Cherries
folder
Harry Potter AU/AR › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
80,725
Reviews:
221
Recommended:
3
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter AU/AR › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
80,725
Reviews:
221
Recommended:
3
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Harry Potter world created by JK Rowling, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story and never will.
Control Issues
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Story: Cherries
Author: bubblybabs
Email: bubbalilly@gmail.com
Beta: Periculum
Total Word Count: 2,971
Chapter 17 Edit Date: 01/13/2009
Clean-up editing: 06/05/2009
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Extremely short chapter (for me) but very telling...
*
roxie – Many thanks for your review! As I said, I did not plan to have the whole fic be the dark, nasty abuse – there's been so much already. But, the abuse will continue, not just to Hermione, BTW. *hint*hint* Yes, this fic goes beyond rape – because it is a fic about a magical world. Where else would you have these magical healing pastes and potions to cure one of all their injuries so the abuser can keep on going? Anyway, I think chapter 15 was needed to introduce the DE aspect of the story. They will be coming into play now and they aren't nice people. Sirius wanted to break Hermione to make her do what he wanted, the DE's want to break her to do what they want – only thing is, Sirius and Kreacher have her mostly trained already so their going overboard is really telling about what they are like as people. I feel honored that my fic is the first you have commented on, and don't worry about seeming bitchy, I don't mind it, honest. I had planned to tone down the abuse part after chapter 15 anyway, that was to be the shocker chapter where things sort of come to a head. Now things are going to get really rocky. Keep the comments coming! It does help guide me, I have changed some stuff in future chapters, according to peoples comments and requests.
*
soniab – I appreciate your review as well. Thank-you! I think you'll like chapter 18. It has a few surprises.
*
WeasleyY7 – Yes, I wanted to start the chapter out kind of slow, with Bella being thoughtful and almost tame – until she shows what kind of nut she truly is. I'm glad I 'tricked' you into reading my fic, see my smile? *big toothy smile* You are catching on to some of my hints I see. And trying to second guess me. Good, that's good. Shows your interest and enthusiasm for the story! I can't wait to prove you right or wrong! *giggle* I will say that my beta, Periculum, stated, “I never expected any of that!” when I gave her the plot line. So, we'll see how close you are. As to the aftermath and all that, it's still showing sex for power, D/s, etc. And also, Kreacher trying to cover his tracks, for now. Hermione is exhibiting a blatant case of Stockholm Syndrome in order to deal with everything, but things are so horrendous that this coping strategy won't always work. Sigh, that's another hint...
*
elphaba - You will see how Hermione starts to actually deal or not deal with things. The darkness continues now that the DE's have become involved.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 17 - Control Issues
Story date: December 22, 1995
“What the fuck did you do to her?”
Sirius barely contained his temper until he was back in his room, wishing he could strangle the elf with his bare hands.
“Nothing unusual. Kreacher merely sucked her and fucked her and made her service him as usual, Master.” Kreacher kept his voice maddeningly neutral.
“And?” Sirius' face showed his anger, his voice reflecting the tone.
“Nothing.” Kreacher seemingly rubbed himself absently. “She performed admirably, for once, and Kreacher finished with her an hour before you summoned me.”
Sirius was becoming frustrated, and punched the wall as he spoke. “Kreacher, I order you to tell me what you did to her.”
“Kreacher told you, Master, Kreacher fucked the Mudblood.”
“What else?” Sirius' fists were on the wall as he leaned against them, his arms straight.
“Kreacher took her to the park.”
Sirius turned to look at the elf. “What happened to her there?”
“Nothing. She walked around. She swung on a swing like she usually does.”
Sirius thought a moment. “Did you fuck her outside?”
“No.”
“Did someone else fuck her outside?” Sirius leaned his back against the wall, listening.
Kreacher took a split second to tell himself that Mistress Bella and Master Rodolphus fucked her inside the house before replying, “No.”
Sirius sensed the hesitation. “Then why is she in so much turmoil inside? She's all knotted up and freaked out.”
“She said she had a dream. It must have been while she slept, after Kreacher fucked her.”
