(NOTE:right now Im at a friends house, but I got hit with
inspiration,so...I had 2 write!)
Lana narrowed her eyes at Voldemortand stood, arms as folded as the chains would let them, and tapped her foot impatiently.
The Death Eaters were in uproar, couldnt believe that someone would dare be so mocking. The funniest thing was that she was the youngest person they had captured, 17, still at Hogwarts and they had expected her to cry and beg for mercy. But here she was, brass and bold and mocking the Dark Lord.
Voldemort was stunned. Never in all his years had anyone ever mocked him to this extent, and in front of his face, and in these circumstances.
"You should be begging for your life." he said softly, and the Death Eaters fell quiet when he spoke. "Youre every bit as arrogant and insufferable as that lover of yours. And you will die. I will be there to watch it. I may even do it myself. Or maybe Ill make you watch Sirius die first."
Lana raised her eyebrows, but she didnt doubt what Voldemort said to her. She was terrified, and she hated being scared. It made her angry that someone could make her afraid.
"Leave us." Voldemort instructed the Death Eaters.
"But my Lord.." Lestrange protested.
"Leave. Now." Voldemort commanded.
"Lord - " Lestrange continued.
Voldemort turned to her and muttered "crucio". Her screams filled the cavern for a few seconds and then he let her go. "Anybody else want to disobey me?"
The Death Eaters disapparated out of the cavern, and Lestrange was the last one to go. That left Lana and Voldemort.
Lana took a few steps, putting a good few metres between her and Voldemort. She couldnt be bothered to defend herself any more.
"A little anti climatic, dont you think?" she asked. "Thought you were gonna make a big show if killing me."
"Im not going to kill you." Voldemort said, but he was still giving Lana the major wiggins. She felt her stomach lurch, and she was sure it had nothing to do with the life or death situation she was in right now.
Lana frowned and barely had time to register what was happening as a flash of blue light hit her in the stomach, sending her flying back 3 metres and around 6 foot in the air, smashing into the wall of the cavern, the rocks digging into her back, making the cuts deeper, and the pain was unbearable, but she couldnt breathe, was winded, and she fell forwards and down hard onto the floor, smashing her knees and jarring her arms as she put her palms down to stop her hitting her face. Blood poured from Lanas mouth as she coughed, catching her breath.
She got up, angry and shaking and terrified, and ran for Voldemort, but before she got more than a few meters, the chains yanked her back and almost ripped her arms from her sockets.
"Arghhhhhhh" she screamed, and fell backwards and landed on her ass.
Voldemort chuckled. "Lana, Lana, Lana....." he said, flicking his wand lazily, and he slammed her back into the wall again, but held her there this time, and a little lower so he could talk right to her face.
"Fiesty little 17 year old arent you? Just 17...7th year of Hogwarts...Living with Sirius Black...Been dating him for 3 years almost. Bestest friends with Lily and James. Its really...kinda cute." he said, mocking her. "Im not sure what it is with you and the werewolf tho...And you dont seem to trust little Peter, do you? Makes me sick." Voldemort said, and Lana was struggling to breathe, blood trickling from the side of her head, from her mouth, and the wounds on her back re-opening.
"Fuck you" she managed to stay, spitting blood at him.
Voldemort flicked his wand and two gashes appeared on Lanas face, making her wince.
"You fight like a girl" Lana spat at him.
Voldemort flicked his wand, and threw Lana up to the ceiling of the cavern, then dropped her before she could hit it, and she fell 20 foot to the floor with a sickening crunch, landing awkwardly on her front, and she felt a deep searing pain deep in her stomach.
Lana gasped outloud, and cringed so bad, and as she tried to kneel up, she found herself keeling over when she saw all the blood on her back and on her in general.
"Ive killed people for a lot less than this Lana, Ive killed witched older and more talented than you." But Lana could barely hear what he was saying. "Im starting to wonder why Im talking and not killing you" he said, flicking his wand and levitating her a few feet in the air. "I think its because, when you should be annoying me beyond belief, with the mocking and the arrogance...Youre actually intriguing and amusing me. For someone not even out of Hogwarts yet...You have a lot of balls. You are ruthless and determined. Another reason for killing you would be that you killed 4 of my men tonight. Good, strong men. Yet....I feel their loss will be nothing if only you would join us, Lana.." Lana managed to mutter something. "Never." and Voldemort let his wand down, Lana falling to the floor, again with the searing pain in her stomach. "oowwwwww" she screamed.
******THE ORDER****** "Two weeks into term and Lanas already sneaking out of school!" Dumbledore said to James who had taken Dumbledore into the large hallway of Sirius home to talk to him.
"What can I say? I take full resposibility for Lana coming out of school. It was my idea." James said, trying to stop Dumbledore from expelling Lana or something - thats if she was alive. "And if she hadnt been out of school...Then you'd have 3 dead bodies...or bits of bodies...on your hands instead of the possible one." he said quietly.
