Limitless

S

I woke up the next morning my head feeling thick and a little ache pulsed through my temples. I looked out window from my spot on the bed. The light was grey and soft rain pelted the window. I felt a rush of anxiety but I willed it away stubbornly. I didn't have any energy to expend on being anxious; besides, worry never did anyone the least bit of good. There was heavy breathing coming from behind me but this morning, there was no heavy arm pinning me in place. I turned over to look at him; his arm was curled around a pillow, his brow furrowed in their natural position. I knew him better now, understood him more, and trusted him.

He and I had spent a large part of the evening laughing and telling stories. It was actually exactly what I needed. We didn't speak once about work or about what had happened. He seemed more relaxed around me but I did catch him looking at me intensely every now and then. I slipped out of bed careful not to disturb him before I climbed into the shower.

When I left the bathroom about thirty minutes later, the bed was made and the room deserted. I went downstairs just in time to catch the dying silver of Dumbledore's Phoenix patronus. Fabian's back was to me and he was shaking his head slightly.

He turned around and didn't at all seem surprised to see me.

"They've found the bodies of more muggles." He said looking as serious as he always did, quite unlike the night before.

"Where? How many?"

"I don't know." He said shaking his head again, "but they're sending someone to fetch us."

Soft rain soaked into our clothes as we walked to the apparation spot. We only had to wait a few minutes before two figures appeared with a loud crack. Moody stood, his wand out, immediately scanning his surroundings. Behind him stood a very grim Sirius. His wet hair clung to the side of his face, his T-shirt suctioned to his body along with his jeans and open jacket. He looked between Fabian and I for a moment, his face completely murderous. My stomach turned partly because I was more than a little hung over and partly because of guilt. Last night was the second evening I had spent with Fabian instead of going back to him.

This was going to be completely horrendous.

"Moody, " Fabian said extending his hand and giving him a stiff handshake, "Black." He said offering his hand to Sirius but Sirius did not rise to meet him. Instead he stared at him as though he wanted nothing more than to pummel him into the ground. Fabian smiled at him before letting his hand drop to his side. I didn't know what to do; Sirius's fists were balled so tightly his veins were protruding from his forearms, Fabian on the contrary looked as though he didn't have a care in the world. Having said that, he did not break eye contact with Sirius. Moody was looking between Sirius, Fabian and I in turn, a smirk forming on his mouth.

"Shall we be off then?" he said after a prolonged, silence. Fabian and Sirius still eyed each other heavily but my temper was rising.

"This is absurd. Stop it." I said firmly, "Alastor, please will you take me. We can leave these two fools here..." Sirius shifted his eyes to me immediately and I swear I could feel his fury.