2

She placed the bag of shopping items on the table, took out the small parcel from the pharmacy, and glided silently over to the basement door putting her ear to it. Only the low hum of the dryer could be heard.

She proceeded to open the door and walk down into the abyss of darkness. Each step was counted 21, 22, 23; her feet touch the earthen floor. A candle burned near a small naturally caved wall. Silver laden bars blocked the entrance. Inside was a small wooden table and cot where a man in his late 30's lay resting his eyes.

"Brother, I'm back from town." She kneeled by the door, waiting for his reply. "I brought you the medicine."

He opened his eyes and slowly propped himself up with a pillow. Taking the parcel, she extended it through the bars to him.

"Thank you sister, I hope you had no trouble."

"No, John was there to give it to me."

He opened the package and pulled out a large vile filled with smoking green liquid. While pinching the nose, swallowed the vile concoction, and let a small whimper pass his lips.

"Don't tell me my sister has become fond of trinkets." He had glanced the ring when she had given him the potion.

"Oh, um." She unconsciously hid the ring and blushed. "I was going to wait until morning tell you. John has asked me to marry him."

"And your answer?"

"I told him that I had to consult with you first."

He laughed.

"John came to me a week ago and asked my permission. I'm surprised he waited this long. Dear sister, it wasn't even my place to tell him that he could. You're a grown woman, only 4 years younger than me."

"But, I can't just leave like this. What happened to you is my entire fault. This is the least I could do for a punishment."

"Selene, please don't start this again." He coughed.

"But, brother it is my fault!" Tears began to form in Selene's hazel eyes. "If I hadn't of made you go out that night to get my stupid doll, none of this would of happened!" she hiccupped.

"You were only 2 and I was 5. We didn't know any better. Besides, what kind of big brother would I be if I let my little sister go to sleep without her favorite toy?" Reaching through the bars he beckoned Selene to him. "Come now, give me a hug, I have some good news."

"Good new?" She came forth and embraced him, only the silver bars stopped them from getting any closer.

"Yes, the headmaster has asked me to come teach. He says that he has made arrangements for me, so there is no danger." He looked into her eyes. "Now that have a job you and John can have the house to yourselves. Just let me hunker down here every once in a blue moon."

"Okay." Selene laughed at his little joke.

They succumbed to the silents for a spell, enjoying each other's company. Selene worked ten-hour days and her bother worked any odd job he could get his hands on. They rarely had anytime to sit and chat. Save for the one day a month that she leave work early to be with him. He shuddered as if something had crawled into his shirt, then again but with less intent of getting it off, and once more lasting twice as long as the two first combined. Selene rose from the ground and preceded to the stairs slowly at first then a bit fast until she running up the stairs. She slammed the door behind her and quickly placed the silencing charm on the door. Selene fell back on the cold steel and let her body slide to the floor, tears streamed from her eyes as she repeated the same thing over and over to herself.

"I'm sorry brother, I'm sorry brother I'm sorry." She let it carry her into a deep slumber. "I'm sorry brother I'm so, so sorry my brother… Remus…"

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hope you enjoyed it! Just to let you know this story does not connect to any of my other stories

if so it is just random

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