Shown Like the Sun

Chapter 21

In the misty tangled sky,

Fast a wind is blowing....

--Donovan

***

Althea yelped as she awoke to a thunderous explosion that shook her bed. The portraits on the walls violently swung and fell, and the broken glass scattered across the wooden floor. Drawers opened with a thud and clothes were strewn about her bedroom.

"What the--" she said, scrambling to her feet.

Althea knelt at her bedside and let out an exclamation of relief, as her wand had not rolled too far under it. Another blast--greater than the previous--shook her bedroom and she hastily clung to the bedpost as not to fall. She winced as the lamp fell behind her, loudly shattering and exploding.

"Bloody hell!" she growled and thrust her wand at her door--it flew open and hit her wall with a bang! "What is going on?"

Althea rushed toward the door. She heard incoherent hollering and what sounded like something crashing into her piano.

"Oh God!" she breathed as panic coursed through her veins.

She stood upon the landing and looked to her left. The door to Gran's room was open and Altheas stomach painfully twisted. She smelled the acrid smoke that was billowing from below. Gran has found him, she thought, tightening her grip upon her wand. Gran will kill him, and then Gran will.... Althea gulped--her throat dry.

"Auntie!" Afina shouted. "I woke up on the--"

Althea spun to meet Afina. "Afina, no!" she shouted, holding up her hands.

"Whoa, look at that!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide, pointing to entrance hall ceiling. "The chandelier looks about to fall!"

"We'll worry about that later," she said shortly. "Stay here."

"No, I--"

"Stay here!" she warned as she quickly turned toward the staircase. "You'll only get hurt! They're dueling!"

"Dueling? Auntie, who--"

Althea did not hesitate and transformed to fly below. She ducked and swerved to avoid the curses hurling into the entrance hall through the thick, black smoke. A jet of red light soared through the air and she somersaulted midflight to avoid it--it narrowly missing her wing. Disoriented, Althea slammed into the wall and slid to the floor. Maybe I should let them sort it out, she thought darkly, as she--dazed--attempted to right herself.

"PROTEGO!" Sirius roared and laughed. "OLD WOMAN, IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO?"

His laughter quickly became a yelp as Gran shouted one curse right after the other.

"Bloody hell," Althea muttered as she carefully inched her way closer to the study door.

"Missed...AGAIN!" he shouted and Althea groaned as she stood to the side of the doorway. "Give up!"

"Shut it!" Gran hissed and roared, "INFLIGO!"

Althea sighed and--with her wand held ready to duel--turned into the doorway. She gasped at the sight. A thick smoke hung in the air as its source, the curtains, continued to burn. Horrified, her eyes scanned the room: overturned and broken furniture, her bookcase splintered and the books aflame, and her beloved piano--at which her father delighted in her performances--was crushed and smoldering. Althea covered her mouth--too disgusted and too enraged to speak.

Sirius cast another defensive spell and gasped when his eyes met hers. "Get out of here!" he shouted, and growled, thrusting his arm forward in a fierce slashing motion.

Gran sneered as she swiftly blocked his curse. "Stun me, will you?"

"You old hag!"

"No!" Althea shouted, stepping forward. "You're not going to kill my Gran!"

Sirius' eyes widened--his face white with fury. "Me? SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!"

"THE KILLING CURSE IS TOO GOOD FOR YOU!" Gran roared, a jet of purple light burst from her wand.

Sirius' wand arm slashed the air, blocking her curse.

"ENOUGH!" Althea bellowed, pointing her wand at the pair.

Gran and Sirius stopped dueling. It was difficult to determine which face bore more hatred. Gran's eyes were unwavering in their hate. Sirius, heaving, bore a remarkable arrogance upon his face streaked with soot and blood. Althea stepped further into the room, and she cast spells to dissipate the smoke and attempted to salvage her burning curtains and books. Large, painful tears welled in her eyes as she picked up a broken frame.

"Sorry," she murmured as she mended the glass that covered her father's photograph. Her father smiled pleasantly back.

Althea placed the picture frame onto her desk and sighed heavily. Afina is right, I am a coward, she thought, frowning at the thick scorch marks at the edge of the desk. I could've told her on my terms, but now--now--

"You've ruined my home. You've destroyed it! The both of you!" she said heatedly and turned to face them.

