It was dark, She'd learned to hate the dark, fear the dark. It was when they came for her and they'd come time and time again. Waking her from her fuzzy drug induced sleep, only to brutalise her some more. laying on a thin mattress. The coils and springs dug and cut along her back. A hand caressed her neck before tightening the hold painfully, cutting off her air supply as they abused her body. Violating her most intimate parts so roughly she screamed out loud in agony. She soon learnt however to stifle her cries as they only excited them further. The cold metallic harshness of a blade was pressed against her check. Closing her eyes tightly against the on coming pain. Her attacker pushed the blade remorselessly into her check and drew blood. Maiming her face. She then let her tears flow. And as tears mixed with blood the dream begun to fade.

Sirius slept lightly in the arm chair next to their marital bed. It wasn't till he heard a cry of terror that he bolted up right, wand at the ready to defend his sleeping wife. Looking around in blind panic, it took him a moment to realise that the noise had come from the form of his sleeping wife. Hermione lay on her back her arms and legs thrashing about as a nightmare over took her. Again she cried out, this time his name was heard through the sheer terror of her cry, chocking back a sob he climbed gently onto the mattress and held her close to his being. Soothing her with his voice and touch, she once again become quiet her breathing slowed and became more shallow. This was a regular occurrence and although in Hermione's day to day activities she had blocked all her memories, at night she couldn't hide from the nightmare she had survived.

''Sirius,'' she sighed gently in her sleep. The mere fact that his name was uttered upon her sweet, sweet lips, left Sirius with the warm feeling of hope. All was silent for a moment and Sirius hugged her closer relishing in the feel of his wife in his arms. It had been so long since he'd last held her like this. To long. When she spoke once again and Sirius tensed, was she awake? ''I'm so sorry,'' she murmured, turning and curling herself into his warmth. ''I love you'' her voice was soft barely a whisper. Looking down at her appearance it was obvious the witch was still deeply asleep. It wasn't too long until Sirius too fell into the lull of exhaustion.

Hermione woke to the sun shinning through the thin curtains. It was later than she would normally have arisen, yawning she stretched out the stiffness of her still tiresome body. Feeling the warmth of a body next to her she froze. Closing her eyes she fought off the scream that threatened to escape her throat. She wouldn't let them take her again, not from her friends, her family, not from Sirius. Adrenaline kicked in and rolling to her side she reached under the pillow for her wand. Once allocating her wand she sent a spark at the intruder, who immediately jumped out of bed cursing Hermione.

Hermione bolted upright and sprung to the opposite side of the bedroom, wand still drawn. Panic over took her body and her hands began to tremble. She looked around looking for an exit but seeing her only way out blocked by the stranger she cursed her stupidity. Sinking to the floor dejectedly she admitted defeat.

Sirius swore under his breath, he'd fallen into a comfortable sleep, content in sharing a bed with his love. But his stupidity had spooked her. Holding his arms up to show he was unarmed. He spoke softly to the wild looking witch who had huddled into the corner.

"Hermione? It's only me, Sirius." he whispered moving slowly closer, so not to spook her any further. "I didn't mean to scare you. You were having a nightmare, I tried to comfort you and fell asleep. I would never harm you. On my life 'Mione." He was standing closer know and could see she had her eyes closed. Fighting off the fear and instinct to fight not flee, her wand was still drawn, as though unsure she was safe. He shifted closer towards her, gently placing his hand on her arm, he lowered the wand. Upon contact she broke down.

"I'm so sorry, Sirius. I'm Sorry." She cried into her arms as she tried to block her face from his view. Taking her small hands in his larger one, he brought his other hand up to her chin. Lifting her face up to his, he kissed her forehead gently.

"You never have to worry bout me 'Mione, I'd never hurt you. Stop apologising, I should be the one apologising not you. I should have taken more care of you." Hermione leaned into his embrace, a sudden wash of comfort and familiarity washed over her and somehow she knew she belonged here in his embrace. Somewhere deep inside Hermione was ready to heal and let a small part of her Husband back in. She let Sirius lead her back to the bed where he lay down beside her, as he held her in his arms, Hermione's sobs quietened until her breathing became deep and shallow again. It wasn't till later on in the evening when she awoke again.

Turning onto her side she found Sirius still asleep, even as he slept peacefully she could see the signs of fatigue around his eyes. Why was it this man whom had never before had time for her, was now here for her in every dark moment? This dark strange, kind and loving man. This escaped convict, this loyal but destroyed man. Hermione had always found him interesting and couldn't help but watch the him with intrigue, but as she watched him, she couldn't help but feel she knew more about this man than she could bare to imagine. Like the small half crescent shaped scar above his left nipple came from a lover. Hermione blushed as the little anecdote popped into her head. No she couldn't recall which of Sirius' lovers had caused the scar and as she traced it with her finger tips, she didn't notice how the mark above his heart fit perfectly with her own nail. Like a lock and key that would eventually reopen her heart.