Chapter Ten
(Daddy Issues)
The halls were silent as she moved through them; the Prefects had finally finished their rounds, and Malfoy had left his station as soon as his two hours were up. Ayr circled every floor once to make sure that there was no one wandering the halls, and then skipped down the Grand Staircase until she reached the ground floor. At first, she saw no one, and then the shadows moved.
Sirius met her eyes, and they were reserved. Potter was leaning against the wall with a sour expression, and Remus was looking everywhere but at Ayr. Peter kept shifting his eyes from one boy to the other, pacing nervously as he waited for them to start moving. Shifting from one foot to the other, Ayr felt oddly out of her element.
"They… they did know I was coming, right?"
Sirius looked over his shoulder and nodded before turning back to Ayr. He led her by the elbow, across the hall, and ducked his head close to her ear.
"They aren't happy about this," He whispered in her ear. "They told me I was reckless for allowing you to come along; Remus has never been around someone besides the three of us when he changes."
Ayr nodded, and her stomach turned to lead before threatening to eject that night's dinner. She had been in an odd mood since Potions that morning, and her sudden attack of anxiety did nothing to ease her mind. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she leaned to whisper in Sirius' ear, her eyes one the men behind him.
"He won't… I mean, I'll be…"
"He's not going to hurt you, Ayr," Sirius smiled reassuringly, patting her shoulder.
"Will I be okay? Should I not have come?"
Sirius smiled in his secretive, knowing way, and extended his arm. Ayr looked at it curiously before wrapping her arms around it, leaning into his body. Sirius looked over, caught Potter's eye, and nodded. The boy pushed himself off of the wall and passed them, leading the small group out onto the grounds of the castle. Potter, Remus, and Peter continued foreward, but Sirius pulled Ayr to a stop.
"It's going to be dark on the way there," He mumbled to her, dropping her arm and stepping away. "When I come back, grab onto my fur and I'll lead you there – and don't worry, Ayr, everything is going to be fine."
Ayr stood silently as Sirius walked away from her, trying to control her body as it shook from anticipation. She heard the sickening, distinct sound of bones breaking and rearranging, and Ayr closed her eyes, choking back a sob. She felt something warm brush up against her leg, and she jumped, letting out a yelp of surprise. A black dog sat by her leg, smiling up at her in the way only dogs could. She exhaled quickly, sliding her hand tentatively over his head and sinking her fingers into the scruff of his neck.
Sirius stood on all fours, and growled softly when the other canine neared Ayr. She tensed, hoping that Remus couldn't smell her fear, or she wouldn't last another two seconds. His nose moved in the snow around her feet, and she felt as if she was going to pass out. The stag – James, Ayr forced herself to think – placed his horns against the wolf's side and pushed, nudging him away from Ayr and the castle.
Peter scurried ahead of them, and they followed. As they left the light of the castle, Ayr's hand tightened in Sirius' fur – it was warm and comforting, and holding onto something was helping to control her shaking. She used her free hand to pull her cloak tighter around her, trying to ward off the chill. The dark pressed in around her, and Ayr wondered why she had agreed to do this; perhaps the darkness was getting to her, but Ayr felt positive that someone was following them. She turned, and saw nothing but dancing shadows. She frowned, and faced forward again, not being able to shake the feeling of someone's eyes on her back.
A soft groaning reached Ayr's ears, and she paused slightly when she realized that they were nearing the Whomping Willow. Remembering Emily Brass, lying in the Hospital Wing, Ayr swallowed the lump forming in her throat. After a moment, the groaning stopped, and an incessant squeaking started. Her eyes sought out the rat, and she saw Peter leaning on a small knot in the base of the ancient tree.
James nudged Remus towards an opening in the base of the tree that Ayr had never been close enough to notice before. The two animals – boys – disappeared under the ground, and Sirius lead Ayr to the hole. He nudged her by the small of her back until she finally sat and reluctantly slid down into a tunnel. She heard a soft bark and jumped forward as Sirius joined them; above, the groaning had begun again, and Peter scurried down into the tunnel with them.
