An:I apologize for the late update. and am very sorry to say that the lateness will continue. I am currently swamped with schoolwork and really stressed out. And I try to write on this as much as I can...but unfortunatley that is not often :( and that is rather depressing. Reviewers. you guys make my day!
Disclaimer:Why do I feel like Im repeating myself here? I do not own a single thing..except char and damien and some other OC's, but wait...maybe I dont own them...maybe they own me?
Chapter 40-New Beginnings, Time and Duels.
Just for a moment
Everything I treasured was gone
Just for a moment
I faced my life alone
Oh how I love you
-Aqualung, Just For a Moment-
There is one minor detail about being newly engaged that annoys me. The fact that everyone seems to feel free to grab your hand and drag it to their faces. It's like it some unspoken rule that everyone should do that. Because it has now been a week since Sirius asked me to marry him…and I have lost count of the amount of people that seem to like to glue themselves to my hand for several minutes per person. Oh yeah…that and they fact that Sirius and I have received several death threats by owl from my dear soon to be in-laws. They had somehow found out about the engagement.
But other than that…life was great. Voldemort seemed to have taken a smaller break in his world domination thingy. But that worried me, if he wasn't killing muggles…what was he doing?
Lily was constantly asking me when we were going to have the wedding and truth to be told…I had no idea. We hadn't really thought that far yet. We both agreed that we didn't want to have a short engagement and marry as soon as possible like Lily and James did. No we wanted a longer engagement…how long? Well we weren't exactly sure yet. But we would figure that one out soon enough. We were both very content in being engaged for the moment.
Christmas was once again approaching and we were all planning for that as it were.
But the most recent excitement was the fact that any day now…Jasper Virgo was about to announce who was going to get to work with him.
Damien came running into the backroom of the shop one day looking rather hysteric. He was flinging his arms around and screamed;
"Char darling" and I just looked up at him with a surprised look on my face.
He had to stand still for a moment and take a few deep breaths to calm down. I shook my head at his antics and looked down at my design again and waved my hand for him to continue.
"Jasper Virgo…is coming…in five minutes…to announce who can work with him" he panted out and this made my head snap up.
"What?" he made some weird hand gestures and I stood up.
"He's here!" the excited high pitched voice of none other than Claire suddenly screamed. I wanted to puncture my eardrums…but in the excitement of Jasper Virgo's presence made me ignore my hurt ears. I stared at Damien and he stared at me. Then we squealed. And ran for the door only to stop and walk very professionally inside madam Malkins office where Jasper and a very emotional Madam Malkin were waiting. Oh…Claire was there as well…
We all stood in front of them when madam Malkin said;
"Oh loves…today two of you are going to be leaving us and go into the big fashion world and work with Jasper here." She sniffled a bit and I couldn't help but smiled at the woman that had helped so much.
"Yes…and unfortunately only two of you will come and work with me" Jasper said smiling. I held my breath and took Damien's hand.
"Miss Reese and Mr Stanford…I would be honoured if the two of you would like to come and work with me" I breathed out and Damien let out an excited sound.
"Oh Mr Virgo…it will be our honour" I blurted out and he smiled.
"Please…call me Jasper" he said and told us to follow him. We flooed to Virgo Fashion headquarters. This huge very modern building in the outskirts of London. To the muggles it looked like an old warehouse. We stepped into the building and were met by this clean and very modern styled office where a secretary sat behind a desk. She smiled when she saw us and Jasper said;
"Hello Doris" Damien and I smiled and greeted her.
"Doris is our main secretary and she handles all the mail and almost everything and everyone goes through her" he explained and led us through a corridor filled with very abstract paintings. I have always been a lover of art…but abstract art…somehow always confuses and sometimes really scares me. Then he showed us a pair of glass doors that apparently held his office and next to that was another corridor filled with similar doors. He led us to the fifth one and said;
"Your office" we stepped in and gaped at the room. It was huge and held two normal desks and two working desks. One wall was just a huge window and the other ones where bare.
