Disclaimer: Don't own anything. All belongs to JK.

Chapter Thirty-One: Lonely Spirit

I would rather be a ghost, drifting by your side as a condemned soul than enter heaven without you. Because of your love...I will never be a lonely spirit.

-From 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'

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A laughing woman with emerald eyes gazed at him shrewdly.

"Are you sure, Sirius?" she asked softly, her voice fading into the cool, starlit night.

"I'm sure, Flower. You and James are in love. To be honest, I don't think I was ever really jealous that he was spending all of his time with you. I think subconsciously I'm just jealous of the love that you two have. It's so real. And now you're getting married. You are so in love with each other. And I don't think I'll ever find that for myself."

She stood up from the steps on which they were seated and wrapped him in a warm, comfortable hug. "You will, Si, I promise. One day you'll find someone just as beautiful as you and she'll make you so happy. I promise. And we'll all be there to see it"

A soft presence to Sirius' right was pulling him away from the girl in the garden. It was like a soft, lilac nimbus that hung in the fresh, summer air, smelling of honey and jasmine and softly calling his name.

As he reached his hand to touch it, the scene around him faded into blackness, and suddenly he was sitting in a dark, dank cell in ragged, torn robes, his hair long and matted. The presence was still there, though somewhere in the background, intangible and undistinguished.

He surveyed the cell, shuddering as a tall, hooded creature passed by. He found a window and drew close to it, gazing up at the stars in the heavens. One star in particular stood out, radiating its brightness.

"Sirius," he breathed softly. "The Dog Star. Brightest of them all."

He jumped, startled, when he felt a gentle, warm touch on his arm, as if to comfort and shield him from the world. The lilac glow pulsed around him, pulling him into its depths. Again, the faint smell of honey and jasmine reached his nose.

"Sirius," it called, its voice echoing and ethereal. "Come, Sirius. We can leave now."

He was surrounded by its soft, fragile beauty, floating in the calm, lilac clouds. He felt a deep sense of serenity and peace, as if all the troubles in the world had left him. He drifted slowly, letting the hazy mist ensnare him.

Suddenly, tiny white and gold threads wrapped themselves around his body, tingling with warmth and brilliance. They snaked around his arms and legs, meeting on his torso. They lifted him, bringing him flying through the air and into a swirl of colour. His mind and body relaxed, drinking in the cool myriad of tranquillity and peace.

He felt his pain pool out of his body, memories fading and then sharpening in a quick sense of clarity, but no longer holding the sadness and longing they used to claim over his heart. He felt indescribably free.

Sirius' breath hitched in his throat as his eyes snapped open. He was lying on his bed with Anna, who was sitting Indian style beside him. She was facing him and held one cool hand flat against his chest, where his heart was, and the other flat against the side of his face. She remained silent, her eyes closed peacefully. Sirius noted her face was rather pale and her mouth was set in a grim line. She opened her eyes and slowly removed her hands from their place on Sirius.

"Hey," she said quietly. "How was that?"

Sirius didn't – couldn't – answer her. He felt like a gaping hole had been filled; like he was finally free from the shackles that had encased him for years; like he had finally let go of his past.

His wall had broken.

As the tears finally crashed through and poured down his face, he pulled Anna to him and crushed her into his chest. She held him tightly, whispering soothing words into his ear and wiping the tears from his face.

"Thankyou," he finally choked, drawing her ever closer. "Thankyou so much."

He held onto her like he never wanted to let go. And he didn't.

A/N: Hmmmm... Not entirely sure how much I like this chapter. Please review and give me your lovely, lovely opinions. Oh, and one more thing, if you haven't seen Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, do yourself a favour and rent it now. Best. Movie. EVAR!!!