(Past: October 1995)
"I don't think this is wise Albus." Sirius pleaded with his old professor. They can't fully trust Janelle just yet, despite her progress. Janelle's face sours at Sirius's remark. Albus patted his shoulder as Janelle straightened her hair out. She was going to meet her brother today and nothing he said was going to change that. She was a free woman, unlike him.
"No reason to be jealous Sirius." She smiled at his soured expression, she mockingly pecked his cheek as she ushered Dumbledore towards the door. "I'll be back before curfew. Promise." She blew him another kiss before slamming the front door shut with a bang. Sirius cursed loudly, waking his dreadful mother's portrait once again. Even if Albus trusted her, he couldn't trust who she could possibly run into. Deatheaters lurked all corners of the wizarding world, finding a newly discovered one would cause some suspicion. He was going to follow whether they liked it or not.
Albus gave her a moment to gather her bearings, she still hadn't mastered the somersaults her stomach did after apparating. She felt as uneasy as a newborn foul trying to take its first steps, it was rather infuriating. Some wizards passing by gave her confused looks as she trailed behind the old wizard. Surprising many were going out of their way to avoid Dumbledore, giving the friendly man as little attention and acknowledgement as possible. For him being such a public figure for so many years it was rather peculiar reaction, but he had paid to mind to it. He gave her a grandfather-like smile before directing her inside of a pub.
"This way." Albus brought her to corner of the pub towards an impatient man staring at his pocket watch. His short dark hair was perfectly coifed to one side, and he was impeccably dress. He looked up at the sound of approaching footwear, he had been nursing a butterbeer for nearly 15 minutes. Deidra, no, she corrected herself. Janelle hesitated getting closer to the man, his hazel eyes were greener than brown, very familiar, but he was missing something. She couldn't exactly put her finger on it. "Mr. Fawley." He announced, the man straightened up nodding at the two.
"Is this her?" He scanned her over several times, making her self-conscious. "She looks different." He complained to Albus. The old man smiled pushing the woman forward. She rubbed her arm, nervous.
"Go ahead poppette."
"Hi Frenchie!" She covered her mouth, she wasn't sure where that name had come from. It just flew right out of her mouth. The man scoffed, before smirking himself.
"That's her alright." He gestured for her to sit by him, Dumbledore elected to stand. She looked at him expectantly.
He tapped the end of his nose, "I have a few errands to run. I trust you remember where to go?"
"Yes?" She agreed uncertain. And with that he whistled and walked away, leaving her with her estranged brother. What an odd man indeed.
"So we all thought that you ran off with that Deatheater husband of yours." She blushed, not sure what to say to her former brother. "Father was disappointed that you didn't take time to see him before he died." She looked sullen at the thought.
"I didn't know. I really didn't know anything until recently. Dumbledore helped restore-"
"Been spending all your time with that old cotter? Don't you remember anything that man has done to our family-"
"No I don't actually. He found me. He has been trying to help me remember. I can only remember select memories."
"The shame he had brought our father. The absolute dislike of you in school because you were sorted into Slytherin." She shook her head, she didn't remember much of Hogwarts other than what others had told her. Dumbledore had been able to uncover somethings from her childhood, and tidbits of educational information but nothing super substantial when it came to her former life, or rather her former career.
"I didn't do this on purpose. At least I don't think."
"You don't think."
"I had my memory wiped. And, well," she pulled back her sleeve, the angry festering mark stared back at them, "this as well." He yanked her arm towards him, he began to inspect the hideous scar up close.
"So you were one of them. Huh?" He allowed her to take possession of her arm once as he took a large gulp of his butterbeer. "But now instead, you have this beauty mark to remind you by."
"Speaking of beauty mark, didn't you have-" He chuckled making her pause.
"Burning the mole from below my eye doesn't resonate with you? Or telling me my diseased spot was eventually going to eat my eye anyways so what you were going to do wasn't going to hurt me any?"
"No." She refuted his claims.
"Well, you did by the way. It took several weeks to get over the fact you openly set a part of my face ablaze." She shook her head in disbelief.
"I really was rotten." She deduced.
"Well, it wasn't all bad. My current wife could thank you for the much "needed" improvement to my face." Her eyes lit up at his comment.
