DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Harry Potter.

The Fire of the Phoenix

White

Later that day Regulus brought a calmer and quiet Phoenix back to the white room. They had tea together and he took her for a walk around the hospital, trying to distract her even if she didn't answer back or seemed interested in anything. He just respected the comfortable silence she liked and needed so much.

Regulus didn't know why he felt so drawn to this slightly problematic girl. He felt comfortable around her - even if they just met properly - like he could be himself and tell his darkest secrets. He felt the need to protect her and make sure she didn't shed a tear. She was different and maybe that's what caught his attention. The way she walked carefully, the way her eyes moved across the room fearful, he felt like he was supposed to stop that, he felt the need to reassure her. To make sure that fear turned into joy, her stammering turned into gasps of laughs.

"Now how about we go back? Hm?" She looked away from him and studied the not-so-interesting clinical clean corridor. "Hey. Talk to me sweetheart." He crouched down on her level and locked eyes with her. "What are you scared about? It's just your family inside there. They all love you. They'd never stop."

She looked at him warily to try to find a proof he was lying.

"Besides my amazingly good looks, charisma and sense of humour. I have a vote that I don't lie." He smirked when she giggled, making dimples appear her extremely white face. Her light freckles standing out. He poked her cheek and smiled back. "Now come on, Potter. Or I will carry you." He didn't wait for her answer but pulled her with him by the hand. Just acting innocent when a stern mediwitch scolded them for "raising havoc in a place of high importance for all the wizarding society", grinning to the girl when the woman turned around.

Soon they were standing in Harry's door and Regulus waited for Phoenix to take a deep breath instead of pressuring her to face it.

He came up with a few theories why Phoenix didn't seem so scared about his presence, not that she wasn't scared, mind you. It was simply the fact that all the mistreatment she suffered - or at least the most relevant part - was inflicted by an adult. Even in she consciously knew Sirius and Remus wouldn't hurt her, her mind wasn't used to this idea so she created a block. Sirius and Remus were bigger, stronger and older than her and while that wasn't a reason for abuse, she could associate to the pain and misinterpret small acts as violence.

Regulus did not remind her much of Dudley being the entire opposite in temper and looks. The Black Heir was content in being quiet, and that was enough for Phoenix. Another reason she didn't act comfortably around teenagers was that they tend to be loud and outgoing - and Regulus is not like them. That's why she didn't have friends, she was scared of them as well. Harry had Ron and Hermione, and even if he tried to include his sister, she couldn't stay long around them. Ron was loud and explosive, and Hermione could be intimidating, and the fact that they're always bickering. That was the reason Harry couldn't stand being near them much, the constant bickering reminded him of Dudley, even if they weren't really fighting. He felt pressured to fit in the wizarding world, pressured to have friends and to save everyone. Sometimes he would just hide under the stands of the Quidditch pitch, to be alone for a while so he could stop being the hero and be just Harry, a child who was a victim after all.

When Regulus opened the door the first thing he saw was that Tonks had arrived and was sitting next to Remus on the sofa, as Sirius occupied a chair beside Harry's bed. They were indulged in a conversation about the Prophet, the younger boy didn't seem interested though, no matter how much they tried to include him in their chit-chat. He was staring at the door intently in a way that it could burn down any moment.

"Phoenix!" He exclaimed when she entered the room and a big smile lit his face as well as everyone's else who saw the happiness in his eyes. Maybe she seemed to think it was funny, because she bit her lip. To stop the smile or in nervousness we'd never know, maybe both.

She walked calmly to her brother and looked into his green eyes, they seemed to exchange thoughts because in a second they were hugging. Carefully - on Phoenix's case not to hurt her brother. They heard a click and Tonks smiled.

"Got it!" She said waving a muggle camera around as the twins blushed.

Phoenix walked hesitantly over to Remus and stopped in front of him. "I-I'm sorry a-about earlier." She looked down ashamedly and he smiled.

