Shown Like the Sun

Chapter 17

You took advantage of my trust in you when I was so far away....

--The Who

***

They still haven't forgotten, Althea thought, smirking as she determined the proper placing of the book on the shelf. Five years. It's Michael's fault, really. I bought them a larger sailboat, too. Despite Althea's expensive apology, the Blessingtons (once again) did not extend the well sought-after invitation to Althea, and although she would have enjoyed an afternoon excursion in a sailboat she personally chose, an afternoon without Gran and the increasingly meddlesome Afina was just as enjoyable. And I'll spend my afternoon, reorganizing the study's book collection and not with my ankles above my head shagging Sirius, she thought and sighed with mild disappointment.

"Pity, you weren't invited boating," Sirius said, his footsteps growing closer to Althea.

Or I just might, she thought, her lips curving into a smile.

"You're speaking with me today?" she remarked, placing Nineteenth Century Muggle Morality between A Critical Analysis of Victorian Wizarding Britain and Tess Ingénue: Tale of a Fallen Witch. "You were quite cross with me yesterday," she said, and she raised an eyebrow at Sirius, who slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. "I wonder, what could've changed your mind?"

Sirius nuzzled her neck and inhaled deeply. "They're gone," he murmured and kissed her shoulder.

"For the afternoon," she said and closed her eyes.

Sirius leisurely swept her hair off her shoulders, and she smiled at the cool, pleasant sensation of her naked neck. She sensed Sirius' lips and gently bit her bottom lip in anticipation. Sirius hesitated and laughed quietly, his moist breath warmed her skin. I loathe when he does this, she thought as her neck prickled with what felt like thousands of tiny electrical sparks. Suddenly, he kissed her with such force that she took a small step forward. Althea inhaled sharp breath and instinctively placed her hand at the back of his head, her fingertips gliding and grasping the smooth locks of hair. She relaxed and leaned against him, allowing herself to be consumed by the increasing pleasurable sensations radiating from her spine as Sirius' soft fingertips slid up her inner thigh. He paused and chuckled softly.

"Shameful," he murmured teasingly and tickled her bare skin.

Althea giggled and pushed herself away from him. She quickly turned and met him with a mischievous grin. Sirius smirked and, without hesitation, lifted her onto the bottom shelf of the bookcase. Althea's hand jutted out at her side to steady herself as the bookcase creaked and swayed under her weight--a book rattled in her right ear--she frowned

"What?" he muttered as he roughly hiked her dress up around her hips. "I'm aching for it."

"I reckon a bookcase isn't one of your best ideas."

"I don't care," he whispered heavily.

***

"Sit still," Althea demanded softly as she dabbed the potion-soaked cloth to the scrape above Sirius' left eye.

Sirius growled as he brought his hand to his face. "You bloody torturer!"

Althea sighed as she placed the cloth on the bathroom sink. "Be reasonable, I've healed worse," she said and removed his hand from his face. "I won't be able to heal it if I can't see it."

"Why?" he snorted and turned his face away from her. "You'll just laugh."

Althea fought a smile. "I promise I won't laugh--"

"Again."

"Again," she agreed and gently coaxed his face toward hers.

Sirius bit the inside of his cheek as Althea examined the grotesquely swollen skin surrounding his eye. He looks absolutely pathetic, she thought as she noted a rather large cut below his eye that would require a charm. Althea bit her lip as the laughter swelled up inside her again.

"Just heal it."

"Right," she sighed as Sirius did his best to look displeased. "It will sting," she added, raising her wand to the corner of his eye.

"I'm aware," he said, folding his arms. "I've had this happen before."

Althea smirked. "How many women have you slept with that have given you black eyes?"

"I meant in battle," he replied gruffly and winced as the swelling started to reduce.

"Well, it's the second time you've gotten a black eye during a shag with me," she said as the purple and blue bruise slowly faded. "You'll end up in St. Mungo's yet, my love."

"I'm not laughing."

"I'm aware," she teased and Sirius gave her a dark look. "Oh, come of it," she said as he continued to brood. "At least you--"

"Right, go ahead and say it."

