THE VEIL

Chapter 8

23rd December 1976 - Early Christmas presents

"Crucio!"

Sirius screamed and fell to the ground of his room as pain tore through his already battered and bleeding body. His mother stood over him "You are an absolute disgrace to the name of Black!" She screamed, not relenting on the curse. She tossed the ruins of a sketch pad at his feet, the torn pages scattered about his room. Walburga Black finally let the curse go, her lip curling in disgust at her eldest son.

"From your muggle clothes!" She screeched. Her wand cracked like a whip, slicing his back crimson showing through his white t-shirt.
"To your complete lack of attention at your own father's funeral!" Another whip cracked again, another slice.
"And mooning over a muggle girl!" She spat revolted. The whip crack of her wand sounding again three more times. She stepped away as blood puddled on the floor and strode to the door.
"You are no son of mine." She sneered, slamming the door behind her with finality, the lock clicking into place. Sirius lay bleeding on the rug weeping from the pain. He opened his eye's struggling to reach his hand out to a loose page, showing a drawing of a curly haired witch. Pulling it to his chest he sobbed until he passed out.

A whispering wind danced across the torn pages ruffling them slightly as it swirled and danced around the room caressing across Sirius's still form before it spiralled picking up the ripped sketched in a twister. As the loose pages floated to the ground Hermione staggered slightly, as she was wrenched back into world.

"Sirius!" She gasped in horror as her senses took in the state of the room and his prone from lying on the floor, dried blood staining the rug around him. Hermione dropped to her knees beside him checking for a pulse. His breathing was shallow. Ripping his shirt off him, she gasped at the site. His torso was deeply bruised with long deep cuts.

"Oh Sirius," Tears leaked from her eyes as she drew her wand and began chanting the healing spells she knew, slowly sealing the wounds and watching most of the bruises begin to fade. She made pass over pass as the wounds slowly faded, pausing half way to carefully rolling him over to continue. The sound of the door rattling made her jump. Drawing her wand she pointed at the door waiting, as the door rattled again. Someone on the other side whispered "Alohomora." The locked clicked and the door burst open.
"Regulus!" Hermione breathed in relief.

Regulus stood in the door staring at Hermione's tear-stained face, shock clearly evident on his face. He looked down at Sirius and swore. Moving into the room he helped Hermione roll him over so she could continue healing the gashes. When she could do no more, Hermione bent her head to his.

"Sirius. Wake up. Wake up Sirius." She cried holding his face.
"Come on please wake up." She whispered, tears falling onto his face.
Regulus watched her. Struggling to keep the emotions from his face, he turned away, noticing the sketches strewn across his room. Drawing his own wand he pointed it at the sketch book. "Reparo." The pages whirled around the room fitting themselves back into the book. The last page wrenching free from Sirius grasp slightly crumpled fit itself into the book. Regulus picked it up and moved about the room collecting things and tossing them into the trunk at the foot of Sirius bed.

Hermione looked up frowning, "Reggie, wh-what are you doing?"
Regulus stopped, turning to her, his face set in a blank mask. "He can't stay here. He has to leave. Mother will be coming back soon to finish what she started." He said quietly. Hermione looked at Regulus in horror, "His mother did that?"
She could not believe her ears; she stared back down at Sirius. His breathing had improved as she had healed the wounds as best she could but he had not woken.

"Hermione!" Regulus voice snapped her back to attention.
"We need to get him out now. I don't know how long mother will be before she returns home." Hermione nodded and stood to help him gather his belongings and packing it into his trunk. Regulus floated the trunk and walked it out of the room down to the entrance. Hermione looked quickly around the room for anything else he may need, spotting a mirror and his wand on the dresser. She picked them up, She pocketed his wand and glanced at the mirror doing a double take. James face was looking at her, instead of her reflection.

"James!" She gasped. James looked up at her concern all over his features, seeing Hermione's tearstained face.
"Hermione, what happened? Where is Sirius?" He asked urgently.
"He- his mother! I – I tried did everything, but he won't wake up." Tears leaked from her eyes again. Behind her Sirius groaned and rolled onto his back. Hermione dropped to her knees again beside him lifting his head into her lap. "Sirius!"
Sirius opened his eyes slowly, focusing on Hermione, pain still etched on his face, he smiled painfully; "Hello princess. You are a site for sore eyes."
Hermione combed his matted hair, tears running freely down her face, unable to speak.

