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Authors Notes: Thank you to all those who reviewed! I appreciate the help immensely and I tried out some of your suggestions, and I hope this chapter is to your liking. ^_^

Beautiful Pain

Chapter 2

Feeling

*Harry's POV*

I came around a few minutes ago, but I refused to open my eyes. Not just yet. My master was gone from the Slaves' Circle and soon I would be too, but I needed to stop feeling first. That's the thing about being numb. Every so often your body and mind want you to feel. It's not the physical pain that bothered me so much. The scars, embedded glass, and hell, even the blood was great. They let me know that I was still alive. They let me know that I could save someone else's life by doing my master's bidding. As long as I live so would they. They deserved to be alive, at peace, and happy forever. As long as I could help them I would be glad to offer anything, even my life.

I opened my eyes slowly, hoping that the sight of utter blackness around me would help wash away this horrible sensation of feeling. It helped. With a soft grunt I managed to stand up in the red center of the Slaves' Circle and hobble over to my school robes. Thank goodness they weren't ripped or stained with blood. I really didn't want to answer any more questions. Not now. My wand was charmed, thanks to my oh-so-kind master, never to work when I was in the Slaves' Circle. It was his land to rule and I had no power at all when I 'visited'.

Carefully shrugging on my clothes, hoping desperately that my blood wouldn't seep though the cloak, I silently turned towards the tomb like off-white doors that were still barred as tightly as they were from the moment I stepped inside. With a sad little sigh I raised my hand to brush the smooth glass-like jewel of my Slave Necklace. With a small groan the doors fell open as they're soundlessly ordered to. With another deep breath I gingerly walked out of the Slave's Circle back towards the numb nothingness routine that was my life. The Slave Necklace, charmed to invisibility, was just another way for my master to keep me on a short leash, literally. It was invisible, even when he first put it on me, but it felt like metal, and always ice cold against my skin. I'd never forget that day when it fused to my skin --- becoming one with me, killing all of my chances for a happy life ---away from nightmares.

Whenever he wanted to, my master could tighten it to the point of my decapitation, but I knew he'd never go that far. He wanted me to be his for the rest of my life. To be alive in that Circle of hellish servitude. To suffer as the 'Dark Lord' never had the chance to make me suffer. If I still had a soul I'd pity him. He didn't used to be this way. I think perhaps something, torture, spells, whatever, caused him to snap after that final battle. It made sense that he was one of the last remaining Death Eaters after all. With a soft rustle I pushed my way out from behind the tapestry. Back to the reality of it all. Back to the nothingness.

It's a Hogsmead weekend so I was able to pass through the empty halls unnoticed. It's a comfort hearing only the echo of my own footsteps against the castle walls. It reminded me that I was alone and that's the way it should be. With a blank look on my face since I doubt they'll be anyone in there, I muttered the password and climbed quietly inside. I paused for a moment, to make sure my cloak came all the way through, before the portrait hole closes. I turned back around, intending to scrape my way up to the boys' dorm, heal myself, and promptly collapse on my bed, but I didn't even gain a step when I saw him. Sirius was standing there as though he'd jumped straight up from the couch and was afraid to move any further. My eyes widened and my voice caught in my throat. I knew what I must look like. Oh god, he's probably putting everything together right before my eyes. I stared blankly on the floor. No doubt he'd already put everything together ---that my little escapades were not pleasurable in any way. Oh god, Sirius please, please just walk away! I couldn't have you getting worried, because you'd only end up in more danger! Oh, please not again! I thought I could protect you this time… but if you get involved… oh god!

"Harry…"

Sirius' soft tone brought me back to reality and I slowly brought my broken gaze up to meet his. Never had he looked so frightened, sad, and concerned all at once. It's like he's trying to reach right inside me and try to fix everything with that one look. He took one step towards me then stopped, as though he's afraid he'll break me if he came closer. I could see in his eyes that he wanted so badly to hold me and make everything better. Suddenly, it's as if the dead soul within me offered one fragile beat…as if its heart was begging to live again --- it's too much. Feeling flooded my whole being. I closed my eyes again, and just barely whispered out, "Sirius…" before I crumpled towards the floor.

