Sirius stood alone at Platform 9¾ staring at all the happy families tiredly. After he was taken out of the snow he had been constantly abused by his mother and father and hadn't been allowed to sleep for those four long days. In addition to the healing spells he was more drained than he had ever been in his entire life and he felt like he was going to pass out. Suddenly Orion grabbed him and pulled him behind a column, his hands grabbing Sirius's cheeks and shoulders painfully.
"I don't want to hear about you associating with blood traitors and mudbloods this year. Do I make myself clear?" Orion snarled at his eldest son.
"Yes sir," Sirius whispered weakly, his father had made it painfully clear.
"Good. Now go to school and I will trust you to uphold your part of the Black family name, the small amount of it that you have not tarnished. And don't think you can hide it from me boy because Regulus will be watching."
"Yes sir." The hands were released and Sirius stumbled away into the crowd while Orion resumed praising his true son, Regulus.
As soon as James spotted Sirius he wanted to call out to him but before he could he saw Sirius's father pull him aside. He knew it couldn't be could. When Sirius reemerged James could tell he wasn't doing well. Sirius always returned from home skinny and sullen but this year it had been taken to a new level, James knew Sirius hated going home and things weren't good for him there but James wondered if he had been underestimating it until that moment.
Sirius felt relieved the moment he stepped onto the train and was almost happy. The same thing happened every time he went home but this year things had gotten much worse for him and although he knew he wouldn't listen to what his father said he was already scared for summer break. Moving quickly Sirius collapsed in the nearest empty compartment. When he sat down he closed his eyes, he was tired and wasn't ready to face his friends quite yet. But his body chose that moment to let him explode into a violent coughing fit, his little cough had been betting worse but Sirius knew it would just go away soon enough. Sighing he felt his headache come back in full force as he stretched out and felt the soreness in his muscles. Closing his eyes again he fell asleep almost instantly.
"Where's Padfoot?" Remus asked, "Has anyone seen him yet?" The 3 boys had just finished greeting each other in the station.
"I saw him," James stated reluctantly, not wanting to think about it, "He was with his parents and went strait to the train. I don't know what happened but he looks really bad Moony," James continued, sighing. "But on a lighter note," James continued, trying to raise everyone's spirits, "I did some researching over break and I think I discovered a way for Padfoot and I to help Peter turn into an animagus. Then, finally, all three of us can join you."
"T-thanks Prongs," Peter squeaked, overjoyed.
"Well that's good Prongs. Peter, have you decided what you want your animal to be?" Remus pressed.
"Ummm….. Well maybe something small so I can run away?" Peter ventured nervously, "I mean P-prongs and Padfoot can keep you in check so I could stop the Whomping Willow?"
"That sounds fine Peter, we'll figure the details out later. For now lets just get on the train," James said and he led the others over to the train, and eventually to the compartment where Sirius was sleeping.
Sirius stiffened and immediately woke up when the others joined him in the compartment, relaxing when he saw who it was.
Sirius yawned and rubbed as he sat up asking, "How was your break?"
"I think the real question is what happened during yours. You look terrible Padfoot," James stated bluntly.
"Nothing," Sirius said, masking his emotions, "I just spent most of the time in my room, avoiding my parents. I got into a few fights with them. Nothing interesting. My insomnia got worse, as usual. Jeez Prongs, when did you become a mother hen?" Sirius continued, cracking a weak smile.
Remus, Peter, and James exchanged a look, knowing there was more to the story but they didn't push it, knowing that Sirius would tell them when he was ready, if ever. Knowing that if they tried to push it Sirius would just clam up and make some more excuses that no one believed. Feeling resigned, unable to hurt their obviously hurting friend they moved the talk on to turning the final Marauder, Peter, into an animagus while Sirius slowly fell back to sleep.
Sorry it's been the story's been kinda slow. I'll try to speed it up but I won't be posting for at least a while days cuz I'm on vacation and there's no internet Sorry.
Please R&R it makes me want to write ;)