Under Lock and Key

Hastily, Claudia finished dressing and run down the stairs to apparate to the Ministry. What could it possibly mean that her arm was numb? What did Moody's message really mean? Her heart was pounding with anxiety when she gripped her wand and apparated.

But her uneasy mood was not at all reflected in the scene she encountered in the Ministry's atrium. What she encountered felt like a fever-dream. There were hundreds of witches and wizards there, all wearing a huge grin on their face. People were laughing, hugging each other, and cheering. What on Earth was going on?

A random stranger ran up the Claudia and grabbed her by the shoulders. Before she could push him away, he shook her. "He's gone! You-Know-Who's gone!" he yelled, and just as fast as he came, he let go and run off to share the news with someone else.

Claudia picked up pace. If this was true… James and Lily would be free to live their lives again, Alice could come back to work, and Sirius would come home. Maybe her numb arm was just because he was taking a cold shower. How reliable was the magic anyway? They just made it up.

Smiling to herself, Claudia's mind kept racing. What would they all even do? She struggled to imagine what life would be like not in a shadow of the war. Her mind began to wonder, remembering the days when they used to lie on the grass in the sun in Hampstead Heath, when they used to go out for noodles, get drunk, and just be twenty-one… It felt almost unreal, thinking about just how suffocating their lives during the war had become. There would be no more missions, no more Order meetings, no more being shut inside the flat all the time.

She was nearly in tears, happy tears for a change, when she got to reception and flashed her badge to get through.

But it was not to be.

Two Hit Wizards approached her and, before she even realised, one of them was holding her wand in his hand and the other was grabbing Claudia by the arms.

"You're coming with us," one of them hissed.

"Let go off me!" Claudia protested, as she tried to free herself from the Hit Wizard's grip. "I'm an auror! What's going on?"

But the Hit Wizards ignored every one of Claudia's questions, as they dragged her to the corridor Claudia was overly familiar with, the one that housed the Ministry's interrogation rooms. They threw her in one of them and shut the door, leaving her completely alone and perplexed.

Claudia was pacing around the room. What was happening? Did her father say anything? Did he try to blame her for all his crimes? Or was it possible they just wanted her testimony for his trial and the Hit Wizards got slightly carried away? She sighed and slumped into the chair. That must have been it. That was the most obvious explanation.

She settled herself into the chair, straightened her clothes and waited. And soon enough, Barty Crouch came in, wearing an unreadable expression. Smiley, the wizard from internal affairs who interviewed Claudia for the job at the Auror Office, was with him. If anything, he was even more statuesque.

Crouch sat down opposite Claudia and dug his eyes into her.

Why are these two suddenly interested in father's case? Claudia thought, but before she could translate that thought into a question-

"When was the last time you saw Black?" Crouch asked, out of nowhere.

Claudia's heart sank. The tattoo was not lying after all. Something was wrong. "What's going on?" she mumbled.

"When was the last time you saw Black?" Crouch was unmoved by her pleas. "Answer my question!" he barked when she was taking a moment too long to think about her answer.

"Week or so ago. He's away," she uttered, her throat closing somewhat.

"Away where?"

"Why are you asking me all these questions? What has Sirius got to do with anything?"

"Away where?" Crouch repeated his question again, getting redder and redder in the face. He was also clutching on the side of the table, seemingly so hard that his knuckles were white.

"I don't know," she barked back.

"I need you to start answering my questions!" Crouch yelled.

"And I need you to tell me what's going on!" Claudia's voice was raised too. She was an auror, and Crouch had no right treating her like this.

"Fine," Crouch stood up and hit the table with both of his hands. "Voldemort went to kill the Potters last night over some prophecy. Fortunately, it backfired, and he met his demise. But it was your boyfriend who told him where to find them-"

Claudia could not help but laugh. "That's ridiculous," she said, interrupting Crouch. "Ask the Potters, Sirius would never betray them."

"I can't ask the Potters. They're dead."

"What?" The smile vanished from Claudia's face.

"The parents are dead. The baby survived."

Smiley tugged on Crouch's sleeve and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement sat back down.

Claudia stared at him in complete disbelief, tears forcing themselves into her eyes. "Sirius would never," she mumbled. "Ask anyone. Ask Remus, ask Peter."

"Black made sure we cannot ask Pettigrew either. He murdered him too."

Claudia swallowed dry. Crouch's words were echoing in her head. Was this some kind of a dream? Was she still drunk?

