Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the intellectual property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of J.K .Rowling. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Hey, so I decided to do something I've never done before. This is my take on Random Word Prompt Challenge by Halunygin. The requirements were-
•No m-rating, if possible. But if there is, then it must be tasteful. And, no crack fics- Done
•No angst or tragedy- You will see, this fic IS angsty n somewhat tragic.
•At least 700 words-Done
I got the word Price. The one-shot takes place when Sirius was alone in the Grimmauld Place and the school was in session.
Words: 1184
The Price of Revenge
Sirius' POV
I remember that night—the night when old Voldy fell, taking with him two of the most courageous souls that had ever lived on the Earth. We had decided to celebrate Halloween at the Godric's Hallow so Harry didn't feel left out. Especially since the children in the town took to the streets for the Hallow's Eve celebration exuberantly.
Remus had not been able to partake in the celebrations as the day before had been the full moon and due to his furry little problem, he was still recovering in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Peter had promised he'd be there by 9:00PM. I landed my flying motorbike on the pavement. My eyes falling on the house where the roof had caved in. For a moment, I had felt my heart stop, my mind buzzing with questions, the air whistling in my ears.
After that, everything had been a blur. I had sent a my patronus, a dog, to Dumbledore, as the members of the Order were required to when they came upon anything suspicious. This had been proposed by Marlene so that we'd always have backup, just in case it was a trap.
I turned into Padfoot, my animagus form, as I didn't know if any deatheaters were lurking there. The slimy bastards! My black fur blended with the night perfectly. The door was open halfway. I slipped in quietly and realized that everything was too quiet compared to the noise outside. I could faintly smell Peter, Voldemort and Snivellus. There was no one around here except James, Lily and Harry right now.
Hence, I turned, again, to my human counterpart. I went into the living room. James, my brother in all but blood, was lying there with a look of surprise etched on his face. His hand had been outstretched as if reaching for something. I looked around to see what he might be reaching for and my eyes fell upon the television that Lily had insisted upon having, claiming she'd go mad without some sort of entertainment. Lily had charmed the electronics to work in magical environment. His wand was lying on the TV. How could he not have it upon him during this time? I closed his hazel eyes in respect.
I went upstairs and saw Lily lying there, her both hands out as if protecting Harry somehow. Lily, who had been like a sister to me, scolding and teasing me all the time, was lying lifeless. Who had been so full of life and energy that her mere presence could lift up your spirits. Behind her, the roof had caved in. I had been able to see the splinters of the crib. I had then come to the conclusion that Harry must have been dead too, just as James and Lily.
Next minute, I was down in the street searching for the rat as I could see that people were still passing by the house as if it wasn't there and his scent had been the strongest. That only meant one thing. Peter, as the secret keeper wasn't dead and I realised then, the coward had sold out James and Lily.
A red haze of rage vieled my mind then and there, screaming for blood. After all, I was still a Black, even after severing ties from my crazy and bloodthirsty family. My canine counterpart could smell him but couldn't decide which direction he was in. He had cast a scent-masking charm. I glanced up and down the street and decided on the right hand side following my gut. After a moment or so of searching, I had spotted Peter. He was scurrying ahead along the walls. To think, the time we had wasted on teaching him to be an animagus.
I had shot a spell at him, catching him unaware. It had hit him - forcing him out of his animagus form. He had then run towards the Muggle street. I didn't care about the Muggles. I only cared about revenge then. My blood was pounding in my ears, my eyes following every small movement that he made. I shot spell after spell at him.
He had run across the street and shouted, "You killed Lily and James, Sirius Black." All breath had left my lungs then, hearing the truth in his words. If only, I had not insisted on bluffing the Dark Lord. He had then shouted a reducto, throwing it at the middle of the street, blowing it to bits. I had stood there, hysterical, the dust and debris falling surrrounding me. Aurors had arrived till then and hauled me off to Azkaban, without trial. They'd said I had been found muttering "I killed James and Lily Potter," and as we had spread the word of me being the secret keeper, they took that to heart.
It wasn't until I heard the guards whispering among themselves, that I knew that Harry had survived, But, by then it was too late. My life had now become an endless fight to keep the Dementors from feeding off my happy memories. The memories were my only solace in that hell-hole. Since then, with only myself and my thoughts for company, I've always wondered where I went wrong.
If only I'd shot a stunner at the rat instead of forcing him out of animagus form when I had the chance. I had missed thirteen long years of Harry's life, albeit unknowingly. Birthdays and Christmas gifts, the tales of the Marauders, the ways of womanising. I had missed teaching him all that. And now, I am stuck in this dreary mansion as an escaped murderer.
Harry had lived all those years with the Dursleys. From what little he talked about his home life, I knew it was not good. He was unhappy there. I had tried convincing Dumbledore to let Harry stay with me this summer. The old coot had persisted on Harry staying at Privet Drive without giving me any concrete reasons for the same.
I took a swig of the firewhiskey, feeling it warm my insides. I have failed Lily and James. And now, I've failed Harry. Just then, I heard a knock on the door before it was opened.
I looked up. It was Remus, my oldest living friend.
He said exasperatedly, "Drinking again? Come on. Let's get you to bed. It's late now. We have an Order meeting in the morning." He helped me stand up, waiting as he did, for the world to stop whirling. I stumbled my way up the three flights of stairs, with the help of Remus. This had become somewhat of a ritual between us. He would find me drowning my sorrows and everyday he would help me to bed. Sometimes, I'd be in a good mood after receiving a letter from Harry and would be up keeping Buckbeak company and dreaming of a brighter future.
As I lay in my bed, my last thought before sleep claimed me was - I'm going to do anything to ensure Harry lives his life to its fullest without any regrets, unlike me.
Author's note: So, how is it? I haven't written anything like this before. When I first got the word, I immediately settled on the title. Most of the fics I've read have Hermione, Luna or Harry as one of the main characters so I don't know if this type of fic already exists. I know I've changed many things but this is non-canon like my other story.
I'd really like to hear your opinion on this one-shot. Maybe you could inspire me to write another!