"That is true, James, and looking at it from the Orders point of view, I am extremely grateful that she was. At what cost, though? But from the Headmaster of a school where Lana should have been, well, it cannot be taken lightly. And its not the first time that Lana has pulled something like this...Ive been extremely lenient with her for - well since Sirius left school." He told James, but Dumbledore wasnt about to tell James his real reason for thinking of expelling Lana. Not yet, anyway...And James had protested that Lana could be dead, and Dumbledore had tried to convince them all that Lana was alive...but...
James had always had the feeling that Dumbledore knew a lot more about the comings and goings of the Hogwarts students than he let on. After half an hour of trying to get some information on just what Voldemort was doing with Lana, and what Dumbledore was planning to do when and if she got back, and getting nothing, he gave up. James was fighting a losing battle and he knew it. It hurt him to think of Lana, and he couldnt imagine what Sirius was going through.
"I just think...If shes still alive..." James said, trailing off, finding nothing else to argue with.
Dumbledore shook his head slightly as James strode down the hall and turned right into the main lounge. He smiled at Lily and kissed her briefly.
"I cant stand this, not doing anything, shes not even finished school yet James, its almost - " Lily looked at the clock. "24 hours since they grabbed her. Someone must have some idea of where Lana is." Lilys eyes were brimming with tears.
"Hey, honey, its gonna be fine" James said, hugging Lily tight, saying the words with more confidence than he felt.
"Sirius is still sleeping" Dorcas Meadows walked into the huge lounge through the door on the left, appearing from the stairs. "I still cant believe we sedated him. Hes gonna be so pissed when he wakes up." she said to Lily and James, shaking her blonde head. "Wheres Remus?" she asked.
"Also sleeping." James told her. "Full moon last night."
The portrait of Lana, Sirius, Lily, James, Remus and Peter that ran across the huge chimney suddenly burst to life with the screaming of one of the female headteachers of Hogwarts.
"DUMBLEDORE!! DUMBLEDORE!!" she screamed, scaring the hell out of Lily James and Dorcas.
"What? Why?" James demanded, and Dorcas had already grabbed her wand.
"Theres someone is his office" the woman said hysterically
"Voldemort?" James asked, grabbing his wand.
"Dont be so bloody ridiculous James, I thought you had brains" Dorcas said.
"Oh no, not - You Know Who. A girl. Young. Dark hair. Battered and bruised and messing up Dumbledores carpet with her blood she is."
"Lana." they all said as one, and Lily grabbed her wand.
"Lily, honey, stay here please" James said. "If shes in a state..then..you cant..." Lily reluctantly agreed, nodded and sat down, feeling really sick.
"Ill stay with her" Dorcas said, sitting down beside Lily.
At that moment, Sirius walked down the stairs, still wearing the white shirt that showed his little tan off great, made his eyes seem even more enchanting, that he had been wearing when Lana had gotten caught. His dark denim jeans were crumpled. He yawned and ran his hand through his messy hair.
"What day is - " he began to ask, and then stopped as he saw their pale, shaken faces. He looked at Lily who was crying softly. "Oh God. Who died?" he asked, meaning to be sarcastic, but then it dawned on him that it just wasnt funny in this case. His eyes widened with the fear that had been threatening to grip him all day "Not Lana. The little colour Sirius had in his face drained.
"I dont think shes dead." the portrait said, and disappeared.
James was halfway to the door to get Dumbledore when Dumbledore rushed in, grabbing a hand full of Floo Powder and standing in the fireplace, yelling
"Dumbledores Office" and James, and Sirius, against James advice, went in after.
~*~*~*~*~*~DUMBLEDORES OFFICE~*~*~*~*~*~ They looked around Dumbledores office and felt the colour drain from their faces, as, they walked around to the other side of the desk, they saw Lana. She lay face down on the carpet, and the blood had stopped flowing, but there was still a small puddle of it on the floor. The shirt on her back was torn and they could see the deep lashes on her back, the little bruises and the not so little bruise on the bottom of her back.
"Oh my God" James whispered, frozen to the spot, half-relieved they had her back, half- extremely concerned at what state they had gotten her back in.
Dumbledore couldnt speak.
He looked at Sirius.
Sirius was walking over to Lana, tears falling, half-shouting
"NONONONONONONONONO" over and over as he knelt beside her and turned her over onto her back.
James wished he hadnt. Dumbledore called for Madam Pomfrey.
Lana had dried blood on her forehead, and it matted her hair a little. "Oh God noo Lana baby no" he said over and over, as he looked at Lanas shirt that was torn badly, well, ripped to shreds at the front, and the cuts on her stomach and chest were littler, like little fingernail marks and pin pricks, but there was a lot.
Sirius ran his hand through Lanas hair and pulled her onto his knee, holding her and kissed her forehead. "Lana wake up baby, baby wake up, Lana". He noticed that Lanas jaw had a bruise appearing on it, and that her foot was sticking out at an odd angle. Her arm lay limply at her side, and she was like a rag doll.
