~ 1995 ~
The summer was hotter than usual. Any simple movement done would have Harry sweating through his shirt, he even claimed that a quick trip to the old dance school his grandmother used to run would cause pit stains. Though Carina insisted that he would just wear a tank top or something, much like their father who would not have second thoughts in wearing his beach top when in the house which shows off his tattoos on his body, and as well as the Azkaban prisoner mark on the base of his neck, Harry would still stick to wearing t-shirts. The closest effort he would make to give himself some relief from the heat would have been the beach shorts and wearing sandals. It was needed since he and his siblings were frequent visitors of the beach.
It took a lot of convincing from his parents, but Harry managed to get them to say yes to let him and his siblings to go to the beach. Sirius offered to drive them but Harry said that they would just use their bicycles to get there. Stopping by at the Estate to pick up Maisie – Tom and Charity decided to move back to the Estate to be closer to Louise who was growing weaker everyday – the children rode their bikes to the barrier of the Magical Community of Ottery St. Catchpole.
The beach was, uncharacteristically, deserted at the time which gave them the freedom to pick their perfect spot. Being the eldest, Carina would always remind them put on sunblock before jumping into the water, and at that time, under the umbrella, Harry watched as his sister rubbed lotion on Deimos who wanted to join Maisie swimming. Once he was finished, Deimos bolted, bringing his little surfboard with him and joined Maisie to ride some waves.
Harry smiled at the sight of Deimos and Maisie surfing on the small waves that came.
"I'm going to catch some waves, you?" Carina asked him to pull up the zipper of her rush guard.
"I think I'll just stay here for a while," Harry told her.
"Harry..."
"I'll catch up... I promise."
Reluctantly, Carina got up from the blanket, she made sure to mess with his hair before taking the surfboard and then joining Deimos and Maisie in the water. Harry watched as his sister surfed the waves without boldly. She would do flips with the board, some times she would ride with Maisie and Deimos. He could remember the time Sirius first taught them how to surf. They were around six or seven at the time and Sirius bought them mini foam boards to practice. Carina was a fast learner and was already standing on the board while he kept on toppling over. Since that day he would always insist they go to the beach so he could practice, and he did not stop until he finally rode his first wave.
The thought of his parents did not improve his mood. Since he and Carina came back from Hogwarts, his parents were making up excuses to leave the house. He was used to his mother leaving for her job everyday but this time, he noticed that she no longer brings her camera or her bag that had all of her documents and other materials for her shoot. Instead, Emmanuelle would leave with Sirius with only her wand, and the two would not be back until evening and they would always look tired. When Harry would asked, they would have a reluctant or an apologetic look and say that it was nothing or "just a long day in the Ministry" and nothing more.
Then there were times when he and his siblings would hear their parents argue in the middle of the night. And it would always be about him and Dumbledore. He tried to make his parents tell him what was wrong but Emmanuelle and Sirius would always catch him and his little mind-tricks and change the subject immediately or Emmanuelle would tell him that everything was alright, but whenever she does Harry would see the disappointed look at Sirius' face. Clearly things were not fine. It hasn't been since the return of Voldemort.
The sight of Deimos falling over his board and into the water pulled him from his reverie and had Harry jump to his feet. The panic came back. This wasn't the same, he kept telling himself. They're fine. They're safe, they're safe. He kept chanting that in his head until he saw his brother emerge from the water laughing. Carina went to Deimos' side and helped him on her board, and it was only then that Harry found some sort of relief, but the worry was still there.
This was one of the reasons why he wanted to go to the beach. After what happened to him months ago at the graveyard, Harry has been plagued by nightmares and flashbacks. The simple sight of his mother accidentally cutting herself with a knife brought him on edge as it reminded him of Pettigrew cutting him for his blood. The sight of Deimos falling over would remind him of Cedric's body on the ground, though the Hufflepuff was alive thanks to Morgan, the image of Cedric's temporary death would always haunt him. Then the Dark Lord. As he emerged, all he could think of at that time was getting back to his family, but if he does, he was putting them in danger too.
"All right, Harry?"
