Author's Note: Hey there everyone! Thank you so much for the support and reviews! I love getting feedback! It warms my heart! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter! I will say there will be a very interesting chapter coming up regarding Remus! Can anyone spot the foreshadowing here? Lol! Also, please note, I DO NOT PROMOTE THESE DISORDERS AND ISSUES! Nor do I condone the anger/intent of violence Sirius displays later in this chapter! I want to make sure this is as real and raw as possible!
Anyways sorry for the horrid rant and writing lol, ENJOY! Reviews are always appreciated!
"We all wear masks and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing our own skin."
~André Berthiaume
"Ah, c'mon Padfoot. You can definitely come up with a better insult than that! This is Sniffilus were talking about!" James groaned in playful irritation, tapping the large piece of parchment in front of them with the tip of his wand.
Sirius paused dramatically, tapping his own wand against his forehead. Amplifying the fact he was thinking "deeply".
"I thought the comment about his greasy hair was rather brilliant…" Wormtail muttered lowly, his nose twitching in showplace of his inner anxiety.
Moony just rolled his eyes, typical James and Sirius. Always trying to outdo even their own pranks and remarks.
"Why don't we just give it a nice charm that insults the slimy git with whatever, if he ever was to try to get into our utterly genius map?" Sirius finally proclaimed excitedly. Also placing the tip of his own wand at the center of the map.
"Mr. Moony, Mr. Prongs, and Mr. Wormtail...care to help me do the honors?"
"I could lose my prefect badge for this Padfoot…" Remus warned as he finally placed his own wand tip on the map along with the other marauders.
"Well then, it would be well worth it then, rightttt Moony?" James insisted with his bellowing laughter. His eyes growing wide with excitement as he watched the magic enchanting the map.
"Sirius! Scarlett, she-" they suddenly heard Lily scream as she burst through the common room, nearly interrupting all the boys focus.
"Damnit Lily, can't you see we're in the middle of something!" James shouted back,hastily folding the freshly finished map in his robe pocket.
"Sirius...Scarlett's in the hospital wing now. She fainted, I don't think she's been eating. I thought you'd want-" Lily continued, completely ignoring James.
Immediately Sirius's smile fell from his face, his heart dropped and panic suddenly flushed like a great waterfall throughout his body.
"She fainted? How-?" he finally managed to ask Lily as Sirius allowed her to lead him out of the common room. What was the point if asking a question like that? He knew what the answer was, he just didn't want to admit it.
"I think we both know why…" Lily answered solemnly.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Darkness had engulfed Scarlett's entire being, it seemed she was staring into complete nothingness. She still didn't quite understand what had happened.
Scarlett stared down at the bed she had been placed in, her nose wrinkling in disgust when she realized she had been charmed out of her robes from earlier and placed in a infirmary gown.
"Distasteful…" she muttered annoyingly to herself, crossing her arms across her chest in defeat.
"I see you have awoken, Miss Everly. Hospital gowns aren't made to be fashionable now...how are you feeling?" Madam Pomfrey asked, breaking Scarlett out of her silent cursing and hate for the gown.
Scarlett blushed in embarrassment, "It wasn't anything personal just...you know...shocked...that's all. I'm feeling better, thanks."
Pomfrey handed her a goblet, "Here, drink this. It'll help you get some of your strength back...has this happened often this year?"
Scarlett shook her head as she slowly sipped the thick, odd tasting potion. "Been over stressed, schoolwork and exams...you know?" she finally responded as she handed the empty goblet back to the healer. Her lying knowing no bounds once again.
Madam Pomfrey nodded slowly, not entirely buying into the young girl's explanation.
"I also took up running...I guess I didn't realize how much you needed to eat to keep your strength up." Scarlett added quickly, of course she would have to admit her exercising. It almost seemed unavoidable to keep to herself any longer.
Madam Pomfrey tisked as she shook her head. She then nodded in understanding, finally seeing Scarlett's point. "I see...well, I want you to take a dose of a weight gain potion to help get your body back to where it should be. I see you how you can most certainly not realize how much nutrition your body needs. But, I need you to ensure me that you will start paying more attention to eating, alright?"
Scarlett smiled and nodded brightly. "Of course, Madam...I see know. Thank you!"
"Very good, I'll be back shortly with the potion. In the meantime, there are some visitors that are anxious to see you. Would you like me to let them see you?" Poppi asked with a small smile.