James heart was breaking for his best friend, he had no idea what he'd do if it was Lily. Wait, yes he did, hed kill the bastard scum that had done this to her.
Dumbledore stepped forward, knowing that if they were gonna help Lana, they would have to the Hopsital Wing, and fast.
"Sirius, come on..Let us take her." he said gently, laying a hand on Sirius shoulder and pushing him away a little.
"No I cant..I I I cant let her go...Look - " Sirius couldnt speak any more, the tears choking him.
"If were going to help her, you have to let go." Sirius looked up at Dumbledore and slowly let go of Lana. Dumbledore conjured Lana onto a stretcher and James was holding onto Sirius arm, and Sirius was still crying.
Dumbledore turned his back on James and Sirius, a slight crease appearing on his forehead. He looked down at Lana through his half-moon spectacles and placed two fingers on her wrist. He held them there for a few seconds, and then moved them to her neck. Despite himself, Dumbledore felt a lump in his throat as he turned to James and Sirius.
"Im sorry...Sirius..Shes cold."
"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN COLD? HOW CAN YOU JUST SAY THAT?" he screamed, angry that Dumbledore had said "cold" and what it meant. "SHES NOT! SHE CANT BE!"
James didnt know what to do or say. He felt Sirius grip on his arm tighten as grief filled him.
"Do something...Weve gotta do something...just.." Sirius was no longer crying. The tears had run dry. He was in total shock. He blinked slowly. This isnt real, he told himself. Not real...Not happening. Just a dream..A bad dream.
"Why are you all crying?" Lanas voice sounded through the room. Sirius looked at Lanas body, but it hadnt moved. Confused, he turned to James and Dumbledore, to see if they had heard it. Apparently they had, as they were staring at the corner of the room, but Sirius couldnt see what they were looking at.
He stood up and walked over to them, tears blurring his vision. Lana was stood there, in black and white, flickering slightly like an old TV. Her arms were folded across her chest and she still had all the injuries that her corporeal form had.
Sirius wiped at his eyes and blinked a few times. James did this, but Dumbledore looked mildly curious.
Lana stepped forwards and a chill passed through Sirius as she put her hand on him, pushing him gently to the side, or it would have done if her hand hadnt gone right through him, making him feel like hed just dipped his hand in a bucket of ice.
Lana tipped her head to the side and saw her body.
"Oh. This is not good." she said simply, frowning deeper.
"Quite." Dumbledore seemed to be the only one except for Lana-thing to be able to form words.
Lana turned back to the three of them and spoke to Dumbledore.
"No, wait...Im not dead. I did...something. Different plane of existence. Too much pain. Dammit whats the word?" she asked, looking at Dumbledore quizzacly.
"Astral projected."
"Yeah...Dont know how though..."
"Sometimes it happens automatically. You now have a choice. Youre body is, techinically, dead. But you have a choice. Live or die."
It took Lana all of a second. "I aint dying! That bastard aint gonna kill me. Psh. Hes powerful yeah, but...I have things..People..to live for."
James and Sirius were stood just gawping.
"How do I get back in?" she asked, puzzled.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and Lana suddenly looked as if she was being dragged backwards, and then she disappeared in a flurry of sparkles and a swishing sound.
There was a sharp intake of breath from Lanas body and she sat up, choking and blood running from the corner of her mouth.
***********************************************************************
Lana unwrapped her arms from Sirius and shifted back on the bed, wincing.
"Lana, just let Pomfrey heal your cuts...Please." Sirius asked, almost begging.
"No." Lana refused, and kissed Sirius lightly on the lips. "Thanks for stopping me scratching." she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. "Im gonna go take a shower...get cleaned up."
Sirius had his hand in his pocket, and was obviously fiddling with something. He took his hand out of his pocket with nothing in it. He held Lanas hand just as she stood up off the bed.
"I love you." he told her, for the millionth time since she got back.
"Not half as much as I love you." she replied, smiling.
"I love you more!" he said, catching onto the game, smirking.
"I love you more! I so love you more!" she said laughing as he pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her deeply on the lips.
Lana pulled away. "I really have to go shower Sirius...So let me go."
"No" he said, holding her tightly, and she strugled playfully against him
"Let me go! Let me gooooooo!" she said, then looked at Sirius who was grinning at her. "What?"
"Just keep wriggling like that..." he smirked.
She raised an eyebrow. "You like that?" and stopped, smirking at him.
"Mmmhmm." he mumbled as Lana kissed him, then moved her hands to his, and pulled them from her.
"Later. I gotta go shower!" she said, and hobbled across the thick white carpet, and stood in front of the door of their en-suite bathroom. Fuck knows how Sirius afforded this place. He wouldnt let Lana spend any of her inheritance from her Mother, or what she was making from renting her and her mothers old house out. Sirius' mother, on the other hand..well....whole 'nother story. During the holidays of Lanas 4th year, her and the Maurders had stayed at her house, practically living there until Sirius had brought this house in Lanas 5th year, and his 7th, just after Christmas. That summer, Sirius asked Lana to move in with him, and Lana did. Wasnt much point in having these 2 huge houses and living seperately.