Sirius guiltily rubbed the side of his face. Gran looked upon Althea with the utmost disgust.

"My father's things!"

Sirius opened his mouth, "She--"

"Shut it!" she demanded and held out her hand. "Give me your wands, the both of you."

They did not move.

Althea growled, "Now!"

Sirius and Gran eyed one another warily.

"Her first," he spoke, nodding toward Gran.

Gran sneered.

"I don't want to use my wand," Althea warned. "Gran!"

"You stupid girl," she spat, holding her wand tighter at her side. "I thought, after all these years that I was able to foster some sense in you, but yesterday, I knew," she continued, narrowing her eyes, "I knew like some lovesick fool you'd throw yourself at him."

Sirius's eyes widened with urgency at Althea. Althea faintly shook her head. She would not forcefully disarm her grandmother. Gran was immensely powerful, and Althea--no matter her current feelings--would never draw herself into a duel with her.

Gran looked upon Sirius and made a noise of disgust. "They're all alike," she began, the words seeming to taste sour upon her lips, "charming, manipulative, tells you that he loves you--"

Sirius' eyes gleamed with spite. "You'd know that very well, wouldn't you?"

Gran spun with furious grace--her wand pointed at Sirius' throat. The two eyed each other with the utmost hatred. Althea took a step forward.

"One more step, you stupid girl, and I will kill him," Gran said, her wand steady.

"Come on, curse me, old woman," Sirius demanded, his lips curved into insolent smile. "Haven't you waited for this moment for over seventy years?"

Althea frowned. "Seventy years?"

"Quiet!"

Sirius started to laugh. It was not his normal bark-like, jovial laughter, but a sinister laughter--a knowing laughter--that Althea thought, might've been heard on that street almost thirteen years ago. Gran thrust her wand underneath his jaw--causing him to lift his chin.

"Seventy years? What are you getting at?"

Sirius' insolence momentarily faded as he looked at Althea. "I thought you knew--"

"Knew what?"

"Althea Rosemary, please!" Gran warned--her voice wavering--her eyes showing terror. "I beg you to quiet!"

Gran stood before Althea, trembling and pale. Her once steady hand continued to bob slightly, which appeared to be quite uncomfortable for Sirius as he could not fully swallow or breathe deeply. Her hair was wild and rested at the middle of her back. The white and silver strands glinted in the sunlight.

"When you discovered that I was sent to Azkaban, you must've thought it a blessing...thought it was over--"

"God, be quiet!" Gran croaked and thrust her wand upward.

Sirius extended his neck. "Thought I knew all along, didn't you?"

Gran did not realize Althea had taken another step forward. Did Gran know, she thought, raising an eyebrow. Did she knowingly, purposefully send him to Azkaban? Althea's wand arm fell heavily to her side and she covered her mouth at Gran's cruelty. I heard him the night I was tortured. He was the one that alerted the Order. He would've gone to Gran to see if I was there. Gran--Gran knew. Gran kept him from me--they all kept him from me. Althea shook with rage and sparks burst from her wand as she eyed Gran with hate.

"No, I just knew you as warning," he said--his demeanor one of arrogant contempt. "The 'indiscretion of youth'--a phase--we're allowed to have one, but nothing is to come of it--"

Indiscretion of youth? A phase? Althea's head jerked back. Her mind quickly returned to the confrontation with Mrs. Black in Diagon Alley. His grandfather said that I was a phase.

"A phase," she murmured as she looked into Sirius' eyes.

Sirius nodded slightly.

"Do not speak of things which you know nothing about!" Gran warned. "You're just as hateful--"

She had seen those eyes before--in Prudence, in...and Althea gasped.

"I AM NOT MY GRANDFATHER!" Sirius roared, his face contorted and purple.

"YOU!" Althea exclaimed, breathless, her wand slicing through the air.

