Unraveled
Chapter Eleven: To Protect Her
"I will not have any child of mine disobey me," he said coldly to her.
She dared to look up at him with a defiant glare. He raised his hand suddenly and struck her with the back of his hand. She was shaken, but she didn't give him the satisfaction of trembling before him. He would have struck her again if she even gave him the slightest sign of weakness.
"I am sorry, Father," she muttered softly. He glared at her for not meaning it. He turned and shouted orders to his Death Eaters to come to him. As soon as he disappeared with his Death Eaters, she spat out the blood that had collected in her mouth. She wiped the side of her mouth.
"I am not going to die here," she muttered softly. "I'm not."
Little did she know, that there was another person listening to her. He spent his time watching over her. He knew that her breaking point was coming soon.
He thought of his life. Would he ever be brave enough to defy Voldemort openly like she did? He pulled down his sleeve and looked at his still bare inner arm. He wanted to keep it that way. He waited for her to move away. He wanted to ask her if she was all right, but he didn't want her to know that he was even there.
As children, Severus and Thalia were forced to spend time together. They became friends over time. Severus was a year older than Thalia, and he was allowed to leave home to attend Hogwarts. Thalia's father brought in private tutors to limit Thalia's exposure to Dumbledore and the growing number of Muggle born. After Severus started at Hogwarts, he stopped visiting with Thalia.
"How long are you just going to stand there, Sev?" asked Thalia softly.
Severus smiled ruefully as he came out of the darkness that hid him. "It's good to finally see someone who matters here," she said to him with a welcoming smile. It told him that all was forgiven.
"Your lip," whispered Severus as he handed his handkerchief to her. They walked together silently because he knew that she did not want to discuss it.
It took more than an hour before she said anything. "You can't," Thalia whispered softly.
"Can't what?" asked Severus.
"You can't let him take you," pleaded Thalia as she looked Severus straight in the eye.
"Let who?" said Severus, knowing the answer.
"Sev. Listen to me. Do not let him put the mark on you. If you do, you will never be the same again. I am afraid for you," said Thalia more loudly.
Severus was taken back by her words. No one cared for Severus the way she did. "Nothing is going to happen that I cannot handle. I have been around all this too long, not to be able to survive it," said Severus. Half of him didn't believe the words, the other half did.
"Severus. If you let the Mark come, then you might get lost. I do not want to lose the only person who is real to me. Most of all, I do not want you to lose yourself," said Thalia wisely, shaking Severus with the frankness of her words.
"It won't happen," insisted Severus.
Thalia sighed as they reached the corridor of the castle that was exposed to open air. The wind played with the loose locks of her raven hair. "I don't just want to survive, Sev. I want to live," said Thalia.
Harry spent most of his time wondering what was happening with Sirius. Remus said that everything was fine so far, Sirius was pretending to be a dog while he was around Fiona. Harry knew that he should have been preparing for the next Quidditch match, but he was too concerned about the strange things that were going on far away from him.
First, Sirius found out that he had a long lost daughter and that his wife, the daughter of Voldemort, was dead. Second, Draco Malfoy disappeared from the school and hadn't been heard from since then. Harry, Ron, and Hermione reported to Professor Lupin everything that everyone else said about Draco Malfoy's behavior prior to his disappearance. Professor Lupin took it with his usually calm attitude. He did not dismiss or accept their claims. Harry had a feeling that Professor Lupin along with some of the faculty knew what was going on, but they weren't talking.
Currently, Harry was in Potions in the Dungeons. Without Malfoy, the classes were more subdued. Who would have thought that Malfoy added to the atmosphere? That wasn't the only thing that was off. Snape was also acting unusually. During the year, Harry knew that Snape was sent to spy on the Death Eaters and bring back information to Professor Dumbledore. However, Snape was acting odd in a different way. He was more pensive. He seemed to be thinking about other things more often. During class, Snape was easing up slightly. He reserved himself the right to yell at Neville Longbottom only three times during the class, but Harry could tell it was just for show. Snape also only took an average of fifteen points from Gryfinndor, when usually he took an average of twenty per class as Hermione pointed out.