"Are you okay?" came Sirius' voice, snapping Lana out of her thoughts. Lana realised shed been stood staring at the door for a few minutes.
"Im fine." Lana said, and finally opened the door and walked into the bathroom. She flicked her wand and the shower burst to life at the perfect temparature. Lana gingerly pulled off her clothes and stepped under the hot water, feeling the water run over her broken body. She didnt wanna cry any more in front of Sirius.
Even over the sound of the shower, Sirius could hear Lanas sobs.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Half an Hour later ~*~*~*~*~*~
Lana dried herself off as best she could, and pulled her white bathrobe around her, albeit a little blood as she struggled to put it on, causing her back to bleed a little.
Sirius was now sat on the plushy sofa that Lana had brought from her room into theirs. He looked gorgeous, Lana thought, he was wearing black jeans and a tight black t-shirt that showed off his toned, athletic body. He always seemed to have a slight tan, Lana noticed. Funny the things you notice when you havent seen your soul mate in a day, Lana thought. His hair seemed longer, too...Sirius had let it grow long once, but then he cut it. Lana liked it long, but its his hair....and he looks great anyway. He pushed his hair back, but it still hung in his face with a casual elegance.
Lanas hair, however, hung wet and tangled, and about 4 inches past her shoulders. Sirius loved it.
"Feeling any better?" Sirius asked, knowing it was a stupid question, hed heard her sobbing all through her shower. Obviously she didnt know he could hear her. It hrut him that she was crying, but it hurt him more that she didnt wanna do it in front of him. But he could understand why. Lana hated being weak. Even when she wasnt being weak, which she wasnt.
"Feeling refreshed." Lana replied, walking with a limp over to her wardrobe.
Sirius smiled a little, moving the thing he had in his hand around a little.
Lana opened the wardrobe door, pushed it to the side, sliding doors, and winced. "Owwww."
The smile faded quickly and he shoved it back in his pocket and walked over.
"Are you okay?" he asked, standing behind Lana and running his hand down her hair.
"Would you stop asking me that?!" she snapped, then sighed, putting her head in her hands and turning around to him. "Im sorry Sirius, I didnt mean to - "
Sirius put a finger over Lanas lips. "Shh. Its okay."
"I just had a little twinge..happened a few times since I got back." off his worried look, Lana added "But its nothing.". She looked at him. "Really. Im fine."
"No youre not" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.
"No Im not..." she agreed quietly.
Sirius pushed Lanas hair gently back from her face, avoiding the cut on her forehead. Lana leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. Sirius ran his hands down her and onto her ass, and slapped it playfully.
"Hey!" she said, looking up at him, pouting, then broke into a grin as she tiptoed and kissed him softly on the lips. He grabbed her ass a little, and pulled her closer as the kiss deepened. Lana ran her hands up his back, sending chills all down him as she stroked the back of his neck lightly, running her other hand through his hair. Sirius moved one of his hands down the back of Lanas bare leg, making her tremble, and she ran her hand down his chest. He pushed his tongue past Lanas lips and she didnt resist, and met it with her own, kissing him passionately as she ran her hand up the inside of his top. Sirius moved his other hand around to the front of Lanas robe, and tugged at where she had fastened it, and she let out a low moan of desire..
BANG BANG BANG
Came a knock on the door.
They broke away, gasping for air. "Leave it" Lana said, moving her hips against him.
"Yeah?!" Sirius managed to gasp.
"I know you two are probably fucking or something, but Dumbledores called a meeting at Headquaters," came James voice, Lana rolled her eyes but grinned. "And seeing as Lanas the main attraction..." he paused, and Lana had some idea of what he was thinking. "Then you better get your asses moving."
Sirius sighed and Lana turned back to the wardrobe, and pulled out a pair of white jogging bottoms, as her legs seemed to be the only things that werent bashed.
"Be right there Prongs." he shouted in reply.
"Dont be too naughty!" he said, and they heard footsteps as he walked off.
"Never change.." Lana muttered.
"Huh?" Sirius asked.
"His heads deflated but all he thinks about, still, is sex." she said, laughing.
Sirius, with great difficulty and sexual tension, helped Lana pull on her jogging bottoms and a small white vest top, tight so it didnt rub on her cuts and make them bleed. They were that deep, especially on her back, that you could see them even through the top. Sirius muttered something and Lanas wet hair dried and got magically tied into a high ponytail, tight, and then pulled into a loose bun, so her hair didnt irritate her back. Besides..Sirius loved it like that. Casual...But sexy. Lana pulled on two sweatbands over her wrists, to hide the sores, blisters and cuts on them from the chains. There was no hiding the deep gash on the inside of her right arm tho.
