Please note, that I do not own the character of Sirius Black, or any other magical lingo.  The title comes from the Coldplay song of the same name.

This is a Sirius/OC (Reina) story.

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Clocks
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Chapter Two:  The Murderer

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            She couldn't believe this.  Her heart pounded distractingly in her throat as her mind raced.  Her guests…her party…Sirius Black…for Merlin's sake...

            Looking around quickly, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him inside.  The kitchen was dark and quiet, only the porch light was letting any light in; the soft roar of the party far away the only sound.

            She licked her lips, trying to think fast.

            "Tabitha!" she yelled, and quickly lowered her voice to a shrill whisper.  "Tabitha!  Where are you?"

            "Yes, Madam?"  The old woman stepped out from out of the shadow and looked at her nervously, rubbing her hands together.

            "Tell the guests that I'm not feeling well.  Ask them to please finish their dinners and then feel free to go home.  If you can do it inconspicuously, ask the Headmaster to stay, but I'd like to speak to him alone."

            Tabitha bowed low, wiping her already-clean hands on her apron.

            "Yes, Madam.  But…what about…?"  Her eyes wandered over Sirius, rather too curiously.

            Reina stepped in front of him, shielding him from her prying eyes.

            "Do not concern yourself with him.  Go.  Now.  And no one is to disturb me in my quarters aside from Dumbledore.  Not you, not Henry, and not Merry."

            Tabitha bowed clumsily and opened a door, leading to a well-lit hallway.  She hurriedly ran off toward the sounds of the party, leaving Reina alone with Sirius still hidden behind her.

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            She didn't think he looked very good.  He was still shivering, though she had him tucked tightly into her own bed.  She had shut and locked her windows, as well as charmed and spelled the doors to her chambers.

            She paced by the fireplace, wiping furiously at the stream of tears running down her cheeks.  Sirius Black.  Her breath caught in her throat at the very thought of that name.  The tears kept flowing.  Sirius.  A sob. 

He's a murderer!  She wanted to scream.  How had he gotten here?  He was supposed to be in Azkaban.  Murderer.

            She turned to look at him, shivering under the lavender covers of her own bed.  A swell of tears blinded her vision.

She'd never believed it.  Not a word.  He was a troublemaker, no doubt.  He was a rebel.  A mischievous boy.  But certainly not a murderer.  No.

            But how was he here?  She remembered reading about the Potters in the paper.  Little Peter Pettigrew.  Sirius' arrest.  His imprisonment without a trial.

            And she'd always imagined what it would have been like…if he…if he hadn't been sent away.  If he'd only had a trial.  Sirius.

            She walked closer to the bed, wiping at her face with her sleeve.  Confused and dizzy, she sat down beside the shivering, whimpering form of a beautiful, broken man. 

            Sirius Black.

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            There was a soft tap at the door, and the deep, hushed tones of the Headmaster whispering to her.

            "Reina.  Reina?  Open the door.  I am alone."

            Still sobbing, she stood.

            "Headmaster?"

            Feeling like a little girl, she ran to the door, opening it and flinging herself into the Headmaster's arms.  Confused, he embraced her, patting her softly on her back.

            "What is it, Reina?  You do not seem ill…"

            His baby blue eyes calmly scanned the room.  He stepped into the room, still holding Reina with one arm, closing the doors behind him with the other.  He noticed the lump on her bed quivering.

            "What's this?"

            He looked down at the girl crying uncontrollably, head in her hands.

            She pointed to the bed with a shaking hand, and whispered, "Murderer."

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            She watched him roll onto his back again, with help from the Headmaster.  He slowly sat up, and she maintained a safe distance of five feet, careful to remain behind the Headmaster. 

"Sirius."

The tone that Headmaster Dumbledore used was incredibly gentle and soothing.  A tone used on a small child who had been hurt, or around a dying person.  It sent a shiver down her spine. 

Then in a hushed, hoarse whisper, he replied:

"Professor?"

She shivered.  The Headmaster sat down beside him, and patted his leg softly.  Reina watched in anticipation.  What was he going to do?  Her first instinct had told her to protect Sirius.  He wasn't capable of murder.  Was he?  He wouldn't betray his friends…would he?  He wouldn't want to hurt her.

Her mind froze.  He would.  He had.  She shook her head, when she noticed the Headmaster was speaking to her.

"Reina, I must ask you not to speak of this to anyone.  Regardless who should ask.  You must obliviate your maid-servant, she saw him and suspects too much.  Afterward, take a Sleeping Draught, and rest in one of the other bedrooms.  I shall stay here tonight, with Sirius.  Is this alright?"

She nodded, feeling safer knowing that the Headmaster himself would watch over Sirius.

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            "Oh, Mistress, what has happened?"  Tabitha was furiously wiping her hands on her apron.

            "Nothing.  He is a sick friend.  Tabitha, who else have you told about our unexpected guest?"

            "Nobody, Madam, I wouldn't tell nobody!"

            "Very well, Tabitha."

            She rose her wand up, and cast the obliviate spell before Tabitha could even open her mouth to object.

            "Hello, Tabitha."

            "Hello, Madam," she replied, bowing deep.

            "Tonight I feel like sleeping in one of the North Rooms.  I've given my room to Headmaster Dumbledore for tonight.  See that he is not disturbed, for any reason.  Disregard any sounds you may hear coming from his room.  Get me a Sleeping Draught, and bring it to the North wing."

            "Yes, Madam."

            She started back up the staircase, nearing her private chambers.  As she passed, she listened closely to the muffled sound of people talking.

            Halfway down the hallway, her eyes widened in disbelief when she heard a loud bellow, followed by a thunderous crash.

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A/N:  This chapter didn't turn out to be quite the piece I was hoping for, but it's alright.  There is some plot development.  One interesting note is that Headmaster Dumbledore knew of Sirius' escape before the Ministry!  And he had the chance to talk to Sirius.  We'll see what happens…As for Reina, I was hoping for more development, but all we get so far is this:

She has a past with Sirius. 

She believes him not guilty, but for some reason cannot bring herself to trust him.

She's wealthy.

She respects Dumbledore.

So I hope you enjoyed!  Next chapter may be out soon.

To those who reviewed:
The Wolf Child – Thanks!  I'm sorry I made you cry.  Sensitive subject, Sirius is now.  I hope you enjoy this fic.  I plan on making him feel happy before he has to leave us…that is…if he does leave us.  (hint hint)  ;)

Luna – Thanks – but you have to keep reading, please?  I think you might like the ending.

Balcairn-babe -   Thanks so much!  Another satisfied reader!  I'll be trying to update my other stories soon!

Lisapow – Thanks – please keep reading!

Rora – Thanks!  Poor Sirius.  He'll get some happiness in this story, I promise.

Jedi Amoira – Thanks!  I hope this story lives up!


Please review and let me know what you think.

Much appreciated!

Until next time –

Eclipsed Planet