But Crouch was merciless and continued listing his allegations. "He killed Pettigrew this morning, alongside twelve other people. We believe Pettigrew wanted to catch him after he betrayed the Potters but got overpowered."

Twelve people? Claudia thought. She must have still been drunk. This could not have been happening. "That's impossible," she mumbled, tears now falling freely down her cheeks.

Crouch leaned across the table. "Will you now tell me exactly when was the last time you saw Black?"

Claudia looked at the mirror behind Crouch. Whatever was happening, she was sure Moody was watching from the adjacent room and so was Oscar. She was sure the Hit Wizards were searching their flat right now, and there were bound to find the note Sirius had left. There was nothing to be gained from lying.

"He left about a week ago," she whispered. "I don't know why, I don't know where-" She stopped, suddenly realising anything more she said on this was not going to help Sirius' case.

"Did this happen before or after Fernsby told you he saw Black talking to Frederick Avery, the man you yourself suspect of being a Death Eater?"

Claudia glanced at the window again and sighed. Oscar was going to kill her. "I can't remember."

"Try harder!" Crouch barked. "Or I can bring some veritaserum if that would help your recollection. Or maybe a dementor or two…"

She lowered her eyes to the table. "Before," she mumbled. She could practically feel Oscar imploding with rage over in the next room. "I just- He's not a Death Eater. I just wanted to give him a chance to explain…"

Crouch did not say anything for a long time. For so long that Claudia could not take it anymore and raised her eyes from the table. He was staring at her, with his eyes narrow. Eventually, he sighed and began looking through some file Smiley slipped him.

"If I could just talk to him…" Claudia summoned the courage to say.

Crouch did not even look at her. "That would not be possible."

"Why not?" Claudia's voice was getting louder again. This was not an unreasonable request. If there was one person Sirius was bound to talk to, it was her. Claudia was sure. "I'm happy to do it with aurors present, you even. I know you wouldn't want to jeopardise the trial."

Crouch closed the file and, with a sigh, made eye-contact with Claudia. "There will be no trial."

"What do you mean there will be no trial?" Without realising, Claudia was on her feet, her chest rising. "What do you mean? No trial?"

"I don't owe you an explanation…" Crouch shrugged and began to collect his papers.

"Everyone got a trial!" she yelled. "Mulciber got a trial. My father got a trial! And you have a lot more on them than you have on Sirius!"

"Calm down, Avery," Crouch barked. "This matter is closed. He's on his way to Azkaban and that is that."

Tears started to flow down Claudia's cheeks again, angry ones this time. "You can't do this! He's innocent! He deserves a right to prove it."

Crouch leaned across the table towards Claudia, nearly barring his teeth. "He's a mass murderer. And the sooner you accept that, the better for you."

Claudia's arm flew up, but Crouch was quick and caught her by the wrist.

"Or you can join him," he hissed. He twisted her arm until she shrieked in pain and collapsed back in the chair. "Your choice, Avery."

"You cannot do this-!" she exclaimed, in a last-ditch attempt.

But Crouch was no longer listening. "I don't have time for this. Come with me, Smiley." And just like that, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement strode out of the room, followed by Smiley, who had not said a single word so far.

Claudia dropped her head to the table and her shoulders shook with violent sobs. This could not be happening. But the Ministry machine had no mercy. A couple of Hit Wizards appeared within seconds and dragged her into a holding cell. An identical one she had been just a few days ago to visit Marcus.

"Stand in the middle, arms up," one of the Hit Wizard ordered before beckoning his female colleague to come over. "You're going to be searched."

Claudia did not have it in her to fight it. She raised her arms and stared into the ceiling, remembering the last time she spoke to Lily. It must have been when they picked the wedding dress… And James? She was annoyed with him… Really, really annoyed. And now he was dead.

But the female Hit Wizard cared little for Claudia's tears and searched every pocket and every crease of her clothes. Claudia's watch, necklaces, belt and shoes, everything was thrown into a brown bag.

Once Claudia had nothing but her t-shirt, her jumper and her jeans, the Hit Wizard picked up all her possessions and, without a word, shut the door, leaving Claudia alone in her cell. For a moment, she waited to see if anyone else would come in. With something to drink, or an explanation. But no one came. All she could hear through the cell's doors were the muffled sound of celebrations from all around the Ministry.