The familiar voice of an old friend broke Harry from his reverie. Approaching their spot was a young man with a lean built, tall, dark skin, clean shaven head, and wore a Hawaiian shirt and some beach shorts.
"Hey, Isaiah," Harry greeted.
Isaiah greeted Harry with a firm handshake followed by a brotherly embrace. "Haven't see you all around. How's summer?"
"Better."
"School?"
Harry's jaw clenched as another flash of the graveyard came back, he quickly pushed it back. "There were better days."
"Carina?"
Harry bit back a laugh. Isaiah, much like the other Muggle children in town, was an old friend. With Emmanuelle and Sirius letting them attend Muggle school before Hogwarts, he and Carina made friends with the other children. At first, Carina had a huge crush on Isaiah but that fizzled out when she started attended Hogwarts and met other people. Or rather, when she met Cedric Diggory. Ironically, the summery they came back from Hogwarts, Isaiah started to show that he liked Carina but all she could talk about was this handsome third year who was nice to her. Since then, Isaiah has been trying to get Carina's attention, the problem was she was in this fancy boarding school that was completely isolated from the outside. No phones. And letters coming were only from their family. Well, that was the excuse they came up with.
"She's fine," Harry replied. "What brings you here?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Unlike me who has the beach as a backyard, you have to go on a hike just to get here," Isaiah turned to the sight of the waves after hearing the sound of Carina's laughter. "Then again, your sister doesn't let anything get in the way of her day in the beach."
"Her and Maisie. Those two would riot if they don't get a good summer surfing."
After a couple of waves more, Carina, Maisie, and Deimos returned to their spot, all soaking wet and carrying their boards. Harry met Deimos half-way and helped the boy by carrying the board.
"Hey, Dei," Isaiah greeted.
Deimos bumped fists with Isaiah before laying on the blanket. "I need food."
After Carina tossed the wrapped sandwich at Deimos' face, she went to greet Isaiah. Though Harry knew that Isaiah was a good guy and a childhood friend of theirs but knowing the young man's little crush on Carina, Harry wasn't exactly okay with her removing her rush guard, leaving only her bikini while she talked to the boy. Reaching for her shirt, he threw it at Carina's head.
"What the hell?" Carina turned to him.
"You asked for one, right?" Harry shrugged.
"No, I didn't."
"Harry isn't comfortable seeing his big sister wearing a bikini while talking to a boy," Maisie spoke with her mouth full of food. "Do him a favor and wear it, Carina."
Isaiah laughed heartily at the comment while Carina grumbled as she wore the shirt. Once she put it on though, Harry threw her shorts which hits Isaiah's face when she bent down to dodge it.
"STOP THROWING MY CLOTHES!" Carina embarrassingly took her clothing from the boy and apologizing to him for Harry's actions.
"It's cool, I think I'd act the same way if I had a sister," Isaiah reassured them. "Hey, I'm planning to head to Davies' after this. Stark and King wanted to have a little get together before they go on their great family adventure to Amsterdam. Want to come?"
"That would be great," Carina answered.
"I don't think – Mum and Dad doesn't know..." Harry began.
"Harry, it's just Davies', it's not like we're going to Amsterdam with them. Come on, I really want to have a slice of their lava cake. I miss it."
"I want pie," Deimos added.
"I just want ice cream," Maisie seconds.
Outnumbered, and knowing the stress in the house has affected him and his siblings, Harry gave in. Maybe a few minutes in the bistro won't be a bad idea. Besides, how much trouble would he get in a bistro? It wasn't like he plans to order a pint of beer.
~*~
Davies' was a place that Carina and her siblings knew all too well. Their family would always go there ever since they were children to have dinners and lunches while watching local bands perform. Her father would also perform on stage sometimes, when her mother would urge him to do so, and every time he does, he would always sing that special song entitled, Love of My Life by Queen, to their mother. After that though, he would sing each of their favorite songs – Carina's being Elton John's Saturday's Night Alright and some sea shanties. Harry never understood his sister's love for sea shanties. His and Deimos' favorite music would always be what was popular at the time or one of The Beatles or Rolling Stones.