"I thought that you should be able to put your creative minds together and design your own office" Damien and I thanked him both rather astonished. He showed us the personal room and every other single space in the building. He also introduced us to every other person that worked there. It really was amazing.
This happened a month ago. Now Christmas Eve was approaching fast and we were all going to spend it at Mrs Potters as usual. New years came and went. And soon we were in January. That's when Voldemort decided to show himself again. It was a rainy Tuesday and Damien and I were working on a new line for spring. Suddenly Kinsley's patronus burst into our office.
"Huge Attack. Need Backup. Hurry." We looked at each other and then we apparated. The sight that met us will always be etched into my mind. Dead bodies lay here and there. Fire had erupted on several placed the smoke was thick and the smell…was nearly unbearable. Duels was being fought everywhere. Deatheaters with and without masks were fighting against our friends. The first person I recognized was Molly Weasley, her flaming hair was hard to mistake. I watched as she dodged what looked like the cruciatus curse that a deatheater still wearing a mask threw at her. I also saw a second deatheater approach her from behind. I didn't think, I acted. I ran as fast as I could and shot a stunning spell towards the approaching deatheater, he fell. Molly looked behind here and at the same moment the first deatheater took aim. I shot a spell at him but I only managed to shoot his mask off. I stared at the man behind the mask. He looked wild, his long hair fell down and those evil eyes bore into mine. I didn't know who he was but he fell when someone stunned him. I turned and continued to fight my way through, trying to find anyone. I saw when that green light hit an innocent muggle and he fell down dead. But that was not the most terrible thing that happened that night…not even close. I had just found Lily when Voldemort appeared, right in front of us. I have never felt such fear before. His lips quirked into something that might have resembled a smile. I could feel Lily shaking next to me and I reached for her hand. But in that moment Dumbledore appeared and before I knew it a huge duel between the two erupted. That's when I spotted her…Marlene McMinnon…she was fighting…when a green light hit her and she fell down. Dead. I have never seen anyone I knew die before and that was nothing I ever wanted to see again. To see how the light fades from someone's eyes. It was horrible. Then suddenly a man caught my eye. It was him, the same deatheater that almost killed Molly. He grinned at me and raised his wand. I reacted on instinct.
"Stupefy!" it missed.
"Avada Kedavra" he screamed and I dodged. I was shocked, I had just been inches from being killed.
"Crucio!" I jumped out of the way again.
"Stand still you little…" he growled at me. I breathed deeply. When he shot a spell at me again, a stinging pain erupted somewhere in the shoulder area. I looked up at the man, he was grinning. I didn't know what to do. He shot another spell and pain shot through my legs. After a while I couldn't feel them anymore and I fell down. Suddenly he moved towards me and crouched next to me grabbing my face. I struggled the best is could without being able to move my legs.
"Well, well, well…I didn't recognize you before…but you're that blood traitor Black's little whore, aren't you?" he sneered at me and I sneered back.
"What's it to you" I spat out, I know stupid to talk back to him…but I couldn't help it! This time he actually slapped me in the face, and I couldn't help but let out a small whimper. I saw him grin and raise his wand…but something inside me made me push him away, I don't know how I managed but I did. He looked surprised at first but that quickly changed into an expression of anger. But before he could do anything I shot a binding spell at him. He was so shocked that he tripped over a rock and fell. I managed to sit up and see if I actually hit him…the sight that met me was revolting. Apparently he had fallen so hard and his head had hit a stone…the impact made his head crack open. He was bleeding a lot and staring dully at nothing. He was dead. The last thought that went through my head was; I killed him. And then everything went black…
Sirius POV
Fire. Smoke. Duels. How terrible it sounds….this was my element. I was an auror after all. When the fight was over we had captured at least ten death eaters. That's when I started to worry and look for my friends. I found prongs and lily, prongs limping but otherwise he was fine and retelling some bravado I'm sure he didn't even do. I found Moony who was missing an eyebrow. That was rather funny…but that's when I noticed that I couldn't see Char.