Althea smirked. "At least you came," she remarked as she began to mend the cut below his eye. "Those books could've fallen earlier and you would've been angrier than you are now," she explained as she carefully dragged her wand across the wound. "That bookcase is over two hundred years old--you should be glad that just books fell. I would've had a hell of a time trying to explain to Gran and Afina why the bookcase was in pieces and I had splinters in my bum."

"Ha ha," he said flatly as Althea healed the last of the wound. "Just heal the bloody--"

"Oh, Auntie! Where are you?"

Althea jerked her wand, which caused Sirius to howl in pain. "Fuck!" she whispered heatedly as her eyes grew wide. "Shut up! Shut up!" she demanded, panicked, as Sirius continued to curse. "Transform!"

"Oh Auntie," Afina groaned as Althea heard her enter Althea's bedroom. "That awful sailboat! Do you have a charm or a potion--"

Althea caught her breath.

"--what is going on in there?"

Althea swiftly turned to face Afina, and in doing so, hoped to shield her from Sirius, who rocked back and forth with his hands over his nose--bright red blood seeping between his fingers. However, Althea immediately understood that her frenzied effort was in vain--what felt like ice water washed over her insides--as she looked upon Afina. Afina stood in the doorway--her lips had thinned and her eyes had narrowed--she ignored Althea and focused her attention on Sirius. Her hands trembled at her sides, and Althea warily watched as Afina's fingers stroked her wand pocket.

Althea slowly placed her wand on the bathroom sink. "It's--it's all right, sweetie," she said, her voice unnaturally high. "I'll--I'll explain. I know this looks awful, but--"

Afina was uneasily quiet.

"Don't--just please--don't say anything to Gran," Althea begged, stepping forward.

Afina took a step back--her eyes locked upon Sirius. "I wasn't about to," she muttered, in a voice that echoed her disbelief. "He's bleeding everywhere," she added, nodding toward Sirius.

Althea released a shaky breath as turned toward Sirius--who stared, crestfallen, at the floor. Oh God, this is just awful, she thought as the blood languidly traveled down his wrists. Afina knows and she'll never forgive me. Althea sniffed loudly and blinked rapidly to stave off tears.

"I'm so sorry," she murmured as she looked into his eyes. She picked up her wand and looked to Afina. "I have to heal this," she said quietly. "Let me mend this and I'll explain everything, you."

"Do whatever you like," she answered, folding her arms. "My opinion means nothing."

Althea sighed sadly. "I'm so sorry, my darling. You deserve a proper explanation," she replied, aware of what was to come. "I'll join you on my bed shortly. I will explain everything, I swear it."

Afina did not respond, but turned and walked toward Althea's bed.

Althea gingerly lowered Sirius' hands and winced at the result of her misdirected spell. She directed her wand to the large bleeding wound and quietly began to heal it. She'll never want to speak to me again, she thought as Sirius looked ahead of him. I know I've hurt her. God, what she must be thinking!

"You have nothing to apologize for," he whispered as she healed the last of the wound.

"Shut it," she demanded and cast a charm to clean up the blood. "I have everything to apologize for. Did you see her face? God, what have I done?"

Sirius sat forward. "You've--"

"No," she interrupted and looked toward the bedroom. Afina, with her head bent, sat on Althea's bed. "You're not to leave the bath. You'll remain here, right?"

Sirius did not speak.

Althea entered her bedroom as Afina's eyes deliberately watched every step. Afina's demeanor was intimidating, and Althea thought, reminded her much of Gran at her worst. Althea sat next to Afina and tightly clasped her hands in her lap. What could she possibly say to Afina?

Althea opened her mouth to speak.

"Do not lie to me, Auntie, you're not 'just friends'," Afina interrupted, her piercing gaze transfixed on Althea. Althea inhaled deeply. "It's Sirius Black...the bloody legend."

Althea exhaled--her mind buzzed and hummed with the jumbled mess of explanations and apologies to Afina. "I didn't--"

But Afina disregarded Althea's weak attempt, and in a voice so unnatural to Althea, Afina continued, "I want to curse him. I want him to beg for death, but I can't think of a curse suitable for him." Afina growled and pulled at her hair in rage and frustration. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?"

"Althea cast the Cruciatus Curse," Sirius said from the doorway as Afina's hands quickly fell to her sides.

"Sirius, please!" Althea whispered heatedly, sitting forward on the bed.

