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Chapter 6: Another Prison Cell

Sirius POV

When Harry left at the end of the summer to return to school I had figured that it meant Persephone would be coming back to me, but Voldemort had now taken to visiting her at Remus's house and she had been forbidden to come back to live here. Although I hated admitting it, it was probably the only reasonable thing to do, the slightest suspicion from Voldemort and she could be killed. Then where would we be?

Remus had been staying here at Grimmauld Place, he said it was just to be kept in touch with the Order, I knew better. He wanted to keep me company, and I was grateful to him but with his work and Persephone constantly being away, the loneliness was eating me up inside. She came by whenever she could, and those nights were magnificent together, passionate and powerful but I could sense there was something wrong. Something, not quite right. The woman I had loved all those years ago was all but gone, whatever Azkaban hadn't managed to beat out of her the Death Eaters were finishing up. She would tell me of the horrifying things she saw on a daily basis, I saw in her an overwhelming desire to run but a steady hand that kept her there in his grip. She was making mistakes and her occlumencey was getting weaker, she was losing focus. I knew it was because of me, I was terrified that she would let him see and it would all be over. Dumbledore informed me that she had almost slipped in front of him twice and Snape knew that certain Death Eaters were questioning her loyalty. Persephone was in trouble and she needed help. I had to do something to aid her, to bring back the Persephone I had once loved, and there was only one thing to do.

Since I was convicted felon being hunted down by the ministry, my work for the Order was non-existent, I gave them headquarters, and then cleaned it. My days were now spent sitting around the lonely house with only my mothers portrait for company and Kreacher sneering at me and breathing down my throat, it was enough to drive anyone into madness, and I could feel the insanity rising in myself. At Christmas time I found a sick pleasure when Arthur Weasley was wounded, bringing everyone to Grimmauld Place for the holidays. I expressed these thoughts to Persephone during stolen moments together Christmas eve, I don't think I will ever understand if her look of horror was aimed at my sick thoughts or at my pathetic nature. Remus told me that it was only natural to be "irritable" as he called it when the woman I loved was with another and my days were spent inside a house I had once sworn to inherit and then burn to the ground. Well he was wrong, I wasn't irritable, I was angry. Angry at being trapped, at being kept away from the woman I loved, at being treated like a helpless child. I envied anyone that walked in or out of the front door and I was full of pride when I learned that Harry had started a secret Defense League at his school. I was even envious at the Weasley twins who had outright acts of rebellion up at Hogwarts with their mischief making. That was my low point, I was jealous of teenage boys and it was sickening.

Remus could see me slipping away from everyone and so he started campaigning to Dumbledore to let me go out and work. At first he would have none of it but when Harry's dreams turned towards me and caused him to run off to the ministry to face the Death Eaters and almost a certain demise, Dumbledore (quickly) granted me my wish. But it came with a terrible price. At first I was told to fake my own death, let someone knock me into the veil and be pronounced dead, these instructions were simple enough. I agreed to it with the full knowledge that Harry would have to believe me gone as well as Voldemort, I answered yes to keep him safe and the plan went off without a single problem.

Fighting in the Department of Mysteries I let a weak spell attempt by Bellatrix Lestrange knock me into the billowing curtains, I could hear Harry screaming and chasing after my cousin. His pain was agony to listen to, and I shook with desperation to help him from behind the curtain while I waited for someone to come help me out. Remus came and retrieved me when the coast was clear and I returned to Grimmauld Place to talk to Dumbledore about my new instructions. The headmaster showed up and delivered a piece of disturbing and infuriating news, I was to stop seeing Persephone, she had to believe me dead as well. At first I was indignant and screamed my protests but Dumbledore's forever serious old face was unfeeling and callous. I could not believe that he would do this to us, again, after all we went through he could be so heartless.

Dumbledore explained to me that if I was gone we wouldn't have to worry about my being used as a weapon against Persephone. I still yelled no and at one point I even drew my wand on him, screaming,

"You heartless bastard! What the hell good have you done us! Any of us?" In my emotionally unstable state I was easily overpowered by Remus and Mad Eye Moody, forced into a chair and had my wand ripped away from me. I would never have fallen apart like that in front of Dumbledore before but I had stopped caring, my world was deteriorating in front of me. I couldn't, no I wouldn't believe it. Remus sat with me while the other two men retreated into the kitchen, he was shaking with either fear or anger, perhaps a combination of both. He spoke, softly as a whisper,

"Sirius I don't like this either but what is best for her? Could you ever live with yourself if she was physically harmed because you couldn't bear to see her emotionally hurt?"

I shook my head, "Don't you think we're pushing this a little far? We weren't comfortable in the same room with one another for what seemed like forever. We have less than a year together and then I'm supposed to live this giant sham away from her? I wont lie to her like that."

