The Tune Of Time

Chapter 28

He felt an ache somewhere in his body. He couldn't place a finger where. Everything was background , the cold stone floor beneath him, the silence around him except for a ragged breathing somewhere on his right. The only thing he could concentrate on was pain. The pain which pulled him out of his unconsciousness like an anchor. He realised the reason he couldn't place where he was aching was because he was aching all over his bloody body. He opened his eyes slowly , expecting a bright light that he will be able to get used to, however only a faint glow made him aware of his surroundings. He was in a dungeon of some sort. He yelled out a curse hoping it will be audible to wherever the death eaters where.

"Egh! Nice way wake up." She said. 

Sirius realised that the person by his side was Hermione. Slowly everything came back to her. After they had been captured by the death eaters , there wands and portkey were taken. The Order members had all gone by the time and everyone gathered around them. Several Cruciatus and various sorts of painful hexes later, they had all disappeared locking them in with a promise that next time they will be dealt by the Dark Lord himself. Sirius had seen Hermione writhing in pain with a sound as they hit her again and again. He on the other hand was tortured mostly by Lucius who being 'family' had decided it was hos duty to set him straight and make him a 'proper Black'. "When Dark Lord is through with you two, you will be more than happy to join our side" he had said, "We cannot say the same for your friend, she will be dead before that happens."

"Mione" Sirius sat up straight ignoring his screaming muscles, 

"Are you alright?"

She sat down leaning against the wall and Sirius slid to take place beside her putting an arm around her shoulder. She leaned into his side.

"Still in one piece." She said, her voice hoarse, "Though the same couldn't be said for my ear. Ever considered getting a job as banshee?" She asked a small smile on her lips.

Sirius felt awed by her strength. She had been tortured a while ago and here she was making jokes. He smiled at her fondly.

"I am too pretty for that kind of work love." He said giving her a small squeeze.

"How do we get out now?" He asked after a while. "They will be back soon." He shuddered thinking what they will do now. He would happily die instead of joining them if it came to that, but he would like to avoid that scenario unless absolutely necessary.

"I don't know. I am sorry you got struck because of me." She said she might have felt him shiver. "I am so sorry Sirius. I should have listened to Remus when he said I should not have come. I was foolish. You wouldn't have been captured of not for me." She sobbed turning her head so that it pressed in his side.

"It's not your fault kitten. Don't you dare blame yourself." He took her face in his hands and saw tears fall down her cheek. "You are the bravest and most compassionate witch I have ever met. I stayed because you have given me a reason to care for you and risk my ass for your sake. It was my decision. And if you weren't here, we couldn't have come in so easily. You helped us get in without getting caught. Don't underestimate you. You are only a person, you can't do everything." He planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you Sirius." She was about to hug him when a pop beside her startled her. What startled her more was to see the same large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls. 

"Dobby." She gasped.

"Mistress asked Dobby help heal the prisoners." He looked nervously at them.

Sirius stared at him wide eyed as he snapped his finger and the wounds visible on their bodies started healing.

"Thank you Dobby." Hermione said examining her hand which was full of wounds until a moment ago. His eyes widened as he saw that someone had thanked him. It must be the first time someone had said that to the poor elf. She nudged Sirius who was eyeing his own limbs and mouthed a thank you to him.