New chapter again, I am speeding through the last few chapters now. Looks like three more in my estimation, not as many as I said before. Then the sequel will be up immediately after so look out for that!

Thanks to:

Becks89 – lol liked the TYE update, though I'm waiting to see Buffy and Sirius together. As for the sequel, you will have to wait and see.

Christiana – glad you like my writing, and yes there will definitely be a sequel, as I have planned it in my head (well the beginning anyway) and I am itching to write it

ScruffyWes – PoA left a lot of questions as to Sirius' actions and I thought I'd make them valid in this fic, with the curtains and also what he did to the fat lady's portrait.

Miz

Harmoni9 – you will have to wait and see what happens with the sequel too!

Draco-FutureBF

Manticore-gurl071134

Lark277

Alexandra the half-wolf

Elrohir lover

Chapter 31 – Grief

The next few days they laid low, not wanting to be out too much after what had happened up at Hogwarts. Though they were sure that Ron had not seen Buffy, it was better that they waited before venturing into Hogsmeade again. They were happy to spend time alone together anyway.

 Buffy ventured out of the Shrieking Shack a few days later to get some bread. She picked up a paper as well, and some letters from Sunnydale. From the witch working in the post office she obtained the information that the Hogwarts students had another Hogsmeade day scheduled for that coming Saturday.
 "We'd better stay inside," Buffy said when she returned. "They'll be eyeballing the house anyway so it's best we stay inconspicuous." Sirius agreed.

Buffy read her letters, there was one from Giles and one from her mother. The letter from Giles was regular chat, about Sunnydale, and how impressed he was with the way Faith had really was trying to heal her soul and make amends for what she had done.
The letter from her mother was slightly different:

Dear Buffy,

I hope you and Sirius are well in England and are taking care of yourselves. Try to stay out of trouble as much as possible.

Faith is settling in at our home. She is very considerate to me and it is nice to have someone else living in the house. We both miss you very much.


I don't want you to worry but I'm having some tests done. I've been a little run down lately and I've had some strange muscle spasms so the doctor thinks it's best if I have a CAT scan, among other things. Don't worry, I'll be fine, so don't even think about coming here, I just thought you should know.

Missing you daily,
Love mom xx

Buffy was blown away by the rush of emotion she experienced when she read the letter. It was intense and like nothing she'd felt before.
Killing Angel had been like a physical blow, her body had felt like she been in a serious trauma which had taken something from her, leaving her hollow. Being in Azkaban had been horrible too, all her memories pushing in her brain, causing her to wallow in sorrow.
But this was something else. Buffy was hit by love for her mother and a strong need to see her and to hold her and tell her everything would be okay. She felt raw and frightened in a way she hadn't felt for a long time since she was a little girl. For the first time she was helpless, unable to fight whatever was causing her pain and she hated it.
Sirius, on seeing the grief on Buffy's face came over to her.
 "What is it?" he asked worriedly.

 "My mom isn't well," she said and Sirius wrapped her in his arms, just holding her.
After a few minutes she pulled away and Sirius read the letter.
 "She'll be okay," he said reassuringly and Buffy nodded.
 "I know," she relied shakily. "It's just scary." Sirius nodded and held her hand reassuringly.
 "If you want to go and be with her then I don't mind," Sirius said gently.
 "No, I should stay," Buffy said with conviction. "It said in the letter. If I go back then all I'll do is worry and get in her way." Sirius nodded.
 "I'm here for you," he said simply and Buffy smiled.
 "I know," she murmured.

****

Over two months passed before Buffy heard from Sunnydale again. She and Sirius had been living quietly in the Shrieking Shack, not making any moves to enter Hogwarts again at the present. Sirius knew that the security would've been increased since their last botched attempt and he was fearful of Remus' knowledge of his Animagus form.

A morning mid April brought the arrival of another letter from her mother. Buffy collected it from the post office and hurried back to the Shrieking Shack to read it.
Once she arrived she couldn't open, her hands just wouldn't make the motion to pick it up on rip open the envelope.

 "Can you open it?" Buffy asked Sirius nervously. He looked at her. "Actually, no wait I'll do it."
Before she could back out of it, Buffy grabbed it, opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. She unfolded it and scanned the words frantically.
 Sirius knew it was bad news from the look on her face as the words on the letter sunk in. She went very pale and her eyes widened and filled. She clutched the letter tightly and it crumpled in her hand, as her face crumpled into tears. Sirius held her again, letting her cry out her pain and frustration. He hated this, that this was happening to her, that the woman that he loved had to suffer like this. The sobs racked her body and he wished he could make it all go away.

When she had regained control, Buffy handed him the letter and he read it.
 
Dear Buffy,

There's no easy way to tell you this so I'll be straight with you. My results have come through from the CAT scan and I have a brain tumour.

I have to have surgery to remove the tumour and the doctors say there's every chance I'll make a complete recovery. I'm writing this on the 10th April and I'm due for surgery on 1st May. I don't want you to worry, it's a routine operation and I'm sure I'll be fine.
I love you very much and miss you all the time,

Mom xx

Sirius paled considerably on reading the letter also. He had liked Joyce very much and was worried for her and for Buffy. Turning back to Buffy he kissed her forehead and pulled her to him again.
 "She'll be okay," he murmured softly in her ear as he held her. Buffy just stared at the wall, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I have to go," she murmured and looked up at him. "I have to go be with my mom; I can go now and be there before her op." Sirius nodded.
 "You have to," he said, wanting to make it easy on her.

 "You'll be okay right?" Buffy said, her voice wavering.
 "I'll be fine," he said, waving a hand. "I was planning on going to live in the Forbidden Forest for a while, on the outskirts so I'd be nearer Harry anyway. And I can only do that dog shaped so it makes sense for you to go."
 "I'll be back as soon as I can," Buffy promised. "I'll see mom through her operation and recovery and then I'll come back. I was here when this thing started; I want to see it end."

Therefore, the next day Buffy had her bags packed to Floo back to Los Angeles. By going out of Hogsmeade she had found a muggle telephone box and had made a long distance phone call to home. Her mom was thrilled to have Buffy home giving her support and they had arranged for Giles to collect Buffy in LA.
 "I'll miss you," Buffy said softly, hugging Sirius tightly and wishing she didn't have to let go. He kissed the top of her head and wished the same thing. But they both knew this was necessary.

 "Send my best wishes to your mum," he said gently. "Tell her I'll be thinking of her."
 "Will do," Buffy said, eyes brimming with tears.

 "Hey don't cry," Sirius murmured. "We'll be together soon. I'm going to miss you though."

They shared one last hasty kiss before Buffy collected up her bags and stepped into the fireplace, to return to America.