Cherries

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Story: Cherries
Author: bubblybabs
Email: bubbalilly@gmail.com
Beta: Periculum
Story Consultant: WesleyY7
Total Word Count: 10,190
Chapter 28 Edit Date: 03/23/2009
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mrsfloyd – Wow, I was sure I had read a story from you! Oh well. Severus will be Severus is all I can say. Chapter length, I have tried to shorten them but there's so much information and so much to describe that I'm finding them hard to make short. I don't know how the other author's do it. I guess I could go day-by-day but that would make this story have too many chapters. In a few chapters you find out what happens to Sirius.
Here's your 100th reviewer gift: http://www.fractalfairy.com/cherries/mrsfloyd_100.jpg
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elphaba – That's for the lovely review, I'm glad you thought the chapter was good.
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WesleyY7 – Good! I want people to learn from my story! This isn't a mindless PWP, after all! *smile* Remember that Hermione's time with Bella isn't all horror but it is unpleasant – Bella has plans for her. The stress is mounting for Remus, isn't it?
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JayFortuna – Thank-you for your first review! I hope it isn't the last but if it is, I'll at least know you are reading the story. Thanks for the compliment and don't worry about voicing your thoughts on the story – that's what the reviews are for. I've left my own unkind reviews in the past for other stories as well though I usually just stay silent unless something really gets to me and I feel I must comment. Yes, there is an ultimate plan by Kreacher for doing all he is doing. I like to think I have both brains and talent. *smile* I really wanted people to feel the horror Hermione was going through, that was a hard chapter to write, and, I know, to read. We all know that in the wrong hands, something can start out innocent and then become something dangerous – look at the 'love' Hinkley had for actress Jodi Foster and what he felt compelled to do. Or the 'insignificance in life' John Lennon's killer, Chapman, felt of his life. Or the members of the 'Trench Coat Mafia gang' becoming fed up with how they were treated and what they did at Columbine. I firmly believe that there are people out there who look at porn and think that all men or all women want what they see in those pictures – those of us who are more logical (and sane) know that this is not true – it's the scary one's out there who are unable to separate those images from reality. I appreciate your review, truly.
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AJ – Hi there! Well, we can't have horror in every chapter! I think there's enough to kind of leak out into the chapters that are somewhat pleasant or just informational. You have brought up some very good points in regards to the Death Eaters and when she gets free. It would be like that for some women out there who have been raped but don't know who it was who raped them – they never know if the person who did it is still watching them. Imagine the fear they feel. It's been established that there is an anti-Apparition and anti-Port jinx on the room so those can't be used to free Hermione. Only house elves are able to enter and leave due to their special type of magic.
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Visitkarte – Hello! Hermione will be freed, but then her time in freedom becomes a roller-coaster. The ride will continue.
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abbi cee – Sirius is a confused man, isn't he? He's struggling a great deal with his inner self. 'Greedy perverted mutt' – that's a good one! 'The wretched elf is mad, but he's not stupid' – very good point indeed.
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soniab – Severus will 'save' Hermione in the end, but not in the way you expect.
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Chapter 28 – One Less Victim

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Story Date: May 8, 1996

Kreacher brought Remus down to see Hermione and the babies, then left with a soft Pop! The Wolf never wanted to do what he wanted with the Mudblood so he saw no reason to stick around. Besides, the crying from the brats hurt his ears.

Hermione was busy feeding the babies together, one under each arm as if she were an American football player carrying two balls, each baby with their legs curling around her sides, their little feet moving up and down contentedly, a few pillows fluffed around her to help her hold the babies safely and comfortably. Remus bent down and gave her a small kiss on the lips before sitting down next to her.

“Hermione, do you know what day it is now?”

“No, it's sometime in May is all I know.”

“It's May eighth.”

Hermione thought a moment, trying to figure out what the significance of that date was, then took in an excited gasp. “Remus! The girls are a week old now!”

“That's right.” Remus smiled, pleased with her reaction. “I know, it's hard to believe.”

“I can't believe I'm a mom for a whole week. I'm tired and all, but it's been nice. Well, as much as could be expected. I just wish they'd sleep more. I never feel like they let me sleep for more than a few hours.”

He rubbed her back softly in long arcs with his right hand. “Words spoken by all new parents the world over.”

He watched as the babies continued to gum at Hermione's breasts, their little fingers poking and prodding, their little sucking noises punctuated by an occasional sigh or tiny contented grunt.

“I gave both girls a good back rub not too long ago. Adara really likes them, she gets all relaxed and spreads out. And, did you know that they each smell a little different?”

“Yes, I could smell the difference when they were born. From what I understand, mothers can tell their child by their odor, though until they have children, most people think all babies smell alike.”

“That's what I thought, too. Before I had them. I mean, they both have a baby smell, just slightly different. I noticed the difference today. I feel kind of guilty, like I should have noticed before.”

“Well, you've had a lot going on. Don't worry about it. You're doing fine.” His hand continued to rub her back soothingly.

“Remus?”

“Mmmmm?” He reached down to stroke Persimmonie's leg.

“I really appreciate all the help you've given me. I don't think I could have done it without you.”

Remus reached up to play with her hair. “Well, it is nice to feel needed.”

Closing her eyes, she put her head on his shoulder. “You are needed.”

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Story Date: May 10, 1996 (10:37 PM)

“Get up, Mudblood.”

“Mmmmm?” Hermione rolled over, one eye opening slightly to look at Kreacher.

“I said to get up, Mudblood.”

She sat up slowly, suppressing a yawn. “What is it, Master Kreacher?”

“Mistress wants you.”

“M-Mistress? But, I thought, I, Remus said...”

“As if I'd keep a promise to a Wolf.” He prodded her arm. “It's time for you to pay for what you did.”

“What did I do? I didn't do anything! Honest, I didn't!” Hermione sounded panicked as she tried to pull the covers over her tighter, trying to prevent the elf from grabbing her.

“You're going to pay for the twins. Oh, yes, you will.”

