Sirius was exhausted. He had just spent the night apparating again and again in the wintry cold of January and could feel that his legs were barely holding him. Sirius had waited for Mr. Acker to carry his suitcase to the accommodation he occupied in the city center, see him from the living room window, make a phone call, and then only he took off. He wandered along the deserted walkway along the Elbe River, where the howling wind was so loud that it covered the traffic's noise. He reached an old newspaper kiosk that reminded him of the summer of his fifteen years. James, Remus, Peter, and himself had taken a little trip to the continent, a boys trip. One of the places where they had landed in had been Hamburg, where he smiled as he stood in the very spot where he was at the moment, recalling how he and James had thrown Peter into the river, ignoring Remus' protests. What he wouldn't do to have the chance to go back in time and tie an anvil to that son of bitch feet. Sirius turned his back to the river and climbed the stairs leading up to the square dominated by Hamburg's city hall. Passers-by would gather around street performers who enlivened the place, some by playing the violin, others by juggling with a football, etc... The most cautious thing would be returning to his dog form and wander around like a stray dog. He may have been far from the United Kingdom but was sure to be wanted worldwide. However, he needed this moment of foolishness. Since escaping Azkaban, he had spent so much time on all fours, sleeping on the ground or in a dog's mind, that he was beginning to lose his sanity. He considered himself lucky to have come across that kid. After the events that had happened in France with Ryan, Rais, and Julie...That evil bitch... He's going to make her pay someday... He could well have let himself be carried away by grudge and hatred and become the criminal that the rest of the world thought he was. However, the months he had just spent with the Acker family had calmed him down...On the other hand, helping the kid take control of her life helped him start to make peace with himself or put him on the right path.
Sirius was hungry as never. He hadn't eaten anything since the afternoon before when he had stolen muffins just out of the oven from under Mrs. Acker's nose. The chase that followed in the house had been hilarious, and he was looking forward to the moment when he would tell the story to Alexa. Without noticing it, his legs brought him to the window of a bakery where the owner had exposed his work... He rummaged through his pockets; he didn't have a penny... The crazy idea to take out his wand and rob the bakery crossed his mind briefly before sighing, tired...It was at that moment that something froze him on the spot, made his blood run cold...No, he was delirious, it couldn't be possible... The reflection of a man on the other pavement, staring at him, had appeared in the window.
A tall man, with brown hair, wearing worn-out clothes although better than the ones himself was wearing...The man raised a hand and stepped forward to cross the street when Sirius suddenly started to run. He ran like a wild animal down the main avenue, knocking down the passers-by in front of him, who cursed him. The man ran after him and was not going to let him slip away, determined to capture him; after all, it was a personal matter. Sirius went into an alley on his right in an attempt to lose his pursuer, and without paying attention, he violently crashed into a bicycle, falling to the ground before getting up again in a hurry. He had to keep going. Sirius had to avoid this fight. Despite his leg hurting him since his fall, he kept running, despite the fatigue accumulated during the night. The sounds of their running steps on the paved floor in the deserted alley loudly echoed around him. When a red flash of light passed close by, narrowly missing his right shoulder, he realized he had no way out. He had to take the risk...He thought with all his strength about the Acker house and then swung on the spot.
"MOM!" Cried Alexa, who had knelt on the kitchen floor next to her mother, shaking her by the shoulders, "Please don't panic! I'll explain everything later, but please save him first".
Her mother dropped her knife and turned towards her, her eyes wide open, before emerging from her stupor and pushed her away to get up. She rushed, without saying a word to him, to Sirius, who was bleeding all over the kitchen table.
"Alexa! Hand me the scissors...Look in the drawer..." she ordered, pointing to the drawer where Mrs. Acker kept the tableware.
Alexa did so and put a large pair of scissors in her mother's hands and stood by her side, watching her cut out the pullover that Sirius was wearing.
"Don't just stand there and do nothing! Go and get my first aid kit! In my bedroom wardrobe! RUN!".
Alexa didn't protest. She ran upstairs and returned a few moments later to the kitchen where she found her mother, to her great surprise, leaning casually against the fridge—staring at the man.
"It's nothing... It's a superficial wound," she said, taking the bag from her hands.
Alexa approached the table in silence; the place where Sirius was bleeding looked like a sword wound.