Gran yelped as her wand was ripped from hand. Her wand spun loudly in the air and destroyed the remainder of the vase of roses upon her father's desk. Water and rose petals erupted and fell to the floor. All these years, she thought as she unwaveringly pointed her wand directly at Gran. The three stood in quiet. The old woman, her eyes bright with tears, cradled her hand. Sirius relaxed and rested the back of his head against the wall between the windows. He looked upon Althea with relief and exhaustion. Althea ignored his gratitude. Rage coursed through Althea like an electrical current, which caused the hair on her arms to stand on end. The creak of the floorboard broke the silence. Althea, in her peripheral vision, saw that Afina had entered the room. Her mouth open, she looked upon the trio with stunned horror.

"Did you take the money?" bitterly yelled Althea. "Did his mother throw a bag of Galleons at your feet and did your greedy black heart take it?"

Gran, silent, covered her face with her trembling hand.

"You disgust me," she growled and lowered her wand.

Sirius' lips upturned into an arrogant smirk.

"I have sat through every lecture. I have listened to every venomous word you've uttered from your self-righteous mouth against him. It was tiresome," she said, rubbing her forehead. She allowed her lips to curve into a small, cruel smile. Althea felt emboldened by this rage. "What would you like to say to me now, hmm? What lecture could you possible give me today? Come out with it, Gran."

Gran sniffed.

"HOW DARE YOU?" she roared, her neck straining with every word, her hands balled into fists. "How dare you treat me, your granddaughter, as you have for the last twenty years? Degraded me--kept things from me--"

"And have you been honest?" she whispered.

"He knows everything," she said through gritted teeth.

Gran's knees buckled.

"Scares you, doesn't it?" she remarked and nodded toward Sirius. "Us, back together. I reckon you're delighted that those Death Eaters and that foul Healer-in-Training cursed me."

Sirius folded his arms as he leaned against the wall. "It was a shock to know my Althea was alive, but even more of a shock to know Prudence could've survived that torture," he said, his last words boring into Gran. He grinned, as he roguishly looked Althea up and down. "I think I'll manage."

"Oh, but this is bloody brilliant!" she said, enjoying how every word of retribution tasted on her lips. "I've just discovered my Gran," she continued and laughed spitefully as she pointed to her chest, "my Gran--the most upstanding and prudish of Magical Matrons--fucked Sirius' grandfather and had his bastard son--"

Afina squeaked.

"What?" Sirius breathed and he stood upright, furrowing his eyebrows as he looked to Althea.

Althea nodded. "Your mum told me that Prudence had your father's eyes."

Sirius shook his head and laughed as he walked to Althea's side.

Althea held up her hand for Sirius to quiet. "Old woman, it's striking how much Prudence resembles George, isn't it?"

Gran weakly murmured, "Althea Rosemary."

"Imagine if George knew--he wouldn't have waited for the Luftwaffe to off him."

Gran let out a sorrowful moan. "He did know."

"What?" Althea and Sirius asked in unison.

"He did know," Gran said louder, uncovering her face. "He knew everything."

Althea looked up at the ceiling and rolled her eyes. Sirius groaned and muttered epithets against Gran's character--Althea did not quiet him.

"Bloody hell, old woman," she murmured and sighed. "How many more lies?"

She felt Sirius' hands upon her upper arms. "I reckon we deserve an explanation," he whispered into her ear.

Althea quickly turned the side of her face toward him. "You already knew--"

"No, I didn't," he whispered as the palms of his hands massaged her upper arms. "I didn't know about your uncle."

"How did you know about Gran and your grandfather, then?" she whispered excitedly.

Sirius tenderly squeezed Althea's arms and kissed her bare shoulder.

Gran winced.

"Would you like to tell her, or shall I?"

Gran remained quiet.

"Azkaban," he explained with deliberate emphasis and let his hands fall from Althea.

He casually stepped forward and Althea realized he was in nothing more than his pajama bottoms. She looked to her own frame and frowned at the sheer delicate nightgown.

"As she berated me with lies about murdering you and our daughter, she let slip that--she too--enjoyed the forbidden fruit of a supposedly Dark Wizard--my grandfather.... God," he said and laughed with disbelief, "my grandfather? My grandfather? He was the worst out of all of them. That man was incapable of a warm feeling towards anybody."

"No," Gran murmured.

"Yes," Sirius said and looked toward Althea, shaking his head in disbelief. "The day after my brother's funeral, he requested my presence at Dunwell just to tell me that it should have been me that died," he said and stepped closer to Gran. "He heard from my dear mother what Althea and I had done, and obviously overcome with regret and wanting to right things, he personally petitioned the Ministry to enforce a law that hadn't been enforced since the eighteenth century. Althea, my love, don't you remember?"