Sirius crossed his arms and looked down at the elf imperiously. “Really? Tell me, would she dream about my dear cousin Bellatrix for no reason at all?”
Kreacher looked at his Master for a moment, not expecting that question. “Mistress Bellatrix? Kreacher does not understand.”
“Yeah, I'm sure you don't.” Sirius decided to stop beating around the bush. “Why was Bella on Hermione's mind? Why would I feel that, Kreacher?”
“Kreacher has no idea, sir.”
Sirius eyed the elf suspiciously.
“So, you're telling me that Hermione kept thinking of Bella for no reason at all, is that it?”
“Master, Kreacher doesn't know what the Slave thinks about.”
“Yes, I know. I'm not the best Legilimens out there, Kreacher, but I'm passable on a low level. If I could snag the memories out of your ass I would, so you are lucky there. However, I want to know where you took Hermione yesterday.” Sirius' voice became an angry growl.
Kreacher stood silently, looking for a loophole that would allow him to not answer his Master truthfully.
“Did you take her to see Bella?”
Kreacher looked at Sirius boldly. Sirius could tell the elf was thinking about something, then nodded as if he made up his mind.
“Yes.”
Sirius' mouth went dry, not sure he had heard correctly. “What did you say?” He looked at the elf in disbelief.
“Kreacher said, 'yes'. Kreacher took his sllave to see Mistress Bellatrix.”
“You mother-fucking-son-of-a-bitch!”
Kreacher screamed as he writhed from the Cruciatus. Once it was lifted, Kreacher turned a hateful eye to his Master.
“You fucking bastard! You took her there? To Bella? She's even more sadistic than my mother was!” Sirius hit Kreacher again with the curse and held it for several minutes, watching the elf's body writhe on the floor at his feet.
“I ought to kill you, you bastard.” Eyes wild, he raised his wand.
“No! If you kill Kreacher, you will lose your Mudblood!”
Sirius lowered his wand with great difficulty. “What? What do you mean, I'll lose her?” His voice shook as he spoke.
“Kreacher made it so that you may not enter the slave room without me. If you kill Kreacher, you won't be able to get to her.”
“That's impossible.”
“Try it, Master. Try to get into the slave room.”
Sirius looked at Kreacher a moment before unwarding his door and walking out. He came back a short time later, a look of incredulity on his face. Sirius reset the wards on his door along with a silencing spell because he intended to scream and yell at the shitty little imp. Turning, he stared at Kreacher for a long time, and Kreacher smiled.
'What the fuck do I do now?' Sirius was in a panic, trying to think of what to do, other than yell. 'How do I save Hermione? Merlin, what do I do? Merlin's balls, what did they do to her yesterday? No wonder she acted like that!' He was suddenly glad he had done what she wanted, instead of what he had planned on after spending part of the day going through his porn magazines.
Sirius straightened his back. “I'm going to Dumbledore, Kreacher. I'm telling him everything. I won't have you harming Hermione. And I won't allow Bella to get her hands on her again.” Sirius sounded resigned to his fate as he looked down at the floor; he knew his life was over now.
The smile fell off of Kreacher's face. He hadn't expected that.
“No! No, she's Kreacher's sex slave!” Kreacher stomped his foot angrily.
“She's also the woman I love and the mother of my child.”
Sirius made to turn away, fully intending to share his story. The door would not open. Sirius did not turn, he merely stated calmly, “I'm ordering you to open this door, Kreacher. Now.”
“No.”
Sirius turned and looked at Kreacher as the elf ran himself into the wall again.
“What did you just say to me?”
“Kreacher just said, 'no'. Kreacher refuses to open the door until you listen to him.” He stood and banged his head against the wall a dozen times.
Sirius leaned against the door and crossed his arms. “Talk then.”
“Kreacher is in control now.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sirius pulled away from the door as he stood tall, his arms falling, and looked at the elf as if he had not understood right.
“What did you just say to me?” Sirius squinted an eye and cocked his head slightly, his voice dangerous.