"Don't touch it! said her mother. "It's not serious, but you mustn't let it get infected," cleaning the wound with alcohol, using Cotton swabs." He won't need stitches. I just need to put on some bandages, and you can help me carry him up to your room. »
Alexa let out a sigh of relief as she sat down on the nearest chair, thinking about what could have happened? She looked at her mother working, admiring her calm and the promptness with which she had dealt with the situation. A few minutes later, she cleaned her forehead with a towel lying around and turned towards Alexa.
"Help me carry him...Be careful, he's not bleeding anymore, but it could begin again. She said to her. "When it's done, you and I are going to talk. "
"Yes, Mom"
Carrying Sirius up the stairs was no easy task, mostly because he weighed more than their combined weight. After several pauses, they managed to lift him to Alexa's bed, where they laid him on his back before leaving the bedroom and walked downstairs to the living room.
"Well... I'm listening.", said her mother with a coldness she didn't know to her.
"It's a long story...I don't know where to start...". Alexa replied, fleeing her gaze.
"From the beginning. Tell me everything, without lying," Mrs. Acker said sharply.
For the first time they looked at each other, her mother's expression was neutral. She didn't betray nor show any emotion. Alexa knew there was a chance that she would find out the truth, but she could never have imagined it would be this way. Alexa sighed resignedly, and then she began her story. She told her everything, about the problematic debut at the academy, her meeting with Sirius, the training in the forest, the strange dreams she was having more and more and concluded with the very unpleasant discussion she had in the Headmaster's office that same morning. Her mother listened to her attentively, without interrupting her even once, showing an unruffled face. At the end of her story, Alexa fell silent, looked her mother in the eyes, scrutinizing the slightest reaction on her part. Then her mother sighed slowly, turned her eyes away from her daughter, rubbed her forehead, and stood up without saying a word. She moved towards the fireplace and placed a few logs in it, rekindling the fire, which was beginning to die down before moving towards the stairs and stopping altogether when Alexa called out to her.
"Mom... please... say something..." Alexa asked hesitantly.
"You can sleep here tonight... If you need another blanket, there's more in the cupboard... If you're hungry, there's everything you need in the kitchen. Good night. "She said to her before going to bed, without a single look.
The months of February and March passed quickly, then came April, and the snow melted, giving way to spring and green expanses as far as the eye could see. The townsfolk who spent the winter hidden from the cold had now taken over the village's bars and restaurants' terraces. However, since the evening when Sirius had returned, the mood in the house had been bleak. Although her mother had agreed to host Sirius in their home, she had only spoken to her daughter on rare occasions. Mrs. Acker would leave her breakfast ready on the table and leave early in the morning for work. Alexa tried several times to break the ice. Both had been very close since she was born; she knew she had disappointed her and was willing to do anything to make it up to her. However, all her attempts to reconnect had smashed against the invisible wall of ice that had stood between them. Sirius had quickly recovered from his injury, and now that winter had passed, it was time to leave, as promised. But he couldn't leave without making things right. Sirius already had enough on his conscience to disappear after tearing a family apart. He found the person he was looking for in the living room, sitting near the chimney.
He cleared his throat and then approached her from the stairwell "Mrs. Acker...".
She raised her head towards him before turning back her eyes on the fire. Sirius didn't give up. He walked towards her, dragging a chair behind him, and sat down with her.
"I thought I made it clear. I gave my consent for you to stay here on the condition that you would stay..."
"And I would be grateful to you all my life, but you will still listen to me. "Sirius cut it off.
"Why should I? This is my home."
"For your daughter. If you still think of her as your daughter, because these last two... "But before finishing his sentence, the palm of Mrs. Acker's hand came to find his cheek, cutting him short violently.
"How dare you imply that I could disown my daughter? "She asked him, gratifying him with a disgusted look.
"A simple attempt at humor... to break the ice. "Sirius replied.
"You're the only one laughing. "she replied.
"I'm sorry, that was inappropriate. "said Sirius. "But please, Mrs. Acker. Listen to me... Alexa is not well. »
"She's not the only one," she retorted.
"You've seen very little of her in the last two months. I've been with her always...Whether it's here or at the academy...Listen...She cries...She hardly ever sleeps, and when she does, it's only to wake up from a nightmare two hours later...She cries all day long; she hardly ever eats. "Said, Sirius.
The woman's face softened, bit her lip, lowering her eyes to the fire.
"I'm leaving tonight, I promise...But I can't leave her like this... She's in her room, go and talk to her. I've tried everything to cheer her up, but I think you're the only one who can do something. She admires you, you know..."