"How could I forget?" she said, folding her arms. "I was threatened with Azkaban."

"As was I," he said and bit the inside of his cheek. "You'd think the Ministry would've remembered that a year later."

"Magical Law Enforcement is pretty thick," Althea remarked.

"My grandfather," he breathed and Althea knew he relished every moment. Sirius shook his head knowingly. "He had no love for me--he had no love for anybody."

"That's not true. He was poisoned."

"Making excuses?" Sirius said and held up his hands. "Well then, let's hear them!" He smiled at Althea. "My love, I reckon we should sit for this."

"You both destroyed my furniture," she said, frowning at the torn sofa--the yellow foam visible.

She looked up from her damaged sofa to Afina, who stood behind it. You wanted me to tell, she thought as Sirius bit the inside of his cheek as he pointed his wand at the sofa. The yellow foam slowly wobbled and jiggled as it shrunk back into the torn cushion. We weren't expecting this.

"Thank you," she murmured as she sat upon the newly repaired sofa.

"You're welcome," he replied, taking her hand in his. "Right, old woman, what do you have to say?"

Althea held up her hand. "Afina," she said, twisting to face her, "are you--"

"I want to hear this," she interrupted, resting her hands against the back of the sofa. "I've got just as much right to--"

Althea nodded. "You do, darling," she said and smiled thoughtfully.

She's lied to you as well, she thought, returning her gaze to her grandmother. Gran, solemn and defeated, mended a chair leg. She would've died before telling us. Althea knew what it was to have secrets--rather large secrets--and the desperation one felt in deception. I couldn't continue to lie to him, she thought wrinkling her brow as Gran righted the mended chair. I love him too much to let him believe a lie. Gran sat rigidly upon the chair, her hands folded upon her lap, and her eyes looked upon her clasped hands. Despite the rage and bitterness, Althea felt a tiny, piercing feeling of sympathy in her chest. He must've done something unthinkable, she thought as Gran's expression displayed dread, never to see how different Sirius was from his family.

"It just wasn't done," murmured Gran, sadly shaking her head. "At the time, it was the height of the purity movement, and the Rynnes just did not associate with the Blacks," she continued and looked to Sirius. "Your family was at the height of its power...it owned the Ministry, and at one time, Hogwarts."

Sirius crossed his arms as he looked upon Gran with the utmost contempt.

Gran sighed sadly. "I was seventeen and in my seventh year when we began to date."

Althea shifted uncomfortably upon the sofa as she realized her grandmother having any romantic feelings upset her. As she studied her grandmother, who sat before them wearing her elegant and modest teal dressing gown, she could not imagine her grandmother lovesick for anyone or full of passion. Althea sneered as she briefly entertained the thought that her grandmother might have enjoyed sex. She glanced at Sirius and shivered.

"He wanted to rebel and I--like you, Althea Rosemary--found it exciting to defy all good sense."

Althea massaged her temple. "Oh God," she whispered--her eyes widened at the thought of a giggling Gran sneaking around Hogwarts and meeting Sirius' grandfather in a late night tryst.

"We grew to have a deep affection for one another that continued after school ended," she said and looked knowingly upon the couple. "It would have been a tremendous scandal if our relationship were made known; therefore, we met in secret and continued on the paths set forth by our families."

Althea frowned. I did so as well. The young couple had kept secret their relationship from Gran until her seventeenth birthday. I was of age and it didn't matter anymore, she thought, resting her hand atop Sirius' arm. You thought him appropriate and kind--the sort of boy I should date. We were so confident that you saw his goodness that we told you.... It never mattered. You never saw him as he was and now I understand why. Sirius uncrossed his arms and the couple sat, arm in arm. You never saw us as we were...as we are...you only see your own failure.

"So caught up in our recklessness.... Our families discovered."

Sirius let out a mocking gasp. Althea nudged him.

Gran looked pained as she continued, "My father was horrified. He championed the rights of Muggles to exist, and I--I dated a boy from a family that wanted to hunt them."

