They were back in Sirus' bedroom crammed in a corner. They entered into a room of silence and winter chill. Lily cautiously took a step forward though the other two didn't dare. The memory was not a warm one
The Potter children watched a tall dark haired man standing tall, looking down. Something or someone was on the floor The children expected to see a house elf but instead they saw a boy, on his knees with his hair covering his face.
Lily turned to her father, quickly understanding what was happening, however her father pointed his nose ahead, letting her know to keep watching.
"Now get up." The man growled at the boy. "I haven't beaten you enough to spill your blood."
The boy slowly got to his feet, his hair covering his face.
"Sit." The man ordered, gesturing to the bed.
The boy did so.
"I don't know what went wrong for you to break tradition. But now it matters not. Pull yourself together, the family is coming…" The man walked towards the door to exit, before he opened the door he turned to the boy, "And Sirius, there better not be one step out of line tonight."
Before the young Sirius could answer, Orion Black left the room, closing the door behind him. A moment passed in stillness before Sirius moved off the bed to stand in front of the full view mirror by the door. The children could see him clearly, he must have at been at least 10 or 11 years old but, young Sirius Black was already beginning to develop a broad shoulders and cheek bones. Like his father, Sirius was dressed in a black three-piece suit, standing in the mirror he began taking a series of deep breaths.
"Only one… one tear. That's all. Just a little while longer and I'll be out of here…" Sirius practically growled as quietly as he could. The kids and Harry could here to sound of laughter and glasses clinking, the family party was starting.
Sirius, Albus, and James jumped at the sound of the knocking at the door, whereas Lily drew her wand subconsciously. She withdrew as soon as she realized how pointless it was and to save her from the embarrassment. Harry put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
Sirius wiped his one tear off his face, and responded as coolly as he possibly could. "Who is it?"
"Your big sister!" a young woman responded.
Sirius looked down and grinned, "Come in, Andromeda!"
"Hey!" She greeted, popping her head in first and slowly entering the room while closing the door behind her softly. "Wanted to see you, before everyone else."
The children realized who it was, their great aunt Andy… She was raising their cousin Teddy Lupin. However, in this year, she was Andromeda, tall and wide- eyed with shining light brown hair. James and Albus were flustered that someone who was so old now, was that beautiful in the past.
Andromeda's movements were graceful, she was already working on fixing Sirius' tie. The children recognized that though the house was dark, Andromeda emitted a sense of kindness that made the room brighter.
"I saw him adjusting his belt so I just figured…" she whispered.
"No need to worry, he wasn't hitting that hard."
Andromeda frowned as a reaction of Sirius' response. She finished working on the tie and watched him fix his hair, making sure it was tidy… but not too tidy. His unkept hair was a small sign of his rebellious nature.
"Sirius… come here, come sit with me." Andromeda said gesturing towards the bed. She sat down on the side of the bed facing the children watching. Sirius rolled his eyes and sat beside her. He was doing his best with his act but Andromeda saw through it all.
"You know… you know that the way he you isn't right, right?"
"I guess but…"
"What is wrong with me? Why am I in Gryfindor?"
"What's wrong with being in Gryfindor?" Andromeda pressed. "Maybe it's your destiny."
"You believe in that crap?" Sirius sighed, rolling his eyes.
Andromeda was quick to playfully pull his ear, "Language!"
She let go and continued, "I used to wonder why I was in Slytherin…" Sirius looked at her shocked by that confession. Andromeda reassuringly looked at Sirius, "I mean I don't agree with what our family says about other people… I don't feel a need to be superior to anyone."
"Yeah but you're still perfect and everyone likes you…" Sirius mumbled.
"Not for long…" Andromeda whispered.
"Huh?" Sirius tilted his head in confusion.
She took a deep breath and put her arm around him, "A day is coming quickly, when I know I'll be an outcast, I won't tell you just yet… However, always remember, no matter how cruel the world is, we have to rise above and resist."
"What the hell are you talking about…"
"I guess you're too young to understand right now."
At that moment, a cackling laughter was heard from downstairs. Sirius tensed at the sound, "Bellatrix decided to come? This is gonna be a drag."
"Come on, we should head down." Andromeda said, getting up.
"I hate this place."
"Well it's good that you're in Gryffindor away from family ties." Andromeda quipped reaching out for Siruis' hand.
"I guess…" he said taking her hand and got up, "I did meet a few guys. I think we might stick together for awhile."
"Oh see! That's good." Andromeda wiped Sirius' back, checking for anything tears. "I do hate the fact that Uncle Orion does that to you."
Andromeda watched as Sirius took a last look in the mirror. "It won't be long till he never hits me again… because I'll be long gone by then. I'll free myself from this god-awful place."
Andromeda and Sirius left the bedroom and the memory began to fade, a force thrusted the children, and they found themselves on the floor of their father's study again. Harry was already on his feet.
They got up and brushed themselves off.
"He… He didn't leave for another 5 years… did his dad still…" Albus stuttered.
"I think you know the answer to that, Al." Harry said, "Terrible things happened in that house. As you know, great aunt Andromeda was banished from the family and later so was Sirius. Sirius wasn't just treated badly by Orion but, his mother as well... In turn it made Sirius lash out at Hogwarts… he directed his anger at one person specifically."
Albus knew immediately what he was referring to. All three kids were understanding their mistake.
"Sirius wasn't perfect but, he was a good man. Good enough to have people not treat that place as a source of jokes and entertainment. It will only serve as a meeting place in a time of crisis when the Order needs to reform."
Feeling ashamed of themselves each of the children quietly went to their rooms. However, at night all James could think about who he was named after. Were James and Sirius all that great? It wasn't right for them to bully Snape… and was Snape any better? Did any of them really rise and resist?
These question would form a knot in James' stomach, keeping him up all night.
