Remus and Tonks helped carry Sirius to a nearby bed, Madam Pomfrey and McGonagall following closely behind, whereas Mrs. Weasley pulled Ron and a struggling Harry away.
"Hey! I need to see my dad," Harry said, attempting to get out of the woman's grasp.
"And we'll let you, Harry," Mrs. Weasley explained, attempting to get the boy to sit down. "For right this minute, please tell me what happened. Remus, Tonks, and Minerva will be joining us while Madam Pomfrey helps Sirius. Ron, please go back to the common room."
Ron looked reluctant to leave, but he didn't protest this time. Harry followed his lead and sat down across from Mrs. Weasley, waiting for the others to join. Remus, he noticed, had talked to both Sirius and Madam Pomfrey before coming to join the group.
Once everyone was situated, he began.
"We were left in a cell in the basement of Malfoy Manor. Dad was discussing our escape options, when out of nowhere someone magically chained me to the wall. We both turned and realized Bellatrix was there, though at first we weren't sure why. We had been disarmed, but Sirius attempted to beat her up. He hit her pretty hard in the face, but she retaliated and chained him to the ground. She made him lie on his back and then…" Harry shuddered, remembering with horror what his dad was made to go through. "I don't know how much any of you know about my father's childhood, though I suspect you three know at least the gist of it, if not more," Harry said, turning to Remus, Pomfrey, and McGonagall. They nodded sadly, and Harry continued.
"Well, she put him on his back because that was how his parents once punished him, right after he was sorted into Gryffindor when he was eleven. They would strip him down, chain him up, then lecture him in front of his family before performing some sort of curse on him. Bellatrix essentially followed this guideline, using this really awful cutting curse." Harry said, his voice cracking.
"Secare," Remus mumbled, shaking his head sadly. "I remember when he came back to Hogwarts after that happened - something had obviously changed in him after, and I don't think we saw the true Sirius again for months. That was the spell she used, I'm assuming?"
Harry nodded. "She performed the spell and forced me to watch, telling us both that if one of us gave her the prophecy and told her what we had been doing with Dumbledore, she'd quit. Obviously dad wasn't going to say anything, but when the cuts started getting deeper and he quit screaming, I knew he was going to die. I had to tell her… but I didn't. I used occlumency and gave her a false prophecy about an artifact I had to find to destroy Voldemort. She believed me, and had released us for the time being when I called you all."
"Thank you for telling us, Harry," Remus said gently, though his amber eyes were haunted.
Harry nodded. "Can I go see him now?"
"Erm, I need to talk to you about that, actually." Remus said, standing and motioning for Harry to follow him out of the hospital wing. Harry did so, albeit reluctantly.
When they were outside and the door had closed, Remus pulled Harry into a hug; this caught the boy off guard, considering Remus had never been the affectionate one. Sirius was always the one hugging him or squeezing his shoulder.
"Remus? Is everything okay?" Harry asked, pulling away from the man to look him in the eye.
Remus nodded sadly. "Sirius will be okay, and I'm thankful that you weren't injured at all. I know Sirius didn't want to experience what he did today, but he would have done it one thousand times over if it meant you came out safe. You know that, right?"
Harry nodded, still confused as to why Remus brought him out here. "Can I go see him then?"
Remus looked at Harry sadly and shook his head. "Sirius asked me not to let you see him."
"What?" Harry said, his voice cracking. "I didn't mean to make him go through that-"
"Hush, none of that," Remus said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "That's not why Sirius doesn't want to see you. He's… broken and ashamed right now, Harry. He needs time to heal, and you won't do him any favors by being there-"
"How come you can see him then?" Harry asked, an accusing tone in his voice.
"Harry, Sirius is a very proud man. You watched him at what was probably one of the most vulnerable points in his life. He's embarrassed and ashamed that Bellatrix almost brought him to his breaking point; that she almost killed him right in front of you, the person he cares for the most in the world. He can't face you right now, it's an ego thing." Remus explained patiently.
"If it were me, you guys would still come see me, regardless of my ego!" Harry said angrily. "This summer after I was captured by the ministry, Sirius stayed with me the entire time after. Same with the third task, or when I learned occlumency. Why is this different?"
"Because you wanted to see Sirius then, Harry, or do you not remember the way you kept asking for him when we brought you back from the ministry? How about when Sirius went to rest in his quarters after the third task and you woke up? Remember how badly you wanted him there?" Remus was trying to calm the boy down and get him to see reason. "Sirius doesn't want to see you right now, it will help him heal faster if he isn't forced to face those demons too quickly, when he isn't ready. He will come around, Harry, you'll see him again soon enough."