True, Severus Snape was thinking of Thalia and Fiona. He had lost the one person in the world who felt like family to him. She was the closest thing he had to a younger sister. She was the only one who called him "Sev." Thalia was the most loving person in the world. Severus had felt like he lost the only person who ever loved him unconditionally. He felt guilty and lost. Above all, he felt hatred and anger towards Voldemort. Severus Snape hated a lot of people, but no one more than Voldemort.
Severus was still trying to figure out something important: who was Thalia's mother? He had no idea. Severus spent much time and thought trying to figure out where Thalia inherited her inherent goodness. He could trace part of it to Thalia's grandmother, the mother of Voldemort. The woman loved Voldemort's father so much that she gave his name to Voldemort even after Tom Riddle abandoned her. Severus knew that was where Thalia's ability to still love Sirius Black came from, but where did the other strength and love come from. The only source that was unaccounted for was Thalia's mother. What kind of woman would willingly allow Voldemort to touch her that way?
Of course, Severus was not enough of a fool to think that goodness was inherited. No, it was something that was imprinted on a child. However, Severus believed that every child had the good or bad seed in them. Whether or not they acted upon such impulses was a different story. Thalia grew up around Voldemort and his evil, but yet she managed to maintain her goodness. Some might have thought her weak willed, but Severus thought that she was the bravest woman in the world to stand up to her father and knowing that it would cause her death for sure. Severus marveled at the strength of Thalia Black. He also marveled at the strength of Lily Potter. Both women gave their lives for their children.
Severus looked up from his desk in the classroom and roamed the room with his eyes. He noticed that Harry Potter was doing his potion quietly without talking. It seemed as if The Boy Who Lived was also thinking about the current situation. He looked like James Potter, but he had his mother's eyes. Severus wondered if Harry had the ability to see the world from his mother's perspective, but he dismissed the thought. Because, for as long as Severus knew Harry, he always viewed the world through James Potter's eyes. Such a pity, thought Severus as he went back to the papers he was grading.
*
Fiona sat next to Nell, but she was across from her father. Draco sat next to Sirius. Ryu sat at the head of a rectangle table. He was a great cook and he made wonderful authentic Asian dishes. Dishes that neither Sirius nor Draco had tried before. Everyone was silent for the first part of the dinner. Fiona was the center of attention. The only one paying attention to his food was Ryu. Nell was wondering if Fiona was going to do something rude. Sirius was watching Fiona as she used the chopsticks with expertise. He and Draco settled for using forks, knives, and spoons. Draco was also watching Fiona because she seemed able to completely ignore him and Sirius. He though that was interesting.
"Tomorrow, your magic lessons will begin formally," announced Ryu, tiring of the boring silence.
Fiona looked up at him and nodded.
"What about me?" asked Draco out loud.
"What about you?" asked Nell with a raised eyebrow.
"What am I supposed to do? I'm supposed to be here as an observer," said Draco.
"Then, observe," replied Sirius.
Draco didn't like the sharp tone that Sirius used, but he held his tongue. Something about Sirius Black's manner told Draco not to push him too far. "I'll have to report to the Headmaster," added Draco.
"What's so great about that Dumbledore?" asked Fiona out loud.
"He's one of the most powerful wizards in the world. At least, one of the most known wizards in the world. He's known for being an alchemist and a fighter against the Dark Arts," answered Ryu.
"I would like to know more about you, Master Ran," said Sirius evenly.
"What would you like to know, Mr. Black?" asked Ryu. He really wanted to dispose of the formalities with Sirius, but if he insisted that they use them, then Ryu was going to follow along.
"What order are you part of?" asked Sirius.
Ryu had a soft enigmatic smile on his face as he answered Sirius. "It's the oldest holy order in the both the wizarding and non-magic world."
Sirius frowned slightly. He knew that there was no way Ryu was going to give him a straight answer. Sirius had to trust this man to train his daughter. "Why don't we have some music tonight?" suggested Nell, wanting so much to cut through the tension.
"Music?" asked Draco with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, music. You wouldn't mind playing something, Fiona? I daresay that you might be getting out of practice," said Nell.
