Author's Note: Apologies for the delay in updating. I have got the next few chapters down, but am fine tuning them before publishing. Have also written the final chapter after it came to me in a dream! Now, to this chapter; I'm sure some HP purists may be horrified/disagree with the inclusion of this character and their change in character/personality. However, this is my story and I always believe that anyone can have a change of heart or beliefs and learn from their past. I like this idea of mine and think it's a really sweet relationship. SA

'Everything has a reason for its happening.

Can't you tell it's your own spell and

Everyone has to dance this dance like anyone.

Can't break free of destiny…

When darkness will reign and blind us all.

Allegiance will bind us if we do not fall.'

"Dance of Fate" - Epica

Saturday 10th June, 2000

Sirius stared out at the ocean, feeling the breeze of the sea and of freedom on his face. But it could not blow away the emotions that were eating at him. Guilt, longing, worry and the pure heat of anger were pricking at his heart like small, sharp knives.

He had left her. She was alone in that hell hole with Voldemort and his minions. No matter that they said he would be better able to help her now he was free. He would have rushed back to that place to be with her in a heartbeat and damn the consequences! Only his weakened physical state and his friends had prevented him.

He wanted to be alone today and they had left him be. He knew they were observing him, ready to prevent him from fleeing and surrendering to the reckless impulsivity of his nature. He wanted to be alone and think about her today, try to be with her in spirit.

He had been informed before his escape of Voldemort's plans. McNair took great pleasure in delivering the news to him. 'Well what do you think to that Black? We were all surprised when he told us, given she's a mudblood. Although I can't say I blame him for wanting to bed her, she's a pretty young piece! I wish I had her warming my bed!'

Sirius remembered the exchange and how he had to exert all his effort not to react to McNair's sordid lechery and the sickening news he brought. Marriage! The thought of it struck him again like a hammer blow. He had wanted to vomit when he had been told.

And today was the day it would be taking place. That scum, that evil, foul creature was binding himself to the woman he loved and he was powerless to do anything to stop it. Oh Rose, forgive me. Forgive me for failing you and for leaving you in the clutches of a monster. Warm, salty tears slipped down his cheeks as his anger and frustration turned to sorrow.

This wonderful, beautiful girl should not have to suffer this travesty of a ceremony. Her wedding day should be one of joy, surrounded by family and friends, happiness, laughter and love. She should be waiting in excitement and anticipation to be joined with the man she loves. Instead she was surrounded by enemies, darkness and cruelty, waiting in dread and fear to be bound by force to an evil creature, with only a semblance of humanity.

Sirius retched and emptied the contents of his stomach into the sea. Sweet Merlin, give her the strength and fortitude of her ancestors to bear it. He walked from the water's edge and sank down onto the rock, expelling a breath of despair.

He tortured himself with the thoughts that had crossed his mind. How long? Was it only two weeks ago? It felt like a lifetime ago. He remembered the day after her birthday when they had spent it together in bed. He remembered watching her sleep and the rush of love that had suffused his heart. I'm going to marry you.

The words had come into his head and took him by surprise. He had breathed and smiled. Yes, I am. You are the one I've waited for my whole life. Now I understand the feelings James tried to explain to me when he told me he was going to marry Lily. Images had begun to swim in his head. It was their wedding day and she was walking towards him, smiling. He was cradling their first child in his arms and she looked at them both with so much love.

Now all those cherished images and his hopeful longing were shattered by the reality of today. He put his head in his hands and sobbed until no more tears would come. Drained, he stared back out to sea. He was oblivious to the rain that began to fall, or the approach of another.

'Master Sirius'. Sirius looked up, his reverie interrupted. 'Kreacher, I told all of you I wanted to be left alone today.' The elf continued to look at him. 'I know Master, but it is beginning to rain. You must come and shelter inside. You have not yet recovered fully from your ordeal.'

