Moonlight

6. Creature Comforts


Milia dozed, waking slowly to the world around her. Human warmth lay against her back. Warm breath moved at the nape of her neck. She smiled, eyes closed. Jacque had come home in the night. His warmth provided a soft comfort in the chill morning. She moved against him, searching for the scent of her pack; warm earth and lazy meadows. Instead, a crisp icy scent wafted from the man at her back.

Not Pack! Milia flew out of bed, falling to the hardwood floor as her legs tangled in the blanket. She spun around, crouching where she’d landed, wild eyes waiting for the man to rise.

Sirius pulled himself to the edge of the bed, worry etching his thin face. “Are you okay? What happened?”

It all flashed back to her then. Sirius, the creepy old house, two weeks of loneliness and last night’s adventure. She took a slow deep breath, “You scared me.”

“I did?” She nodded. Sirius smiled, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Milia shrugged, “It’s not your fault. I dreamt I was back with my pack. When I awoke, you were there. It just startled me.” Sirius nodded.

“Okay.” He sighed, “Are you coming back to bed, then?” he asked. She smiled at the twinkle in his eye as he lifted the blanket invitingly.

“Oh, I don’t think I will, Mr. Black. You, sir, are detrimental to my virtue,” She laughed.

Sirius laughed too. “Purity and virtue in a werewolf? Now I’ve heard it all!” Milia glared at him.

“If I had something to throw at you, I would,” she said.

“You could throw your body at me,” he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows. She laughed and stood up fully. Before she could answer, the door opened. Sirius and Milia stared at the strange creature that entered.

It was small and drab, wearing a dirty loincloth and nothing else. Its pale skin seemed too big for its bones, hanging in thick wrinkles. Large, bulging eyes topped a thin, snout-like nose; its bat-ears sprouting tufts of white hair. It glared evilly up at her. Instinctively, she crouched back down, hiding her body, pulling her lips back from her teeth in a human snarl.

“Ha!” the creature muttered under its breath. “It’s the Blood-traitor’s whore! She thinks to cover herself now.” His wretched laugh coated the room. “Oh, my Mistress! She sleeps in his bed for weeks. Does she know of the last whore that slept in this bed? And there he stands, flaunting himself, selling himself to every Mud-blood and half-breed.”

“Kreacher!” Sirius shouted, climbing out of bed and storming towards it. It jumped as if this was the first time it had seen him.

“Master!” it simpered, “Kreacher didn’t know you were awake.”

“I told you never to enter this room!” The thing looked around, startled.

“Oh, Master. I did not realize. There are so many bedrooms on this floor.”

“Get out of here!” he shouted, kicking at the thing. It fled before he could reach it. Sirius turned to Milia. “That’s my house-elf. Sorry about him.” He turned back towards the door, glaring.

“Don’t be. I think I’ve learned an awful lot about you just now.”

“You have?” he asked, looking back at her.

“Yes. For example, this is your room?” she asked, pointing to the floor. After a moment, he nodded. “And where have you been sleeping for the last two weeks?”

“On the sofa.”

“The sofa? Why not use one of the other bedrooms?” He flushed and turned away from her. “So you were hoping to join me?”

“No. It’s just that most of the bedrooms aren’t fit for living in and the rest are. . . Reserved.”

“Reserved?” He nodded, reluctantly. The air filled with fear and anxiety. Milia bit back on her anger. He was lying. “For whom?” she asked. He shrugged, nervous now. “You can’t tell me? What am I suppose to do if these people show up? I’m not supposed to know about them and they’re not supposed to know about me.” Sirius looked away. Milia watched him, her anger fading. “Alright,” she said at last, “We’ll move on. Who cares what an insane house-elf says.” She turned away from him.

"Milia," he crossed to her, hugging her. He sighed, "I'm sorry. The rooms are reserved. I just can't tell you anything unless Dumbledore okays it."

She left the warm circle of his arms. “I need a nice, hot bath,” she said, picking through her belongings. All her clothes were dirty again. Looking back at Sirius she said, “Do that neat spell that cleans my clothes.”

“I’ll do you one better,” he said. His wand flew to his hand and he waved it nonchalantly. In the air before her, a crimson sundress appeared. Its cut matched her other one, its color the same as the crimson robe Sirius had worn the night before. Is this an apology?

“Oh, Sirius,” she breathed. “It’s beautiful. She plucked it gingerly from the air. He smiled at her. She bit her lower lip, smiling. Very well, apology accepted.