"Don't worry Phoen. Just know that I'm here if you need to talk." He said carefully running his hand through her ginger locks. She nodded and decided not to contest what he said. Wondering within why he would want to listen to an ungrateful freak and suppressing a flinch as she anticipated the pain of hairs being pulled out of her head forcefully that never came.

Before Remus could interrogate her about the matter there was a knock on the door and the same mediwitch from before entered the room holding a small metal tray containing a syringe and tube of pinkish liquid. Regulus looked at Phoenix from where he was sitting in the arm rest of the sofa and held back a laugh at her surprised face before she paled considerably and backed away unconsciously towards Remus, almost sitting on his knee as the woman in white entered fully in the room.

"I will inject the potions on your vein as your body is too weak to spell it inside." She said in a "don't you dare to protest" tone that only caused Harry to back away and try to disappear between his pillows even more. "Don't worry sweetheart, it wont hurt. It will just feel like a bug has bitten you." the mediwitch - Sasha was her name - reassured but Phoenix - in a spurt of bravery - got up stood between the woman and her twin brother determined to stop her from hurting her twin. Remus then stood up and put a hand on Phoenix's shoulder, guiding her - not without protest and flinches - back to the two sitting on the couch where he sat his goddaughter between him and Tonks. He put an arm around her as Tonks played with her red locks. Remus rubbed her back and mumbled reassurances that her brother would be fine as they were engaged in a conversation about the next Weird Sisters Album.

The young werewolf looked at the pink haired young woman and couldn't help but smile. Her grey eyes sparkled with excitement when she talked, the way her heart shaped face morphed to make people smile, her pink lips stretched side ways when she smiled. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He couldn't think that way about this best friend's second cousin. She deserved way better, he was too dangerous, too old and too poor for her. There wasn't the possibility. But the way she acted with Phoenix, trying to distract the girl, he could tell she would be a good mother. He would be forever jealous of the lucky guy who won her heart. "Stop it, Remus!" and

Little did he know that while they were indulging Phoenix in a conversation with Regulus the metamorphmagus witch was thinking the same thing. While the youngest girl in the room fought against her despair of being unable to get to her brother.

Harry struggled and trembled as the mediwitch inserted a needle on his left arm. Trying to fight the flashbacks of the time his Aunt took him to a (illegal) doctor on the school's request, and paid the man to hurt him, torture him. The green-eyed boy could remember how the man slapped him, removed his clothes and took pictures. All the while humiliating the boy.

He turned his head to the right side so he wouldn't see how some clandestine liquid was mingling with his blood. He could remember the smell of the product the doctor injected in his arm, how it made him dizzy and powerless. He tried to sit up but felt a hand on his leg and another on his head, pushing him back to rest on the pillows, restraining him. Harry opened his eyes startled and noticed the burning feeling of unshed tears, he tried to get away from the white room, of the white woman and of the silver syringe. His godfather ran a hand through Harry's hair in attempt to stop the boy on working himself into a panic attack, he saw Remus do the same to his sister,

He felt the liquid burn through his veins and fought a tear that was threatening to escape. He flinched and tried to pull his arm away from the reason he was hurting but before he could do that Sirius cupped his face and locked eyes with him.

"Shh it's almost over, Prongslet. Just breathe." He felt the healer remove and then replace the needle and another potion was inserted in his body - one which the healer was quick to fetch. The last thing he saw before falling asleep was Phoenix trying to get away from the werewolf's strong arms.

Phoenix saw her brother close his eyes and panicked. What if he was in a coma? What if he was hurt? Tonks noticed her ragged breathing and was quick to reassure her. "Phoenix, Phoen. Harry is fine. He's just asleep okay? He's just tired." The young woman said her eyes grey and confident, showing her Black genes. The red head would have none of it and looked at the healer that cleared her throat. Still trying to get up.

