Christmas on the Closed Ward

AN: last week should be the only one w/o posts, at least for this book. I got sick then the Holiday hit. Back on track now 3

Small, twinkling lights filled the windows of Grimmauld Place. Some of the neighbors hung wreaths on their doors. The rusted streetlights managed to flicker on as the sun set early into the night. Thin patches of snow kissed the sidewalks and doorsteps.

Most of the cars sprinkled down the street had more snow than the pavement. The only one without snow, was still on. A bright red Austin-Healey Sprite hummed in the quiet night. Its lights turned off as it went to sleep.

Remus Lupin stepped out of the passenger side. He eyed the moon with the caution of approaching a beast. Only a sliver of the massive pale orb was in shadow. Remus swallowed and pulled the passenger seat forward, so Siria could step out. He offered his hand as she rose from the car. Sirius pressed his key fob twice and it locked then beeped.

"Love that sound," Sirius told them as he skipped to the step. Siria shook her head. She held Remus's hand. As they walked, she looked up to him.

"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Siria asked. She moved her hand from his to his arm as they climbed the steps.

"I'll stay until afternoon," he said vaguely. "The moon has been rising earlier, lately. You'll see me the next day."

They entered Grimmauld Place with Sirius, but Siria didn't release Remus's arm. She shook her head at him. "You still haven't told me where we're going," Siria said. "All you've said is to dress warm."

"You'll be adorable no matter what you wear," Sirius said. Siria rolled her eyes. "Would you prefer elegant?" he asked.

"How about tall?" Hermione called from the stairs. Siria let go of Remus's arm. Hermione hurried down the stairs as Siria hurried up them. Even a step below Hermione, Siria was taller. She hugged Hermione and nuzzled against the top of her bushy, brown hair.

"I thought you were skiing with your parents," Siria said, loosening the hug just enough to see Hermione's face.

"I was, but I felt I'd be much more use here," Hermione said. She whispered "I'm lousy. Don't tell Ron." Siria tightened the hug again before releasing Hermione.

"Talk with me," Siria said as they walked down the stairs. "Fill me in on everything."

"What about us?" Sirius asked with a smile from the entryway. Remus clapped a hand over Sirius's shoulder.

"Unless you want to tell me where we're going, you can wait," Siria told him.

"That'd ruin the surprise."

"Later then," she smiled and headed into the kitchen with Hermione. [B5, 498]

"Naturally, Umbridge was livid you disappeared right under her nose, even though Dumbledore told her Mr. Weasley was in St. Mungos," Hermione said (B5, 498). She paused as they sat down in the kitchen. "Cassius was worried, we all were, so I was really glad when you called him. I can't believe the two of us don't have a mirror though."

"We're hardly ever apart," Siria said. "I'm just glad I keep Cassius's mirror in my pocket or I wouldn't've been able to tell anyone."

Kreacher put a pot of tea down between the girls. Siria poured Hermione's then her own. It was rose and sweetened with honey. Hermione eyed Siria over the cup, then put it down before taking a sip.

"I've been doing a lot of reading," Hermione confessed in the way someone would something important. Siria smirked. She sipped her tea and waited. "I don't think you're a Horcrux—" Siria coughed as she inhaled her tea "— no, I know you aren't a Horcrux, not a real one, anyway." Siria's hand trembled as she clattered her cup onto its saucer. "Hear me out," Hermione said. She placed her hand over Siria's.

"A Horcrux is the complete opposite of a human being," Hermione explained. "If I ran you through with a knife, your body would hurt, but your soul would be fine. With a Horcrux, the fragment of a soul depends on its container for survival. Like Tom Riddle's Diary, the piece of the soul will die if the container is damaged enough." [B7, 104-105]

"So, I don't have to die, but I have to ditch my body?" Siria asked. "Doesn't that sound like I'd need to use Dark Magic? I—" she paused at Hermione's scrunched up nose.

"You're partly like a Horcrux because it really does seem you hold a piece of Voldemort's soul. You're not really a Horcrux though. A Horcrux isn't just a container, it's an object that's been made evil. Siria, you're a lot of things, but 'evil' never comes to mind," Hermione said.

"Usually, the only way to reverse the process and put the pieces back together is by feeling remorse, and it sounds really painful," Hermione explained (B5, 105). "But that's just the only way we know of."

"Are you proposing we make a way?" Siria asked.