“Kreacher is in control now. You will do as I say.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Crucio!” Sirius held the curse until he was on his knees, panting. When he released the curse, the elf lay still for a long time until Sirius began to worry he had killed the elf. Fear on his face, he crawled over to him and was relieved when he found a pulse. Sirius scooted on his ass until his back hit the wall, and sat there watching the elf until he began to move.
Kreacher opened his eyes and looked at Sirius warily, his body twitching as he sat up slowly.
“Kreacher is able to disobey, all Kreacher has to do is punish himself for being a bad elf.”
Sirius stared. He couldn't believe his ears. Kreacher was turning his back on generations of tradition. Kreacher was calling the shots now. He struggled with himself, trying to stay in control.
Sirius licked his lips, his mouth gone dry. “Kreacher, don't do this.”
“Kreacher will have fun with his Slave. Kreacher won't remove you from the Mudblood because you are her only happiness, but Kreacher will have his fun.”
“Kreacher, take me to her, now.”
“No.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Kreacher beat his head on the floor.
“Kreacher...”
Sirius' eyes widened as he scrambled desperately to stand up when Kreacher abruptly and unexpectedly disappeared with a pop.
“Kreacher! Kreacher! I order you to come back here, now! NOW!”
Sirius stood, breathing heavily for a few moments, listening.
“Kreacher! KREACHER!”
Nothing. He couldn't believe it. Kreacher was disobeying him. He was actually disobeying him!
“Nooooooooooooooooooooo! Oh, my Gods! Nooooooooooooooooooooo!”
Sirius grabbed anything he could and threw it, he threw things until his anger was spent, screaming, “NO!” with each throw. He cried and pleaded Kreacher to come back, but he remained alone in his room. So very alone.
Finally, spent both physically and emotionally, he stumbled over to his bed and threw himself down upon it, crying himself to sleep as he repeatedly apologized to Hermione through his tears.
Several hours later, his face swollen from crying, Sirius woke to pounding on his door. With shaky legs, he got up and slowly walked to the door like a condemned man, his shoulders drooping and head hanging down. He shushed at Buckbeak who had begun to caw and beat his hoofs onto the floor, his wings opening and closing in alarm.
He lifted the silencing spell. “What?” he groused gruffly through the door.
“Sirius! It's Harry!”
Sirius cracked the door open and looked out cautiously. “What time is it?” His voice was gravelly, his throat sore from his screaming and yelling.
“Time? It's nearly 5 o'clock. You've been sleeping in there all day and Mrs. Weasley sent me up to make sure you came down for dinner.”
“Tell her I'm not hungry.”
Silence met his request.
“Harry, just tell her I'll be down later.”
“Sirius?”
“What, Harry?”
“Are you okay?”
Tiredly, Sirius ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I'm okay, Harry. I'll be down later. Don't worry about me.”
Harry turned away, a look of unease on his face. Sirius felt guilty, knowing Harry didn't need any more anguish on him than he already had. He closed the door.
“Kreacher?” His voice was spoken quietly, cautiously.
Sirius was ridiculously relieved when Kreacher showed up before him.
“Let me see Hermione.”
They stared quietly at each other until Sirius said, “Please. Please, Kreacher, let me see Hermione.”
Kreacher stood for a moment, staring at him, and Sirius feared his request would be denied. A heart-beat later, Kreacher grabbed his wrist and the distraught man found himself in the slave room.
“Hermione?”
He looked at the bed and saw her form upon it; without thought he ran to the bed and climbed on it.
“Hermione? Baby, are you okay?”
He hastily tugged the covers off of her as he grabbed her shoulder; she turned over, onto her back, the same blank look she had given him yesterday on her face today.
“Oh, Kitten.” He grabbed her and scooped her up in his arms, clutching her to him as he began to cry with his face buried in the blanket that was still partially wrapped around her. He felt her moving as she put her arms around his neck, but she did not speak.
He got himself under control, wiping his eyes on the blanket before pulling her back slightly, trying to look at her.
“Sweetie, baby, Kreacher told me about Bella.” Hermione immediately tightened her arms around his neck, hiding her face into his neck as she whined a little. He hugged her tightly, his arms wrapping around her securely.
