Hi fellows! I'm just going to drop of this chapter and one more, and then I'm letting go Catch up on the Reading, enjoy!
46 January 29 1998
He smiled at her, the man with the red eyes and bald head. She found herself smiling back as something inside her draw her closer to his being; she sat up in the bed and wrapped her arms around him. Another something inside her screamed in protest. She did not listen. She leaned closer to the man and smiled wider.
"Hi… did I oversleep?"
"Not at all, little one."
He kissed her, and the voice that was objecting screamed in disgust, and once more she shut it off, wrapped her arms around his shoulder and pushed herself even closer. She had to make it worthy, she had too…
Jennie blinked. And blinked again.
"Hey love… I've missed you like crazy. Take it easy…"
The relief that filled was too much. She sobbed, and was vaguely aware of being pulled into strong arms against a body that smelled of apples and mint. She clung to Sirius as he stroked her hair.
"You where amazing, love. Wonderful. Don't worry, it'll go away. I love you."
She drew long breaths, in and out, until she felt somewhat anchored.
"Hi", she whispered and pulled at his hair. "Don't let go."
"Never, I've got you love."
He held her longer, in comfortable, trusting silence, and stroked her hair and back and placed soft kisses on her forehead.
"I feel dirty", she mumbled when she found her voice again.
"I get that. But you're not. You're freaking awesome survivor, you did what you had to do and it worked just as planned. And, may I just add, your own little plan was very cool but if you do that again I'll tie you up, okay?"
She chuckled weakly.
"I just thought it would be smart if no one knew."
"It was", he admitted and cupped her face and gave her a small smile. "But ti was so scary Jennie, it looked so real!"
"Thank my acting classes and dark magic for that", she mumbled and hid her face in his neck again.
"He was cold… the snake was warmer to be near than he! I want to bathe."
"Of course, I'll set it up, come with me?"
Jennie let Sirius lead her into the bathroom.
####
"Are you sure there isn't there some potion or spell you can use to make her forget or be more at ease?" asked Harry for the fourth time in three days.
He was seated in the kitchen with Remus, Albus and Severus – the men had, Severus most annoyed, asked him to use their first names.
"I don't think so Harry; applying a memory charm would make her forget everything, not just the part with Voldemort… I don't know about a potion though, Severus?" said Remus calmly and took a gulp of butterbeer.
"I do not know of a potion that can eliminate selected memories, but there are several charms – all of them considered dark – that can be used."
Harry beamed.
"Then use a charm! Please! Haven't you heard her since she got back? She's almost, well I don't know…"
"Broken is a good word, I think."
Harry jumped off his chair and stumbled around the table into the blonde woman's arms.
"Jennie! You're awake!"
"Hi sweetie… I've been awake every day… just haven't felt like interacting… are you okay?"
Harry beamed and hugged her closer. She spoke slowly, and sounded so very tired that he feared she would pass out.
"I'm fine, I'm fine", he assured her. "But you're not. Severus says he knows of spells that can remove some of the memories, if you want too."
She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
"That's very sweet of you all, but I don't want that; I want to remember my part, even if it's hard. It'll get better, I'm sure of it", she said with a soft finality.
"Spoken like a very cool lady!" beamed Sirius behind her, and Harry felt relieved when Jennie giggled and pushed his godfather ion the arm.
"Shut up! You said you'd feed me – so, well, feed me!"
"Your wish is my command!"
Remus chuckled, Albus beamed and Severus rolled his eyes; Harry grinned at their reactions
"So, I'm the only Horcrux left now, right?" he went on as he sat down again.
"Yes", confirmed Albus.
"So, that means I only have do drink that potion you're making, and then we'll me one step closer to winning, right?" Harry asked and looked at Severus.
The potions master nodded solemnly.
"Indeed. I will, as a matter of fact, be finished this Saturday."
"Harry, are you absolutely sure you want to do this? It's painful; there are other ways", said Jennie softly as she too sat down.
"I'm sure."
"Alright."
Harry loved how she listened to him and almost always respected and accepted what he said.
####
Jennie shivered as she slipped out the bed, rushed into the bathroom and vomited harshly; the flashbacks always made her nauseous.
A hand pulled her hair away from her face, another softly massaged her shoulder.
"Better out than in", said Sirius softly and kissed her shoulder.
"Ugh… thanks", she mumbled, too tired and annoyed to be embarrassed, and accepted the glass of water he offered her. It was divine coldness in her throat.
"Better?"
"Yes. Can we cuddle?"
"Of course we can, just come back to bed", he smiled and then picked her up like she was weightless, which was kind of how she felt, and carried her back to the bed and wrapper her in the cover before sliding in himself and pulling her close.
"You're warm", she sighed happily and snuggled closer.
"Go back to sleep love, I've got you", he murmured and kissed her forehead.