Better late then never? No...
I hadn't ever intended for it to be just a one shot. I really wanted to keep it going but when I couldn't figure out what to do with it I just left it. Now I have a second chapter albeit not a good one but its there allowing the process to finish it to start (wait… yeah I think that made sense… ye-no kind of?). Anyway thanks to Kaladelia Undomiel and Lt. Xavier Wolf for the reviews, Penny
Chapter Two: Home
I stood next to my father, angry I'd gotten myself into this situation. I'd run away from all this. I hadn't had any intention of coming back here but because of getting arrested I had to be released into my parent's custody. If I ran off I'd be in jail till my hearing.
So I stood obediently by my father's side while his employee's kicked the crap out of some guy.
"So your whole job you don't actually perform any of the violence yourself?" I asked him.
"No, why do things yourself when others will do it for you?" he replied. That freaked me out a little because that was like my motto. I had nothing more in common with my father then looks and a last name, even that was too much for me and now it seemed we shared a philosophy. I didn't like it, and I was only realising all this from spending time with him. And I was only spending time with him because of Remus so effectively it was his entire fault and I wouldn't hesitate to inform him of this. When I was free from this man, August eleventh couldn't come soon enough.
I'd given Remus his money and wept for the dint in my savings, I'd had to remortgage my flat and I'd just paid it off. Don't get me wrong, it was a crap hole of a place but it was mine. I also now had to get a job to pay for said mortgage even though I'd been used to just digging into my savings to afford food and water. I wouldn't tell Remus these things though, just the hating-my-father thing.
"Let this be a warning" dad said
"Thanks" the guy rasped, I was apparently the only one who noticed the sarcasm in there. Dad nodded to his kicking guys who picked the guy up and tossed him down a hill. He rolled to the bottom and lay there coughing trying to crawl off.
"And that's what would have happened to your friend" dad said with a smile.
"You already did something to him though didn't you" I said he frowned at me. "I mean you don't rack up that kind of debt in a few months, they've been borrowing for years and you've given them a lot of… warnings"
"Yes"
"Well, I know how you pride yourself on ingenuity. So you wouldn't be rolling Mr Lupin down hills, what did you do?" I asked. Dad looked me over obviously trying to figure out my whole game plan so I assured him, "I'm just trying to learn the ropes"
"I've had a few of my associates pay them a few visits"
"Fuck up the house?"
"Yes… a particularly clever fire starter was my favourite; she goes to your school, lovely girl" dad said
"I'm sure she is" I said
"Glad you agree your marrying her"
"What!?" I shouted. He smiled and clapped a hand to my shoulder
"Yeah… I think your perfect for one another. I arranged it the other day, when you decided to come back to your rightful place" dad said. I frowned in thought, fucking Moony… I can blame this on him too…
"Dad," I said with great difficulty, I didn't like acknowledging him as my kin aloud "that's really awesome and stuff but-"
"You wanted to be my number one… if you do this I know I can fully trust you" dad said I sighed, stupid Moony.
What is it with purebloods and marriage? I didn't understand it at all and would prefer to remain a carefree bachelor forever. I didn't even like having girlfriends… why would I want a fiancé or a wife…?
"No!" I said dad frowned at me.
"What?" he asked. Oh crap, I'm going to be Mr Crawls-away at the bottom of that hill in a sec.
"No" I repeated firmly. He slapped me on the shoulder and smiled.
"That's all you had to say"
"Really?" I squeaked then coughed to get my voice to its usual pitch "Really?"
"You're my son I only wish to see you happy. Besides, she's Regulus's age I'll just make him do it" dad said. Thank Merlin for my twat of a little brother.
"You've got the business side; he can carry on the line for us. It's about time that boy did something good"
"It is?" I asked. I'd always thought Regulus was the apple of my parent's eye because I was such a royal fuck up. I supposed that the first born with purebloods really is always the favourite no matter what. Even though I ran away and got blasted off the family tree my parents still wanted me to be their prodigy. It was fucking awesome. Not that I'd do it of course. But for now they didn't need to know that.