It made her blood boil. How could have they be celebrating? How could anyone be celebrating? She curled up on bed and wrapped her own arms around her in an attempt to keep warm. But it was useless. She could not stop shivering. With her eyes shut, she slowly rolled up her sleeve and touched her tattoo.

It was ice cold.

That could only mean one thing.

Sirius had arrived at Azkaban.

The mere idea of that broke the last of Claudia's resolve and she began to sob again. She had been to that place. She knew what it did to people. She remembered them all, Mulciber, Linda… Their grey faces and vacant looks. And their screams!

And the thought of Sirius in there! He had so many bad memories, so much trauma the dementors could feed off. Claudia stomach turned and with her last strength, she crawled towards the bucket in the corner of the cell, grabbed it in her shaking hands and threw up into it.

She wiped her mouth and spat the rest of the vomit out, before rolling away and leaning against the wall.

Her mind was consumed by the thought of what Sirius must have been going through, what he must have been feeling-

His mother, all his demons… The whole thing with Remus and Snape in their fifth year, Regulus' death… It was all too much for one person to handle.

And then, she began to remember all their arguments. When they fought, when she walked out on him. He would remember all that but nothing else; the Dementors would make sure of that. He would have none of the good memories. Not their first kiss, not their first time, not all the times they were there for each other.

She could not leave him in that place. She just could not. She needed to get him out!

Claudia jumped to her feet and hit the door with her fist. "Let me out! Let me talk to him!" she yelled over and over.

But all she heard were her own screams echoing back, making her sound like a wounded animal. No one else cared. They were all too busy celebrating the end of the war.

She slid down to the floor and folded herself into a ball. How did it all end this way? James and Lily were dead. Peter was dead. Sirius was in Azkaban. And Remus… Where the hell was Remus in all of this?

She sobbed and sobbed until all her strength left her and she fell asleep, a shallow, nightmare-ridden sleep.

Claudia was awakened by loud banging on her cell's doors. It took her a moment to get up, as her whole body was hurting from sleeping on the cold, hard floor. She got a cold bowl of porridge to eat, which she barely finished before the guards dragged her back into the interrogation room.

"No Crouch?" she asked hoarsely when she noticed it was just Smiley there.

"Just me today. Can we start?"

"Can I have some coffee?"

Smiley shook his head. "You can have water."

Claudia sighed and sat down. "Whatever." She leaned back into the chair and crossed her arms against her chest.

Smiley seemed completely unphased. "Why did you lie to Fernsby?" he asked in his usual, monotonous voice.

"I already answered that."

Smiley studied her face for some time. "Are you a good liar?"

"If I have to be," Claudia shrugged. "And sometimes, as an auror, I have to be. To get things done."

"But that was not the case here, was it?"

Claudia played with the sleeves of her jumper for a few seconds before replying. "No."

"Is there anything else you haven't told us about Black? Anything else you lied about in relation to his activities?"

"Why are you asking me all these questions? None of this matters since Crouch shoved him into Azkaban-" Claudia stopped abruptly. "Unless… Unless you suspect me?"

Slowly, Smiley removed his glasses. "I have no choice but to suspect you, Miss Avery. Either you did not notice your fiancé was a Death Eater, or-"

"He's not a Death Eater!" Claudia was on her feet again. But this time, she had to grab the edge of the table to steady herself and then slowly lowered her body into the chair. The night on the cell's floor had taken its toll.

"Man can be very persuasive, Miss Avery." Smiley continued to turn the screws. "Coercive even. If there were any mitigating circumstances, we can take them into account. But you need to tell us what you know-"

"He's not a Death Eater!" Claudia said, this time not with anger but with defiance. They were trying to scare her into testifying against him. "And he never hurt me or threatened me, if that's what you're suggesting."

"The signs can be hard to spot."

"Trust me," Claudia scoffed and grimaced. "I can spot the signs of someone being coercive. Sirius is turbulent but he would never ever hurt me."

"Turbulent?"

"Who wouldn't be?" Claudia barked. "We've all been stuck fighting a losing war for years. We don't know anything else! And this is how the fucking Ministry repays us?"

"Let's go through your auror office record, then." Unlike Crouch, Smiley did not rise to Claudia's anger, and began to ask her mind-numbing questions about her cases, her mishaps, and her colleagues. Claudia answered these mindlessly. She did not care what he or anyone else thought anymore. How could the Ministry do this to her? All she ever wanted was to be an auror, to bring her father to justice. Instead, she was the one who was being interrogated, and Sirius was the one who was having his soul ripped into pieces.

