Playing the Part
(Y/n) had been quiet since, as everyone was calling it, “The Incident”. Remus and Sirius had come to some form of agreement regarding her half-release. Until all the proper preparations were made they had given her a desk and some reading material as well as a bit of parchment and graphite. They took turns watching her, making sure she was never left alone in the cell while she was still trapped there.
As much as they tried to get her to talk again she hadn’t budged, opting to read one of the ratty old books she had been given or scribble down some of her thoughts on a piece of paper. She had only spoken once to Molly when she had come to, just one simple word “Leave”. Molly had listened, but only partly, she had stayed just outside the room door, making sure (y/n) was safe.
“Anything yet?” Sirius asked, handing Remus a ham sandwich and a cup of tea. Remus shook his head disappointedly. “Alright, well it’s my turn to watch, Molly is asking if we want her to take a shift tomorrow so we can both work on preparations and maybe get it done sooner.”
“Maybe, I just don’t know if this is going to go alright. Not with,” Remus lowers his voice so only Sirius can hear him. “Harry coming in two weeks. What if she tries to go after him?”
“Remus we talked about this, she needs to be out of this room. Take it from someone who was stuck in a cell for twelve years, it wears you down.” Sirius shuddered thinking about it. “Anyways, go rest. I’ll see you after dinner when you bring me that roast Molly has been keeping me from all day.”
“Right, I’ll see you later.” Remus got up from his chair and left.
“Well then, now that he is gone how about I show you the surprise I got for you, hmm?” Sirius smiled, pulling a small box out of his sleeve. A radio. “Now I know you know what a radio is, but this is set for muggle stations only. Muggle music to be exact, I personally prefer rock, but you seem more like a dance-pop type of person so I found a station for you.”
Sirius turned a couple of the knobs, flipped the switch, and suddenly the room was filled with Diana Ross’s “I’m coming out”. Sirius started humming along, taking a seat in the chair closest to the door. He watched as (y/n) tried her best to ignore it, but started tapping her foot along to the rhythm.
“This genre is a good one, I’ll give it that. Moony would probably prefer r&b or classical. Not bad either but, not my style.” Sirius sat and talked about music for a while, not sure what else to do.
(Y/n) finished the book she was reading and set it down next to the door, there was a small pile gathering, it was sitting at about 8 books tall and 2 books wide. Most of the books were on herbology and potions, a few about historical happenings in the wizarding world, and one about the unique findings of an underwater water cave near a volcano in Bermuda. She grabbed the graphite pencil and started writing on the parchment she’d been given. Sirius tried to sneakily catch a glimpse of her paper, to no avail as she instantly covered it with her arm and sent him a glare. She finished whatever she had been writing and quickly folded the parchment up.
“You know, I really am sorry about how I dropped the news the other night.” Sirius apologized for the seemingly 300th time. “I know I’ve said it a lot, and I know you probably don’t want to talk about it either, but we need to. Or rather we should.” he paused, (y/n) seemed to be ignoring him. “Damn it (y/n), please could you listen to me real quick? One minute, that’s all I ask.”
(Y/n) closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned towards Sirius. She set the book she had just picked up down and crossed her arms. Sirius shifted in his seat, suddenly a little nervous.
“I know I gave you a lot to digest, especially right after Moody did what he did.” Sirius started fidgeting with his hands. “What I’m trying to say is I did something pretty shitty to you, especially given the state of things, and you have every right to hate me for it but don’t take it out on anyone else, please. Molly doesn’t deserve the cold shoulder especially. She’s actually the reason you have all the damn books and things.”
“I don’t mean to seem cold.” (Y/n) said quietly, looking down at the ground. “I’m just trying to limit the possibility of making any more mistakes like the other day. I would prefer my intestines stay inside my body and not spilled out on the ground.” Sirius looked shocked that she spoke, let alone what she said.
“I didn’t think about that I guess,” Sirius said.
“And I’m not upset at you either. I was for a day or so, but I’m mostly just upset with myself,” she admitted. “I don’t know what he stole from me, but I know at least one of those memories was something fundamental to keeping my cool. That’s the only reason I can think of for me losing it like that again.”
“Again? Are you saying you’ve bit off someone’s ear before?” Sirius scoffed.
“Not exactly…” (Y/n) seemed nervous. “Let’s just say that this isn’t my first time going through something like this. It’s happened a few summers, once during winter break too. Normally I could withstand whatever they threw at me, I knew if I didn’t it would be even worse later on. Once though I did almost kill someone, even Lucius seemed scared of me for a time.”
“So they basically prepared you to be tortured, by doing it themselves.” he leaned back in his seat. “If you don’t mind my asking, why are you telling me all this? You haven’t spoken in almost a week, not suddenly you’re telling me childhood memories?”
“Well I figured my father probably already knows what I’ve told you, and since my being here was planned he must have planned for that as well.” she shrugged, grabbing a different book from the one she had before. “I’ve also considered your, let’s say previous experience with a similar type of parent. I’ve come to the conclusion that you might be right, that maybe all I am to him is a pawn, something to use and throw away when he sees fit.
“However, I still think at least some part of him cares. I refuse the idea that all he wants is power for power’s sake, that since I’m not exactly what he wanted he just tossed me aside like trash.” she paused, shaking her head. “But until I have evidence to back that up, I’ll play my part. It’s easier than trying to go against him, trying to turn my back on everything I know. I don’t think I can do that, not completely, and not the way you all seem to want me to. Oddly enough, I don’t think I’m brave enough for it.”
