Toxic

Chapter 1

"You listen to your mother now, you understand?" Sirius spoke hurriedly.

He looked into his daughter's deep amber eyes, not sure when he'd be able to see those magnificent orbs again.  She inhaled a shaky breath, tears evident in her eyes.

"Don't go - please," Arietta spoke softly.

Sirius gave a sympathetic look to his, only six-year old, child. She'd grow up to be a powerful witch. Just like him and her mother. It pained him to know he wouldn't be present in her growing years; to see her off to Hogwarts. Her mother, his loving wife, would watch over her and make sure she was raised to be a prideful Black.

"I promise; this isn't the last time you'll see me," he wrapped his arms tightly around her. The footsteps getting louder as they pounded up the steps. 

"Sirius -"

"I know Cressida," Sirius interrupted.

"You take care of your mother, and focus on your studies. Make me proud." Sirius said with a smile, giving a wink. Arietta cracked a small smile at her father, she would miss his light, carefree energy. Slipping his ring off his right index finger, he placed it into her opened palm. His large hands wrapping around her own. She gave him a confused look, this ring he cherished with his life. Besides his wedding band of course, but she'd heard the tales her father would tell her regarding this magnificent ring. Arietta gripped the ring harder in her hand, she would protect it now. Sirius touched her cheek gently, "Stay safe."

The door flew open to their sitting room upstairs, two Aurors bursting inside with their wands drawn. It surprised Sirius it took them that long to get past the defensive charms he put on their house to delay them. The last thing Sirius wanted to do was be taken away from his family, acting on instinct he drew his wand as well. 

"Sirius Black, you are here by under arrest by the DMLE, for the murders of Peter Pettigrew, twelve muggles, and for the betrayal upon James and Lily Potter!"one of the Aurors snarled. Sirius gave a fiendish smirk, his grip on his wand tightening immensely. How dare they accuse him of such horrid crimes. 

"The last thing I want to do is convict murder again," Sirius said in mockery. 

Arietta cowered in the corner behind her mother. Cressida, her mother, knew things were going to take a turn for the worst. Sirius was a strong-willed man, he wasn't letting these men take him away from the thing that mattered most to him; his family. It would of been easier, if Sirius just give heed to them and not resist arrest. But Cressida understood, that their accusations weren't even true and he would not go down without a duel. Arietta felt her mothers arms wrap around her shoulder and pull her close. Her mother didn't want her getting caught in the possible crossfire. 

"You lower your wand, now" the same Auror spoke coldly. 

Sirius gave one last glance over at his wife and daughter. He wasn't sure when he'd see them again, but he'd be damned if this be the last time. He shut his eyes momentarily, clenching his teeth all the while. 

"Expulso!" Sirius exclaimed. 

The sapphire colored beam left the tip of his wand, aimed at the two men standing in front of him. They quickly dived out of the way, Sirius moved towards the large window to the left of the room. The Auror who had yet to speak raised his wand from where he was lying on the floor, "Mucus ad Nausean Duo!" 

Arietta let out a small scream as the window was shattered opened by a fiery bolt from her father's wand. He jumped upon the window sill, giving one finally glance to the two huddled forms in the corner before leaping out.