The earthen tunnel stretched forever ahead of them. Ayr followed Sirius carefully, sometimes having to step over or duck under roots. Her calves were beginning to cramp from walking over the uneven terrain, and her back was screaming in pain from being hunched over for so long. She decided it must have been easier if you were an animal, and laughed cynically at the thought of her joining Sirius' four-footed escapades.
The end of the tunnel came not a moment too soon. Ayr waited patiently as Remus, James, and Peter left the tunnel. Sirius nudged her up the three earthen stairs, and she stumbled into a room. She blinked, looking around her in shock and taking in her surroundings.
The room, and presumably the attached house, had been abandoned many years ago. The walls were leaning in towards the room, and where the wallpaper wasn't faded and falling off, the walls were decaying. The ceiling sagged threateningly, and mold grew on the exposed beams above their head. The floorboards had rotted out long ago, and Ayr could see the dirt floor underneath of the house through the holes in the wood. She realized with a start that they had walked underneath Hogsmeade, and into the Shrieking Shack.
"You can explore, if you'd like."
Ayr turned to see that Sirius had taken his human form again. She glanced pointedly at the peeling wallpaper, and then the decaying floorboards. She let the sarcastic laugh in her throat bubble out and shook her head.
"I think I'll stay right here, thanks."
Sirius' eyebrows rose and he smiled, taking her by the elbow.
"I'll show you around," He said decisively, leading her out of the room. "Don't worry – we've been coming here for seven years. I know where to step to avoid breaking a leg."
Ayr rolled her eyes, not finding much comfort in his statement. Regardless, and because she didn't have much of a choice, she followed Sirius out of the room. He gave her the grand tour of the not so grand house. Shivers wracked her spine as the rumors flooded her mind; this is the house of Riddle, and she really had no desire to end up like that family had. She started watching the shadows, expecting something to reach out and attack her. When Remus howled in hungered torment, Ayr jumped so violently that Sirius laughed.
"Would you relax? Nothing is going to happen," He teased, leading her around a rotten spot on the floor. "I promise."
The two descended stone stairs, and ended up in a dank basement. Ayr looked around and frowned at her sudden sense of déjà vu, but couldn't figure out why this place seemed familiar. She and Sirius turned around to look at the room, which wasn't in any better condition than the rest of the house. Sirius smiled and shrugged a shoulder, and made his way to the stairs. Something in the house dropped, and Ayr jumped.
"What was that?"
"James keeping Remus under control," He replied, but his eyes told her something else.
"Should we go check?" She whispered to him, her eyes wide and wary.
He nodded, and flicked his fingers at her, motioning her forward. There was a soft groan, and Ayr jerked back when someone's foot landed on the first step. Her eyes lifted slowly, a scream bubbling in her throat when she didn't see any of the Marauders coming down the steps. She gripped onto Sirius' arm as they backed away from the stairs, and the man floated down the stairs until he landed in front of them.
"At last."
The man's voice was hallow, passing through dry, cracked lips. There were dark, sunken circles under his eyes, which were flicking back and forth between Sirius and Ayr. His skin was tight and wax-like, and he seemed emaciated, as if he had stretched himself out too thin. He wasn't all human, but Ayr couldn't think of anything else to call him. Something in her mind stirred, and she gasped when a name for the man in front of her bubbled up her throat.
"Voldemort."
The next thing from Ayr's mouth was a scream, which Voldemort silenced by pointing his wand at her chest. Sirius stepped in front of her, his fear hidden by the need to protect. Voldemort's face split into a smirk, and with the flick of his wand and a short incantation, Sirius' feet left the ground, his wand clattering out of his hand and landing on the ground. Another flick of the Dark Lord's wand sent Sirius crashing into a wall, where the Gryffindor slumped to the ground.