"I heard you had a son as well."
"Sullivan, he's an exceptional kid." He looked around and leaned in, "A pureblood obviously." He winked at her, why she did- Well smiled? Some relief soothed her, but she wasn't sure why. Was that supposed to mean something to her? She nearly gaped at her lapsed in judgment, former Janelle did. It twisted her stomach thinking about anyone less than pure.
"Hufflepuff though?"
"That was definitely the wife's doing. Humble at heart."
(Current: April 1996)
Janelle laid in a corner, just shaking. It was frigid in the room, and she refused to move closer to the fireplace. It was closer to him. The thin emerald slip he had transfigured for her helped little with retaining heat. Its real purpose was to keep her scantily clad and mildly appealing at a moment's notice, but she had tried to convince herself it was the only thing holding her dignity together. She was partially draped on the floor and ruddy awful hard chair. She was trying not to breathe too heavily, she had wanted her master to forget her existence.
He chuckled lightly, continuing on with book and papers he was reading. He was amused at her quivering hope.
At least for a little while, she surmised regrettably. How could Regulus do this to her? She could have had a good life, she could have keep her friends, her family, and her sanity. She had been cursed and defiled so often she struggled to define in reality who she was anymore. Was she ignorant Deidra or beyond reproach Janelle?
"Do you need a reminding?" She flinched, his voice was so close. "Look up." She dared to tip her head up, only to be confused. He was still sitting at his desk, and hadn't moved. She blinked, he still hadn't moved. Did she imagine that?
"Perhaps you had," his phantom voice mocked. Her back hit the wall in scared desperation. He was still sitting there! What was going on? He had to be doing this? A ghost of smirk, the corner of his lips turned upward.
"You are!" She accused. Instantly she squeaked in regret. Her legs went sprawling in the air as her body drug across the cool surface of the floor. "No, No!" She slammed up against the desk where he was seated. He causally looked down at her twisted up form.
"Apparently you need another lesson pet." He pulled her up by her hair, now they were face to face. "To learn your rightful place."
(Past: October 1995)
"Janelle, Janelle Black?" She whipped around to be greeted by beautiful blonde woman. She was elegant to say the least. Who had addressed her by her old name? "Is that really you?" She took in the rich silk robes and designer jewels that adorned her. Whoever she was, she had a lot of money and certainly flaunted it. Sean patted her side, laying a chaste kiss on her cheek.
"Nice to see you again, Narcissa." He waved off Janelle, "See you later sis." And he quickly disappeared with a crack. She touched her cheek confused by the gesture, they hadn't even shook hands inside the pub.
"Narcissa?" The name felt familiar on her tongue, like someone had mentioned recently. A smile quickly appeared on her face, yes, yes, she remembered on. "Black?"
"Malfoy, dear. You stood up in my wedding." Narcissa corrected. Janelle pointed to herself.
"Me?" The woman looked slightly put off, but hid it well.
"Yes, with Regulus. Speaking of which, where is my dear cousin. I haven't seen him in a long time. You must have a couple kids now." Narcissa remarked, trying to fish for answers. But Janelle frowned. The woman seemed to have hoped the best for the apparent star struck lovers.
"Well, a no. I haven't seen him either. I've been alone now, for a long time." Janelle wasn't sure how to phrase the situation delicately in a public setting.
"Alone? When did he leave?" For those questions, she had no answers. Before her supposed 'hit and run' accident, she believed. A lone tear slid down her cheek, "Oh dear. Wipe that away." Narcissa magicked a handkerchief. Janelle chuckled lowly, Blacks don't show weakness. She nodded, showing her gratitude towards Narcissa. Maybe this was too much of a blast from the past, she really should prepare herself for a public liaison.
"I apologize for embarrassing you. It's a bit overwhelming being back here again." Narcissa contemplated sequestering her further, she was just bubbling with questions. She would have to report this to her husband. "Would you like to talk over lunch? Maybe we could catch up." Janelle suggested.
Narcissa nodded enthusiastically, "Yes. I believe that would be a wise idea." Janelle smiled, her husband's cousin had an interesting way of speaking. What Janelle thought was an intriguing quirk was really blunt words coming from the wealthy woman's mouth. "Where would you like-," Narcissa paused causing Janelle to look back at her pinched nose, "What is that dreadful smell?" Janelle sniffed the air, quickly turning around to the sound of growling. Her friend!
