Y6: Only Time Will Tell

"Just another step," Pomfrey had one of James' arms flung over her shoulder while Remus held the other.

In the corner of the Hospital Wing, Sirius leaned against the wall and Peter sat on the floor. Lily made her way around to the patients still in the beds of the Wing. But in the corner of her eye, she too watched James get stronger.

He took one long and painful step, breathing deeply to keep from crying out.

"Three weeks," Pomfrey smiled as she sat him on an empty bed, "and look how much stronger you have gotten. I think it'll be only a few days until you can walk the length of Hogwarts all on your own."

"And when will I be able to return to Quidditch?" James pestered.

Lily rolled her eyes as she passed him. Remus and Sirius laughed, of course that was top on his priority list.

Pomfrey sighed, "Quidditch is very dangerous, Mr. Potter."

"Yes, but when can I go back?"

"Perhaps a month," she waved her hands, "probably two."

"Two months?!" James hollered.

Pomfrey glared at him as Lily muttered, "At least you are still alive."

"What was that Evans?" James glared to the red head.

Lily gave him a sour face and sneered, "Some people died. I thought I'd remind you that you were one of the lucky ones."

James looked away slightly ashamed of himself but more annoyed with Lily.

"C'mon, mate," Remus said helping James onto his crutches, "we should be going anyway."

Three of the four marauders walked out but Sirius Black stepped forward.

"May I see her today?" he asked Pomfrey.

"I don't know if she's awake, but Lily," Pomfrey called for her, "you can take Mr. Black to Miss Connors."

Lily nodded looking Sirius over carefully. He had been her friend too of course; but Lily had never liked him much. When everyone found out Cara was being kept at Hogwarts they had been surprised and angry that the professors hadn't told them. But three weeks went by since that happened and they grew out of it; it was just another problem to add to the list. At least, she was here; at least, she was alive and well.

"Cara?" Lily whispered sweetly as she pulled away the curtain that separated her from the rest of Hospital Wing.

Cara looked up to her excitedly, "Lily Evans!"

Cara was doing very well now. Her words came out in complete sentences and she was beginning to remember names.

But Sirius followed Lily in and Cara grew tense.

"Cara, I don't know if you remember him," Lily began as she ushered Sirius to Cara's side, "but this is Sirius Black. He's a Gryffindor and he was your friend before—well I guess he'll explain everything."

Sirius nodded to Lily, "Thanks."

Lily gave him a slight smile and turned to Cara, "I have to go back to work now. I'll come check on you two soon."

Cara nodded as Lily walked out. Her eyes remained on her hands as she was too nervous to look Sirius in the face. She didn't know why but he scared her.

"Hey Cara," Sirius said breathlessly sitting on the edge of her bed, "do you remember me?"

"No," she shook her head, "not really."

Sirius nodded disappointed, "Well, we were friends. We are friends. Before, well, before you-know, we were very close. I don't know if you remember this, but when they rescued you; you kept saying my name."

No, she didn't remember that. So she stayed silent not looking at him on purpose.

"Before I came, I had a word with Remus—"

"Remus Lupin," Cara interrupted happy to remember his name.

"Erm, yes," Sirius said awkwardly, "Remus Lupin. He told me to just talk to you about some memories I have of us. He thought it might jog your memory."

Cara hesitated as she looked to him, "Alright."

"Good," he smiled, "the first time I met you, we were seven…"

It was in the ballroom of the Pureblood mansion which at the time was in control of Cara's Aunt Evelyn. Sirius had arrived with his parents and brother. It was when he and Regulus were still close. The adults had gone to converse with the other purebloods. The two boys had gone in search of other kids. They met many purebloods that way. Just the other week, he had met the Weasleys; however, they weren't allowed to be friends with any of them after that time so long ago. The Weasley boys were there that night though. They played in a corner with a young girl with blonde hair that fell down her back and very fair skin. Sirius managed to convince Reg that it was okay to play with them that night. And so the seven year old and little six year old headed over to the gang.

"Sirius Black," the Weasley called Andrew cheered.

"Andy!" Sirius said as he hugged his little friend.

"This is Cara Connors," the Weasley named Asher explained, "She's one of the cousins."

