Breaking Black (A Sirius Black Love Story)

Chapter 55

"No!" I screamed, clutching at my chest. The corridor was filled with dust from the collapsed tunnel and I choked and sputtered with sobs. "NO!"

As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn't live without him, and it would be my fault for letting him face Bellatrix alone. Every stupid argument and fight seemed pointless if it meant I could have Sirius safe and by my side again, even if he was just giving me the silent treatment.

"Lexi?"

I squinted through the debris and saw a person start walking towards me. Sirius smirked as my jaw dropped when I realized he was actually okay.

"Hey." Sirius grinned and I lunged at him, flinging my arms around his shoulders in relief. "Ouch, watch the arm! Watch the arm!"

Sighing into his dusty jacket, I let him go, tenderly regarding his bleeding arm. Then, I punched him in the chest angrily.

"You can't do that to me!" I yelped, punching him again. "You can't die on me! You can't be mad at me and die on me! I'd kill you if you did!"

Another earsplitting wail of pain rippled down the hall.

"That's not Bellatrix, is it? Oh my god! You didn't kill her, did you?" I questioned, turning to the shredded tapestry where the boulders blocked off the tunnel. At the foot of the rubble was a hunched over figure, wailing in pain.

"No... I destroyed the tunnel as I ran... I don't think I trapped her though..." Sirius explained. "But I might've crushed someone else..."

"Mrs. Whiskers!" Filch lamented next to the pile of rubble, frantically ripping rocks out of the way. "Why? Why her? My love! Oh, Mrs. Whiskers!"

No matter how much I'd grown to hate the guy and his old cat, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He continued to move rocks out of the way, searching in vain for Mrs. Whiskers. Sirius chuckled at him and Filch looked up, angry tears leaving streaks on his dirty face.

"You." Filch accused, pointing a knobby finger at Sirius' chest. "You killed her!"

Filch started sobbing uncontrollably again, falling against the tattered tapestry and wailing into his sleeve.

"I- I'll have you expelled-"

"Argus, come with me." Professor Flitwick squeaked when he arrived on the scene. Dumbledore stood behind us, a hand on James' shoulder. Relief flooded my mind when I saw he was okay too. Filch stood up shakily, and Professor Flitwick led the blubbering and mourning caretaker away to his office.

"Alexandra and Sirius, come with me." Dumbledore commanded and waved away the mess in the corridor with a flick of his wand. The tapestry no longer hung in shreds and the air cleared, but something told me our favorite route to Zonko's was permanently blocked off.

"James..." I whispered as we trailed behind Dumbledore. Dirt streaked his face and he had a few scrapes on his arms, but luckily he didn't seem to have any werewolf bites.

"Greyback didn't get to me." James assured. "Collapsed the tunnel before he could even touch me."

Professor McGonagall met up with us as we started to walk into the headmaster's office. She looked like she just woke up. A nightcap was on her head and she seemed to be wearing pajamas under her robes.