I would be seeing Regulus for the first time since I ran away. He'd been at a friend's house so it had just been me and my parents; I was a little wary because maybe with Regulus back they'd go back to trying to kill me again.
But with dads speech I doubted that… my parents were pretty unpredictable though…
I stood in my childhood home in the kitchen with my mother while she cooked. She patted my head as she walked past and I screamed at her. We stared at each other for a few moments in silence.
"Sorry" she said sweetly. I felt like running off and crying. I was so paranoid she'd try and stab me at any point. Being so high-strung was making me a bundle of nerves, I was ready to explode when Regulus walked in. He dropped his suitcase at the sight of me then glanced around. Neither of our parents were in the room and so he threw himself on me, his arms wrapped tightly around me.
"Reggie, I can't breath" I said he didn't loosen his grip; he just buried his head into the niche in between my neck and shoulder holding me tightly.
"What are you doing you git?" I asked
"If I hold you tight enough maybe you won't leave again" he said so quietly I thought I'd been mistaken. But he tightened his grip even more and I coughed. I wrapped my own arms around him loosely and he relaxed feeling more secure now that I had also embraced him.
"Aw somebody missed you" mum said. Regulus pulled away and blinked at me, I just shook my head, I had no idea what was wrong with her.
He shook a little bottle of pills and all was clear. I nodded and he smiled putting them into a cabinet.
"Help me carry my stuff upstairs" he said
"Why? You've got arms" I said he just slapped my arm and led the way upstairs. I followed letting him carry his own things as we walked.
"So your back" he said
"Temporarily" I replied. He dropped his suitcase on my foot, I gave him a very dark look but he just dived on my hugging me tightly. I glared at the roof as he hugged me.
"Hug me again I'll be out of here tonight" I said with a sigh. He let me go and stood back staring at me with wide grey eyes.
"I missed you" he said
"I know" I said he stared at me "I missed you too" he smiled and continued up the stairs. I followed letting my thoughts run off, obviously being in this house with just my parents and a senile house elf had made my brother even more of a needy pansy boy. Maybe getting married would cure him of that. I smiled evilly then shook it off, becoming a little to much like my father there.
Regulus headed into his room and I walked off to my own. It was exactly as I'd left it. The only difference is that instead of my clothes all being in the dresser and wardrobe they were still sitting in my school trunk. I really didn't plan on staying more then a few days and saw no need to unpack anything. Plus it made it a lot easier to escape in the night.
I couldn't sleep in this house I hadn't ever been able to really. Even when I was little, so I sat doing homework hoping it would exhaust me enough I'd just fall asleep. I did and woke up with ink in my hair and on my face. I had a shower, quickly dodged my family and breakfast and headed to the café where I worked. It was an all right job but because I was only part-time I wasn't making anywhere near enough cash so I sang there as well. Embarrassing yes but successful too, the ladies all tipped a lot more.
I walked into the café and Eleanor, my boss, ran over and hugged me.
"Hi" she said, she's very touchy feely she's also high ninety percent of the time. It was awesome and made her just awesome to work for.
"How's it going?" she asked letting me go.
"Fine" I said she smiled
"Tess" she said and hugged the girl who hesitantly hugged her back. She even hugs the customers.
Tess sang tonight so I was spared that, instead I waited tables and nearly dropped everything I was holding when the gorgeous red haired siren that is Lily Evans smiled at me. My best friend James Potter had been in love with her since he was twelve.
"Sirius" she said brightly.
"Lily-pad" I replied putting her coffee in front of her and frowning at her date.
Lily went to Hogwarts with me; she was extremely kind to everyone and rather bright. However when it came to James she wasn't she was pretty much oblivious to his affection even though he'd asked her out a thousand times.
I was a little surprised to see her as I'd never seen her outside of school before. Her hair was so long, at school it was always tied back in a bun.
"What are you doing here?" Lily asked.
"Working, you?"
"Uh… I'm-" Lily glanced at her date who raised his eyebrows at her.
"On a date" he said.
