When Black Met Blue (Marauder Fanfic)

chapter 22 *Edited*

‘I told you,’ Sirius hissed, spitting blood out of his mouth. ‘No.’ That was always the easiest answer. He didn’t even have to think about it at this point.

‘Crucio!’ Sirius writhed, his head hitting the hard stone wall. But he didn’t scream. He hadn’t in days. It was his one small satisfaction about the whole situation. ‘Have you changed your mind?’

‘No.’

‘Crucio.’ Sirius’ mouth filled with blood as he bit down on his tongue. The pain subsided. It had seemed to go forever, but it ended. It always did. ‘Join us.’

‘No.’ Carrow gritted his teeth and struck Sirius across the face. Sirius glared at him, too weak to raise his arm to hit him back. He wanted to, though, and it was the thought that counted.

‘Carrow,’ Abraxas said lazily from his seat in the corner. ‘No physical contact.’

‘You wouldn’t want to break me, would you,’ Sirius said sarcastically, wiping his mouth as he pushed himself into a sitting position. His arms protested, but his will was stronger. He looked at the new girl who in the past few days had stayed unconsious and looked like she was going to stay that way for a while.

Carrow watched Sirius with an easily readable expression; he wanted to hit him again. With a reluctant look at Malfoy he stepped away, brandishing his wand. ‘Crucio,’ he snarled. This curse was stronger. Much, much stronger. Sirius sucked in a breath, clutching at his head which felt about to explode. ‘Crucio!’ Sirius fought to distract himself. It seemed easier that way. Seemed to hurt less. He thought about James's parents and hoped they have been proud. He thought about his brothers, and how he had to get back to them. He thought about Orla, and how much he loved her. It made him hurt less. ‘Crucio!’ Carrow shouted, sounding frustrated at the lack of response. Sirius smiled wearily through the pain, imagining all the hexes he would use on the two of them if he had his wand.

* * *

‘Have you had enough, Black?’

‘No,’ he said. That was all he ever said anymore.

‘Crucio.’ Sirius sat there. It didn’t hurt anymore. He was numb, except for an occasional twinge in his side; he suspected he had a broken rib or two, though he wasn’t quite sure when that had happened. ‘Had enough yet?’

‘No,’ Sirius said, straightening. After a bit it occurred to him that it probably would have been better for him to say yes. Another moment later he disregarded the thought. It was important to say no. He couldn’t quite remember why, but he was sure that was important too. He ruminated on that for a moment but it was evasive. With a shrug he turned back to the man with the stick. ‘Why do you keep doing that?’

The man looked absolutely flabbergasted and shot a look at the blonde man in the corner. The blonde man shrugged, standing up to inspect Sirius. He tilted Sirius’ head up so he could look him in the eyes. Sirius pulled his chin out of his grip. ‘Again.’

‘Crucio,’ the first man said cautiously. Sirius felt it, the prickling, pinching, stabbing sensation, but he didn’t flinch. He was used to it. He stayed it his sitting position, staring up at them.

‘Do you feel anything?’ the blonde asked, stroking his chin.

‘No,’ Sirius said mechanically.

‘Nerve damage,’ the blonde man said thoughtfully. He pulled his wooden stick out and said something Sirius didn’t catch, but a funny itching sensation spread through him. ‘Did you feel that?’

‘No.’

‘Try him.’

‘Crucio.’ Sirius screamed, collapsing. ‘You felt that, didn’t you, Black?’