Hello, lovelies. Apologies for the long wait. This is my last week in the UK before I head back to the States! It's not all fun and games, trust me- I have a 3000 word paper due Friday. Oh, well. I am not extremely happy with this chapter- I feel like it could have flowed better. Let me know what you think- as it is your opinion that matters! Read and review, and I will see what I can do about updating sooner rather than later!
That night, Grace dreamt of Regulus. She was wandering through the cold, dark hallways of Grimmauld Place- a home that had held no happiness for her since his disappearance all those years ago. She heard quiet sobs in the shadows, and followed the sound to the library at the end of the hall. Regulus was crouched in the corner, his head ducked so that his dark hair concealed his face. Grace approached him warily. "Reg?"
He looked up, half of his face revealed by moonlight- the other still in shadow. Tears had left tracks down his cheeks. "Grace."
She moved closer, but he flinched away. Kneeling beside him, she asked softly, "Husband, what's wrong?"
His grey eyes met hers. "You've forgotten me." His tone was soft, but faintly accusatory.
"What?" She couldn't believe what he was saying. "I could never forget you."
He shook his head. "My brother..."
Before Grace could reply, she awoke, staring up at the dark ceiling in confusion and sorrow. She rolled over, pulling the comforter tight around her shoulders and frowning into her pillow. Sirius had only been here a day; she missed Regulus with all her heart-
She sat up suddenly, her brown curls tumbling around her shoulders. She had heard a noise- and this time, she knew she was awake. She paused, listening intently. There it was again- a keening cry of pain. Tossing the covers back, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and crossed the cold floorboards to her bedroom door. She turned the knob as quietly as she could and slipped through the door, inching towards the sound. Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared at her shoulder. "Grace."
She jumped, knocking her elbow against the wall. She grimaced, squinting at the tall, lithe form beside her. "Remus?"
"Go to bed." His voice was calm, but he sounded tired. "I'll take care of it."
She looked down the hallway at the last bedroom as the noise rent the air again. "Is that-?"
"Sirius." Remus sighed. "He's fine- it's just a dream. I'll go wake him."
"I can go," Grace offered. It broke her heart to hear him cry like that.
Remus frowned and shook his head. "He won't want to know that he woke you. It'll embarrass him. Just go to bed; I'll take care of it."
Grace wrapped her arms around herself as Sirius cried out in his sleep again. "Why does he-?"
Remus ignored her question, bowing to her slightly in a silent dismissal before disappearing down the corridor in a flurry of robes, the door snapping shut behind him. Grace stood in the doorway for several minutes, listening to Remus' calm tones behind Sirius' bedroom door. Within moments, Sirius was awake, his voice hoarse from crying as he answered his friend. Grace gripped the doorframe, leaning her head against the cool wood. What did Sirius dream about that had him so upset? And why did Remus act as if it were a common occurrence? She brushed a curl behind her ear and bit her lip, thinking. Was Azkaban really that awful? Or did Sirius cry out for the family he had lost- her family?
Grace climbed back into bed, curling up under the blankets and closing her eyes. But sleep never came.
The next morning, Sirius was the last one down to the kitchen for breakfast. Grace looked away at the sight of the dark circles under his eyes. Obviously, she wasn't the only one who had had problems going back to sleep the night before.
Remus set the steaming teapot down on the table and gave her a small smile. As he pulled out a chair, Grace spoke up. "Where's Kreacher? You shouldn't have to make breakfast, Remus."
He looked distinctly uncomfortable. "I don't mind."
"That stupid elf is useless," Sirius muttered under his breath. "Always has been."
"He is not," Grace countered. "He's always served me very well."
"Well, he would, wouldn't he?" Sirius' grey eyes, identical to his brother's, locked onto hers. "A faithful little Pureblood wife like you?"
Grace felt her back stiffen at the implied insult, but bit her tongue. She couldn't expect Sirius to be comfortable here- Grimmauld Place held nothing but bad memories for him. But that didn't give him any right to demean her.
Remus gave a slight cough. "What do you say we take the day off, Padfoot?" When Sirius looked over at him, he continued, "We could go to Hogsmeade, see Harry."
Sirius brightened visibly. "Sure."
"How can you go to Hogsmeade?" Grace asked. "You're on the run."
"Mind your own business," Sirius snapped, suddenly moody again.
"What is your problem, Sirius?" Grace burst out. "Why do you antagonize me every chance you get?"
"If you'd be silent, as a woman in your position should do, I wouldn't have to remind you of your place."
Grace was seething. "You, of all people, should not spout Pureblooded philosophy at me. This is my house."
"Not anymore." Sirius leaned back in his chair, his shaggy black hair falling in his eyes. Grace had the distinct impression that he was being contrary on purpose.
Before she could answer, Remus stood up. "Well, we should probably get going. I'll owl Harry." He stood in the doorway, arms crossed, until Sirius gave Grace one last look and stood to his feet. He gave her a stiff bow before leaving the room. Remus sighed. "I apologize," he said quietly. "He's in a bad mood-"
"Stay out of it, Moony," came Sirius' voice down the stairs.
Remus shrugged. "We'll be back this evening. Do you need anything while we're out?"
Grace looked away, her cheeks burning from Sirius' insults. "No," she said shortly.
Remus sighed heavily and left the room. Grace found herself suddenly wishing they had just left her alone in her misery.
I know Sirius seems a little OOC in the end of this chapter- I wanted to convey how snappish he was from lack of sleep. Poor Remus is always caught in the middle! Until next time!