"I can't believe that she lied to me, that she took me for an idiot," said Mrs. Acker tearfully.
"Since I've been here, I've seen that you, your husband, and Alexa are bound together by Love and trust that goes beyond the most powerful forms of magic I know. »
"If our bond is so strong ...If we mean so much to her...Why didn't she tell me, on the first day...Not just about you, but what those girls did to her...Not a word..."
"Because she loves you so much that she's willing to put up with anything rather than have you worry. »
"It's stupid. »
"Love has its reasons that reason does not know. "Said Sirius softly. "Wouldn't you have done it for her? »
"I am her mother. I am the one who must protect her, not the other way around. »
"Alexa is no longer a child...The world of wizards is challenging. We don't stay kids for very long. Listen to me, Mrs. My opinion is worth what it's worth, but I think you are making the biggest mistake of your life. The longer you drag this situation out, the more your bond will crumble, and a time will come when there will be no possible turning back. By that time, you will have lost your daughter. Is this what you want? DON'T HIT ME! "Said Sirius when he saw the woman raise her hand a second time.
"I know, but..."
"All her life, Alexa will make mistakes. Whether out of ignorance, lack of life experience, or any other cause. Your role as a mother is not to nurse her like a baby all her life. It's to mentor her and to be the adult who knows how to balance things out. Alexa is twelve, don't ask her to reason like a 35-year-old woman would. "Said, Sirius. "You should be proud of her. »
"I am..."
"Well, show it! I know some wizards and witches who would have sold me to the ministry without the slightest hesitation; some would have killed me. Others would, if they had gone through what your daughter went because of those kids at the academy, would have given up. Alexa showed outstanding bravery, kindness, and personality. She endured without complaint, gave a home to a man in need, worked hard to become better, and confronted these fears. I would be a fulfilled man if I had her as my daughter. »
"I am fulfilled...".
"Prove it! Go upstairs to see her! And tell her! "Said Sirius sharply before adding. "As promised, now that winter is over, I'll be leaving tonight. As soon as you two have finished talking, I will say goodbye to Alexa and disappear from your lives. »
Mrs. Acker looked at him silently for a long time before slowly getting up and heading for the stairs. Sirius slumped down in his armchair, stretching his legs out in front of him, a big satisfied smile on his lips that vanished when he heard Mrs. Acker's voice telling him from the stairs.
"You will have to stay at least one more day with us, Mr. Black...My husband is on his way to spend the Easter holidays with his family, and it would be only civil courtesy if you explained to him in person and apologized to him too. And I must warn you. He has a long history as a boxer. I would avoid implying that he does not love his daughter if I were in your place. »
Janna and Rhea were lying on the grass in their usual place, sharing a pair of earphones and a joint. The sky was bright, letting the sun's beams warm their faces. They were talking about everything and nothing. She drank her words while staring at her, amazed by her beauty. She would gladly spend hours, days, all her life listening to her. She couldn't keep it to herself anymore; it was consuming her. That's why when Rhea turned her head towards her, Janna took her courage in both hands, closed her eyes, and glued her lips together; the feeling of her soft lips made her shiver. When she opened her eyes again to see the other girl's reaction, she didn't find a smile on Rhea's face, only an expression of surprise, a shocked air. An awkward silence between them followed, during which Janna's heart was wondering if there was still some point in continuing to beat; Rhea broke the silence.
"What the fuck was that?" Asked Rhéa, straightening up.
"Rhéa…Im sorry. I tough that…" tried to explain Janna, getting up.
"YOU THOUGHT THAT WHAT?" Shooted at her, Rhéa making her step back.
They look at each other for a moment, then Janna burst into tears, turned her back, and ran away, ignoring Rhea's calls. She ran into the forest, crying herself out, cursing herself for being so stupid. She didn't know how long she had run; all she cared about is to lose Rhéa. She could never meet her eyes again. The Shame and guilt duo won't allow it. She just lost her best friend since she was five and made a fool of herself in front of the person for who she had fallen. She finally stopped; her feet were too painful to carry on running. She leaned against an immense tree, wiping away her tears. Her eyes were now dry, and she realized she was in front of a strange place.
