Learning to Love

Chapter 3

Keli woke up the next morning to see sunshine streaming through a gap in the curtains. Looking up, she saw a man with shoulder length black hair and bright blue eyes, causing fear to instantly race through her veins. This fear must have registered on her face because the man spoke up.

"It's okay; I'm not going to hurt you."

Keli just nodded her head slowly and then lay back down and hid her face in the pillows. She didn't hear the man move until she felt the bed sink underneath his weight, scaring her again.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Keli." Sirius said.

He said my name. No one called me by my name for a long time, thought Keli. Maybe he won't hurt me. But how do I know he won't? He may just be pretending to be nice so then he can hit me. Keli began to cry again as her thoughts confused her and scared her. How can anyone like me? I'm just a brat like Ivan told me, no one will like me because of what Ivan told me.

"What are you crying for?" asked Sirius soothingly.

Lifting her head Keli answered quietly, "Because I'm scared."

"Of me?" asked Sirius. Keli nodded. "I promise you I will never ever make you feel scared."

"Never?" asked Keli, as a glimmer of hope showed in her eyes.

"Never, now would you something to eat?" question Sirius.

Before Keli could answer the door opened, and Remus came into the room. She was instantly alarmed at a new presence and hid her face back into the pillow.

"Keli, don't be afraid. Remus won't hurt you." coaxed Sirius, as Remus set a tray of fruit down beside the bed.

Looking up Keli replied softly, "No?"

"No, he won't." answered Sirius.

"I brought you some fruit to eat." Remus said.

Keli eyed the food suspicious, before gingerly reaching out and taking a slice of apple which she began eating slowly. After finishing the slice Keli was just about to take another when she turned to Remus and stated boldly, "You're a werewolf."

Both Remus and Sirius were taken back by that statement; they hadn't told her and they were pretty sure Ginny, Hermione, or Molly hadn't told them.

Keli mistook their looks of shock for fury and instantly re-coiled, hiding her face. She had always hidden her face when she was scared or when she was being hit, and was sure the same was about to happen now. I knew it was a trick, now they're going to hit me. Please don't let it hurt for too long., thought Keli. Maybe if I fall asleep it will be over when I wake up.

Slowly Keli drifted of to a restless sleep, and Remus and Sirius left after they saw her eyes shut once more.

Closing the door, Sirius sat down on the sofa next to his old friend.

"Did she say anything?" asked Remus.

"Only that she's scared."

"I'm not surprised. I mean, we don't know what she went through, and I'm sure Keli is scared of us because of what's happened to her." explained Remus logically.

"It's quite heart wrenching to see her so scared." replied Sirius, a concerned tone clear in his voice.

Sighing, Remus responded, "I know. Did you tell her about my lycanthrope?"

"No." answered Sirius, honestly.

"Well, someone did," stated Remus, "so Hermione, Ginny or Molly must have done."

"I don't think so," said Sirius, slowly, "the other morning when Ginny was here I was in my animagus form and Keli knew I wasn't a real dog."

"That doesn't make sense. The only way she'd know that is if she was a werewolf herself." Remus reasoned, a confused look spreading across his face.

"But Ginny would have told us if she was."

Rubbing his forehead, Remus said, "This is confusing. What you're suggesting is that she's got the traits of a werewolf but not the curse. We don't even know if she's a witch!"

"I'm sure Albus could answer that one for us." answered Sirius.

"You're probably right. I'll owl Albus and see if he can tell us anything about Ivan Portland." replied Remus, moving out of his seat.

***

Keli was only able to sleep for a couple of minutes before waking with a start. She had been lying there listening to Remus and Sirius talking for the last few minutes, and with her good hearing she had picked up the words 'animagus', 'werewolf', and 'witch'. But I can't be a witch, can I? Thought Keli.

She heard one of the men in the other room move and quickly closed her eyes, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, but no one came in. Opening her eyes again she looked over to the slightly open door. I really, really need the toilet, thought Keli, sitting up. I really need to go! Maybe if I ask...?

Before any other thoughts about not asking or what might happen if she asked could penetrate her mind, she crawled to the end of the bed and gingerly got to her feet.