“Hermione, I'm so sorry, baby. I never imagined this would happen, please believe me. I envisioned you falling in love with me and our getting married when you turned seventeen. I never imagined things getting so out of hand, I swear.”
He felt her nod her head, her hair tickling his nose as she did so. He pulled her away firmly so he could inspect her. He lifted her arms, looking for marks on her, bruises, anything showing she had been harmed and was relieved to find nothing marring her skin. She sat with her shoulders slumped and her head down, her arms down in front of her with her legs bent at the knee, pointing backwards. He grabbed her chin and tried to make her look at him but she refused to open her eyes.
“Come on, baby, look at me.”
She shook her head 'no'. She sat for a moment with her eyes closed, then climbed into his lap.
“Just hold me, Sirius. Please?”
He hugged her to him tightly, his chin on her head. He climbed out of the bed, still holding her, and carried her to the couch where he sat her on his lap, his legs spread so her buttocks were between them, allowing her to sit against him comfortably. He looked at her blue lace nightie, playing with a bow as he continued to hold her. They sat there for over an hour, in silence, his hands caressing her and holding her, just taking comfort in each other.
“Sirius?”
“What, hon?”
She lifted her face and whispered into his ear, “Can't you make Master Kreacher go away?” She didn't dare not call him Master Kreacher, never knowing if he was around or not. Her morning, after Sirius had left, and when Kreacher had returned, had been full of punishments over her actions from the previous night, and her day filled with more when Mistress heard of what she had done and said. They healed her, of course, but the ordeal had been hideous to experience just the same.
“No, baby. I can't, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” Sirius hugged her to him harder, feeling immensely powerless.
Even with her lips touching his ear, he could barely hear her words. “I still love you.”
He cried and laughed at the same time, his hand caressing her head as he did so, his tears making little wet spots in her hair as he turned his mouth to her ear.
“And I'll always love you, baby. Always.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Notes, you may freely skip this...
I told you this would get dark.
I had planned on having some Order information in this chapter, but it'll have to wait until chapter 19... Chapter 18 is, well, not Order material... I wanted to leave this little cliff hanger as it is... And give you all a chance to digest the contents of this chapter as well...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Story: Cherries
Author: bubblybabs
Email: bubbalilly@gmail.com
Beta: Periculum
Total Word Count: 2,971
Chapter 17 Edit Date: 01/13/2009
Clean-up editing: 06/05/2009
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Extremely short chapter (for me) but very telling...
*
roxie – Many thanks for your review! As I said, I did not plan to have the whole fic be the dark, nasty abuse – there's been so much already. But, the abuse will continue, not just to Hermione, BTW. *hint*hint* Yes, this fic goes beyond rape – because it is a fic about a magical world. Where else would you have these magical healing pastes and potions to cure one of all their injuries so the abuser can keep on going? Anyway, I think chapter 15 was needed to introduce the DE aspect of the story. They will be coming into play now and they aren't nice people. Sirius wanted to break Hermione to make her do what he wanted, the DE's want to break her to do what they want – only thing is, Sirius and Kreacher have her mostly trained already so their going overboard is really telling about what they are like as people. I feel honored that my fic is the first you have commented on, and don't worry about seeming bitchy, I don't mind it, honest. I had planned to tone down the abuse part after chapter 15 anyway, that was to be the shocker chapter where things sort of come to a head. Now things are going to get really rocky. Keep the comments coming! It does help guide me, I have changed some stuff in future chapters, according to peoples comments and requests.
*
soniab – I appreciate your review as well. Thank-you! I think you'll like chapter 18. It has a few surprises.
*
WeasleyY7 – Yes, I wanted to start the chapter out kind of slow, with Bella being thoughtful and almost tame – until she shows what kind of nut she truly is. I'm glad I 'tricked' you into reading my fic, see my smile? *big toothy smile* You are catching on to some of my hints I see. And trying to second guess me. Good, that's good. Shows your interest and enthusiasm for the story! I can't wait to prove you right or wrong! *giggle* I will say that my beta, Periculum, stated, “I never expected any of that!” when I gave her the plot line. So, we'll see how close you are. As to the aftermath and all that, it's still showing sex for power, D/s, etc. And also, Kreacher trying to cover his tracks, for now. Hermione is exhibiting a blatant case of Stockholm Syndrome in order to deal with everything, but things are so horrendous that this coping strategy won't always work. Sigh, that's another hint...