It must have taken hours but eventually Smiley left her alone, and Claudia found herself back in the cell. The guards must have let her there, but she had no recollection of it.

Once in the cell, she did not have the energy to be angry anymore, or to scream. All she could do was to curl up on the bed and cry. Her mind was being consumed by a splitting headache and the fact her arm kept shivering. Every time it did, she could not help but wonder which of Sirius' traumatic memories had caused that.

At some point the same evening – she really had no idea when – Ewan came to see her. He sat down on the foot of Claudia's bed and patted her lower leg.

"I brought you some sleeping draught," he whispered.

But Claudia could just stare at the wall.

Ewan took that as an invitation to continue. "Oscar will get over it."

"No, he won't," she sighed, finally finding her voice, but keeping her eyes firmly planted on the cell's brickwork.

"I don't know what to think, Claudia. About any of this. But I know you are no Death Eater. And Oscar knows it too." He paused. "He just doesn't trust easy and-"

Claudia interrupted him. "I know, I shouldn't have lied to him."

"No, you shouldn't have."

She sighed. "And Moody?" Her heart nearly stopped at the thought Moody would think she was a Death Eater. "What does he think?"

"Moody hasn't stopped cursing Crouch since you got arrested. I doubt very much he thinks you're guilty."

Claudia finally managed to peel her eyes off the wall and look at Ewan. "That's something I guess…" She propped herself up on her elbow.

"We'll get you out of this."

All she managed was a weak smile. It was nice of Ewan to say, but how they could possibly get her out of this? Even if they managed to get her released, James and Lily would still be dead. And Sirius would still be- she dropped her head back into the pillow. She could not even finish that thought…

Ewan patted her on her leg again. "I have some good news for you. Alice Longbottom has been camped out in front of Crouch's office for the last two days and he finally relented to let her see you."

"Really?"

"She'll be here first thing tomorrow," Ewan said and passed Claudia the sleeping draught. "Now drink this and try to get some sleep."

"Thank you."

"I'll make sure you get some tomorrow too," Ewan said as he got up. "But now I have to go."

Ewan's sleeping draught helped, and Claudia only woke up when the guards shoved a bowl of porridge through her cell's door. It was still cold and tasteless but helped Claudia's brain wake up. So much so, she realised what day it was.

It was third of November.

And Sirius had just turned twenty-two. While in Azkaban.

A mere thought of that ensured that any porridge Claudia had eaten ended up in the bucket with the remainder of her stomach content.

Hesitantly, she rolled up her sleeve and began to gently run her fingers across her tattoo.

"I know you haven't done it," she whispered into her arm before giving the Sirius star a gentle kiss. She tried to wipe her eyes dry, but there was no stopping the tears. "I love you."

The thought of Sirius spending his birthday in that place… He was probably remembering that Birthday party that he chose to spend drinking by himself, because he felt like he could not trust a soul with the torment he was feeling on the inside. Not the one when they all got high and laughed until they were ill. Even Lily- The face Claudia will never get to see again.

But just at that moment, a key rattled in the door and Claudia scrambled to her feet. She did not want to give the guards the satisfaction of seeing her like that.

It was not the guards who came through the door though, it was Alice.

Claudia stood rooted on the spot, not sure what to do or say. Alice did not hesitate, however, and grabbed Claudia in her arms.

"I must reek," Claudia protested and tried to push Alice away. The physical contact made her feel disgusting. She felt all sticky, her hair was barely moving on the top of her head, and the smell of the cell was coming out from her every pore.

"I don't care," Alice replied before glancing at the two guards standing in the corner of the cell, watching their every move. "Do you need anything?" she added.

"A coffee."

"Take this seriously, Claudia!" Alice said, in a tone Claudia knew all too well. "Have you eaten enough? Do you need any potions? New clothes?"

Claudia shook her head. "Just seeing you is enough," she sighed. "And I think I could use a lawyer."

"I've heard what happened," Alice whispered, as tears formed in her eyes. "Whatever you are thinking-" she continued, rubbing Claudia's back – "you must know that Sirius loves you. He would never do anything to hurt you."

"No one else believes me… Just now-" she sighed – "they're deciding whether I'm a Death Eater, or just a stupid girl he manipulated."

"You're neither. I'm sure the truth will come out. No one who's ever met either of you could possibly think those things."