Lana narrowed her eyes at Voldemortand stood, arms as folded as the chains would let them, and tapped her foot impatiently.
The Death Eaters were in uproar, couldnt believe that someone would dare be so mocking. The funniest thing was that she was the youngest person they had captured, 17, still at Hogwarts and they had expected her to cry and beg for mercy. But here she was, brass and bold and mocking the Dark Lord.
Voldemort was stunned. Never in all his years had anyone ever mocked him to this extent, and in front of his face, and in these circumstances.
"You should be begging for your life." he said softly, and the Death Eaters fell quiet when he spoke. "Youre every bit as arrogant and insufferable as that lover of yours. And you will die. I will be there to watch it. I may even do it myself. Or maybe Ill make you watch Sirius die first."
Lana raised her eyebrows, but she didnt doubt what Voldemort said to her. She was terrified, and she hated being scared. It made her angry that someone could make her afraid.
"Leave us." Voldemort instructed the Death Eaters.
"But my Lord.." Lestrange protested.
"Leave. Now." Voldemort commanded.
"Lord - " Lestrange continued.
Voldemort turned to her and muttered "crucio". Her screams filled the cavern for a few seconds and then he let her go. "Anybody else want to disobey me?"
The Death Eaters disapparated out of the cavern, and Lestrange was the last one to go. That left Lana and Voldemort.
Lana took a few steps, putting a good few metres between her and Voldemort. She couldnt be bothered to defend herself any more.
"A little anti climatic, dont you think?" she asked. "Thought you were gonna make a big show if killing me."
"Im not going to kill you." Voldemort said, but he was still giving Lana the major wiggins. She felt her stomach lurch, and she was sure it had nothing to do with the life or death situation she was in right now.
Lana frowned and barely had time to register what was happening as a flash of blue light hit her in the stomach, sending her flying back 3 metres and around 6 foot in the air, smashing into the wall of the cavern, the rocks digging into her back, making the cuts deeper, and the pain was unbearable, but she couldnt breathe, was winded, and she fell forwards and down hard onto the floor, smashing her knees and jarring her arms as she put her palms down to stop her hitting her face. Blood poured from Lanas mouth as she coughed, catching her breath.
She got up, angry and shaking and terrified, and ran for Voldemort, but before she got more than a few meters, the chains yanked her back and almost ripped her arms from her sockets.
"Arghhhhhhh" she screamed, and fell backwards and landed on her ass.
Voldemort chuckled. "Lana, Lana, Lana....." he said, flicking his wand lazily, and he slammed her back into the wall again, but held her there this time, and a little lower so he could talk right to her face.
"Fiesty little 17 year old arent you? Just 17...7th year of Hogwarts...Living with Sirius Black...Been dating him for 3 years almost. Bestest friends with Lily and James. Its really...kinda cute." he said, mocking her. "Im not sure what it is with you and the werewolf tho...And you dont seem to trust little Peter, do you? Makes me sick." Voldemort said, and Lana was struggling to breathe, blood trickling from the side of her head, from her mouth, and the wounds on her back re-opening.
"Fuck you" she managed to stay, spitting blood at him.
Voldemort flicked his wand and two gashes appeared on Lanas face, making her wince.
"You fight like a girl" Lana spat at him.
Voldemort flicked his wand, and threw Lana up to the ceiling of the cavern, then dropped her before she could hit it, and she fell 20 foot to the floor with a sickening crunch, landing awkwardly on her front, and she felt a deep searing pain deep in her stomach.
Lana gasped outloud, and cringed so bad, and as she tried to kneel up, she found herself keeling over when she saw all the blood on her back and on her in general.
"Ive killed people for a lot less than this Lana, Ive killed witched older and more talented than you." But Lana could barely hear what he was saying. "Im starting to wonder why Im talking and not killing you" he said, flicking his wand and levitating her a few feet in the air. "I think its because, when you should be annoying me beyond belief, with the mocking and the arrogance...Youre actually intriguing and amusing me. For someone not even out of Hogwarts yet...You have a lot of balls. You are ruthless and determined. Another reason for killing you would be that you killed 4 of my men tonight. Good, strong men. Yet....I feel their loss will be nothing if only you would join us, Lana.." Lana managed to mutter something. "Never." and Voldemort let his wand down, Lana falling to the floor, again with the searing pain in her stomach. "oowwwwww" she screamed.
******THE ORDER****** "Two weeks into term and Lanas already sneaking out of school!" Dumbledore said to James who had taken Dumbledore into the large hallway of Sirius home to talk to him.
"What can I say? I take full resposibility for Lana coming out of school. It was my idea." James said, trying to stop Dumbledore from expelling Lana or something - thats if she was alive. "And if she hadnt been out of school...Then you'd have 3 dead bodies...or bits of bodies...on your hands instead of the possible one." he said quietly.
