Sirius and Harry raced toward the bank. They could see the figure of a
woman on top of Gringotts. A small crowd had gathered, but everyone seemed
to be frozen. "Shit, it's Anya!" Sirius yelled, as he ran as fast as he
could toward Gringotts.
"Anya, what the hell are you doing?" he magicked his voice to become louder.
"I don't know!" came Anya's tearful cry.
The voices in her head were tearing at her. 'Jump' ' Don't jump!', back and forth. 'If you jump, you will never see Harry again, you will fail him again' her inner voice pleaded, and Anya took notice. She shook herself vigorously, as if trying to break free of something. The people below yelled as she lurched forward, but they didn't move. Anya looked down at the ground, as if for the first time. She screamed, trying to take a step back, but the worst possible thing happened at that moment.
A strong Northerly blew in, causing people on the streets to lose their hats, and anything they were holding loosely. Anya was thrashed about by the wind, she tried to keep her grip on the side of the wall, but it was useless. As if she was light as a leaf, the wind whipped her around, before stopping suddenly, and leaving her drop straight to the ground.
Harry yelled out as his godmother as she fell from the sky. The sight was terrifying. Sirius fumbled in his pockets for his wand, but he couldn't find it.
"Harry, quickly, your wand!" he breathlessly commanded. Harry quickly pulled his wand out.
"Say 'Levitatus' " Sirius yelled. Harry repeated the words, and Anya's descent slowed, though not by much. "Shit! You're not strong enough for the whole spell," Sirius cursed, running out of ideas. The congregation of people watched in sick fascination as Anya slowly fell from the heavens. Then, doing the only thing that felt right, Sirius rushed forward to where he hoped Anya was aimed.
Anya's mind was racing. She didn't want to die, she was too young. Panic swept through her body, looking below for someone who is afraid of heights, can be terrifying. She thought of Harry, she had only just told him she was his godmother. Feeling the wind whipping her hair, Anya prepared herself for the worst, tightening her muscles, shutting her eyes tightly. Sirius looked up, there was no way he could catch her. 10 metres from hitting the ground, Anya unclenched her shut eyes. Automatically, she scanned the crowd for Sirius. She saw him, standing on the edge of the crowd. They locked eyes. Suddenly, falling jerked to a stop. She was face down to the street, about to hit it with great force, but she was not moving. She breathed in and out shallowly, not wanting to move, for fear of falling again. She kept her gaze on Sirius, but called out for help.
"Harry!" she strangled out. He rushed forward.
"What's holding me up?" she asked, not wanting to look around more, thinking whatever forces were holding her up would drop her. Harry looked completely bewildered. No-one he could see had their wands pointed at Anya, levitating her. Sirius called out,
"Anya, are you OK?"
"Of course I'm OK. I'm hovering 10 metres above a paved road, ready to crash my skull open. My mind was telling me to jump off a tall building, and I appear to be stuck in midair. I'm bloody brilliant!" Anya was more than hysterical now, but she kept her eyes on Sirius. They stared at each other, neither wanting to move. Slowly, Sirius lowered his gaze to the ground, and Anya felt herself inching closer and closer to the pavement. With all her might, she pulled herself backward, so she was in an upright position. Landing almost gracefully on the street, she teetered back and forth on her heels. Still maintaining eye contact with Sirius, Anya took a step forward, and into his arms, fainting dead on arrival. When Anya came too, she was lying in a bed she didn't recognise, in a room she didn't recognise, with people hanging over her that she didn't recognise. Sitting upright, she was startled to find herself in the company of Sirius, Remus, Harry, Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore.
"Wha....what are you all doing here? And where is here?" she looked fervently around at her surroundings. Minerva patted her hand.
"It's alright dear," she said in a comforting voice.
"You're at our house," Remus explained.
"You blacked out, do you remember what happened today?" Dumbledore asked her in a kindly voice.
"I..I was walking down Diagon Alley, and I heard a voice telling me to go to Gringotts. I just followed it without thinking. When I got there, the voice told me to climb, and climb, it wouldn't let me stop," Anya paused, staring at something no-one else could see. She was concentrating hard.
"Then, I was on top, and the voice said 'jump' 'jump', but I didn't want to jump, and then, I went to get down from the ledge, and I fell...I fell," Anya said, letting the words sink in. She fell back against the pillows propping her up. Everyone appeared to be taking her words in.
"Well you seem to be alright now, Mr Black here has taken good care of you!" Dumbledore said in a jovial voice, but he then muttered to McGonagall,
"A minute please Professor," and she followed him out of the room, leaving Anya with Remus, Sirius and Harry.
They eyed her carefully, as if scared she could die at any moment.
"I'm not going to fall of the bed you know!" Anya attempted to lighten the situation. Remus smiled, and Sirius snorted. Harry remained concerned.
"I tell you Williamson, for someone who doesn't look fat, you sure weigh a few," Sirius commented, earning him a whack in the head from a pillow thrown by Anya.
