CHAPTER TEN
(chapter title – Come To Me (Penny's Death))
Meanwhile, Penny was in a hospital bed, slowly dying. She was hallucinating that she saw Luna playing five feet in front of her.
"Luna, it's turned so cold
Luna, it's past your bedtime
You've played the day away
And soon it will be night
Come to me, Luan, the light is fading
Don't you see, the evening star appearing?
Come to me and rest against my shoulder
How fast the minutes fly away
And every minute colder
Hurry near, another day is dying
There's a darkness which comes without a warning
But I will sing you lullabies
And wake you in the morning." Penny sang to her daughter. Luna looked up from her playing and took Penny's hand. Before Penny could close her fingers around Luna's hand, she disappeared.
At that moment, Sirius entered the room and took Penny's hand.
"Oh, Penny, Luna will be here soon
Oh, Penny, she will be by your side." Sirius assured Penny, sitting beside her on the bed.
"Luna, my child, where did you go?" Penny cried out. Sirius took her in his arms and gently rocked her.
"Be at peace, be at peace ever more!" Sirius soothed Penny.
"My Luna!" Penny shouted.
"Will live in my protection." Sirius told Penny. He could feel the life drifting out of her.
"Take her now." Penny told him. Sirius held her closer to him.
"Your child will want for nothing." Sirius whispered in her ear. She smiled sleepily.
"Good sir, you come from Merlin in heaven!" Penny told Sirius, grabbing at his jacket.
"And none shall ever harm Luna as long as I am living." Sirius assured Penny again.
"Take my hand, the night grows ever colder!" Penny told Sirius, shivering slightly. Sirius removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders, helping her lean back onto the bed.
"Then I will keep you warm." Sirius said, smiling.
"Take my child, I give her to your keeping!" Penny whispered, more life leaving her body.
"Take shelter from the storm." Sirius whispered, stroking her cheek.
"For Merlin's sake, please stay til I am sleeping
And tell Luna I love her and I'll see her when I wake!" Penny sang softly. She took one final breath and passed on. Sirius kissed her forehead, knowing that Penny was in a better place and that her daughter would be in good hands.