Moonlit Bonds: The Tale of Moony and Snowy

Chapter 150 - Shadows of Grimmauld Place

Back at 12 Grimmauld Place, the oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on Eliza and Sirius as they returned to their childhood home. The walls, shrouded in shadows and the echoes of past grievances, seemed to close in on them, a stark contrast to the freedom and camaraderie of Hogwarts.

Eliza's room, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison. Despite the comfort of having Sirius nearby, the fear of what their parents might do next hung over them like a dark cloud. Their shared room became a whispered conference room where they planned their responses and their defenses against the increasing severity of their parents' punishments.

One evening, as the house lay quiet except for the distant rumblings of a storm outside, Walburga Black's shrill voice shattered the silence. "You two are an embarrassment to the noble house of Black!" she screamed after discovering a letter from Remus to Eliza, her fury palpable in every word.

Orion Black, his face a mask of rage, raised his wand menacingly. "You will learn respect," he hissed, and with a swift movement, he unleashed his own pain curse on Eliza. Her screams echoed through the house, a chilling reminder of the cruelty her own family could inflict.

Sirius, his face twisted in horror, lunged forward, managing to shove his father, breaking the curse's connection. "Don't you touch her!" he roared, his own wand drawn in defense of his sister.

The confrontation escalated quickly, with shouts and spells flying through the cramped room. The air crackled with magic and malice until, finally, the parents retreated, leaving Sirius and Eliza panting and shaken on the floor of their room.

Eliza, curled against Sirius, her body trembling from the pain and terror, struggled to catch her breath. "I can't do this anymore, Sirius," she sobbed, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

Sirius, his arms tight around her, felt a surge of protective rage mixed with despair. "We'll find a way out of this, Eliza. I promise," he whispered fiercely, though doubt gnawed at his heart.

The next day, under the guise of normalcy, Eliza's anxiety hovered close to the surface, her every movement cautious, her eyes constantly darting to the door every time it creaked or opened. Sirius stayed close, his presence a silent vow of protection.

Their nights were restless, filled with hushed conversations and shared fears. "We need to leave," Sirius murmured one night, his voice low and urgent. "As soon as we can, we need to get out."