True Reflections: Scars Saga 3

Migraine

Chapter 5

Migraine

2 August 1995

I paused my scrubbing to nurse a festering migraine. Sirius and I had informed Dumbledore of the status of Grimmauld Place immediately, and, of course, the Headmaster was enthused at the prospect of establishing headquarters there as soon as possible. So, Molly and I returned with Sirius and the kids the next day to begin cleaning. We started in the kitchen. Even with the nine of us, Hermione was visiting Ginny, it was a two day process.

After that we began tackling the bedrooms. We scrubbed and wiped away the layers of dust. I bought all new linen sets as the ones there were moth eaten. Once the rooms were habitable again, Sirius and I moved in. Molly and the kids followed soon after. And since he had quit his job to join the pack and could no longer afford trivial things such as food, Remus moved in as well.

Remus, though, was in and out all the time on Order business. The uncertainty of his return was an all too familiar feeling. It damn near broke me every time he left, resulting in many sleepless nights curled up in bed next to Padfoot waiting for his return. And when he did return, we carried on in silence, unable to confess our fears to one another for fear of starting another argument.

With three weeks of that, it's no wonder I suffered nearly a daily migraine.

Sirius saw me rubbing my temple so he moved in closer to me.

"Perhaps you should go have a lay down," he said.

I shook my head but immediately regretted it as a wave a nausea washed over me.

"Come on, up you go."

Sirius took my arm and gently pulled me to my feet.

"You won't help anyone if you spew sick all over my diligently cleaned curio."

Sirius carefully led me up three flights of stairs to my room. Then he helped me into bed, slipping of my shoes and pulling the light duvet over my shoulder. His fingers trailed lightly over my cheek as he brushed my hair behind my ear.

"How long have you been holding it?" he whispered.

I didn't need to ask what he meant to know he was referring to the illusion. At the cottage I could drop the illusion any time I felt the inkling of a headache. Now, staying at headquarters with Order members in and out all day, many of whom didn't know, I kept the illusion up despite the headaches.

There had been a few slips, and a few convenient confessions. The twins and Ginny had been let in, much to their amusement, so now the whole Weasley family (with the sole exception of Percy who wasn't on speaking terms with the rest of them) knew the truth. Tonks had been at dinner one night when the headache had been unbearable and the illusion slipped. Sirius and I chose to tell Kingsley a few days later, but everyone agreed that Mundungus should never be told.

"I...I can't remember," I replied faintly.

"Kate... let it go." He stroked my hair gently. "Let it go and sleep for a few hours without the stress of holding it."

"I..."

"Let it go."

The illusion dropped and the headache dissipated instantly, but I was lost to sleep anyway.