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Whoosh . Sirius felt it before he saw it. A cold chill raced down his spine as he turned to face the hooded figure that had entered his cell. He subconsciously took a step back even though he knew it wouldn’t do him any favors. His gaunt frame trembled as he tripped over his own feet and crumpled against the wall. The dementor floated closer, black smoke trailing along the ground as it effectively cornered Sirius. He stammered and spluttered as the dementor leaned closer.
Sirius’ heart was hammering against his chest as he began to plead uselessly against the impending assault, “No, no! Please, please. Please don’t–”
His words were cut short as a raspy groan came from the dementor. Sirius screamed as a vacuum-like force sucked out what felt like the very foundation of his soul. Horrible, vivid memories of his parents and childhood flew to the forefront of his mind, making this experience all the more unbearable. His body spasmed and tensed as he was held in place by the force of the magic draining him. He could do nothing but take it and suffer, reliving his worst moments for what felt like eternity. His throat grew hoarse from all the yelling, though he couldn’t hear anything through his cursed trance.
Another cold chill wracked his body and Sirius awoke with a start. He wasn’t in a cell in Azkaban; he was in his bed in the home he shared with his husband, Remus. Sirius sat up, eyes closed, and breathed a sigh of relief. When he opened them, however, he yelled again and instantly shot up, grabbing his wand off the dresser and shouting, “ Expecto Patronum !” He had caught sight of a black cloak flapping at the foot of his bed, bathed in the moonlight streaming through an open window.
Remus had been awoken by the noise, quickly sitting up and trying to discern what was going on. He saw Sirius casting the patronus spell in a panic and hurriedly looked to his target. He expected to see a dementor in their bedroom but instead saw… their bed canopy? With a sympathetic sigh, Remus crawled over the bed and stood next to Sirius, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Sirius, put down your wand love.” He spoke gently in a quiet tone so as not to startle Sirius.
Sirius looked to Remus with wide, fearful eyes, glancing back at the offending bed curtains pointedly. “But– Moony–! There’s a dementor!” he argued in a high-pitched tone.
Remus shook his head and reached out his other hand, carefully placing it on Sirius’ wrist.
“Those are our bed curtains, Pads. It’s a trick of the light.”
Sirius looked unconvinced, but allowed Remus to guide his arm back down to his side anyways. He stares at the bed curtains, flinching as they flutter again until he realizes it’s just the breeze coming in through the window. He sighs and his shoulders slump with relief. Remus smiles sadly at him as he takes the wand and sets it back on the nightstand before gently pulling Sirius back into bed.
“Are you alright darling?” Remus asks once the two are settled, Sirius with his head resting on Remus’ chest and Remus with his arms wrapped tight around Sirius.
Sirius nodded weakly against him. “Just a bit shaken. Had a nightmare about dementors then thought I woke up to a real one..”
Remus sighed in understanding, one hand beginning to rub soothing circles on Sirius’ back. “You’re safe now my love. They can’t get to you anymore, not here. Not in our home.”
Tears sprang to Sirius’ eyes at those tender words. He sniffled and quietly replied, “Merci, Remus. I do feel safe here with you.”
“I’m very glad, my love. I hope that you know I will protect you, no matter what. You are so important to me, Sirius, and I love you so very much.”
Sirius propped his chin up on Remus’ chest so that he could look into his eyes, allowing a few tears to fall and drip onto Remus’ shirt. When he spoke, it was barely above a whisper, “I know. You’re very important to me too and I will most definitely protect you as well. Je t’aime aussi.”
Remus gave him a warm smile, moving his unoccupied hand up to gently cup Sirius’ face. His thumb collected a few stray tears as he gently stroked his cheek. Sirius’ eyes fluttered shut as he leaned into the touch, turning his head slightly to press a loving kiss to Remus’ palm.
“Get some sleep my love,” Remus whispered, gently kissing Sirius’ forehead.
Sirius allowed himself to relax into Remus, smiling softly and giving a small nod. He drifted off quickly after that into a warm and dreamless sleep.