Afina furiously leapt from the bed. "She cast it because she loves you," she said coldly, drawing her wand. "I don't!"

Althea quickly followed and grasped Afina's wand arm. "Afina, don't--"

"LET GO OF ME!" she screamed, wrestling herself from Althea's grip. Althea stepped back as purple and green sparks flew from Afina's wand. "Don't you dare defend him!" she added and thrust the tip of her wand at his chest. "Or I will curse you too!"

Sirius did not look down at the wand pointed at his chest. "Afina has every right to curse me," Sirius explained--his voice very calm. "I hurt her as well."

Sirius' calm demeanor unnerved Althea. He stood with his arms at his sides--quite motionless--neither reaching for his wand nor sizing up Afina. Althea knew Afina was no match for Sirius' strength and dueling prowess--he could easily subdue her. She was more into fashion that hexes, Althea thought as Afina tightened her grip on her wand. But he'll let her hex him...if that is what it takes.

Althea stood behind Afina. "Please, put down our wand," she said, placing her hand on Afina's shoulder. "I don't want two people that I love dueling."

Afina's grip tightened on her wand. "He wouldn't have time--"

"Afina, please!" Althea begged. "Please listen to what I must say--"

Afina twirled around--her eyes flashed with fury. "Are you siding with him?" she shouted, thrusting her wand in Sirius' direction. "After everything--I was there!" she continued, her voice breaking. "I saw you the way you were!"

Althea rested her arms on Afina's shoulders and coaxed her closer to her. "I'm not like that anymore," she said, soothingly. "Do you think that I willingly took him back? That I searched him out? Have you forgotten our conversation in New York--"

Afina pushed Althea away. "You were obviously lying to me then!" she snapped and laughed bitterly as she nodded toward Sirius. "You wasted no time finding him!"

"I wasn't--"

Afina growled. "You'll end up in Azkaban, right along side him!"

Althea gently shook her head. "I was tricked."

Afina snorted and rolled her eyes. "Oh, right, Auntie. You're too clever and you're bloody sober--"

"I was tricked by Remus," she continued over Afina.

Afina's eyes widened.

"Yes, Remus," she said as Afina furrowed her brow. "They were here when I arrived. I couldn't hide--I had to face what needed to be done," she explained, looking over Afina to Sirius. His expression was somber. "It was by no means a happy reunion."

"What's all this?" she sneered, throwing up her arms. "He should be dead!"

"Afina, no...no," she said, shaking her head. "Feelings change--or rather, feelings that were never gone surfaced," she said, and stepped forward. "Afina, my darling, he's an innocent man--"

Afina shook her head. "It doesn't matter. He hurt you!"

Althea slowly raised her hand to Afina's cheek. Afina did not retract. "Those were choices I made after the incident because I couldn't cope," she explained, looking into Afina's eyes full of hurt and betrayal. "Not because of losing him, but because I lost Prudence."

Althea caught her breath as the tears fell from Afina's eyes. "Auntie, no," she whispered. "You deserve better than--than him!"

"Afina!" Gran shouted from the hallway.

Althea felt herself collapse. Wide-eyed, she grabbed the bedpost as Sirius rushed forward.

"Transform," she whispered as she sat upon the bed.

Without hesitation, Sirius transformed into his Animagus shape. Afina paled.

"Afina, dear!"

Afina roughly wiped her eyes and shouted, "Althea's bedroom, Gran!"

Gran entered and narrowed her eyes at the pair. "Good Lord, what is taking so long?"

Althea pleadingly looked to Afina. Afina looked away from Althea as she addressed Gran, "Althea found the potion for my seasickness, but after taking it, I feel just awful."

"I reckon it soured," Althea added, wrinkling her nose. "I'm very sorry."

Afina placed her trembling hand over her stomach. "I don't feel like continuing the tour," she said quietly. "Please tell the Blessingtons that I'm sorry."

Gran sighed disappointedly. "They will be very disappointed, but I am sure will understand," she replied and raised her eyebrow at Althea. "You will tend to her."

Althea nodded. "But of course."

Gran nodded her goodbye and exited the bedroom. Gran would've killed him, she thought as Afina sniffed. I have no doubt. Suddenly, Gran returned and Althea caught her breath.