But that wasn't the only thing that Carina loved of the place, she knew that the pub meant so much to their parents because it was one of the places where Emmanuelle and Sirius had their dates and finally said their first 'I love you' to one another.
Sitting at their usual spot in the pub, the group ordered their usual from the owner, Lee Davies – a man who their father claims was their mother's ex-boyfriend – and not long, they got their food with a bit of extra that was the man's treat. Sirius did say that even until now, Lee has a soft spot for their family because of his special affection towards their mother. Which they found weird that their father doesn't find weird at all.
It did not take long for the rest of their friends to come along. Stark and King were more than happy to see Carina, Harry, Maisie, and Deimos and immediately asked about their school, even if they knew that the family would not tell them anything. As always, they gave vague answers. Carina always felt guilty when they had to lie to their friends about their school and why they couldn't join them in out of country trips or go to their usual sleepovers or the fact that they could not communicate with them during the school term. When she was young she told her parents about this dilemma, and Emmanuelle and Sirius would always tell her that there are things they had to do – bad things, even – to make sure to do the right thing. And one of that is the safety of the magical world's existence.
After a quick snack with their old school friends, Carina said that they had to head home, especially after hearing that the skies were turning dark. Saying goodbye, Carina, Harry, Maisie, and Deimos got on their bicycles and rode back to the hill to the barrier of the magical community.
"Is it just me or is it really, really cold?" Maisie called out.
Carina breathed out and noticed the puff of breath that would only appear during cold weathers. "Yeah, it is." She wanted to add that the whole aura of the place became upsetting... depressing?
"Carina, I don't feel so good..." Deimos spoke.
Stopping her bike abruptly, Carina dropped it to come to her brother's aid. Harry and Maisie too stopped and were alarmed with what was happening. Carina reached inside his bag and gave Deimos his jacket to wear, and maybe the beach blanket as well?
"What's happening?" Maisie asked.
Everything turned dark and cold, not just in the environment but inside as well... it was like every happiness was sucked out of them...
"We have to run!" Harry dropped his bike and bag and went to grab Maisie. "Quickly!"
Carina dropped her bag and grabbed Deimos. She got him on her back and went after Harry. There was no doubt about it. She knew this feeling all too well... it wasn't just some change in the weather, this was something else. Something in the realms of dark magic.
Running up the hill was harder with her having to carry Deimos on her back, but Carina ignored her burning thighs by thinking of only one thing. Getting home to safety. They were always there, so close to the barrier as they neared the signage of 'PRIVATE PROPERTY' when she felt them and felt the cold and bony grasps around her neck. Carina lets go of Deimos and tells him to run. The sight of the Dementor was like looking into an abyss of nothingness, showing the greatest fear inside one's hearts. As the Dementor opened its veil to reveal its rotting corpse like mouth, Carina was brought back to the darkness.
It was like losing her sense of sight. Everything was dark and for some reason she was crying. Crying so loudly. So terrified, and she kept calling out "MUMMUM! DADA!" She cried over and over, shrieked even. Then she heard the muffled voice of a woman at the other side saying, "Just close your eyes, Carina. Please, just close your eyes. I promise, when you open them Mummy and Daddy will be there." but her crying would not stop and it only increased as fear shot into her body like an injection as the closet shook at each spell thrown from the other side.
It's a memory, she thought. This isn't real. This is just a memory. She kept telling herself, and with that in mind, she reached for her wand inside her pocket and tried to think of something happy to fend of the creature. But as the creature kept hold of her, sucking her soul, she could not find happiness at all.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Carina fell to the ground disoriented, cold, and crying. Just as she tried to get up, she felt an embrace around her and heard the familiar voice of their grandfather.
"Carina!" Ned wrapped his cloak around her freezing body.
"M-Mum... Mum..." Carina mustered up to say.
"Nell! Sirius!" Ned called out.
Once Sirius and Emmanuelle managed to get Deimos and gave him to Charity for the moment, along with Harry, they both ran to Carina and immediately the girl threw her arms around her parents.
"Don't leave there again... please, don't," Carina cried.