"Right, enjoy your coffee and I'll be right back with your muffin" I said
"Thanks" Lily said
"What the hell?" her date asked as I walked away. I smiled and headed over to the counter. Eleanor gave me a kiss on the cheek as she handed me Lily's muffin. I thanked her and carried it back over to Lily with her muffin and she smiled, I could sense I had now made her date awkward. I was ok with that.
"There you go" I said
"Thanks" she said and glanced at her date who was watching Tess, "So do all the waiters sing?" she asked
"Unfortunately yes" I said
"I'll have to come see you sometime" she said and her date shot her a sharp look.
"Sure" I said with my most charming grin making her blush and her date glare. I walked off feeling quite satisfied I'd ruined Lily's date. Don't get me wrong, the girl is sweet and deserves happiness I just think her best guarantee for happiness is with my friend. I'm not bias or anything it's a fact, they would make a good couple.
After work I began to walk home as I had yet to take my Apparating licence test and had just sold my car for more money. Most wizards wouldn't bother with odd Muggle things like cars but I had loved it, plus figuring out how to make it fly had been really awesome. Now the Weasley's will be enjoying its flying functions while I walked.
I spotted Lily once again in a rather compromising position and knowing exactly how annoying it is to be interrupted I walked right past the car. Summer Lily seemed like a lot more fun then the stick in the mud prefect she was at school.
Or so I thought… there was a scream and Lily's date smashed through the windscreen.
"Oh God!" Lily said getting out of the car to check on him. I hurried over and we both stared at him lying unconscious on the bonnet.
"Oh! Oh crap!" Lily said. I glanced at her and did a double take, her dress was slightly ripped and there were the makings of bruises on her arms.
"What happened?" I asked, "Did he try and force himself on you?"
"Well… I… kind of… but-" she stopped and looked on the verge of tears. I took a deep breath I had my hearing in a week I couldn't afford to smash up another guy.
"It's ok" I said rubbing her arm hoping she wouldn't burst into tears all over me. I'm not a very comforting guy, "you're all right and that's what's important"
"But he's not, crap… everyone already thinks I'm weird" she said, "I'm not going to be allowed to go back to Hogwarts. My parents already confiscated my wand because my sister broke her arm, which I had nothing to do with but nobody can prove it. Now if they find out I seriously hurt someone…"
"It was self defence"
"My parents are Muggles they're just scared of what they don't know. Besides if I did this in self defence what could I do if I really wanted to hurt someone" she sighed. I felt immediate pity toward her. I knew her home life wouldn't be at all like mine as her parents were of the non-magical variety and that would get you kicked out of my family. I thought there were troubles having pureblood parents but it seems every other kind comes with problems too.
"I'll fix it" I said she looked at me.
"Really? Thank you so much, I'd be so grateful, I'd do anything to repay you" she said and I smiled. That was a very poor choice of words on Lily's part.
"Anything?" I repeated and she nodded, "would you be grateful enough to… say, go to Hogsmeade with James?" I asked. She raised her eyebrows then glanced at Scott.
"Well… I'm… I dunno… I don't like him Sirius, it'd be mean to do that to him" she said I gave her a look.
"James wouldn't care, he'd be stoked you were talking to him voluntarily"
"It's not really voluntary as your forcing me into it" she said. I shrugged
"Tomato to-mah-to" I said, "but I suppose because you know the charms you can fix your boy up yourself" I said she glanced at her date before back at me.
"You know I can't"
"Oh right, no wand of course. Well we can just take him to a hospital, but then of course when the bill comes how will you pay for it? You could ask your parents but then they'd yank you out of Hogwarts and right before the start of your last year, bugger" I said.
Lily bit her lip and then sighed, "Fine one date"
"Ten" I said
"What!? No! Two"
"Ten"
"It's impossible to reach a compromise if you don't lower your number"
"Fifteen"
"What?!" she screeched making me smile "four!
"Eighteen" I said
"Five?"
"Twenty"
"Fine ten! Ten"
"Twelve"
"No, that's not fair"
"Twelve"
"No!"