*
elphaba - You will see how Hermione starts to actually deal or not deal with things. The darkness continues now that the DE's have become involved.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 17 - Control Issues
Story date: December 22, 1995
“What the fuck did you do to her?”
Sirius barely contained his temper until he was back in his room, wishing he could strangle the elf with his bare hands.
“Nothing unusual. Kreacher merely sucked her and fucked her and made her service him as usual, Master.” Kreacher kept his voice maddeningly neutral.
“And?” Sirius' face showed his anger, his voice reflecting the tone.
“Nothing.” Kreacher seemingly rubbed himself absently. “She performed admirably, for once, and Kreacher finished with her an hour before you summoned me.”
Sirius was becoming frustrated, and punched the wall as he spoke. “Kreacher, I order you to tell me what you did to her.”
“Kreacher told you, Master, Kreacher fucked the Mudblood.”
“What else?” Sirius' fists were on the wall as he leaned against them, his arms straight.
“Kreacher took her to the park.”
Sirius turned to look at the elf. “What happened to her there?”
“Nothing. She walked around. She swung on a swing like she usually does.”
Sirius thought a moment. “Did you fuck her outside?”
“No.”
“Did someone else fuck her outside?” Sirius leaned his back against the wall, listening.
Kreacher took a split second to tell himself that Mistress Bella and Master Rodolphus fucked her inside the house before replying, “No.”
Sirius sensed the hesitation. “Then why is she in so much turmoil inside? She's all knotted up and freaked out.”
“She said she had a dream. It must have been while she slept, after Kreacher fucked her.”
Sirius crossed his arms and looked down at the elf imperiously. “Really? Tell me, would she dream about my dear cousin Bellatrix for no reason at all?”
Kreacher looked at his Master for a moment, not expecting that question. “Mistress Bellatrix? Kreacher does not understand.”
“Yeah, I'm sure you don't.” Sirius decided to stop beating around the bush. “Why was Bella on Hermione's mind? Why would I feel that, Kreacher?”
“Kreacher has no idea, sir.”
Sirius eyed the elf suspiciously.
“So, you're telling me that Hermione kept thinking of Bella for no reason at all, is that it?”
“Master, Kreacher doesn't know what the Slave thinks about.”
“Yes, I know. I'm not the best Legilimens out there, Kreacher, but I'm passable on a low level. If I could snag the memories out of your ass I would, so you are lucky there. However, I want to know where you took Hermione yesterday.” Sirius' voice became an angry growl.
Kreacher stood silently, looking for a loophole that would allow him to not answer his Master truthfully.
“Did you take her to see Bella?”
Kreacher looked at Sirius boldly. Sirius could tell the elf was thinking about something, then nodded as if he made up his mind.
“Yes.”
Sirius' mouth went dry, not sure he had heard correctly. “What did you say?” He looked at the elf in disbelief.
“Kreacher said, 'yes'. Kreacher took his sllave to see Mistress Bellatrix.”
“You mother-fucking-son-of-a-bitch!”
Kreacher screamed as he writhed from the Cruciatus. Once it was lifted, Kreacher turned a hateful eye to his Master.
“You fucking bastard! You took her there? To Bella? She's even more sadistic than my mother was!” Sirius hit Kreacher again with the curse and held it for several minutes, watching the elf's body writhe on the floor at his feet.
“I ought to kill you, you bastard.” Eyes wild, he raised his wand.
“No! If you kill Kreacher, you will lose your Mudblood!”
Sirius lowered his wand with great difficulty. “What? What do you mean, I'll lose her?” His voice shook as he spoke.
“Kreacher made it so that you may not enter the slave room without me. If you kill Kreacher, you won't be able to get to her.”
“That's impossible.”
“Try it, Master. Try to get into the slave room.”