“Pay for the twins? I don't understand! What do I have to pay?” Struggling to keep her voice low so she didn't wake her daughters, Hermione pulled away from Kreacher.

“You don't need to understand. Oh, no, you don't. Just get up.”

Hermione scrambled onto her knees as she continued to back away from the elf. “But, the babies.”

“They are sleeping.”

“But, what if they wake up?” Hermione was frantic. “No-one will be here to care for them!”

“The brats will just cry themselves to sleep.” Kreacher yanked on her arm, trying to pull her out of the bed. “Get up.”

She pulled her arm out of his grasp as he gave of hiss of displeasure. “No! I won't! I won't go with you!”

Kreacher's face screwed up in anger. He reached forward and grabbed her by the hair, yanking hard.

“Is that so, Mudblood?”

They disappeared out of the slave-room and appeared with a soft Pop! on the Apparition point in Bella's home.

“Ah, if it isn't the little Mudblood.”

Hermione looked up at Bella through her tears, trying hard to stop crying as she stood up shakily.

“Oh, Mudblood, there's no need for tears, my dear!” Bella walked up to Hermione, eyes on her heavy breasts. “I understand you've had twins. Two new Half-bloods to pollute our stock with.” She reached up and tweaked a nipple through the dark green satin and lace nightgown. “I bet you haven't fed the brats for a while, have you? It is a bit late, isn't it? They've gone to sleep?” She tweaked the other nipple, watching with great interest as a spot of dark wetness began to spread on the nightgown where her fingers had been. “My, I bet you produce quite a bit of sweet Mudblood milk with those jugs of yours, don't you. You must, after having twins. Isn't that so, Mudblood?”

She looked up, making a point to look in Hermione's eyes while licking her lips with a smile.

“I have a little surprise for you, my dear. We'll call it a baby shower gift, though this gift is more for mummy than for the babies. My, yes.” She grabbed Hermione by the hand and pulled her up the stairs. “Come along, your present is waiting for you upstairs.”

They entered the bedroom that Hermione had become so familiar with, her heart racing, expecting to see Master Rodolphus on the bed. Instead, she saw a tall blond male walking towards her, a leer on his face. Horror on her face, she shrank back from him as he grabbed her and pulled her up to him.

“Hello, Mudblood.”

“Oh, no! No, please, not Draco!”

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Story Date: May 11, 1996

“Remus.”

Remus slowly became aware of someone prodding his arm.

“Remus.”

Remus rolled onto his side, his eyes squinting to try and make out the blurry squatting figure of Sirius. Quickly, he sat up.

“What is it? Something wrong with Hermione or one of the babies?” He quickly climbed out of bed and was preparing to throw his clothes on. Troubled, he just realized he hadn't been aroused by Kreacher in the middle of the night to calm Hermione from a nightmare, now fearing the reason was due to her being ill – he still worried that his ejaculating into her while in the beginning stages of labor would cause an infection.

“No, no, calm down! Nothings wrong with any of them.”

Remus flopped down in his chair, his hand on his chest.

“Merlin's balls, Sirius! You damn near scared the shit out of me!” He sat forward, peering intently at Sirius, sudden worry in his heart as to what Sirius really did want with him in his room in the middle of the night. “Why are you here, then, if nothing is wrong with the girls?”

“I need to talk with you.”

“Talk? With me.” Remus looked at Sirius a moment longer. “What time is it? What about?”

“It's about 5AM, I guess. I want to talk with you about Hermione. I need to talk with you. But, we, uh, we can't talk here.”

“No? Where, your room?”

“No, no. I'd rather talk outside of the house.”

“Outside.” Remus tried to think of anything wrong with this request, anything that could cause him harm and he saw a million possibilities. “Give me reason to leave this house with you and without notifying someone else in the Order. Why should I trust you?”

“Remus, please.” Sirius stood up straight, trying to think of a way to convince Remus. “I can't, I mean, we can't talk where, uh, certain people, uh, little, you know,” he gave Remus a pointed look, “can't listen in.”

Remus knew what Sirius was driving at. He stood up and began to dress himself.

“I'm not giving up my wand for this.” It was a statement and not a question.

“No, no, no need for that.”

Quietly, they walked down the steps and out the front door into the cool morning air. Remus wondered if Albus' tracking charm was somehow alerting him to that fact they were both leaving the house at the same time, wondering if he'd suddenly show up to ask them where they were going. He listened for the crack of Apparition, but none sounded.

“Where do you want to go?”

“Uh, don't say it here. Pick a place and Apparate us both there.”

“Side-along?”

“Yes.”

Remus gave Sirius a puzzled look, wondering what all the secrecy was about. He thought a moment about where they should go, held his arm out, and Disapparated them both away from Grimmauld Place. A few seconds later, they were outside the gates of Hogwarts. Sirius looked around him in surprise, then looked at Remus, who merely shrugged at him.

“I figured this was the safest place. Come along.”

Remus walked along a path outside the gates so they headed away from Hagrid's hut. Once he judged them far enough away from the main gate, he stopped, used his wand to dry the dew where he planned to sit, and sat down so his back was against the metal fence. He crossed his legs in front of him and looked at Sirius.

“So, what's this about?”

Sirius sat down as well, making himself comfortable.

“Uh...” He paused. “Well, jeez, I don't know where to start.”

“I guess the beginning might be difficult, depending upon what you want to say. Just start talking and we'll see where that takes us.”

“Remus, I'm confused about how I'm treating Hermione.”

“You're confused. How so?”

Words stumbling over themselves, Sirius began, using his hands as his words spilled out. “Well, you see, I mean, in the beginning, you know, when we first, uh, when we first got together, things were really nice. She was so cute and beautiful and sexy. I mean, I knew I shouldn't have been attracted to her due to her age, but I was. I wasn't going to act on... those feelings... you know, what with the age difference and all but, uh, I dunno, Kreacher started talking to me and telling me things and, and, I guess I started believing everything he was saying.”

“Go on.”