Visitors? Scarlett wondered to herself, who else would be here besides Lily?
"Sure, you can let them in. Thank you again, Madam Pomfrey." she replied, her bright smile never wavering until Pomfrey left the room.
Suddenly the door reopened again, revealing none other Lily, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter. Much to her confusion as to why they were ALL here.
"Hey, Scarlett. You okay?" Lily asked, summoning a chair to pull up next to her bedside.
"Yeah, I'm alright now...although...what brings the famous Marauders here?" she asked.
"Any friend of Lily and Sirius is ours naturally!" James chuckled, pulling his own chair next to Lily.
Sirius pulled his own chair up on the opposite side of Scarlett's bedside.
Scarlett laughed lightly, "Well, I appreciate that James...I guess Lily is right about you after all."
James smirked as he took Lily's hand in his, "Well, after your hilarious episode with that party a few nights ago. I had to find a way to befriend you!"
Scarlett's cheeks flushed with red once again in embarrassment.
"Good grief, James. Is that the only reason you wanted to befriend her? Because her drinking habits can match yours?" Remus asked, shaking his head in disappointment.
James shrugged, suggesting he firmly believed it was a genuine reason to befriend someone.
"Nice to finally meet you, Scarlett. I'm sorry you weren't feeling well…" Peter finally piped in, as nervous as he ever was.
Scarlett smiled softly towards Peter, her heart saddened by how easily intimidated Peter always seemed to be by everyone and everything.
"I appreciate that, Peter. Thank you." she responded delicately. "Thank you too, Remus.", she mentioned, eyeing Remus with a small gleam in her eye.
Remus nodded, acknowledging her appreciation.
"What did Madam Pomfrey say?" Sirius finally interrupted, growing more irritated by the moment that the elephant in the room still remained ignored.
Scarlett paused, clenching and unclenching the sheets with her hands as she debated on how to approach the subject.
"She said it was because I just wasn't consuming enough to cover my recent take up of running. No big deal, just need to make sure I eat larger portions I guess."
Lily nodded, biting her lip in uncertainty. She knew for a fact that she hadn't seen Scarlett at breakfast and dinner in what felt like ages. But...she had firm trust in her friend. She honestly didn't know what to think, she remained close to James. Squeezing his hand.
Sirius stared at Scarlett in blatant disbelief. He couldn't believe the lies that continued to escape her lips, never seeming to end.
"Can I speak to Scarlett alone for a moment?" he finally stated lowly, coming across as demand than a request.
The rest of the group nodded silently, waving and saying their goodbyes to Scarlett before leaving them to their own devices.
"Yes, Sirius?" Scarlett finally growled.
"You're utterly impossible, Scarlett. You need to stop this! Immediately!" Sirius pushed back.
Scarlett scoffed, "Is that an order, Black? Is that another perk the most ancient and noble Blacks possess? Ordering people around?"
"Lying isn't going to get you anywhere. It's not going to help you get better!" Sirius asserted, ignoring Scarlett's furious jab at his family name.
"What more do you want from me? Can't you see this is the only power I have left?" Scarlett pleaded. "How can I get better when there isn't anything wrong with me?"
"You pass out in class and you continue to think nothing is wrong?" Sirius protested, infuriated by the fact she still couldn't see. She still had no fear for what she was doing to herself.
"And what about you and your own little secret?" she then asked, annoyed by Sirius's hypocrisy.
"I'm not the one landing in the hospital wing. YOU are!" he fought back, desperate to keep her from once again opening his own box of secrets.
Scarlett laughed, "Dear God, Sirius...it seems we are a match made in heaven. Much to my dismay…"
"This isn't funny, Scarlett...if I don't start seeing you at meals...I'll inform your father…"
Scarlett's laugh only grew louder, "Is that the best you can do, Sirius? Please, my father would be glad to know his precious daughter isn't getting fat."
Sirius was at loss for words. He finally began to understand, the reason she was hurting so much. The reason...for everything.
"Scarlett...your father, he encourages this?" he finally asked, his tone now softer and less condemning.
Scarlett remained silent, too much was already said. He didn't need to know anymore than he already found out.
"You can tell me...how can I protect you if you won't let me in?" Sirius continued.
"Sirius, my father...he just has standards...if you will. And I have to follow them...and that's all there is to it." she muttered, the conversation growing more uncomfortable by the second.