"She's in shock," Ned told them. "Dementor must have gotten her."
"It did," Harry spoke. "I'm sorry – I'm so sorry – I wasn't fast enough – I didn't know that..."
"Harry, it wasn't your fault," Charity reassured the boy. "You did more than enough. You saved your sister just before the Dementors took her soul."
"We have to get out of here," Sirius carried Carina in his arms, having an arm under her legs and another behind her back. The girl clung to her father like someone desperate for air. Emmanuelle went to Deimos and carried him in her arms, the boy broke his ankle after falling off his sister's back. They saw him being carried by Maisie when they apparated to the area after feeling the darkness.
While Sirius, Emmanuelle, and Charity took the children back to the Estate, Ned used magic to take the bicycles and backpacks and have them shrunk to fit his pocket.
Once at home, they were greeted by Louise who panicked when she saw Carina's pale and sickly state. She called for Beanie's help to get blankets and anything to help Carina. They brought the girl up to Emmanuelle's old room and had her lay down. When Sirius was going to leave to get her some water, Carina grabbed his shirt and begged he doesn't go, and asks for her mother.
"I'm here, Carina. I'm here, sweetheart," Sirius sat beside her and crushed her hair that struck to her head and face from the cold sweat. "I'm not leaving you. Never again."
Not long, Emmanuelle came to the room with Deimos in her arms, the boy's ankle wrapped with a splint to keep it steady. They would have a Healer look at it later, once everything was in order, and once the Order was informed of what happened. With Emmanuelle present, Carina begged her mother to stay with them as she remembers the dark closet and the maniacal laughter of a woman.
With Carina and Deimos resting at the room with Emmanuelle, Sirius went down to the living room with Harry to discuss what happened. Harry told them everything that he remembered. On their way home from Davies' everything turned dark and cold, then Deimos said that he wasn't feeling good. When he realized that it was Dementors, he had everyone running. He had Maisie while Carina had Deimos. He was already too far ahead of Carina that he only realized that she was taken by a Dementor when he heard Deimos' scream and cries for help. But before he could help them, Harry too was taken by a Dementor.
He managed to use the Patronus charm on the two dark creatures but when he saw Carina's state, he knew that he was too late. The damage done on her was done, and now she was still shaken with everything that happened. Once Harry has finished his story, an owl into the room and dropped a Howler. It was from the Ministry, telling him that he was expelled for using magic outside of school. Just before the message could sink into him, Harry felt his heart drop down to his stomach or even lower. His legs weakened, luckily he was already sitting down or he would have fallen on the ground, and the air inside him was punched out of his gut. Before he could even say anything, Ned spoke telling them to pack.
"We need to take him to HQ," said Ned.
The way his grandfather referred to him as a "him" and not by his name felt like a knife to the heart. Though Harry knew that it was just Ned's Auror instincts to move quickly, it felt like everything that was happening – what happened to Carina and Deimos and Maisie were all because of him.
"Harry, come with me," Sirius grabbed his son by the arm and brought him to the floo. They both went home and Sirius told him to pack what he needed into his trunk. While Harry stuffed his and Deimos' things inside his trunk, Sirius went to pack Carina's, but showed no sign of doing so for his own and Emmanuelle. Once they were finished, Sirius used a spell to shrink their things and hide it in his pocket. They let Hedwig and Hester fly away and follow them to the location that Sirius told the owls and then led Harry through the short woods that surrounded their home and to where a card was already waiting for them. But it was no ordinary car, it was the car their family car that Mr. Weasley enchanted to fly.
Harry wasted no time in getting inside, squeezing in with his siblings. Seeing Carina's still weakened state, Harry had her lay down with her head on his lap and her legs on Deimos, who had no problem with it.
"I have to take care of something first," Harry overheard Ned speaking to Sirius. "There was a witness – a Muggle, I have to take care of that. I'll meet you at HQ. Tom and the others will meet you in the skies as escorts."
"What about Louise?" Sirius asked.
"She can't go to that place, and you know it. Charity and Maisie will stay with here. It's the best option we have now, but don't worry. I'll come home as soon as this is over."
