Dead on the Inside
Chapter Twelve: Trying to Forget Lucius Malfoy
Emma
Sirius and James disappeared outside leaving Lily and I to talk, just like old times. We began chatting about Arthur and Molly and other couples who are most likely to get married after school. Before we knew it we needed yet an other round of butterbeers.
"I over heard Molly telling Dora that Arthur might have wedding plans already laid out. I think that they'll be at least one child before the wedding," Lily said giggling as we returned to our seats with bottles in hand. I smiled to my self and stared down at my ring gleaming on my hand. Lily giggled again and patted me on the shoulder. I think the excitement of the day and all that sugar in the butterbeers was getting to her head. I got up to take her back to Hogwarts when Arthur and Molly burst in the door.
"Emma, its Sirius, he and Lucius got in a fight, and it's not looking so good!" Arthur yelled causing the whole bar to go quiet. Time seemed to stop for a second as I took in the information thrown at me one hundred miles per hour. I stood up and leapt over a few tables, shaming Olympic athletes, and landed running. I was way ahead of everyone else, moving as fast as my legs would carry me to the Shrieking Shack. I could hear shouting, my heart thumping hard in my chest, blood pumping but I wasn't aware of any of it. The only thing concerning me was getting to Sirius.
"Come on Black, that's not fighting. You can't just lay there in the snow, you have to get up. Get up I said! GET UP!" Lucius shouted, taunting Sirius. I stopped at a nearby tree, my chest heaving. I didn't want Lucius to bring me into this, but I might not have a choice. I watched as Sirius let out a dog like growl and lumbered to his feet. He was bleeding moderately, but he seemed to be holding up okay. James and the others found me and took a hold of me just in case. Lucius saw me and smiled, sending chills down my spine.
"Sectumsempra!" Lucius cried. The others watched in horror as the spell hurled toward Sirius. Before anyone else had time to react I jumped out in front of Sirius and screamed.
"Finite Incantatem!" The spell fizzed in the air and let out a loud pop as I canceled it out. Lucius only smiled again. Now I was in his line of fire, not Sirius. I bit my lip so hard that I tasted blood. I was reliving Christmas all over again. I turned around briefly to make sure Sirius was okay. That's when I made a huge mistake.
"Incarcerous," Lucius whispered. Instantly thick ropes jutted out of Lucius' wand and wrapped themselves around my body, causing me to drop my wand. I felt myself being pulled backwards toward him, and then thrown into the snow. Now I was helpless to do anything. Sirius scooped my wand up and threw it to Lily, so that at least this duel would be fair. Lucius lunged at Sirius, but Sirius has him on this one.
"Impedimenta," He yelled. Lucius slowed down as though time had stopped for only him and Lily began trying to free me. The spell didn't last long, because soon Lucius was free again. The spells began to fly and once again Sirius was down on the ground.
"Get up you dog, you sure aren't fighting hard. Does she not mean that much to you anymore?" He asked walking over to me. He pulled one of my arms free and gazed at the ring that sat there on my finger. Once again that evil smile found its way upon his thin lips. He took the ring off my finger and held it up to the light.
"Get your hands off of that! It doesn't belong to you!"
"Does it bother you Black, that I have your girlfriend and her shiny new ring?" He said toying with Sirius. I began focusing on summing my wand to me, but Lucius was a few steps ahead of me. He spun and slapped me. I blinked in confusion, tears welling up in my eyes and while I regained my focus he silenced with the silenco spell. They boys went at it again, spitting words and spells at each other. Things still weren't looking good for Sirius. Normally he was an excellent dueler, when he set his mind to it. But his concern for my safety was clouding his decisions. Lily managed to slip me my wand and I readied myself. Lily restored my voice as her last act of help then retreated next to James. All I had to do was wait for the right moment.
"Diffindo," I whispered, splitting the bounds around me. I gazed at the two, still locked in their duel. I slowly got to my feet, making sure that my movement didn't catch the attention of Lucius. Then I made me move.
"Avada-"
"Expelliarmus!" Sirius and screamed at the same time, the force of it knocked Lucius from his feet. I caught his wand and stood above him, both wands pointed right at his heart. Sirius joined me. We looked at each other and nodded.
"Stupefy." I watched as Lucius' eyes rolled into the back of his head. James came over and gave him a swift kick to make sure he was completely out. Lily pried the ring from his hand and started to give it to me. I was already starting to heal most of the wounds inflicted on Sirius. I helped him over to a near by stump and began to examine him.
"Are you okay?" I asked cupping his bleeding face in my hands. The snow was the only evidence of the 'battle', everywhere there was blood staining the white. I tuned the others out and focused on Sirius.
"I thought I was the only one allowed to play hero," Sirius said trying to lighten the mood. I smiled and continued my work. Magically the cuts and bruises vanished from his body. He winced as I touch a tender spot on his chest.
"Well if you would've had your sword I wouldn't have to take you to Madam Pomfrey to heal you the rest of the way," I teasingly reminded him. He chuckled, but stopped when it began to hurt. I cut away some fabric off of my dress and wrapped it around his ribs.
"Em, I think this belongs to you," Lily said handing me the ring back. I took it from her smiling, and placed it back on my finger. Then I helped Sirius to his feet. The four of us all lined up and held hands, walking back to Hogwarts, leaving behind us the fear and pain we faced earlier.