Sirius opened his mouth to speak, but Althea shook her head.

"My father locked me in a cupboard when I made the dire mistake of sobbing that I loved him," she said, wrinkling her brow. "The House Elf heard my weeping and took pity upon me--I coaxed her to open the door. I took what little money I had and escaped."

Sirius snorted derisively.

"You ran away?" Afina said, stunned.

Gran nodded. "I was to meet him at the station in the morning and we were to elope. I waited all day and into the night, but he never came. I had not counted on that he loved the power and wealth of his family more than me." Gran looked to her hands and grimaced as she continued, "I could not go home as I was a disgrace. I had lost everything...my family, my inheritance...I was disowned."

Sirius said, "Sounds familiar."

Gran did not acknowledge his remark. "I met your Grand," she said and fiddled with her diamond wedding band. "I thought, if I were to marry a Muggle, my family would accept me once more. I was mistaken."

Althea let go of Sirius and leaned forward. "You never loved my grandfather?"

Gran shook her head. "I loved him very much, Althea Rosemary--"

"What about George?" she pressed.

"Arcturus learned that I was to be married to a Muggle--a Muggle from a family that thought so highly of themselves to have a title," she said and Gran's expression turned dark. "He manipulated my heart, and once more, I entertained the thought of elopement. It was too late when I realized...when I realized my mistake and I left him."

"How could you do that to Grand?" she asked, the bile rising in her throat.

Gran refused to look at Althea. "I was horrified at my weakness. I prayed that the child was your grandfather's, but when George was born, I knew."

Althea found it difficult to hide her disgust. "Did Grand know?"

Gran shook her head. "He would have been devastated to know," she said and bit her bottom lip. "He was utterly besotted with his sons."

Althea massaged her temples. "How did George discover?"

"At Hogwarts."

Althea's eyes widened. "Hogwarts?" she breathed sharply. "But you took that potion--"

"It did not work," she said and sighed regretfully. "George received his letter and was sorted into Slytherin."

Sirius laughed darkly.

Althea cast a warning look at Sirius, but he shrugged and continued to laugh.

"It was to bring about the end," she continued, her eyes bright with tears. "He was the first in the family to be sorted. A Muggleborn wizard in Slytherin? It just didn't happen--not at that time. He learned quickly that something about him was different."

"Of course," Sirius agreed with mock thoughtfulness.

"He loved his father, but he never saw eye to eye with him. Alexander believed it to be the curse of the first born for his brother argued with their father--"

"And you encouraged that idea, of course," she conjectured and rubbed her forehead. "My father knew?"

Gran shook her head. "Your father went to his grave in the belief he was Muggleborn."

Althea howled with repulsion.

"Danny was quiet and much the academic like his father, which enraged George as he felt he was never good enough. Of course, it wasn't true, but that boy craved attention--"

Sirius sighed loudly.

Gran cast Sirius a dark look. "George was surrounded by members of the Black family while in Slytherin...and he began to notice certain similarities. It was confirmed for him after he saw a photograph of Arcturus in the Daily Prophet. He kept it secret for years, until I found the article and the photograph in his school things...but I was too late. He had already confronted Arcturus at his home and was sent away. He believed that I put George up to it to steal his fortune...it broke his heart."

"Now that sounds like my grandfather."

"Did Arcturus ever confront you?"

Gran nodded and said in a strained voice, "Not until many years later."

"And this is why you didn't want me to date Sirius?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows. "Because you had an image to maintain?"

"No," Gran answered, with some annoyance. "I knew he would take advantage of you. You had just lost your father--"

"You never gave him a chance," she said, slapping her hand against her knee. "He left his family--"

"He could never be rid of them, Althea Rosemary. I know you are keenly aware of that," she said, her eyes piercing Althea. "I wanted to protect you, but you blindly followed him, blindly followed a boy that disregarded your safety and sought out your deaths--"

Sirius inhaled to speak.

"Enough," Althea said, holding up her hands. "He is the father of my child and I will not have you degrade his character--"

"He is an escaped convict--"

"As am I, or have you forgotten?" she said, cocking her head to the side. "Clearly not, because you threaten to send me back at least once a year when I disappoint you," she continued, unable to suppress her smile. "And I've really disappointed you this time."