"He will have to spend the night in the hospital so he can be monitored, if he's well he may leave in the morning. I gave him a strong dose of pain reliever as well as a Calming Draught as he was clearly damaging his lung with his desperate breathing. Meanwhile only one person can stay the night." Phoenix finally was let go and stood up walking towards Harry's bed. "Sorry sweetie. It has to be an adult." Phoenix was about to protest when someone touched her shoulder and she flinched back.

"Flamie, I will stay with Harry alright? I will make sure he will be okay. You go home with Moony and get some rest. Today was eventful for you." Sirius said calmly while he held her shoulders. Then he gathered her in a hug and rubbed her back, at first she was tense but then she clung in his robes and he kissed the top of her head.

"Be good and sleep tight. I love you."

The small girl shook her head not believing what her godfather said. Didn't he see the memories at the Dursley's? Didn't he notice how freaky she was? She new what came after that "be good", she could read the "what else" between the lines that her Uncle used to say and no matter what she did she was never good enough.

Sirius pulled away and held the crying girl in arms length. "I do love you, Phoenix and I would protect you and your brother with my life."

Phoenix shook her godfathers arms off her and walked away from them. Sitting down next to her sleeping brother and clinging to him. Feeling for the first time the separation.

They'd always been together, no more than few doors apart and now that she was forced to live him in a strange place with strange people she couldn't help but feel that she was betraying him, his trust and their beliefs. She knew what happened when her Aunt took him to the doctor and she knew as well that he would never leave her in this situation. He would stay by her side, holding her hand, protecting her. She felt her eyes burn but closed them tight to stop the tears, it wouldn't do well if they saw her crying. They would punish her even worse after that. She kissed Harry's forehead and squeezed his hand tightly, gluing to him as much as she could.

"Phoenie? We have to go now." Remus said with a hand on her shoulders and in a bold moment she shook her head. Gripping Harry's hand tighter. "Come on sweetie, Harry will be fine. Sirius will look after him." She still shook her head.

"Why are you so scared Phoenix? Talk to me. Talk to Siri." Sirius said sitting down in front of her. She tried to back away but realised that behind her was the wall, she couldn't get away. "He'll be fine, baby girl. Tomorrow morning he'll be home with us. It's just a night."

"I-I won't abandon him. You c-can't m-make me!" She said determined. Looking much like Lily in her final moments.

"Oh sweetie" Remus said running his hand through her hair, making her flinch expecting the blow. "I won't hurt you Phoen. You are not abandoning him. He wouldn't think that. You are just leaving so he can get better, you can't stay here sweetheart You're too young to spend a night at the hospital. You have to sleep as well, you are tired. Let us take care of you both right?" He said cupping her face and rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs. "Padfoot will stay here with Harry and make sure he's okay, he won't be alone."

After a while Remus managed to pry the troubled girl from her brother, and take her home with the help of Regulus who was the only one she let near her since her godfathers removed her from Harry's side. Arriving at their home she was quick to go to Harry's room and no matter what the other habitants did she wouldn't move from her refuge. Refusing everyone's attempts to make her eat or change, she fell asleep after Remus managed to feed her some soup and welcomed the wonders of a dreamless sleep potion with her white unicorn tucked in next to her.

Sirius opened his eyes to the sound of a blood curdling scream coming from his godson's lungs. The boy was whimpering, mumbling pleads as tears fell from his face and his nails wounded his skin. His body shook and Sirius stood transfixed for a moment before another scream made him move to pin the boy's arms down to the bed as he whispered soothing words and tried to wake the boy up unsuccessfully.

He then sat down on the bed and pulled the boy into his arms, the boy was shaking like a leaf in a storm. He rocked the boy and called him calmly, his voice don't betraying the panic he felt until the boy abruptly opened his scared green eyes and jerked his body in an upright position, tears falling like a storm on his face.

"Shh calm down Harry. You're safe with me. Your Aunt and Uncle aren't here and you'll never see them again." The boy continued to cry as his godfather rubbed his back. When it seemed to Sirius that Harry was calming down the boy started to sob again. He seemed panicked of the overly white room and surprisingly, Harry clung to his godfather burying his face on Sirius' chest.