"I think there's already a way. Think of all the foreign wizards Remus and Sirius have been writing to," Hermione said. "Maybe other countries don't call it a 'Horcrux' or the translation is done poorly. I'm not saying it will be easy, but we might be able to rip the piece of his soul from yours, trap it, then destroy it."

"We've certainly done risker things," Siria supposed.

Christmas morning, Hermione woke Siria by scratching behind one of her sharp, hairy black ears. As Siria yawned she flashed from large dog to tall girl. She stretched out her hands and accepted the present Hermione put in them.

"Merry Christmas," Siria yawned. She pulled the wrappings off and squinted at the journal.

"It's a homework planner," Hermione smiled. "They'll come in handy once school starts back up."

"Yay," Siria sighed. She put the homework planner down and picked up a small white Christmas bauble. A lovely silver ribbon ran through it. She rubbed her eyes as she smiled at the small emerald, embossed Christmas tree. Something scrapped the insides of the bauble. Siria popped off the top, and caught the small coin, as its long chain fell.

The silver coin was smaller than a five pence piece, even with the piece that the chain ran through at the top. Siria raised it up and watched the piece spin on its chain. On one side, was Canis Major. A goldenrod was on the other… until it wasn't. She stopped the coin and looked at where the goldenrod had been. Siria squinted at the small copy of the long constellation… Draco.

"Two sides of the same coin," Siria thought as she stroked the coin. She put the necklace on, with the one from Sirius, and continued onto the next gift. Hagrid gave her a tin a sweets, she knew better than to eat, and a furry, penny brown wallet with teeth; she imagined the teeth were an anti-theft device, but they prevented her from putting anything in too. [B5, 502]

Remus gave her a set of books called Practical Defensive Magic and Its Use Against the Dark Arts (B5, 501). Sirius gave her a velvet, pine green dress with white trim and a black belt. She felt like a green Father Christmas with it on. There were more clothes and a note that said he added more books to the shelf in her trunk. Chloe filled a four level jewelry box for Siria.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sent the usual hand knitted Weasley sweater and a tin of fudge. Siria pulled the jumper on over her dress. She pinned one of the brooches from the jewelry box Chloe gave her, a golden dragon with red eyes, to the front of her crimson sweater.

Tonks gave Siria a working model Firebolt, small enough to fit in her hand (B5, 502). Even Hermione found it sweet. Dobby knitted Siria a pair of long stockings, one green with golden baubles and the other golden with green and red holly. Siria pulled them on to find they were within inches of each other. The skirt of her dress covered their uneven tops fine.

Kreacher's present caused Siria to laugh. It was full of coloured construction paper. The set came with a few markers. There was a little sun the corner of the package that had a cartoon smile and sunglasses. She would use it for their letters, as he intended.

Siria started unwrapping Astoria's gift when there was a loud crack, followed quickly by a second. She sighed and looked to Fred and George, who Apparated between Hermione and Siria's bunk bed and Ginny's. Their usual smiles were gone.

"Merry Christmas," George said. "Wait a minute before you head down," he added as he dropped his voice.

"Percy sent back his Christmas jumper," Fred explained. He sat on the end of Ginny's bed.

"Without a note," George added.

"That—" Ginny swore.

"We tried to tell mum that," said Fred. He shrugged and looked to George.

"Didn't work," said George. "Remus took over though." George rapted his fingers on the metal of Siria's bunk.

"Remus'll cheer her up some," Siria said. She slid down the ladder. [B5, 502]

"That or your Father Christmas outfit," George gave a small smirk. "Not going to wear our gift?" Siria picked up the Father Christmas hat hanging on her bed.

"Haven't opened it," Siria said as she pulled the hat on. She stuck out her hand, with the ring from her birthday. "And I'm not putting on anything else from you two until this comes off."

"It's not hurting you," said Fred.

"You'll thank us," said George.

Chloe, Mundungus, Mad-Eye, and Kingsley Shacklebolt stopped by for Christmas lunch. After which, the Weasleys, Hermione, Siria and Sirius loaded into Remus's van. Siria tugged on her Father Christmas hat as she straightened it. She ran her fingers over the row of bracelets on her left arm.

"You've gotten quite a lot this year," Sirius noted. "Anything from someone special?"

"Well," Siria leaned forward, to Hermione who sat across from her, and smiled, "I got a mini Firebolt from Tonks." Sirius, who dropped the smile on his face, glanced sideways at Siria.

"Who gave you that bracelet?" He asked and tapped the one made of multiple strands of small different colored beads.

