Hey guys- It's a pet peeve of mine to get attached to a story then have the author never finish it so I decided to take my own hint and actually finish one for a change! Let me know what you think!
Short story (not one of those 27000 chapter ones, sorry!) that takes place in the summer of Harry's 5th year. Follows the timeline/events, lots of flashbacks though!
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Kingsley charged into Number 12 Grimmauld Place looking fierce and spotted Sirius studying a map in the kitchen, "Where is Remus?! We just got tipped of a hiding place, we think there are captives. Albus is on his way but we need to get there now!" He started searching each doorway frantically. Sirius rolled up the map and it flew into the library, "He's not here, full moon." He strode towards the doorway and grabbed his wand, "I'm coming." Kingsley stopped, "You can't, if something happens…"
"If something happens what?! I'm not going to sit here when you obviously need more wands for the attack!" Sirius stood, glaring at him. Kingsley didn't need telling twice, "If anyone asks, this wasn't my idea and I tried to make you stay, got it?" He didn't wait for an answer before nodding his head for Sirius to follow him out the door.
They arrived at the meeting place, not far from the hide out. Arthur and Bill Weasley were already there with several other Order members. They were hurredly going over plans when they heard a chilling scream from inside. Without a second thought, all of them made way towards the building, breaking down wards as they went. As soon as they were inside, the room was filled with a flurry of spells and curses. Sirius was a little out of practice, but even though he wasn't at his best, he was still one of the best duelers on either side. He spotted two men make their way through a doorway on the opposite side of the room and quickly made his way to follow them. There was no way they were getting out to warn others of the attack. The door led to a basement, dark and musty. He could faintly see a light at either end of the hallway when he was grabbed from the side. He didn't even have time to blink before his wand was ripped from his hand and pointed at his throat. It took his eyes a second to adjust, why wasn't his attacker doing anything? Obviously he was disarmed and had no way of protecting himself. The end of his wand, still pointed at his delicate throat, lit up slightly. In the dim light he was able to make out that it wasn't a wizard that had him held against his will, but a witch, and a slickly thin one at that. Her face was drawn and her eyes were set back in their sockets, she reminded him of himself when he first left Azkaban less than 2 years ago.
"Sirius?" Her voice was strong compared to how she looked. She let go of his robes then pulled his arm as she took a step back to be under the stairs.
Sirius squinted his eyes, trying to take in more light and get a closer look, "Padfoot, it's me, Abeline."
Sirius didn't believe her. He placed his hands on either side of her neck and pulled her a bit closer, she brought the wand closer to face so he could get a better look. After a moment Sirius dropped his hands and instead wrapped them around her frail torso, "This can't be true. Abby, this isn't possible." He pulled her flush with him then repeatedly pushed her away to look at her before bringing her close and squeezing her tight.
She quietly grunted, "Sirius we don't have time. You have to help me get them out of here." She made to pull him along with her down the hallway. He stood his ground wrapping his hand around her slight wrist, "Abby, I'm getting us both out of here now. If something happens and Remus finds out that I literally held you then lost you again I don't know what he'd do." It was a lie, he knew what Remus would do, he'd kill Sirius, then himself. Abby stopped when he said Remus' name, but only for a moment, "Sirius, there are children down here. I'm not leaving till they are out, with or without you," she paused to listen to the commotion upstairs, "there isn't much time, they are only going to be distracted for so long." She looked down the opposite end of the hall then made her way back to the room she came from. Sirius held onto her as they went. The room was just slightly lighter than the hall they came from. It was damp and cold. Abby handed him his wand back after lighting it all the way. He could see two young boys and another woman in the corner of the room. None of them looked as bad as Abby, but they weren't healthy looking either. Abby explained how she had a magic block put on her and couldn't apparate, and that the woman and the boys were muggles. She went over to them, "He's here to help. Sirius go out that window, I'll hand the boys to you and help Susan out. You need to get about 50 yards away before you can apparate. Get them out of here, anywhere safe. I'll be right out after them, then come back and get me." She was already getting the boys ready to go through the window, "Abby I can't leave without you, we'll all go together."
"Sirius, we both know that you can't take all four of us at once. I'm not leaving till they are out of here. Please just help?" She was exhausted and honestly didn't know how much longer she'd be standing up straight.