Returning to his arms, Milia placed a kiss on his lips. He kissed her back eagerly, pulling her close. She pulled away, “Now, now. Play time is over.” Reluctantly, he let her go.

“I’ll make breakfast,” he sighed, conjuring a set of robes as she left.

Milia bathed quickly in the antique tub and then went down to breakfast. Sirius had cleaned up all but her share of sausage, eggs and biscuits. “My turn,” he said with a smile and disappeared. Milia ate and finished up the dishes. Then she stood listening to the old house.

There were no sounds. Odd, she thought. She crept bare-footed up the steps to the entry. "Sirius?" she called.

"Tick-tock!" he called from somewhere above her. I know this game. He had hidden in the house. And he was timing how long it would take her to find him. Last week, he had added the twist of covering his trail with magic and moving from room to room around her. Milia smiled. Might as well. Nothing else to do.

A peek into the front room and the drawing room proved that he wasn’t on the first floor. Milia tip-toed past the huge covered portrait and up the first set of stairs to the second floor. She checked first the bedroom and then the bath. Both empty. His crisp, cold scent filled the bathroom. He’d been there very recently and hadn’t hidden the fact with magic.

With a sigh, she returned to the staircase and started up the stairs to the third floor. She checked every door, scanning the rooms that opened for her. Still no Sirius. I’m pretty sure he hasn’t doubled back. That leaves only one place. She slid along the hall to the tower stairs and climbed to Buckbeak’s tower. At the top, she climbed into the room. Sirius stood brushing the hippogriff’s hind-quarters.

He glanced at her when he heard her. Then he looked at the clock on the wall behind him.

“That was almost five minutes longer than last time,” he said. “Andidn’idn’t even move.”

“I had to do the dishes.” She said before bowing to Buckbeak. Once he’d acknowledged her, she moved up beside Sirius. He pulled a second brush from the air and together they worked on the grey hippogriff until his coat shined.

“Why do you keep him here?” she asked.

“What’s wrong with it?” he sounded defensive. Milia looked up as anger prickled along her skin.

“Nothing. It just seems that he should be out--”

“Outside?”

“Oh no!” She covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry, Sirius, so sorry.”

“It’s okay, Milia, really. Buckbeak’s a fugitive too. He’s stuck here just like us.”

“Really?” Sirius nodded sadly. “Poor Beaky.” Milia leaned across his withers, hugging him. “What crime did you commit?”

“No crime. He’s innocent.”

“As are you,” Milia whispered. Sirius nodded. Milia stared around the tower room. “How did you get him in here, surely not through the trap-door?”

Sirius looked up, “Oh, through the window,” he answered. Milia turned to look at the window he had nodded to. She crossed to it, found the latch and threw it open.

February was fast approaching. The world beyond the house seemed poised on the edge of spring; though she knew there was still a long way to go before the earth awakened. Milia smiled, an idea in her head. She turned back to Buckbeak. “You know, it really isn’t fair.” She clicked her tongue.

Sirius eyed her. “I know that smile, Milia,” he said.

“Such a magnificent beast, trapped in this little room,” she continued, ignoring Sirius' remark. “Why, there isn’t any room for him to spread his wings.” She looked at Sirius, “Don’t you think he should get some exercise?”

Sirius snorted and turned to stare out the window. Beyond the tower, Muggle London stretched away into the distance. There was no backyard to speak of at twelve Grimmauld Place. The house had sacrificed garden space for stature. What did high-class executives want with a back garden?

Milia watched Sirius toy with the idea of Buckbeak flying out the window and off across the city. His face fell. “No, Milia. It’s too dangerous. What if we’re seen?” She sighed. It was worth a try. “We should at least wait for dark,” he finished in a near whisper. She smiled and laughed. He returned to brushing Buckbeak.

***

Milia leaned out the window into the night. She hhanghanged from the red sundress to her red shirt and jeans. She had donned her sandals for the first time in weeks. Sirius worked behind her, readying the hippogriff. He wore a long-sleeved shirt and jeans and had thrown on a thick cloak to protect him from the chill, winter night.

The silver moon rode high in the sky. The crisp winter air called to her. “This is your night,” she breathed, scenting the air. Sirius came up behind her and looked out the window.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“The night smells like you.” She smiled at him. He looked at her confused.

“What?” he asked, a laugh on the edge of his voice.