"That's insane!" Sirius shouted, reaching for her hand.
Scarlett flinched slightly at his touch, she bit hard on the side of her lip. Anxiety rushing through her body the longer his hand stayed entwined with hers.
She retracted her hand from Sirius's slowly, not being able to bear the touch any longer.
"You act like I'm the only one with a crazy family, I heard Regulus was pretty close to joining the death eaters." she finally stated, aiming to get the conversation off of her.
Sirius sighed, "Again, Scarlett...you're changing the subject…"
Scarlett rolled her eyes, "Give me a break, Sirius. You need to stop keeping everything to yourself. It's driving you mad and I can see it resonating on your own flesh, maybe if you opened up. I would follow your lead…"
"Fine! You want me to open up to you! Here goes!" Sirius finally snapped fiercely. " I cut because I'm told what a disgrace of a son I am! How worthless and pathetic I am! Because I can't even help you, Scarlett!"
Scarlett stared at Sirius's quivering figure. Her eyes widened with surprise, never had she seen him so angry and upset in her life.
"Sirius...I-"
"Don't! Don't even try to come up with another pitiful lie. I'm so tired of hearing them pour out of you like it's nothing! Like YOU'RE nothing! Like I'M nothing!"
Sirius was beyond furious, he was utterly fuming with anger. How could she just sit there in a hospital bed, and laughing and lying about what got her there? He couldn't stop shaking with fury, he felt his arm begin to loom above Scarlett's face.
Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise, confusion displayed so perfectly across her face as panic began flowing throughout her body once again. She closed her eyes, bracing herself what she thought was the inevitable blow.
She waited, her eyes tightly squeezed shut.
It never came.
She reopened her eyes after a minute, she blinked. His hand was now back at his side, Sirius was back in his chair. Anger suddenly flushed through her, it was finally her turn to be furious.
"What? Too self-righteous to hit me? Go ahead, DO IT. All men are the same, so go ahead! It'll make you feel better! I know it will..." she finally shouted.
"Scarlett...I-"
"JUST LEAVE SIRIUS! JUST GO!" She continued to shout, tears forming beneath her ice blue eyes.
Sirius quickly stood up from his seat, conflicted and ashamed as he impetuously excited to hospital room.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"So how did your talk go with Scarlett?" Lily asked, taking a break from finishing her Potions essay up.
Sirius just quietly shook his head, never bothering to look up from his Defense Against the Dark Arts book. "Don't want to talk about it, Lily…"
Lily shot James and Remus a look of urgency, ushering them to step in and say something at the very least about it.
"Something obviously happened, Padfoot...your usually never this quiet." Remus added, praying nothing that slipped from James mouth next would provoke Sirius.
"C'mon we're your best mates! You can tell us!" James pleaded, more than happy to take a break from his schoolwork.
Sirius inexorably looked up from his book, finally taking a deep breath it was time for him to come clean about his encounter.
"I lost my temper with her...I-I raised my hand to her…" he gulped, the words feeling like poison as they rolled off his tongue. He watched as everyone's facial expressions shifted to shock and surprise, feeling worse and worse by the minute.
"Sirius…" Lily murmured, at loss for words.
"Did you end up hitting her?" James finally asked, voicing the question everyone in the room was thinking.
"God no, Prongs! But...still…" Sirius drawled softly. "I think...I think it's time I was honest with you guys...the truth is...Scarlett and I have been betrothed to another since we were children…"
"I knew that...Scarlett told me a few years back…" Lily murmured, pained by the very memory of that day.
Remus and the James however, sat in utter astoundment.
"Padfoot...are you...serious? No pun intended mate, but…wow…" James mused to himself, slightly dazed with this truth that just came into light.
"Hmmm, I thought something of the sort. But, it was none of my business…" Remus added.
" And here, I thought you were set for the bachelor life...well for LIFE!" James then chuckled, nearly bursting in laughter at his own joke.
"James!" Lily blurted, smacking James lightly on the arm.
"Do we at least get to go to this wedding mate?" James added with a small chuckle. "Okay, okay Lily. I'm done...for now…" he added when he saw Lily was nearly fuming.
"Of course...if Scarlett even lives long enough for there to be one this summer…" Sirius muttered bitterly. "She's starving herself...and she won't let anyone help her…"
"That explains a lot…" Remus contemplated. "I would say give it some time Padfoot, just be there for her...you'll have to give her some space now though. Especially with an encounter like that."