"Awkwardly, Lily Moon." Sirius didn't ask about the other bracelets or the necklace. Siria reached for the chain of the coin necklace. She paused and flattened the collar of her dress, as if it was her intention.

She was relieved to reach St. Mungo's, where the only questions would be about Mr. Weasley. Mr. Weasley was propped up on his pillows, downing the last few bites of his turkey dinner as they arrived at his bedside. He greeted them with a cautioned smile. Remus parted to talk with the lone man, who would turn today, for the first time since being bitten. Sirius steadied his hands on Siria's shoulders, half to keep her with the Weasleys and half to stop himself from joining Remus, who would fair better alone. [B5, 506]

"Oh, Siria—" Mr. Weasley saying her name snapped Siria's attention away from Remus. "This is absolutely wonderful." [B5, 506] He had just unwrapped her present of a flashlight and toy airplane. Mr. Weasley held the plane up. "Does it fly?"

"Only with magic," Siria smiled. He placed the plane down to click the flashlight on.

"Marvelous little invention," Mr. Weasley said. "Clever Muggles." He reached to shake her hand, but pulled back at Mrs. Weasley's leer. [B5, 506]

"Arthur," Mrs. Weasley hissed. "Why have your bandages been changed? They told me you wouldn't need them changed until tomorrow."

"Well— now, Molly dear, don't be upset," Mr. Weasley started. Bill, Fred, and George pushed their chairs away from the bed. "Augustus Pye had an idea. The Trainee Healer, you know, very lovely young chap." Mrs. Weasley's face reddened while she glared at Mr. Weasley. Bill muttered something about tea, and Fred and George hurried to accompany him as Mr. Weasley continued, "He's interested in… complementary medicine… I mean, some of these old Muggle remedies." [B5, 407]

Siria inched back, as Sirius did. Ron took a half step back. "Well, they're called stitches, Molly, and they work very well on— on Muggle wounds…" Mr. Weasley said. Mrs. Weasley let out a half shriek, half snarl.

"Do you mean to tell me," Mrs. Weasley said, as her voice grew louder with each word and the others backed away further. "That you have been messing about with Muggle remedies?" [B5, 507] Ginny was halfway to the stairs when Ron, Hermione, Siria, and Sirius joined her. They heard Mrs. Weasley shout "What do you mean 'that's the general idea'?" [B5, 507]

"Typical Dad," Ginny shook her head and sighed as they continued down the corridor (B5, 507).

"You know, stitches do work well on non-magical wounds," Hermione said. "Something in the snake's venom must dissolve them." (B5, 507) Siria looked to Sirius, who nodded.

"See you kiddoes in a minute," Sirius said. He broke away and headed back toward Mr. Weasley's ward.

"Dudley got stitches once," Siria said as they climbed the stairs. "Aunt Petunia screamed about scars for months, but it healed fine." Hermione eyed Siria's scar. "I'd guess mine is why she cried so much. Didn't want Dudy-kins to be anything like Scary Ol' Siria."

"Does anyone know where the tearoom is?" Hermione asked to change the topic. Siria smiled at her. [B5, 508]

"Fifth floor," Siria said (B5, 508), so they continued to climb. Portraits of past Healers hollered at them, claiming they were ill with something or another. A very animated Healer pushed portrait occupants out of the way to chase after Ron. He was convinced Ron had "spattergroit" and not freckles. [B5, 508]

At the landing of the fourth floor, they paused in their tracks. Siria tugged Ron's arm and pointed, wordlessly at the window in the door. A pair of dazzling white teeth, perfectly straight, smiled vacantly at them. It's owner had shoulder length, wavy golden blonde hair and glazed over bright blue eyes.

"Wah—" Ron startled and missed his step. Siria pulled him forward, before he fell.

"Professor Lockhart," Hermione said (B5, 509).

"Not much of a Professor," Siria muttered. Their ex-Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher pushed the doors open and stepped toward them, his long lilac dressing down trailing behind him (B5, 509).

"Well, hello there!" He beamed at them with as much charisma as ever. "I expect you'd like my autograph, would you?" (B5, 509). Ron and Siria exchanged a speaking glance.

When Ron asked if Lockhart should be in a ward, a distant look fell onto Lockhart's face. He froze for a moment as he focused on Siria.

"Haven't we met?" Lockhart asked (B5, 509).

"Yeah," Siria said as she eyed around him. She was relieved he couldn't seem to properly place her. "Why don't you show us to your ward?" She suggested. Lockhart was not as lost as when he first wiped his own memory, with Ron's broken wand, but had clear issues focusing.