"Ok bye" I said and she grabbed my arm.
"You are such a bastard"
"Oh kitty got claws" I said and she narrowed her eyes at me.
"I hate you so much. I actually thought you were an ok guy. I thought that you and James had finally grown up but I can now see that your both still the selfish immature children you were when we first met"
"Ouch watch where your throwing those sharp words Lily love you almost hurt my feelings"
"You clearly don't have any!" she snapped. I put a hand to my heart and sniffed dramatically.
"I can't work in these conditions" I said
"Fine! Fine twelve dates" she sighed; I smiled at her and put an arm around her shoulders giving her a squeeze.
"There, don't you feel better?" I asked.
"No" she said. "You know James won't appreciate this at all, in fact he'll probably be angry with you"
I frowned in thought over James possible reactions, most of them were gratitude, I even had a scenario where Lily thanked me 'if you hadn't made me go out with him I'd never have realised how perfect we are together'.
"That would never happen!" Lily snapped and I gave her a look. I then turned to her date and pushed up my sleeves wand in hand. I easily fixed the car windscreen before I began to fix the cuts and lastly the memory modifying charm.
He woke up and then slowly sat up, Lily and I watching him cautiously.
"Scott" Lily said carefully he looked at her and frowned.
"Lily? When did you get back from boarding school? I thought you weren't due back till June" he said. Lily and I both froze and then Lily turned to glare at me.
"What month do you think it is?" she asked.
"March"
"Oh… woops" I said and Lily groaned.
"Lily? What happened? You're all bruised" Scott said.
"I'm fine, I tripped. Are you ok?"
"Yeah… I uh… think I'm just going to go… do you need a ride?"
"Yeah… I'll see you at school" Lily said to me
"And James, lots of James" I said, she narrowed her eyes at me before hopping into the car. Scott gave me then once over before climbing into the car and driving off.
Life was going ok now; I hoped it would continue to do so for my trail next week.
"My client is only five foot nine and weighs only a hundred and thirty pounds. It is clearly a ridiculous assumption to even consider that he would take on a six foot three two hundred pound man and managed to stab him. I mean really it's preposterous" Malfoy said. I looked over at Mark Dobson, the guy I knifed, who was glaring at Malfoy. I stuck my tongue out at him and he looked murderous.
"See, he is a seventeen year old boy who cannot act maturely even at his own hearing" Malfoy said gripping my shoulder painfully, "that he could hospitalise this man is just an astounding accusation. There are no witnesses there's not even a weapon. The only evidence is blood on my client's shirt and he maintains he was only trying to help. He's so obviously innocent I'm sorry I'm even wasting your time being here"
He sat back down and slapped me on the shoulder a little painfully then necessary. I gave him a forced smile and he grinned back.
Dobson's lawyer said his part and the lovely jury then we were ready for the verdict.
"If we lose I'm going to kick your arse" I said
"Don't worry your father will then mount it on the wall for you" Malfoy said I smiled.
"Not guilty"
"Sweet" I said and Malfoy sighed in relief. Mark Dobson glared at us as he walked past and his lawyer made him keep walking.
"You're not a bad lawyer" I said to Malfoy
"Yes I'm so glad I found that degree in the cereal box or I wouldn't be able to give others the same opportunity for winning" he said and I sniggered.
"Yeah that was lucky" I said he gave me a look then led me out of the courtroom, "so do I get to go back to my place now?"
"Yes though next time you need bail and there will be a next time I can guarantee it why not ask one of your dim-witted friends instead of the scariest man in the universe"
"Oh you know I would have but I know how much contact with him annoys you" I said Malfoy raised his eyebrow and I smiled.
"We have to go to dinner"
"Whoa Lucy what kind of boy do you think I am? I can't condone you cheating on your husband like that" I said
"You know the dinner I meant"
"Can't we just pretend I went to jail and I'll go back to my place?"
"No" he said and I sighed.
Family functions whoo! Not.
I stood in a corner with Regulus while my whole family mingled. It's not every day your uncle turns forty and I was bloody glad for that.
We were all at my uncle's house; it was a lot more homey then my own so I didn't feel to out of place. The dirty looks I was getting from my relatives however were making me wish I had gone to prison. I'd at least be accepted even if it was as someone's bitch.
"Don't you hate parties?" Regulus asked I gave him a look and he smiled, "you going back to your place after this?"
"Yeah… I have to repaint it before school starts again"
"Why?"
"Because I was practising my graffiti art on the wall and no one will rent it if its there"
"No why rent it?"
"Because I'm not living in it and I need money"
"Right… why don't you just sell it and live here?"
"Why don't you just live here?" I mocked then slapped his arm, "bad Regulus very bad dog go sit in the corner"
He shook his head and shuffled off. My mother then took his place and gave me a small smile.
"Hey" I said casually.
"Your going back to your place aren't you?" she asked and I nodded.
"Is it your life mission to break my heart?" she asked
"Ma" I said giving her a look. She then began to yell at me in Dutch and I sighed. She only yelled in Dutch when she was being particularly insulting as no one else in my family spoke Dutch. Mum had taught me because she liked to have something that she could share with her children and not her husband. She hadn't bothered to teach Regulus when all I'd done with it was use the sware words at her and dad.
"Ik moet enkel op mijn zijn" I said
"Why? You can do that here" she said I sighed.
"Mum I can't be on my own here you're here" I said she raised her eyebrows at me then continued on her ran in Dutch once more. Something about letting me back in after I ashamed her… I didn't catch much my Dutch skills had faded over the years.
"That's great mum I'll just say happy birthday to Alphard then I'll go" I said and mum glared at me as I walked over to my uncle.
"Nice job running away there mate" he said
"Well I'm a little low on cash so the National Bank of Daddy will have to sustain me till I can get a better job. Then I can really get out of here"
"I'm glad you're here tonight"
"Ah well your one of the uncles I can actually stand so I thought why not?" I said he smiled.
"You going back to school?"
"Mm" I grunted as I sat down beside him.
"Your conversation skills have improved since you left" he commented.
"Just drink your beer" I said and he pulled a face making me smile. It's rare that I can find relatives in my family that I like. The only ones I might consider liking have all been banished off the family tree already. I only got to see my cousin last year after I ran away, she married a muggle-born wizard and that was just outrageous to my family.
Uncle Alphard who was my mothers younger brother was one who had managed not to get himself burnt off the family tree and didn't mind telling everyone what he thought of them.
"You still seeing that half blood girl?" he asked
"Nah, she dumped me apparently I'm too aggressive" I said making Alphard snort, "Two black eyes is not aggressive"
"Two black eyes?" Alphard asked raising his eyebrows.
"Well I already told him twice and I don't like to repeat myself"
"How did your hearing go?" he asked
"Cleared of all charges… I'm too tiny to kill someone" I said putting on my best innocent face.
"Right"
"Well the guy was huge no one would believe I could take him down" I said with a nasty smile.
"Didn't you get suspended for attacking a seven foot tall werewolf?"
"Ah that was kind of rigged he was in his human form and anyone could have tackled him" I said.
"Sirius? Is this yours?"
I looked over at my cousin Bellatrix who was standing next to a very awkward looking Remus Lupin.
"Speak of the devil" I said to Alphard who spat out a mouthful of beer.
"Al, swallow before you open your mouth" mum said in a very sisterly tone.
I stood up and walked over to Remus.
"Bella dismissed" I said she growled at me before walking over to her husband.
"Hi Remus… what did you do?" I asked
"What?"
"Well we're clearly in hell because there would naturally be no reason for you to enter here of your own free will or alive!" I snapped.
"Your neighbour told me you were here"
"Alice or Ben?" I asked
"Ben"
"I always hated that guy" I said darkly, "what are you doing here?"
"Well our new place doesn't have a basement and James said I could use his but his house is so nice I'd feel bad"
"Oh so you can wreck up my place. I live in a flat you know"
"Yeah… so…?"
I sighed and held up my keys
"Thank you" he said taking them from me, "you've done so much-"
"Would you get out of here?" I said.
"Right" he said "is that your grandfather?"
"Get!" I said
"I've still got three hours" he said I gave him a dark look.
"But if we leave together you won't have to worry about letting me out when Padfoot comes in" he said.
"Remus we had an agreement I wouldn't annoy you about meeting your Muggle sister and you wouldn't annoy me about meeting my family"
"Sirius!" Alphard called I turned to glare at him and he just grinned.
"Who's your friend?" he asked and then everyone turned to stare at us.
"Bugger" I hissed glaring daggers at my uncle who merely raised his eyebrows. Remus was trying to hide his smile and I shot him a look too.
"Five minutes" I hissed at him then turned to my family, "This is Remus Lupin, Remus my family"
"Lupin? Isn't that the boy-" mum started and dad slammed his hand over her mouth before laughing.
"Remus how's your father?" dad asked
"Fine" Remus said his eyes wide. He glanced at me before looking back over at my parents.
"Fantastic" dad said and then dragged my mother off to the kitchen.
"Mum's meds make her a little crazy" I said to Remus.
"Ok…"
"Let's mingle" I said feeling a little more confident about speaking to members of my family with Remus by my side.
I dragged him over to Alphard who grinned at us.
"Thank you for that" I said
"Ah any friend of Sirius' is a friend of mine and as your mother forgot to actually invite my friends I shall enjoy the chance to make new ones" Alphard said.
"Remus my Uncle Alphard, Al this is Remus"
"Oh your boyfriend, he's cuter in person" Alphard said I smacked my hand to my forehead and Remus spluttered awkwardly.
"I'm just teasing you Remus calm down before you blow a blood vessel" Alphard said.
"I can see why your Sirius' favourite" Remus muttered
"He said that? That means so much considering you hate all of us there's not any real competition" he said I pulled a face at him and he just shook his head.
"We're going to go, so happy birthday and please check grandad I think he died during the speeches" I said hugging him.
"Going to say goodbye to your folks?" he asked.
"They'll notice my absence" I said nodding
"Well when the obnoxious guy goes home the silence is usually a giveaway"
"Funny, come on Remus"
"Nice meeting you and happy birthday" Remus said politely before following me out of the house.
"Sirius" Regulus said hurrying after me. I glanced at Remus who walked across the street to give us some space.
"What's wrong with Loony?" Regulus asked I shot him a look
"Nothing he just needs a place to sleep"
"So there's no room at your place and you have to stay here?"
"No, let it go man he's going on the couch"
"Oh" Regulus said disappointedly.
Remus most certainly wouldn't be going on the couch. He was a werewolf and so for safety would have to lock himself up. His old place had a nice little set up but thanks to my father they'd moved and so Remus would be ruining my bathroom or my bedroom. I sighed, mentally adding re-tile bathroom to my list of things for my place before I rented it out.
"I'll see you at school all right?" I said Regulus nodded slowly.
"But don't talk to me" he said
"Your reputation will be protected" I said and he smiled before turning and heading back into my uncle's house. I walked across the street to Remus.
"Ready Moonshine?" I asked
"Please don't call me that"
"Duly noted. Now this sister of yours…" I said and Remus groaned.
"Fairs fair Moony" I said and he sighed.
"All right" he said and I smiled.
"I just wanted to thank you"
"Moony" I whined and he held up a hand
"Just let me get it out. Thank you, for giving me all that money, I mean I'd feel so guilty if I inconvenienced you in any way so I'm really glad you haven't had to move back in with your folks or anything" he said.
Now would have been the perfect chance to have a good whine about how I'd had to sell my car and get a job. I couldn't do it though, the way he was looking at me. I knew he felt so guilty about it already… no need to add to that.
"It's ok, what are friends for?" I asked and he smiled.
"Thanks, that means a lot" he said then stopped. I stopped too and turned to look at him
"Sirius… where's your Ford?" he asked.
"Uh…"
What do you think? Should have left it alone? Meh, leave a review even if it's to rag on my grammar and spelling, Penny