*Sirius's POV*

I crossed the distance between my godson and I, catching him just before he hit the floor. Oh god…this was not good. Already I could feel a large wetness seeping onto my hand from his back and see various other wounds across his face and hands. It looked like he'd just been through every fight he ever had with Voldermort all over again. He felt so fragile and his breathing was so pained. I took a deep breath and forced myself not to think. If I did not think then I would not panic. Thoughtlessly, I cradled his small frame delicately in my arms and made my way to the hospital wing. It's a route I suddenly wished I wasn't so familiar with ---something that I shouldn't be able to do in my sleep. Eons later, I was all but bringing down the house as I beat against the door with my leg, trying to gain Madame Pomfrey's attention. Maybe she arrived only a few seconds after my first kick, but it wasn't fast enough for me.

"What is all- Oh!!!" Madame Pomfrey's eyes went wide and she immediately took my godson from me.

She rushed to the nearest bed and was, true to her character, shouting orders at the house elves under her care to bring her the things she needed while she worked on removing Harry's blood soaked cloths. She was so focused on the task at hand that she had no time to order me away. That's good, because I wouldn't have gone anyway. I watched with disbelief and horror as she stripped Harry down to his boxers to gain access to his injuries. There were so many cuts that it almost looked as if he was skinned alive. I barely suppressed a shudder as she turned him onto his stomach. His back ---it the worst of all. It was if someone had grated it with a cheese shredder. I couldn't take it anymore and I suddenly found myself huddled on my knees, eyes clamped firmly to block out the truth. A firm hand found its place on my shaking shoulder. I opened my eyes, blink back a few tears, and turned to see calm, reassuring, blue eyes looking back into mine. Dumbledore. Why was I not surprised? He always seemed to know everything that had happened around here, sometimes, even before it had happened.

"He is in good hands, Sirius. There is nothing that you can do. Please, try to wait patiently outside."

I shook my head. As hard as this was for me, I couldn't leave the room. Instead, I only managed to stand and walk to a nearby empty bed and took a seat, staring intently at Madame Pomfrey. Dumbledore seemed to realize that I wouldn't be budged and with a kind smile he went out of the room again. Many hours passed, fading into each other, and all I could do was wait. I must have closed my eyes at one point because the next thing I knew I was opening them. Everything was dark for a long moment before my eyes adjusted and every thing that happened before flooded over me like ice water. Harry.

I jumped from the bed, sending the blanket I had draped over me slithering to the floor. It's very dim but I could still make out his thin, unconscious form on the next bed. Despite all my worry, I approached him very slowly, as if the slightest movement could cause him more harm.

Kneeling by his bedside I let my gaze swept over his pale face down to the bandages covering almost his entire torso. Oh god, who did this to him… and why?

Tentatively, I swept the bangs out of his eyes. The poor thing looked to be in terrible pain, even in sleep. But some part of him must have recognized my touch because I felt him lean into it and smiled sadly. With a desperate sigh I pulled my hand away, tracing the line of his jaw and throat. My hand stopped dead on his shoulder … there's something there. I leaned in for a closer look and saw nothing but pale moonlight skin. That's odd… I swear there was something there… Following my suspicion I let my hand brushed over his throat again. Metal. There WAS something there, I just couldn't see it.

With another deep breath I closed my eyes and focused all of my attention on what I was feeling. It went all the way around his neck, it was definitely metal, and it seemed to be fused on his skin in some way. I swallowed hard to keep back the dread and the rising suspicion as my fingertips found their way nimbly to the center of his throat. There was a jewel there… twisted into some odd shape…. I moved my fingers over it again and again trying to form a clear picture of what it looked like. My eyes snapped open in horror. Oh god! Oh god! Oh god, I didn't know how this had happened. This was all supposed to be over… I thanked my stars that Harry was spared from seeing at least this type of carnage. No such luck, apparently.

"Oh Harry…" I murmured barely above a whisper as I slipped my hand into his, intertwining our fingers, "don't you worry. I promise you we'll beat this together. You just rest now."

Although I gave off a calm air, inwardly I was particularly livid. When I found the person responsible I would make them pay. Big time. In the morning I would definitely talk to Dumbledore about this. But not right now, right now, Harry needed me. Even if he didn't know that I was here, he needed someone to hold his hand and tell him everything would be okay. I would always be there for Harry. I was just so sorry I didn't get here soon enough….

Authors Notes: Well that's all for chapter two. ^_^ I hope everyone is enjoying things so far. The key thing you have to remember for this story is to expect the unexpected. ^_^ Until next chapter! ^_^