"There will be no Azkaban," Gran said, looking from Althea to Sirius, "for either of you."

Sirius placed his hand upon the small of Althea's back. "What do you want?"

Gran shrewdly pursed her lips. "I must speak with Sirius," she said and sat up straighter upon her chair.

"Of course, you do," he said and bit the inside of his cheek.

"It concerns a matter of great importance," she continued, disregarding Sirius' impudence. "It will require us to discuss this matter privately."

Althea folded her arms. "I'd rather stay."

"You cannot stay, Althea Rosemary," she said and swallowed. "I shan't harm him."

"You haven't proven to me otherwise," she said, stiffening.

"Althea Rosemary, please," she said with forced calm. "I must speak with him, alone. It is an ancient matter."

Althea shook her head and sank into the couch.

"I'd rather Althea stay," he said, stroking her bare thigh. "What you say to me, you can say to her as well."

Gran inhaled. "In due time," she said and looked over Althea. "Afina?"

"Come on, Auntie," Afina coaxed, resting her palm upon Althea's shoulder.

Althea sneered. "Leave Afina out of this, old woman."

Afina leaned close to Althea. "Auntie, please," she said and, barely audible, continued, "we can listen at the door."

Althea sighed dejectedly as she looked from Gran to Sirius. "Right."

"I'll be all right," he reassured with a forced smile.

Althea reluctantly stood and followed Afina into the entrance hall. Upon exiting, the door immediately slammed shut and the two women jumped slightly.

"Can you hear anything?" Afina whispered, leaning her ear against the door.

Althea shook her head. "No, must've used a Silencing Charm," she said and sighed disappointedly.

Afina groaned with disappointment as she lifted herself from the door. "I want to hear it!" she lamented, throwing her head back as she walked toward the staircase. Afina roughly sat upon the staircase and wrinkled her nose at the study door. "What could Gran have to say to him?"

Althea shrugged as she sat next to her. "I haven't a clue," she answered, anxious for Sirius' safety. "It was an 'ancient matter'--whatever that means."

"Yeah," Afina murmured, resting her chin upon her hands.

"Bloody hell," she sighed and shook her head at the door. "If that old woman had just told me that my uncle came from a family that thought it brilliant to torture people to the point of madness and chop off the heads of useless house-elves, I might've understood."

Afina laughed lowly. "No, you wouldn't."

Althea's lips quivered as she fought a smile. "True," she said, reclining upon the stairs. "Gran with Arcturus? My own grandmother? Oh, what a fucking laugh!"

"I never would've expected it from Gran."

"I should've realized. How stupid could I have been?" she wondered, slamming her fist against the step. "She tried to tell me in her own veiled way when I was fifteen."

"What?" Afina asked, sitting up. "What happened?"

"I was accosted by Mrs. Black in Diagon Alley," she began to explain as her nightgown slipped off her shoulder. "She offered me a purse of Galleons to stay away from her son." Althea let out a noise of frustration as she adjusted her nightgown. "Mrs. Black knew who I was--she had to have known! It was so volatile--I thought she and Gran would duel in the street," she said, narrowing her eyes. "When we returned to Northfield, Gran told me about his family, but I thought she knew because she was a witch and not because she was intimately involved with one!"

"She did it to keep you safe--"

Althea laughed spitefully. "She did it to preserve her secret," she corrected. "It would've been horribly shocking if it came out in the open that a Black had a bastard child with a blood traitor...especially one still in the family."

Afina looked puzzled.

"Anyone that was born a Squib, associated with Muggleborns, or anyone who fancied anything the least bit Muggle, were disinherited."

"You're joking."

Althea shook her head. "It was worse with the war. Sirius' cousin discovered the Cruciatus Curse and made it her mission the summer before our sixth year to rid him of his Muggle predilections," she replied and Afina covered her mouth. "Their husbands tried to recruit him to join Voldemort that summer. They reassured him that Voldemort was willing to overlook his little indiscretion."

"And you stayed with him?"

Althea looked upon Afina thoughtfully. "You have to understand, Afina, I would've been killed anyway," she explained, sitting up. "If I were to go, at least I wanted a bit of fun."

Afina made a face. "Sirius was disinherited?"