A circular clearing was in the middle of this dense forest. She approached the new site slowly, her eyes scanning the area. The center was an old stone archway; a ragged veil was floating within it, dancing as if invisible objects were continually crossing the Archway. But the strangest thing was the hundreds of stone statues that surrounded the arcade, all of them displaying a level of detail that made it impossible for them to be human-made. A terrible atmosphere reigned in the surrounding area. The arcade seemed to exude an aura of danger that provoked a strangely paradoxical feeling in her, she was dying to get close to it, but at the same time, she was incredibly afraid of it. Janna strolled, her eyes fixed on the construction as if hypnotized, until she was startled, letting out a scream of fear when she felt a hand behind her landing on her shoulder.
"Calm down! It's just me!" Said Rhé, who had caught up.
Janna turned towards her, avoiding her gaze. "What are you doing here?" she asked her.
"I couldn't leave you in this forest alone…Yuna disappeared here, remember?"
"Thank you… Listen, Rhéa…About earlier…"
"Don't mention it!" Rhéa cut her. "I shouldn't have reacted that way… Let's not talk about it…What is this place, anyway?"
"Right… I don't know…I had no idea it was here…" answered Janna.
"Look at all these statues…It's incredible…" said Rhéa, examining a statue near where she stood.
"Yeah…Have you noticed?" Asked Janna.
"What?" Asked Rhéa.
"They all look surprised…" said Janna pointing at their faces
"Yeah…Weird…And what the hell is that?" Asked Rhéa showing her the Archway.
"I don't know…But I don't feel right around it…We should leave this place Rhéa. We should go straight home and contact the Auror office.
Maybe this is related to the Yuna and Kaia disappearances…" Said Janna. "Rhéa, are you listening to what I'm saying ?" she added when she saw Rhéa walking towards the Archway, ignoring her. "RHÉA!"
"Yes, I'm with you!" said Rhéa, angry," Stop shooting and come see this! You can read Runes, right?"
Janna joined her in front of the Archway, where she found Rhéa staring at a dark stone stele, on which golden symbols and motifs were engraved.
"What does it say?" Rhéa asked, curious.
Janna knelt in front of it and took her time to study it before answering.
"It's a letter or more exactly a suicide note…"
"Grim …" commented Rhéa. "So, does it say anything about what this place ?"
"No…Not a word about it…Ok… it's divided into three parts… A man wrote it. In the first part, he says that he trusted his mother's stone to his daughter, gave her instructions about how to use it, and to keep it safe…To not worry about the sword. It's in good hands. Ok, that was the first part…The second one is very confusing…"
"Is it erased?"Asked Rhéa, who sat down next to her.
"No…The stone is pretty well concerved…It's the words he used that are a little bit confusing...Ok, in the second part, he makes fun of someone called Enigma…Or Riddle…Calls him an abomination, king or lord of stupidity..."
"He must hate him is he mentioned him…" Said Rhéa.
"Maybe…In the third part, he apologies…Yes, this sentence is pretty clear… he expresses his deepest regrets and apologies to two women, Myrtle Warren and Ginevra Weasley…"
"He cheated on them…Asshole!"
"And finally…He places his hopes in a jar…Or a pot… It is signed, Salazar Slytherin."
"Completely useless... It doesn't tell us anything about this place. "Said Rhea angrily, kicking the stele, breaking it.
"Rhea! Why did you do that?! This stele must be hundreds of years old! "Janna lectured her.
Rhea shrugged her shoulders before turning her back to the Archway and approaching the statues. Janna rolled her eyes, annoyed by her behavior, and joined her. They wandered between the figures, inspecting the faces, trying to guess the identity of the people who had served as models, inventing stories for them. If one had to judge by the way they were dressed, the people depicted seemed to have lived in different periods. However, one was different from the others. All the statues had an expression of surprise or fear, except one which, on the contrary, represented a knight in full armor, brandishing a sword and adopting a fierce pose. Yuna would have liked to see this; she had been fascinated by the medieval period since primary school.
"If Yuna had been here with us, she would have wept until we would have agreed to take this statue back with us...Right? "Said Janna to Rhéa, who was motionless in front of a statue representing a young girl.
"Janna, come and see... Don't you think she looks like..." said Rhea.
"Yuna! "completed Janna, slapping her hand in front of her mouth. "NO WAIT, RHEA! "Janna shouted when she saw Rhea taking out her wand..." You break her! Maybe she's still alive inside..."
Rhea nodded her head and lowered her wand: "Janna...Maybe Kaia is around here somewhere too! We have to look for her! "Looking around her excitedly.
