Rebirth {Marauders Era}

CHAPTER 10: SIRIUS: DECIMA REVEALED

Sirius tried to relax against the bed that night, attempting to fall asleep. However, he couldn't quell the feelings of panic that rose in his system as he lay there just thinking. He had a powerful entity coming after him, or so he was told. Whether she was actually Decima or not, the figure seemed to know that she was a force to be reckoned with.

"Sirius." There came a whisper. Sirius nearly leapt from surprise.

"Remus mate, you scared the hell out of me." Remus smiled apologetically.

"Sorry Pads, but James and I had a mission to complete. We got you a sleeping elixir, it helps for dreamless sleep."

"Where'd you get this Moony? Why does it reek if being stolen?" Sirius said, grinning as he took the bottle of green liquid from James.

"Because it was Sirius. Don't you know we all hate it when you don't sleep? You keep us up, so we had to do something." Peter smiled amusedly. "But we also are kept up by worrying about you."

It seemed that since Peter confided in Sirius, he had gained a lot of confidence when it came to talking to him. He was determined to show that he wasn't a worthless wizard, and a loyal member of the Marauders.

"You actually committed a crime Moony? For real?" Sirius laughed with relief in his eyes as he looked at the serum.

"Um, well, first of all it was simply a transgression, and secondly James did most of it."

"That I did." James proudly stated. "You should thank me."

Remus pinched the bridge of his nose. "I take back what I said earlier, we aren't any less immature."

"Really Moony? Why else then is Evans going out with me? Don't you remember her calling me a toerag back in third year? Why would she go out with me if she still thought I was one."

"Uh, Prongs that was fifth year, and yes. But maybe she found she has a taste for rebellious boys."

"You know that means she would go out with me right?" Sirius grinned. "I'm way more rebellious then you lot."

The others did not smile. They knew very well how bad Sirius's parents were, and that no matter how hard he tried to escape their influence, it seemed people who claimed they weren't prejudiced would say he was as bad as his parents. The Marauders had quickly put a stop to that, but Sirius was sure they were still talking about him behind his back, and that Slytherins like Snivellus would do anything to get him angry about it.

"You rebelled against cruelty, Sirius. Not many people have done it. Prongs only rebels against school rules meant for safety!" Remus sighed.

"Well, actually my cousin Andy did, she married a muggleborn. And my Aunt Juline. She married out of the family also." Sirius said, then looked up at the clock and yelped. "Merlin's underpants! It's nearly midnight!"

"Is it?" Peter yawned. "No wonder I feel so tired."

"Go to sleep Wormy, I'll take the serum so you lot don't have to worry. Get some sleep."

Reluctantly, the other boys closed their eyes, and Remus fell asleep quickly, probably because the full moon was nearing. Sirius gulped the potion down and felt his eyes get heavy.

"Good night." He muttered, then he was asleep.

If he thought the serum would inhibit him from dreaming, he was wrong.

He stood again in the void, and this time the figure had its back turned to him, humming as she stroked a little silver string with fraying edges. Sirius couldn't look right at it, it felt like looking at the sun. Then suddenly the humming stopped, along with Sirius's heart. He fell back in fear.

"You have come again." The figure said, and it stood up, long hair cascading down slim shoulders. Without the cloak, the figure was unmistakably feminine. "So soon, too."

He just stood, rooted to the spot as she turned around. Burning amber eyes met his, the same ones that he had seen flash at him earlier. Her face was beautiful, unearthly, but it held power, and every so often it would flicker to reveal a very old woman.

"I bet you are wondering who I am?" She murmured, her face calm. Then they suddenly flicked upward and narrowed. "But I cannot tell you here. Come, follow me."

She led him through the darkness, to a small room that was made of stone.

"This is my refuge. I come here to avoid him." She gestured above her, and Sirius shivered, wondering what sort of power could subdue a woman who seemed to possess such immense strength.

"W-who are you?" He squeaked, and she laughed. Her amber eyes were so intense that it was like she could see his very soul. Which she could, of course.

"I am that which is destiny. Lachesis I was when I was imprisoned." She looked sadly upon her dwelling. "And yet still my sisters mourned, and no great destiny was decided for many a time. Only life and death, pointless lives only meant to further the human race and nothing more."

"That isn't an answer!" Sirius cried. "Who are you now then, Lachesis, and how do you know Decima and Athena?"

"Ah, I was not finished. The Romans did not believe I was truly gone, and because of their faith in me, I became stronger, strongest in the form of Decima." She smiled. "What I told you earlier, that was to find my story, and read up on my captor. Perhaps then we can dislodge him."

"What is it to me? I am simply Sirius Black." Sirius frowned.

"That you are. I still do not know why my sister chose you. But you'd best not fail, or you'll regret ever coming here again." She suddenly reminded him of Minnie, telling him to pass her class. "My sister Nona chose you to do this. That string was yours. It is still frayed. Do you wish to see James's?"

"Why James's?"

"Because if you fail, it will be the shortest." She held up a strong golden string, with the words James Potter, Father to the Chosen One, 1981 on it. "Yours is not that much longer."

"What does that mean? What's the date on there?" Sirius asked, as he noticed it wasn't too long from now.

Decima was silent on that matter, only giving him a few words before Sirius woke up peacefully in his bed. "The dreams I sent you? You best watch yourself or you might find yourself falling prey to them. The line between dream and reality will fall if you do not succeed. Save me and I shall help you."