She sniffed him, pulling the crisp scent of him into her. “Your scent is the same as the scent on the air tonight.” she explained.

“Oh,” he said, “Okay. Are we going?” he asked.

Milia smiled, “Yes.” Returning to the room, she climbed up behind Buckbeak’s wings. He squawked at her, tossing his head. Sirius mounted behind her, and grabbed the reins. He nudged Buckbeak forward.

The beast gathered himself beneath her and leapt from the tower. They plummeted down across the street. Buckbeak’s wings beat hard on the chill air. Milia grabbed hold of his neck as they leveled off and climbed towards the stars.

Electric lights glittered below them, spread out as a black velvet, jeweled carpet. Milia laughed. Sirius, his arms draped over her as he held the reins, hugged her close. They left the city far behind, the dark countryside spreading out around them. Outposts of electricity dotted the winter night.

Sirius landed the hippogriff in the darkness between two electric-light islands. Beaky cantered to a halt in the center of a copse of trees. They surveyed the night for a moment before dismounting. Together, they walked to the edge of the trees and stood staring out at the winter fields around them. Milia shivered in the darkness.

“Here,” Sirius wrapped the cloak around her from behind, covering them both in it. Sighing, Milia closed her eyes, soaking up the offered warmth; her own body heat being trapped and shared. She breathed deep, the frozen air biting her nose, filling her lungs. Sirius nuzzled against her. She turned into him, holding him close.

Sirius sighed, “If only we could just keep going,” he whispered.

“Why can’t we?” she asked. “There's nothing stopping us. You can use magic to make anything we might need.”

Sirius grew very still for a long minute. “I can’t. I have a promise to keep,” he said at last. Sadness and a sinking sense of hopelessness wafted from him. She hugged him close. And you always keep your promises, she thought.

“Then let me run for a while,” she whispered, pulling back from him. Yes, run, her beast whispered in her head. With a smile, she turned and started off across the field at full speed.

Her body moved lightly over the snow-sprinkled fields. The half-moon sang to her, called her from a long sleep. She skidded to a halt. The howl grew in her chest, bubbled to her lips and spilled out into the night. She gave in to her beast.

The world sharpened around her, losing some of its color but gaining so much more. The fields filled with the scent trails of cattle and sheep. Birds and rats had lingered in the hedges, painting them with scent. She took a deep breath, sorting the scents. Human. A human stood behind her, beside a beast she did not know. “Yes, I remember him,” she breathed. The taste of his blood on her tongue had thrilled her. Will he whimper again? She ran back towards him, flying over the dead field.

As she neared him, she slowed and drifted forward. Mustn’t startle him. Sirius watched her. “Your beast is showing,” he said. A touch of fear and desire coated him. The hippogriff tossed its head sharply at his words. Milia smiled, baring her teeth.

“I remember you,’ she cooed. Confusion drifted from him. Still no fear.

“Well, that’s good,” he said. She closed on him, scenting for fear. Her hand rested lightly on his stomach. Sovedoved up against him. His need flared around her. He had tasted so sweet last night. She reached for his throat, the wound drawing her.

He pushed her away, “Milia? Are you with me?” A touch of fear drifted from him. Delicious fear.

“I tasted you last night,” she whispered. His hand tensed on her upper arm, his heartbeat quickening. She smiled. Despite the fear, the air still smelled of cinnamon. “I remember you inside me,” she said, baring her teeth and trying for his throat again.

The fear and need left him suddenly. He grabbed her by the throat, holding her at bay with one hand at her neck and one still on her upper arm. A steely determination surrounded him. With a growl, she swung at him, aiming a punch at his ribs. Moving his hand from her arm, he grabbed her wrist, squeezing painfully.

Milia whimpered, the pain driving her beast away slightly, bringing her back in control. “We hetteetter go home,” Sirius said. Milia looked out at the fields, pulling her neck from his grasp.

“I am home. Well,” she scented the air again, “almost. It’s just north of here.” She tried to pull away from him.

“No, Milia. My home; Grimmauld Place.” She looked back at him, gold eyes studying him.

She smiled. “I don’t think you’re strong enough to make me go,” and she tried to pull away again. He yanked her towards him, clamping a strong hand under her jaw, moving the other from her wrist to the base of her skull. He pressed up, clamping her jaw shut. She snarled and punched at him again, both hands free. He grunted as her blows landed, bruising his ribs. She tried to pry his hands from her face. But he held fast, unwavering. Sure confidence rode the air. He has me and he knows it.