Just about managing to stand up, Keli only had to take a couple of steps to reach the door. Walking extremely slowly as she exaggerated each move, she was just about to grab the handle when a wave of weakness surged through her and she actually fell through the door.

Both Remus and Sirius looked up as Keli collapsed onto the floor. Sirius jumped up and went over to where the little girl was lying.

"Keli, what are you doing out bed?" asked Sirius as he picked her up and stood her on her feet.

"I need the toilet." answered Keli quietly.

"Come on." said Sirius, taking her hand and guiding her to another door.

Keli tensed slightly as Sirius walked her to the bathroom but she kept telling herself, He promised he wouldn't hurt me, and every time she repeated that she calmed down slightly.

They stopped outside a door, which Sirius opened and led Keli into the bathroom, then left so she could have some privacy.

Keli looked around the bathroom. Her back was exposed so when she spotted a cabinet with a mirror she was slightly curious as to what her body looked like.

Stepping up to the mirror slowly Keli looked at her reflection, then, turning away, she took a deep breath before turning her head around. What she saw made her want to be sick and cry. I won't cry, Keli told herself, as she brought up her hand to feel the now scabbing over abrasions.

Keli flinched slightly as her small fingers lightly brushed over them, and sighing inwardly she turned away from the mirror and used the toilet.

After relieving herself she washed her hands flushed the chain and made her way back to the door, when she realised she hadn't seen her pendant since she ran from the men back at her house.

Opening the door she grimaced as the muscles contorted and creased her back, making her eyes water slightly. I won't cry, Keli re-told herself.

"Better now?" asked Sirius, noticing Keli standing next to him.

"Yes. Thank you." answered Keli, as her stomach grumbled.

Laughing lightly, Sirius said, "Come on, let's grab something to eat. Would you like a sandwich?"

"Can I?" asked Keli, without thinking.

Keli was never allowed to eat or drink after Ivan had hit her. He always made her stay up in her room until he told her she could come out. He blamed her for the beatings and after time she had come to believe that.

Realising what she'd just asked she clamped a hand over her mouth and she looked up at Sirius, fear flashing in her eyes.

Noticing the fear, Sirius spoke up, "Keli, you can ask anything and nothing will happen to you."

Nodding silently, Keli took her hand away from her mouth as they stepped in to the kitchen, where Remus was sitting penning out a letter. Keli tensed slightly as she saw Remus but then recognition set in and she relaxed a little. Sirius led her over to the table and helped her to sit down before he went to make her a sandwich.

Keli spotted her pendant and exclaimed, "My pendant!" and took it off the table.

"When were you given that?" asked Remus curiously.

"My daddy gave it to me before he left." answered Keli, dolefully quiet.

"Why did he leave?" asked Sirius.

"He told me that he was going to the ministry and then he'd be in a better place." answered Keli as tears ran down her cheeks with the memory, "He kept saying he was dangerous and if he stayed he'd hurt me. I told him I knew he was just a doggy, but he told me to just go to my room. I told him I loved him but he just shook his head and said 'I can't be your daddy anymore. I'm dangerous.' I kept trying to tell him I loved - I loved him, but he just gave me this," Keli held up her Pendant, "then he kissed my head and left." she said, now openly crying.

It had startled Sirius that they even got a word out of her, and her whole explanation was not what he was expecting. Remus got up and strode to her side, hesitant to comfort her, but placing a hand on her head she didn't flinch, and gently stroking her hair had no effect. Finally coming to a decision, Remus made the girl lean into him and cuddled her.

Keli's' cries finally subsided and she actually felt cared for. Sniffing slightly, she pulled away from Remus and gave him a rare smile, and spotting the sandwich she took it and ate, pleased to see that it was turkey. Hmmm... turkey, thought Keli.

"Sirius, isn't that Hedwig?" asked Remus.

Keli looked up to see a large female snowy owl sitting on the windowsill; watching the bird Keli was amazed. She had never seen an owl before, not even at night time.

Sirius opened the window, and the bird flew over to the table and promptly stuck her leg out. Remus took the letter she had been carrying and handed it over to Sirius.