"Shh Harry. It's okay, I'm not mad. You are okay now Prongslet, I wont hurt you. Shush my darling boy, I'm here," Sirius said trying to reassure himself that this reaction was completely normal for an abused boy - it was after all but seeing that from first hand experience and with his godson made everything harder. The godfather tried to pull the boy from his chest to take a good look at him but the green eyed child didn't bulge. The Animagus comforted his child as much as he could, whispering nonsense and humming and as he heard the sobs turn into sniffles he stood up with Harry attached to him like a monkey and made his way to the joined bathroom. "Let's wash your face, alright?" He felt Harry nod against his chest and saw the boy's neck redden in the dimly lit room. He removed the distressed and embarrassed boy from his carefully and sat him on the counter as he wet a towel on the sink and proceeded to wipe his godson's face. Harry's face was on fire and he was looking anywhere but at Sirius.

"There, Harry. There's no need to feel embarrassed. It's me remember?" He held the boys hands and rubbed the palms with his thumbs.

"H-How? I'm a freak. A childish freak who can't even handle a nightmare without breaking down like a two year old!" Harry let out quietly.

"Listen to me carefully puppy. You've been through a lot in these 13 years. More than I could ever imagine. You are a special boy, not because you are the-boy-who-lived or any other rubbish they call you, but you were special way before that. You are Harry James, the little boy I loved since the first time I set my eyes on you, son of my best friend and my godson, my child in heart. You've been deprived of the basics needs for so long. I'm here to change it Harry. You wont have to suffer alone. Having nightmare and needing comfort doesn't make you childish; Crying doesn't make you weak; Being special doesn't make you a freak." Sirius cupped Harry's face to take a good look at those green orbs. "I love you, Harry James." The man mumbled into his godson's hair and pulling the still too small boy into his arms. Once the boy's breathing returned to normal Sirius stood up with his godson on his arms once again and made his way to the hospital bed. Once he tried to lay down the boy, Harry - who was almost asleep - clung to him resulting in the ex-convict leaning against the headboard and the boy lying on his chest held in a protective embrace. After a while Sirius heard the boy's breath calm down again and whispered. "Harry? I want you to come to me if you ever have a nightmare again, alright? You don't have to suffer on your own." Harry shook his head on Sirius' chest.

"Why not, huh? My love won't change for anything in the world. It's completely normal for someone who's seen the horrors that you did. You're still be my pup, nothing can change that." After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence Sirius asked again stroking the boys hair. "What was it about, Harry? Want to share?" Harry shook his head in Sirius chest and started to get worked up again. "Shh puppy. That's okay. You can talk to me, Harry. It will make you feel better. Please trust me."

The pleading was the key and suddenly Harry found himself unable to hold back his words as he recorded his nightmare. A nightmare of what made him afraid was the whiteness of the room, the whiteness of the clothes, the furniture. He told Sirius of the man who made him feel dirty, exposed and violated even without actually raping him. Of how the man looked at him and took pictures of the black haired boy, pale as snow in the snow-white room.

To be continued...

A/N: Well this chapter took an unexpected turn, but well. It is not my best chapter and it proved really hard to write, I only was able to after researching more and watching films on child abuse. I like to know exactly what I'm writing about so I can improve it and while bedwetting won't be a problem to Harry it still happens more than we know of. No flames, please.

On the brighter side I want to say that I'm doing great, winning battles against my mind everyday and thank you all for the support. Aaaaaaand on the 1st was my 16th birthday! YAY!

DO I HAVE ANY BRITISH READERS?

Why do I ask? Well in exact two months I will be going to Chichester, West Sussex to study abroad for a year. I would love to chat with you and maybe make new friends or get some advice. That is also the reason of taking so long to update, I have to sort everything out.

So just PM me if you want to talk or e-mail me on :)