'I don't care! I just want to be left alone!' Kreacher continued to stand patiently. 'You can be left alone indoors, master. I have lit a fire in your room and we will not disturb you.' Sirius looked at the elf, then his eyes returned to the sea. 'Master, if you wish to be able to rescue Mistress Rose, then you must do all you can to help heal yourself. Sitting out here in the cold, wet air will not help.'

Sirius looked at him in surprise. 'You call her "mistress"?' Kreacher nodded. 'You love her master, so therefore she is my mistress. She has always been kind to me and I have learnt over the past few years that mudbloods and muggles are not so bad. Master Harry and Miss Granger showed me that. Your mother, my late mistress was set against them and I followed her thinking. But even a wizened old creature such as me can have a change of heart.'

Sirius smiled. 'I am glad we made peace all those years ago. I treated you cruelly and harshly. I was punishing my family through you. Harry and Hermione showed me that my treatment of you was wrong. You have forgiven me and become a loyal friend. You have saved me yet again Kreacher.'

Kreacher bowed. 'I am honoured that you call me "friend" master. I was once not so complimentary about you myself. Though I served you, it was with reluctance. I cursed you many times and I betrayed you to your cousins. You were almost killed, yet you forgave me. Now I serve you willingly and with respect.'

Sirius smiled. 'I deserved your curses for the way I treated you. And all regrettable actions between us both are forgiven and laid to rest. We both of us made mistakes and learning from them and rectifying them is more important than regret. I wish you would stop calling me "master", Kreacher. I've told you countless times to just call me "Sirius"!

Kreacher smiled and shook his head. 'Some habits I cannot break master Sirius, however hard I try. Now let us go inside. We shall leave you be if you wish it. But I must tell you, there will be a meeting taking place. There is important news about Mistress Rose that explains The Dark Lord's interest and why he would bind himself to her.'

'What?' Sirius started at Kreacher's words. 'Tell me now!' Kreacher shook his head. 'Master Kingsley can explain it better than I and it is beginning to pour,' said the elf, raising his head heavenwards. Yes, you are right. Let us go back to the cottage immediately.' Sirius and the elf apparated to the warmth of the cottage.

xox

Rose sat on the window seat of her room, her head resting against the glass, staring out blankly at the scenery. The weather was cloudy, grey and wet and she did not notice a large raven sitting on the branch of the tree outside, staring intently at her. Her concentration was still fixed on the images burned inside her head. She was a murderer. She had killed another human being.

Today was the day of her marriage to the man who had forced her to take a life. She felt dead inside and today was the first day in her life she had ever wished she was dead. The face of McNair as she had killed him was imprinted on her memory.

She was so relieved that Sirius had escaped, because she knew Voldemort would have forced her to choose between killing him or the Stafford's. She had been spared that and it would truly have broken her inside. How the hell did he get out of here? That truly was a puzzle. She smiled, despite the darkness of her thoughts. Voldemort would be kept awake by that conundrum. She was glad of that, it was the very least he deserved!

The only thing was that now she felt truly alone here now. As glad as she was that Sirius was free and hopefully recovering, she could not shake the feeling of abandonment. She also felt a sting of disappointment and she didn't know why. Still something about Sirius eluded her. It irritated the hell out of her that she could not recall it.

Yet again the unwelcome memories of that night came back to torture her. She relived the green flash of light that came from her wand as she said the words of the killing curse. How it had hit McNair in the centre of his chest and he had fallen to the floor. She remembered seeing the light leave his eyes and hearing the screams of terror from the Stafford family.

She and her wand had dropped to the floor, and she had heard the gasps of shock from Voldemort's followers echo around the room. Voldemort had risen from his seat and made his way to survey her handiwork. Her wand flew from the floor and he had deposited it back inside his robes.

He had smiled and held out a hand to her. She had taken it and he had raised her from the floor. Her legs had almost buckled and he had gripped her by the waist, steadying her and pulling her against him. He had whispered gently into her ear. 'Well done girl. You have made your first kill. You never forget your first time.' He had laughed gently into her ear at his joke and had tightened his hold on her.

