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I got up early and went out for my morning run. Summers in Sleepy Village were cold, even in July, and I was wearing sweats and a t-shirt. The sun was just beginning to rise, and some parts of my road were still dark. It was slightly spooky, but I continued running.
My entire neighborhood, stretched over the western half of Sleepy Village, was completely deserted, most choosing to sleep in on a Saturday during the summer. I shivered slightly in the cold morning, wishing I'd brought my jacket with me.
I saw a dog pass by– big, with shaggy black fur –and thought immediately of Sirius. He was trapped up in Grimmauld Place with his blood purist family and had to feel utterly alone. James wasn't able to have us over because there was 'a guest' at his home. Lord knows what James meant by that. Peter was in France for the summer, so his house wasn't an option. And, well, with me…
James, Sirius, and Peter all knew that my mother was on the loopy side. I'd told them that it was my father's abandonment of us that drove her to be the way she was. In truth, it was her craziness that drove my father to abandon us. But if my friends knew that, they'd want to know why she really was crazy. And I'd have to explain…
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, and I realized I'd stopped running. I started again and turned onto Franklin Drive, letting my thoughts roam. I thought about Hogwarts, and my classes, and Qudditch, and the Marauders.
The Marauders had to be the best friends that a guy could ask for. There was James Potter, their unsaid leader. He was a big joker and focused more on Qudditch and girls than schoolwork, but when it came to friendship and loyalty, James was always there.
Then there was Sirius Black, James's partner in crime and the heartthrob of the school. He messed with girls hearts and was even less mature than James. But Sirius came from a Slytherin family, and he despised them. Sirius was loyal to Gryffindor, and especially to the Marauders.
Then, there was Peter Pettigrew. It was hard to describe Peter's position in the Marauders, but we wouldn't be us without him. He was very clumsy and not very great at talking to girls, preferring to spend his time playing chess. Once a week, he would sneak down to the kitchens and help the house-elves bake, as he was an amazing chef. Peter was also very loyal to the Marauders.
Peter, James, and Sirius learned of my secret in second year. They didn't shun me, as I had feared they would. Instead, they did something much better. They became Animagi. They managed to do it last year, as fourth years. James became a stag, Sirius a dog, and Peter a rat. I couldn't believe that they would do something like that for me, and that night, I was in tears of joy, and sadness, for it reminded me of something someone had once told me.
'Look, Remus. Greyback was out for revenge. It could have been Keely or me he targeted. This just shows that God chose the strongest of us. We're not ashamed of you. We're proud."
JAMES'S POV
I stared regretfully out the window. I hated lying to my friends, but I couldn't let them come over, and I couldn't tell them why. My Mum smiled at me from the parlor couch, where she was reading a new book by her favorite author, Norman Davis.
" James, honey, why don't you go take a walk?" she suggested. I shrugged and got up. " Sure. I'll be back later." " I'm sorry about this, honey," my Mum said. " But we have to help her." " I know," I said. " When do you think she'll wake up?" " Soon, hopefully," my Mum replied. " Now, go. Be back in time for dinner. Your father is having one of his associates over."
I nodded and grabbed a jacket on the way out of the house. I stood on the porch for a moment, staring down the long drive that led to Godric's Hollow. Potter Manor was located up on Godric's Hill, overlooking Godric's Hollow.
I began running down the drive. Running was as close as I could get to flying when I wasn't at Hogwarts, and I enjoyed it a lot. My Dad and I went running a lot together. Not lately though, as he was so busy and I was at Hogwarts most of the year.
Finally, I reached the road and turned off, heading into Godric's Hollow's main square. It was a busy little village filled with hectic shoppers, squealing children, and gossiping old women. I ran past rows of little shops, twisting and turning to avoid hitting passersby. It was a Saturday, so even at seven o'clock, the little market village was packed with people.
It might have sounded weird that my mother had told me to be back in time for dinner, but it wasn't really. I could spend hours running, sometimes stopping to think and relax. Once, I'd spent thirteen hours on a run. My parents almost called the muggle authorities,
It had been a pretty stupid thing to do. Times were dangerous, for wizard or muggle. With Voldemort and his Death Eaters attacking every day, it was hard to be safe anywhere, and running alone wasn't a smart thing to do. It surprised me that my Mum had suggested I run.
Soon, I was making my way out of the village and into the countryside, running alongside a large farm, surrounded by a white picket fence. There were horses grazing, and a gravel drive led to a large white farmhouse set far back from the road.
