Prompt 25 - Angst
@wolfstarmicrofic July 25, word count 876
Part six of werewolf Sirius
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Rorbey had been gone for two weeks already. He hadn’t sent a message of any kind or an update to Sirius on his task. Sirius didn’t dare summon him in case it put the elf or Regulus in danger.
Greyback had approached him again the previous week asking if he’d decided to play nice yet. When Sirius had spat at him, Greyback had slammed him up against a tree so hard he swore he’d heard his skull crack. Remus had checked him over after Greyback had disappeared again. He’d had a nasty cut which Remus quickly healed. And they’d gone back to waiting.
He hated waiting. He’d done enough of it below Lestrange castle to last a lifetime.
“Come on Sirius, buck up,” Marcus clapped him on the back and pushed a bowl of porridge into his hands. Sirius forced it down. He hadn’t had much of an appetite, but he knew he’d need all the strength he could muster to rescue Regulus and escape Greyback. So, he ate whatever he was given.
Remus didn’t try to perk him up like Marcus did. Remus knew better. He stayed close and was there for him when he needed him. He’d learnt years ago through a lot of fighting and tears that it was best to let Sirius sort himself out.
“Leave him be, Marcus,” Remus warned the other wolf. Marcus backed off, his head tilting toward the ground. Since that day in the woods, after the last full moon, Remus seemed to be able to command them both. Sirius had pondered over this in between his thoughts of his brother and Rorbey.
He hadn’t felt compelled to do as Greyback told him to, but when Remus asked him to do something, he did it, but only if he was ordered. He couldn’t be sure if it was because he felt compelled to or if he was just doing it because it was Remus. He’d have to test it.
His chance came that afternoon. Greyback had returned to the camp followed by his most trusted followers. He made straight for where Sirius, Remus and Marcus were gathered.
“The Dark Lord is unhappy with you. He’s given you until the night before the full moon to agree, or your dear brother will find himself at the wrong end of an Avada.” Greyback sneered at him. “The choice is yours, Lord Black. Remember though, the Dark Lord always gets what he desires.” Greyback’s followers crowded around him. Remus came up behind him and Marcus positioned himself slightly in front of him. “Do not get involved with this. Step back.” Greyback growled at him. Marcus stood his ground. “Step back, now!” Greyback said with more force.
“Marcus,” Remus growled quietly at him, and Sirius watched as Marcus stepped back and away from them. Sirius caught the flash of confusion on Greenback’s face, but the Wolf leader quickly controlled his face and turned his attention back to Sirius.
“Don’t think, because you’ve been welcomed into my pack and made a few friends, that you are safe here. We’ll continue our conversation closer to your deadline and see if you have changed your tune. Come, my children.” He motioned to the wolves still crowding Sirius, and they begrudgingly followed. Sirius didn’t take his eyes off Greyback until he’d disappeared. He turned to Marcus and eyed him curiously.
“Hop up and down on one foot,” He ordered.
“Hop about yourself,” Marcus scoffed. Sirius turned to Remus.
“Order him to do it.”
“What good’s that going to do?” Remus questioned him.
“Just do it!” Sirius demanded. Remus rolled his eyes but stepped forward.
“Hop up and down on one foot,” He said. Marcus didn’t move.
“No, no, like you’re ordering him,” Sirius corrected. Remus repeated the words, this time with a bit more authority. Sirius could hear that same gravelly undertone again, the same as Greyback’s. They all watched in amazement when Marcus immediately began hopping up and down on one foot.
“What the hell have you done to me?” Marcus cried out.
“Stop,” Remus said, and Marcus stilled.
“Well, that’s an interesting trick,” Remus mused, his eyes narrowed, observing Marcus. Sirius didn’t have time to explain what he thought he’d discovered because a high-pitched voice called out from the tree line.
“Master Sirius!” Rorbey whisper-shouted. “Master Sirius!” Sirius grabbed Remus’s hand and made for the voice.
“Rorbey,” He croaked as he stooped to hug the little elf. “You’re alright,”
“Yes Master Sirius, Rorbey is coming back to yous. No worry, no worry, Master Sirius,”
“Let’s move further in, we don’t know who might be listening,” Remus warned. Sirius gathered the elf into his arms and led the way into the forest.
Remus used his wand to keep them from prying eyes and ears and Sirius set Rorbey back on his feet.
“What did you find, Rorbey,” He asked as gently as he could once Remus had given him the go-ahead.
“Rorbey has found young Master Regulus,” Rorbey told them.
“Is he alive?” Sirius’s voice was barely a whisper. He bent down and took Rorbey’s hands in his. “Please, Rorbey tell me,” The elf blinked his big round eyes and his pointed ears waved as he looked up into Sirius’s face.
“Master Regulus is alive.”
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