Sirius continued to speak rapidly, his words tumbling out as he struggled to keep his train of thought cohesive. “I was, uh, I mean, Kreacher, I guess, noticed my interests, just as you did. But, well, you warned me off of Hermione... but Kreacher, he kind of egged me on – and I listened. I, uh, you know, I wanted her, so it's not all his fault. I can't say it's all him because if I hadn't wanted her, I wouldn't have done what I've done. At least, I don't think I would have. I mean, well,” he cleared his throat uncomfortably, “I've done stuff to you and Ron that I never would have done a year ago, I swear. You know?”

Remus nodded.

“So, we, Kreacher and I, would look at, um, porn magazines and all, and those women in there, you know, they seemed to be really enjoying themselves.” He glanced at Remus before continuing. “They seemed to really like what was being done to them. They looked so frightened in the beginning, but so satisfied at the end of the series. So, I, uh, I reasoned that all women must like that stuff.” He gave a chuckle. “Kind of gave me the creeps when I looked at Minerva or Molly.”

Remus couldn't believe his ears. Sirius was confessing? After all that had been done, he was confessing. Why? He looked at Sirius who sat picking at the grass.

“Go on.”

“Anyway, so, I thought all women liked the stuff I saw in the magazines. I mean, those magazines are very sexy, you know? They really get a guy's juices flowing...”

“They are meant to do that.”

“I know, I know.” Sirius sounded irritated. “But, well, once I got going, I found that Hermione didn't like the stuff I liked. The stuff in the magazines. At first, I thought it was my teaching techniques.” He cleared his throat. “I was reading books, with instructions, on what to do. I thought maybe I was going too fast, pushing her to do too much.”

They sat in silence for a while. Both watched as the sun continued its slow ascent into the sky, the creatures around them slowly coming to life.

“Then I started to think something was wrong with her. I, uh, I would get angry with her for ruining my good sexual experiences. She, I mean, she did try hard to please me, but, some things didn't come naturally to her.”

“Such as?”

Sirius sat quietly for a few minutes, staring off into the forest.

“Well, you know how good she is with oral sex, right? That seemed to come naturally to her. Even though I knew she wasn't ecstatic sucking me off, she was still very good at it. Almost unnaturally good. You know? That and other things. But, she, uh, she didn't like being whipped or having clips on her, or things like that.”

“S&M? You were practicing S&M on her, is that what you're saying?”

“Well, yeah. Like I said, those magazines showed some cool stuff. She just didn't like doing them. I mean, I'd sit with her and look through the magazines with her and she'd help choose the stuff we'd do, and all. But, you could tell her heart wasn't in it.”

Remus struggled to keep his anger under control. It wouldn't do to have him go off on Sirius and close this new and tenuous line of communication. Sirius had already mentioned some of these things but he felt a flash of anger every time he thought of Hermione being forced to participate – S&M, 'plain' bondage, all of those sexual deviations required knowledgeable and experienced tops and willing bottoms so they weren't overwhelmed by the act, and Hermione definitely was NOT a willing bottom. He couldn't imagine the fear she went through.

“So, I'd get angry with her, and, uh, punish her.”

“Punish her.” Not a question.

“Yes. But, I don't know, punishing her became, I don't know, I guess, it became another way for me to have sex with her. Well, me and Kreacher.”

Remus grimaced. “Sirius, have you considered how disgusting it is that Hermione is forced to have sexual relations with an elf?”

“Well, it is, in a way, but also fascinating. Watching them together is, well, interesting.”

“Is it? Really, Sirius?”

“Yeah, I mean... well. yeah.”

Remus turned his face away from Sirius, not wanting to look at him at that point. Anger swelled up within him and he knew he would lose control if he wasn't careful.

“Sirius, I'll be honest here. I don't find watching Kreacher touching Hermione exciting or interesting, not in the remotest sense. It sickens me.”

“Oh, well, uh, okay. I guess we all have our own opinions on that. Right?”

“Yes, yes, our own opinions.” Remus took in a deep breath before he could look at Sirius again.

“Your point, Sirius? Why did you want to talk to me? What was your purpose of this conversation?”

Sirius began ripping the grass apart again before sitting back against the fence and looking up at the clouds.

“Something Kreacher said to me while Hermione was in labor.”

“Oh? What was that?”

“He, uh, he told me I should tie her down and silence her. And, uh, well, Gods, I actually envisioned myself doing it. Kind of freaked me out that I would even consider it, but yet, there I was, thinking that what he was saying was perfectly fine. And his voice, it makes me sort of phase out. I never noticed that before.”

Remus nodded when Sirius mentioned Kreacher's voice. “Yes, I've noticed that. You seem to go into a trance or something. His voice gets musical, which grates on my nerves, but you get a funny look on your face and start doing what Kreacher tells you to. I think Hermione has noticed the same thing.”

“She has?”

Remus nodded. “She keeps talking about how you 'used to be', saying you used to be very romantic and didn't hurt her but that as time went on, you began to scare her and force her to do things you knew she didn't want to do. And she noticed that the times when you are most frightening are when Kreacher is present.”

Sirius sat thinking for a moment, mulling over this new information. “Do you think he has me under a spell of some sort?”

“I don't know, Sirius, I really don't. I've never heard of a house elf doing stuff to their families such as this.”

“What? What's he doing?”

Remus took in an exasperated sigh. “Sirius, he's got you forcing yourself on Hermione and half the Weasley family, he's somehow managed to get Ron and Ginny into an incestuous relationship, he's had you drag me down into this mess, and both of you have sexually assaulted me, need I go on?”

“Well, okay, but, how do you think he's doing all this if he doesn't have me under a spell?”

“Do you ever hear Kreacher telling you want to do in your dreams? Do you hear him talking to you?”

Sirius froze, staring at Remus.

“How do you know that? How do you know about my dreams?”