I continued running, as far and fast as possible. I knew I should turn around, but I didn't want to. It was easier to run. It was easier to feel free.
PETER'S POV
France was fun. It was very fun. My parents had their own things to do, so I was free to roam the City Of Lights. Why I chose six in the morning was beyond me, but I did. So, I, Peter Patrick Pettigrew, was out running at six a.m. in the middle of Paris.
I had been running a lot lately. In an attempt to lose some weight, I was trying to exercise more and eat less. Hogwarts would be very surprised when I returned in September. James, Sirius, and Remus would be proud, too. Not that they hadn't cared about me when I was chubby.
The streets of Paris weren't deserted at six o'clock, but that was to be expected. It was Paris, for Merlin's sakes. Some people were just now finished partying and returning to their hotels. That was what I loved about Paris. It was spontaneous.
I wasn't quite sure where I was going (more spontaneity). Maybe I would go to Alergrio Drive, the Paris equivalent of Diagon Alley. My parents had taken me there once, to show me where it was, before becoming obsessed with their own wants. Or I should go to the Lourve? The Eiffel Tower? Notre Dame? I wasn't even sure they were open this early. I hadn't been in Paris that long.
I was planning on going to Disneyland Paris while I was in France, but not today. Today was another day of just inhaling Paris.
SIRIUS'S POV
It was way to early, I thought, groaning with a mix of exhaustion and pain. I was sore all over, hurt after repeated beatings. I continued running down the road, hoping to get to Godric's Hollow soon. Sure, it was four in the morning. But Olivia, Marc, and James Potter rarely turned anyone away, no matter who it was. And since it was me…
I smiled, remembering how it had felt when Olivia had treated me like a son. Walburga Black was no Death Eater, but she was also by no means nice. When Olivia had taken me in for half the summer last year, I had felt loved for a moment. Sure, I knew the Marauders were my brothers. But to have a 'mother' was a nice change of pace from the usual slap I got from Walburga.
Yes, I am now calling her Walburga. She is no longer my mother. Nor is Orion Black my father. They disowned me. I am now no longer a part of the Black family, though legally, I was still the heir to the Black fortune. 'Oh joy,' I had to smirk inwardly. ' Such an honor.'
I, Sirius Black, was now a free man. I was no longer bound to the horrific family I'd been born into. I was just… me. It was a refreshing feeling, to no longer be chained. I could finally stretch out, try new things, muggle things, such as…
Motorcycles. Maybe I would get a motorcycle. Of course, Olivia would freak out if I ever got on one, let alone owned one myself. I felt a sort of tingling (maybe it was pride?) at thinking about someone who would worry about something like that. Walburga and Orion certainly wouldn't have.
Most of Hogwarts thinks I'm immature. I don't think I am. I just enjoy jokes. Jokes and pranking and laughing… they're all my ways of escaping. Like James with Qudditch, or running. Oh course, I was the only Marauder who knew about James's love of running, and I only knew because I'd heard Olivia asking Marc why he and James never ran together anymore.
I continued down the road, running as quickly as possible through the pain. Orion was never usually this bad. The occasional smack, yeah, but never had he been like this. At least this would be the last beating I would get from him or Walburga. The only reason I had stayed was for Regulus, and… well… It was too late for him.
The horror that had filled me last night when Regulus came to talk to me was like none I'd ever felt. He… He… He had joined them. Regulus Black had joined the Death Eaters. And I'd exploded.
" You… You… You… You promised!" I exclaimed, horrorstruck. " You promised you wouldn't join. You promised you'd go to Dumbledore…" " I know, Sirius!" Regulus exclaimed " I know. And I broke my promise. Happy? I broke my promise." " No, I'm not happy!" I replied. " Regulus, this can get you killed. Or worse. Do you know what you've done to yourself? Do you know what you've done to your future?"
Regulus turned and looked me straight in the eyes. That was the moment that I realized my brother wasn't the same little boy he'd been. He was fourteen, fifteen in September, and he had made his own decision. Regulus replied, " Yeah, Sirius. I know," before walking out.
I couldn't summon the courage to tell Dumbledore, who needed to know. Regulus, despite his flaws, was my little brother. I couldn't betray him like that, however wrong his actions were. Looking overhead at the still dark sky, I knew I needed to find James, and quickly.
Author's Note:
Please review. How was it? I'd like to thank Jazz E. Roisin and Lilly Tiger for reviewing Chapter 1. I realize I'm not a terrific writer, but this is only my first story and I'd like suggestions on how to improve. Thanks!