Harry felt tears sting his eyes; after all this, and his father wouldn't even let him get a glimpse at him. "I need to know he's okay, I want to see it for myself. He really said he didn't want to be around me?"
"No," Remus said, cupping Harry's face in his hands. "He said, and I'm quoting him, 'don't let Harry see me like this. I'm a wreck.' He's just very ashamed, and to be honest, probably needs some help-"
"He's not mad!" Harry said, angrily.
"No, he is not mad." Remus confirmed with a nod. "But after talking to Pomfrey, she believes it's best to transfer Sirius to St. Mungo's to be with a mind healer. Harry, after all that he's endured in his life… it'll crash down on him if he doesn't get some professional help. He'll only be there for a week, even though I would much rather him stay here… it's risky, with Dumbledore dead. The Ministry will fall next, then Hogwarts after. You and I will be here until Dumbledore's funeral in a few days time. Then, we'll head to Grimmauld Place. If Sirius permits it, I'll take you to see him in St. Mungo's. If not, he'll be home this time next week, and I'm sure he'll be ready to see you by then, especially after he's talked to someone."
Harry felt his airway constricting; he was panicking and he wasn't sure why.
"Harry," Remus said with concern, wrapping an arm around him. "Sirius loves you so much, that's why he can't see you right now. I know you're worried and it hurts to not be with him, but you will help him by not being there right now. I know you want him to get better, right?"
Harry nodded, trying to steady his breathing. One thing was flashing through his mind, his uncle's words: "No one wants you, ungrateful freak"
"I'm going to go to the dorm, then," Harry mumbled, trying to steady himself.
"Harry, I don't think-"
"Please, Remus," Harry said, pulling out of the man's grasp. "I need to see Ron and Hermione. They're probably wondering."
Remus looked weary. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about this, Harry? I can't imagine that was an easy thing for you to watch. You don't want a calming potion or anything? Dreamless sleep?"
Harry swallowed thickly - the last thing he wanted was to be stuck in the hospital wing, beds away from Sirius but unable to talk to him. "I'm sure. I'll come find you later."
Remus didn't say anything as Harry turned and walked away. He watched his retreating figure until Harry turned the corner.
After Harry was out of Remus's line of vision, he broke into a run. Ron and Hermione could not help him right now. He needed to fight, to prepare. He almost lost Sirius physically and now emotionally, Sirius was pushing him away. "Never again," Harry mumbled as he reached the wall to the room of requirement. He paced in front of it three times and then turned to open the door.
When he walked in, he was met with the room they used for their DA meetings. Large and towering, with defense books and practice dummies scattered everywhere. It was at that moment, Harry realized with a sickening feeling that he had never retrieved his wand. Was it out on the grounds, where he had been disarmed, or did Lucius pick it up when he took him? He stood there for a second, his blood boiling, before looking to his right.
There sat an old, worn-out wand. Perhaps it belonged to a student at one point, and surely it wouldn't work for Harry nearly as well as his other one - but for now, all Harry wanted to do was blast the practice dummies, so he grabbed it eagerly and began.
"Is Harry in here? Is he resting?" Sirius rasped out, accepting water from Madam Pomfrey before turning inquiringly to Remus.
"I think…" Remus began, sitting in the chair beside Sirius's bed, "he didn't take the news well. He had trouble understanding why you don't want to see him. He said he needed to go talk to Ron and Hermione… I tried to get him to stay, but he seemed adamant. I'm worried - I can't imagine that was an easy experience for either of you."
Sirius's eyes looked anxious, but he was too weak to fight. "Will you find him? I'll take a calming draught and rest as soon as I know he's going to be okay."
Remus nodded and stood again. "I'll send word soon."
When Remus made it to the common room, it was empty save for Hermione and Ron. Most students had been sent home after word got out about Dumbledore's death - fourth year and above were allowed to make the decision to stay for the funeral, but most kids were eager to leave when they discovered death eaters were trapezing the halls.
"Hey, where did Harry go?" Remus asked, approaching the two.
Ron and Hermione shared a nervous glance. Hermione looked tearful. "We haven't seen Harry, Professor. Ron came here about an hour ago and said Harry was safe, but we assumed he was with Sirius and you in the hospital wing."
Remus's mouth went dry. "Where would Harry go? Blimey, he doesn't have a wand - Sirius and his were taken."
"He won't leave," Ron said shakily. "Maybe… should we check some passageways? He likes to be alone when he's upset."