“Because I hear him in my dreams as well. And I know Hermione does. Or she used to, at any rate. She said she doesn't hear him in her dreams anymore.” He looked pointedly at Sirius. “She said she used to have all sorts of dreams where she'd be doing depraved sexual acts she had never heard of. And, in her dreams, she was praised for responding certain ways even if the activity was frightening or sickening to her. She frets because of how she responds to some of your sexual advances. Don't you recall how upset she was after our first sexual encounter? I mean, Gods, Sirius, she acted a true slut with her moaning and her doing the both of us at the same time and she was wetter than I've ever seen any woman before. Her orgasms....”

Remus stopped talking as he felt his heart beating faster and felt a stirring in his loins.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. She'll drive you mad as her quim kinda quivers around you when she's climaxing.” Sirius' voice was far away as he remembered the feel of Hermione pulsating around his shaft.

They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts, until Remus shook his head forcefully.

“Shit! There we go again! It seems his teaching has somehow extended beyond our dreams. Lord in heaven, how frightening a thought. We both know this stuff upsets Hermione, yet we're both daydreaming about going back and using her.” He gave Sirius a sharp look. “Don't try to tell me you weren't, I know you were.”

Sirius looked at him with eyes glazed over with lust. “Well, yeah, yeah, I was.”

Silence stretched on between them. Remus looked up and was amazed to see a star fall in the early morning light, then wondered if there was any significance to it or not, especially since it seemed to burn a dull red for a moment. Without giving it a thought, he made a wish upon it, hoping for Hermione's safety.

“Do you understand the power he has over you? Over both of us? And he's targeting Hermione, the 'Mudblood' as he calls her. Don't you see that?”

“I, yeah, yeah, I see it, I think, sort of. But, well, okay, no, no, I don't see it, not exactly.” Sirius looked confused as he tried to grasp the idea.

“Come on, Sirius! Use your brains! Azkaban didn't destroy all those brain cells!” Remus shifted himself so he was turned slightly towards Sirius, his one leg up so he could rest an arm on it. “We're having dreams with Kreacher's voice in the background. Sexual dreams. Dreams about abusing Hermione sexually. BOTH of us? And she has dreams about allowing us to abuse her? Dreams praising her to respond a specific way physically? There's no way that that is coincidence.”

Sirius thought about what Remus said. “You're right, it can't be coincidence.” He spoke slowly as he thought about his dreams, and wondered why it never really bothered him that Kreacher's voice was always in them, directing and praising him. Every night, every dream. Sometimes, Kreacher was *in* the dreams as well, sharing Hermione with him. “You think he's doing some type of teaching in our sleep?”

“I do.”

“You mean, like whispering in our ears and stuff like that?”

“That's exactly what I mean.”

“I didn't know that worked.”

“He's an elf, with magic we don't know about yet. Hell, we don't even understand our own magic, not really.”

Sirius was dumbfounded. “So, that, uh, that would explain my being nice to her in the beginning and then getting, uh, erm, well, you know, dominating towards the end?”

“Abusive, you've become abusive.” Remus looked at Sirius levelly. “You were infatuated with her in the beginning, and I'm figuring those were your true feelings for her. Then Kreacher started 'teaching' the both of you and things went downhill from there.”

“Do you, do you think I'll ever go back to the way I was with her? I don't understand it, Remus!” Sirius slammed his fist onto the ground. “I feel all this anger and stuff towards her because of Kreacher? He made me ruin my relationship with her? He did that? I'll fucking kill him.”

“Whoa, calm down. Calm down, Sirius.” Remus grabbed Sirius' arm and tugged on it. “Number one, Kreacher is the only one who can get us down there and the only one who can get her out of there. Unless we brainstorm and try to figure a way to save her and the babies, she'll be a prisoner down there forever.” Remus looked solemn. “I fear for the safety of the babies, Sirius, I really do. They are no better than pond scum to him, all because a 'Mudblood' birthed them.”

“But, Adara...”

“Is a Half-blood in Kreacher's eyes. You may be Pure-blood, but your daughter is not.”

“I know, but I figured that since she was mine...”

“Would your mother have tolerated Adara?”

“No, well, no, no, she wouldn't have.”

“Then what makes you believe Kreacher will tolerate her?”

A pause. Then, “Fuck.”

“Exactly.”

“What the fuck do we do then? What? I mean, how do we prove this is happening?” He looked at Remus closely. “I'm not going back to Azkaban.”

“No, I don't believe you would be taken there, Sirius, I really don't.”

“Why? I've kidnapped a young girl, abused her, abused others, impregnated her. Why would they spare my ass?”

“Because, I think we'll be able to prove that we've been brainwashed in some way. I'm just as at fault as you, if you will recall.” He looked up at the sky, scanning the fluffy clouds for shapes. “Besides, it'll be the Order members who judge us, not the Ministry.”

Sirius gave Remus a side-long glance. “If what you theorize is true, what do we do about it?”

“Talk to Albus.”

“Albus?” Sirius shifted uneasily. “Oh, I don't know. He'll take her away from me.”

“And? I thought we were discussing ways to help Hermione and the babies.”

“I, well, in a way, yes, well, no, sort of but, no, no.”

Sirius stared straight ahead for a moment, then stood up and walked away, his hands running through his hair.

Remus watched with alarm as Sirius paced back and forth, talking to himself and seeming to answer himself.

“Sirius.”

“What?”

“Come back here and sit down. We're out in the open, if you will recall.”

“Oh, yeah, yeah.” Sirius looked around them quickly as he walked back and sat down.

“Sirius, I want you to tell me why you wanted to talk to me.”

“I'm not sure, I mean, not exactly.” He sat forward a little. “Like I said, I'm confused about the way I treat Hermione.”

“Are you saying you want to keep her, and improve your relationship?”

“Yes, and no. I mean, I want to be good to her, but I get so angry with her. I used to love her voice, but now it gets on my nerves. I want her to keep quiet and not talk. Yet, when you do sit down and talk with her, she's very interesting and knows quite a lot.”

“Yes.”