At the far end of the corridor, a woman called out for Lockhart. She was a motherly looking Healer, with tinsel in her hair. The Healer came to collect him and dragged the others back as she spoke over their weak attempts to explain they were headed for tea (B5, 510).

Lockhart's ward showed signs of long term stays. Photos of himself were hung around his bed. Many of them had childish signings of his name. There was an open box of letters on the floor that poked out from under his bed. [B5, 511]

Across the way from Lockhart was a mournful-looking wizard that stared at the ceiling and didn't seem to notice their arrival. Beside him was a woman covered in fur. She had a small trinkets at her bedside. Floral curtains blocked the last stays of the ward and their guests. [B5, 511-512]

Healer Strout explained Lockhart's recovery. Any time Siria felt remotely sorry for him, she reminded herself Lockhart did it to himself while trying to wipe the memory of Ron, herself, and the twins. It helped when she added that he intended to leave Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets. Her stomach plummeted.

If Lockhart had succeeded, Voldemort would have returned two years sooner. Siria's throat seemed to collapse at the thought. How quickly would Voldemort have found her? With her memory gone, she wouldn't even be able to identify him as Tom Riddle. She would have never been adopted by Sirius. Would so many from Slytherin have agreed to join Dumbledore's Army? "There wouldn't be one…" Siria realized.

"— Longbottom," Healer Strout said and Siria snapped back into the room, "are you leaving already?" Siria glanced to Ron and the others, to stop them from seeing. If they had gone off into their own heads, then they, like she, were pulled back by the name. Everyone else followed the Healer's line of sight to Mrs. Longbottom and Neville. [B5, 512]

"Neville!" Ron called. Neville jumped as though struck. "Neville, it's us," said Ron. "Have you seen?" Siria rushed herself to Ron's side.

"Mrs. Longbottom!" Siria said loud enough to convey to Ron now was not the time and Neville had definitely seen Lockhart. "It's so good to see you." Siria extended her hand to shake Mrs. Longbottom's.

"You as well. Neville speaks quite highly of you," Mrs. Longbottom said.

"Well, I can't speak highly enough of him," Siria said. She leaned her head slightly to the left. Hermione read it as a sign to come over. [B5, 513]

"Ms. Granger," Mrs. Longbottom shook Hermione's hand. "I must thank you for looking after Neville. He's a good boy, but he hasn't got his father's talent, I'm afraid to say…" she jerked her head in the direction of Alice and Frank Longbottom's beds. [B5, 513]

"I can't speak to their talent," Siria said, "but Neville is definitely beyond expectation in Herbology." She glanced over her shoulder, where the Healer had placed a potted plant beside the man who stared at the ceiling.

"Neville," Siria said as she approached the plant. "What do you suppose this is?" Neville shook. Siria stopped. "I just meant, I'm sure you know how he can care for it." Neville scooted toward Siria without lifting his feet. He glanced at the small potted plant from just behind her.

"Well?" His grandmother asked with a wave of her hand, as though wanting the disappointment to be over with.

"I… I think…" Neville stepped closer to the plant. "I…" he leaned over it. "It looks like Devil's Snare," Neville said so quietly they would have missed it if they weren't so focused on him.

"Merlin—" Healer Strout gasped. She swept past Neville and whipped the plant from the desk. "I can't be sure, but" she smiled at Neville, "I'm so glad you said something, dear."

Alice Longbottom, waisted away compared to the photo of her in the Order, edged down the ward in her nightdress. She beckoned Neville and handed him an empty wrapper. The elder Mrs. Longbottom shook her head, but told Mrs. Longbottom "very nice, dear," before telling Neville to toss it as he had more than enough to paper his bedroom by now. Siria watched Neville pocket it when his grandmother looked away. [B5, 514-515]

The door of the ward closed behind the elder Mrs. Longbottom and Neville.

"I didn't know," Ron said, rather hoarsely (B5, 515).

"Nor me," whispered Ginny (B5, 151).

"I did," Hermione dabbed at her eyes. "Moody told me, when he found out I was looking… looking around," her gaze dropped to her feet.

"Same," Siria said, though she knew before. She learned in Dumbledore's pensieve. "It's why Barty Crouch, Jr. and Bellatrix Lestrange got sent to Azkaban." They were silent as the severity weighed on them. [B5, 515]

"Look," Lockhart told them, "I didn't learn joined-up writing for nothing, you know!" (B5, 515)