Sirius nodded in agreement, "Lily, why don't you talk to her? She might listen to you… could you? For me?"
Lily nodded, "Of course, Sirius. I'll do whatever I can to help!"
Sirius smiled faintly in thanks, grateful Lily may be able to knock some sense into Scarlett. Sirius felt so useless and pathetic.
How could he ever expect to help Scarlett save herself...when he couldn't even save his own self?
Maybe it's not always about trying to fix something broken. Maybe it's about starting over and creating something better.
~Unknown
"Sirius, take a look at this mate! More workers in the ministry have gone missing!" James exclaimed, stopping the marauders in their tracks as they moved swiftly through the freshly fallen snow. James quickly grabbed a copy of the Daily Prophet from the young newspaper boy, tossing him a piece of change in payment.
"Absolute craziness!" Peter squeaked. Terrified at the happenings.
"It can't be a coincidence...it's all too suspicious." Remus added, motioning for James to hand him the newspaper.
"I can't believe how many people still don't believe Voldemort and his death eater gang are behind this, it's pretty obvious if you ask me!" Sirius groaned in annoyance.
The boys all nodded in agreement, Sirius's words couldn't have been any truer.
"Are your parents still pressuring you to join them? Like Regulus is?" James finally asked softly, clenching his jacket a little tighter, nervous to what the answer would be.
Sirius gulped, despising the very question. Dreading have to always separate himself from the rest of his horrid family. Regulus was so close to finalizing his membership, and to top it off Bellatrix, Lucius and Narcissa weren't too far behind. This rampant and crazed movement that was sweeping across the wizarding world, was damaging in its very mention. Sirius couldn't help but wonder, would there be a war sometime in the future? A battle of ideologies and beliefs? Of power?
It seemed only time would tell. However, with the events unfolding as they were...it seemed it would only be a matter of time before everyone was forced to choose sides. No more speculations.
"Of course they are...they wouldn't be my parents if they weren't. But, I still refuse…" Sirius finally answered with a sigh.
Remus placed a hand of comfort on Sirius's shoulder, sorry for all the pain Sirius had to go through with his family.
"If you want to talk about it...we're always here for you, Padfoot." Remus murmured soothingly.
"It's almost that time of the month again, yeah Moony?" Sirius said, stopping in his tracks to place his own hand on Remus's shoulder. Desperately wanting to change the subject.
Remus nodded quietly, a small shade of red growing across his cheeks. Slightly embarrassed by his furry little problem.
"Nothing to be ashamed about, Moony! We've told you a million times, mate! It doesn't make you any less than the rest of us. Besides, being animagi on the down low is beyond cool" James laughed. His breath all too clear in the cold, winter air.
Peter nodded quietly in silent agreement.
Remus smiled at his friends, overwhelmed with joy. He couldn't believe how he had managed to befriend such wonderful guys. Despite how much trouble they caused, they were overwhelmingly loyal and dedicated. And for that, he was eternally grateful.
"Hey, Padfoot. Isn't that Scarlett over there?" Peter asked, breaking the silence.
Quickly all of their eyes darted towards where Peter was pointing, directly at the bookshop "Tomes and Scrolls".
There she was in the distance, bundled up tightly in a heavy coat and hat as she leaned against the outer wall of the shop. Her long, wavy blonde hair was flowing in the wind, the blue as vibrant as ever. The cold seemed to make her cheeks rosy, and her eyes glisen.
"We'll catch up with you later mate?" James asked, knowing Sirius would want to go speak to Scarlett.
Sirius nodded, waving back at his friends left him to his own devices.
"Now, why would you be standing out here in the bitter cold?" He asked with his signature grin, finally within a few inches of her.
Scarlett glared in agitation at Sirius, they hadn't spoken in a good month. Some nerve he had, acting as if the fight they had never happened. She continued to glare, uttering not a word.
Sirius took a deep breath, understanding precisely where her hostility towards him was coming from.
"Look...I know you're still upset with...how I handled my anger towards you. I don't blame you, you know? But...can we move past it?"
Scarlett's eyes widened, surprised at the geniality she heard flowing from his mouth. Not to mention he was actually trying to apologize. A practice that Sirius Black never allowed himself to put into a reality.
