Darkness Falls
Chapter Two
Over the next two weeks Severus and Sirius tried their best to stay out of each other's way, only crossing paths during meals. Sirius spent the majority of his time exploring the old family house while Severus locked himself in the small library he had discovered three days into their stay.
And Kreacher never missed an opportunity to mumble something derogatory around his new Master.
Meanwhile hundreds of miles away Voldemort was searching relentlessly for the missing brothers. Severus could always feel when he was becoming angry and frustrated, Voldemort ensured it. The mark would burn black as night, sending a deep, throbbing ache throughout his body. The very same pain all Death Eaters felt their first night after receiving their Master's mark. Unable to do anything to stop it, Severus would simply curl into himself and wait for the pain to pass. Sometimes he would stay that way for hours on end.
Sirius was steadily growing irritated with their situation, and one morning when the two were sitting at the table eating breakfast, he finally spoke up, "I've had enough. I'm tired of being locked in this house! I'm going insane!"
Sifting through that morning's Daily Prophet that Kreacher had picked up at Grimmauld Place, Severus did not even bother looking up. "And what would you like me to do?"
The elder Black looked around for Kreacher before leaning closer to respond, "Since you are the one everyone is after, just turn yourself into the Ministry. You can tell them you were holding me against my will, or I can," Sirius smirked.
Severus looked up from his paper, dark eyes scrutinizing.
"You are unbelievably ignorant, mutt," sneering when Sirius bristled at the insult. "I told you the Dark Lord's plan. If the Ministry doesn't get you for teaming up with a Death Eater, then I can assure you the Dark Lord will."
Sirius turned away grimly, nibbling at his buttered toast.
Standing up from his seat, Severus shoved the Daily Prophet across the table to his brother. Sirius gazed down at the front page, grimacing at what he saw.
"That's the tenth Black family death in less than two weeks. It appears that the Dark Lord is disposing of any relation we may have run to," Apparently Bella and her sister were able to convince their Lord of their loyalty, he thought to himself. "Still don't believe me, walk out that door and see what happens to you." Severus said before exiting the room.
The Dark Mark had begun throbbing during the early morning hours of his twenty-third day in hiding. Severus got up from beneath the bed sheets and sat on the edge of the mattress in the dark for a few minutes.
"Kreacher?" He called. Some warm tea would be perfect. "Kreacher?" Severus summoned again, but the house-elf never appeared.
Trying to not worry over the unresponsive elf, Severus stumbled to the kitchen and began to make himself tea.
That night, when Severus finally abandoned his haven for dinner he ran into an agitated Sirius pacing up and down the hallway.
Raising his eyebrow at the scene, Severus asked, "What is it?"
"Kreacher still isn't back."
"And I suppose working yourself into hysterics because there is no house-elf to serve you dinner will bring him back?"
Sirius stopped his pacing and turned to glare at his brother. "I am not playing around, Snivellus." Severus returned the glare. "No matter how many times I call for that damn house-elf he refuses to show." He spun around and began pacing once more. "That should be impossible. Don't you understand? Something has happened."
Frowning, Severus replied, "You're paranoid." Though his tone voiced a hint of doubt.
But Sirius continued as if he hadn't heard, "He kept popping back and forth between here and our parent's home. What if Death Eaters were there? What if they killed him? We have no idea what sort of protection charms on this house. For all we know, Kreacher could have been the only one keeping them up! If he's gone, Voldemort-" Severus inhaled sharply, "-might be able to find this place. We're practically sitting ducks!"
Severus stared at his brother in confusion. "You've spent far too much time with those mudbloods-" but before he could even finish his statement, Sirius was inches from his face.
"Don't ever use that word in my presence again," Sirius growled, lips trembling with anger.
Severus smirked.
"I'm leaving." Sirius said, taking a few steps back from his brother. "If you want to sit around here forever, that's fine with me, I could truly care less. But I'm not." And then he was gone.
Staring blankly in front of him, it took a few seconds for what just happened to sink in. Severus cautiously stepped out the front door for the first time in almost a month. In the fading light he could see Sirius walking through the front gate deserting the only shelter they had. Cursing under his breath, Severus took off after his brother.
When he had made it past the gate he glanced behind him, praying to anyone who was listening that the stone house would still be there. But alas, it had vanished into thin air under the protection charms.
"Damn it, Sirius! Now look what you've done!" But there was no Sirius around to hear him; he had seemingly vanished as well.
Panic briefly filled the Death Eater. He was alone, in the middle of nowhere, with no way of getting back home that wouldn't alert the Dark Lord to his presence. Perfect.
Then he heard a soft sound on the wind. Whistling. Relief spread quickly to Severus's rapidly beating heart. Whistling was an old and very annoying habit of his older brother's. When they were younger, before leaving for Hogwarts, Sirius would saunter around the house whistling muggle tunes to aggravate their parents.
Severus scowled; disgusted with himself over the immense relief that flee-ridden mutt had made him feel.
Finally catching up with his brother Severus dug his long fingers into the animagi's shoulder and twisting him around. "You idiot! It is you who obviously has a death wish!" Severus snapped, slightly out of breath.
"Why, Snivellus, it almost sounds like you care," Sirius taunted, jerking away from the tight grip. Severus snorted.
"Don't be ridiculous," but did not say anything further.
Rolling his eyes, Sirius huffed. "Since keeping me alive is so important to you, then I will travel in my animagus form. I know for a fact Voldemort- "the Death Eater clenched his teeth, "-doesn't know about that. Is that satisfactory, sir?"
Severus's eyes darkened.
"Well, it's been a delightful three weeks, but I've had enough of you to last a lifetime. Goodbye," giving a mock salute, Sirius promptly transformed into a shaggy black dog with long legs.
The younger wizard watched the animagus trot away. He waited a few minutes before also transforming. Where Severus had been standing now in his place was a small black fox, blending perfectly with the dark forest.
Keeping his steps light upon the earth, Severus secretly followed after the noisy dog.
Moron.