"That is true, James, and looking at it from the Orders point of view, I am extremely grateful that she was. At what cost, though? But from the Headmaster of a school where Lana should have been, well, it cannot be taken lightly. And its not the first time that Lana has pulled something like this...Ive been extremely lenient with her for - well since Sirius left school." He told James, but Dumbledore wasnt about to tell James his real reason for thinking of expelling Lana. Not yet, anyway...And James had protested that Lana could be dead, and Dumbledore had tried to convince them all that Lana was alive...but...
James had always had the feeling that Dumbledore knew a lot more about the comings and goings of the Hogwarts students than he let on. After half an hour of trying to get some information on just what Voldemort was doing with Lana, and what Dumbledore was planning to do when and if she got back, and getting nothing, he gave up. James was fighting a losing battle and he knew it. It hurt him to think of Lana, and he couldnt imagine what Sirius was going through.
"I just think...If shes still alive..." James said, trailing off, finding nothing else to argue with.
Dumbledore shook his head slightly as James strode down the hall and turned right into the main lounge. He smiled at Lily and kissed her briefly.
"I cant stand this, not doing anything, shes not even finished school yet James, its almost - " Lily looked at the clock. "24 hours since they grabbed her. Someone must have some idea of where Lana is." Lilys eyes were brimming with tears.
"Hey, honey, its gonna be fine" James said, hugging Lily tight, saying the words with more confidence than he felt.
"Sirius is still sleeping" Dorcas Meadows walked into the huge lounge through the door on the left, appearing from the stairs. "I still cant believe we sedated him. Hes gonna be so pissed when he wakes up." she said to Lily and James, shaking her blonde head. "Wheres Remus?" she asked.
"Also sleeping." James told her. "Full moon last night."
The portrait of Lana, Sirius, Lily, James, Remus and Peter that ran across the huge chimney suddenly burst to life with the screaming of one of the female headteachers of Hogwarts.
"DUMBLEDORE!! DUMBLEDORE!!" she screamed, scaring the hell out of Lily James and Dorcas.
"What? Why?" James demanded, and Dorcas had already grabbed her wand.
"Theres someone is his office" the woman said hysterically
"Voldemort?" James asked, grabbing his wand.
"Dont be so bloody ridiculous James, I thought you had brains" Dorcas said.
"Oh no, not - You Know Who. A girl. Young. Dark hair. Battered and bruised and messing up Dumbledores carpet with her blood she is."
"Lana." they all said as one, and Lily grabbed her wand.
"Lily, honey, stay here please" James said. "If shes in a state..then..you cant..." Lily reluctantly agreed, nodded and sat down, feeling really sick.
"Ill stay with her" Dorcas said, sitting down beside Lily.
At that moment, Sirius walked down the stairs, still wearing the white shirt that showed his little tan off great, made his eyes seem even more enchanting, that he had been wearing when Lana had gotten caught. His dark denim jeans were crumpled. He yawned and ran his hand through his messy hair.
"What day is - " he began to ask, and then stopped as he saw their pale, shaken faces. He looked at Lily who was crying softly. "Oh God. Who died?" he asked, meaning to be sarcastic, but then it dawned on him that it just wasnt funny in this case. His eyes widened with the fear that had been threatening to grip him all day "Not Lana. The little colour Sirius had in his face drained.
"I dont think shes dead." the portrait said, and disappeared.
James was halfway to the door to get Dumbledore when Dumbledore rushed in, grabbing a hand full of Floo Powder and standing in the fireplace, yelling
"Dumbledores Office" and James, and Sirius, against James advice, went in after.
~*~*~*~*~*~DUMBLEDORES OFFICE~*~*~*~*~*~ They looked around Dumbledores office and felt the colour drain from their faces, as, they walked around to the other side of the desk, they saw Lana. She lay face down on the carpet, and the blood had stopped flowing, but there was still a small puddle of it on the floor. The shirt on her back was torn and they could see the deep lashes on her back, the little bruises and the not so little bruise on the bottom of her back.
"Oh my God" James whispered, frozen to the spot, half-relieved they had her back, half- extremely concerned at what state they had gotten her back in.
Dumbledore couldnt speak.
He looked at Sirius.
Sirius was walking over to Lana, tears falling, half-shouting
"NONONONONONONONONO" over and over as he knelt beside her and turned her over onto her back.
James wished he hadnt. Dumbledore called for Madam Pomfrey.
Lana had dried blood on her forehead, and it matted her hair a little. "Oh God noo Lana baby no" he said over and over, as he looked at Lanas shirt that was torn badly, well, ripped to shreds at the front, and the cuts on her stomach and chest were littler, like little fingernail marks and pin pricks, but there was a lot.
Sirius ran his hand through Lanas hair and pulled her onto his knee, holding her and kissed her forehead. "Lana wake up baby, baby wake up, Lana". He noticed that Lanas jaw had a bruise appearing on it, and that her foot was sticking out at an odd angle. Her arm lay limply at her side, and she was like a rag doll.