"Has anyone seen Char?" I said looking around. Lily's face paled and everyone shook their heads. I tried not to panic but it was hard.
"Everyone spread out and look for her!" prongs said taking command as soon as he saw that I wouldn't be capable to do that. We did, and I started to feel even more anxious as the minutes passed by. Then I heard Lily scream;
"Oh my god! Sirius over here!" I ran as fast as I could towards her voice. And when I reached her I let out a gasp. There she was…my Char. Her eyes were closed and she was bloody. Lily was bent over her and then she looked up at me.
"Is she…" I couldn't even force the rest out of my mouth, the pain was unbearable.
"No…she's breathing" that made me relax a bit but not completely.
"But…she's bleeding a lot…we have to get her to st Mungos." Lily continued and I didn't hesitate once I carefully lifted Char into my arms and then when I was sure that she wouldn't get anymore hurt I apparated.
It was pure luck that I apparated right in front of one of the healers.
"Oh my…please this way!" she exclaimed and I carried char into one of the rooms. The healer called for help and then they started to examine char while I anxiously stood by.
"I'm sorry sir…but you'll have to step out" a healer said and took my arm to lead me out. But I shot a glace at char and said;
"What? No I…that's my fiancé I don't want to leave her…" he looked at me sympathetically and smiled and nodded.
"I understand but you'll have to step out" I reluctantly let myself be led out of the room and sat down in the waiting room and glared at the retreating healer when he returned into the room. Not long after that lily and prongs came rushing towards me.
"How is she?" lily blurted out as soon as she saw me and I looked into her worried eyes sadly and said;
"I don't know…they won't let me stay in there with her…" I pouted and she smiled slightly.
"I'm sorry about that…we do that to everyone…I forgot…but I might be able to get in since I work here…" she smiled and then walked away and prongs and I watched as she smiled at us and was let into char's room. I sat down and put my head in my hands.
"She's going to be okay Padfoot" Prongs said and I could see his expression even if I wasn't looking at him.
"Did you see all that blood?" I asked sounding really defeated. He didn't answer he just sighed and I was glad for that. I wasn't in the mood to talk to him anyways. A shrill yell interrupted my pessimistic thoughts.
"Where is she? Oh you little twit let me pass! Move!" I looked up and couldn't help but grin a little when a frantic Damien entered the room. His normally groomed hair stood on end and his clothes were a mess. If he could see himself right now I just knew that he would freak out. That's when he spotted me and made a beeline towards us.
"Is she alright? Why are you looking at me like that? Can I do anything?" his questions shot out of his mouth so fast that I barely heard them at all.
"I don't…" when I was about to tell him that I didn't know how char was I was interrupted by the door opening and a healer came out looking around. I stood up and he spotted me.
"How is she?" I blurted out before he could even open his mouth. He smiled a bit and said;
"We managed to stop the bleeding, she is stable but still unconscious"
"What happened to her?" prongs took the words out of my mouth. The healer shifted a bit and sighed.
"She was hit by a spell that causes a lot of pain and wounds…there is a possibility that she will have large scars that will hurt for a while…" I almost choked on air, a lot of pain? She had been and maybe still was in great pain? The healer saw my expression and said;
"But she is not in pain now" I visibly relaxed and then asked;
"Can I see her?"
"Yes of course, Mr. Black" he chuckled lightly and led me towards the door. He just opened it for me and then closed it behind me. The room was once again empty…except for Lily and char. Lily stood up as soon as she spotted me and said;
"I'll leave you alone" she smiled and patted me on the shoulder, then she left. I slowly walked towards the bed and sat down on the chair that Lily had just occupied. I took Char's hand and stared at her face. She looked so pale, so fragile. I hated this, seeing her here. I just…wished that I could protect her from the whole world…I never wanted her to join a duel again…but I knew that that wouldn't be possible. She couldn't…wouldn't just sit on the side and watch us fight. I think I sat there for an hour before I fell asleep, still sitting in the chair and holding onto Char's hand.