"Calm down! Please, calm down! We must not panic! "Janna said softly, putting her hands on her shoulders. "We're going to help them! I promise! First, we'll go back to the village and send an owl to the ministry. We'll ask them to send the auror from the other day with help! »
Rhea slowly calmed down and nodded. At that moment, Janna saw it behind Rhea and understood that her fate was probably already sealed. She called upon all her magic and courage not to give in to panic and fear and then spoke to her friend calmly.
"Rhéa...Please, stay calm and do not turn around...Trust me...".
"What's going on? "Rhea asked, raising an eyebrow.
"At my signal... You're going to run... Don't turn around...Run as far as you can...Without a single glance behind you, no matter what you hear." Janna whispered to her.
"Is it that terrifying?» The girl asked, lowering her voice, her eyes locked in hers.
"Yes..."
"I'll stay with you... we'll fight together. "Said Rhea firmly.
"No ... One of us has to go and alert everyone. "Said Janna, reaching out to her wand in her back pocket." "Get ready..."
"I'm better than you in dueling...I stay here instead. "Said Rhea, whose eyes were now wet.
"No...You ...You maybe haven't been spotted yet...Jana, it's getting closer...Listen...I love you...I don't regret kissing you before...Now, RUN!" Janna shouted, raising her wand.
Curled up on her bed, facing the wall, Alexa did not hear her mother enter her bedroom. It was only when she felt her lips against her cheek, warming her whole body, that she became aware of it. She jumped up to her and wrapped her arms tightly around her neck, afraid she might change her mind and leave. Her mother was happy to hug her tightly; words were useless when the feelings were sincere. Her mother laid down by her side on the bed, still holding her. They remained in silence for a long time, happy to be together again. With her head resting on her mother's chest, Alexa, who was caressing her hair, finally broke the silence.
"Mom...I apologize...I messed up, and I hurt you," said Alexa.
"I've already forgiven you, sweetie... However, you indeed hurt me... Learning what you were going through, not noticing anything... Alexa put yourself in my place for a moment. A fugitive on the run has been more there for you than your own mother...I understand that you didn't want to tell me anything that you didn't want me to worry; I would have done the same thing with your grandmother...But, me, your mom, didn't realize anything, I let you down. "answered her mum.
"No, that's not true! You never let me down! Every moment I spend with you, I was happy every second! But you have to understand that I can't always come to you and cry; I have to stand for myself! "Said Alexa, her words making her mother chuckled, hugging her even more tightly.
"You know, curiously, all parents want their children to learn to rely on themselves, to grow up and be independent...And at the same time, we dread the day when our babies become women and men. »
"You know mum, I'm only twelve years old... I'll still be here for a long time, you don't have to worry about that...". Said, Alexa
"I know, but..."
"I'm not going anywhere; I'll still be living here with you when I'm 40. "Said Alexa firmly.
"Oh my darling, that's so sweet of you...However, when you turn eighteen, I'll throw you out! I'm not going to spend my life doing your laundry! "replied her mom, laughing.
"Useless! Even if I lived on the other side of the world, I'd still send you a laundry basket and beg for food. »
"I missed this...Your sense of humor...You always find ways to make me laugh," Said her mom.
"I got that from you! »
"Of course! How do you think I seduced your father? »
"Maybe because you're gorgeous, super smart, and sweet at the same time..." Alexa replied.
"Thank you, my darling..."
"I wish I was as pretty as you..." Alexa said shyly.
"What are you talking about? You are wonderful! Look at your hair, your beautiful eyes, your face! I won't change anything in you! »
"Thank you, Mom..."
"If you want to know, your father says you looked like me when I was your age, and I agree with him! "Her mom confessed.
"Is it true? "Asked Alexa.
"Yes, you've got his eyes, but he says you're a mini version of me, really a very mini version, almost micro..."
"I got it! "replied Alexa, laughing.
"I wanted to talk to you about Sirius." Said her mother in a concerned voice.
"Don't worry; he's planning to leave very soon. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him. »
"I know he just told me... You two seem to be very important to each other... He's very handsome, but you're still very..."
"MOM...Gross... That's not what's happening at all! »
"I just wanted to make sure ...".
