A Fall Through Worlds And Time Apart

Part 11

Ara stood, half hidden behind the door frame fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. Sirius looked at her then closed his eyes and said, "Am listening"

"er... I wanted to ask you something. Mm.... can you tell me when Harry will be brought here? tomorrow?"

Sirius tapped his fingers and said," not until next week."
"oh" Ara was shaking now. "er..when is the next order meeting?"
Sirius was staring at her confused."just before bringing him"

"Ohh... Then... Erm... Harry.. Tomorrow.. D... But...." Sirius clenched his fists as he noticed how she was sweating. He wanted to comfort her but was afraid of himself.

Just then Molly came down, "Ara, I will cook. Don't bother.. Oh dear! What happened?" she glared at Sirius, "What did you do?"

Sirius stared for a moment and suddenly started laughing out loud. So loud by the Time he stopped, he could see all Weasleys and Tonks around looking concerned.

But all he saw was the pretty lady at the back.

She was looking directly at him, with no fear, eyes bright and he could see a very small smile on her lips. He couldn't believe it. He made her smile.
Sirius was grinning like mad.

"He hit his head" Ron said loudly. Everyone laughed. Tonks pulled him up and said lowly "or lost his heart"

"Are you alright dear?" Mrs Weasley asked. "yes" both Sirius and Ara said together. Ara smiled softly to Sirius and he gave her a genuine smile in return. She lowered her eyes and tucked a piece of hair behind the ear.

"I would like to help, er.. If you don't mind, Mrs Weasley " she said humbly."oh I don't mind at all, dear. Just didn't want to bother you. Come on then. Can you cut the veggies? Thanks dear"

"I will help too" Tonks proclaimed. "Ahh! but it's only some breakfast dear. Tonks it's okay"

Mrs Weasley sighed as Tonks broke a whole basket of eggs "am okay I will clean" Tonks screamed as Mrs Weasley cleaned, Sirius laughed and Ara stared open mouthed.

"Molly, give her all those breakable black family crest dishes. Good riddance." Sirius said. Ara frowned as others laughed. "He was tortured here" Tonks said. Ara nodded silently.

"So where are you from?" Tonks smiled as she jumped to sit near Ara. "She's from India. She just... Urghh... Arrived here somehow. Not even Dumbledore knows. She can't go back. She has knowledge of...certain matters and ...she stays here. And I don't approve my... Guest be questioned." Sirius joined Ara's other side.
"Ooh defensive mode.. " Tonks smirked. "Come on cousin, I just wanted to know her"

"You don't have to"Ara said. 
"eh?"
"I am muggle." Ara mumbled moving away from Tonks.
"So what?" she asked. Ara raised her eyes to meet Tonks.
"My dad's muggle. I love muggles and magic the same." she held out her hand. Ara quickly wiped her hand on her dress and took it.

By then Molly collected the veggies and food was ready. As everyone sat to eat, Molly had to force Ara to sit with them.

She was silent throughout the breakfast and left the table quickly. Sirius noticed it but didn't say anything.

He finished his food. Tonks left and he went to see buckbeak. The creature was his family now. He did not know how much time he spent there until Molly was banging on the door.

"What Molly?"

"Lunch is ready. Everyone finished eating an hour ago. If you and Ara are not eating I will freeze it"

"wow is it that late? Sorry I just.. " he walked with her and stopped," wait, why didn't Ara eat?"

"I don't know. She has locked herself in her room. Me and the boys tried our best. She says she's alright... Won't open the door at all... Sirius, am scared. Her voice is cracked. I think she cried... " Molly looked scared too.

But Sirius was sprinting down the stares to her room. He halted right in front of it and took a moment to calm his breath.

" Ara... " he called gently. He strained his ears to hear a very slight sniff. His hear beat quickened. He turned the doorknob to find it locked.

"Ara... Please" he slightly raised his voice. He was worried.
"Am fine. Sirius. Please leave. Am just.... Sleeping " her voice wavered.
Sirius took a deep breath.
"Ara I just want to see if you are alright. Please"

"NO" Her voice scared him. Sirius knew that level of denial very well. Hell, he spent most of his time not letting others know about the tears he shed. His knuckles turned white as he held the doorknob.
"Ara.. I can't.... Am coming in."

He did not wait for her response. He hit the door hard and fell in.
As Molly made to come in, Sirius held a hand. She hesitated, but fixed the door with magic and left.

As sirius looked around, at first he couldn't see her at all. Then he saw it.

In a corner of the room, close to the slytherin banners of his family hung a bunch of similar green hair. Same as Ara's length. He stepped closer, "Ara.."  he called softly.

She was curled in a ball, head on her knees, hugging her legs. The whole of her was green. Even her beautiful white and black dress was a sick green now.
"Ara.... " Sirius felt his heart turn to pulp when he heard a sob.
"Did Kreacher do this? I will kill that bloody elf" sirius was shaking with anger.

"No it wasn't Kreacher. Please " Panicked, she raised her tear strained face to look at him. Dread filled sirius's heart as he saw her face. Even her eyes were green.
What broke his heart was when she quickly turned away. "I told you not to come"
"Ara... No... " his voice broke. He took a few steps to her.
" No don't come near me... Please... I beg you... "she was scrambling back.
" Ara I would never hurt you... I will die but not see you cry. Please Ara " Sirius felt his eyes burn. He did not know how but he neared her and hugged her close.

" No. No. No. Go away. Am... Am.... I... You... Oh... Am disgusting and ugly and... And.. I don't deserve love. I must be alone. I am bad. Not worthy. Shame for my family. You have better people. I should... away. I... You... Leave me. "

she was struggling and hitting him and crying. Sirius stayed silent but hugged her closer as she struggled. He took all her blows.
As she continued to blabber in her native language, he kissed the top of her head. That shut her up quickly. She stood, open mouthed, her hands raised and started at him in shock.
He looked down at her and said, "so was it that easy to shut you up?"

She blinked. As she made to run away, he grabbed her arms and hugged her again. "Never say such things again. I think you are the most beautiful person I have ever met. Even now. I hate this green, but on you it looks good." She struggled again.
"I don't know what you have been through.I have been nothing but mean to you. And yet, you helped me talk to Harry. With a heart as beautiful as that, you deserve nothing but all the love in the world. " his eyes glistened as he wiped a tear off her cheek." and I will love you... " his voice shook with emotion. Her eyes widened" no".

Sirius cleared his throat "er... I meant... we'll all love you, me, Remus, Tonks, Harry... And Molly already adopted you." she smiled slightly at that "Even this green me?" she attempted a laugh. "yeah. With this costume, even my mom might adore you" he snorted. Her face screwed in distaste as she said, "no thanks"

"If not Kreacher, then.... How? What happened?" Sirius asked carefully.