the_debt_of_time

"I mean James writes home just as often as you do. And I am not as blind as your
brother and your father. While I haven't wanted to bring it up, because I imagine it involves
your past and I made a promise," Dorea said with a sigh. "I know about your nightmares."
Mia frowned and looked away, embarrassed.
"I also know that when they happen, James takes care of you, but also, that Sirius
does. I believe that is the bond calling him to you."
"So it's not his choice." Mia frowned, feeling sick inside. Whether she was the one to
provoke it or prepare it or whatever, it all came down to the fact that Sirius was not in
control of his behaviour. It meant nothing. "It really is magic. He protects me because of
the bond, he kissed me because of the bond."
She looked away, suddenly angry at herself for allowing that glimmer of hope to
creep in. She remembered being so worried in the future when older Sirius had kissed her
and then did not speak about it for months. They were supposed to talk the day after her
nineteenth birthday. Was that when he would have admitted that he had not meant to do
any of it? That he had been forced into it all by magic? Had he wanted to wait because he
knew he would need to let her down gently?
"Stop that!" Dorea said, her tone scolding as she pointed at Mia's head. "I can see
the wheels turning. No, the bonds force nothing, they merely suggest. A bond, however,
prevents harm. Sirius would never be able to harm you. Nor you him."
Mia scoffed. "I hit him all the time."
Dorea chuckled, grey eyes rolling in amusement. "I mean true harm. Nor would
either of you willingly let harm come to the other. It's all about intent."
Mia nodded as she remembered how Sirius had so openly protected her while she
healed from being splinched, and how he came to her rescue when she was being tortured
by Bellatrix. Likewise, it was Bellatrix's threats against Sirius's life that had forced Mia's
hand in threatening the witch. She began wondering how long the bond had been affecting
them both. Was it the bond that made her want to bring him back from the veil? Was it
the reason she followed Harry into the Department of Mysteries when he thought that
Sirius had been captured? Was it the bond that had originally called out to her in
desperation to save Sirius's life from dementors all those many years ago?