"Oh hey boy!" She bent down to pat the upset animal. Somehow her dog had found her once again. And apparently Narcissa and he didn't seem to like each other.
"Is that mutt yours? We wouldn't be able to take him along if he's snarling…and honestly smells like that." Narcissa covered her mouth and nose dramatically, she couldn't help by giggle at her behavior. Uptight about her starting to cry but melodramatic about a smell. The dog nipped at Narcissa again before pulling hard at Janelle's clothes.
"Well, uh, I guess I should go. Could I send you an o-" He was successful at dragging Janelle away a few meters. "I'll contact you!" The dog nudged her impatiently towards the end of town, where a thicket of trees were. Janelle entertained the dog and followed willingly, perhaps he had wanted to show her something. She hadn't seen him since she had moved to Grimmauld place, which had to be been several months now. She hadn't kept track. Somehow he found her once again. She felt a bit guilty not having sought out the animal once again. He would have been better company than-
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Janelle was trying to gather herself, her back ache as it slammed into a tree again and again. "Answer me woman." She narrowed her eyes at Sirius, whose hands were painfully clutched around her arms.
"Where the hell did you-" she looked around, the black dog was no longer around.
"You know she is married deep with Deatheaters! What were you thinking talking to her!" Sirius shouted angrily at her. Janelle still wasn't processing what he was ranting about. Where had- realization hit her like a freight train.
"YOU'RE THE DOG!"
(Current: April 1996)
Janelle was slumped beneath the desk, her face and hair were sticky. She was coated in the dark load's seed. Narcissa grew green with sickness at the sight before. Her husband's master was a twisted man. Punishing this girl, and torturing her for introducing Janelle back into their lives. She had only wanted to reach out to a former cousin, a former Black. She silently banished the mess, without disturbing her, but the smell of stale sweat and blood made her nose wrinkle. She needed a bath.
"Don't touch me! Who are you?" Narcissa paused, nearly gasping at the admission.
"I'm your husband's cousin." She replied calmly, offering her help once again.
"I don't have a husband." Deidra exclaimed, but the instant she said it, she held her aching forehead in her hands. "Do I?" Janelle was married, she remembered.
Narcissa's usual expressionless face fell into a pitying frown. He must be toying inside her head as well.
"At one time. He died long ago." She paused, Janelle stilled, her unwavering gaze back made Narcissa nearly crumble. "Let's get you cleaned up." Janelle nodded her head slowly crawling out from under the desk. She felt she could trust those with comforting eyes. No cruel intentions hid beneath their blue/grey stare. She stumbled clinging to Narcissa, soiling her dress robes. She felt light, too light. Hadn't she been feed in a while? Something brought her out of her wandering thoughts. But hardly at the moment, she hadn't care, she noticed the pools of blood dripping down either sides of her legs. Janelle blushed, trying to wave off Narcissa's steady hands. She said nothing, continuing towards the door, a lot running through her mind.
"He bites. Really hard." Janelle admitted in a small voice.
(Past: October 1995)
"You're sick!" She threw herself away from him, fleeing down the hallway. Sirius hot on her trail. "Get away from me you bloody bastard!" She made it almost to the front door before her body roughly slammed into the wall.
"Just let me explain." He started but she wasn't having any of it. She struggled against his hands which were cuffed tightly around her wrists.
"Explain what? That you're a perverted arsehole. I think I've got it figured out. Now let me-"
"I hadn't meant for you to find out." She huffed at his words. He already knew. "That came out wrong."
"You don't say." She spat.
"Janelle please listen. I hadn't meant to get so close to you. I had wanted to know whether or not you were real. I just needed-" She kicked her leg out, hitting him in the shin. He grunted.
"So everything I've done has been a bloody test?!" She yelled at his behest, "Do you remember all the things I said, the things I whispered in confidence to a dog I thought was my friend."
"Yes, yes I remember everything and I've told no one. What you have told me I have kept in the confidence."