“I know this will work, Milia. I’ve done it to Moony before,” he breathed. Another minute of snarling and growling as he held her face and she subsided. Eyes down, she stood quiet, waiting, breathing hard from her struggles. He released her slowly, returning one hand to her upper arm.

Sirius glanced at Buckbeak. “What do you think, Beaky? Will you let her ride you?”

“I don’t want to ride him,” Milia laughed. “I want to ride you.” He studied her, unblinking. She looked away briefly. So strong.

“Okay, Milia. But not here. Let’s go back to my house.” He smiled down at her. Will he let me have him? She lunged into him, reaching for his mouth. But he stopped her just short of her goal. A whimper escaped her.

“Please,” she whispered against him. He pushed her back, glared at her. “I’ll be good.”

“Get on the hippogriff, now!” he shouted. She glanced up at him. There had been ane ofe of fear coating the strength of his words. She sm. <. Maybe he will whimper for me again. Slowly, she climbed up behind the hippogriff’s wings.

Sirius climbed up behind her and urged Buckbeak into the air. Milia shrieked with laughter as they winged their way back towards London.

They landed in the tower room with a clatter of claws and hooves. Milia leapt from Buckbeak before he came to a complete stop. Oh, this place again, her beast sighed, pouting. Sirius dismounted behind her. Milia waited by the trap-door while he fussed over Beaky. When he finished, he crossed slowly towards her.

“You’re back in control?” he asked, meeting her soft, brown eyes.

“Yes. You’re pretty good at taming the beast.”

“I’ve had practice,” he sighed. “I went to school with Remus. Sometimes he got a bit out of control near the full moon.” She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck, laying an eager kiss on his lips. Her beast stirred. He pulled awaatchatching her eyes. “Let’s go downstairs.” He stooped and opened the door, leading the way down to the third floor.

She followed him down, caressing his arms and back, eager for his touch. At the third floor, he turned and took hold of her, walking backwards down the hall and then the stairs. They kissed as they walked, intent on each other. He bit at her lips, drawing an eager cry from her as her beast rose again. So sweet, so strong.

“Whimper again,” she pleaded around his kiss. He obliged, making a little helpless noise. He opened his eyes, stared hard at her as her eyes bled back to gold. She blinked and dropped her gaze.

“Behave yourself,” he whispered. Then he left her mouth for her throat. She grew still, arching her neck to him in submission. He nibbled along the side, giving her one sharp bite; not deep. She gasped and he pulled away. He rubbed along the side of her face, giving her the unwounded side of his neck. She licked lightly along his skin, laying open-mouthed kisses down to his collar bone. They had reached the second floor landing and he pushed her back towards the bedroom.

“Where the hell have you been!” hissed a voice. Sirius pulled away startled, whirling to face the intruder. He pushed Milia behind himself. Vile loathing filled the air; hot anger engulfing them all. She leaned around Sirius to see who had brought this sudden change.

A pallid man with stringack ack hair stood half-way up the stairs to the second floor. He advanced on them. Sirius’ heartbeat quickened. Tension filled him. A challenger! Milia screamed her own challenge at the thin intruder. He stopped, pulling a wand and aiming it at her.

“Put that away, Snivellus!” roared Sirius.

“Then control your pet,” he hissed. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting here for you?! Dumbledore will here about your absence, Black!”

“You can’t cintointo my house and start shouting at me! Get out!” He advanced on the intruder. Milia bounded behind him, teeth bared. A fight! I will help! The pale man stood his ground. Sirius stopped, chest to chest, one stair higher than the other man. Milia growled behind him. The new man’s lip curled in revulsion.

“You disgust me, Black,” he sneered, eyeing her. “Kissing that. . . Thing.”

“Just give me the messages and go!” Sirius had his own wand out now. The intruder eyed it. Fear flooded him. He dropped a scroll of parchment to the floor. Then he barked at Milia, turned and retreated down the stairs. The human had challenged her?! Milia leapt for him. Sirius grabbed her around the waist as she flew past, their momentum spinning them in a full circle before slamming her into the wall. The front door opened and closed, leaving them alone.

They stood still, breathing heavy. Milia’s eyes returned to brown as her breathing slowed. Her beast subsided, complaining about the lack of either sex or blood. “I didn’t like him very much,” she whispered at last.

Sirius chuckled. “No one does.” He sighed and released her.

“I hope your other friend is nicer.”

“Yes. Remus is much nicer.”