Sirius squeezed through the widow after breaking the enchantments and wards placed on it. He helped pull the boys, then the woman through, "Sirius go. Get them out. I'll be right there." There was a bang and she knew the basement door had been torn off its hinges. He shook his head and threw half his body back through the window before wrapping his arms around her and yanking her through. They got to their feet and she grabbed the arm of one of the boys, Susan grabbed the other and they took off at a run. Once they were outside the non-apparating zone, she pushed both boys at Sirius. He kept eye contact with her but apparated away none the less. Less than thirty seconds later he was back. There were figures coming towards them, lights flashing all around from missed spells and bouncing off some sort of shield around both of the women. Abby held onto Susan as Sirius pulled both of them close, and they were gone.
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They were the last ones back at headquarters. The boys were being tended to by Molly Weasley, wrapped in blankets and sitting almost on top of the fire to get warm. They both stood at the sight of Susan and Abby then rushed over to grab onto their legs and waist. Abby gently kneeled and brushed their hair off their faces before hugging them. The women sent the boys back to the fire, Molly conjured two more blankets and handed them off. Susan went to sit with the boys but Abby stayed put. She reached her hand up to Sirius' shoulder next to her for balance. Swaying on the spot Sirius picked her up and placed her on the couch. Molly went to call for Poppy when Dumbledore walked in.
"Sirius," the headmaster wasn't happy, keeping Sirius safe and out of trouble kept Harry safe, "we agreed that you would stay here. It would be better for everyone…" Sirius cut him off, "Dumbledore it's her! Its Abeline!" He still had his arms around her, "she was there with them," he gestered over to the fire, "if I wasn't there no one else would have recognized her!"
Dumbledore stopped. He gazed at the sickly witch shivering on the sofa. Ableine had been missing for years, almost 15 to be exact. Dumbledore's eyes were wide, not much phased him really, but this stopped him in his tracks.
"I'll get Minerva. Molly went to get Poppy." He didn't know what else to say. Sirius nodded then went back to tending to Abby.
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Later that night Poppy had tended to Abby and the rest of the hostages. Kingsley brought Susan and the two boys to one of his muggle contacts, someone outside the Ministry that he trusted would take care of them. Sirius was still sitting at Abby's side when she woke up. She was a little disoriented, but sat straight up before colliding with Sirius' chest as he wrapped his arms around her. She sighed before glancing by the fire, "They are safe. We had them returned to one of our muggle contacts, they'll be ok." He felt her physically relax, "Poppy and Molly both want you to take a dreamless draught so you can get some rest. Want me to get it?" he looked down at her. She had scars littering just about every piece of visible flesh, yellowing bruises around her wrists and neck, she was so thin he felt as though he could break her quite easily. She shook her head, "Not yet. Oh Sirius…" She buried her head in his chest, just breathing in and out. She was out. She was safe. All she needed now was, "Where's Remus?" She pulled back slightly. Sirius smiled, "He'll be back in the morning, it's a full moon." She nodded, her eyes closing spontaneously. He reached for the bottle and shook it before handing it to her.
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Sirius ran his hand through his hair while entering the kitchen. Minerva Mcgonagall looked up from the table, her severed eyes glassed over," Is it true Sirius? You're sure that it's her?" Sirius nodded as Minerva made her way from the kitchen and up to the room Sirius had put her in. He took a seat at the big oak table as Molly poured him a cup of tea. He nodded to her before looking down the table. All of the commotion had woken up the rest of the household. Harry and the rest of the kids were gazing up at him, obviously confused as to what had really gone on tonight. Sirius looked up at Arthur first, "Everyone got out ok. We took three of them into custody, the rest got away. No casualties on either side." Sirius was tired. All he wanted to do was curl up outside of Abby's door so no one else would bother her and he could keep a close eye on her till Remus was back. Ugh, that f-ing moon…
"Sirius?" Harry sat closest to him, "I know you're tired and we totally understand if it should wait but, who is she?" They had seen him bring an unconcious woman up the stairs not too long ago and were naturally curious.
Sirius smiled and shook his head, "No it's doesn't have to wait. I'm not going to sleep tonight anyway." He finished his tea and leaned back in his chair, "Her name is Abeline Vimes, and I haven't seen her since before you were born Harry…"
[End Chapter 1]