Sirius stayed silent, digesting everything she had just said. (Y/n) opened the new book she had just picked up and started reading, consuming the words faster than most. The radio seemed to have lost battery, the music starting to mix with the sound of static.
“What part do you think you have to play?” Sirius asked, looking concerned. She thought for a moment, eyes glued to the page she was on.
“Well, I’ve never been clear on that really. I think the part I’m supposed to be playing though is one of the docile prisoner, that’s what always got me in the least amounts of trouble during those summers.” she turned the page. “So, I’ll contain myself, become barely noticeable to you all. I’ll fade to the back of your minds eventually, I won’t be a hassle, and I won’t go against any of your rules. I’ll be perfect this time, everything he wants from me.”
“Let me know when you want to be your own person with your own flaws.” he grabbed the radio and shut it off, putting it back into his sleeve. They sat in silence for the remainder of his watch, (y/n) reading her book and Sirius just studying her expressions.
“Dinner time!” Molly called out from atop the stairs, her footsteps quickly descending. Sirius stood up and stretched out his back. Molly appeared in the doorway just as he turned to meet her. “Remus says he’ll be down soon, he’s just taking his potion and having a quick bath before his shift. Has she said anything yet?”
“We had an intriguing conversation, enlightening even,” Sirius told her, grabbing his portion of roast from her. He started scarfing it down, not even taking a breath in between bites.
“She’s also in the room listening in.” (Y/n) rolled her eyes, setting down her book. “I’m sorry if I seemed cold with you Mrs. Weasley. Wasn’t my intention, I just needed to think in peace for a while.”
“It’s alright, dear. I’ve made you a roast tonight, gave you some extra potatoes too.” Molly set her plate on the desk. “I’m happy you’re wearing the clothes I gave you, your others are taking a little longer to wash than I originally thought.”
“I don’t mind. Although I am curious as to whose clothes I’m wearing?” (Y/n) asked with her mouth full.
“Mine and Remus’s.” Sirius burped as he finished his food. “Mostly my shirts though it looks like, with some of Remus’s boxers and comfy pants. None of the kids really wanted to give anything up.” (Y/n) nodded and continued to eat.
“I might be able to find something else if it’s a problem.” Molly grabbed Sirius’s empty plate and bowl from him, heading to the door. (Y/n) shook her head.
“No, I’m good. They’re comfy and flowy.” she wiped the dribble of broth from her chin. “I was just curious, promise.”
“I’ll be back down for your dishes in the morning, hopefully, you’ll be able to wear your own clothes soon,” Molly said looking pointedly at Sirius. “Have a nice night.”
(Y/n) finished her food quickly once Molly left, placing her dishes next to the stack of finished books. She returned to reading, sitting cross-legged on her sleeping bag. Sirius picked up one of her completed books and leafed through it.
“I don’t understand what’s so interesting about any of these.” Sirius set the book back down. “I guess potions could be somewhat fascinating depending on what type it is, but herbology is just plants.”
“Well, if you want to brew potions to the best of your ability it helps to be able to grow the ingredients or find them even.” she rolled her eyes. “One helps the other, if you’re knowledgeable in both you’ll excel at both. Plants can also be used in combat if applied correctly too, poisons, carnivorous plants, and ones that just make a tea that could help with simple ailments.”
“I guess I never really thought about that.” Sirius yawned. “I was more into transfiguration than anything else. Care of magical creatures was another favorite of mine too.”
“I didn’t really do well with magical creatures, I tried. I don’t think animals like me is the issue though.” (Y/n) chuckled lightly. “Although I did have a niffler as a pet that I trained to specifically steal gold only. He did a great job.”
“Sorry, I took so long, the water just wasn’t getting warm enough.” Remus fixed his hair as he entered the cell. “My turn to keep her company.”
“Right, I guess I’ll get a quick nap in and then come back around midnight to switch off.” Sirius clapped Remus on the back as he left. “Have fun.”
(Y/n) eyed Remus as he sat down, his hair still wet and his clothes less formal than usual. He gave her a soft smile, taking out a book of his own and beginning to read. The only sounds were their breathing and the turning of pages. She placed the folded parchment inside the book, using it to mark her place. She set it off to the side and snuggled into one of the many new blankets she’d been given. Remus looked up to see her fast asleep, dimming the lantern as he continued to read.
By the time Sirius’s shift was up again Remus had nodded off in the chair, book fallen open into his lap and his head resting against the wall. Sirius nudged him awake, careful to not make too much noise.
“Damn, I guess I was more tired than usual,” Remus whispered, closing his book and standing up. “She’s been asleep almost the entire time. I think she’s having bad dreams again, keeps tossing and turning.”
“Go get some actual sleep, Moony. You look exhausted.” Sirius unfolded a newspaper.
“The moon’s past its apex now luckily so it isn’t so bad. Next month though I’ll be looking forward to spending it in my own room.” Remus ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back to its original place. “Have a good night, Pads. I’ll send Molly down during breakfast. The kids are going to help us with the preparations tomorrow too, she didn’t give them a choice.”
“Night Moony. See you in the morning.” Sirius waved at him as he left. It wasn’t too long after that he himself fell asleep in the chair, softly snoring.
~~{𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳}~~