So, I don't even want to talk about how awful an author I am for not updating. So, I just want to say SORRY! And, to defend myself, I've been having a rough time. So...pity reviews are MUCH appreciated. This chapter is a little darker than most, not only because the story needs it, but also because my boyfriend and I just broke up (HINT: PITY REVIEWS), yesterday. Yeah. So. Please enjoy and please please PLEASE review.

Pupparoux

Chapter Twenty-Five: Changes, Moving on, and Tears

Charlie sat in the dark on the cold, hard wooden floor. The door was closed, though it wouldn't lock, the windows were closed and had the heavy drapes closed against the light of mid-afternoon. Her arms curled around her knees which were pulled up to her chest as she tried to keep the empty hole where her heart had been ripped out from tearing her apart. The pain she felt was more than self pity. She knew what she had done to her friends. She had saved them, but by doing so she would never be able to see them again. She would never see Lily and James' little baby. She would never get to see their two children grow up and play. She would never see anyone she cared about. Not Remus, or James or Lily or...Sirius. She hugged her belly closer. She was starting to show now...

She would never see Sirius again. The hole's edges ripped a little wider. She would never tell him about their baby, if the baby wasn't killed. She would never have the life she dreamed of with him, the perfect life in their little flat with their friends and a little baby pattering around and breaking dishes. She couldn't get Sirius' face out of her mind. And not the face of happy times, the one she would have given anything to remember. No. She couldn't recall that face for any amount of galleons. All she could remember were his tears, the hurt behind his dark eyes, the betrayal. She had ruined it. She had done her job all too well of making him believe that she didn't love him anymore. Charlie didn't think she would ever be able to face his again, not after what she had done.

The door across the room opened slowly.

"Charlie," a deep voice called.

Charlie ignored him, turning to face the wall as she hugged her legs closer to her, hoping to hide her ever growing belly.

"Chars..."

Charlie took off her shoe and threw it at the voice. She heard a smack, but it was only against the door, it hadn't connected with a face or other body part.

"Charlie, you need to stop that. You need to eat something. Look, I've brought you some food. Your favorite, stroganoff."

"I hate stroganoff," Charlie spat back. Her stomach heaved at the thought of noodles.

The door opened wider and she heard someone come into the room.

"So tell me what you want," said the voice, losing the patience. "I can get you anything."

"How about my freedom, you smarmy bastard?"

"Well..." there was a smirk behind his words, "Anything but that. You do need to eat something, I won't have you starving yourself."

It's not only myself I'm starving...Charlie thought with remorse. "Oh go fu–"

"Now, now, Chars."

And he was right in front of her, pulling her arms apart from around herself and dragging her to her feet.

"You know I don't like that language. And you, as a lady shouldn't talk like that." He had put a strange inflection on the word lady. "You could be treated a lot worse, if you so desire."

"Don't call me Chars," Charlie said. "I don't like you. We're not friends and therefore you have no right to call me that."

"I'll call you whatever I damn well please, and don't you forget it, Charlie."

She could see that she was annoying Evan. His ice gray eyes were tight and narrowed.

"You ought to be more grateful, you know. If you knew what some of the other boys wanted to do to you...well, you would be thanking me on hands and knees."

Charlie bit back a retort.

Evan touched the side of Charlie's pale face, she flinched as though he'd slapped her. Her dark, dirty hair fell in front of her face. She hadn't washed or changed in days. She'd barely gotten up and moved around. She hated her captivity. She also knew it drove Evan mad to see her so filthy.

Evan moved his other hand to the other side of Charlie's face, moving it gently so that her face was angled toward his. "It's been three months. Would you like a check-up on how your friends are doing?"

Charlie kept her eyes averted. "LOOK AT ME!" Evan bellowed.

Charlie closed her eyes, took a deep breath...

"If you don't look at me, I will not hesitate to use magic in order to force you...and that could end...unpleasantly and not only for you."

She opened her eyes and looked into his. She tried to put as much hate and malice as she could into them. It must have worked because when she looked at him, Evan's eyes flicked away as though he had looked into the sun.

"You know, all of your friends believed exactly what you told Sirius. It must have been some performance. I'm sorry I missed it, but glad you didn't try anything funny. Otherwise, it could go very badly for them. And, even though you are here, it still might. Especially if you die from not eating. So, unless you want some harm Lily, who is looking bigger and bigger with that half-blood brat growing in her belly by the day, or the proud Potter or the poppin-jay Black, you'll force something down that throat of yours, before I do it for you. Or worse, some of the other boys could do it for you. And if they are forcing anything down your throat, I can assure you, it won't be food..."

"Go to hell," Charlie said, not breaking eye contact now that he wanted it. "I hope you burn forever. I hope before you get to hell that you die in the most horrible, dishonorable, painful, pitiful, solitary way imaginable."

"Well, looks who's found her spunk."

"I'm so sick of you. Of being here. Of being threatened all the time, or worrying I might be raped by the other demented members of this household. I say, let them try. Enough of these threats. I have become immune to such empty promises. Either act or shut the hell up. I will not stand for it anymore. And just let them try to do anything to me."