"I promise you it's nothing...Romantic... He's 23, and I'm 12...It would be disgusting, and I'm not interested in boys anyway! I've already told you everything...Sirius and I made a deal, I allowed him to stay here, and in return, he promised to train me and teach me more about magic and my world. Of course, we spent a lot of time together, we became very close, and he is my best friend, like a big brother but nothing more. »
"I see...I am happy that he helped you so much...You indeed seem to have gained confidence in yourself recently...You give the impression of being stronger, more determined. »
"It's the case! No one dares to mess with me anymore! I'm badass now! "said Alexa.
"So now he's your best friend...I thought it was me..." Said her mom, her voice sounding hurt.
"Mom! You know what I meant! If he is my best friend, you are like my ultra super best friend! Equal first with dad, of course."
"I can leave with that," said her mom smiling. "I'm glad we talked, Alexa, and that you are more and more becoming self-independent, but please don't keep me in the dark again. Whatever is the problem, come and talk to your dad and me."
"I promise, mom! I regret what I did, and I won't do again."
"Great!" Said her mom tickling her with her small finger. "Pinky swear?"
"Mom...We are not kids..."
"PIIIIINKKYYYYYYY SWEEEEAAAAR!" She insisted.
"Ok... If you insist..." Said Alexa hooking her small finger with her moms.
"All right! I warn you, Alexa, mother/daughter pinky swear is sacred! You can't run away from it!"
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Wonderful...Now that we talked, let's get downstairs. You'll help me with dinner. Your dad will arrive shortly!"
"DAD IS COMING TODAY? YOU DIDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING!"
"Now, you know how I feel... let's move! I don't trust that man around my kitchen. I'm sure now that he steals food! I caught him stealing my muffins one day!"
"YES, HE DOES!"
They left the bed and walked out of Alexa's bedroom hand in hand when her mom stopped and looked at her, hesitated a brief moment before asking.
"Earlier...When you said that you are not interested in boys, did you meant that you are more ...Interested in girls?... You know your dad, and I don't care as long as you are happy."
Alexa smiled at her mom; many would kill to be still accepted, whatever what...Just the way they are.
"No, mom, I like boys. What I meant is I'm too young to have a boyfriend. But thank you!" standing on her toes to kiss her cheek.
"The boy you are going to chose is going to be so lucky to have you. I meant when you're like twenty, forty-five for you, dad..."
"Twenty works for me!"
"More seriously, I'm curious to see what kind of man will be your type."
"I wonder too..." Said Alexa, following her mother down the stairs, while miles away, the man in question was still just a kid, trying to figure out how many chicken wings he could eat before passing out.
They both burst into laughter when they found Sirius in the kitchen, stuffing his mouth with food. He struggled to swallow and smiled at them, his eyes looking at them holding hands.
"Well! That's good to see!" He said to both of them with a huge smile.
"Thank you, Sirius… for everything you did for my daughter." Said Mrs. Acker to Sirius, hugging him.
"Er…You're welcome, Mrs. Acker." Said Sirius, who was blushing.
"It's Léa for you. Like it or not, you are now part of this family, and if you want to stay with us longer, I can tidy you the guest room." Said Léa to him warmly.
"There is a guest room in this house?" Said Sirius, looking darkly at Alexa." I have been sleeping on the floor for weeks when there is a guest room?"
"Oh, sorry! My bad! I can call the ministry right now if you rather sleep in a prison cell…" Answered Alexa, smirking.
Sirius sighed deeply before turning to Mrs. Acker." Your daughter is very annoying, Léa…"
"Yes, she can be…That's the only thing with magic that she doesn't take from my husband and me."
"HEY! Don't tell me you guys are going to team up against me!" complained Alexa.
"Of course, no sweety…" Said her mother.
"Maybe…" Added Sirius
"Anyway, Sirius, Benjamin won't be any longer; I'm sure that you are going to get along very well, especially when he hears all that you did for her." Said Mrs. Acker pointing at her daughter.
"I can't wait to meet him…The last time I saw him…He remembered me of someone very dear." Said, Sirius.
"Your dad?" Asked Alexa.
"Foster-dad, but it's the same…" Answered Sirius
The kitchens telephone ringed, interrupting their conversation. Mrs. Acker answered before Alexa, who had jumped from her seat, but if she showed a wide smile when she picked the phone, her smile slowly vanished when she heard what the person on the line had to say.
"Yes…I now where… I'll be there shortly…Thank you for calling," She said in a shaky voice that alerted Sirius.