James heart was breaking for his best friend, he had no idea what he'd do if it was Lily. Wait, yes he did, hed kill the bastard scum that had done this to her.
Dumbledore stepped forward, knowing that if they were gonna help Lana, they would have to the Hopsital Wing, and fast.
"Sirius, come on..Let us take her." he said gently, laying a hand on Sirius shoulder and pushing him away a little.
"No I cant..I I I cant let her go...Look - " Sirius couldnt speak any more, the tears choking him.
"If were going to help her, you have to let go." Sirius looked up at Dumbledore and slowly let go of Lana. Dumbledore conjured Lana onto a stretcher and James was holding onto Sirius arm, and Sirius was still crying.
Dumbledore turned his back on James and Sirius, a slight crease appearing on his forehead. He looked down at Lana through his half-moon spectacles and placed two fingers on her wrist. He held them there for a few seconds, and then moved them to her neck. Despite himself, Dumbledore felt a lump in his throat as he turned to James and Sirius.
"Im sorry...Sirius..Shes cold."
"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN COLD? HOW CAN YOU JUST SAY THAT?" he screamed, angry that Dumbledore had said "cold" and what it meant. "SHES NOT! SHE CANT BE!"
James didnt know what to do or say. He felt Sirius grip on his arm tighten as grief filled him.
"Do something...Weve gotta do something...just.." Sirius was no longer crying. The tears had run dry. He was in total shock. He blinked slowly. This isnt real, he told himself. Not real...Not happening. Just a dream..A bad dream.
"Why are you all crying?" Lanas voice sounded through the room. Sirius looked at Lanas body, but it hadnt moved. Confused, he turned to James and Dumbledore, to see if they had heard it. Apparently they had, as they were staring at the corner of the room, but Sirius couldnt see what they were looking at.
He stood up and walked over to them, tears blurring his vision. Lana was stood there, in black and white, flickering slightly like an old TV. Her arms were folded across her chest and she still had all the injuries that her corporeal form had.
Sirius wiped at his eyes and blinked a few times. James did this, but Dumbledore looked mildly curious.
Lana stepped forwards and a chill passed through Sirius as she put her hand on him, pushing him gently to the side, or it would have done if her hand hadnt gone right through him, making him feel like hed just dipped his hand in a bucket of ice.
Lana tipped her head to the side and saw her body.
"Oh. This is not good." she said simply, frowning deeper.
"Quite." Dumbledore seemed to be the only one except for Lana-thing to be able to form words.
Lana turned back to the three of them and spoke to Dumbledore.
"No, wait...Im not dead. I did...something. Different plane of existence. Too much pain. Dammit whats the word?" she asked, looking at Dumbledore quizzacly.
"Astral projected."
"Yeah...Dont know how though..."
"Sometimes it happens automatically. You now have a choice. Youre body is, techinically, dead. But you have a choice. Live or die."
It took Lana all of a second. "I aint dying! That bastard aint gonna kill me. Psh. Hes powerful yeah, but...I have things..People..to live for."
James and Sirius were stood just gawping.
"How do I get back in?" she asked, puzzled.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and Lana suddenly looked as if she was being dragged backwards, and then she disappeared in a flurry of sparkles and a swishing sound.
There was a sharp intake of breath from Lanas body and she sat up, choking and blood running from the corner of her mouth.
***********************************************************************
Lana unwrapped her arms from Sirius and shifted back on the bed, wincing.
"Lana, just let Pomfrey heal your cuts...Please." Sirius asked, almost begging.
"No." Lana refused, and kissed Sirius lightly on the lips. "Thanks for stopping me scratching." she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. "Im gonna go take a shower...get cleaned up."
Sirius had his hand in his pocket, and was obviously fiddling with something. He took his hand out of his pocket with nothing in it. He held Lanas hand just as she stood up off the bed.
"I love you." he told her, for the millionth time since she got back.
"Not half as much as I love you." she replied, smiling.
"I love you more!" he said, catching onto the game, smirking.
"I love you more! I so love you more!" she said laughing as he pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her deeply on the lips.
Lana pulled away. "I really have to go shower Sirius...So let me go."
"No" he said, holding her tightly, and she strugled playfully against him
"Let me go! Let me gooooooo!" she said, then looked at Sirius who was grinning at her. "What?"
"Just keep wriggling like that..." he smirked.
She raised an eyebrow. "You like that?" and stopped, smirking at him.
"Mmmhmm." he mumbled as Lana kissed him, then moved her hands to his, and pulled them from her.
"Later. I gotta go shower!" she said, and hobbled across the thick white carpet, and stood in front of the door of their en-suite bathroom. Fuck knows how Sirius afforded this place. He wouldnt let Lana spend any of her inheritance from her Mother, or what she was making from renting her and her mothers old house out. Sirius' mother, on the other hand..well....whole 'nother story. During the holidays of Lanas 4th year, her and the Maurders had stayed at her house, practically living there until Sirius had brought this house in Lanas 5th year, and his 7th, just after Christmas. That summer, Sirius asked Lana to move in with him, and Lana did. Wasnt much point in having these 2 huge houses and living seperately.
