When the Roses Went Black: The Lost Lover of Sirius Black

XXXV

TW//detailed violence, blood, torture, agony, death.

im sorry.

It was December 17th when Rose and Sirius decided they needed a night for themselves.

Rose couldn't even say the amount of times Sirius came home, battered and bruised, scarcely speaking a word to her before falling asleep. She couldn't tell anyone how many nights she laid him down in a hot bath, washing his cuts and kissing them softly. Between taking care of Sirius, the baby, and owling food and news to the Potters, Rose Ferbreezeo had scarcely a moment to breathe easily.

So it was in the morning of December 17th she laid on Sirius's chest and told him, "Love, Don't lie. You look exhausted. Call off today. I can't remember the last time we had a calm day together. I'll cook vodka sauce, just like the old days. But please baby, you need rest." Sirius met her pleas with a thoughtful expression. "You're right Rosie.. hell you are so right. I've been beat, and I know this hasn't been any easier on you. We deserve this."

Rose tilted her head up to kiss Sirius. "Exactly." She smiled, happy that she had finally convinced him. "I do need tomatoes for the sauce love, can you run into town and get them?" Rose asked. "But of course Rosie," he replied. The couple snuggled close together, looking forward to the day that lay ahead.

***

It was December 17th when Voldemort's cruel red eyes pierced into Lucius Malfoy's blue ones. "You have obtained the address from the Ministry, yes?" Voldemort rasped. "Yes m'lord." Lucius replied crisply. "3 o'clock, Lucius," he hissed. "Execute the mission how you see fit. But it had better be done." A smirk of malice lived on Lucius's face. "Fret not, m'lord. It is an honor."

***

At 2:50, Sirius kissed Rose on her cheek before heading out the door, his mission being two whole tomatoes. As he closed the door, Rose smiled. She crossed to her record player, and began to play Tiny Dancer. Her mind flooded with nostalgia. That day at the piano felt so long ago, but she couldn't help but be filled with her former teenage giddiness as she recollected.

Life had taken she and Sirius so far since that day. Her swollen tummy and gentle kicks felt within it assured that, if nothing else. Rose turned up the player and began to clean the living room. She opened the curtains, letting the sun bask onto the white carnations she had sitting on the ledge. She lit a few candles, the smell of lilacs filling the room. The piano solo rang across the space, and Rose began to dance with herself, lost in the music.

Her tranquil state was interrupted by the crashing of her front door.

Rose had barely gotten a hand on her wand when she was thrown against the wall, then slunk in a heap to the bottom. There was a blast of red light, and Rose's body grew rigid on the floor. Lucius Malfoy stood over her, his wicked grin all too familiar. Rose looked up at him, fear filling her dark eyes.

"We meet again Rosie," he purred coldly. He looked down on her, seemingly amused at the terrified woman that lay quivering beneath him. He kneeled down to her side and plucked her wand from her waist band, throwing it across the room. "Doubt you'll be needing that," he scoffed. "You know Rosie, it is truly a shame." Lucius leaned closer to Rose, his lips almost touching her own. His icy voice began again in a whisper: "We could've had it all. Power, glory. If only you weren't such a pathetic whore." Lucius spit on Rose's face, reminding her painfully of the day in which she did the same. "Which reminds me," Lucius sneered as his smile grew. "You'll need something to refresh your memory." He flipped Rose onto her stomach, causing her to let out a cry as she felt the baby kicking within her.

"For old time's sake, Ferbreezeo," Lucius hissed.

Suddenly, the familiar burning stabs that haunted her dreams erupted on Rose's back where her scar was. She let out a scream of pain, only to be answered by brutal laughter sounding behind her. Tears flowed wildly down her face as she choked on her own sobs. The burning was soon replaced by an all encompassing pain that filled her entire being. The baby kicked violently now in the chaos. It happened so fast that she didn't even hear Lucius call out Crucio. Rose's mind began to numb and fog from the pain, and she felt her eyes fluttering in and out of consciousness. Yet the spell stopped all of a sudden, and she became fully aware of the strife her entire being was in. She cried softly still; the kicking within her had ceased entirely. Rose had nearly forgotten Lucius was there until his chilling voice spoke once more. "I think you know how this goes Rose," it said, a smile on it.

Rose closed her eyes tightly. The images of her friends and Sirius flashed behind them. All her friends around Lily's hospital bed. Sirius down on one knee. The Order toasting to her engagement. The two lines on the test. The drunken nights, stumbling and dancing with her friends. Her last look around she and Lily's dorm. Her hands dancing across the keys, Sirius's strong hand on her knee. Her first passionate kiss with Sirius under the pale moonlight. It all blazed by in a matter of seconds, the final image being Sirius laughing, head thrown back in joy, hair messy, and grin stretching across his handsome face. This was the last thing Rose saw as she heard a fierce "Avada Kedavra!", and everything fell black.

Tiny Dancer had just ended.

***

Sirius walked home from the market, the tomatoes in a bag that was clenched tightly in his hand. The cold December air nipped at his cheeks, but he felt a deeper chill that was not caused by the weather. He had a mounting feeling of dread ever since he left the house, and something deep inside urged him to not return. He kept throwing glances over his shoulder, and it seemed every person he passed was hiding something sinister. Shaking his head, he cursed himself at his own paranoia. It had to be the job getting to him; all he needed was a drink.

Yes, that was it. Just a drink.

Sirius looked forward to his night with Rose. Maybe they could dance, just how they used to. Surely. Sirius racked his brain, trying to get it to cast away his worry, trying to get it to ignore the heavy feeling in his chest. When he reached the door to his home, his hand hesitated on the knob. He didn't want to go in. But he was being foolish. Shaking his head once more, Sirius opened to the door, only to drop the tomatoes where he stood.

Rose laid still on the ground, her hair a mess and her white blouse stained red. The feeling in Sirius's chest exploded and he grew a ghostly pale. The scent of lilacs that filled the room, once so welcome and dear, was not acrid and bitter, and began to choke him. Rushing over to Rose, Sirius saw that her slut scar had been re-burned, her back overrun with fresh blood. Beginning to heave, Sirius grabbed her wrist and face, frantically searching for any sign of life. But Rose's face had lost its beautiful tan, and her plump lips were slightly parted. Her eyes were closed in conclusion. Sirius felt his soul shatter within him, and exit through the silent scream etched on his face. Waterfalls of tears stained his face and fell onto the woman below him. Sirius followed suit, falling over Rose, shaking and heaving uncontrollably. Blood stained his clothes and face. He grabbed her tightly, in total denial that his beautiful Rose lay wilted in his arms.