"And you shouldn't have to but in these times we have to think of what's going to keep more people alive. She and Harry are major keys to defeating Voldemort and you are the only thing that stands in the way of them completing this undertaking." I shook my head in a solemn conquest, Remus said, "Don't worry my friend, I'll look after her."

I'm so sorry my love, what have I done?

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Normal POV

A few hours after the attack on the Ministry, Persephone saw the Daily Prophets headline, "RETURN OF HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED!" And immediately rushed to the Riddle Manor to find the Death Eaters in a foul mood. Narcissa Malfoy was standing with her newly freed sister and her husband by the large fireplace, Bellatrix was the only person in the whole house who seemed to be smiling. Persephone came up to the little group and inquired about the days events, Lucius Malfoy answered gravely,

"That damn Potter kid escaped from the Ministry and now the entire Wizarding world officially knows that we're back." Persephone's insides swelled with happiness, they were one step closer to getting rid of Voldemort. She nodded somberly, turned towards Bellatrix and asked, "Why do you have a such a grin?"

Bellatrix gave a twisted smile and proudly proclaimed, "I killed one of Dumbledore's little lemmings!" Persephone's heart skipped a beat, "Who?" she asked as naturally as she could manage. It couldn't be Tonks? Not Remus? Oh please let them be safe, she knew Sirius was, he was at home in Grimmauld Place.

But Bellatrix loudly said, "Well it was none other than my dear cousin! Big bad Sirius Black! I actually managed to kill one of Dumbledore's dueling champions! Ha ha!" Persephone turned and quickly left the group, not caring if she blew her cover. As she ran she pleaded, Let it be a trick, Let him be sitting in the kitchen with Remus. She apparated and was standing in front of the wizarding manor, trying to breathe, he had to be there, he just had to. Without bothering to knock or ring the bell Persephone burst through the front door and screamed out loud,

"Sirius! Sirius where are you!" But no reply came, only Remus, wordlessly stalking out of the kitchen at the end of the hallway and all was eerily silent.

"No, no please-" she begged, tears rushing to her face, "Remus tell me it isn't so. Tell me he's okay." But Remus just walked towards her, silent tears pouring down his tired face. Persephone collapsed to the ground, trembling and sobbing into her hands. Lupin sat down next to her and pulled her into his strong arms, rocking her back and forth doing his best to comfort her in this pain. She shook and completely let go, her anguish was so strong that Remus could not even think to move her. They stayed like this for what seemed like an eternity, Persephone's grief tearing into her like a rusty knife. This was worse than any curse she had ever experienced, worse than Voldermort's hands on her body, the cruciatus curse for a lifetime would have been better than this misery. She finally managed to speak aloud one word.

"How?" her voice was shaky and weak, her entire body was limp against his and he still held onto her strongly. Persephone knew from Bellatrix but she couldn't believe it, Sirius would never have gone down so easily, she had to hear it from someone she trusted. Remus swallowed,

"Lestrange, hit him with a spell and he fell." Lupin paused, "He fell into a veil that Dumbledore says no one can escape from. I am so sorry Persephone." Her voice grew angry at the mention of his name,

"Dumbledore," she growled, "Where the hell was he?" At that moment the object of their discussion walked in the front door, flanked by Alastor Moody, who after Sirius' attempt at cursing Dumbledore had taken to following his friend around as a sort of body guard. Persephone, seeing him rose in a flash and pulled her wand, Remus grabbed her from behind. He knew that while Sirius became careless in these times, Persephone grew more precise. Sirius was more likely to end up cursing a rug while she was likely to kill Dumbledore before anyone knew what had happened. Dumbledore bowed his head in shame and muttered two words,

"I'm sorry." Of all the words that Persephone could have heard at that moment those were the ones she needed the least. Let him yell, let him lecture, she would have rathered if he had sedated her. Anything would have been better than him acknowledging this pain, his remorse made it real to her. She dropped her wand and collapsed into Remus once more. Lupin saw Dumbledore walked towards her to put a hand on her shoulder, Remus yanked her away from him and yelled as loud as he could, "GET OUT OF HERE! GET OUT NOW! JUST LEAVE!" He was furious at everyone, furious at Dumbledore for coming up with this evil plan and furious at himself for taking part in it. Remus helped her upstairs, as far away from the headmaster as he could manage.

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During the next week Persephone became a recluse, hiding inside of Sirius's old room, sleeping constantly. It was the only way that she could stop hurting, if she dreamed about him (which she did often) she would yank herself out of her sleep and weep more. She would cry until she exhausted herself and no dreams could come, she was angry, lonely and miserable. Persephone wouldn't tolerate anyone but Lupin and then for only brief times, Dumbledore came once to talk to her and she had refused to see him, she cast numerous defensive spells around her room so he couldn't have gotten in if he had wanted to.

