Lupin's Little Dark One
A/N: School starts soon!
Last Time:
Kieran ran into her room and slammed the door, locking it. She sat on her bed, trying to catch her breath and her mind, which was buzzing with thoughts. Sure, she cared for Ron, more than anything, but Hermione had a point, they're young to be making permanent decisions. Not to mention two people had just seen one of the most intimate moments she and Ron had shared. To top it all off, here she was, having just turned sixteen on Halloween, and she'd been proposed to by a man she met in September, it was February, she'd only known him a mere five months, but he hadn't done more than kissed her, he was taking it slow, and she cared for him even more for that. Love. That's what Hermione had said. They were in love. Kieran scarcely believed in love, she had thought she was in love once, and since then she was never sure what she was feeling. Was this love? Kieran knew one person she could trust to ask, Severus. How could she get to him alone?
Chapter Twenty-One: Oh, Professor...I love you.
"What did I do?" Kieran asked, near shouting, looking at Ron, tears in her eyes. He hadn't spoken to her since he proposed on Saturday, it was Wednesday. Ron humphed and went to his room. Kieran looked at Harry for answers, her eyes pleading. Harry looked after Ron and got up and left the common room and into the corridor, nodding for Kieran to follow him. Kieran followed him out and once the portrait closed he led her out to the Entrance Hall.
"He thinks you turned him down." Harry said.
"And that's why he's not talking to me? Besides, I didn't answer him, I didn't say yes, but I didn't say no. What did he want me to do, say yes and have Hermione run down and tell my father and get him all up in the relationship? I didn't know what to do. Saint Lawrence, Harry, I don't even know if I love him. I'm so confused. " Kieran said. "I don't know what love is anymore."
"Love is when you can't picture your life without them." Harry say softly. "Love is when you're at a loss for words whenever you see them. Love is when you can truly be yourself and they will accept you. Love is what he has for you. What Tonks has for Remus, what Remus had for your mother. What you had for Ron before Snape. Love is what helps Ron's family accept Percy after everything he's done. Love is what makes the Burrow so homey. Love is what has Remus worried about you all the time." Harry smiles. "Love is what keeps the bond between us strong." Kieran stared at him in thought and then slowly nodded.
"I think I get it." Kieran said. "And I know what I have to do." She marched back into the common room and started banging on Ron's door. "Ron! I love you! Please, open up!" The rest of the group stared at her, waiting for Ron's door to open. It never did. Harry went over to the door.
"Ron! Open the bloody door!" Harry said. He started trying to force the door open.
"ALOHAMORA!" Kieran cast the spell and the door opened. She looked at Harry, who was as shocked as she was. They went in to find Ron being held captive by a masked figure.
"Let him go." Harry said calmy. Kieran was staring at Ron speechless.
"Tell them my demands." the man in the mask commanded Ron.
"It's a switch. My life, for one of yours." Ron said, his voice cracking. "Don't do it." The figure hit Ron. Kieran looked at Harry.
"Take me." Kieran said. She dropped her wand and put her hands on her head and walked towards Ron. "Let him go unharmed." The masked man pushed Ron towards Harry and took Kieran by the waist, his wand to her temple. She ventured a touch to his unconverd hand. "Lucius Malfoy! You're supposed to be dead!" She exclaimed. Lucius hit her and dragged her out the window. They landed on a broom and took off into the night.
"No!" Ron cried, running to the window. "Why'd you let him take her!" He turned on Harry visciously.
"What did you expect me to do Ron?" Harry yelled.
"Give yourself up! No one can just up and kill you!" Ron shouted.
"She wanted to! I was going to fight him!" Harry spat. "Now, lets go tell somebody already!" He stormed out of Ron's room and started imediately towards Dumbledore's. Ron stood there in shock, staring after them. He slowly coem to his senses and ran out.
"Ron, where's Kieran?" Draco asked.
"Your father took her." Ron said, his voice shaky, "he's going to kill her to get back on terms with Voldemort."
"What? Is that where Harry went? After them?" Neville asked. Ron shook his head.
"I've got to tell Remus." Ron whispered. He left numbly and made his way to Remus's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Remus said, shutting a book he was reading. Ron walked in. "Hey Ron, to what do I owe this visit."
"Lucius Malfoy broke into Hogwarts..." Ron began softly.
"Is everyone okay? Did someone catch him? Where is he?" Remus asked.
"He's gone. He took Kieran." Ron said numbly before tears started down his face. "He's going to kill her." Remus stared at Ron in disbelief.
"No, not Kieran, Lucius is dead, you're playing a joke on me..." Remus gave an off, squeaky laugh. "I can't lose her too." He stormed out towards the office of Snape. Remus pounded on the door. "SNIVELLUS!" Snape ran to the door and threw it open.
"Lupin, what is it?" Snape asked.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME LUCIUS WAS AFTER HER?" Remus yelled.
"What are you talking about?"
"LUCIUS KIDNAPPED KIERAN!"
"I, Lucius is dead."
"He took her...he's going to kill her... you've got to save her Severus."
"I, I'll try." Snape had a sharp, stinging pain in his heart. He stared at Remus before nodding. "Go tell Dumbledore, then see to it the rest of the students are safe, I'll handle Lucius." Snape set off right then off the grounds and aparated to the Malfoy Manor.