Fiona looked up rather surprised at the sudden request. "Um…I don't have any of my instruments here," said Fiona.
"That's all right. I've got a piano and violin," said Ryu. "My grandfather always made sure I practiced my music whenever he visited my family or when I visited him. After I grew up, I had to get my own instruments because I can still hear him telling me to practice."
Ryu stood up. "We can have green tea ice cream and some coffee or tea for dessert while you play," he said as he waved his wand. All the dishes cleared away in a snap. Fiona was amazed, but she felt uncomfortable about being impressed at what looked to everyone else like a simple trick.
Everyone traveled over to the living room, while Ryu went to go get his violin for Fiona to play. He knew that she was practicing the piano at school, but she was ignoring her violin practices because she was busy in the afternoons training with him. He handed Fiona the violin case.
Sirius and Draco watched with interest as Fiona expertly tuned the strings of the violin. Her hands were small, but nimble and skillful. Sirius noticed that she was ambidextrous. Thalia mother was left handed, but Sirius was right handed. He was impressed with Fiona as she slid the bow across the strings of the violin.
Music filled the room as Fiona closed her eyes and paid attention to only her breathing. She played a classical piece that Sirius had heard before but couldn't place. When she was done, there was still a hush in the room.
"That was excellent," said Ryu with approval.
"Thank you, Sensei," said Fiona with her dimples showing slightly.
The night came to a quick close. Fiona had to go to school in the morning, while Draco was settled in with Master Ran. Sirius turned back into the black dog and went home with Fiona and Nell.
Fiona went to bed without saying goodnight to Sirius. He was sitting in front of the fireplace when he heard her say goodnight to Nell. He stared at the flames and sighed. Sirius never thought that all the little things would make him sadder. He concentrated so hard that he didn't hear Nell come into the living room.
"Waiting for a call?" she asked him.
"No," answered Sirius without looking at her.
"Thalia used to stare at the stars whenever she wanted to do any thinking," said Nell.
"Yes, I remember," whispered Sirius.
"Look, I know that we didn't exactly start out on the right foot, but I know how hard it is for you. Fiona can make it hard for anyone, if she wants to," said Nell. She was starting to feel sorry for Sirius because she knew what he was up against.
"I don't know what to say. Thalia's done so much for her. I haven't done anything. I can't get her to talk to me really. If I can't get her to talk to me, then I can't get her to trust me. She's so much more stubborn than her mother," said Sirius.
"You're being too kind. She's willful. There were times when Fiona purposely did things just to get a rise out of her mother," said Nell knowingly.
"She gets that from me," admitted Sirius.
"Too stubborn to listen to someone," said Nell without bitterness. Sirius knew what she was implying. "She needs to learn to listen, even if she doesn't want to hear it. She needs to learn to understand, before she passes judgment. Goodnight, Sirius."
Sirius stared back into the fire again. Those were lessons that Sirius had to experience. He didn't want Fiona to lose anymore than she what she had already lost. He didn't want her to experience the painful things he had had to live through. His dreams at night worsen with each passing day. Before his dreams had been of Azkaban, but now they were of Thalia, James, and Lily dying over and over again.
Sirius thought of the things he would never experience again. He would never again have a good laugh with James, tease Lily, or kiss Thalia. He would never again see his wife's eyes blaze with wonderment and love.
He snapped out of his self pity quickly as his thoughts fell on Fiona and Harry. They had to be his first and only concerns. A godson that he could not openly protect and a daughter who would not accept him. Harry had a mixture of James and Lily's qualities. Just like Fiona had a mixture of Sirius and Thalia's qualities.
There was no denying that Harry had inherited some of James' skill on the Quidditch field. He was an excellent flier. Sirius also got more than a glimpse of James and Lily's fiery tempers in Harry, especially on that first night knowing him. Sirius could also see the unique qualities that Harry had. He had a lot more tolerance, which he had built up due to his time with the Dursleys. He had more patience than James did.