She was frowning slightly. "Althea Rosemary, what happened in the study?" she asked and Althea's stomach somersaulted. "All the books in the bookcase are in a pile upon the floor."

Out of the corner of her eye, Althea saw Afina's mouth open slightly in shock. "I was reaching for a book...and that bookcase is so old...well, they fell," she explained, attempting to hide her nervousness. "I'm all right--nothing really--a scratch there, a bruise here. I'll return the books to their proper shelves once Afina is better."

Gran nodded once more. "Good," she said and exited the bedroom.

Althea held her breath for a few moments until she was certain Gran had left. When Gran did not return, she released it and allowed herself to fall back onto her bed. Althea felt Sirius transform next to her. She sat up and directed her attention to Afina.

"Thank you," she said, reaching for Afina's hand.

Afina quickly pulled her hand away and folded her arms. "You're disgusting," she sneered and nodded to the couple.

She hurriedly left Althea's bedroom and slammed the door in Althea's face as she went after her. Althea turned to face Sirius, who was very pale.

"Oh God, what she must be thinking," Althea wondered, rubbing her palm against her forehead. "I deserve her wrath."

"No," Sirius said softly as he placed his hands upon her shoulders, "you can mend this. I know you can."

Althea gazed into Sirius' eyes. "She doesn't know you," she said and buried her face in his shoulder. "She only knows what Gran has told her. What she's seen happen to me.... God, it's all my fault."

Sirius kissed the top of her head. "I'll go," he whispered and held her tighter. "I'll feed Buckbeak and I'll go."

Althea pulled away, but not to protest. "I reckon it is best," she said and swallowed with some difficulty.

Sirius' fingers gently stroked her cheek. "To know that you believe in my innocence, that you forgive me, that you love me," he began, his eyes hungrily taking in every feature of her face. "I love you."

"I love you too," she murmured as her fingertips glided along his cheek.

"It will come right," he whispered and pressed his parted lips to hers.

***

Althea roughly wiped her eyes as she closed her bedroom door. She rested the back of her head against the door and hiccoughed. Why I can't have both, she wondered as she heard Afina's sobbing from her childhood bedroom. I have to mend this. Althea lifted herself off the door and walked toward the bedroom. Afina's was curled up onto her side and her face--red and wet--was partially buried into her pillow as she continued to sob.

"Oh, Afina," Althea murmured as she rested her hand against the doorframe.

Afina continued to sob--unaware of Althea's presence. Althea gingerly reclined next to Afina and slid her arm around her waist. I've hurt you terribly, haven't I, she thought as she wiped the wet hair off Afina's face.

"I'm so sorry, my love," Althea said and kissed Afina's cheek. "I love you very much and I didn't intend--"

"I didn't know what was wrong with you," Afina forced out and started to sob again. "I thought it was my fault!"

Althea held her tighter as Afina trembled. "I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry...."

"Gran told me what happened to you," she said, her voice wavering. "From that moment, I wanted to hurt him as much, if not more than he hurt you." Afina hiccoughed. "I had my chance, and I--I failed."

"No...no," Althea whispered. "Cursing him would accomplish nothing."

"I'd feel better."

"Trust me, my darling," Althea said, looking out the opened door and into the darkened corridor. "You wouldn't."

Althea kissed Afina's cheek as Afina continued, "You--you cast the Cruciatus Curse?"

"Yes," Althea murmured, stroking Afina's cheek. "I wanted him to know what I felt that night I was tortured--all of that pain I felt on that night and in the coming years.... I couldn't truly move on until I dealt with him.... I was so afraid that any man I could be with would reject me because I had loved him--that there was something abnormal and wrong with me. I had to confront those feelings. I didn't intend--oh, Afina, I didn't intend for any of this to happen."

Afina sniffed loudly.

"He's gone," Althea continued and kissed Afina's cheek. "He's leaving Bermuda--he's leaving my life--for good."

Afina quickly sat up. "No."

"No?" Althea repeated as she sat up.

Afina wiped her eyes with he palms of her hands. "He can't leave," she said, her voice growing stronger. "You've changed since New York. I've never seen you so happy."

Althea's fingers tenderly stroked the wet hair off Afina's face. "Your happiness is what matters. Sirius and I agree--"

"No," she said, removing Althea's hand from her face. "That sadness in you...it's gone."