"Sirius!" James voice sounded on the floor next to her, Hermione jumped. She lifted the mirror to hold it for Sirius.
"Merlin's Balls!" James looked at his friend in shock. Sirius coughed, "Prefer Circes tits myself."
"Hermione," James called, Hermione directing the mirror to face her so she could see James serious expression.
"There is a train station near his place." He said.
Hermione nodded, "I-I know it."
"Good. Get him to the station and we will meet you there." His face disappeared and she found herself staring at her own reflection.

Regulus feet sounded on the stairs as he swung into the room. Seeing his brother awake he rushed inside.
"He has got to go now." He spoke urgently helping Hermione sit him up. Sirius moaned in pain at the movement.
Regulus looked at Hermione "Ready?"
Hermione nodded and Sirius braced himself. He still cried out as they got him standing. Hermione struggling with the weight of him, as Sirius found his feet to stand on his own.

Slowly they made their way down the staircase of twelve Grimmauld Place. Hermione's mind flashing with memories as they slowly descended, grimacing at the jars of heads as they went. They were at the first landing when behind them the whoosh of someone flooing in through a fireplace echoed from the drawing room. Regulus swore quietly and detached himself from Sirius's side, the extra weight making Hermione stagger down a stair dragging Sirius, now barely conscious.
"You two keep going. The Trunk is on the front landing. I'll see if I can distract them long enough."
He raced back up the stairs, as Hermione helped Sirius down to the entrance hall, she could hear the sounds of Regulus talking to someone. They were three steps from the door when Sirius sagged.

"Come. On. Sirius! Move your ass!" She grunted. Groaning he refocused to take as step forward, stumbling into the troll foot umbrella stand. The conversation on the second landing was cut off. Hermione had the door opened as steps sounded behind her. She pulled out her wand as they negotiated their way through out of the door frame. Hermione flicked her wand and the trunk went sailing off the landing to the footpath below. She looked behind an on the landing stood Walburga Black, her face ugly with rage at her son, she hadn't noticed Hermione's slight form.
"Be gone you filthy blood traitor!" She yelled.
"You are no son of mine!" She flicked her wand.

Hermione didn't have a chance to block the curse Walburga hurled; however, Sirius twisted in front of her the curse hitting him in the back. He screamed in agony as it hit. The force pushing them both from the front landing onto the snow covered foot path below. Hermione landed on her back, the air being knocked out of her as Sirius landing on top. Hermione heard the sound of the front door slammed shut, as she struggled for breath, the frigid night air burning her lungs.

Sirius moaned as Hermione struggled from under him gasping at the slash across his back. She knew she didn't have time to heal it, worried his mother may follow to ensure she finished the job. Grunting as she dragged the Trunk over, she bent down to Sirius; "I'm going to levitate you onto the trunk," She explained, "Then I will levitate the trunk." Sirius only groaned in acknowledgement.

"I'm sorry" she whispered as she stood and pointed her wand, first to the trunk, casting a sticking charm, then she turned to Sirius. Sirius cried out in pain as he was lifted the movement pulling at the deep gash on his back. She lowered him down as gently as possible, Sirius groaning again as he settled on top of the trunk.

"I'm Sorry" she whispered again, tears leaking down her face, and floated the trunk. Sirius hissed as it rose into the air; his legs and shoulders overhanging. Taking a deep breath, keeping the wand pointed on the trunk she started to walk, the trunk moving in front of her. Hermione shivered. The uniform she was wearing was too thin to keep out the December night air. Looking over at Sirius who was shirtless, shivered again. She worried about Regulus as she walked. He hadn't followed his mother as they were thrown out the door. She feared he was being punished as badly as Sirius.

She was only one block away when she saw four figures running towards her. She recognised James as he ran into the light of a lamp post coming towards her. Her relief as seeing him in person nearly overwhelmed her. Lowering the trunk back onto the ground, Sirius groaned, as James skidded to a stop in front of him. He swore loudly at the site of Sirius's back. Sirius grunted in dark amusement, "Prongs, there is ladies present."

James looked at Hermione in apology. Realising that she was shivering took off his cape and threw it around her, holding her hand in support. Hermione gave a small smile of thanks as the other three people joined them. Remus the only one she recognised, the other two she guessed as being James's parents.

They stood in horror momentarily, until Sirius breaking the silence grunted "Well don't everyone move, Tis but a scratch."
Mr Potter snorted, "'Tis but a scratch' he says. Son, you're in no shape for apparition."
He looked up at Hermione, "You did well, girl. But I need you to remove the sticking charm."
Hermione nodded, tears still leaking from her eyes and pointed it at the trunk whispering the counter charm. Mrs Potter moved around kneeling beside his back and pulled out a small phial. Essence of Dittany. Dripping it over his wound, Sirius cried out as the drops hit his wound. Hermione, Remus and James flinched at the sound.