Claudia wrapped her arms around Alice's neck. Finally, someone was saying things she wanted to hear, things she needed to hear. Someone who did not treat her like she was insane, or worthless. "Crouch isn't even giving him a trial…" she uttered, biting her lip. "It's not fair! After everything he did for the Order!"

Alice began to stroke Claudia's head. "Frank and I are going back to work now, we will not rest until both you and Sirius are back home safe, alright?"

Claudia took a deep breath and let some of the tension leave her body. "I can't believe James and Lily are gone," she sighed and sunk deeper into Alice's embrace.

"It doesn't feel real."

"You'd think that after Aidan and Fabian, I'd be used to it… But both of them? And poor Harry! Where is he?"

"He's with Lily's sister."

The mere mention of Petunia brought on a fresh round of tears for Claudia. "Sirius and I were supposed to raise him if something happened. Not that stuck up bitch. He should've a real family. Someone who will cherish the memory of his mum and dad-" But the mention of family and parents reminded Claudia of her father's case. And what she had not yet told Alice about the death of her father. She freed herself from Alice's hug and looked deep into her best friend's eyes. But she just couldn't do it…

"That's enough!" one of the guards barked. "This visit is over."

In a way, Claudia was grateful. She was too scared to bring it all up. What if it would drive Alice away? Possibly forever?

Alice squeezed Claudia one more time and left. For a while, Claudia stared at the door. All that was audible from within the cell were muffled voices. One of them was female, and it sounded like Alice was discussing something with the guards. But no matter how hard Claudia strained her ears, it did not make a difference. She could not understand what they were saying.

But she did not have to wait long for the answer, as Alice was back within ten minutes carrying a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Claudia grabbed it in her fingers, letting it burn her skin. At least, she finally felt warmth.

"I'll be going then," Alice said and patted Claudia on the shoulder. "Unless there is anything else you need."

Her best friend's kindness brought more tears to Claudia's eyes, and she grabbed Alice's arm. "I have to tell you something…" She took a deep breath, summoning all the courage she could muster. "Your dad… It was my father who orchestrated it… We have a proof now," she said, dreading what was coming next.

But to Claudia's surprise, Alice did not react with anger. Instead, she drew Claudia's head towards her and squeezed her again. "We always knew that was a possibility. Please don't beat yourself about it."

"That's so-"

But the guards were having none of it. "I must insist that you leave now."

"Alright," Alice whispered, squeezed Claudia's hand, and floated away.

Claudia sat back on the bed and finished the cup of coffee. Rarely had anything tasted this good.

But the warmth Alice left behind had slowly worn off, and soon enough, Claudia was left alone with her thoughts again. Why was no one interrogating her? Have they made their decision? How long before they moved her to Azkaban too?

Every time she remembered that place, she could hear the inmates' screams. She could not stop thinking about all the things she felt on her visits. And what three days in that place must have done to the man she loved.

She found the flask of sleeping draught Ewan brought earlier and drained it. It was more than she needed to fall asleep, but the more draught she drank, the longer she would not have to hear the Azkaban screams in her head.

When she peeled her eyes open, after who knew how long, Moody was towering over her, which made Claudia scramble to her feet faster than she thought possible.

"Boss," she said hoarsely and tried to pat her hair down a little to look at least remotely presentable.

"Sit down."

Claudia swallowed dry, but silently dropped down to sit on the bed. Whatever he had to say was bound to be bad. Slowly, Moody reached into his coat pocket and passed Claudia her wand.

"You're free to go home," he said to Claudia's utter disbelief. "But you must not do anything dumb. Guards will be stationed around your flat, they will be watching your every move. If you go out, they come with you. Do you understand?"

Tentatively, Claudia wrapped her fingers around her wand. "I don't know what to say."

"I promise not to do anything stupid," Moody growled. "That will suffice."

"Thank you." She looked at him, tears in her eyes.

"I mean it, I want you to promise me."

Claudia sighed. "I promise not to do anything stupid."

"Good," Moody said, attempting a feeble smile.

It took Claudia a while to summon enough courage to ask the question she did not really want an answer to. "And Sirius?"

Moody shook his head. "No luck there, I'm afraid-"

"You cannot possibly think he's a Death Eater!" Claudia's voice was rising again.

Moody gestured at her to be quiet. "No. But-"

"So we cannot just leave him in Azkaban-"

"Let me finish!"

