows there will be more coming.
"Omnis Obliviatas! Omnis Petrificas! Omnis Stupefactas!" He knows as he shouts that there will be no coming back. The Omnis alteration of spells to affect groups of people has been forbidden for centuries, and using it on a group of Aurors is enough to earn him time in Azkaban. That he has used it at all will be seen as proof of his allegiance to Voldemort.
So he runs.
While the Aurors are still reeling from the triplicate of curses, he takes to his heels; turns the first corner he comes to, then the second, and has changed from man to dog in the space of time it takes to glance behind him. When the Aurors pass him, he is curled up on the porch of Madam Malkin's, and because he and Padfoot have the same eyes, he has to lie still and listen to them pass, while both canine and human instincts scream at him to keep running.
As soon as they are gone, he slips off the porch and into the nearest alley. He shifts back to his own form and Disapparates an instant later.
***
a/n: title borrowed from the incomparable edna st. vincent millay. my thanks to konishi_zen for beta services.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Destruction Where You Stand
34 Reviews | 7.97/10 Average
So far, So very good. I love the characterization and plot just sweeps me away. I especially like ch.13, It was just a little rushed but considering everything it was understandable.
I really do enjoy the insites into other characters minds. Its very interesting, I enjoy everything and couldn't wait to read what was comming next.
So excillent so far and I can't wait for the next installment!
Marvellous how you catch these character. An exciting plot, too!!
It took long enough!!!!! Moving on...Great chapter... can't wait for more!
Excellent! I can't wait for more! :D
I simply cannot wait for more! Wonderful work!!
I simply cannot wait for more! Spledid work!!
I'm amazed how you can manage this cast of characters and the various threads running with this so well. I particuarly did like the undercurrents and repercussions here for actions both in this story and JKR's own of the Ministry.
Just so you know, I love this story so much I've rec'd it on a Rec Site, Know-it-Alls--it was one of the first I rec'd there.
http://mujaji.net/kia/?p=12
And I also intend to nominate it for Best AU on a new Awards site, Quill and Parchment, despite my wanting to avoid doing so for a WIP. That's how highly I think of your story. Sorry about the dead computer, and I hope we'll see a new chapter soon.
http://quilltoparchment.com/indexx.html
Response from auberus (Author of Destruction Where You Stand)
Thank you so much for not only the feedback, but the recommendation as well! I'm really flattered, especially as I know the hesitancy to rec WIP's. The computer is fixed, though, and ch. 15 is working its way through my brain!
Petunia doesn't want to unpack a sister she might then have to mourn.
And in one line you do the impossible--make Petunia human while keeping her in canon character.
Response from auberus (Author of Destruction Where You Stand)
Thank you! I'll confess to having been terrified when I realized I'd have to write something from Petunia's POV, so it's good to hear that I managed to pull it off. One of the main things I'm trying to do with this fic is to humanize the characters that JKR tends to underutilize. Petunia is one; Kingsley is another, and of course, my lovely Phineas, whom I adore more and more every time I write him!
I'd been away from this story for a while, I hadn't seen the notice it had been updated or perhaps was just crazed in RL at the time. (I just got notice Chapter 15 was updated so I have two more to look forward to Yay!) I just want to say that even after the time away I was transported back instantly, and this story is still very much a favorite. Intelligent, insightful--I love your Phineas almost as much as your Remus and your Sirius--and the last two are not usually favs of mine. Nor is slash. But here they are.
Response from auberus (Author of Destruction Where You Stand)
I'm so glad that you're still enjoying it -- and also that you're enjoying my Sirius and my Remus! (and might I perhaps be winning a slash convert?)
Phineas Nigellus has been one of my favorite characters since his introduction, and the scene in which he discovers that Sirius is dead nearly broke my heart -- so I couldn't in all good conscience leave him out.
Updates soon, I promise - and I hope that you continue to enjoy this!
(BTW -- is your SN a reference to BtVS? And if it is, would you like to see some of the BtVS fic I've written?)
Response from harmony_bites (Reviewer)
I doubt you'll get a slash convert really. I love Het, and that's what I prmarily read and write, but every once in a while, even way back in Trek, there'd be an author so special I wouldn't give a damn what characters or type of fic they write. In Trek that included Killasandra, in HP it's included pir8fancier. So not a slash convert exactly, but an auberus fangirl
And Harmony was partly to pick a name as opposite as mine in Trek as possible (Rabble Rouser)--but yes, I'm a Buffy fan and wouldn't mind a link--even though I've rarely read in that fandom. But if your Buffy is as good...
