Scars

Chapter One-Another Scar

What happens next is all a blur.

My mind seems completely frozen so I unbiasedly document things through my senses. Strong arms under me between the soaked earth and my limp body, shouting, worried hands over my face, tentative ones over my arm, then sharp snaps, bright lights, a medicinal smell that sets my inner lioness on edge, cool water on my arm, my forehead, soft cloth all around me, then stillness once again. I let myself fall over the edge of consciousness hoping to find some solace there.

Next time I wake, it's actual waking rather than just a blurry existence. My eyes clear as I blink rapidly and look around the room. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are sitting to my left in an armchair, clearly, they hadn't meant to fall asleep with his arms wrapped around her waist and her in his lap, but fallen asleep they had. I must have been here for a while. I look to my right and find James and Sirius here as well in two rather uncomfortable-looking chairs. James is slumped back with his hand over Sirius's chair arm, while Sirius is half laying over my bed with his head turned my way.

My right hand is in his and my forearm is wrapped all the way up to that wrist. Tears quickly gather in my eyes. It wasn't a dream then. That man carving that mark into me comes to mind and my heart picks up at the taste of fear still lingering in my mouth. I try shutting my eyes and taking deep breaths, but the minute my eyes shut I'm there all over again. Gently, I remove my hand from Sirius' and watch as they tremble. Tears prick at my eyes.

I thought I was done with this. Done with the fear that haunted my every step before I went away to school, the thought that my father would be around every corner, the thought that pain was just a moment away, but now instead of him, it'll be his brother. My hands slice into my hair before I notice the thick bandages covering my arm all over again. Before I can stop them, tears silently fall down my cheeks and I curl in on myself as I hurriedly wipe them away.

Unfortunately, my moving wakes Sirius and his eyes brighten when he sees me awake, but his expression falls when he sees the tears on my cheeks.

"Bloody hell it's good to see you awake." He breathes and stands up, taking my hand back in his and gently wiping away my tears. "I know you went through a lot, but nothing is going to happen to you now. I won't let a thing touch you." His voice is so firm I almost believe him.

"Sirius, listen to me." I start scratchily. Obviously, I haven't spoken in a while and the fact makes me wonder how long I've actually been here. My eyes are steady on Sirius' and my hand is squeezing his tight. "You need to run," I tell him firmly and his brows immediately furrow. "Run far and run fast to get as far away from me as quickly as possible. You all can protect one another and without me around, maybe you'll all have a chance-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, stop right there." Sirius whispers, shock written across his face. "We aren't going anywhere, none of us are going anywhere. Just because something bad happened doesn't mean you're poison-"

"Yes, it does! It does, Sirius!" I hiss. "First busting in on you all in the shack, the dementors, and now this? It won't stop and I can't have you all getting hurt. I can't." My head shakes as he climbs into the bed with me and holds me close. My hands ball up in his shirt as he smooths his hands over my hair. More tears leak from my eyes and are wicked away by his sweatshirt. Sirius wipes my tears away without a thought.

"Look, I've got to get a nurse. They'll stay with you but I'll be right back." He promises and I nod with a sigh. He slips out of his place and gently wakes James who brightens at the sight of me awake just like Sirius.

"Hey, Mane. Blimey, it's good to see you awake." He tells me with a relieved sigh and hands me a tissue box which I take gratefully. "You gave us a scare," James says and takes my free hand tightly while Sirius slips out. My head shakes.