Remus nodded. "You two stay together - the castle should be safe now, but just in case. I'll search the left side of the castle and you two search the right. We'll find him."
Remus ran back out the portrait hole and Ron turned grimly to Hermione. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Hermione nodded, her jaw set. "Let's go."
The two found Harry in the Room of Requirement. He had been blasting dummies when they walked in - it was quite a sight to behold. He was hitting one after the other with a variety of spells and he had perfect precision. In fact, the two had never seen him in a rage quite like this.
"Harry!" Hermione called nervously, standing back from him in case a spell went off course. Harry stopped immediately, surprised, then stumbled over.
"Harry!" Hermione yelled, more urgently. She ran over to him. His breaths were coming in rasps. "Ron! Send Professor Lupin a patronus!"
"No," Harry yelled feebly, attempting to sit up. His swirling mind made him lay down again immediately.
"Blimey Harry," Ron said after a moment. "What did you do to yourself?"
"How long have you been here?" Hermione asked gravely, ignoring Ron's question.
"An hour," Harry rasped, keeping his eyes shut. The light was giving him a headache - or was that his scar?
Hermione and Ron shared a look, but before either could comment, the door burst open again. "Harry!" Remus shouted, running over. "What happened?" He asked urgently, looking between Ron and Hermione as he leaned over Harry.
"When we got here, he was firing so many spells at the dummies. He said he's been doing it for an hour." Hermione started, looking at her old professor.
"Harry," Remus mumbled, lifting him into his grasp. "You can't exhaust yourself like that. Bad things can happen when your magical energy gets too low." He lifted Harry, ignoring the boy's feeble protests, then turned to Ron and Hermione. "I'm taking him to the hospital wing and when Pomfrey clears him, we're going home. We will be seeing you at Grimmauld soon, right?"
Ron and Hermione nodded and Remus briskly walked away, Harry weakly struggling to escape.
"No, I'm fine," Harry slurred, attempting feebly to writhe out of Remus's grasp.
"You are not fine," Remus said, kicking open the door to the hospital wing. "Harry, it's okay to feel hurt. You can't exhaust your magic like that to cope - you scared us all."
"Let me go!" Harry rasped, flinging himself backward. As he did so, he looked up at an occupied bed across from him. Sirius's haunted grey eyes looked at him in concern. Harry's breath caught, but before he could say anything, he was being carried to a bed at the end of the room and forced down again. "No!" Harry yelled, fighting the arms surrounding him. "I want out! I want to be done!"
"No you don't," Remus said calmly. He heard a bed rustle to his right and then a low hiss. Sirius had tried to get out of bed to come over here. Remus guessed that his burning abdomen and weakened movements were the only things that stopped him. Even on his deathbed, he would be there for Harry. "You're worried about Sirius, Harry. That's okay. I would be shocked if you weren't upset. You came very close to seeing him die today and now you're being told you can't see him for a week. You haven't been separated from him like this since you reunited your third year. It's okay to be upset about that."
"I want out!" Harry yelled, his voice cracking. "I don't want to do this!"
"You're human, Harry. It's okay to care-"
"I DON'T WANT TO BE HUMAN!" Harry rasped, fighting Remus's strong grasp.
Remus grabbed Harry and pulled him into his arms, shaking his head when Madam Pomfrey approached with a calming draught and dreamless sleep. "In a moment," he mouthed, holding tight to the boy who was still writhing in his grasp.
Pomfrey bustled back over to Sirius, who had tears burning his eyes. After Harry's initial outburst, the matron had put a silencing charm over that part of the hospital wing so Sirius wouldn't have to hear it. She thought it a necessary evil when she caught him trying to get out of bed to see his distressed son.
"Sirius, please drink your potion," she said, her demeanor much gentler. "We will take care of Harry - you trust Remus. You need to heal. St. Mungo's will arrive in the middle of the night."
Sirius swallowed and looked nervously in the direction he saw Remus and Harry go. "Is that the right decision? Leaving him in that state?"
"Sirius," Pomfrey started gently, approaching him and lifting the dreamless sleep potion of the nightstand. "You are going to need to be here for Harry for however long this war lasts. Truly, you should have seen a mind healer when you were released from Azkaban. This will allow you to be emotionally there for him as long as he needs you. He has people to support him for the next week. You need rest," she said, pushing him down against the hospital bed and handing him the potion. "When you wake, don't be startled if you're in St. Mungo's. With Dumbledore gone, we want your transport to be discreet."
Sirius looked toward the curtain separating him from Harry one more time, then nodded and drank the potion. Sleep washed over him, the most peaceful sleep he had experienced in fourteen years.