"Are you okay?" came Sirius' voice, snapping Lana out of her thoughts. Lana realised shed been stood staring at the door for a few minutes.
"Im fine." Lana said, and finally opened the door and walked into the bathroom. She flicked her wand and the shower burst to life at the perfect temparature. Lana gingerly pulled off her clothes and stepped under the hot water, feeling the water run over her broken body. She didnt wanna cry any more in front of Sirius.
Even over the sound of the shower, Sirius could hear Lanas sobs.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Half an Hour later ~*~*~*~*~*~
Lana dried herself off as best she could, and pulled her white bathrobe around her, albeit a little blood as she struggled to put it on, causing her back to bleed a little.
Sirius was now sat on the plushy sofa that Lana had brought from her room into theirs. He looked gorgeous, Lana thought, he was wearing black jeans and a tight black t-shirt that showed off his toned, athletic body. He always seemed to have a slight tan, Lana noticed. Funny the things you notice when you havent seen your soul mate in a day, Lana thought. His hair seemed longer, too...Sirius had let it grow long once, but then he cut it. Lana liked it long, but its his hair....and he looks great anyway. He pushed his hair back, but it still hung in his face with a casual elegance.
Lanas hair, however, hung wet and tangled, and about 4 inches past her shoulders. Sirius loved it.
"Feeling any better?" Sirius asked, knowing it was a stupid question, hed heard her sobbing all through her shower. Obviously she didnt know he could hear her. It hrut him that she was crying, but it hurt him more that she didnt wanna do it in front of him. But he could understand why. Lana hated being weak. Even when she wasnt being weak, which she wasnt.
"Feeling refreshed." Lana replied, walking with a limp over to her wardrobe.
Sirius smiled a little, moving the thing he had in his hand around a little.
Lana opened the wardrobe door, pushed it to the side, sliding doors, and winced. "Owwww."
The smile faded quickly and he shoved it back in his pocket and walked over.
"Are you okay?" he asked, standing behind Lana and running his hand down her hair.
"Would you stop asking me that?!" she snapped, then sighed, putting her head in her hands and turning around to him. "Im sorry Sirius, I didnt mean to - "
Sirius put a finger over Lanas lips. "Shh. Its okay."
"I just had a little twinge..happened a few times since I got back." off his worried look, Lana added "But its nothing.". She looked at him. "Really. Im fine."
"No youre not" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.
"No Im not..." she agreed quietly.
Sirius pushed Lanas hair gently back from her face, avoiding the cut on her forehead. Lana leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. Sirius ran his hands down her and onto her ass, and slapped it playfully.
"Hey!" she said, looking up at him, pouting, then broke into a grin as she tiptoed and kissed him softly on the lips. He grabbed her ass a little, and pulled her closer as the kiss deepened. Lana ran her hands up his back, sending chills all down him as she stroked the back of his neck lightly, running her other hand through his hair. Sirius moved one of his hands down the back of Lanas bare leg, making her tremble, and she ran her hand down his chest. He pushed his tongue past Lanas lips and she didnt resist, and met it with her own, kissing him passionately as she ran her hand up the inside of his top. Sirius moved his other hand around to the front of Lanas robe, and tugged at where she had fastened it, and she let out a low moan of desire..
BANG BANG BANG
Came a knock on the door.
They broke away, gasping for air. "Leave it" Lana said, moving her hips against him.
"Yeah?!" Sirius managed to gasp.
"I know you two are probably fucking or something, but Dumbledores called a meeting at Headquaters," came James voice, Lana rolled her eyes but grinned. "And seeing as Lanas the main attraction..." he paused, and Lana had some idea of what he was thinking. "Then you better get your asses moving."
Sirius sighed and Lana turned back to the wardrobe, and pulled out a pair of white jogging bottoms, as her legs seemed to be the only things that werent bashed.
"Be right there Prongs." he shouted in reply.
"Dont be too naughty!" he said, and they heard footsteps as he walked off.
"Never change.." Lana muttered.
"Huh?" Sirius asked.
"His heads deflated but all he thinks about, still, is sex." she said, laughing.
Sirius, with great difficulty and sexual tension, helped Lana pull on her jogging bottoms and a small white vest top, tight so it didnt rub on her cuts and make them bleed. They were that deep, especially on her back, that you could see them even through the top. Sirius muttered something and Lanas wet hair dried and got magically tied into a high ponytail, tight, and then pulled into a loose bun, so her hair didnt irritate her back. Besides..Sirius loved it like that. Casual...But sexy. Lana pulled on two sweatbands over her wrists, to hide the sores, blisters and cuts on them from the chains. There was no hiding the deep gash on the inside of her right arm tho.