Ayr let out another short, terrified scream. She glanced at Voldemort and ran over to Sirius, kneeling next to the boy and biting back a sob. Sirius' leg was bent at an awkward angle, and Ayr had to look away before the bone poking out of the skin made her vomit. She placed her hand on Sirius' shoulder and stood, facing Voldemort.
The Dark Lord walked slowly towards the Gryffindors, and kicked Sirius' broken leg. The boy let out a muffled shout of pain, but nothing else.
"Learn your place, blood traitor," The Dark Lord hissed, stepping on the injured limb.
"Stop it!"
Ayr pressed herself back against the wall when the Dark Lord turned his amused to her. She shrunk back as much as she could, trying to get as far away from Voldemort as possible. He pressed closer to her, and smirked at the sight of her frightened tears.
"Ayr," He sighed, seeming disappointed. "Why are you crying?"
Ayr felt like she was going to vomit. She managed to keep her stomach out of her throat, and tried many times, unsuccessfully, to speak. When she could finally open her mouth without biting off her tongue with chattering teeth, she swallowed audibly and couldn't meet his eyes.
"How do you know my name?"
The sound that came out of the Dark Lord's mouth was supposed to be a laugh, but it sent shivers up her spine. He stepped forwards, making Ayr shrink even further back into the wall. She turned her head when he pressed his face neared her, and she closed her eyes, breathing through her nose.
"You haven't figured it out yet, Ayr Trikk?"
Ayr's jaw clenched in fear and confusion, and she still couldn't meet his eyes. She could taste her own fear, and she scolded herself. If he had wanted her dead, she'd be dead by now – right? She stared down at Sirius, her tears starting fresh when she took in his broken leg. Her mouth was opening and closing, but the only sound coming from it was the rasping of her own choked sobs.
"I can't help but wonder, however, why you were not placed into Slytherin, where you belong."
The mention of Malfoy's house began hardening her fear into anger, and her anger into bitter hatred. She lifted her eyes to meet his, and she saw that they weren't dark, as she thought they were going to be. They were blue, and reminded her vaguely of Malfoy's. This turned the coal of hate simmering into her gut into a full-blown fire.
"What are you talking about?" She hissed, pleased that her voice hadn't cracked.
"I was told you've read all of the letters," The Dark Lord mused. "I was even told that you had seen pictures."
The words were going in one ear and out the other. Ayr was paying attention enough, but she didn't comprehend anything that was being said. Someone had told the Dark Lord about letters? What letters? Ayr frowned when she thought about the letters between her parents – why were they important to Voldemort? She bit the inside of her cheek and lowered her eyes again.
"I don't know what you're talking about," She mumbled.
The Dark Lord raised an eyebrow – if you could call the fat above his eye that – and turned over his shoulder. He called out, and the name hit Ayr's gut like an iron fist. Her eyes raised slowly when he came down the steps, the dim lighting in the basement making his normally white hair a pale gold. His eyes were empty when they met hers, and then she noticed the bundles of letters that he carried in his hand.
"You," She hissed, glaring.
Malfoy said nothing, but handed the letters to Voldemort, who smirked with a twisted sense of pleasure as he took them. He opened one after the other, scanning them before tossing them aside. Ayr wanted to shout at him, but her tongue had been glued to the roof of her mouth since Malfoy had come in. The room was spinning, and she slid down the wall, grateful when her butt hit the ground. She gripped Sirius' hand, choosing to stare at his injured leg rather than at Mafloy, who was staring down at her apathetically.
"Are you going to help him kill us, too?" She hissed at Malfoy, who jerked as if she had hit him.
"Kill you?" Voldemort laughed, and the sound was wicked. "My dear child, I am not going to kill you! Have you still not figured it out?"
He rooted through one of the envelopes, which hadn't been in the bundle before. He pulled out two photographs, holding them up pointedly before throwing them next to her. With shaking hands, Ayr reached for them; her heart stopped when she recognized the pictures her mother had sent with the letters and scarf. Something made her look closer at the picture of her father, and her eyes flicked back and forth between the Dark Lord and the picture in her hand.