Fiona looked very much like her mother. She was proud and elegant. Sirius was pretty sure that she was unaware of how beautiful she was or how much she looked like her mother. Sirius could see his smile when she smiled, which he had seen more often when she thought he was an ordinary dog. She was going to be harder to win over than her mother. She was much more cynical than Thalia and less trusting of people in general. The truth was that she belonged more to Thalia than she did to Sirius. While he could see Harry belonging to both James and Lily, Sirius felt like he had a very small claim on Fiona.
The flames flickered, and Remus' face came up in the flames. Sirius didn't even force a smile on his face. Before Remus could say anything, Sirius murmured, "She hates me."
Remus' calm eyes didn't falter. "No, she doesn't," he said.
"She does. She ignores me. And when she looks at me, she's sad," insisted Sirius.
"She doesn't hate you. Thalia's her mother. She doesn't know how to hate anyone. She just resents you," said Remus.
"Fine. She resents me," said Sirius.
"Harry's getting more and more anxious these days. He's not satisfied with me just saying everything is fine. You've got to talk to him soon," said Remus.
"Have him come to your office. The time zone is different here, so we'll have to schedule this. You have Harry's schedule. I'm not going here and I'm not getting anywhere," said Sirius.
Fiona came out of her room to get a glass of water from the kitchen, but she stopped just at the staircase and sat down on the steps when she heard her father's voice accompanied by another male, British voice. She heard everything her father said. Fiona bit her lip.
She felt bad for making him feel bad. She also felt guilty for going against what her mother taught her. However, she was still mad at Sirius. She was angry at him for leaving her mother. Her mother was unable to defend herself now, so Fiona felt it was her duty to fight for her. She wasn't going to forgive him just because he was sorry. He didn't even apologize to her.
This was the first time Fiona heard of Harry Potter. She wondered if Draco Malfoy knew about him. Sirius talked about him like he was a son. Fiona didn't know what to think of Harry Potter. However, she felt a twinge of envy. He had her father's attention a lot more than she did. She quickly silenced the voice of common sense in her head that was saying, "it's your own fault. You don't want him talking to you, so he's just doing what you want."
So, what? Harry Potter could have Sirius. She didn't need him. She didn't need him before. Needing him was a sign of weakness anyway. She had gotten along fine without her father for almost fourteen years, so she didn't need him now. She had no reason to feel anything towards him. As far as she was concerned, she was going to continue to act like he never even came.
If all that was true, then why were her eyes filling with tears?
*
Draco was placed in a large guestroom in Ryu's flat. The bed was larger than the one at the dorm in Hogwarts. He noticed that the sheets were green. The furniture was sleek and modern. The Muggles did make things to Draco's taste. The room was large and spacious with high ceilings.
Everything in the wizarding world looked old and timeless, while things in the Muggle world looked modern and unique. He changed clothes and got into bed. He wondered what the teacher had planned for him. Draco had purposely brought his school books with him, so he was guessing that Ryu was going to allow him to study during the day.
Draco's ears could still hear the music that Fiona Black had played after the dinner. He knew that Sirius Black loved her. That was the first time, Draco ever saw a parent so desperate just for one look from his or her child. Fiona didn't grant him that.
As far as Draco was concerned, Fiona was fortunate to have a father who loved her. Lucius had never showed Draco any love. All Draco's only purpose was to be a tool for his father's status. Draco's mother was just a tool to have him.
All Lucius ever did was criticize Draco. Either Draco's grades weren't high enough or Draco's behavior was not up to Lucius' standards. Draco shifted onto his side. He didn't want to think of what his father thought of him any longer.
Draco closed his eyes. He whispered softly, "I'm safe. This is a safe place." It was only this thought that helped Draco drift off to sleep.
The next morning, Draco was greeted by the sound of blue jays preaching outside on a tree branch next to his window. He looked the bed and found that the sheets were tangled up. It had been an awful night for him. He had had the strangest dream. He was running through woods filled with thorns and snakes. He felt something burning on his left forearm. Draco quickly glanced down at his inner arms. His pale skin looked almost translucent; his veins were blue near his wrists.
Draco quickly stood up and threw off the sheets. He stretched out his body. He wasn't going to be a Death Eater like his father. He was going to be his own person. He had taken his own fate in his hands and regardless of what happened, it was too late to turn back. He was surprised by a sudden knock at the door.
