the Horcrux Thief, james potter

i. bathtubs & haunting lullabies

"Perdóname—" Amaya begged, but her mother only smiled.

"Ya no hay perdón para ti, mi pequeña asesina." And then she twisted her heart, making Amaya cry out just before she ripped it from her chest—

Amaya woke up with a gasp, someone shaking her shoulders.

She was still in the bathtub, the bubbles were scarce now, and the water was cold, freezing really—she was sure her magic had acted out. Blinking up, her bottom lip quivering, Amaya saw Sirius looking worriedly down at her.

"Come on, let's get you out of here," he said gently, helping her to stand and step off the bathtub.

Amaya didn't care that she was naked, she didn't care that Sirius was seeing her like this. He didn't seem to care either, not paying a second of notice to her body as he rushed to grab her a fluffy towel, and wrapped it around her.

He grabbed his wand and pointed it at her. Amaya subconsciously flinched. Sirius's brows furrowed, his eyes swimming with understanding. "I just want to cast a Warming Charm, love, you're freezing. May I?"

Swallowing a lump in her throat, Amaya nodded and soon she felt a wave of heat swarm through her body and Sirius threw his wand aside, just as Ninny popped in the bathroom with a pile of clothes, looking worriedly between them.

She passed Amaya the clothes. "Ninny was washing Miss Maya's pyjamas. Ninny wants Miss Maya well." She turned to Sirius. "Master Siri needs to get out so Miss Maya can dress."

Despite his amusement, Sirius only sent her a questioning look, and when Amaya nodded, he went to leave the room saying over his shoulder, "I'll be right outside, love, you're safe."

Instead of leaving like before, Ninny seemed to pick up on Amaya's unease at staying alone so she merely turned on her feet, and stayed with her back to Amaya as she dressed in the warm clothes Ninny had washed for her—a t-shirt, underwear and some shorts.

Then she left the bathroom in Ninny's wake, her arms wrapped around herself and looking at Sirius sitting on her bed waiting for her. Without a word, she headed for bed, slipping inside the covers.

"Should Miss Maya need anything, Miss Maya must call Ninny," said the house-elf before disappearing.

Sirius looked at her, eyes understanding. "Should I go, too?"

Amaya briskly shook her head, not wanting to admit she was terrified of being alone, but also not wanting him to go. He only smiled and stayed.

A moment of silence passed between them and Amaya couldn't help but ask, "Where's James?"

Sirius' eyes softened. "He's with his parents explaining what happened to the Order. He wanted to stay here, but it's better if it's him going, better than a Black at least."

"Oh." Amaya hugged her pillow. "And the others? Lily was hurt—"

"She's perfectly fine, love," Sirius assured her. "You're a wonderful healer, she says she doesn't feel anything. Remus took the girls home while—"

Amaya frowned when he stopped talking as if regretting mentioning that night. "Just tell me."

He sighed. "He took them home whilst I was trying to get the Order to hurry and oversee the bodies. When James was with you." He gave her a tight smile. "Now, Remus went to check and see if Peter got home safe. And I'm in charge of staying with you. I know I'm not James, and if you ask me I'm better than the arsehole, but if you want I can get him—"

"No. You can't tell him," Amaya said, her voice bordering on terrified. But he couldn't see her like this. She was a wreck. She was pathetic. "Please, Sirius, I don't want to be his burden."