Everything tore her apart, this house was him so why wouldn't it? She could still smell him on the sheets, his clothes still hung in the closet. She laughed at herself, they weren't hanging, he never hung a piece of clothing in his life. But even that small laughter could bring more tears to her eyes, if Sirius had been there he would have made some comment about his lack of cleanliness that made her laugh and forget all about the mess in the closet. But no person could help her now, although sweet Lupin was trying desperately.

When Snape came by one afternoon to inform them about Voldemort's anger at her not being with him, Remus had rowed with him and told him to literally go and "Screw himself." Persephone thought that was interesting, seeing as how she had never heard Remus say anything of that nature before. She didn't go downstairs for Order Meetings and Lupin had a difficult time trying to get her to eat anything. Persephone appreciated his efforts but she felt that it was all in vain, what was she to do now? The only thing that kept her in Great Britain was Sirius and with him…she couldn't say it, with him, not here anymore she had no reason to stay. But where was she to go? She couldn't go back to America, her family was all dead, she wouldn't be going back to anything. But if she stayed here she would be forever forced into the life of some sort of sex slave for Voldemort. She couldn't live with that anymore, she refused to.

Two weeks after Sirius's "death" Persephone emerged from her haven, the full moon was upon them so Remus was unreachable. When she went downstairs to the kitchen she found Tonks sitting at the long wooden table, drinking a cup of steaming coffee. Persephone inhaled the aroma and went to make herself a cup, Tonks cut her off and told her to sit down while she went and poured her a cup. Persephone had wrapped herself in a large blanket, still wearing her sweats, her hair was a disgusting knot on the top of her head. Tonks set down the cup of brown liquid and sat across the table from the grieving woman, she breathed in heavily and asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" Persephone smiled,

"That's sweet but, you barely know me. You just want to be nice." Tonks shook her head,

"Your right, I don't know you that well but I understand what its like to lose someone. I know what its like to be in love and believe me," she paused, "I know what its like to want to kill Dumbledore sometimes." The pair gave solemn laughs and Persephone replied,

"I just, I'm feeling so lost. As if my entire world had finally been right side up only to get tossed around again and I have no where to go," she wiped a tear from her eye, " I really miss him." She cried harder now and Tonks came around the table to comfort her, wrapping her arms around the blanket she allowed Persephone to silently cry into her shoulder. "I mean, what do I do now?" Tonks let her go and Persephone grasped the cup of coffee before taking a deep steadying breath. Tonks responded,

"You know Persephone, I don't know what your going through and I'm not even going to try and pretend that I do but I do know what its like to have the person you love be inaccessible."

"What do you mean?" Persephone asked, taking a gulp of the scorching hot coffee. Tonks gave a sad smile,

" I am in love with someone who will not have me and all that I wish I could do, besides have him of course, is get away. Escape somewhere, as far away as possible."

"And what's keeping you?"

"I don't know. Loyalty? A sense of responsibility I guess."

Persephone scoffed, "Loyalty to who? Dumbledore?"

"Yes actually. I know that you will never forgive him for what he has put you through in your life and I don't know if you ever can forgive him but I do know that every decision he has ever made has been for a good intention."

"What about that whole not showing on time up at the Ministry?" Persephone said mockingly. Tonks smiled,

"I know in my heart that he tries, he does whatever he can to help us. I mean he gave up his chance at a normal family and a normal life and devoted himself completely to Voldemort's destruction. He works constantly to teach us and help us in this fight. I cant tell you what to do but I know that I would find a way NOT to hate him, find a way to look at the bigger picture." Persephone took another sip and looked into the fire, digesting Tonks's words.

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When Remus returned a few days later he discovered Persephone, cleaned up and walking around the house, when he questioned Tonks about her condition she gave a half grin.

"She still cries at night but at least she's back to eating and walking around." Remus clapped his hand on Tonks shoulder,

"Thanks for looking after her, you're a real good friend."

Tonks felt her own heart rip in two.

Remus climbed the stairs to Persephone's bedroom where she sat folding Sirius's clothes in the closet, her hands lingering over the fabric longer than they would have normally. She was still breaking apart inside but she was accepting the lie they had told her, Remus was so ashamed of himself. He crossed the room and sat on the chair right next to her, she didn't acknowledge him but instead, just continued folding Sirius's shirts.

"So what's your plan?" He asked her.

She shrugged, "I don't know. The only person keeping me here is Harry and I cant even talk to him."

"Well, I might have found away around that." Remus replied.

Persephone finally put down the shirt and looked at Remus, "Oh really? And how did you manage that?"

" As you know everything comes with a price." Persephone shook her head in disgust, "If you mean go back to Voldemort than no."