“I want things to go back to the way they were, back to when I loved listening to her, when I'd look at her and think about how wonderful she was. I don't want to lose her.” He started pulling at the grass again. “Do you think that there might be a chance that, you know, if I were to make a deal with Albus, that I could keep Hermione once we are upstairs?”

“She's not a pet to keep, Sirius.”

“I know, I know! But, if that were a condition of mine?”

“And if she refuses?” 'She had better refuse, if she were given a choice of staying with him or not. I'll take her if I have to, but Sirius isn't going to keep her and I don't care what Albus says.' “Do you think Albus would allow you to take her if she didn't want to be with you?”

“Well, no, I suppose he wouldn't. That's not his way.” He didn't look at Remus as he continued to talk, great sadness gracing his face. “I know you think I should give her up, I know it. But, she's mine, Remus. I just can't give her up. I need to get myself under control, is all. I think I'll need your help to do it.”

“Let me see if I understand you. You want me, ME, to help you keep her a prisoner? You want me to help you treat her better while she's a prisoner? A prisoner with an elf that would love nothing more than to torment her.” Remus grabbed Sirius' arm. “He takes her to Bella, Sirius. Bella! You know that woman isn't making Hermione's time with her pleasant, not at all. She doesn't talk about what goes on with Bella, so I can only surmise what she goes through in the hands of that fanatic.” He sat back against the fence and looked at his feet. “Do you really want Hermione to continue suffering with that woman? Just so you can have a good fuck?”

“Well, it's not like that. It's not that bad for her with Bella, I mean...”

“Shut the fuck up, Sirius.” His voice a snarl, Remus shoved Sirius's arm, nearly knocking him over.

Sirius silenced immediately as he pulled himself back up and flashed a look of annoyance at the other man. They sat for a long time, listening to the birds and watching the clouds float by. A time or two a bee buzzed by and a squirrel skittered along the grass on its way to a tree.

“What have I told you, Sirius? Kreacher has made you think this way. Think back to before you took her – would you have tolerated Bella touching Hermione?”

Sirius thought about it, then shook his head. “No, I wouldn't have let her get her hands on anyone in the Order.”

“Exactly. And why would that be?”

“Because, I know how sadistic she is.”

“So, do you want a sadistic woman to have Hermione?”

“No.”

“What would you do if she somehow got hold of Adara? That's a possibility with Kreacher in control, you know.”

“No, surely he wouldn't do that. He may not like the babies, but he wouldn't do that to them.” Sirius had the uncomfortable feeling he was trying to fool himself, and that frightened him for Adara. “I think he'd take Persimmonie, don't you?”

“Surely that wouldn't be okay with you, now would it?”

“Well, no. Persimmonie is a baby, and I'd hate to see anything happen to her. But, you know, Adara is my daughter and I just don't think Kreacher would take her to be abused by Bella.”

Remus gave Sirius a skeptical look, not believing what he had just heard him say. “I think, Sirius, that you need to stop being so damned selfish and start truly thinking about Hermione. She's a mother now, and she can't protect her babies from Kreacher or Bella or anyone right now. You think that thought doesn't plague her? She'd be devastated if anything happened to Persimmonie or Adara.”

“She doesn't want Adara.”

“She does want Adara. Very much so. But your being an asshole is making her have hard feelings towards her own baby. She's overcoming that obstacle – because of who she is, a truly kind person, and because she can rationalize her thoughts and feelings. She realized why she was starting to reject Adara and has worked hard to overcome that and begin bonding with her.”

“She has?” Sirius sat up straighter, looking hopeful.

“If you weren't spending your time running away from the situation, you might know that.”

“I'm not running away, Remus! I just had the feeling I was making things worse when I was there.”

“So, you're telling me that for once you were thinking about Hermione and not yourself?”

“Stop it, Remus! I'm not the monster you're painting me to be!”

“Sirius, you need to think about everything you've done to Hermione and decide for yourself if you've been acting like a Death Eater on the rampage or not.”

Sirius winced at Remus' words. “I'm, I mean, yeah, I'll think about it.”

“I think you already know the answer. Otherwise, we wouldn't be sitting here talking.”

Silence ensued, each waiting on the other to speak.

“Sirius, are you willing to talk to Albus about all this? I can't, due to the Vow, but you can. You could put a stop to the abuse Hermione is going through.”

“What do you think Albus will do? Without Kreacher, we can't get to her.”

“I'm sure Albus could think of something. Come on, Sirius. Hermione's being tormented beyond what most people could deal with. She's already exhibiting Stockholm and she's having those horrid nightmares. Do you want Adara to have those nightmares as well?”

“What? No! Of course not!”

“Then help get her get out of that room and back with the others, where she belongs. Where they belong.”

“But, she'll go back with Ron.”

“I think that Ron and Hermione have too many bad memories between them and they will have trouble being together because of that.” Remus' voice was sad. “So, I don't think Hermione and Ron will be able to continue the relationship that was developing between them.”

“No? You think she'll stay with me?”

“You've already said, and I won't sugar-coat this, that they won't let her stay with you. No matter what, Sirius, you've lost her.”

“She'll be alone?”

“She'll be far from alone. She'll have her friends. She does have family. She'll do fine.”

“I'll, ah, I'll think on it, okay? Just let me think on it.”

“I guess I have no choice, do I? Just remember, the safety of Hermione and the girls rests in your hands.”

“Yeah, I know, I know.”

“Every day that passes by is a day closer to disaster, you do realize that, don't you?”

“Yeah, I got it, Remus. Just let me think on it.”

They sat in silence for a while, both thinking while basking in the early morning sun.

Remus finally broke the silence. “Shall we go back?”

“Yes, I guess we should.”

Once they arrived at Grimmauld Place and opened the front door to step into the gloomy entrance hall, they were austerely greeted by Albus.

“Remus, Sirius.”

“Albus,” they said in unison, both giving a small nod to the Headmaster.

“Perhaps we should have a talk?”

The two men looked at each other.

Sirius looked at Albus somberly. “Yeah, okay, Albus. Let's talk.”