Remus came around and put an arm around Hermione drawing her into a hug. James's hand tightened around Hermione's, as they watched the wound on his back close over. Mrs Potter was soon done and stood up and moved to Hermione.
"Are you all right dear?" Hermione nodded distractedly, not taking her eyes from Sirius, she began to speak, describing how she found him, Regulus helping them to leave the house.
"Walburga did that as a parting gift as she avowed that he was no longer welcome. Disowning him." She finished.

Remus and James had tightened around her. Mrs Potter gave her a sympathetic smile, "Well let's get you three home first and then I'll help Monty with Sirius."
She took her sons hand, who let go of Hermione's and they disapparated. A minute later Mrs Potter appeared again. Remus stepped away from Hermione and took Mrs Potter's hand they too disapparating. She didn't have to wait long until Mrs Potter was back holding out her hand. Timidly she took it and for the first time ever felt the squeezing of being disapparated. With a crack, they apparated; standing outside a tidy house with a large front garden. Hermione felt the contents of her stomach come up and vomited into a begonia bush by the gate. Mrs Potter gently patted her back, as she heaved. When Hermione was done she lead her into living room of the house sitting her on the sofa.

"I need to go back, James will get you a hot cup of tea." Mrs Potter nodded kindly to Hermione and bustled back out. Remus took a seat next to Hermione. A crack from outside told her that Mrs Potter had left. James came out of the kitchen carrying a tray.

"Tea, or Firewhiskey?" asked James. Remus took the whiskey and took a swig. Adding some to his tea he handed it to Hermione. She looked at the bottle. What the hell, she thought and took a swallow, coughing as she felt it burn her throat, handed it to James who took a swig and poured some into his tea and some into Hermione's. Returning the fire whiskey back to his dad's cabinet they sat waiting for Sirius and his parents to return, sipping at their tea quietly.

They were dozing on the couch when Sirius's trunk arrived with a letter attached. They read the letter together. Mr and Mrs Potter had taken Sirius to St Mungo's to be checked over and would be bringing him home when he was cleared. James and Remus took Sirius's Trunk up to James's room, returning to the couch with Hermione waiting for their friend to return.

When the Potter's arrived home with Sirius, they found James, Hermione and Remus asleep on the couch. James had an arm around Hermione, who was nestled against his chest her legs on Remus, his stretched out snoring softly. Mr and Mrs Potter moved past quietly to start an early breakfast for the group of teenagers camped in her living room.

Sirius moved over to James, gently shaking him awake. He came to straight away, looked around until his eyes met his best friends. Both not needing words to convey what each was feeling, the depth of their friendship as it was. Sirius squeezed James shoulder and dropped into the armchair, sighing he closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the Potters, pottering in the kitchen.

Soon the smells of sausage and bacon wafted through, waking Remus. He sat up stretching. The movement caused Hermione to grumble in her sleep. Settling back into the couch he looked over to Sirius, stretched out on the armchair watching him with amusement.

"You scared the shit out of us." Remus spoke softly, concern all over his features; "You are bloody lucky she found you."
Sirius turned his gaze to her sleeping form. "I know" He said heavily.

Mrs Potter appeared in the doorway of the living room, seeing the boys awake she smiled warmly at them, "Breakfast is ready when you are dears." She spoke softly, "Try and let her rest. That girl seems like she has been through a lot as well."

Remus and James carefully extricated themselves, careful not to wake her; put a pillow under her head and a blanket over her. James noticing Sirius not making a move patted his friend on his shoulder as he walked past to go greet his parents. Remus Squeezing as he followed. Sirius watched her, snorting in memory of eleven years before when he wished for a magical fairy to take him away. She definitely did just that.

The sounds of conversation and knives on plates drifted through from the kitchen. Yawning Hermione sat up and stretched, letting the blanket slide off her.
"Sirius!" She gasped as she opened her eyes.
"Morning princ- Ow!" he groaned as Hermione had launched herself at him burying her head into his shoulder.
"So, it takes near death to get you into my arms?" He smirked down at her.
Hermione lifted her head at him, glaring. His smirk broadened, he ran a hand through her curls, pulling her face to his. Hermione watched as his lips moved closer than hers.
"Thank you my Princess." He whispered his breath hot across her mouth. Hermione's eyes looked up into his. Brown into grey, "for saving my life"
Before she could breathe, his lips found hers. Her eyes closed and she melted into him.

