MINOR EDITS IN PROGRESS - The Forgotten Heir | Sirius Black (Marauders Era)

Chapter 12: Hidden Truths and Unspoken Power

The night air was cool as Lamia struggled to support Sirius's weight, her heart pounding in her chest. The Forbidden Forest loomed behind them, a dark silhouette against the moonlit sky, but all Lamia could focus on was getting Sirius to safety. His injuries—injuries she had caused—filled her with a gnawing guilt that threatened to consume her. She had to get him to Madam Pomfrey, and she had to do it quickly.

Sirius groaned as they made their way up the path toward the castle, his steps faltering. Lamia tightened her grip on his arm, using all her strength to keep him upright.

"Almost there, Sirius," she murmured, more to herself than to him. Her voice was strained, filled with worry.

Sirius didn't respond, his face pale and drawn, but he managed to keep moving, leaning heavily on her. The sight of him in such a state twisted something deep inside her—a mix of fear, guilt, and something else she couldn't quite name. She had never meant to hurt him, but now the consequences of her uncontrolled power were staring her in the face.

They reached the castle doors, and with some difficulty, Lamia pushed them open, her heart racing as she guided Sirius inside. The hallways were dimly lit, and the silence of the night made their footsteps echo eerily through the stone corridors. Every shadow seemed to watch them, every flicker of light from the torches like a judgment on what had just transpired.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the hospital wing. Lamia hesitated for just a moment before pushing the door open and stepping inside. The room was quiet, the rows of beds neatly made, and the soft light of candles casting long shadows on the walls. Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, was sitting at her desk, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment.

When she looked up and saw them, her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly rose from her chair. "What on earth happened here?" she asked, her voice sharp with concern as she hurried over to them.

Sirius, summoning what little strength he had left, tried to wave her off with a weak smile. "Nothing serious, Madam Pomfrey. I just...ate something I shouldn't have, that's all."

Madam Pomfrey's brow furrowed as she reached out to take Sirius's arm, guiding him to one of the beds. "Nonsense, Mr. Black. I've seen you eat all manner of things, and none of them have ever done this to you." Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Lamia's heart skipped a beat, panic bubbling up inside her. If Madam Pomfrey found out what really happened, if she knew about the power that had surged from Lamia in the forest... No, she couldn't let that happen. She had to protect Sirius, protect herself.

But Sirius, always quick with a deflection, managed to keep his voice light despite the pain. "Honestly, Madam Pomfrey, it's nothing. Just a bad reaction, that's all."

Madam Pomfrey wasn't convinced. She placed her hand on his forehead, checking his temperature, and then examined his bruises with a critical eye. "This doesn't look like a simple reaction to something you ate, Mr. Black. You've been in a fight, haven't you? Or worse?"

Sirius shook his head weakly. "No fight, I swear."

But the nurse was having none of it. She shot Lamia a suspicious look, her eyes narrowing. "Miss Wool, is there something you're not telling me?"

Lamia froze, her throat tightening. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She was caught between the urge to protect Sirius and the fear of revealing too much. Her mind raced, searching for a plausible explanation, but nothing came to her.

Madam Pomfrey sighed, sensing the tension. "Very well, if you won't tell me now, I suppose I'll find out eventually. But mark my words, Mr. Black—if you're hiding something from me, it could end up making things worse."