Sirius looked at Kreacher a moment before unwarding his door and walking out. He came back a short time later, a look of incredulity on his face. Sirius reset the wards on his door along with a silencing spell because he intended to scream and yell at the shitty little imp. Turning, he stared at Kreacher for a long time, and Kreacher smiled.
'What the fuck do I do now?' Sirius was in a panic, trying to think of what to do, other than yell. 'How do I save Hermione? Merlin, what do I do? Merlin's balls, what did they do to her yesterday? No wonder she acted like that!' He was suddenly glad he had done what she wanted, instead of what he had planned on after spending part of the day going through his porn magazines.
Sirius straightened his back. “I'm going to Dumbledore, Kreacher. I'm telling him everything. I won't have you harming Hermione. And I won't allow Bella to get her hands on her again.” Sirius sounded resigned to his fate as he looked down at the floor; he knew his life was over now.
The smile fell off of Kreacher's face. He hadn't expected that.
“No! No, she's Kreacher's sex slave!” Kreacher stomped his foot angrily.
“She's also the woman I love and the mother of my child.”
Sirius made to turn away, fully intending to share his story. The door would not open. Sirius did not turn, he merely stated calmly, “I'm ordering you to open this door, Kreacher. Now.”
“No.”
Sirius turned and looked at Kreacher as the elf ran himself into the wall again.
“What did you just say to me?”
“Kreacher just said, 'no'. Kreacher refuses to open the door until you listen to him.” He stood and banged his head against the wall a dozen times.
Sirius leaned against the door and crossed his arms. “Talk then.”
“Kreacher is in control now.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sirius pulled away from the door as he stood tall, his arms falling, and looked at the elf as if he had not understood right.
“What did you just say to me?” Sirius squinted an eye and cocked his head slightly, his voice dangerous.
“Kreacher is in control now. You will do as I say.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Crucio!” Sirius held the curse until he was on his knees, panting. When he released the curse, the elf lay still for a long time until Sirius began to worry he had killed the elf. Fear on his face, he crawled over to him and was relieved when he found a pulse. Sirius scooted on his ass until his back hit the wall, and sat there watching the elf until he began to move.
Kreacher opened his eyes and looked at Sirius warily, his body twitching as he sat up slowly.
“Kreacher is able to disobey, all Kreacher has to do is punish himself for being a bad elf.”
Sirius stared. He couldn't believe his ears. Kreacher was turning his back on generations of tradition. Kreacher was calling the shots now. He struggled with himself, trying to stay in control.
Sirius licked his lips, his mouth gone dry. “Kreacher, don't do this.”
“Kreacher will have fun with his Slave. Kreacher won't remove you from the Mudblood because you are her only happiness, but Kreacher will have his fun.”
“Kreacher, take me to her, now.”
“No.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Kreacher beat his head on the floor.
“Kreacher...”
Sirius' eyes widened as he scrambled desperately to stand up when Kreacher abruptly and unexpectedly disappeared with a pop.
“Kreacher! Kreacher! I order you to come back here, now! NOW!”
Sirius stood, breathing heavily for a few moments, listening.
“Kreacher! KREACHER!”
Nothing. He couldn't believe it. Kreacher was disobeying him. He was actually disobeying him!
“Nooooooooooooooooooooo! Oh, my Gods! Nooooooooooooooooooooo!”
Sirius grabbed anything he could and threw it, he threw things until his anger was spent, screaming, “NO!” with each throw. He cried and pleaded Kreacher to come back, but he remained alone in his room. So very alone.
Finally, spent both physically and emotionally, he stumbled over to his bed and threw himself down upon it, crying himself to sleep as he repeatedly apologized to Hermione through his tears.
Several hours later, his face swollen from crying, Sirius woke to pounding on his door. With shaky legs, he got up and slowly walked to the door like a condemned man, his shoulders drooping and head hanging down. He shushed at Buckbeak who had begun to caw and beat his hoofs onto the floor, his wings opening and closing in alarm.
He lifted the silencing spell. “What?” he groused gruffly through the door.
“Sirius! It's Harry!”