"Take care, Dad," Emmanuelle said.
"I should be telling you that," Ned told her. "I'll meet you at HQ. Get there fast but discreet."
With a final nod, Ned disapparated and Emmanuelle and Sirius got in the car. Glancing at the rearview mirror, Harry saw that his mother was looking at him and then at his siblings, but then she turned back to the road and started to drive quickly. Harry had to hold on to the front seat to not jerk too much in the car, and not long, the rough road no longer bothered him as they stared to ascend into the skies. Once they were in the clouds, Emmanuelle placed on the invisibility cloak of the car and have it merge into the skies.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked, panicked.
"Somewhere safe," Emmanuelle answered.
"THAT'S NOT A PLACE! TELL ME, WHERE ARE WE GOING!"
"Harry," Sirius turned to him. "Son, please, it's too dangerous to talk in the open. We'll do once we get there."
Seeing his father's stern yet sincere gaze, Harry decided to stay silent and look out the window while keeping hold of Carina to make sure she doesn't fall off. The longer he looked at the window Harry noticed that they were no longer alone. Small figures emerged from the clouds and started flying along side the car. People on brooms. One figure he managed to identify was Tom, then there was a girl with vibrant pink hair. He looked around and saw more witches and wizards flying on their brooms, acting as his escort.
~*~
Laying on the bed of her father's old room at Twelve Grimmauld Place, Carina stared on the four corner posts of the bed that held up the canopy, the walls covered with posters of beautiful Muggle models, a bicycle at the side, books and toys littering the floor, and then the bedside table that had a photo of her parents with their friends back when they were students magically glued on the surface. This was the first time she ever saw her father's room, and it was close to how she always imagined it, but being there now, Carina felt that the room and the house itself was not a home. Rather, a prison.
Sirius never really did tell them about his family, even when Carina and Harry and Deimos asked him multiple times. He would always try to change the subject or say "You are my family", they did manage to learn that she and Deimos were related to Draco Malfoy and Nymphadora Tonks – cousins. But other than that, Sirius did not tell them about his own mother whose portrait kept shrieking death threats towards them and especially to their mother, nor his father nor brother. But Carina did remember a time when she saw the door of her room having the name 'Uncle Reggie' carved on the surface but was later covered by her name plaque. Her father had a grim look when he did it, and when she asked him who that person was, Sirius changed the subject by asking where she wanted her star maps placed.
A knock on the door broke Carina's little tour of the room, she did not bother to tell them to come in since the person already opened the door. It was her parents with Deimos. Emmanuelle entered the room with a whole tea party set-up following her, and then took her place beside Carina.
"Where's Harry?" Carina asked.
"In the other room with Ron and Roman, and the Diggory brothers. The others arrived just now," Sirius answered. "Hermione too, but I think that you should stay here for a while."
Carina rested her head on her father's shoulder, breathing in his scent.
"How are you, Dei?" Carina asked her brother.
Deimos jumped on the bed, his leg all better after their aunt fixed it for him. "I should be asking you that."
"I'm doing much better."
"I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"If I hadn't froze... if I just ran with you –if you hadn't carried me then this wouldn't have happened to you – those things wouldn't have gotten you."
"I would have carried you either way, and I don't regret it."
Deimos' brows knitted together as he glared on the blanket, unable to look at her in the eye. "I promise, this will be the last time you have to do that to me...I won't be a burden anymore."
"What could you have done?" Sirius spoke.
"Sirius," Emmanuelle chastised.
"No. Deimos, you're still young, there is no shame in admitting that you have no chance against the Dementors, understand? There is nothing wrong in admitting that you could not fight a battle – or that if you're afraid. The fact it, admitting that you can't do those things is brave already. Alright?"
Deimos looked at his father and nodded. "Yes, Dad."
"Good... why don't you go with Harry for a moment, see what he's doing."
"Okay." Deimos jumped down the bed and left the room. Once the door closed, Carina felt the atmosphere of the room turn even more serious than when her brother was there.
"Carina, how are you, love?" Emmanuelle sat beside her daughter, holding her hands. "You're still shaking."