"So I am guessing they aren't quite ready for breakfast." James said to Remus, standing in the living room doorway chewing on a chipolata, leaning against the frame.
"No but that does not mean it should go cold." Replied Remus, as he sipped a mug of hot chocolate.
"Indeed. Shall we?" James put out his arm to Remus. Remus smirking bowed taking his arm, "We shall!" They turned back into the kitchen, for more food.

They broke apart gasping, Sirius still cupping her cheek.
"Please, please tell me that I am old enough for you Hermione."
"Uh. Um." Hermione was unable to articulate properly. Sirius grinned.
"I'll take that as a yes." Hu pulled her back for another searing kiss.

Remus and James were halfway through their second plate when Hermione and Sirius walked into the kitchen hand in hand. Hermione's cheeks tinged pink. Mrs Potter turned around spotting them smiling warmly, "Ah there you both are. Take a seat and I'll get you both a plate."

They ate in silence, James grinning at both of them every time they looked up, making Hermione blush each time. When she was finished, Mrs Potter took her plate away and came around the breakfast bar, gently taking Hermione by the shoulders leading her out of the kitchen. "Now how about we take you upstairs, Godric knows, you would like a hot shower and some fresh clothes?"

"Thank you Mrs Potter, but I don't have any clothes." She answered as Mrs Potter leading them up the stairs. Mrs Potter patted her arm.
"Don't worry about that. You just get yourself cleaned up. When you are done I will leave some clothes on the bed." She indicated to a small room next to the bathroom. Hermione guessed it was a guest room as on the opposite hall was James bedroom, indicated by the posters covering walls of Quidditch teams. Mrs Potter handed her a towel and disappeared back down the stairs.

Hermione took her time in the shower, washing her hair and letting the hot water sooth the tension in her shoulders and mind. She had only seen small moments of the life of Sirius Black. She shuddered to think of what it was for all that time that she wasn't there, when he held out hope for something good to come his way. For her to come his way. She sighed turning the taps cutting the beat of water on her back and stepped out of the shower to dry off.

She opened the door of the bathroom timidly. Her clothes had vanished from where she lay them on top of the laundry basket. She was left in only her towel and her wand. Stepping out of the bathroom she looked up the hallway, jumping as she saw Sirius, smirking as her leaned against the door frame of the room she needed to enter. His smirk broadened into a devilish grin seeing her in just a towel.
"Definitely the best outfit I've seen you in so far." looking her up and down appreciatively.
Hermione raised an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes at him, "Well if you want to be able to continue to see Black, move out of the way!"
It was Sirius's turn to raise an eyebrow, he moved aside for her to enter.
"I like it when you're bossy." He said saucily and sauntered down the hallway to James's room.

Hermione entered and shut the door, and leaned against it. She was falling for him. She couldn't help it. She still couldn't quite come to terms with that. Looking over to the bed she saw that Mrs Potter had kindly washed her clothes and laid out what seemed to be James's old clothes, which he had grown out of. She pulled on the pair of jeans; they were a little loose but would be fine. She left the shirt; it was far too long for her. The sweater was also too big but, didn't look as ridiculous as the shirt.

Grabbing her wand she spell dried her hair and turned to head back out. Behind her the curtains fluttered. Hermione stopped and turned. The whispering twisted around moving towards her. She heard footsteps running and the door burst open. Hermione turned and reached out her arm, calling his name. Sirius called her as he launched forward reaching to her, yet the whispering pulled her away.

Sirius stood in the room. She was gone again. She had saved him, brought him to his friends and then was gone. Remus and James had followed, and rushed forwards as their friend crumpled. Everything was too much. Remus sat next to his friend, laying his head in his lap as he cried. A tapping at the window could be heard. James walked over and opened the window. An owl swooped in dropping a small parcel onto the bed and flew back out again. Closing the window, James picked up the parcel reading who the recipient was. James sat on next to Remus, showing the parcel to him. It was addressed to Mr Sirius Black.

When he was cried out he sat up wiping his face. James handed the parcel over to him silently. He stared at it for a minute before ripping the brown paper. A letter fell onto his lap. He opened the box first. Inside was a plaited leather bracelet with a silver clasp. Putting it aside, he picked up the letter and read it.

Dear Sirius,

I know I'm not around as much as you want, or need. But every time I do see you, you're smile lights my soul, making me believe that wherever or whenever I do see you that everything will be OK.

Merry Christmas Sirius.

Love,

Your Princess H.