"Draco, I know that you are awake. Come for breakfast after making your bed," said Ryu from behind the closed door.
"Yes," responded Draco. He glanced at the messy, tangled sheets. Draco had never made a bed before in his life. He sighed inwardly as he walked over. He pulled the sheets up until the tangles came lose. He fixed the pillows that he had punched in his sleep back to the way they were before. Then he covered the bed with the sheets. It looked sort of like the way it was before Draco slept in it.
Draco got ready for the day. He started out by fumbling with the Muggle contraption in the shower. Draco hated many things about the Muggle world, but it was mostly due to his lack of familiarity with simple Muggle objects. He had spent his whole life thinking that the Muggles were stupid, but after living in the Muggle world for a few days, Draco learned that Muggles merely did things differently because they didn't have magic.
It took Draco forty-five minutes before he finally came out of his room. He was glad that the room he was occupying had a bathroom in it. He liked having a private bath. Draco came out of his room without slicking back his hair.
Draco thought of his rooms in Malfoy Manor and Hogwarts. He slicked back his hair to be like his father, but now he didn't bother doing that. He looked more natural, and he looked more like his mother. Draco wanted to look more like her.
Ryu looked up at Draco with a slight smile as he read the Muggle newspaper. "Good morning, Draco. I trust you didn't sleep as well as you had hoped," said Ryu.
"How did you know that?" asked Draco in mild surprise.
"I can sense things. Today, you've got a busy day ahead of you," said Ryu. "Come and eat breakfast. Do you want the Muggle newspaper or the wizarding one?"
Draco reached out and took the wizarding paper because Ryu was reading the Muggle one. "Why would I be busy?" asked Draco suspiciously.
"I contacted your Headmaster last night," said Ryu. He waited for Draco's reaction, but when Draco didn't display any, he continued, "We both agreed that for the time being you will be underneath my tutelage."
"What?" said Draco finally as his brain processed the information.
"You will be placed under independent study, but you will also be under my supervision," said Ryu.
"You know Professor Dumbledore?" asked Draco.
"Yes, I've known him for quite some time," said Ryu calmly and mysteriously.
Draco sat down patiently as he listened to Ryu's lesson plans for him. At first, Draco didn't quite understand the concept of "independent study." Apparently, he was going to have a set of lessons each week that he was to complete on his own and be tested on. Ryu would supervise him during the day, but once Fiona Black arrived Ryu was going to train her directly.
"When you return to Hogwarts, you won't be behind the other students in your class. In fact, if I plan this right, you'll be ahead in all your classes," said Ryu after he explained the plan to Draco.
"I don't have all my supplies here. I only have my wand and some of my books," said Draco feebly. He had been looking forward to doing nothing.
"I have all the supplies that you need. You don't have to wear robes. Just wear whatever you like," said Ryu with a smile.
Draco nodded weakly. He should have known that staying with a teacher would shorten his free time. He looked at the list that Ryu gave him. It was a schedule. As far as Draco could tell, it looked almost like one from Hogwarts, except the study times were longer. He didn't even bother to ask if there were books because he had a feeling that Ryu had the books there.
Draco resigned with a sigh. At least, I don't have to wonder what I'm going to do now. Beside, I don't want to fall behind. I don't want Granger to gain anymore ground over me. If Potter does better then me, I'll never hear the end of it, thought Draco as he stood up from the breakfast table. He watched as Ryu took his own plate to the sink. Draco picked up his own plate and glass and carried it to the sink.
Ryu took glass and plate before Draco could set them down on the sink. "Thank you," said Ryu with a smile.
A pleasant smile. Draco realized that Ryu kept smiling pleasantly like Dumbledore. And if Draco wasn't mistaken, there was also a twinkle in Ryu's eyes that was always present. Draco shook the thoughts away and looked at the list.
He was already behind schedule. It was time to get to work.
*
Back in Nell and Fiona's house, Fiona woke up feeling very depressed. There was a soft knock on the door. "I'm awake," mumbled Fiona as she pulled the covers over her head.
