Part seventeen: OF DEATH AND DYING
"Are we close?" Glynnis asked Sirius as they crept silently along through the empty factory.
"Yes. Almost there. The scent is getting stronger." Sirius' thought stopped abruptly and Glynnis could sense his growing unease.
"What is it?" He didn't answer. "Sirius!" she demanded. "What is wrong?"His answer sent shivers of apprehension down her spine.
"I smell blood."
Glynnis didn't need to ask who's blood he smelled. She knew it. "Oh, please let us be on time," she prayed. "Please, God. Just this once." Beside her, Sirius slowed down. She knew that whatever they faced was just ahead. Suddenly, a shout of pain echoed down the hallway. The sound seemed to grow as it careened off the walls. "Harry." Glynnis' whisper carried like a scream through the long corridor. Sirius was already bounding ahead. She ran to catch up, once again praying that they weren't too late. She turned a sharp corner and found Sirius blocked from continuing by a sliding metal door. She ran to it and pulled.
The door opened silently. Sirius padded in, hackles raised, with Glynnis right behind him. She nearly gasped in horror at what she saw and only her hand against her mouth stopped the sound from betraying their presence.
Harry was half kneeling, half lying on the floor. His face was bloody and bruised, one eye swollen shut. She could see dark bruises around his neck. He was staring at a large beefy man who was holding something. Glynnis craned her head to get a better view and just as she realized that he was holding a gun, she heard his chilling words.
"Say hello to your parents for me."
"NO!" she screamed as Sirius make a huge leap toward the man. He turned and saw the large dog heading his way. A wave of rage engulfed his features and a shot echoed through the room. Sirius yelped and dropped to the floor from midair. Glynnis took the split second distraction to reach Harry's side. She covered him with her own body as best she could and faced the gunman who had returned his attention to his intended victim.
"Stand aside, woman!" the man hissed vehemently.
"I won't," Glynnis said evenly, surprised at the calm in her voice.
"Who are you? One of Harry's freak friends? Where's your wand or whatever it is you use for your little spells?"
"I am Harry's friend but I'm not a freak and neither is he. Just who in the hell are you?" Harry was trying desperately to push her aside. "No, Harry. Stay still."
"It's Uncle Vernon. Did he kill Sirius?" he asked. His words were slurred with pain and she knew that his split lips made speaking difficult.
"I don't know," she whispered. "I think he's alive."
"What are you two whispering about over there?" Vernon demanded.
"We are trying to determine whether or not you killed my dog," she said saucily.
"You should be more worried whether or not I'll kill you. NOW STAND ASIDE!" Vernon was purple with rage.
Glynnis could see the veins standing out in Vernon's neck. They were trapped and she knew it. Sirius was hurt. He wasn't dead, she was certain of that, but he wasn't going to be able to help. She knew in her heart that she would do anything to protect Harry, even if it meant she had to die herself. She raised her chin in defiance and stared at the man who had brought Harry up. "No. If you want Harry, you'll have to go through me first."
Vernon narrowed his eyes. "So be it." And a second shot rang out.
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Sirius lay unmoving on the floor, stunned. The bullet had ripped through his left shoulder and out through his back. He slowly regained his wits and decided that, other than bleeding heavily, he could function. And he knew that, even if it meant losing every last drop of blood, he would do whatever it took to keep Vernon Dursley away from Glynnis and Harry. He turned his head and saw Glynnis facing off against Dursley. He was filled with loving pride at her defiance and knew that she, too, was prepared to die to save his godson. Sirius gathered his strength and waited. He could return to his own form and reach his wand, he just needed another minute to catch his breath. Without warning, the gun barked a second time. Sirius watched with horror as Glynnis' body took the full force of the bullet. Still, she refused to move.
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Harry tried desperately to push Glynnis away. "Don't do this," he begged. "Glynnis, he'll kill you. Please get out of the way."
"No, Harry. I won't let him kill you. I've already lost those I loved once, I'll not let it happen again."
"Glynnis! Please." But Harry was too late. He yelled in terror as the shot echoed loudly in the large room. Glynnis jerked against him and he knew she'd been hit. He clutched at her, trying to force her away but she held onto him and wouldn't move. Tears ran down Harry's face as he begged her again and again to let go but she only tightened her grip.
"You must live, Harry. You have to. You still have a part to play. The world needs you."
"Glynnis." Harry was sobbing. "You can't die either. I've finally found a family. I can't lose it now. If you die where will I go? Back with the Dursleys? I'd rather he kill me now than face that."
Glynnis raised a shaking hand to caress Harry's cheek. A single tear fell from her eye. "I'm sorry," she whispered brokenly. "Tell Sirius I'm sorry." Then her hand slid from his face and she dropped limply to her side.