Sirius cracked the door open and looked out cautiously. “What time is it?” His voice was gravelly, his throat sore from his screaming and yelling.
“Time? It's nearly 5 o'clock. You've been sleeping in there all day and Mrs. Weasley sent me up to make sure you came down for dinner.”
“Tell her I'm not hungry.”
Silence met his request.
“Harry, just tell her I'll be down later.”
“Sirius?”
“What, Harry?”
“Are you okay?”
Tiredly, Sirius ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I'm okay, Harry. I'll be down later. Don't worry about me.”
Harry turned away, a look of unease on his face. Sirius felt guilty, knowing Harry didn't need any more anguish on him than he already had. He closed the door.
“Kreacher?” His voice was spoken quietly, cautiously.
Sirius was ridiculously relieved when Kreacher showed up before him.
“Let me see Hermione.”
They stared quietly at each other until Sirius said, “Please. Please, Kreacher, let me see Hermione.”
Kreacher stood for a moment, staring at him, and Sirius feared his request would be denied. A heart-beat later, Kreacher grabbed his wrist and the distraught man found himself in the slave room.
“Hermione?”
He looked at the bed and saw her form upon it; without thought he ran to the bed and climbed on it.
“Hermione? Baby, are you okay?”
He hastily tugged the covers off of her as he grabbed her shoulder; she turned over, onto her back, the same blank look she had given him yesterday on her face today.
“Oh, Kitten.” He grabbed her and scooped her up in his arms, clutching her to him as he began to cry with his face buried in the blanket that was still partially wrapped around her. He felt her moving as she put her arms around his neck, but she did not speak.
He got himself under control, wiping his eyes on the blanket before pulling her back slightly, trying to look at her.
“Sweetie, baby, Kreacher told me about Bella.” Hermione immediately tightened her arms around his neck, hiding her face into his neck as she whined a little. He hugged her tightly, his arms wrapping around her securely.
“Hermione, I'm so sorry, baby. I never imagined this would happen, please believe me. I envisioned you falling in love with me and our getting married when you turned seventeen. I never imagined things getting so out of hand, I swear.”
He felt her nod her head, her hair tickling his nose as she did so. He pulled her away firmly so he could inspect her. He lifted her arms, looking for marks on her, bruises, anything showing she had been harmed and was relieved to find nothing marring her skin. She sat with her shoulders slumped and her head down, her arms down in front of her with her legs bent at the knee, pointing backwards. He grabbed her chin and tried to make her look at him but she refused to open her eyes.
“Come on, baby, look at me.”
She shook her head 'no'. She sat for a moment with her eyes closed, then climbed into his lap.
“Just hold me, Sirius. Please?”
He hugged her to him tightly, his chin on her head. He climbed out of the bed, still holding her, and carried her to the couch where he sat her on his lap, his legs spread so her buttocks were between them, allowing her to sit against him comfortably. He looked at her blue lace nightie, playing with a bow as he continued to hold her. They sat there for over an hour, in silence, his hands caressing her and holding her, just taking comfort in each other.
“Sirius?”
“What, hon?”
She lifted her face and whispered into his ear, “Can't you make Master Kreacher go away?” She didn't dare not call him Master Kreacher, never knowing if he was around or not. Her morning, after Sirius had left, and when Kreacher had returned, had been full of punishments over her actions from the previous night, and her day filled with more when Mistress heard of what she had done and said. They healed her, of course, but the ordeal had been hideous to experience just the same.
“No, baby. I can't, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” Sirius hugged her to him harder, feeling immensely powerless.
Even with her lips touching his ear, he could barely hear her words. “I still love you.”
He cried and laughed at the same time, his hand caressing her head as he did so, his tears making little wet spots in her hair as he turned his mouth to her ear.
“And I'll always love you, baby. Always.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Notes, you may freely skip this...
I told you this would get dark.
I had planned on having some Order information in this chapter, but it'll have to wait until chapter 19... Chapter 18 is, well, not Order material... I wanted to leave this little cliff hanger as it is... And give you all a chance to digest the contents of this chapter as well...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *