Hey guys!

This message is directed to all who previously followed or read 'Forever and Always'.

I reached chapter nineteen in the previous version of this story but I found that things weren't going as well as I hoped story-wise. I was moving the characters and plot too fast and couldn't quite keep up with myself. I feel I've learnt a lot from those mistakes so have decided to completely rewrite it all. Characters and plot will follow similarly to the original but will change rather dramatically at chapter seven. I'm hoping this time I actually plan where it is heading and follow what I want to write rather than just rush it to get chapters out. This may sound annoying to those of you who previously read it but I feel it will pay off and you will be much happier with the outcome.

I hope this version will capture your attention once more and maybe even bring in new readers!

Thank you for your support (past, present, and future) and I hope you will stay with me through this story!

Now, on to chapter one! Enjoy!

Love you!

thenewmarauder


Author's Note!

Hey! Welcome to the new 'Forever and Always'!

This is a rewrite of my original story with the same title in the hope that this one will be a million times better. I hope you enjoy it and remember to leave a review if it entertains you! Thank you!

Chapter One - A New Beginning

(thanks to 'AnotherJilyShipper' for reading and editing this!)

Disclaimer: Rowling owns it all, Merlin praise her.

Enjoy!


Summer, 1975.

I opened a large, golden gate. I was greeted with the smell of riches before I had even taken a step. I had walked on these grounds a million times before and probably would a million times more, but this felt different. It felt strange carrying my suitcase, blood running down my fingertips, my back wet with the sticky liquid. If people had seen me they would have thought me to be a serial killer.

A cool breeze urged me to step forwards, the building in the distance looking cozy and warm on this cold night. However, I couldn't, no matter how breathtaking it was. My black hair was wet with rain, my eyes filled with soft tears that no one would ever see, not even him. I smiled to myself, shaking my head and sending droplets everywhere, somehow making me feel better. Moving one foot forward, and then the other, I managed to start walking. Hell, I'd made it this far.

My long, shaggy hair was causing my ears to itch. There had been times that I would have shaved it all off if I could have, but every time I went to do it I'd panic, throwing things around instead. People often thought it was naturally beautiful, but it took a damn lot of taming, probably more than his did - not that he tried.

My suitcase was rolling behind me, it's wheels loud and bouncy on the smooth driveway, chalk sticking to it's wheels. Every time I walked along this driveway I was amazed. It's length was one thing, probably as long as my entire house laid flat three times over. However, it was always the door that I was engrossed by. It was a dark night, but even tonight I could see the gold glinting upon it.

There were two amazing, symmetrical lions imprinted on either side of a very large door-knocker. Each was made of real gold, probably worth more that some people's entire life savings. A small stained-glass window sat above the lions, running across the entire door. It was a strange sight, but sometimes the house owners could be eccentric people, and even their son was a bit mad. It suited them.

I reached up for the door-knocker but withdrew my hand, wincing in pain as the cut sent flashing memories through my mind. I shook my head, forcefully throwing all thoughts away, breathing calmly and reaching for the knocker again.


'Sirius Orion Black!' she shouted. 'Don't you DARE leave this house! It will be the end of you! The end of your attachment to this family!'

I laughed, 'What attachment?' I pushed her out of the way, my Hogwarts suitcase jumping behind me. It was the only decent thing I wanted to keep from this dark and deformed house.

'Sirius!'

I laughed again, but this time a sharp pain ran across my back. My mother had her wand out. I turned quickly enough to see another spell coming my way, holding my hand to block it. This time, pain shivered through my palm. Vases began to explode, myself dropping my case and protecting my face as much as I could.

'You bitch!' I screamed. I pulled my own wand out, emotions running high and my body hot with anger. I waved it at her, but she quickly blocked it. I shouted 'stupefy' and sent her flying, her head hitting the floor with a thud, knocking her out cold.

I pocketed my wand and picked up my case, walking from the house in silence.


I shuddered, dreading the thought of whatever my mother had planned for me if she ever saw me again. Or my father, for that matter.

I was named Sirius Orion Black at birth, not particularly the name I would have chosen - at least the last name. I wanted to distance myself from that name as much as I could. I stood at just over six feet tall, with glistening grey eyes that often shone mischievously and black hair that fell lustfully behind my head. I was currently wearing a simple black shirt, covered in blood, carrying my pride and joy - my leather jacket. I had taken it off as soon as I felt the blood run, not wanting to ruin it. My jeans were wet, my shoes and socks were wet, my skin was soaked. It wasn't exactly on the top of my 'best evening ever' lists.

I had decided to run away, seeking refuge at my best friends house. I finally cracked. I always said I would, no one ever listening. They always said I'd managed sixteen years, what's another few on top of that? However, I was done with the bastards. I'd been done since I was sorted into Gryffindor in my first year, sorted into my real family. Being a Black and a Gryffindor was the most awful thing for a Black. My life changed that day, the abuse starting.

I put up Gryffindor posters, started fascinating over motorcycles ever since my mate introduced me to them. I ran away from my families ideologies and desires, becoming my own person. For that, they hated me. They screamed, shouted, cursed me, cut me, bruised me, destroyed me in all but mind. However, like all stories, the bad things had to disappear for the good to replace them, which is why I was turning to the good things in my life, which is why I was outside Potter Manor.

I finally used the great lion door-knockers to announce my presence to the Potters. I knocked three times, calling out at the top of my lungs, 'Prongs! Jamesie! James! Jimmy! Jamie!'

I turned my back to the door, awaiting my real brother in everything but blood. The great gold gates could be seen in the distance, the acres of land between myself and them amazing me once more. The full sized Quidditch pitch, the heated swimming pool, the small forest surrounding it all - all owned by my best mate. The mansion was also beyond brilliance. It had five floors, including a ballroom, two living rooms, a kitchen, a library, a music room, eight bedrooms (all with en-suite bathrooms), and a floor dedicated entirely to the Potter's job - forbidden if we wished to keep our lives!

I stood there, inhaling the fresh country air. Potter Manor didn't have any sort of similarities to my old home at Grimmauld Place, which was the main reason I loved it, the Potters being a plus.

I heard a creak behind me. 'Padfoot?'

I spun around and grinned. There stood James Potter, wearing nothing but a pair of tracksuit bottoms, showing off his muscular top half and giving me his trademark grin.

'Not the welcome I had expected to be honest, mate,' I smiled. 'Firstly, I expected clothing. Who were you waiting for, Evans?'

He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, an attempt to act serious. His eyes betrayed him, as cheeky as ever.

'Secondly, rule thirteen of the Marauders guide book, I expect a hot beverage and a snack. All guests at a place of 'home' must immediately be serviced a snack and beverage. You know that!'

He was smiling again, folding his arms behind his back and allowing me to continue.

'And lastly, I expect...' I hesitated. 'Maybe a welcome into your home for a few weeks?'

He paused, noticing my suitcase. 'Wait there.' He turned around, shutting his door.

'Dude! I was joking!' I knocked again, the door reopening a few seconds later, James in a huge grey trench coat covering him from neck to toe.

'This better?' he asked, pointing at his now covered body.

I laughed, my hand betraying me and causing me to shake it in pain. He didn't notice, continuing.

'No, I was not waiting for Lily, although how nice would that be?' he smiled, far too enthusiastic. 'Secondly, I have Izzy making a hot chocolate and some sandwiches right now, and thirdly -" he cut himself off and bear hugged me, crushing my organs and back, shivering pain rushing through my spine. 'You're welcome here forever, you know that.' He let go and grinned at me. 'Come in you idiot, you're soaked, we'll talk in our living room and you can tell me everything.'

I smiled and grabbed my trunk, already lightened with magic after immediately learning the spell as soon as I could. I followed James into the Manor, down the corridor, and through the second door on the left, entering a huge red and gold room.

'You have no idea how much I've missed that fire, and that sofa, and that little draw full of your favourite sweets,' I laughed joyfully, my back numb with pain. I carefully jumped onto the sofa closest to the roaring fire, raiding the draw and picking out some liquorice wands.

'I bet I have quite the idea, actually,' James replied, taking one of the liquorice wands. 'You wanna talk about it? You've turned up out of the blue before, but never bringing your case.' His smile turned into a frown. 'They've kicked you out, haven't they! Those bastards!' He grabbed his wand and started walking out the room.

'James, you prat, don't think you can sort this out mate, not this time.' He turned around and looked at me.

'It's done, I finally gave up, I couldn't stay there any more. I left, no damage done, you don't need to act all brave and show them how great you are at duelling, Snivellus can receive that side of you when we get back to school.'

James smiled, his eyes still hostile and fists balled. 'So you're actually here for good this time then?'

'Well, until I find a place of my own, yeah, I suppose I am.'

'Great, being here alone was starting to make me mad!'

I smiled, for the first time since I'd last seen him. 'Its been a week since we broke up and you're going mad already?'

'You try living with just your parents and a house elf, in this massive place!'

I thought about that for a second. 'You know what, I am going to try that, and I think I'm going to bloody well enjoy it!'

We laughed, Izzy the house elf walking in with the hot chocolate and sandwiches James had asked for. 'Here you go, Master James, and Master Sirius!' the little elf jumped for joy. 'Master Sirius! You're here!'

I smiled at the little elf as I leant forward. 'Yes, Izzy, I am.'

'For how long, Master Sirius?' she questioned, walking over to me and handing me a sandwich.

'Forever,' I chuckled. 'Hey, listen,' I spoke to James, 'you think you could check something for me?'

He nodded, Izzy clapping happily as she walked from the room. I put my sandwich down and quickly unbuttoned my shirt, pulling it off and smiling at him, despite my pain.

'Whoa, at least take me out for a drink first,' he joked.

I turned around, his gasp confirming my suspicions. 'That bad, huh?'

'Merlin, Sirius, it's awful! Not even Remus gets cuts that deep.'

I groaned, completely underestimating the situation. 'You think you could do me a solid and heal it for me?'

I could quite literally hear him shake his head. 'I'm not Remus, Sirius. I know a temporary spell but you'll have to wait till my parents are home tomorrow for it to be healed properly.'

'Then do it, my palm as well.'

'Why, what's wrong with that?'

I held up my hand for him to see, the flesh still oozing a small amount of blood. I was actually going rather dizzy. I could feel his wand move across my back, his mouth muttering a spell, my back healing temporarily. He quickly did my hand for me, the fire being the only source of sound. The frown on his face was enough for me to guess what was going through his mind.

'Seriously, James, I'm over it, you should be too.'

He stood up and shouted, taking off his coat and throwing it against the wall. 'Repeatedly, they've done this to you, Sirius! Every summer you have had fresh cuts and bruises. This is enough to put them away in Azkaban!'

'Not quite, mate,' I shrugged, 'I kind of stupefied that bitch, probably not going to hold up well in a hearing.'

He looked at me, his dark, hazel eyes peering into my soul, judging my attitude. 'You want to let it go? Just like that?'

I nodded, 'I need to put them behind me, mate. I want a new beginning, no more mentioning of the Black family. Ever.'

'Ever,' he repeated, nodding his head, sipping his hot chocolate and handing me mine.

I thanked him. 'This is going to be the start of a new beginning for me.'

'And I'll be there, along with my parents, and Remus and Pete. We're all here mate, you don't need those pricks in your life, we're your family now.'

I grinned, gulping my hot chocolate. 'If this gets any cheesier I'm going to throw up.' James chuckled, myself laughing again. 'In all seriousness though, thanks mate.'

'Don't worry about it,' James replied with a cool wave of his hand. 'Lets go upstairs, your old room is just how you left it.'

I nodded excitedly, my wolfish eyes lighting up, placing my cup on the coffee table and picking up the ham and cheese sandwich Izzy had given me. We both walked out of the room, heading through the ballroom and up the many staircases that led us to our floor, the third floor. We weren't even at the second floor by the time I had finished my sandwich, silently following him through his maze.

'Is there still a hot tub in my room?' I wondered aloud, James stopping and turning to me, frowning when I pushed him to continue.

'You put a hot tub in your room?' he questioned loudly.

'Does your family communicate less than mine?' I asked him. 'Your Dad did it for me.'

'Why didn't he do that to mine?' he asked angrily, running his hand through his hair, a habit I was more than used to.

'Probably because you never asked him,' I replied, stating the obvious. 'Speaking of which, when did you say your parents are home?'

'In the morning, we'll tell them you're here tomorrow. We need to get some sleep first, you bloody well look like you need it.'

'Thanks for that.'

'It's your hair, it goes all frizzy when you're tired and angry.'

'Never tell anyone that, it makes us sound like a couple.'

He stopped again, hand on his heart. 'You mean we aren't a couple?'

'If I weren't tired I'd slap you.' I threatened.

'How's that helping our relationship?' he asked.

'Shut up.'

'Okay, okay.' We stopped in front of my room. 'Well, I'm sure you can find your way from here, considering you are standing in front of the door. My room is right next door, as you know, so goodnight.'

With that, he walked away, turning into his door and leaving me in the hallway. I sighed, turning my doorknob and opening it slowly, excited to be back in my own room.

'Surprise!' I suddenly heard, James in front of me holding his hands above his head to shock me.

I almost jumped. 'What the hell!' I walked in, noticing a major difference. 'Where the hell is the wall that separated our rooms?'

'My dad knocked it down for me! I was kidding about the whole hot tub thing! I found out immediately and got my dad to take the wall out so I could use it!'

I was shocked, and I shouldn't have been. 'I'm genuinely surprised,' I grinned. 'Now instead of me walking around naked in the morning, I'll be walking around naked with an audience.'

He shrugged, 'Nothing I haven't seen before.'

I rolled my eyes, looking around the room. 'Looks a lot like our Hogwarts dorm. Same rules apply.'

'Wait,' he objected. 'You're making rules now? How does that work?'

'Well, I'm older, superior, sexier, more awesome. Need I continue?'

'Shut up. I've already drawn a line down the middle of the rooms because I know how OCD you are about your stuff.'

The line was in golden tape. 'I like it,' I grinned, turning around and jumping onto my bed. 'My case is downstairs.'

'I'll go get it, mate,' James offered.

'No, don't worry, I'll do it,' I yawned, my eyes already closed.

He laughed, 'Go to sleep.'

I rolled over, not even bothering to undress, just slipping under the covers.

'James?' I called after him.

He sighed, 'Yeah mate?'

'Thanks, for everything.'

'Don't worry Padfoot, now go to sleep.'

I laughed for the final time that evening, turning off the lights.


Author's Note

Thanks to all of you if you stuck through to read this note, and please Review! I'd like to know where you want this story to go and what you think is going to happen!

As I am only going over and editing the chapters of the previous version of this story updates should be fairly regular, at least until I am writing fresh content again.

Thanks for reading! Until next time!

P.S. I'm actually working on my very own original story right now! It would mean a lot to me if you could visit my profile and check out the Facebook link for it? Thank you!