Bill is a little genius, isn't he? Harry would've tried to hex the pantts off of them, not escort them to Dumbledore. Brave and intelligent, now that's a good combination. And Lucius is right to be angry. They're endangering his family -- and without his consent too. Polyjuicing as him, and then attacking the Dursleys.
Great job on this chapter. I love how you brought the Dursleys into it and had Petunia getting annoyed at the cat. LOL I also enjoy seeing how she is aware of things in the wizarding world, but not willing to admit them.
There were so many other wonderful things in this chapter. It was so action packed and really moved the plot along nicely. And it was a nice tie in to have Bill there to find Sirius and Remus. LOL I really enjoyed that and can't wait to read the next one.
Love your story! PLease update quickly.
I am just so damn tickled with your twist on the tale. Reading the story through Moody and Lupin and Black is really rocking my world! I found myself grinning at Lucius and Naccissa’s loving marriage. Then I got annoyed because they should have attended to crying baby Draco and not let a servant comfort him. But then I remembered, they are both narcissists, so it makes perfect sense!
Response from auberus (Author of Destruction Where You Stand)
Thank you so much! I'm so glad that you're enjoying the fic.
As far as crying baby Draco goes, it's not so much their narcissism that prevents the Malfoys from comforting him themselves as their social class. If they were Muggles of the same social standing, they would most likely have sent a nanny to do it. (ah, the upper crust of society...)
I am most impressed with the depth of Alster's character. At most he is usually a raving 2 dimensional parody. But your Moody has thoughts and feelings that show depth of character, a man working within the system for the truth. I like that.
I love all the talk of blood magic. It reminds me of Wendy Nat's Cloak of Courage. I thought the blood wards potential to go fereal was especially creative of you. Well done!
I am reading this on the recommendation of Harmony_Bites. She has it right this story grabs you from the get go! Sirius is not my favorite character. I tend to ship HG/SS. But its good to try new things. So here I am! Good start! 
I like the idea of the tracking spell very much--sounds very much like something the Ministry would do. I'm glad to read that the next chapter is half-way written--I'm looking forward to reading it.
I loved the glimpse you gave us of Peter's thoughts here. This is an instance where the AU really makes more sense to me than canon--giving a reason as to why he wouldn't dare return to his human form.
I'm still loving this. I think much of what makes it so enjoyable are certain turns of phrase here and there that bring things so vividly to life. Just to pick out one:
Forgiveness, apology – all of it is easier while canine, most likely because he can't open his mouth and cock things up further.
I could point out others--the confrontation between Remus and Sirius was wonderful.
I very much like your Remus and how you're pulling all the threads together here. Your portrait of a Kissed Bella thru Remus' eyes was chilling.
Response from auberus (Author of Destruction Where You Stand)
Thank you so very much! I really appreciate your responses -- though I feel I must warn you, there's still a great deal of story to come.
Hope that you continue to enjoy it! (and i love your screen name. is it a btvs reference?)
Response from harmony_bites (Reviewer)
I've read enough to be pretty certain I shall continue to enjoy it.
And yes, the moniker is a reference to btvs--I was just going to be "Harmony" actually but that was taken on the first archive I registered on so...
I'm enjoying catching up with the story and am glad to know they'll be plenty more. It's on my favorites list now so I won't miss it.
Moody is another character I never much liked in canon--I think because I suspected he'd be one that would go over the line--I like your characterization of him here very much--its one of the standouts of this fic.
I wanted to be let out of this story even though I gave it a try. I'm no fan of Sirius Black and I usually don't find AUs appealing but this one has completely sucked me in until I can no longer resist leaving a review or putting it on my favorites list. I think it's obscene a story this good has so few reviews.
Ah, evil cliffie at the end that. Now that means I won't be able to wait to read the next chapter. Great scene between them both--I liked your observation about what the other pair--even Peter--added to their group.
*feels sorry for por Sirius*
Again... holy lord! I am humbled by your writing... mine is so... typical slashy... (with unexpected twisty things sometimes) but still, typical.
I love how you've gone into the Black Family, ad described the wards, and the flow of magic in and around Grimmauld place when Sirius goes there... it's beautiful.