The Corpse That Lived.

Chapter 6:

Dahlia slept late in the morning, her exhaustion and her illness keeping bringing her to sleep quickly after her shower. Sirius had eaten breakfast and had several cups of tea by the time the quiet girl appeared at the bottom of the stairwell, she looked in surely better now that she did take a shower, her dark hair incredibly mussed and her eyes still bleary with sleep.

She looked more like James than ever with her hair all out of sorts like that, and Sirius couldn't help smiling as he remembered how irritated Lily always was when James purposely screwed up his hair. It was a constant complaint for years...until suddenly one day shes started to like that messy mop of hair.

"Good morning," Sirius greeted brightly.

"Good morning," Dahlia mumbled quietly and rubbed at her eyes.

"Did you sleep all right?"

"Yes, S- Sirius." She nodded, the politeness of yesterday obviously restored.

"Are you hungry? I'll have Kreacher prepare you breakfast," he offered. Sirius stood and waved for her to follow him into the kitchen where Kreacher was scrubbing furiously at the sink. Dahlia eyes widened again, as though she had realised this was not all some strange dream, and Sirius fought the urge to hug the girl. "Sit," he offered, gesturing for the table. "What would you like to eat?"

"It doesn't matter," Dahlia answered, looking like she was in a world of her own.

It did matter, but Sirius wouldn't force it if Dahlia didn't feel ready to speak to him just yet. Today, Sirius would have to explain to her about her parents. It was probably too soon, but he couldn't hold James off forever. His friend was undoubtedly growing impatient, and if Sirius stalled much longer, someone was going to discover the news by accident. It would be hard enough to explain to Dahlia without having a hysterical James and Lily on his hands as well. He would have to keep Dahlia calm today, keep her peaceful and secure until it was time to deliver the news.

Unfortunately, the girl in question was looking quite pale, reminding Sirius of how frail she was. She was still recovering from hypothermia and infection, not to mention the beatings. He saw her bruised and scared back. Some monster must of derived pleasure from hurting his baby. He wanted to grill Dahlia for answers and then slowly torture the perpetuators to death, any hand that raises against Dahlia must fall.

She looked so small as she sat down at the large table, and Sirius wondered if perhaps he ought to feed her and tuck her back in bed, leave all the talk for later when he was stronger.

Then Sirius remembered the note he sent James this morning, and the sealed-off fireplace. He heard his best friend's voice shouting from the mirror he had shoved in the sock drawer, and he knew it wasn't fair. Not to James, not to Lily, not even to Dahlia. They were forging some semblance of a fragile trust, and to Dahlia, withholding truth would be the same as lying. It was imperative to tell her, and tell her quickly, or she might never bring herself to believe that adults could really have her best in mind.

As Dahlia sipped at a glass of pumpkin juice, Sirius ordered Kreacher to make tea, toast, eggs, and oatmeal. The little elf bowed deeply and set to work, surprisingly keeping his mouth shut this time as he hurried about with his task.

"I think you must have tamed my elf, mate," Sirius grinned at Dahlia. "He muttered at me when I asked him to make my breakfast, but yours..."

Dahlia managed a cheeky smile which is when Sirius debated the wisdom of his plan to tell Dahlia the whole truth, he wanted to keep her smiling, for just a day longer but just then his owl flew up to the windowsill and tapped at it. He rose to let the bird in, untying the parchment from his leg. He unrolled it, not at all surprised when he recognised James's handwriting.