"Miss Masayano, are YOU giving demands? I don't think you are in any position to do such a thing."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Well, other than you not being in possession of your wand?" Evan asked, slyly. He had an unpleasant twist to his mouth, as though his next argument would stop Charlie dead.

"I know how to fight without magic, unlike you useless so-called purebloods. I'm not afraid to wrap my hands around someone's neck..."

"What about...the baby?"

Charlie looked at Evan, open-mouthed. "What are you talking about?" she spat, lying quickly. "My stomach is distended from hardly eating for a few weeks, that happens, you know. Merlin, you're such as asshole. I can't believe you."

"You can't fool us, Charlie. Though you are a clever girl, we slipped a sleeping potion into your water first day you got here. We wanted to make sure you were healthy and would...endure for a while. While you were out, I had one of our healers examine you. I had my suspicions, you see...you could have been someone else who had taken Polyjuice Potion or you could have given yourself some vile poison that would kill you in a few days with us none the wiser...and now I know I was right. There was some sort of weird glow about you when I met you at Lily's all those weeks ago." He paused and then laughed a dry, humor-less laugh. "Such a filthy little whore. What about waiting until you were married, as you said to me? What did the infamous Sirius Black do in order to loosen those tan legs of yours?" He leered at her.

"Again, Rosier, go to hell."

"And you're six months along now...oh dear. The baby can't be doing too well, what with you not eating and all. Very under-nourished."

Charlie felt guilty, but didn't let it show. She would rather her precious innocent little baby die inside of her than be birthed within this Death Eater strong hold. Who knew what might happen to the baby if Charlie had it here.

"But not to worry. I foresaw you being this stubborn and stupid. And while most of my colleagues were all for you starving yourself and the little monstrosity within you, I took it upon myself to keep the both of you healthy. Why do you think you haven't lost any weight? Or that you haven't been feeling any more tired than usual? Other than the depression you seem unwilling to come out of, you are in prefect health."

The guilt that she had been feeling for starving her baby disappeared. He was perfectly healthy. He would be coming on schedule...into this world... "You are a monster."

"A monster, Charlie? Oh no, I am quite tame. I will raise this child as my own. I will teach him my ways, teach him to be the perfect servant of the Dark Lord. And the three of us will lead the perfect life. We alone shall be the most faithful servants of the Dark Lord and he will grant us favors upon favors. We will want for nothing. I will take care of you in a way that Black never could. I will provide for you. You will never have to run or hide or fear for your life...so long as you obey my every word."

Charlie stared at him, stunned. Slowly a look of revolution came to settle upon her face. "What kind of life is that?! I will never be a servant of Voldermort..."

Rosier hissed at the name.

"Yes, I dare say it allowed. I know what he does. I know of all the people he has killed and has been trying to kill. I know what he thinks about my kind. DO you really think it will be fine with him that you are coupled with a mudblood? I doubt that. He would rather kill me, no matter how loyal you are. And I would rather die. Both my baby and I. We would rather be with Sirius, in hiding, running for our lives than pseudo-safe with you. We will never be safe with you. And my son will have no part of you. He will never call you anything. He will hate you. He will curse you. He will..."

Evan backhanded Charlie so hard across the face that she went crashing to the ground. She twisted her body so that she fell on her back, so as to shield the baby. She scrambled onto her feet as Rosier slowly walked back to her.

"He will hate you. Curse you. Cuss you. Kick you. Bite you. HATE YOU."

Rosier grabbed Charlie by the hair and began dragging her out of the room.

"You will get cleaned up. Enough of this depression. I won't tolerate it anymore. Then you will eat some food with me and then come to be with me. You will look presentable each day. And if you fail to do this...well, I can't keep protecting you if you won't even protect yourself."

"NEVER!" Charlie screamed as she tried to jerk away, but only succeeded in ripping hair painfully from her head. Evan had too good a grip on her hair. Her neck twisted painfully and she cried out. Rosier continued to drag her to the bathroom. All of the rest of members of the house came to watch her get roughly scrubbed down. Rosier tossed her into the little room with a tub, a toilet and a sink and followed her in, closing the door behind himself, and shutting the others just outside

Charlie stumbled and came to rest with her hands upon the sink basin, supporting her weight and breathing heavily from her fight and her fatigue. One hand came up protectively to her belly.

Rosier waved his wand and a bar of soap, shampoo, conditioner, a wash cloth and a towel came out of the end and landed neatly onto the edge of the tub. He flicked his wand again and the tub filled with steaming, slightly vanilla scented, and bubble covered water.

Evan closed the toilet seat lid and sat upon it, facing Charlie.

"You won't be in here watching me bathe, Rosier." Charlie said almost without expression.

Evan ignored her as though she hadn't even spoken. "Would you like to hear about your friends as you spruce yourself up? I could tell you about them. Anything you want to know..." he paused, waiting for her response.

Charlie didn't move or speak. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the wall above Rosier's head.

