Learn to love

Half light. Half darkness.

I'm sorry.

At one point I had fallen asleep in Remus's arms. I don't know much after that. But what happened next was something else.

The feeling of water falling on my face had me waking up in the middle of the woods. I mean I was still in bed but in the middle of the fucken woods.

"What the hell?" Jumping off the bed, I found myself barefooted. The cold from the forest floor sweeping into my body. Walking deeper into the woods, I was in awe with the beauty. The sun was just breaking past the horizon, casting a red/orange glare. The morning mist adding a hauntingly beautify. "Am I dreaming? I mean I have to right."

"Athena?"

I froze. It can't be. There is no bloody way.

"Athena."

It's a trick of my mind. Don't turn around. It's not real.

"Please, look at me love."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because you are dead!" Those words alone were enough to bring me to my knees. "You are not here."

'But he can.'

I snapped my head up, coming face to face with a large snake. 'W-who are you?'

'My name is Nagini.' She slithered closer to me. 'We have been talking for quite some time now.'

'The voice in my head has been you?!' Yes, nodded her head slowly. 'What do you want?'

'To help you.'

Something was off. 'Help me?'

She slithered around my legs, coming up to rest her head on my shoulder. 'I know a way of bringing him back.'

'He's dead.' I whispered. 'Nothing can bring back the dead.'

'Ahh, but he isn't really dead.' She hissed. 'He would have been dead, should he have passed the veil. His soul is simply trapped.'

'What?! How?!'

'Whoever was the one to hit him with the spell, holds his soul in their wand.' Her tongue flickered on my cheek. 'Break that wand and his soul will be released, but it will come with a price.'

'I don't care what I have to do or give.' I growled. 'Where can I find her?'

'Malfoy manor.' Nagini slithered herself over my shoulder, moving a few feet away. She stopped at a pair of pale feet. 'Follow him.'

I knew who it was. The pale bare feet. The long raggedy black robe. My eyes drifted up the form, locking eyes with ghostly blue ones. Voldemort. Deep down I knew he wasn't looking to hurt me. He would have done that already. "What do you want?"

"I want to help you, child." He grinned. "I can give you back what you wish the most."

"Why would you want to help me?" I asked.

He walked closer to me, standing about a foot away. "You are a special child Athena." He held his hand out to me. "Come with me and I will return your precious wizard back. But I will want something in return."

I held my hand in a clenched fist. "What?"

"Your loyalty." He growled. "In exchange for Black's soul, I want your loyalty to me."

"I-" I dropped my gaze to the forest floor. A small rollie pollie catching my attention as it scurried away. In getting Sirius back, I would have to stand by Voldemort. Fight for his cause. Follow his law. But Sirius would be back. Harry wouldn't be alone anymore. His family would be back. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and placed it in his. His touch was even colder than the forest floor. "I accept."