She could feel his hardness and arousal, sickened that the scene of death and terror excited him. She began to tremble and he'd stroked her cheek. 'Shush now, calm yourself, he whispered into her ear, but she had continued to stare at McNair's lifeless body, and had been unable to stop her body shuddering

Sensing she was distracted by the scene before her, and feeling the tremor in her body, Voldemort had ordered McNair's body to be removed and the traumatised Stafford family to be led away. He ordered his followers to leave the hall and they had were alone. He turned her to face him, and gripping her by the arms, shook her. 'Where is Black? How did he escape here? If you know, tell me now!' She had looked at him blankly, her eyes unseeing. He shook her again. 'Look at me!'

Her eyes had then focused and she had looked at him, seeing the fury on his face and his teeth bared. 'I...I don't know. I don't know anything.' She continued to shiver, and seeing that she was in shock, Voldemort had apparated them from the hall.

She had looked around and saw she was back in her room. She stared at the demon that had made her a killer. 'I thought we would be more comfortable away from all those distractions. I am pleased with you girl, you have learned your lesson tonight.'

She had tried to push him from her and began to panic. 'The family! Take me back! What are you going to do to them….?' He had gripped her more tightly and pushed her against the wall, his face inches from hers. 'Be quiet! I promised you that if you killed McNair, I would spare the muggles. As you know by now, I am a man of my word. They will be returned home and their memories modified.'

She had taken deep breaths and stopped trying to fight him. He had placed a hand on her head and she felt a feeling of calmness spread through her. All thoughts of McNair and the Stafford's, Sirius, the pain and shock washed away. 'Now is that not better?' He had smiled at her. 'Yes,' she had replied.

His lips had met with hers and she responded without hesitation. His tongue darted into her mouth and made contact with her own. She had felt invisible fingers search through her mind, but she hadn't cared. All she had wanted was for this man to devour her.

He had eventually broken away from her and looked at her with a satisfied smile, his eyes dark with desire. He led her over to the bed and told her to lie down. Sitting down beside her, he'd used his magic, producing a silver goblet of dark blue liquid. 'Drink this. It will help you sleep.' He'd handed it to her and she had obeyed him, consuming the potion, despite its bitter taste.

Resting her head back on the pillow, she had stared at him. How could she desire this man? What was wrong with her? He was cruel and evil, yet she wanted him. She was tired of trying to understand it. All she knew was that this longing ache inside her begged for him to take her. He'd smiled at her and his thumb had brushed her lips then circled her nipple under her robe.

She had let out a sigh of pleasure, as his fingers had trailed down her abdomen and then slipped between the openings of her robe, stroking her inner thigh and his fingers trailing lightly against her groin. She'd let out a moan of arousal, causing him to shudder and smile. 'Soon girl. I will not make you wait much longer...the anticipation will be worth it.' She had felt her eyelids become heavy, and moments later he was gone from her view.

Waking the next day, the recollection of the previous night's events had hit her and tears had flowed from her frequently and intermittently throughout the day. She had tried to tell herself that she had done the right thing, made the right choice. By killing McNair she had saved an innocent family. McNair had blood on his hands and he deserved to die.

But the other voice in her head tormented her and told her she didn't have the right to take a life, that she wasn't judge and jury. She had killed him in cold blood and he didn't have the opportunity to defend himself. The memory of the life leaving him haunted her.

She had allowed the wedding arrangements to continue on around her and had done whatever Narcissa had asked of her without question. She had chosen material, flowers, shoes, jewellery. The fire had gone from her, and even Narcissa had noticed she gave her only blank stares and quiet replies in reply to her questions.

Rose looked at the dress that was hung up on the mirror and smiled darkly. It was fitting. Today she felt more like a condemned woman than a bride. Narcissa would be here soon to help her prepare. She stared back out at the view that matched her spirit. Again, she was oblivious to the raven's gaze upon her. He has finally broken me, she thought. No, he has not. You will break him. Rose gasped at the sound of the voice and looked around the room.