"I was going to thank you Black, but now I'm not so sure," she teased, before regaining a serious composure.
"Thankyou," she said in a soft voice. Sirius nodded his head and gave a slight smile. Can I get you anything Anya? Coffee, tea, water?" Remus wondered.
"No thanks," she said.
"I'm sorry to ask you boys this, but would you mind leaving me alone for a bit. I'm not feeling all that well, think I might need another rest," she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. The boys left the room quietly, turning off the light behind them.
"What happened?" Sirius asked Dumbledore in a low voice.
"Well, it appears Ms Williamson was under the Imperius Curse. There would be no other reason for her to kill herself, I assume," Dumbledore enquired mildly, this statement was met with a vehement shaking of heads.
"Well, who put her under the curse?" Harry spoke for the first time. Albus shook his head sadly.
"I don't know Harry, but I will do my best to find out," he promised.
Anya stayed at the Lupin/Black/Potter residence for the next 2 days. Sirius wouldn't let her leave before then, he was incredibly concerned for her well-being.
"I'll be fine by myself, Dumbledore's enchanted the house so no-one can get in, or within a 100 metre radius without me knowing who they are!" Anya protested to Sirius, who didn't want to let her out of his site. He didn't look convinced. Anya sighed and picked up her wand.
"Closia," she sighed, pointing the wand at the door. It clicked softly into place. She gazed deep into Sirius's eyes, trying to read them.
"Whoever did this to me, I don't think it's me they really want. They were using me to get to Harry, I'm sure. He should be the main cause of your concerns. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself," Anya almost pleaded with Sirius to let her go. He knew himself, that he had no right to keep her here, and that she could in fact, take care of herself. Nodding at her words, he opened the door for her to walk though. She smiled gratefully. Remus, Dumbledore and Harry were all waiting for her around the fireplace. She walked up to them.
"Thank you so much for everything Remus," she said hugging him.
"And Harry, you helped take such good care of me," she kissed Harry on the top of his head.
"Albus, you've been an angel, taking care of everything for me," she gave the old man a hug, and he patted her back affectionately.
"And Sirius, you saved me. I can never thank you enough, " she moved forward to Sirius, kissing him gently on the cheek. Sirius pulled her into a (hugging) embrace, not wanting to let her go. She lingered in his arms, but eventually pulled away.
"Well, I must be off," she said, turning to step into the fireplace.
"I'll see you soon, I promise!" she waved goodbye, allowing the green Floo powder to transport her back to her house. But she didn't know that she'd be seeing the trio sooner than she thinks.
"Anya, what the hell are you doing?" he magicked his voice to become louder.
"I don't know!" came Anya's tearful cry.
The voices in her head were tearing at her. 'Jump' ' Don't jump!', back and forth. 'If you jump, you will never see Harry again, you will fail him again' her inner voice pleaded, and Anya took notice. She shook herself vigorously, as if trying to break free of something. The people below yelled as she lurched forward, but they didn't move. Anya looked down at the ground, as if for the first time. She screamed, trying to take a step back, but the worst possible thing happened at that moment.
A strong Northerly blew in, causing people on the streets to lose their hats, and anything they were holding loosely. Anya was thrashed about by the wind, she tried to keep her grip on the side of the wall, but it was useless. As if she was light as a leaf, the wind whipped her around, before stopping suddenly, and leaving her drop straight to the ground.
Harry yelled out as his godmother as she fell from the sky. The sight was terrifying. Sirius fumbled in his pockets for his wand, but he couldn't find it.
"Harry, quickly, your wand!" he breathlessly commanded. Harry quickly pulled his wand out.
"Say 'Levitatus' " Sirius yelled. Harry repeated the words, and Anya's descent slowed, though not by much. "Shit! You're not strong enough for the whole spell," Sirius cursed, running out of ideas. The congregation of people watched in sick fascination as Anya slowly fell from the heavens. Then, doing the only thing that felt right, Sirius rushed forward to where he hoped Anya was aimed.
Anya's mind was racing. She didn't want to die, she was too young. Panic swept through her body, looking below for someone who is afraid of heights, can be terrifying. She thought of Harry, she had only just told him she was his godmother. Feeling the wind whipping her hair, Anya prepared herself for the worst, tightening her muscles, shutting her eyes tightly. Sirius looked up, there was no way he could catch her. 10 metres from hitting the ground, Anya unclenched her shut eyes. Automatically, she scanned the crowd for Sirius. She saw him, standing on the edge of the crowd. They locked eyes. Suddenly, falling jerked to a stop. She was face down to the street, about to hit it with great force, but she was not moving. She breathed in and out shallowly, not wanting to move, for fear of falling again. She kept her gaze on Sirius, but called out for help.
"Harry!" she strangled out. He rushed forward.