"Come out of the cold with me, I was waiting on Lily but she's obviously taking a little longer…" Scarlett stated, yanking open the book shop's door. Holding it out from behind her so Sirius could join her.
"I see your love for books hasn't faltered…" Sirius observed, amused by how at home Scarlett made herself when she was around books. Sirius found himself loving the way she lost all sense of her surroundings when she was completely engulfed by stories. Sirius chuckled to himself when he saw she was already reading a few pages out of several books in the back of the store. Debating on which one would be her latest adventure.
Sirius moved to the book shelf that was on the opposite side of where Scarlett was. He slowly began removing books until he could peer at Scarlett through the now empty space.
"So, are we good?" He asked, startling Scarlett.
Scarlett gasped, clenching her hand to her heart. Shocked at Sirius peaking through the space he made for himself on the book shelf. She bit her lip hard, trying to keep herself from bursting into laughter.
"I wouldn't have invited you into my sanctuary if we weren't, you git!" She giggled, shoving the books she had in hand back into the shelf, nearly smacking Sirius in the face.
She heard Sirius laugh from behind all the books, making her blush as she turned her back to the shelf. Her hand covering her mouth in another grand attempt to stop herself from laughing.
Before she knew it she felt a pair of strong arms pulling her close from behind.
"I've been wanting to do this for years…" Sirius muttered, taking Scarlett by surprise as he cupped her chin with his hand, pulling her closer to fully lock his lips with hers.
Scarlett's heart fluttered, astounded by Sirius's boldness. She could feel the tenseness of her body slowly leaving, replacing with the longing to only melt further into his arms.
"Sirius...I don't understand...wh-" she started, completely stunned and confused. Speechless was putting it lightly.
Sirius's hazel eyes met Scarlett's ice ones. He slowly ran his fingers through her soft hair, wanting nothing more than this moment to last forever.
"You've done a good job at pushing me away, Scarlett. I see now...that you wanted me to hate you as much as you hated this marriage arrangement. I understand if you can't love me in return...but...these are my true feelings…I promise." he confessed.
Scarlett felt her mouth nearly dropping to the ground, she couldn't fathom this kind of display of affection. How could she ever expect to know what it felt like to be in love? Let alone what real love felt like?
The only kind of love she had ever known was when she was being used by her father. Where she was nothing but a mere vessel for his derailed fantasies.
Reality seemed to be crashing brutally down on her. Crushing every wall of defense she had ever built up over the course of her seventeen years of living.
The good and honest truth was she actually liked it when he kissed her so passionately. No longer did she find herself pulling away from his touch, she now wanted nothing more than to stay in the position they were in for as long as possible.
For years she had shuttered at just the mere thought of people, especially a man touching her, Being the very reason for her anxiety and nightmares at night. But, now… something significant had shifted in her heart.
As she stood in complete serenity, clenching Sirius's hands it became apparent that nothing else in the world mattered to her at all.
Her father.
Her grades.
Her body.
Everything
Absolutely none of it.
"I think...I think I feel the same way, Black…" she finally managed to breathe. She saw Sirius's lips form a small smile of victory. Without warning, Sirius pulled her into a tight embrace. Nearly stealing the breath she still had left in her.
Leaving her essentially breathless.
"I see you two finally made up!" They heard a cheerful voice gush loudly.
Sirius loosened his grip on Scarlett, his grin only growing wider when he saw who it was.
"Hey, Lily. I thought you'd never show up!" Scarlett giggled, excited for her best friend to finally arrive.
"Needed to finish my potions essay, didn't want that spoiling my mood for the rest of the weekend." Lily explained, "Didn't expect to find you here though, Sirius." She added.
Lily couldn't help but beam her natural radiant smile at the sight of the pair. It made her find a sense of relief in the fact Scarlett was able to find a way to forgive Sirius.
"Would you like to join us for tea?" Scarlett asked, outright oblivious to Sirius's clear excitement for the proposal.
Lily shook her head, giggling softly with a growing blush, "James invited me to go to the three broomsticks with him, I was going to offer we spend an hour here together but it seems you might have something else in mind…"
Sirius quickly grabbed Scarlett's hand, squeezing her small hand in his.
"Well, enjoy yourself, Lily. We'll catch up with you later!" Sirius said, leading Scarlett out of the book shop.
"Of course, Lily! We'll see you later!" Scarlett added with her own giggle.