"Everything, alright, mom?" Asked Alexa
"No…Yes…I don't know…Listen…It was the police, they found your dad's car abandoned on the roadside. I'm going to go see what's happening exactly…"
Alexa looked like she got slapped in the face and looked at her mother with a frightened expression, telling Sirius that the brain of hers imagined all the worst Scénarios.
"Alexa…It's probably nothing; when I followed him to Hambourg, I saw him stop for gasoline at least six times. He must have been in a hurry, skipped a stop, ran out of gasoline, and he is probably walking home by now…" Said firmly Sirius to Alexa, who was starting to shake," Léa, you go, I'll stay here with her, and we will wait for him. When he is here, Alexa will call the police station; they will pass the message on their radio so you will know."
"Yes…Alexa, you stay here as Sirius said; I'll call as soon as…Good bye, "She said, kissing her daughter before rushing to the front door, then to her car, leaving them alone in the kitchen.
They heard Mrs. Acker start the engine and leave quickly. Alexa ran to the living room's window to keep an eye on the outside, hoping to see her father walking toward the house, that all was just like Sirius said, that he close to the village, he ran out of gas and that they will laugh about it at dinner. She stayed close to the window looking outside, the night arrived slowly, and they were still with no news from her dad or her mother, nothing. Sirius had been refilling her mug with tea since her mom left, reassuring her. Until they both jumped when they heard someone tambourine on the front door, calling for help, a girl's voice. Alexa stood and made to go open the door, but Sirius stopped her, his wand in his hand, his face closed. He gestured her to sit down and went to the door.
"Who's there? Say your name!" Ordered Sirius, his wand raised in front of the door, ready to strike.
"Mr. Acker! Please let me inside! My name is Rhéa Rahm, and I go to school with your daughter… I'm begging you!"
Sirius looked at Alexa, who nodded to him. He opened the door. Rhéa rushed inside and fell on her knees, shaking, crying. When Alexa got close to her, she noticed her clothes were ripped; she got scratched, covering her hands and knees.
"What happened to you, Réa?" Asked Alexa softly.
"I was with Janna in the forest…We found out where all the missing people are…We saw Yuna…Then Something attack us…Oh my god, Janna…I ran as fast I could to find help, I saw the light in the living-room so I came here…" But she stopped before adding anything, her eyes locked on Sirius, who had joined them on the floor and screamed I horror. "SIRIUS BLACK! I...I saw him in the newspaper last year!" She stammered.
"The one and only…Nice to meet you." Said Sirius smiling.
"Calm down, Rhéa, it's obviously not him. This is my uncle Leonard, he is visiting for Easter, but he looks a little bit like him though…" Said calmly Alexa.
Rhéa blinked, looking at them, and then breathed heavily. "I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well…"
"No offense…I got that a lot..." Sid Sirius.
"Did you see my dad there?" Asked Alexa
"I…I…dont know what your father looks like…" answered Alexa." Why?"
"He is missing…They found his car on the roadside…But no sign of him…We have been waiting for news for more than two hours…" said Alexa.
"From where was he coming? The north?" Asked Rhéa.
"Yes…Why?" Asked Alexa.
"That's close to…."
"I heard enough!" Said suddenly, Sirius, who until now was only listening in silence." You…Rhéa right?... Tell me exactly how I get there."
"What?!" asked Alexa, her eyes wide at Sirius.
"Tell me how exactly I go there; I'll take care of whatever is there and bring back your friend and your father if he is there. You both stay here and wait for news." Said Sirius sharply.
"Sirius, don't be stupid!"
"No ALexa…To be honest, I felt that something was weird with that forest the same day I arrived, and all the time we were there, you and me, I couldn't take from my mind that something or someone was watching us..." He said, standing up, then from the point of his wand, a silver dog appeared on the wooden floor and took off, went flying through the night.
"What was that?" Asked Alexa.
"The only charm I didn't get time to teach you…The Patronus charm…I have sent a call for help to the German ministry of magic…I told them that I was here, hidden in the forest, that I'm taking you, hostages…"
"NO! Why …Why did you that?" Asked Alexa, angry.
"Because I have no idea of what is waiting for me there, and I won't spat on backup even if It means that I'll get captured after…But the most important thing is that I know that they are going to send people to secure this village and you are going to be safe…" Sirius sharply," This discussion is over, Alexa, and you…" Turning towards Rhéa. "Tell me how I get there, RIGHT NOW!"