"What's holding me up?" she asked, not wanting to look around more, thinking whatever forces were holding her up would drop her. Harry looked completely bewildered. No-one he could see had their wands pointed at Anya, levitating her. Sirius called out,
"Anya, are you OK?"
"Of course I'm OK. I'm hovering 10 metres above a paved road, ready to crash my skull open. My mind was telling me to jump off a tall building, and I appear to be stuck in midair. I'm bloody brilliant!" Anya was more than hysterical now, but she kept her eyes on Sirius. They stared at each other, neither wanting to move. Slowly, Sirius lowered his gaze to the ground, and Anya felt herself inching closer and closer to the pavement. With all her might, she pulled herself backward, so she was in an upright position. Landing almost gracefully on the street, she teetered back and forth on her heels. Still maintaining eye contact with Sirius, Anya took a step forward, and into his arms, fainting dead on arrival. When Anya came too, she was lying in a bed she didn't recognise, in a room she didn't recognise, with people hanging over her that she didn't recognise. Sitting upright, she was startled to find herself in the company of Sirius, Remus, Harry, Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore.
"Wha....what are you all doing here? And where is here?" she looked fervently around at her surroundings. Minerva patted her hand.
"It's alright dear," she said in a comforting voice.
"You're at our house," Remus explained.
"You blacked out, do you remember what happened today?" Dumbledore asked her in a kindly voice.
"I..I was walking down Diagon Alley, and I heard a voice telling me to go to Gringotts. I just followed it without thinking. When I got there, the voice told me to climb, and climb, it wouldn't let me stop," Anya paused, staring at something no-one else could see. She was concentrating hard.
"Then, I was on top, and the voice said 'jump' 'jump', but I didn't want to jump, and then, I went to get down from the ledge, and I fell...I fell," Anya said, letting the words sink in. She fell back against the pillows propping her up. Everyone appeared to be taking her words in.
"Well you seem to be alright now, Mr Black here has taken good care of you!" Dumbledore said in a jovial voice, but he then muttered to McGonagall,
"A minute please Professor," and she followed him out of the room, leaving Anya with Remus, Sirius and Harry.
They eyed her carefully, as if scared she could die at any moment.
"I'm not going to fall of the bed you know!" Anya attempted to lighten the situation. Remus smiled, and Sirius snorted. Harry remained concerned.
"I tell you Williamson, for someone who doesn't look fat, you sure weigh a few," Sirius commented, earning him a whack in the head from a pillow thrown by Anya.
"I was going to thank you Black, but now I'm not so sure," she teased, before regaining a serious composure.
"Thankyou," she said in a soft voice. Sirius nodded his head and gave a slight smile. Can I get you anything Anya? Coffee, tea, water?" Remus wondered.
"No thanks," she said.
"I'm sorry to ask you boys this, but would you mind leaving me alone for a bit. I'm not feeling all that well, think I might need another rest," she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. The boys left the room quietly, turning off the light behind them.
"What happened?" Sirius asked Dumbledore in a low voice.
"Well, it appears Ms Williamson was under the Imperius Curse. There would be no other reason for her to kill herself, I assume," Dumbledore enquired mildly, this statement was met with a vehement shaking of heads.
"Well, who put her under the curse?" Harry spoke for the first time. Albus shook his head sadly.
"I don't know Harry, but I will do my best to find out," he promised.
Anya stayed at the Lupin/Black/Potter residence for the next 2 days. Sirius wouldn't let her leave before then, he was incredibly concerned for her well-being.
"I'll be fine by myself, Dumbledore's enchanted the house so no-one can get in, or within a 100 metre radius without me knowing who they are!" Anya protested to Sirius, who didn't want to let her out of his site. He didn't look convinced. Anya sighed and picked up her wand.
"Closia," she sighed, pointing the wand at the door. It clicked softly into place. She gazed deep into Sirius's eyes, trying to read them.
"Whoever did this to me, I don't think it's me they really want. They were using me to get to Harry, I'm sure. He should be the main cause of your concerns. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself," Anya almost pleaded with Sirius to let her go. He knew himself, that he had no right to keep her here, and that she could in fact, take care of herself. Nodding at her words, he opened the door for her to walk though. She smiled gratefully. Remus, Dumbledore and Harry were all waiting for her around the fireplace. She walked up to them.
"Thank you so much for everything Remus," she said hugging him.
"And Harry, you helped take such good care of me," she kissed Harry on the top of his head.
"Albus, you've been an angel, taking care of everything for me," she gave the old man a hug, and he patted her back affectionately.
"And Sirius, you saved me. I can never thank you enough, " she moved forward to Sirius, kissing him gently on the cheek. Sirius pulled her into a (hugging) embrace, not wanting to let her go. She lingered in his arms, but eventually pulled away.
"Well, I must be off," she said, turning to step into the fireplace.
"I'll see you soon, I promise!" she waved goodbye, allowing the green Floo powder to transport her back to her house. But she didn't know that she'd be seeing the trio sooner than she thinks.