The couple waved as they watched Lily disappear into the vanilla frosted village. Scarlett felt herself beaming, feeling like a little girl again. Especially with Hogsmeade looking so much like the christmas card everyone had always described it during this time of the year. It made the moment more miraculous.
There was something about he had taken her hand, the way he guided her through the fresh snow, it made her feel so safe and wanted. These were feelings she never had experienced before. It was the most surreal surge of excitement she had ever been cultivated by before.
"I figured a guy like you wouldn't be caught dead here!" Scarlett laughed as they approached Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Despite the continuous falling snow, you could still see the trademark pinkish purple outside, the windows as full of steam as ever.
"I heard the tea made up for the god awful layout!" Sirius chuckled back, opening the door for her.
She shook her head at the sound of the ridiculous tinkle as they both entered the shop. She glanced around at the several empty round tables. All decorated with lacy napkins and china sugar bowls. The tables were cramped a little too close together for her taste, but Madam Puddifoot was a sweet woman, and she did all she could to accommodate her customers.
Scarlett blushed as Sirius pulled out a chair for her, allowing her to take a seat first.
"What can I get you today m'dears?" Madam Puddifoot asked, struggling to get between the tables to take their order.
Sirius and Scarlett did their best not to burst into laughter at the poor woman, who was clearly having a tough day.
"May I have just a cup of peppermint tea, Madam?" Scarlett asked sweetly, smiling brightly as she spoke.
"Just a black coffee for me, please. Thank you Madam." Sirius added.
"It'll be right up for you loves!" The Madam declared, struggling to make her exit from the table.
Scarlett snicked when she was sure Madam Puddifoot was out of listening range.
"I actually have something for you, my mum sent a letter...for us I guess you could say…" Sirius started, reaching into his coat pocket. He pulled out the crumbled letter, smoothing it out with his hands slowly when he placed it carefully in the center of the table.
Scarlett cocked a brow in curiosity, what more could Mrs. Black want from her at this point? She wondered to herself.
"Do you mind?" She asked, motioning that she wanted to read it for herself.
Sirius nodded, sliding it towards her so she could read for herself.
Sirius,
Your father and I request that you bring to Scarlett's attention that we request her presence over this Christmas break. This is very important for our family and we strongly suggest you advise her to adhere to this request. Her father has already been sent a letter as well, notifying we would like her to join us this Christmas. Send us an owl immediately when you have her answer.
~ Mother
"I'm surprised she even used the word request, seeing it's more of a demand!" Scarlett scoffed, handing Sirius back the letter in disgust.
"Thank you…" Sirius murmured as Madam Puddifoot placed the cups of steaming liquid on the table.
Scarlett reached for her tea, sipping slowly as it was scorching hot. She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the peppermint to soothe her growing anxiousness.
Sirius sighed as he started pouring cream into his coffee, stirring it hypnotically.
"She is what she is...hopefully we won't hear much from her after we...wed…" he finally stated softly, carefully choosing his words.
Scarlett nodded in understanding.
"Yes, I do hope so…" she replied airily.
"There is...something I wanted to ask you though...if it's alright?" Sirius asked, placing his cup down for the moment. Grabbing her hand to show her he wasn't standing against her.
"Yes, it's alright. I won't get angry again, I promise." Scarlett chuckled, enjoying this new progression in communication between them.
"How are you doing? Are you eating?" He asked, the very words scaring Scarlett to death the moment they came out of his mouth.
Scarlett placed her own cup down for a moment, she wanted to retract her hand from him. Run away and hide like she always wanted to when she was in an uncomfortable situation. But,for the sake of moving forward. Today she could not.
She supposed she could be honest with Sirius...certainly that would allow him to trust her more in return. It may even make him open up to her as well.
"I'm alright...quod me nutrit, me destruit...it never really goes away…" she mumbled dolefully.
Sirius nodded in understanding, pained by her words. "What nourishes me...destroys me?" He reaffirmed.
Scarlett nodded, "And what about you? Have you-"
"Yes...I'll admit it...I have…" Sirius grimaced, despising to admit the truth.
Scarlett took a long sip of her tea, also in dismay over the truth.
"Look at us, Sirius. Damaged and barely still stitched together. It's comical!" Scarlett chuckled darkly, she really couldn't help herself with that one.
Sirius nodded in reluctant agreement, also taking a moment to sip his cooling coffee. "If we aren't careful, we may just be the death of each other…"