"Lies!" He dropped his hold on her arms as her knee came in contact between his legs. She darted up the steps the second his relinquish his hold over her. "I'm leaving here! And you're not going to stop me!" Sirius leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath, while punching a hole in the crumbling drywall.
(Current: April 1996)
"No, no, Sirius!" A crash and crunch, the two flinched. The 9 and 8 year old began to quickly panic. If Mrs. Black saw that we had broken- "Sirius fix it, fix it now." Janelle begged for the older boy to mend it.
"I'm trying shut up." He was toying with the pieces of the vase, it had been a precious heirloom, well before they broke it. Janelle began feverishly pacing as he tried harder to mend it. Her daddy wouldn't let her come over again if she was a bad girl.
"Mother will be very displeased with you two." Janelle paused, finally recognizing Regulus's presence. His hands were clasped behind his back, which was eerily stiff. Janelle ran towards her other friend, he always could avoid punishment. He would know what to do! Why did she have to follow his older brother around, he almost always got her in trouble every time.
"Regulus. We don't know how to fix it. We have to hide it from your Mother. Please." His formidable mask relented, their pureblood upbringing meant all three of the children would be severely punished.
"Trixie and Cissa are downstairs. See if you can get one of them to help." Janelle stomped her feet, his older cousins were scary mean.
"That isn't going to work Reggie. They'll probably dog at us for a minute before showing mother themselves. We can't have that, they'll- wait. You know something that we don't." Sirius abandoned his pursuit to intimidate his brother. "Well what is it?" Regulus would not give his brother the satisfaction, he whispered into Janelle's ear. Her child chubby cheeks began to flush red.
"That's not ladylike." Her little nose wrinkled, "we should tell on them instead." Little Janelle went rushing out the room to get the girl cousins.
"Brats." With a flick of her wrist Bellatrix fixed the vase. The children released a sigh of relief. "And if you dare speak about what you saw you will regret it." She threatened, they already knew not to cross Trixie. EXCEPT…
"Until next time." Janelle surprising announced, being the cheeky one instead of Sirius. Bellatrix smirked, while Narcissa and now tagging along, Andromeda, frowned.
"Oh I think I like this one." Bellatrix exclaimed. The teenage girls ignored the younger kids, snickering to themselves. Like it was some weird inside joke.
"Perhaps an arranged marriage to one of them." Narcissa muttered.
"Poor girl." They cackled exiting the room.
"Hey wait!" Janelle called chasing after the older girls, what did they mean?
When she opened the door, she was no longer in Grimmauld place, but outside. In the dark? She looked around, surprised to find herself outside the Ministry of Magic. Had she been there before?
"Janelle GET BACK HERE!" Sirius came bounding towards her in a rage.
Run Janelle, a voice whispered. Janelle hiked her skirt up and bolted, she was missing her wand. She had to get away. She cried out, running into Regulus's arms.
"Please, Reg. Help me! Help! He's gone mad!" She screamed, while Regulus said nothing.
"You are MINE!" Sirius roared, as he hauled her back. His wand trained at the other man. She thrashed against her captor. Regulus's expression remained stoic, but his eyes spoke another story. Janelle reached hard for him, mouthing please. She didn't want to leave with him, she wouldn't leave with him. She threw her elbow back hard, a harsh grunt, and hands released her. She rushed towards Regulus. He stared forward, made no indication towards her.
"Please help! Save me!" She cried as she ran faster, she was trying to end the metaphorical gap between the two lovers. He dared to move his head slightly, discouraging from her pursuit. She slowed significantly, almost walking towards him now. Each step becoming heavier than the full thud in her chest. Why?
You've lost, Janelle. You've lost everything, the voice whispered again.
"NOOO!" Janelle screeched thrashing wildly in the tub. Narcissa had backed a few steps, bewildered. One minute she was helping Janelle clean herself up and the next minute her eyes rolled into her head and she began muttering like a nutter. Janelle stopped, panting hard looking at her surroundings. She wasn't in an alleyway, she wasn't in Grimmauld place, but still in Malfoy Manor with Narcissa. "What, what happened?" She whispered, her voice was taunt. She held her throbbing head in her hands, trying to shake the images from her head.
Narcissa shook her head and answered in an equally frightened whisper, "I have no idea."