"Sorry."

Moody sat down next to Claudia. "We know he was the Potter's Secret Keeper. Dumbledore himself performed the spell, with the assistance of Pettigrew."

"What are you saying?"

"You know Sirius better than anyone, Claudia." Moody paused and stared into her eyes for a long time. "What if the spell failed, what would he do?"

Claudia sighed. How did she not think of this eventuality before. "He'd blame Peter, for sure. He'd go after him. He'd-" she trailed off. Moody was right, she knew Sirius better than anyone and there was definitely a possibility, more than a possibility even, that he would lose his mind if Peter was somehow, even accidentally, responsible for James' death. "I don't know what he would do," she whispered.

"I think you do," Moody said and patted her on the shoulder. "Go home. And please remember what you promised. Crouch is dead set on sending you to Azkaban. Don't make it easy for him."

At least I'd get to see Sirius again, she thought to herself but had enough wits about her not to repeat this out loud. Moody would take her wand away again and shut her in his cell for the rest of her life.

With a bit of encouragement from Moody, Claudia left her cell, grabbed the bag of her things from the guard, and made her way towards the Ministry's atrium to apparate home. Wherever she went, people's eyes followed her and so did their whispers.

"That's her!"

"How is she walking free?"

"Should've been in Azkaban."

But Claudia gritted her teeth and, remembering Moody's words, ignored everyone until the atrium. Nearly everyone. The two guards following her were really rather tricky to miss. And they were waiting for her when she landed on her feet in Gower Mews. She left them both on the street and walked up the stairs to get away from it all.

There was to be no reprieve, however, as Oscar was pacing around in front of the doors to her flat. His fists were clenched, and face twisted in a grimace. One did not have to be a legilimens to know what he was thinking.

"Do you want to come in?" she asked meekly, as she climbed the last flight of stairs.

But Oscar could not restrain himself. "I trusted your judgement! And now twelve people are dead!" They were standing in a narrow hallway, merely couple inches apart.

"I'm sorry-"

"I thought–" Oscar interrupted Claudia's explanation, and hit the wall above her head with his fist. "I thought I could trust you. After everything… That we were past lies."

Claudia could barely look at him. "I just had to protect him…"

"And now you just expect us all to protect you back?" Oscar yelled. "Moody's going to lose his job over saving your arse. If it wasn't for him, you'd be rotting in Azkaban alongside your Death Eater boyfriend!"

"He isn't a Death Eater," she mumbled, as tears formed in her eyes again.

Oscar was staring at her, his own eyes watering. But then, he shook his head and stepped away. "Do you really think I care what you think anymore?" he said hoarsely. "That I could ever trust you?"

"Oscar-"

But it was too late. He was already halfway down the stairs.

"Oscar!"

But he was gone. Claudia sighed and wiped her eyes. That reaction was entirely predictable… She reached into the bag the guards given her and picked up her key.

"Shouldn't have lied to him…" she mumbled and opened the door.

Claudia barely recognised the flat. Every drawer was turned out, every cupboard was opened. Clothes and books were everywhere. She walked around aimlessly, picking up pictures the aurors smashed, surveying Sirius' Freddie Mercury poster that someone tore. But she did not have the energy to fix any of it.

Instead, she took a few sips from the whiskey bottle that was standing on the piano and made her way into the shower.

She took of her reeking clothes, turned on the water as hot as it went and slumped to the bottom of the bathtub, whiskey bottle still in hand.

The hot water was hitting her head. It hurt. But she did not care.

It took few more sips of the whiskey for Claudia to feel strong enough to shampoo her hair. Then, she rubbed her skin with a washcloth until it was nearly raw… Anything to wash the stench of the cell off her skin. Anything to make her arm warm. Anything to mask the pain she was feeling on the inside.

Eventually, the water turned cold, and Claudia turned it off. Somewhat unsteady on her feet, she picked up some of Sirius' worn clothes and put them on.

She crawled into bed and wrapped her arms around her own torso, breathing deeply though a jumper Sirius had left behind. That way, she could smell him.

No amount of whiskey made her arm stop shivering, though.

She closed her eyes. Everything was spinning. Unable to find energy to go find some sleeping draught, she tried focusing on anything other than Sirius in Azkaban.

But it proved impossible.

She had to get him out of there. She just had to.

But the spinning was overwhelming, and eventually put her to sleep.

A/N - only two chapters left in this story! Eeeek