Char's POV
Darkness. Everything was dark…like before…but this time I could feel no pain. My muscles felt stiff but there was no pain at all. I tried to open my eyes…but they wouldn't open at first. When I finally managed to get them open I was blinded by the extremely white walls. At first I panicked because I had no idea on where I was but then my gaze fell on the person sitting next to my bed. Sirius. He was sleeping soundly and holding onto my hand. That's when it all hit me, the duel, the deatheater…how I killed him. I bit back a sob at that thought. Then I tried not to think about it and concentrated on Sirius instead. I started to stroke his hair and just watch him sleep. He looked so cute…but worn somehow…like he had been up most of the night…he probably had. Almost as soon as my hand touched his face he started to stir. When he woke up he looked really disoriented. And when he noticed that I was awake his whole face lit up and he mumbled;
"You're awake" I smiled and said;
"Yeah" we continued to just stare at each other for a while before Sirius finally spoke up.
"What happened char?" he said looking at me pleadingly, he knew that I wouldn't really feel like talking about it, but he also knew that I couldn't resist that face he made. I sighed and started to tell him the story from the beginning. He held my hand through the whole story and didn't interrupt once. The only time he said anything was at the end when I was rambling;
"And I though he was going to kill me…and I just managed to push him away and I shot a stunner at him and he…fell and he hit a rock…and he…he died! Died Sirius! I killed him…I killed someone…" I was sobbing and Sirius shushed me hugging me when I couldn't continue anymore I was just sobbing into his shirt.
"Shh…shh…char…you didn't kill him…he fell…you didn't kill him"
"Yes I did!" he just sighed and didn't argue anymore. I knew that he was probably right…I hadn't intentionally killed him…but I just felt so bad…we talked for at least an hour and during that time Sirius managed to convince me that I hadn't killed the deatheater. After that I fell asleep again…I was just so tired.
When I woke up Sirius was sleeping on a bed next to mine…someone had obviously made him sleep now that I was getting better. A nurse was checking on me and she smiled when she saw that I was awake.
"You must be hungry. Do you want me to get something for you to eat?" I smiled and nodded she left and was back before I could blink. I smiled in thanks when she handed me the food…which wasn't the normal looking hospital food. No this was not an unrecognisable gue (An. Don't know if all hospitals have that damn gue for food…I just managed to get it once and…one word mates…ew.) that most hospitals…well those I've visited served, nope. This was this full course meal that looked delicious. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this hungry and I started to shovel the food into my mouth. Soon enough I heard chuckling and looked up to see Sirius awake and watching me. I gave him a small embarrassed smile and told him to go and find something to eat. He stood up and said that he had promised to show Damien where my room was so he could visit anyways…apparently Damien had made him promise to owl him when he could visit. I shook my head and smiled again when he kissed my forehead and took off.
Sirius POV
A week later Char was released from the hospital. She was feeling much better and everyone was very relieved that she didn't suffer from anything too serious. Me more than anyone. When she was realized she according to hospital policy had to be wheeled out in a wheelchair. She hated that and almost refused to do it. But when I told her that refusing meant that she had to stay there, so she reluctantly agreed. Damien had arrived earlier to make sure his partner was looking fabulous, and say what you want about Damien…but the guy knows what he's doing.
When we reached the door Char all but jumped out of the chair and glared at it. I grinned and scooped her up in my arms and prepared to apparate. She scowled at me and asked me what I was doing. I just grinned and told her that I was not allowing her to walk just yet. She glared at me and Damien laughed when I waved goodbye and apparated home. Now maybe things would go back to normal. Yeah right…
and that ladies and gents was the 40th chapter. Loovelyyy...i didnt really like it...and to be honest im just filling theese chapters up with random stuff...so that i can get to october already x) oh yes...from there on things will be oh-so interesting. Anyone have any ideas for anything? Do tell...I love to get suggestions...Ta!