A/N: Hello all! I truly apologize for not updating earlier or more often, this semester is a little harder than I expected, plus not quite as much free time as before. Thank you for sticking with this story!

If anyone is a fan of Bleach, I actually just wrote a one shot for that, check it out if you'd like!

Enjoy the chapter!

Supper was a subdued affair that night. Harry was still out, leaving Sirius and Bunta alone. Bunta didn't talk much, trying not to have a repeat of this morning. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Sirius asked, trying to start some sort of conversation.

"Keigo-kun and I were going to practice tomorrow, since we know that we're pretty much on the same level. I don't think that I'm doing anything else." Bunta took a bite of the fish and chips Sirius had ordered, chewing thoughtfully. "I know, I'm not at full strength, but tennis is a good way to get back on my feet. I'll be fine, don't worry."

"I didn't say a word. You're old enough to gauge your own strength." Filling his cup with water, Sirius regarded the redhead in front of him. He knew that the boy was upset, but also knew that pushing him would just result in a repeat of earlier. "Just don't overdo it, okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be careful." Coughing, Bunta grabbed his cup of water and drank desperately. Sirius jumped in alarm. "I'm fine. Relax. I swallowed the wrong way."

Sirius sighed. "I know, I know. But you can't blame me for being worried."

"I guess so." Bunta took another sip of water before standing to put his plate in the sink. "I'm going upstairs to look at some of the books we got from Diagon Alley. I should get started on catching up, it's August already."

"If you want, Remus and I can help you out with that, we both know what we're doing."

Bunta gave his cousin a raised eyebrow. "Draco already offered to help me with most stuff, and Hermione can help with the rest. I don't think I quite need the help of the Marauders."

"Who told you about that one?" Sirius sighed inwardly in relief. Thank G-d Bunta was sort of back to normal. A little bit, at least. "Harry?"

"No, Professor Snape. You guys really didn't like each other, did you." He reached over to take a napkin and wiped his hands. "I don't like bullies."

Sirius watched in surprise as the boy stood up and left without another word.

Bunta sighed and looked in the mirror. He hadn't meant to say that to Sirius, it had just slipped out. But while he'd been by the Malfoys he'd met the professor, who had sneered when he mentioned he was by Sirius. Unused to people reacting that way, Bunta had asked him what the problem was. After hearing the story, he wasn't all that surprised why Snape hated Sirius and Harry's father. Lupin, not as much. Now, it wasn't like Bunta was completely innocent. He was known for having a good time, and playing practical jokes. But nothing to that extent. Not to the point where someone was nearly killed. Even if he had only heard Snape's point of view, the man had nearly died, which, in Bunta's opinion, gave him good reason to hate the two men.

"Hey, pup, can I come in?" Sirius stood by the doorway to Bunta's room, his hand on the doorway.

"I can't stop you, can I?" Bunta glared at his cousin, who sighed.

"Look, I know that you're upset with me. I don't blame you. Harry was incredibly upset, too. But I just want to explain myself. Is that okay?" At Bunta's nod, Sirius sat down on his bed. "James and I were just gits. We were immature brats. But for some reason, we decided that we hated Snape that first year on the train.

"I can't excuse our behavior, I'm just trying to explain. Do you remember when you were younger, and maybe you didn't want to befriend someone who looked different? Or wasn't your 'type'? So that's pretty much what happened. James and I decided that we didn't like Snape, and that was when we started tormenting him. Once he was sorted into Slytherin it just made things worse. We were horrible to him.

"Even once Lily made James promise not to hurt him, we did. Nothing as bad as that time when I tricked him into going to the Whomping Willow, but still pretty bad. So I can't blame him for being angry at us, and hating our guts. But I still want you to keep in mind that we were kids. Bratty kids, but kids all the same."

Bunta fixed Sirius with an angry look. "But what about Harry? He and Draco hated each other, and he never did anything like that."

"Harry grew up by the Dursleys. He was much more mature than his father and I. Even so, he did hurt Draco badly, back in their sixth year. It was by accident, but it still counts." Sirius tried to avoid Bunta's gaze without success. "Look, have you never done anything you regret?"

"Not to that extent. I may only be fourteen, and less mature than Harry, but I can't imagine I was that much less mature than you. When I was eleven I never did anything like that. Now? The only pranks I ever do are generally harmless, if I even follow through. So no, I don't sympathize with you. You were the one who was horrible." Bunta stood up and stormed out of the house. Where, he didn't know. And yeah, it was stupid, but what else could he do?"

Draco found him sitting in a park a few hours later. "What are you doing here?" Bunta growled. "Leave me alone."

"Sorry, no can do. The mutt is getting anxious, he's already contacted your parents, who said you'd be here, probably." Draco stretched himself out on the grass beside him. "You're upset about Uncle Sev, aren't you?"

Bunta nodded silently. "Were you bullied? Or someone in your family?" Draco continued softly.

"Yeah."

"I'm not going to make you talk, but…"

"It might help. I know. I've been told." Bunta pressed his hands against his thighs before looking to the sky. "But I can't. I've tried, plenty of times, but I can't."

"Fine. But answer this, at least: you or a sibling?"

"Me."

Draco stood up and held out his hand to Bunta. "Okay. Come on, you can't sit out here all night. You have to go back to Grimmauld Place."

"I won't. I'm not going back to Sirius. I know he explained why he and James Potter were so horrid to Professor Snape, but I just need some time." The younger boy looked down, avoiding the older one's gaze. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being a pest."

"No, you aren't. I guess I can see where you are coming from." Draco folded his long legs beneath him and eyed the boy beside him. "Look, you can come to the Manor with me and stay for the night. I'll send a Patronus to inform Black as to where you are, and you two can talk in the morning. Sounds good?"

"Yes. Thank you, Draco."

"No problem, short stuff."

Bunta whipped his head towards the blonde. "What did you just call me?"

"Short stuff. Face it, you aren't the tallest one here." Grinning, Draco stood up and held out his hand. "Come on, let's go. I'll do Side-Along Apparition for you."

"Okay." Bunta held onto Draco's arm and the pair disappeared into the night.