"Not exactly go back to him. Go back for the rest of the summer and then bring up to him what a good idea it would be for you to teach at Hogwarts, plant it in his mind and when he agrees you live at the castle. You would be close to Harry and far from Voldemort, it's the only solution." Persephone sighed,

"So how much of this was Dumbledore's idea? A bribe to get me to go back to the Death Eaters? It sounds so like him.

Remus sighed, "Pretty Much the whole thing was his idea but Persephone, what else are you going to do? You said it yourself, the only thing keeping you here is Harry, so why not take this chance at getting to know him? I did when I worked there and besides if he's all you have here you really have no options." He said in a mock pathetic voice.

She replied, "Remus, of course I have you but I just…it left a hole in me that cant be filled." Remus smiled,

"Well I know a few guys who wouldn't mind filling it up." Persephone threw a shirt into his face, roughly.

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Getting close to Voldemort again was much easier than Persephone would have thought, she used her new job at the school as an in and Voldemort was thrilled with her. Whenever Persephone was at Grimmauld Place she still locked herself away in hers and Sirius's old room and refused to see anyone. She was even now grieving but she had her good days and her bad ones. For instance, on the one month anniversary she didn't come out for 2 days, but everyone could hear her muffled sobs from outside the door.

A week before the beginning of term Persephone made an impulsive decision, she took her cloak from the closet and apparated to Riddle Manor unannounced and waited for her prey to come out of the house. The huntress hid in the shadows and followed the evil little git to the towns market, the idiot was actually going to buy groceries. This was too pathetic and way easier than it should have been, but she didn't care wither way. She stalked him during his shopping trip and when he was on the path back home she silently cast the Imperius curse, convincing him to take the hidden path through a tree covered path.

Peter veered off of the gravel road and slowly walked up the dirt path, completely unaware that he was being hunted down like some animal. Persephone saw her chance and moved quickly behind him, there was no fight, he screamed and dropped his bags in the dirt. He stood on his knees, Persephone kicked his shoulder with her boot, causing him to fall backwards against a large tree.

"Persephone?" He asked disbelievingly.

"Of course you idiot, you honestly thought I have been working for your side this whole time?"

Peter began to panic, "You will regret it if you kill me! The Dark Lord will take out his revenge on you!"

She gave him a sadistic grin, "You just don't get it do you? I have your master wrapped around my little finger and besides, you mean nothing to him." He trembled, hands covering his pleading face, she bent down getting as close as she could, "You know the only thing I do regret?" she paused as if waiting for him to reply, "Was that Sirius isn't around to do this." Peters eyes grew wide with realization and terror as she pulled out a muggle hunting knife and in cold blood, she efficiently slit his throat. His body shuddered for a moment, gave a sickening lurch and was still forever more. Persephone removed his wallet and took the money to make it look like he had been robbed my some muggles. Wiping the knife clean she apparated away from the lifeless body, feeling no remorse whatsoever.

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The morning of September 1 arrived and Persephone sat in her bedroom, gazing out the window. She was to meet Voldemort later on for what he said would be a nice long goodbye, she was then to get to Hogwarts as inconspicuously as possible. She stayed in Grimmauld Place as long as she dared before going back to Riddle Manor, Voldemort would want her there as long as he could keep her.

His hands were digging into her supple flesh with urgency, Persephone moaned in pain but it only propelled him farther. Faster and faster he mercilessly drove into her, ripping her apart, she screamed and he took that as a good sign. For hours and hours he rode her, knowing that it would be some months until he saw her again, he was so thankful for her. After the tragic muggle murder of his personal servant she had suggested to him the name of a new recruit and he was working out perfectly as Voldemort's new lap dog. Persephone could almost feel herself tearing open and her skin was covered with a thin layer of sweat, this disgusting man above her groaning and kissing her, his red eyes boring into her flesh. When he finally released her it was a half an hour after she was supposed to be at Hogwarts.

It was raining at the castle and she ran to the doors, her bags flying along behind her. The entrance hall was deserted except for the house elves moving luggage, she could hear Dumbledore making a speech to the students in the Great Hall next to her. He had told her to make her entrance as subtle as possible but Persephone was tired of following his rules, so she instead decided to burst through the giant golden doors.

Dumbledore raised his head and a collective muttering went out across the dining tables, Persephone loudly pronounced, "So sorry I'm late Dumbledore. But the weather out there is just murder." Dumbledore scowled, he was still upset about Peters death, she didn't care. In reaction to her outburst coming inside she barely made out one students commentary,

"Whoa, that was so a Mad- Eyed Moody entrance." Persephone grinned underneath her hood.

To Be Continued

Next time: I may switch over and make this a "lets follow Harry around" type story like the books but I'm not sure yet. What do you guys think? It could go either way. So next time Persephone will teach her first class and learn more about Potter and his companions.