She leaned over, away from Sirius, and threw up violently. When she couldn't throw up anymore, she pulled her knees into her chest, leaning her head back against the wall. She studied the man in front of her, tears of anger now leaking from her eyes. The hair on his head was dark and thin, where it had once been thick and lush. His skin was waxy, his face sallow, and his eyes hid something dark. The resemblance between the Dark Lord and the man in the picture was barely noticeable at this point; this man – her father – had become something less than human.
"Why, Malfoy, I think she's got it!" Voldemort's wan smile stretched his thin face, and he resembled a snake. "You have pleased me this time, Malfoy. Approach me, so that I may thank you for your services."
Keeping his eyes on Ayr, the Dark Lord held his hand out, and Malfoy placed his left wrist into his grasp. Bony fingers circled Malfoy's arm, and Voldemort placed the tip of his wand against Malfoy's forearm. Ayr could see the skin rippling gently, and she wanted to throw up again at the sight of the Dark Mark covering Malfoy's arm, but there was nothing inside of her to eject. Instead, her heart turned to lead, and she glared at the Slytherin.
You've lost it, Trikk, Ayr was repeating to herself. You've gone completely mad, you nutter.
"You may go now," Voldemort told Malfoy once the skin stopped rippling; Malfoy's face relaxed, as if he were no longer in pain. "Thank you for alerting me to her presence here – your task is complete, Malfoy."
Ayr shivered as she watched the Dark Lord place a kiss upon Malfoy's forehead. The Slytherin bowed low, raising his eyes to meet Ayr's. She narrowed her eyes, and if her mouth hadn't been so dry, she'd have spit on him. As it were, he stood, watching her until he turned, walked up the stairs, and left the basement.
Voldemort watched him go, smiling down at Ayr when he finally turned towards her. Ayr could nearly hear his voice in her head – you are alone here, Ayr Trikk. Ayr raised her chin, meeting the Dark Lord's eyes as he flicked his wand, and something appeared in his hand. She eyes the sphere warily, narrowing her eyes at the label – T.M.R. & A.G.T. She would wake up soon, she knew, if she could just hang in a few more minutes.
"Do you know what this is, Ayr?" He watched with a bemused smile when she nodded. "Our prophecy - and do you know what it says?"
"How could I know what it says if it's obviously never been heard before?" Ayr hissed, glaring pointedly at the unbroken state of the orb.
The smile melted off of Voldemort's face, and the look that replaced it gave Ayr the impression that she should refrain from mouthing off to him in the future. His eyes bore into her soul as he tipped his hand, and Ayr flinched as the globe rolled out of it. Sirius, who had been slipping in and out of conscious, jumped at the sound of the glass shattering; a sighing voice filled the room, sending chills up Ayr's spine.
"Seventeen years after blood has separated… Father and daughter will reunite. Guarded by the ancient walls of Hogwarts, one will find Ayr Gabrielle Trikk. Look to the full moon in the ancient house of death to find the joining of pure blood. All shall be revealed, all dark truths told, and dark secrets unveiled."
Ayr's head was shaking, her mind shutting down to preserve her sanity. Sirius' eyes were wide but aware, and he was looking from Voldemort, to Ayr, to the shattered glass on the floor, and then back again. Ayr pressed herself against the wall, trying to wake up; the concrete biting into her skin did nothing to help her back to reality, nor did her cloak help ward of the chill that had settled itself in her bones.
"You're lying," She whispered, staring at the broken glass. "It's not talking about us… someone else is supposed to meet me here…"
"Denial is not flattering, child," Voldemort frowned crossly, and then motioned to the house around him. "Has it not been seventeen years? Are we not in the ancient house of death – my ancient house?"
"It's a lie…" Her voice didn't carry the conviction she wanted to, and Voldemort's smile returned.