They followed the tall wizard, wisps of his long gray hair fluttering softly in the air currents, into the library, where the door snapped shut behind them. Albus sat in a chair next to the fireplace, unwittingly giving Sirius tremendous guilt feelings as he thought about what he had made Hermione do to him while he sat in that same chair. He grimaced when he remembered what he let Kreacher do to her while she was busy pleasuring him. While it had been amazingly titillating at the time, the excitement of the moment seemed to have diminished greatly as he sat there glumly, knowing he would soon have to confess his deeds with the girl to an obviously incensed Albus.

“You are both aware that I have placed a tracking charm upon all who enter his house.”

Both men nodded from the couch they sat on. Remus glanced at Sirius briefly before turning back to Albus.

Albus looked at Sirius directly. “And you are both aware that I specifically told Sirius not to leave the house.”

Again, they both nodded.

“So, one must wonder why the two of you left this house together and were gone for over an hour.”

“I, uh, I asked Remus to. I needed to talk with him in private.”

“And locking your bedroom door would not suffice?”

“No, uh, no, not with, uh, Kreacher here.”

Albus sat back, his eyes flitting over to Remus, then back to Sirius.

“I see.” He waved his wand about his head, whispering an incantation under his breath. He did this three times, each new swirl of his wand more elaborate than the last. When done, he smiled at the men, no twinkle in his eyes.

“I do believe we are Kreacher-free, and he cannot penetrate this room until I release the wards.” He sat back again, crossing his legs. “Please continue.”

“Uhhhh.” Sirius cleared his throat. “I... I... I, you see, I... Fuck! I can't make myself say it!”

Albus' blue eyes unflinchingly stared at Sirius for a few minutes, watching as Sirius squirmed uncomfortably under his scrutiny, unable to look him in the eye.

“You are unable to state that you kidnapped Miss Granger? That you have her here, somewhere in this house, as your prisoner?” Albus sat slightly forward in the chair. “You are unable to state that you have raped her and tormented her? That she has become the unwilling mother of twins at such a young age? That you have had various members of the Weasley family forcibly taken to your prison in order to abuse them?”

Sirius stared at Albus, words completely escaping him. He felt his anus tingling and his blood drain from his face. 'How does he know all this? Fucking-A, how? HOW?'

“Or that you have used young Miss Weasley as your own personal sex slave? Having Kreacher take her from Hogwarts on several occasions,” Albus' voice was icy, a murderous look on his face, “so you could rape her repeatedly?”

Remus sat up at this, twisting to glare hatefully at Sirius. “What? You've done what?”

Sirius didn't look at Remus, his eyes locked on Albus'.

“I must inform you that Miss Weasley has aborted your child, Sirius, with Molly and Poppy in attendance. Luckily, she was in the very first stages of pregnancy, making the event, though distasteful and most regrettable, relatively easy on the young lady in the physical sense.”

“My God,” came Remus' horrified whisper.

Complete silence rang through the room, the lack of sound causing an agony upon the senses.

“How, how, how, how do you know all this?”

“I have several sources. But, let me remind you that I have suspected you since the first day Miss Granger disappeared.” Albus steepled his fingers in front of him, his eyes peering over them so he could pierce Sirius with virtual daggers. “I will not play games with you any longer, Sirius. You have harmed several of my students and you have harmed several Order members. Would you care to explain yourself?”

“I, I, I, I, I, I can't. I mean, I can, sort of, but, well, it's kind of hard to believe.”

Albus inclined his head as he continued to stare at Sirius malevolently. “Try me.”

Sirius looked at Remus, but Remus had his face turned away and his arms crossed, obviously not wanting to interact with him at all. Sirius suddenly felt very alone and very small and wanted to go hide somewhere.

“I,” he cleared his throat, “I, uh, yes, yes, I did take Hermione.”

Albus nodded slightly. “Where is she?”

“Now, Albus, I, uh, I can't tell you that.”

Albus stared at Sirius intently, his look changing to one of vague interest. “Your reasoning?”

“You'll take her from me.”

“Yes, I will. I am glad to see you are under no illusion in that regard.”

“But, I want her.”

“She is not a piece of property to own, Sirius.” Albus' voice was curt. He couldn't believe his ears, Sirius actually talking about Miss Granger as if she were a slave or piece of property.

“Yes, but, if she comes up here, I want her to stay with me.”

“No, and that is not negotiable.”

“It bloody well is negotiable! I want her! We'll handfast and then she'll stay with me.”

“Sirius, I will not repeat myself in regards to Miss Granger's, or her children's, freedom.”

“Yeah? Well, one of those babies is my daughter and you aren't bloody taking her away from me!”

Albus' eyebrows shot up. 'Interesting. So, at least one of the babies is a girl.'

“You state 'one of' the babies?”

Sirius froze – having just realized he had unintentionally given some information out that he didn't want to release.

“Sirius, answer me. There is more than one child, correct?”

Through his teeth, Sirius growled, “There is.”

“One is a girl and belongs to you? Were they not twins?”

Sirius looked at Remus for help, but Remus merely looked at him, his mouth firmly shut. Sirius suddenly realized that Remus couldn't discuss any of this due to the Vow. Reluctantly, he looked up at Albus and nodded.

“They were twins. One belongs to me, the other child was fathered by another man.”

Albus looked at both men before him. “Remus has a child as well?”

Clearing his throat and shaking his head, Sirius explained nervously. “Well, no, no, the other child doesn't belong to Remus. Um, she belongs, well, no, I don't know about telling you that.”

“So, you are saying that Miss Granger is mother to twin girls?”

“Yeah, yeah, she is.”

“And these twin girls are fathered by different men?”

“Yes, that's correct.” Sirius looked determined. “Albus, I think that in exchange for my telling you where she is, I should get a reward. And I want Hermione.”

“Miss Granger is not a prize to be given away, Sirius. And given that you are responsible for her disappearance, and have at every opportunity denied all knowledge of her whereabouts, I fail to see why a reward would be in order now that you have finally confessed.”