"Can I ask you something?" Carina began.
"Anything," Sirius said.
"Why do Dementors affect me so? I understand Harry's situation, but I... I don't understand why I am –"
"Dementors are drawn to people that has experienced horrific tragedies," Emmanuelle said.
"I know, but why me? Whenever it comes close to me, I'm brought back to this dark room and I'm afraid. I'm so afraid," Carina clenched her trembling hands. Her mind creating a vivid picture of the darkness and the echoes of the sounds she heard then. "I kept crying for you two – and I was just alone in the dark. And I kept hearing your voice, Mum, but I couldn't see you, and then there was another woman there, and –" Carina wiped the tears that fell, she had to pause as her lips started to tremble. "It was just scary – her voice was scary... I don't remember this but for something whenever those Dementors come at me, this would show... why?"
Emmanuelle glanced at Sirius' way first before turning to Carina with tearful eyes. "I think it's time that I told you the story of the night when Lily and James died... what happened to us when it happened, I mean. We never told you this before because I was afraid of that memory... just thinking of it makes me afraid because I almost lost you.
"It was during the war. The Potters were hidden in their home and your father came back from a mission. I was trying to get you to sleep then, but you refused to. Then when your father came to lull you, it was like magic that your eyes closed immediately."
Sirius smiled at the memory, but that smile fell immediately as the memory turned from a sweet one to bitter.
"Right after you slept, your father realized what happened to the Potters and the mistakes we made during the war and tried to fix it. I was supposed to get us both to the Estate for safety but the moment your father left, a woman came and attacked our home."
"Who?" Carina asked.
"Bellatrix Lestrange," Sirius answered. "She's one of Voldemort's most loyal followers... and is my cousin. She's actually Narcissa and Andy's sister."
"Lestrange came to our house to kill us. She got through the wards. Pax the squirrel gave me enough time to hide you in your closet... and that's the memory you remember. You were crying so much. You feared the dark, scared to be alone... and I'm so sorry."
"Your mother did what she thought was right," Sirius reached to hold Emmanuelle's arm, to comfort her. "And she fought Lestrange to protect you."
"I thought I was going to die but then Tom came. He killed Lestrange and we were both saved. When he got you out of the closet, you were crying so much that your voice was already hoarse. Ever since then, you were afraid of the dark. You had to sleep with a night light, and for a time, you refuse to sleep on your own in your room. Do you remember that? Do you remember us sleeping in your small bed because you feared the monster in the closet?"
She does. When she was little, Carina feared this dark witch lurking in the closet with that shrill voice, dark, and that maniacal laugh. She remembered her Boggart back in third year, the creature taking form of her greatest fear and it showed a dark shadowy figure laughing with that sinister voice.
"I still don't understand, why they affect me so," Carina spoke.
"Carina, Harry's has witnessed true horror in his past because of Voldemort, but just because you did not face the Dark Wizard doesn't mean yours wasn't. Never think that your past isn't as important as Harry's because of who he is. When you were a child, that was traumatic to you – that was the horror. And after hearing from your mother what happened to the both of you, that is also the most horrific thing that aby of you could experience," Sirius brushed his daughter's hair back to give her comfort.
"Can we stay here for a little while?" Carina asked. Her voice barely a whisper, embarrassed to even ask.
"Of course," Emmanuelle laid down beside Carina, wrapping the girl in a tight embrace. "Until you fall asleep."
Sirius laid down at his side, scooting more to the edge of the bed to give way to his wife and daughter, then had an arm over them, acting as a protective blanket.
As they lay there, Carina realized that this was the first time in a long one that she had her parents all to herself. Since she was a child, it was always her and Harry, and now Deimos. And now, everything was about Harry. Though she wanted more time with them both, she never asked since she knew how important Harry's safety and situation was now. It was always Harry. But being the eldest she understood why so she just held back on those request to have her parents to herself for a while. Now, as they laid there, Carina smiled as she had both her mother and father beside her without disturbances. It was enough to help the fear disappear, and more than enough for her to finally sleep without hearing that monster's voice.