Evan stood up and walked slowly toward Charlie. "I'm going to count to ten, and so help me, you had better be out of those disgusting clothes and in that tub or--"

"Or what?" asked Charlie, her arms still crossed. She didn't have any sense of self-preservation anymore. She hated the predicament that she was in and felt helpless that she couldn't change it. "You'll force me?" What could he possibly do to her? He had already take everything from her except the baby...my poor, poor child. I'm so sorry little one. I do love you. More than you can know. But I would rather you die than be brought into this world under these circumstances.

Evan didn't answer. He simply flicked his wand again and Charlie's clothes disappeared. He then, politely, turned his back to her with out giving her body a glance.

"Please, Charlie," he said. "You need this."

Charlie fought back tears of indignation as she walked over and got into the tub, sinking into the hot water. Instantly the bubbles covered her. Evan turned around.

"Now, how about those stories?"

Three Months Ago

"Give me another."His dark hair was obscuring his face as he stared intently at the wooden bar top, trying to bore a hole through it with his eyes.

"I think you've had enough, don't you?"the friend on his right asked, nonchalantly.

"Obviously not. That's why I asked for another. Barkeep..." he pointed to the two empty shot glasses in front of him. "Today if you please."

The friend on the dark-haired man's left spoke to the barkeep now, "Don't give him anymore."

"You can't tell me I've had enough!!" Sirius slammed his fist down onto the bar top. "What does it matter if I drink until I pass out. What does it matter if I throw up my weight?! I'm young! I do this all the time..."

"You haven't done this since about 6th year, mate," said James. "And you may recall how badly you felt that next morning."

Sirius thought about it and remembered the splitting headache, the dry mouth, the nausea whenever he moved...and decided it was worth it. He raised his hand, signaling the bartender again.

Remus pushed Sirius' hand down. "Enough," he said with authority. "Let's just go home."

"YOU go," Sirius said. "I'm going out."

"Where?" asked James and Remus together.

"OUT!" Sirius yelled, getting angrier and angrier.

James and Remus were silent as they stared at their heart-broken friend. They knew he would never admit it, but they could see. Charlie hadn't given a good reason why she was leaving. They all suspected that she was being forced, but couldn't prove it. Nor could they find her. They were still searching and keeping their ears open, but...they still hadn't heard anything and it'd been three weeks.

Sirius had been stubborn about it. But Charlie had hurt him, the boys could see that. He was acting tough trying to conceal his real feelings.

Two Months Ago

Remus sighed. Another girl. Sirius had been trying them out like they were socks. He watched as Sirius smoozed with her. Making her laugh like he did all the others. But the girls he was choosing were shallow, hollow shells. All bland, mostly blonde. They were nothing like Charlie had been. Though, he supposed, that was the general point. They never lasted long, a two day one night stand, if that. And he wasn't even sure they were sleeping together. He doubted he would be sleeping with them. Remus didn't think that Sirius had it in him. Sirius could put on a good front, but Remus knew the truth.

Remus knew that Sirius was still holding the torch for Charlie, hoping that she would surface and come back to him. Remus and James and Lily were hoping that too. With all their hearts. They hated seeing Sirius in the state he was in.

Three weeks ago

Lily heard the sound: the deep, rumbling RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. He was down the street. He and that damn motor bike. The huge monstrosity that was a death trap, she worried about him. He had done away with his anger-stage and gone into the daredevil stage. The stupid-boy stage. He got an earing, a dragon fang that dangled from his left ear. He'd gotten a tattoo all across his back and down the backsides of his arms. Then he got the bike and the leather jacket and the boots. He'd wanted a bike forever...but now, he finally got one. His hair was getting longer. He didn't wear a helmet. He drove much too fast.

He burst into her kitchen. "Well, hello Mrs. Potter!"

He was being falsely cheery. Oh Sirius.

"Hello Sirius," Lily beamed back at him. "Can I get you anything?" Lily moved a little awkwardly with her pregnant belly in the way.

"Maybe a firewhiskey?" he asked hopefully.

Not on your life, Black. Not with you driving that thing out there. "Nope, sorry, Padfoot. James gave it up since I can't have it. So...none in the house."

"Damn. How about some of that ginger tea you're so fond of?" he grinned rakishly at her.

There he goes again with the cheery and the false smiles, she thought. "How's it going?"she asked as she put the kettle on.

"Fairly well. But what about you?" he asked her. He got up and walked over to her, placing a hand wistfully onto her belly. She noticed that he looked at his hand, resting there. What was he thinking?

"How's that baby boy? Little James Junior..."

Lily had to laugh. "We think it's a girl. Well, I do. James is thrilled with either. He's hoping it's twins."

"That's my Jamesipoo," Sirius said with a sigh. He gave Lily's belly one more pat and then moved toward the door. "I think I'm heading out, Lils. I've...got some stuff to do." And he made for the door.

"I'm glad Sirius is so happy with his other women." Charlie tried to keep the hurt out of her voice.

"You should have seen them. Such pretty things. All thin and blonde..."

Charlie turned away from him, tears running down her face into the tub.

Rosier looked at her and smiled to himself.

Charlie needed to get out. She had to tell Sirius the truth...she needed someone to help her. Somehow she needed to help herself...but how?

Please review if you got this far!

Love from,

Pupparoux