Althea nodded. "After he ran away," she said, and screwed up her eyes in thought. "His cousin, as well. She married a Muggleborn wizard."

Afina was open-mouthed. "So, there were more?"

"Yes," she said plainly. "I'll never forget when he told me of his uncle's death. His uncle left him a bit of gold, and he was disowned, too...disowned in death."

Afina shook her head. "Unbelievable," she muttered, shifting upon the step.

"It is, isn't it?" she replied and arched her back. "Always pruning the family tree."

She moaned softly at the pleasant sensation of her muscles stretching. I slept so uncomfortably last night, she thought as she massaged the back of her neck. I never had the chance to ask Sirius if the potion helped.

Afina quietly cleared her throat. "Auntie," she began, her index finger stroking the step, "were you...were you in Azkaban?"

Althea covered her face. She had forgotten. In her zeal, as she reveled in Gran's demise, she accidently let slip that she, too, was imprisoned in Azkaban. What is the use of lying, she thought and lowered her hands. Althea nodded.

"Oh."

Althea sighed and looked ahead of her as she spoke, "The Death Eaters that tortured me never went to Azkaban. They never spent a day in Azkaban for what they did to me, or the other pregnant witches they tortured and murdered."

"God," Afina breathed.

She looked to her hands and furrowed her brow. "All were either half-blood or Muggleborn and pregnant with a pureblood's baby," she explained, remembering how the knife felt as she held it to Phaedra Burke's neck. "Tortured to madness--the lucky ones were killed outright," she continued, feeling herself retreat within. "I was to receive special treatment--"

"Justified," Afina said, grasping Althea's hand. She sniffed and nodded toward the closed door, "I don't see smoke."

Althea nodded in agreement. "Yes, that is a very good sign."

Suddenly, the door flung open and the two women jolted upright. Sirius, pale, stepped into the hallway and did not acknowledge the two women as he hastily walked by them. His expression was furious. Althea stood.

"Sirius?"

Sirius stopped and sighed.

Althea left the staircase and made her way toward him. "My love, what happened?"

"Althea Rosemary!" Gran called.

Althea sighed.

"Go to her," he said through gritted teeth.

"No, I--"

"Althea Rosemary!"

"Go!" he growled, his fists clenched--red sparks shot from his wand.

Althea closed her eyes as she heard Sirius' deliberate and angry footsteps exit the entrance hall. What could she possibly say to me, she thought and opened her eyes. Althea ignored Gran's third plea and followed the sound of Sirius' footsteps into the ballroom. Thin beams of sunlight pierced through the tall wooden shutters that encompassed the vast room, highlighting the particles of dust and moisture that hung in the air. Althea's quick footsteps echoed across the floor as she made her way to the large doors overlooking the flower garden. Did she admit her guilt, she wondered and squinted in the bright sunlight. Most likely, not.

The humidity hung thick in the air and accentuated the sweet fragrance of the orange jasmine as she passed the shrubs with the dark green leaves and small, delicate white flowers. Its oppressive presence created a thin layer of moisture upon her skin--her filmy nightgown clung to her body with every movement. The birds continued their morning cacophony as Sirius growled in the distance.

"Sirius?" she called out, quickening her footsteps.

Sirius stopped. "She--" he began and growled.

"My love, what happened?" she asked, placing her hand upon his bicep.

Sirius relaxed, his countenance softened--he tenderly placed his hand atop hers. He sighed forlornly.

"I must leave soon."

"I know--"

Sirius turned to face her--his expression pained. "I have to," he said, taking her hands in his. His gaze drifted to their clasped hands. "I--I'm sorry."

"Brazil?"

Sirius reluctantly shook his head. "England," he sighed.

"No!" she said, pushing herself away from him. Her eyes were wide. "You can't--you can't go back there!"

"I have to," he said quietly and paused--choosing his words carefully, "I have business to attend to."

"Let me--"

"I can't let you," he countered, shaking his head.

"Nonsense!" she replied, staring into his dulled grey eyes. "Whatever it is--I don't care--I will do it. You can't go back there."

Sirius lifted his hands to place them upon her arms, but thought better of it and awkwardly jerked them away. Instead, he ran his left hand through his hair.

"What I have to do...you can't do this," he said, not looking at her.

