Crimson Ink

Web of Terror

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"It's mmmworth mmit. The-mm potiommm willmm makemm mme strommmg." Ron garbled through food he stuffed in his mouth. He sent the confused witch a smug look, never noticing the fox, who just finished getting Lucius safely back to through Severus' floo, climbing into Harry's pocket ...

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Rabastan sighed as he sat in his usual chair that faced his patient, "I'm happy you didn't bite me today. Thank you, Sirius." He said casually and smiled despite getting a snort from the big black dog.

Some people might think that weeks have gone by and Sirius hasn't shown any progress, but that wasn't what Rabastan was seeing. Just seeing the healthier canine form meant that the meals and potions were doing their part and that alone should help. In fact, you could see the drastic difference in the eyes of the dog. What were once crazed and frantic eyes were now very alert and focused.

"You're an Auror so you know how to protect your mind. That part of your training is well known so I don't know what is keeping you from talking to me. It's not like I can use magic to get in your head and we never tried to hurt you." Rabastan commented, trying a more blunt approach to get through the stubborn wizard. "You know, Hogwarts is trying something new for the seventh year students. Apparently, Dumbledore is incorporating the Forbidden Forest in the lesson. They all, especially Harry, have to go in the forest and take note of what they see. I believe that the first walk through starts tomorrow."

The seemingly casual conversation made Sirius react. The black dog's eyes widened and quickly narrowed threateningly as he stood. While Rabastan could tell that the barks from the dog were some sort of angered rant he didn't react.

"Is there something wrong with that?" Rabastan asked calmly, but sighed as he only got more pissed off barks. "Not sure what you expect me to get from that when I don't understand you."

In an instant a dog lunged forward, but it was a full human wizard that knocked Rabastan out of the chair and to the floor. "Why the fuck are you not watching out for Harry?! I knew you sick Death Eaters were going to do something to Harry!" He screamed while trying to strangle Rabastan.

Rabastan shot his left hand out and grabbed the crazed wizard by the collar to force him back. "We were never the ones Harry had to fear." He said calmly, feeling excited on the inside. Not only did he finally drag Sirius out of that canine safe space, but he finally got Sirius to really look at the beautiful whimsical pentagram vine symbol on his left forearm. In fact, Sirius was currently staring right at it in confusion. "Can you really say the same?"

Sirius reluctantly ripped his eyes away from the strange, but very clearly not a dark mark, symbol and glared at the mind healer. "What the hell does that mean? He's my godson! I'd never hurt him!"

"Do you honestly believe that?" Rabastan asked and prepared to say some blunt, albeit carefully worded, truths. "It was Narcissa who went through Gringotts to legally save him from the abusive relatives. The very ones he was dumped with because you ran after Peter-"

"That bastard is a Death Eat-" Sirius gasped as he was easily flipped onto his back and was forced to see the strange mark again.

"Are you a Death Eater?" Rabastan asked, making sure Sirius could see the mark. "You were imprisoned for years because everyone thought you were, but you seem to think you can't make the same mistake. Peter happens to have the exact mark I have." He commented as he shoved the wizard off.

Even when his butt hit the floor Sirius' eyes returned to the mark and seemed to be mentally scrambling for an answer, "He was there!" He suddenly snapped and tried to get up, but the mind healer was faster and was already crouching casually over him.