Althea caught her breath as she gazed into Afina's tear-filled, reddened eyes. "What are you saying?"

"Has he left yet?"

Althea shook her head. "I believe he's still preparing."

Afina brought her knees to her chest. "I want to see him," she said, resting her chin on her knees. "Bring him here--I want to speak with him, alone."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," she answered and sighed deeply. "I want to speak with him."

"Right," Althea breathed.

Althea entered her bedroom as Sirius had his shirt over his head. She noticed his clothes and other objects--mostly photographs--strewn about the bed.

"Afina would like to speak with you," she said, unable to resist stroking Sirius' bare skin.

Sirius pulled his shirt down and tossed his hair. "Right," he said, smoothing his hair. Althea noticed his eyes were red. "Where is she?"

"My old bedroom," she said as Sirius rushed toward the door.

***

The piano bench in her father's study creaked underneath her as she sat. I haven't played in years, she thought as she looked at the yellowed sheet music. Althea allowed her fingers to glide slowly and deliberately along the cool keys. It will take my mind of what is occurring upstairs.

"Oh, I'm just dreadful," she muttered as she fumbled over a difficult part in the song. "I reckon with practice..." She smirked to herself.

Isn't that what my father would say? 'Practice and you will be most proficient.' And how do I repay him? Shagging the Sirius Black in his study, she thought as she attempted the difficult part of the song again. Well, he did say that I should attempt to like him. I reckon he never thought I'd go so far. As the minutes passed, her playing improved. Soon, she was making very few mistakes. Althea smiled as her fingers glided effortlessly along the keys. Satisfied with her mastery of that song, she shuffled through the remaining sheet music and found a delightful Wizarding song. Why don't I have a piano at Hogwarts, she wondered as she looked out the window. Seeing as I must return, I believe I will remedy this situation immediately.

"There's a room on the third floor, I think," she wondered aloud and returned to the sheet music.

As Althea continued to play, she noticed a considerable amount of time had passed. She was aware of the stillness in the house each time she stopped playing. The lack of screaming, slamming of doors, or explosions surprised her, but she remembered that not everyone fought like Sirius and Althea. She glanced toward the ceiling. I might truly have to give him up. The thought caused her to stumble over keys. Althea returned her focus to the sheet music before her, as the thoughts about losing Sirius would not leave. It was so selfish, she thought, her fingers vigorously hitting the keys. To think we could've continued...I couldn't lie to Afina. Althea frowned. Gran is another matter. Althea started to play at a furious pace--her mind moved as quickly as her fingers--as she endeavored to suppress the upsetting thoughts. With a flourish quite unnecessary for the piece, Althea finished and straightened, panting--her eyes almost looking through the keys.

The clapping from behind startled her and she turned to face her audience. Sirius casually leaned against he doorframe and stopped clapping as their eyes met. He smiled a small, tired smile.

"I haven't heard you play in a very long time," Afina said, walking forward. She kissed Althea's temple. "It was lovely."

Althea looked to the both of them. Sirius' smile broadened and Althea realized he was to stay. She did not care what was spoken or if there were conditions placed upon the agreement. It was between Sirius and Afina.

"Thank you," she said to Afina.

Afina smiled. "We both love you, Auntie," she said and nodded for Sirius to enter. "And we very much want you to be happy." Afina bent to whisper into Althea's ear, "And he's so bloody charming--he could charm the knickers of a nun."

"Or McGonagall," Althea quipped at which Sirius shot her a strange look and Afina laughed.

Afina looked at the piano. "You should play more," she said, touching a key. "I was never good at it, but you--"

"Are brilliant," Sirius finished and kissed the top of Althea's head.

Althea smiled. "I would need someone to sing," she said and winked.

"You sing?" Afina asked Sirius and laughed with surprise. "Is there anything you can't do?"

Sirius shrugged and messed the back of his hair.

Afina developed an impish grin. "Come on, I want to hear," she said eagerly and motioned for Althea to allow Sirius to sit next to her.

Althea obliged. "Don't be fooled by his false modesty," she said, turning toward the piano. "He has a beautiful voice."

"Yeah," he said, a mischievous smile played upon his lips, "someone once told me that I sounded a bit like Paul Rogers."

"Probably Jane," Althea sighed and winked.