"Nell said to get up," said Sirius from behind the door. He had volunteered to go and make sure that Fiona was up.
"I'm awake," she repeated.
"That's not the same as getting up," said Sirius. "Please."
"Okay, I'll get up because Nell said so," said Fiona with a sigh as she shifted and touched her feet the to floor. She stood up and stretched her body. "I'm up! Now, leave me alone," she continued.
Sirius stifled the sigh from his throat. He was sure she could hear it. He stood by the door. It didn't swing out, so he could safely wait for her to come out of her room.
Fiona didn't know that her father was waiting for her outside her door. No, there was something wrong. She felt cold all of a sudden. She closed her eyes. Finally, she dropped to the floor.
"I want her found!" shouted a figure cloaked in darkness. His voice sounded like a hiss.
A small, sniveling man was trembling under his orders. There was another voice. It was hissing. "Let me eat him," it said.
"Yes, m-master. We're trying. We haven't been able to locate the child," stammered the little man with fear in his voice.
"There is no place where she can hide. The child now belongs to me. Find her and bring her to me," ordered the dark figure.
Fiona could feels something wrapping around her. It was cold and scaly. There came a warm feeling from her chest. "It will be fine. Nothing will harm you as long as I am with you," whispered her mother's voice.
The light returned as Fiona opened her eyes. She was awake enough to notice that the crystal around her neck was glowing. "Mom…"whispered Fiona softly.
Sirius opened the door at that moment. He had heard her body collapsed onto the floor. Sirius came to Fiona's side. "What happened?" he demanded, just barely hiding the panic in his voice.
"I don't know," whispered Fiona as she rubbed her head. "I heard a man shouting he wants to find a child…me. There was another man. Short. He was telling him that they couldn't find me. Then the other voice said that there was no where to run. I felt like something was wrapping around me. It was like a python," she whispered as she shuddered.
Sirius frowned. He reached out to touch her. He wanted to comfort her, but he stopped himself again. Fiona didn't look like she was close to tears, but she was shaken. "What else?" asked Sirius softly.
"She said I would be fine. Nothing was going to hurt me as long as she was with me," answered Fiona as her hand clutched around the black crystal.
Sirius didn't have to ask who Fiona was talking about. Nell came upstairs quietly and stopped at the doorway because she had heard Fiona talking about what had happened. Fiona was tired. Emotional, she was drained of any energy she had. Fear was running through her veins.
"Fiona, about this man, the one you could see, tell me more about me," pressed Sirius.
Fiona said, "He looks really short. Scared like he was going to mess himself. He has a squeaky voice and beady eyes."
Sirius had an angry look on his face. "That rat," he muttered in a way that almost sounded like a growl. "I'll kill him."
Fiona looked at him in alarm. "What?" she asked.
"Fiona, you don't have to go to school today, if you don't feel up to it," said Nell.
Fiona took her eyes away from Sirius and looked at Nell, "But I want to go to school."
"Then, I suggest that you get ready," said Nell as she went away.
Sirius stood up, tense with anger. Fiona's legs felt like they were made out of jelly, so when she stood up, she stumbled. Sirius quickly steadied her. "Thanks," whispered Fiona as she made her way to the bathroom. Sirius was about to leave her room, but stopped to stare again at the pictures on the bulletin board.
"What did you do, Thalia?" he whispered, remembering the cryptic entries in her diary. Sirius had a feeling that Thalia didn't leave Fiona completely without defense. Just like the diary, Thalia's eyes in the pictures held no answers for him. All he could see was a woman who gave her life to protect her daughter.
Sirius was prepared to do the same, but he had a feeling he didn't need to. He trusted his wife to know that Fiona was going to be safe. He walked out of the room, but closed the door slowly before leaving it.
AN: Go to the livejournal for any other notes on this fic. http://remyelf.livejournal.com. I made the dumbest mistake in the last chapter and that's partly the reason why I posted this one so soon after the last one. Um…I'd rather not explain here.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and any characters from the books. I own Fiona Black, Thalia Black, Ryu Ran, and Nell Lawson. But, if JK Rowling wants 'em, I won't argue with her. ^_~