“Yeah, but, I want her. You wouldn't take Molly away from Arthur, now would you?”

“Molly wishes to be with Arthur. She was not kidnapped and forced to become the mother of Arthur's children.”

“No, but Hermione would agree to stay with me. All you'd have to do is ask her.”

“Then you are agreeing to free Miss Granger?”

“Only if you promise to let me keep her.”

“I will not do that.”

“I don't see why not! You want her free, then that's my price!”

“She will not be free if she remains with you. You have been her jailer and abuser for nearly a year now. She will not be in her right mind after what she has been through and will need time to sort out her feelings.”

“She doesn't need time! She'll stay with me if I tell her to, damn it! She's mine, Albus, and she stays with me!”

“Once again, Sirius, I must state that she is not a piece of property. And, might I point out that if you must tell her to stay with you, then that is a sign of dominance on your part and submission on hers. I will not allow Miss Granger to remain in such a relationship with you.”

Sirius shot up off the couch, his fist in the air. “Damn it! You aren't fucking taking her from me! She's mine!”

Albus' eyebrows rose as he gave Sirius an otherwise mild, unruffled look.

“I've marked her as mine,” he growled. “She's mine, she belongs to me, and you can't take her from me!”

“You've marked her? You have performed the ancient rituals?”

“Well, no, I, it's just symbolic. But that'll be fixed straight away.”

“It will not.”

“Oh, really? Just how do you expect to stop me, old man?”

Albus didn't move, his wand remaining hidden and his fingers steepled as Sirius flew through the air and hit a bookshelf, knocking dozens of books down on top of himself. Remus looked at Sirius as he collapsed, then sprawled on the floor after the impact, before looking back at an unmoving Albus, taken completely by surprise at the uncharacteristic attack upon another by the Headmaster. 'Gods, I knew he was angry, but... wow.'

Slowly, Sirius stood, brushing himself off as he did so.

“I do believe you forget who you are talking to, Sirius.”

“You can knock me around, Albus, it won't matter. They did worse to me in Azkaban.” He stood up tall, his shoulders back. “You'll not take my Kitten away from me.”

“Sirius, listen to yourself! She's not your Kitten! She's Hermione! Hermione! Sixteen years old, intelligent...”

Sirius lashed out, his voice coming out in a vicious growl. “I know who the fuck she is, Remus!”

“You have lost touch with her.”

“Remus,” Albus interjected mildly. “I must caution you to stop so you do not violate the Vow.”

Sirius' eyes shot to Remus as he scoffed, “You? You're one of his 'sources'?”

“I am.”

“Remus, please do not force me to remove you from the room.” Albus' eyes never wavered from Sirius as he spoke to Remus.

Remus shut his mouth and looked at Albus; a combination of fear, pleading, and surprise on his face, then sat down, his mind in turmoil.

Albus looked up at Sirius. “Please, sit, Sirius. We have much to discuss.”

Face screwed up in anger, Sirius sat on the far end of the couch and crossed one leg over the other in a huff.

“Sirius, I wish for you to take me to Miss Granger.”

“I can't.”

“You can't, or you won't?”

“I can't. I can not. I can't. Got it? Magically, I am unable to enter or exit the room by myself.”

“And why would that be?”

“Well, uh, you see...”

“There is no door for you to enter?”

“There is, but it's sealed.”

“I see.” Albus continued to stare at Sirius. “So, tell me, how did you get Miss Granger into your prison to begin with? Was the door sealed then?”

“I'm not telling you.”

“Who brings her food and other necessities?”

Sirius glared at Albus but said nothing.

“In regards to the newborn twins, are they clothed? Do they have nappies and other infant supplies?”

Albus rubbed his fingers along the edge of his crooked nose in frustration when Sirius refused to answer his questions.

“Could the answer to all those questions, perchance, be Kreacher? Would my educated guess, that Kreacher is the key, be correct, Sirius?”

Sirius sat staring stonily at a wall of books. His eyes drifted over to the dark corner where he sat so long ago, hiding in the shadows from Hermione, waiting for her to come in and start fondling herself while he spewed his seed everywhere. That seemed soooooo long ago, when his dreams were still dreams, back when he could still experience happiness.

“Sirius. Am I to understand that your house elf, Kreacher, has been involved in the kidnapping and abuse of Miss Granger, as well as the Weasley children, and Remus?”

Albus waited a moment before continuing on.

“Is it true that the house elf, Kreacher, takes Miss Granger to see your cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, regularly?”

Sirius shot a glance in Albus' direction before looking away as he licked his lips nervously while rubbing his cold hands together. He felt a bead of sweat run down his back.

“Are you aware, Sirius, of what happens to Miss Granger while she is with Bella?”

Albus hesitated a moment before requesting, “Answer me, Sirius, now. Are you aware?”

“I don't know! Okay? She doesn't talk about it! Kreacher's mentioned a few things but he doesn't tell me everything!”

“Well, let me fill you in, Sirius. Let me tell you what your, 'Kitten'? Is that what you call her? Your pet name for her is Kitten? Interesting. Let me tell you what your Kitten has had to endure. Look at me Sirius, now.” Albus paused briefly, checking to make sure he had Sirius' complete attention before continuing on. “Miss Granger has been gang raped multiple times, gang raped, Sirius. As if rape wasn't bad enough, she has been forced to perform for dozens of men at a time. Men who think nothing of her discomfort and would laugh upon hearing her cries of pain. Men who enjoy inflicting pain and humiliation upon a Mudblood such as she, someone they feel is sub-human and therefore beneath them. Imagine her fear, Sirius, imagine it.” Albus paused briefly, giving Sirius time to think about Hermione dealing with what he had just described.