"Rejoice, daughter! You were destined for greatness!" Voldemort's smile was smug and his eyes held a guilty gleam. "Together, we shall make this world pure!"
Ayr was shaking her head slowly, her eyes vacant. Sirius couldn't close his mouth; his jaw was locked open in surprise. Ayr's hand lifted slowly to stifle a sob. Voldemort looked on in disgust, but said nothing, letting his daughter grieve the loss of her innocent life. She finally lowered her hand, and he watched as it shook violently.
"How did you find me?" Ayr shook her head and closed her eyes. "Here. How did you find me here? The prophecy had never been heard before -"
The Dark Lord's devious cackle cut off her words, and he shook his head, looking slightly amused.
"Ayr, you are not as smart as I had given you credit for," He sneered, waving a hand of dismissal. "Malfoy has been most helpful. He has been my eyes and ears in places I cannot enter."
Her heart fell to her feet, and the last bit of hope she had harbored for Malfoy vanished. Sirius let out a slow breath, and Ayr knew there would be hell raised when they returned to Hogwarts – if they returned. She was still shaking her head, and Voldemort sneered in disgust.
"I grow tired of your sniveling, daughter." He pointed her wand at her, and she stiffened. "Let your blood-traitor be witness – I shall show you your true potential. Dorchadaisaol!"
Ayr's sobs were cut off as her airway constricted. Sirius shouted as her body lifted off of the ground; she hung limply as she stared at the ceiling. Her blonde hair darkened and grew, until black silk hung to her back. Her limbs lengthened – just noticeably so. Voldemort exhaled slowly, and Sirius winced as he watched the smoky breath leaving his mouth entered Ayr's. She gasped, taking her first breath since being in the air.
Voldemort lowered her slowly, and her feet touched softly on the ground. The Dark Lord's bony hand extended towards the girl; she stared at the hand for a moment, and Sirius held onto the hope that somewhere in that new body, his friend Ayr was still fighting for control. He gasped when she turned her eyes on him; the color of blood surrounded her dilated pupils, and the hope was gone. She stepped over him and turned to face the Dark Lord, placing her hand in his.
"What did you do to her?" Sirius shouted, wincing past the pain coursing through his body.
"Be silent, blood traitor!" Voldemort stepped on Sirius' broken leg, and smirked when the boy cried out in pain. Voldemort turned to Ayr and held open his arms. "My daughter."
Sirius willed Ayr to walk away; hope was practically oozing from his pores. He frowned when she stepped into his arms – albeit hesitantly. Sirius' heart shattered with one word.
"Father."
Ayr didn't try to pull away, nor did she seem to want to. As suddenly as the first change had taken over her body, however, it reversed itself. She stiffened, and Sirius could see the confusion that flashed through her eyes. She jerked, and pulled back from Voldemort. Glaring at him, she ducked her head and spit on the ground by his feet.
"I may share your blood," She admitted, hotly. "But I will never share your ideals, you rat bastard!"
Something dark flashed through the Dark Lord's eyes, and he raised his hand threateningly. Ayr flinched, but didn't back away. Slowly, his face split into a smile, and his hand lowered. He stepped back, inclining his head towards Ayr.
"My work is complete for now," He began tauntingly. "We will meet again soon, daughter."
There was a sharp crack, and Voldemort disapperated from the Shrieking Shack. Sirius watched Ayr collapse in on herself; she let out a strangled sob, and she wrapped her arms around herself. She stared at the spot where the Dark Lord had just been standing. Finally, she dragged her eyes away from the spot and looked at Sirius. She let out a shuddering gasp and ran over to him.
"Sirius," She sobbed. "Oh, Sirius, I'm so sorry."
He waved a hand stiffly, his face pale. Ayr bit back a sob when he told her that this wasn't her doing; he wouldn't look her in the eye. He looked as if he were about to stand, and then thought better of it. He slumped back against the wall, a thin layer of sweat coating his face.