Kieran had long since been brought there by Lucius and he was currently beating her. She was doing her best to protect herself and cover her face, she even hit back a few times. He was screaming at her.
"HOW DARE YOU HIT ME YOU FILTHY SCUM! REVEAL ME TO POTTER! YOU THINK THAT WILL DO YOU ANY GOOD? YOU HAVE BECOME FRIENDS WITH MY BOY, YOU SEE HOW HE IS TAUGHT? HE WILL OBEY THE DARK LORD ONCE YOU AND POTTER ARE DEAD! DUMBLEDORE HAS NO CHANCE OF WINNING!" Lucius said hitting her. He then stepped back and aimed a few Crutias Curses at her. She writhed in pain and her scar had come open again. Blood rushed from her stomach as Snape opened the door.
"Lucius what in bloody hell are you doing to her?" Snape exclaimed, staring at Kieran. She whimpered at him at looked at him with pleading eyes.
"I'm giving an enemy of our Lord a lesson, and then I will take her body to him." Lucius spat, kicking Kieran.
"You do know who this is? You cannot kill her, no one can, except our Lord or Harry Potter. He will not be pleased to see you, and this will make it no better, he has claimed both the children as his personal kills." Snape said fiercly. "Now release her, I will take her back to the castle and modify her memory, and yours, and this will be forgotten." Lucius looked from Snape to Kieran and back again.
"Fine, take the stupid girl." Lucius stormed out of the room. Snape ran to her and performed a spell to heal her scar.
"Are you all right Miss Lupin?" Snape said, pulling her to her feet. She faltered and fell into him weakly.
"I will be Professor..." she stuttered. "Thank You." She passed out. He sighed and picked her up, holding her close and aparated back to the gates of the castle and made the trek up the grounds. He took her straight to Dumbledore's office.
"You found her then Severus?" Dumbledore asked as he entered holding her. "Perhaps it would be wise to take her to the hospital wing?"
"He was hitting her." Snape said sternly. "You know no spell can heal bruises or pride. He hit her with the crutias a few times, but the worst of that was her scar ripping open. I think maybe taking her up to her father or Mr. Weasley might be best."
"Yes, perhaps I will pardon her and the rest of the hockey club from classes tomorrow because of the attack." Dumbledore said. "I'm calling a meeting of the order later tonight. We have to prevent anymore attackers from just flying out here."
"Albus, it's midnight, have it tomorrow after dinner." Severus said. He turned and went out and carried her to Remus's chambers. Remus was shaking as Snape showed him Kieran's bruised face.
"Is she all right?" Remus asked weakly.
"Lucius isn't stupid. The whole school will know of the attack and see the bruises." Severus said. "He's done the worst damage possible. Taken one of the stronger ones, one people have faith in, and shown she isn't invincible. But she's strong, Lucius sports a shiner." Severus and Remus shared a small smile. Kieran groaned and turned her head in Severus's arms.
"Kieran, you okay baby?" Remus asked softly.
"Yes Daddy." Kieran whispered. "Just a little sore." Remus smiled and put a hand gently on her arm.
"I'll take her up to her room." Severus said. "So she doesn't have to switch arms, you can come if you want." Remus shook his head and kissed Kieran's head. Severus carried her up the the common room of the hockey club and entered, knowing the password. Everyone was in the common room.
"You got her!" Draco exclaimed. "Bloody Hell... he beat her..." Ron ran over and looked at her.
"I Highly suggest you all shut and lock your windows. Hogwarts' window locks are impervius to the Alohamora charm." Severus warned them. "Come along Mr. Weasley, you can help me put her to bed. "Misses Chang, Patil, and Weasley, could you help her get changed?" The girls nodded and led him to Kieran's room, Ron trailing. Snape set her down on the bed and he and Ron waited outside the door while the girls helped Kieran.
"Thanks, Professor... I owe you one." Ron said softly.
"Just, take good care of her, protect her better." Severus replied. "Love her."
"I do Professor... with all my heart." Ron whispered.
"Good. Don't ever hurt her, or I'll assure you never graduate." Severus said. "Now, just know, like Draco, don't raise a hand to her for a while. Not even in play, and mind others of that too."
"Yes Sir." Ron replied. The girls came out, saying Kieran was all set and in bed. Ron and Severus went in. "Hey you."
"Hey Ron." Kieran said, smiling. "You all right?"
"Yea, you?" Ron asked.
"Been a bit better." Kieran said. She smiled fondly at them both. Severus smirked. Ron kissed her bruised forehead.
"I'll take my leave." Severus said. "Get some rest Miss Lupin." She nodded. He left back to his chambers and to bed, where he laid, staring at the ceiling all night. Ron sat on the side of Kieran's bed and gently touched the bruises on her face. She whimpered softly and cowered from his touch.
"It's okay Baby." Ron whispered to her. "You're okay."
"It's just sore Ron, I just want to get to bed." Kieran said. "I'll feel better in the morning." Ron nodded and got up to leave. "No, Stay." He looked at her. "Just lay with me. Protect me." Ron smirked.
"You don't need protection, I bet you beat Lucius right back." Ron said softly.
"Stay... please..." Kieran whispered. Ron gave up and climbed into the bed. She just simply snuggled into his chest and fell fast asleep. He put his arms around her gently, with a shaky sigh. True, he could get used to sleeping with her in his arms, but the circumstances made him feel helpless.