"Can I stroke it?" asked Keli, shyly.

"Hand her a bit of your turkey and she should stand still." answered Remus.

Keli ripped a bit of turkey off her sandwich and held her hand out to what she thought was a magnificent animal.

Hedwig took the offered turkey gladly. Keli beamed, as the owl consumed the treat, and then slowly she ran a hand over the white feathers. They're so soft, she mused.

Both Remus and Sirius had grins on their faces as they saw Keli interact with the owl and finally smile; it was true that she had responded better to the bird than to them, but children always got on better with animals, especially in cases like these.

***

Keli had been able to stay awake the rest of the day although she had tensed up or looked fearful if they either touched her or she asked a question, but they kept reassuring her that she was safe.

Around half past seven that evening, Keli had curled up in the chair and was half watching Sirius and Remus playing a game of chess. Seeing her yawn for the seventh time that minute caught Remus' attention.

"Keli, why don't you go get in bed?" suggested Remus.

Looking up, Keli asked quietly, "Okay, will you tuck me in?"

"Yes, go on." replied Remus, as he got up.

Remus took Keli into the bedroom, where she climbed into the bed and got settled. Remus then tucked her in.

"G'night Keli." whispered Remus.

"Night." replied Keli falling asleep.

Remus flicked the lights out and then closed the door firmly.

***

Keli was just about to open the back door when it flew off its hinges and Ivan stood there wand pointed at her stomach.

"You can't get rid of me." Ivan sneered.

"Sorry!" squeaked Keli backing up,

"You can't get rid of me, brat. Is that why you killed me?" questioned Ivan. "You never will be able to get rid of me."

Keli tripped over and found herself lying face down on the fur rug in her bedroom., Ivan was advancing on her with what looked like a piece of rope on fire.

Hiding her face in the rug she began crying as the rope and fire struck her body.

"Please stop! I didn't do anything! Please stop! Please stop!" pleaded Keli.

***

Remus had always been a light sleeper; the wolf in him would never let him sleep in, even after a full moon he'd wake up sometime around the middle of the afternoon.

Ever since he had been bitten as a small child he could never sleep deeply, waking up at the smallest of sounds, so it was no surprise for him to be awoken by someone crying.

Sitting up he looked over at Sirius, but he was sound asleep. It took him a moment to remember that a young child was in their bedroom.

Getting up, Remus moved quietly over to the bedroom and opened the door a crack to see in, where he saw the little girl crying out in her sleep.

Stepping into the bedroom he quietly shut the door and strode over to Keli; bending down to her he began gently whispering and shaking her to wake her up.

"Keli, wake up. Come on Keli, it's just a dream."

Keli sat up, breathing heavily. Looking around she saw Remus next to her, and began crying again as images of her nightmare flashed through her mind.

"Keli, shush, you're safe." whispered Remus soothingly.

"He-sob-came-sob-for-sob-me-sob." wept Keli.

"Shush, shush, shush," comforted Remus as he once again cuddled her, "No one is ever going to hurt you again."

Keli clung to Remus as though her life depended on it as she cried her nightmare away.

After a while Remus noticed Keli's breathing was even and she wasn't crying anymore. Looking at her face, Remus realised she was fast asleep and was still clinging to him. Trying not to disturb her Remus sat on the bed, Keli's arms still around him, and settled back against the pillows to fall asleep once more.

***

Sirius woke up the following morning to an empty 'transfigured' bed. Stretching, he got out of bed and turned it back to a sofa, before going into the kitchen. He had expected to see Remus sitting at the table reading the Daily Prophet but this morning he wasn't there.

Going back into the living room he began to get dressed, and he still had no idea where Remus was.

Deciding he had best check on Keli he strode over to the door and upon opening it the sight that greeted him made him smile.

Remus was asleep sitting up against the headboard with Keli sleeping on her side, her head resting on his chest, and they both looked at peace.

Closing the door again Sirius went to cook up breakfast. They still needed to gain Keli's trust and had agreed that they would spend today talking to her and reassuring her.

Tomorrow they had to go to talk to Dumbledore about what they had planned to do in the long run about her living arrangements.