"On mum's side of course," Alexander Weasley said.

"Well, she could be dad's too," the oldest named Arthur said as he walked away in search of older kids.

"Sirius Orion Black," Sirius said shaking her hand, "and this is Regulus. Just call him Reg."

Cara had worn a pink dress that night, Sirius recalled. He remembered because they had ruined it when the gang of them went to prank the older kids and accidently spilt the punch on the front of her dress.

But Cara didn't recall a thing.

"And I remember our first time playing Quidditch together," Sirius smiled, "we were nine. It was before Hogwarts of course."

Cara's hair was tied tight in a bun atop her head. Sirius had his long locks tied back as well. They had their own brooms to play on; not very good ones but better than nothing. Cara had never played before and Sirius couldn't remember when he hadn't. It was a very lady like thing to do. And as a lady of a pureblood line, Cara was expected to stay away from such obnoxious sports even if it was magic related.

"You ready," Cara smiled at the boy, "I'm gonna kick your butt!"

Sirius laughed loudly, it was before he had developed the bark of a laugh he has now, "As if Connors!"

It was weird playing Quidditch with only two people but they made it work. It was fun for Sirius as he flew circles around her. But Cara was quick to get the hang of it. That's the kind of girl she was.

"You were always determined to beat me," Sirius smiled and he had looked away and Cara let herself smile to for the moment though she didn't remember it. "And I remember our first day at Hogwarts together."

Cara's hair was neatly done and she had her robes on as they walked into the castle. She trailed behind Sirius and his new friends. She already knew James Potter as her family was closer with the Potters than the Blacks.

She sat a few seats down and though Sirius barely acknowledged her, he still knew everything she had done. He remembered how she cheered surprised when Sirius was placed in Gryffindor. He remembered how surprised she was when she was placed in Gryffindor too. The Connors had been predominately Ravenclaws. He remembered how she had made friends quickly that night when she realized he was too busy with his new ones.

"And our try outs for Quidditch. And our first game. And I remember our first win, our first loss," Sirius smiled, "I remember in fourth year when you tried to kiss me."

"What?!" Cara said surprised.

"I'm actually glad you don't remember that," Sirius laughed, "you—erm—you convinced me. You said you didn't want your first kiss to be some stranger. So I let you kiss me. And I can tell you it was the most embarrassing thing ever. I was rubbish really."

Cara laughed and Sirius smiled.

"Hey now, you weren't any good either," he laughed.

Cara couldn't stop laughing even though she turned a bit red from embarrassment. But she quieted down awhile later, "And we—well we were never anything—like we weren't ever boy—I don't—"

"No," Sirius gave a half smile, "we never dated or anything."

"Good," Cara smiled.

"Can I—may I ask you something?" Sirius asked tensely and Cara nodded, "why do you feel so cold towards me? I mean when you saw the others, you weren't scared of them. Every time you look at me, you look as if you think I might hurt you."

Cara shifted uncomfortably, "I'm not like that now, but I don't really know. There's something about you that scares me. I'm sorry I don't mean to sound so terrible."

"No, no," Sirius put up a hand as his heart fell a little, "whatever it is, it's not your fault. I just thought it weird."

"Is all well?" Lily said peaking in to the room.

Cara nodded, "I'm getting a bit tired though."

"Alright," Lily smiled, "Sirius, I think you should leave. She should rest."

Sirius nodded and whispered a good day to Cara as he left.

"Do you remember him?" Lily asked before leaving.

"I remember a face like his," Cara frowned, "but what I remember seemed much older than his."

Lily looked at her confused but figured she just needed sleep, "Well I'll leave you now."

Cara waved as Lily left. She curled herself into a ball pulling the sheets tightly to her body. Sirius Black seemed so unfamiliar yet she knew him. At least she knew his face. But she didn't remember anything he had told her. They all seemed like simple memories, good ones. But every time she looked at him, she immediately saw the darkness. She couldn't remember ever saying his name like she apparently had done when she was rescued. In fact, she doesn't even really remember escaping. Everything was a blur to her.

But when she fell asleep… there was something there, something in the back of her mind that wanted to leak into her dreams. Or would they be night mares. Only time would tell as she fell into a darker and deeper sleep. …Only time would tell…