"What do you have to do?"

Sirius was reluctant.

"What do you have to do?" she said, her fingers gently coaxing his face toward hers. Sirius refused to look at her.

"It's nothing really--"

"Then let me--"

"No!" he insisted, placing his arms upon her shoulders. "Only I can do this."

Althea frowned.

Sirius tenderly squeezed her shoulders. "Please, my love, understand," he begged, his eyes scanning her face. "This is for you...for Prudence."

"Are you turning yourself in?" she asked, placing her hands upon his naked chest. "What did Gran say to you?"

Sirius vigorously shook his head. "No, no, it's nothing like that," he began and bit his bottom lip as he hesitated, "there was a promise made and I have to fulfill it. That's all."

"And you'll risk capture for this?" she asked, stepping back.

Sirius' hands slipped to her upper arms. "I'll be safe," he said, his thumbs stroking her skin. "I swear to you, I'll be safe."

Althea took a shaky breath. "When will you leave?"

"At the weekend."

"When will you return? You will return?"

Sirius smiled sheepishly.

"I'm going with you," she replied resolutely.

"What?" he laughed with mild awkwardness. "You, ride Buckbeak?"

Althea wrinkled her nose. "Is that how you'll travel back?"

"I can't leave him here, can I?" he remarked and smiled teasingly. "You wouldn't feed him." He winked.

Althea frowned. "Where will you stay?"

Sirius shrugged.

Althea pushed herself away and covered her face with her hand. "I don't like this. The Ministry--"

"Won't be able to find me," he said and slipped his arms around her waist. He pulled her close to him and whispered, his hot breath against her cheek, "Please, my love, you'll understand soon, I promise you."

Althea could not rid herself of the foreboding feeling that began to consume her. She nuzzled her face against his neck and closed her eyes to suppress her tears. She inhaled deeply the spicy scent of his soap that lingered upon his warm, damp skin. Why do I feel as though I won't have another moment like this, she wondered as Sirius murmured his assurances of his safety. God help Gran if this is a trap.

"You will see our Prudence at the Welcoming Feast--"

"I love you," she blurted out, holding him tighter.

Sirius laughed quietly, which shook her slightly. "I love you, too."

***

Althea, alone, stood with her hands upon the railing of the widow's walk. At least we will have these last few days alone, she thought, looking out to sea. Gran hastily left that afternoon to no goodbyes or well wishes for a safe travel. She could fall off her broom into the Atlantic for all I care. Afina would leave the next morning for her new home in Salem. Maybe I'm not so awful after all--she smiled to herself--Afina turned out wonderfully. And yet, Althea should be happy at the freedom and the remaining days with Sirius, but she was overcome with apprehension. Why would he risk capture? What could be so important that he'd risk everything for us, she wondered as her stomach twisted upon itself. She felt Sirius rest his hand atop hers. He inhaled deeply and sighed.

"I'll be all right."

Althea was quiet.

"I'd forgotten how beautiful this was," he said and tenderly pressed her hand. "Thank you."

Althea did not remove her gaze from the horizon as she spoke, "I want more evenings such as this."

"As do I," he said and brought the back of her hand to his lips.

A strange and unseasonably cool wind blew thick black ringlets into her eyes. She gently swept them away, but the breeze lingered--she shivered. He let go of her hand and stepped behind her. She smiled as his warm hands traveled the length of her arms in an attempt to warm them.

"We will be back," he whispered and kissed her bare shoulder. "I promise you."

"Next summer?" she asked, allowing herself to rest against him.

"Yes," he murmured, embracing her, "or sooner."

Althea, her eyes half open, noticed the darkened encroaching sky.

"Whoa," Sirius breathed as lightening streaked across the black clouds in the distance. "Nasty storm."

"Indeed."

Sirius released Althea, which woke her from her drowsy state. "Come on," he said, smiling mischievously as he took her hand and pulled her toward the stairs. "Afina is begging for more Hogwarts stories."

"Oh, I think she has a very good idea of what teenage boys do with an Invisibility Cloak and a map of Hogwarts."

Sirius smiled crookedly. "Only with you, love," he said and winked as he fiercely kissed her hand. "Only with you."

Althea's lips curved into a smile. "As it should be."

THE END