“She has also been gang raped by dozens of elves, imagine that scene, Sirius. All those ugly little house elves touching her in intimate places, their hands and mouths in places where only a lover should have the permission and privilege to venture. Imagine her being forced into that situation and the only people around will merely laugh at her predicament and enjoy the show.” The disgust in Albus' voice was unmistakable. “Imagine her helplessness and disgust as the realization of what was about to happen to her unfolded.” Albus' face was as stern as his voice. “Imagine her sense of betrayal, for she was one who fought for the rights of house elves, if you will recall. A fight she had to endure, and attempt to overcome, ridicule by her fellow students. Even the adults around her did not take her seriously, but she fought on bravely.” Albus paused as he inclined his head slightly. “I admired Miss Granger's bravery, as well as her humanity, as she fought for the rights of a fellow being – it did not matter to her that they were not human. The fact that she was able to empathize with the elves enough to move her to fight for them, despite their own reluctance to help her with her fight to help them, was extraordinary in itself. It showed a great deal about the kind of person she is deep down inside.” Albus nodded sadly. “Yes, imagine her disappointment as they grabbed at her and used her in a most humiliating way.”

He stared at Sirius, the silence between them stretching to the breaking point, Sirius' attempt to stare Albus down unsuccessful.

“She has been forced into relations with animals, not mere Animagi, but animals. Imagine her feelings of degradation and absolute self-disgust for having to allow that to happen to her in the hopes she will survive another day. That is something I will never understand – men who like to watch women perform sex acts with animals.” Albus watched as Sirius' face screwed up with disgust, tears in his eyes. 'Good. I'm finally driving home what he has allowed her to be put through.'. “What animals do you suppose they forced her to perform with, Sirius? Dogs? Sheep? Perhaps a donkey, I understand they are popular in porn circles. But then again, she may have been forced to...”

“Stop!” Sirius put his hands over his ears as tears fell from his eyes. “Just fucking stop! Have fucking mercy on me and stop telling me what they did to her!”

Albus sat back, glaring at Sirius as he held trembling hands over his ears while rocking back and forth. “You ask me to 'stop', Sirius, to give you mercy? When have you shown Miss Granger no mercy? I understand she is still coherent and has not gone insane after all she has had to endure, and that is amazing in itself, but how emotionally incapacitated is she? What will the cost be of this abuse she has been struggling to deal with?”

Sirius' tears fell freely now.

“One must ask oneself, how much worse will the treatment of Miss Granger become now that she is no longer pregnant. Will the abuse escalate? Will it worsen to the point she is unable to endure it and her mind breaks? Have you considered that, Sirius? What will you do with the mother of twins who merely sits and stares at the wall or who is unable to hold a coherent thought in her head?”

Sirius seemed to physically shrink into himself as he continued to rock. Albus waited several minutes, but Sirius didn't answer him, he didn't give any indication he heard Albus at all.

“Sirius.”

Again, Sirius did not respond. His rocking slowly stopped, his hands still over his ears.

“Sirius.” Spoken sharply.

Remus reached over and grabbed Sirius' arm, and this touch seemed to cause an emotional explosion within the troubled man. Suddenly, Sirius rocketed off of the couch and began screaming and yelling.

“It's not my fucking fault! All I wanted was Hermione! That's it! Nothing more! Nothing! Do you hear me?” He spun around and kicked at the books on the floor, scattering them everywhere. “She's mine! And no-one else can have her! It's not my fault about the others! Not completely!” He pointed a finger at Albus. “I had no choice but to allow her to be taken to Bella's! I couldn't stop him from doing it!” He jabbed his fingers into his chest. “I tried to stop him! I did! Kreacher refused to stop when I told him to, he said all he had to do was punish himself for being a bad elf! How do you stop a fucking elf who says that? Huh? What was I supposed to do? You tell me that! What was I supposed to do?”

“You had no choice? Really, Sirius? It is not your fault, you say, not 'completely' your fault. You refuse to take blame for the grievous treatment that Miss Granger has been forced to endure, is that what you are saying? Do you not think you could have stopped all the abuse by confessing to me so I may intervene before things became so severe? So damaging?” Albus shifted in the chair as he uncrossed and recrossed his legs. “However, you cannot deny that there is no question of it being your fault that Miss Granger was forced to deliver twins without Healer assistance, is it not? It is your fault that she continued to suffer at the hands of Death Eaters because you didn't want to confess your crimes and 'lose her', so you let her suffer due to your own selfishness. Is that not true? And, it is your fault that Miss Weasley was unwillingly impregnated, is it not? That it is your fault that...”

“Fucking-A! Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, fuck, shit, fuck, fuck, FUCK!” Sirius screamed the last word as loud as he could, his face turning crimson as he did so.

Albus remained unflustered and merely sat in the chair watching him. Sirius turned his back against the end of a bookshelf and slid down until he was scrunched down on the floor, body heaving with great sobs of despair.

Remus looked at Albus, not sure what to do. He went to get up but sat back down when Albus gave a barely noticeable shake of his head. They both sat and watched as Sirius cried himself out.

“Sirius, do not force me to remove your memories. You may not wish for me to see everything, and I do not believe I wish to see the things you have done to Miss Granger. The world is full of horrors, and the less I see of them, the better. I am giving you a chance to give me the information I desire of your own free will.”

Sirius turned a tear-stained face towards Albus. His eyes boring into the wizard hatefully.

“I'll not give Hermione up.”

“I see.”

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Author's notes, you may freely skip:

You all do know to just open up a new browser window or tab and do a copy/paste of the links I provide, right? I hope you are doing this for some of the links because I want you to be educated readers of my story.
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Breastfeeding using the football hold:
http://www.ohyesyoucanbreastfeedtwins.com/Quarterly_Newsletter.html
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Myth meaning of falling stars:
http://www.experiencefestival.com/dream_dictionary_star
http://everything2.com/title/Falling%2520Star
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Meteor showers (did you know they occur regularly, like clockwork?):
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question12.html
http://www.theskyscrapers.org/meteors/
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BDSM terms:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_BDSM
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Came across a fascinating site of a woman who had pictures taken of her cervix daily. I love this site because she explains about the changes in cervical mucous, amongst other things:
http://www.beautifulcervix.com/photos-of-cervix/

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