"Where are the others?" He growled through the pain. "Go check on the others – tell them to head to the castle."
Ayr rose and turned, running up the stone steps and making her way carefully through the rotting house. She looked in every room she passed, stopping and backtracking when she saw the werewolf and stag slumped in the center of the floor, unconscious. Peter was nowhere to be seen, and Ayr hoped he had hidden when the Dark Lord had attacked his friends. She pointed her wand, muttered reenervate, and stepped back when they began to stir.
"James?" She whispered, sighing in relief when the stag turned to her. "Sirius… he's been hurt. He said to send you to the castle ahead of us."
The stag lowered his head, signaling that he had heard and understood her. She turned and ran out of the room, picking through the house until she entered the basement again. She frowned down at Sirius, and pointed her wand at his leg.
"Ferula," She mumbled softly, causing a splint and bandages to wrap around Sirius' leg; the boy's face paled even more. "I'm sorry! I'm not confidant enough in my healing magic to try to fix it… I think that's better left to Madam Pomfrey."
Sirius nodded stiffly, and Ayr helped him stand, new tears leaking from her eyes as he groaned. She helped him up the stairs, and eventually to the tunnel. She had no idea how long they moved through the tunnel; Sirius' face had turned so white, Ayr thought he was going to pass out. They eventually made it to the Hospital Wing, and Ayr immediately understood why she felt so drained; the clock on the wall told her it was just after four in the morning.
"Miss Trikk, I'm seeing a lot of you lately," Madam Pomfrey huffed, coming out of her office. Her eyes widened when she took in Sirius' leg, oozing blood through the small hole in his pants. "Merlin's beard! Mister Black, what happened to you?"
"I fell," He mumbled, shooting Ayr a look: tonight stays a secret. "I… jumped the stairs in the common room. Stupid, really."
Madam Pomfrey made a noise that made it clear she agreed with him. She directed Ayr to lead Sirius to a bed, and once Sirius was lying down, the healer came over, her wand pointed at the leg. She muttered one spell, shearing the pants leg above the protruding bone, and then glanced at Ayr.
"You may want to cover your ears, Miss Trikk."
Ayr looked on in confusion, and then jumped when Sirius shouted. The bone retracted into the skin, connecting with the other half with a sickening snap. His face paled, but he seemed to be able to breathe easier now that his bone was reconnected. Madam Pomfrey turned as a bottle danced into her hand, and she poured a capful, handing it to Sirius.
"Drink this," She instructed, closing the bottle once he had. "You'll be staying here tonight, Mister Black. Miss Trikk, thank you for bringing him here – you ought to go get some sleep."
Ayr nodded and turned to Sirius. She wrapped his upper body with her arms, and was pleased when he didn't stiffen or try to pull away.
"I'm sorry," She whispered into his ear and kissed his cheek. "I'll tell the others that you're okay."
"Good night, Ayr," He called after her, smiling softly as she walked away.
She was shaking again by the time she reached the common room. She sighed with relief when the only people seated there were the other three Marauders. They stood as she entered, worry clear on their faces.
"Is he alright?" James asked, stepping forward.
"He's fine," She promised. "Madam Pomfrey fixed his leg, and she's keeping him overnight."
They nodded, and an awkward silence fell over the room. It was then that she knew the boys were aware of who had attacked them. She shifted from foot to foot, and Remus rubbed the back of his neck, a question clear on his face. He opened his mouth, and Ayr shook his head.
"I don't know," She sighed. "I don't. I don't know why or how… or even what. I do know that no one can know about this. Please – not yet. Please?"
The boys nodded stiffly, and she hugged each one of them in turn. She bid them good night, and headed up to her room. Walking in, she saw the tail end of the green and black scarf, and seethed. Pointing her wand, she muttered relashio, and watched as the fiery sparks caught the cloth on fire. The fire ate at the cloth until there was nothing but ashes that fell to the ground. She swallowed a capful of Dreamless Draught, and fell onto her bed, exhausted.